Joe Wolfinger Just Isn’t Big Enough For D1 Ball

Fig Jam

At 7’0″ tall, Joe Wolfinger’s problem on the basketball court is an obvious one:  He’s not big enough.  Never has that been more clear than during last night’s game wherein the University of Washington was defeated by the University of Portland.  

Late in the game, with the score tight and the teams locked in a heated and physical battle, Washington coach Lorenzo Romar inserted Joe Wolfinger into the lineup at center.  In doing so, Romar bypassed Darnell Gant, whom appeared to be in trouble for a turnover committed earlier.  It is a decision by Romar that may have cost the Huskies the game.

  On the very first possession Portland went right at Wolfinger.  Taking the ball into the block, Portland’s center double clutched and went right over Wolf for an easy bucket and a foul.  On the play, Wolf stood his ground admirably, but obviously committed the foul without doing anything to stop the shot itself.   Free throw good.  3 point play.

On the next UW possession, the ball was worked around the perimeter until ultimately Wolfinger ended up with it just outside the free throw line.  Unable to get inside, Wolf settled for and missed the jumper.  There was nobody inside to rebound, and Portland came away with the ball.

Back on offense, Portland again went at Wolfinger and again converted an easy layup over the outstretched arms of the UW center.   Thus in 3 possessions it had become clear:  UW’s interior was easily exploitable, while on offense, the post was not going to be utilized.  There was also a 5 point swing.

Now it has been 4 years since Wolfinger arrived on campus at UW, and for all the potential and all the hype it has become clear that he simply is not big enough, or strong enough.  It is admirable that he can light it up from outside.  I think that’s great.  But at 7’0″ tall he is not quick enough to be a perimeter player and thus his three point shooting ability is merely a novelty. His value… his only value to the Huskies, comes from his ability to play on the interior, which he cannot do. 

Time and time again shorter players play bigger than Wolfinger and go over and around him inside.  He has limited ability to bring down a rebound and when he gets the ball on the interior he often loses the handle before he gets the chance to go up with it.  His speed is also a major issue in Lorenzo Romar’s ”system,”  but more alarming is his penchant for playing like he’s 6’4″.  His true playing size out on the floor creates a disadvantage for the Huskies and is a real problem.

Most UW fans remember Jamaal Williams.  They remember that at 6’5″ he could get on the interior and get to the bucket with a variety of moves and his ability to elevate.  While undersized for his position on the floor, he played like a guy who was 6’9″.  Wolf is the opposite. He plays tiny.  His time out on the floor for UW should be limited.  Darnell Gant and Matthew Bryan Amanning are the present.  Tyrese Breshers may be the future.  Unfortuanetly for Wolfinger, his time may have past.