CODE RED: Who Has to Step Up?
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Last week the announcement was made that the Tops will be losing two impact players from their basketball roster, Alex Rostov and Kevin Kaspar, as it was announced that the two would be sidelined indefinitely.
Both of these players added their own dynamic for the team while on the hardwood, and both will definitely be missed during their absence. Rostov has averaged 4.7 PPG this season as well as 3.3 RPG. Kaspar himself has added 3.6 PPG along with 1.7 RPG and 1.4 APG. Now, you look at the stat line and say “that doesn’t look that impressive.” Well thats the thing, the stat line for sure doesn’t tell these two players entire story. For Rostov, especially of late, he has created a definite inside presence, allowing the Tops to be more physical while also creating an outside presence as a big man. Rostov went four of six from behind the arc just a few weeks ago against UALR.
As for Kaspar, he may not be a dominant performer that impacts the Hilltopper stat line, but he doesn’t allow pressure to get to him when running the point, and when it’s needed, can give the spark that gets WKU rolling. Coming off the bench multiple times this season, Kaspar has been a player to make plays in order to get the starters going on both the offensive and defensive ends.
Now, the question I pose is this – who needs to step up in the absence of Kaspar and Rostov?
My first player I think needs to step up is Aaron Adeoye. Adeoye has been an impact player all year, but I am asking him to step it up even more. His averages on the season include 4 PPG and 4.5 RPG. I’m not asking him to step on the points side of things, although if he started putting up double digit points I wouldn’t complain (but, with so many scoring threats on this year’s team, it isn’t vital). However I’m solely asking him to grab rebounds, and find them more consistently. Adeoye has games where he almost reaches double digit rebounding nights, and the next game he will be nonexistent (against Arkansas St., Adeoye had 9 boards, while in the next game at ULM, he only had one). If he is able to become more consistent, and provide an inside presence to help George Fant out, then he can help fill some of Rostov’s presence.
Next up to the calling list is O’Karo Akamune. Akamune was sidelined all of the non-conference play with a broken foot but made his season debut in WKU’s win at Troy. Prior to Rostov being benched, Akamune still saw minutes and made his impact. However, similar to Adeoye, he still needs to take his playing to a more consistent impact level. I think Akamune has already realized what he must do as he has already made attempts to step up his game. In both of last weeks match ups with Rostov out, Akamune saw around 26 minutes while grabbing 9 boards in both events as well as putting up 9 points against UTA and 8 points against Texas State.
With those two players stepping up, I think they can manage Rostov’s presence. Along with the possibility of occasional help from Ben Lawson.
As for replacing Kaspar, the one player I am calling out is Brandon Harris. Harris hasn’t been as productive as most people would have thought this season, as he has only reached the double digit point-status three times this season, along with minimal assists. Kaspar was able to provide a spark for the Hilltoppers in order to get them going, and that is all I’m asking Harris to do (which is something he showed he is more than capable of doing in the game at ULL). Coming off the bench and making plays is what will suit the Tops best from Harris, and if he does just that, then I definitely see him completely fulfill Kaspar’s presence.
Well folks now you know who I think needs to step up. We have already seen two games without Kaspar and Rostov and both have been victories, even if they were close. However things may not fall late like they have been, so in order to keep things balanced these key players will have to make the impacts needed to keep the Tops victorious. If they don’t, someone else could step up and surprise us all. We will just have to wait and see!