We turn our attention to the forwards as we continue our men’s basketball preview. The Flames’ tip off the season next Friday night at 8:30 inside the Vines!
FORWARD
The Flames must replace Evan Maxwell, who transferred to Kansas following last season. Maxwell was the only true center on the team, and he averaged 10 points and 4.8 rebounds per game, both good enough for 2nd on the team. He was certainly the big surprise during the first half of the season, but as the year progressed his contributions diminished. After scoring in double figures in 12 of the team’s first 15 games, Maxwell only reached the double figure plateau in 4 of the team’s final 17 games.
Looking to pick up the slack from Maxwell’s departure will be Ezra Talbert, his brother Josiah, and Myo Baxter-Bell.
Ezra Talbert
Ezra played in all 32 games last year, finishing the season averaging 5.8 points and 2.3 rebounds per game while shooting 42.4% on his 59 3-point field goal attempts. He’s really more suited as a stretch-4, but has been forced to play out of position by manning the post. Ezra was Maxwell’s primary backup last season, and this year he figures to be a part of the rotation at the 5 spot alongside his brother Josiah and Baxter-Bell.
Ezra’s brother Josiah comes in as a freshman, listed one inch taller and 20 pounds heavier than his older brother. Josiah is more of a back to the basket threat than Ezra, but he also has the ability to shoot from 3. As long as Coach McKay is committed to playing at least one of the Talberts and/or Baxter-Bell at all times, Josiah will have a role on this year’s squad. If McKay is comfortable playing smaller, Josiah may get lost in a log jam of wings and forwards fighting for playing time.
Redshirt-freshman Myo Baxter-Bell was on campus last year, but was academically-ineligible to compete with the team. He has impressed the coaching staff all summer and made waves during the team’s trip to Costa Rica in August. At 6’5″ and 255 pounds, Myo is expected to contribute inside immediately. “Myo has a little bit of a sense of what we do and how we do it because he was here starting in the 2nd semester last year,” McKay said. “He will be a fan favorite. He’s so lovable. One of the nicest kids you will ever meet, but I want him to be not-so-nice on the court. He’s a poor man’s version of a (Charles) Barkley, maybe without the explosiveness. He has a real strong skill set, and gives us a little bit of a presence inside and another dimension defensively because of how quick he can move his feet.”
OUTLOOK
Despite the loss of Evan Maxwell, the Flames are taller than they were a season ago, having 3 guys on the active roster listed at 6’7″ or taller, and that doesn’t include the 6’5″ Baxter-Bell who will spend his time in the post. Liberty’s bigs provide flexibility as both Talbert brothers have range beyond the 3 point line and Myo is quicker than your typical big man. Rebounding was a weak point in McKay’s first year back as head coach, and will be something this group will have to focus on for the Flames to see success in 2016-17.
