The added skill hasn't yet really manifested itself as designed, but Iength isn't the be all end all for Pope. Length only matters if the player also moves his feet on defense and can execute team defense schemes. Haarms, Harward and Lohner do that now for the most part. George is coming along in understanding team defense assignments.

But great defenders come in all different sizes. The basic ingredient is desire and effort.

From what I have seen, Pope is going after the best player he can get. Period. Until he can get some Gonzaga level talent, he will more often than not resort to raw material with a good motor the staff can coach up. I am sure he would love kids with more offensive upside, but the days of recruiting 6'5 kids that can shoot and score 27 a game in high school but cannot slide their feet on defense are over.