Now some may quibble that this stretch included Makol's "big" game against KU, a game in which Doke did not play. Let's get real folks. If Lightfoot and De Sousa were playing as JUCOs, they would both be All-Americans. In his big 30-point, 15-rebound game against Lakeland Community College, Trice was going up against a 6'10" kid who isn't remotely as good as either Lightfoot or De Souza. If the objection that "it matters who you play against" applies to Makol, then it applies ten times as much to Austin Trice. Makol has demonstrated in those last 9 games that he can put up solid numbers against high major opponents. Trice has not done that yet.
I think all KSU fans should be excited about getting Trice, and I am sure the KSU coaches are, but not because Trice is going to "replace" Makol. The grim truth about last season is that in those last 9 games, Makol fouled out 3 times and had four fouls in 2 more. KSU desperately needs Trice because Dean Wade and Makol are simply not close to being enough to man the front line next season. The result last season was that Dean had to play too many minutes (quite possibly contributing to his foot injury) and Makol simply couldn't play much more than he did effectively.
The problem last season wasn't Makol. It was the big men behind Makol. Levi Stockard was the best of them, but as a true freshman, he struggled at the high major level as many true freshmen big men do. KSU doesn't need Trice to "replace" Makol. They need Trice to play ahead of a still raw Levi Stockard (and Love and Shadd).
It would be nice to think that Dean (30 mpg), Makol (25 mpg), and Trice (25 mpg) will be able to cover the 80 mpg needed at the 4/5 spots in each game next season, but that is unrealistic. The truth is that KSU will likely need some minutes from other big men at the 4/5 spots in at least some of the games.
As for Austin Trice as a player, yes he projects as a plus rebounder and a plus power dunker even against high major opponents, although anyone expecting double-digit rebounds is probably being overly optimistic. Trice also comes with known serious defects in his game and quite a few unproven aspects. By all appearances, he can't shoot a lick beyond 5 feet and he is a terrible free thrower (50%). That's before you deal with unknowns like foul trouble, defensive issues, turnovers, etc. against high major opponents. The big hope for KSU is that Trice can fix these holes in his game so that he and Makol can be the leaders on the front line as seniors once Dean graduates.
Anyone worried about minutes for Trice might also consider this. Trice is about the same size as Xavier Sneed, and Trice has described himself as able to play center, power forward, or small forward. If he is good enough, Trice may not only be the key to keeping sane minutes for Dean and Makol, but also for Xavier. Indeed the danger may be burning out Trice with too many minutes!
