With Apologies

Clyde Lovellette, Wilt Chamberlain, Walt Wesley, Dave Robisch, Paul Mokesi, Greg Drelling, Danny Manning, Mark Randall, Greg Ostertag, Eric Chenowith, Scott Pollard, Raef LaFrentz, Nick Collison, Darrel Arthur, Cole Aldrich, Wayne Simien, Marcus Morris, Markieff Morris, Jeff Withey, Thomas Robinson, Perry Ellis, Udoka Azubuike, the list of great Kansas big men is pretty staggering when you look back over the last 70 years. Kansas fans have been spoiled by incredible post play.  That's especially been true since Bill Self took over the program but the last couple of seasons, not so much.

I've been one of David McCormack's harshest critics.  He followed in the massive shoes of Dok Azubuike who may have been the best post player five feet and in since Wilt Chamberlain roamed the floors of Allen Field House.  McCormack is a solid shooter from 15 feet in.  But he never developed the incredible post footwork or strength of a Simien or Robinson.  He's not even been a great rebounder.

He's nine points away from making it to 1,000 points.  He will finish behind other good Kansas bigs like Kelly Knight and Rick Suttle.  McCormack lacks the explosive dunking ability of Robinson, LaFrentz or Aldrich.  He doesn't have the consistently smooth turnaround jump shot of Robisch.  The big man sometimes plays at a frustratingly, frenzied, out of control rhythm that makes him ineffective.  But what I've come to realize over this last month, McCormack plays with heart.

He's finally become a really effective rebounder.  That being said he won't finish anywhere close to the top ten all time rebounding list in Jayhawk history.  He never developed the footwork that made the Morris twins and Withey so effective.  But he's still serviceable around the basket.  It's a good night when big Dave gets 15 pounds and 10 boards.

The thing that I've noticed over these past four weeks is McCormack has become more vocal.  He's showing the kind of leadership that you would hope to see from a four year senior.  Watching he these last few games talking to his teammates, owning his mistakes and his relentless hustle on the boards made me realize that he's become a pretty good player.

Kansas has Final 4 talent this year save for their post play.  If McCormack can find a way to take his good game up just another notch a deep tournament run isn't out of the question because lets face it, there aren't many great post players in college basketball anymore.  

I felt like I needed to write this because I have bashed McCormack in most of my Jayhawk threads.  I just want to say that I'm happy that we've had four years of David McCormack.  He's represented the program well... unlike other heralded recruits like Cliff Alexander and Silvio DeSousa.  Being a good guy should count for something.