Painter

[mje1]

From ESPN:

June 25, 2012
Will Painter play in 2013?
10:44AM ET
Old Dominion Monarchs

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In mid-April, we mentioned DeShawn Painter's impact if the 6-foot-9 NC State transfer was deemed eligible for Old Dominion in 2012-13. Via a waiver, Painter was reportedly lobbying the NCAA to immediately play, and Ed Miller of the Virginian-Pilot reports the NCAA has asked ODU to provide additional information. While the request does not grant any insight into the NCAA's decision-making process, the conventional 'wisdom' regarding hardship waiver requests is the longer the process takes, it is more likely the waiver will be granted.

We will continue to follow any information on the forward, but if Painter was allowed to play next season, the Monarchs would potentially have the best rebounding squad in the CAA. As we have previously written, last season was the first time since 2008-09 that Blaine Taylor's squad did not lead the nation in in offensive rebounding percentage. ODU did grab nearly 40 percent of their misses -- good for ninth in Division I -- but the Monarchs struggled to convert those extra possessions into points; ODU shot just 44.4 percent from within the arc, the lowest rate since Taylor's first season (2002-03) at the CAA school (per Ken Pomeroy). Along with Nick Wright, Painter would greatly boost ODU's rebounding rates.

The other interesting aspect to Painter's quest to immediately play is ODU cannot participate in the CAA tournament this season. The Monarchs will move to Conference USA following the upcoming season, so unless the squad gains an at-large bid (to either the NCAA tournament or the NIT), ODU may not experience postseason play. This development could determine whether Painter decides to play in '13; if his waiver request is granted, and he does play, what happens if ODU does not make the NCAA tournament? Or if the Monarchs' record reflects a classic bubble team, one that could be bypassed? If Painter were to play his final season and potentially not experience postseason play, does that scenario weigh in his thought-process? Another aspect to consider is if Painter does not get the waiver, or if he does receive it but chooses to sit out anyway; he would then be eligible in 2013-14, when ODU can compete in the C-USA tournament and earn a bid either by winning the tournament outright, or winning a few extras games and earning another notch on the squad's 'resume'.

[ODUgobigblue]

I'm OK with taking a hit this year in order to have him along with all of our young guys the year after and with a year of being at ODU under his belt. It's not like ESPN is inside his head though, so anything could happen.

[monarx]

I agree. I dont think this team can gel fast enough to earn an NCAA at large resume. Therefore, save Painter for a year and have him beat up on the CUSA teams the next season when we can potentially win the conference our first year in (with Painter). That said, I doubt he would choose to redshirt if playing is an option. He came here to be closer to home and to play immediately it seems. So I expect he'll do just that if given the chance.

[T-Mac]

Now that this upcoming season is practically a waste, I say we hold Painter out and give the young bucks SERIOUS playing time.