OkieBuffster
Well-Known Member
Rare poster who follows every day nonetheless. Now that the disappointment of Froling is setting in, and having whiffed on all of the other bigs, what is the plan and next step for Tad? I really wish XJ would come back next year, but I think he wants to play and get paid. If that leaves two spots what do we do with them? Having read through Buffnik's thread on leftover bigs it seems that CU is down to these... Options:
* Dallas Walton - I really think this is almost a no-brainer, but maybe Tad and Co. aren't comfortable with him or don't think he can help. He's a skilled 7-footer with an injury history that needs to get bigger and stronger, but he's not going to play next year anyway if he comes here. That gives him a full year to acclimate, get stronger and hopefully healthier.
* Antun Maricevics - Obviously a sleeper and was off the radar until this year, but he almost falls into the category of Walton other than he has a D1 body already. He likely won't play early and would have to acclimate and continue to develop, but if a second spot opens up I would almost think they would have to take a flyer on the kid based on potential alone. He can shoot and seems to be pretty skilled, but at the level he's playing does anyone really know how good he can be. My worst fear is that CU doesn't get in on him and he's able to carry his performance over at a higher level of competition.
* Alpha Diallo - I really don't know if CU is even in on him or what his interest would be, but he's a perfect player for Tad and the system. There seems to be a lot of competition now that he's blown up some, but even though CU really needs a big you would have to take him if there was mutual interest. He's not going to help solve our big problem (unless he grows another 4-5 inches), but would make us better and more athletic.
If one spot is open I would have to try and get commitments from Diallo first, then Walton and finally Maricevics. Is there anything else I'm missing or do we just play four guards next year and put all of our eggs into getting a quality big next year? Do you guys think either of the two bigs above can play at this level?
* Dallas Walton - I really think this is almost a no-brainer, but maybe Tad and Co. aren't comfortable with him or don't think he can help. He's a skilled 7-footer with an injury history that needs to get bigger and stronger, but he's not going to play next year anyway if he comes here. That gives him a full year to acclimate, get stronger and hopefully healthier.
* Antun Maricevics - Obviously a sleeper and was off the radar until this year, but he almost falls into the category of Walton other than he has a D1 body already. He likely won't play early and would have to acclimate and continue to develop, but if a second spot opens up I would almost think they would have to take a flyer on the kid based on potential alone. He can shoot and seems to be pretty skilled, but at the level he's playing does anyone really know how good he can be. My worst fear is that CU doesn't get in on him and he's able to carry his performance over at a higher level of competition.
* Alpha Diallo - I really don't know if CU is even in on him or what his interest would be, but he's a perfect player for Tad and the system. There seems to be a lot of competition now that he's blown up some, but even though CU really needs a big you would have to take him if there was mutual interest. He's not going to help solve our big problem (unless he grows another 4-5 inches), but would make us better and more athletic.
If one spot is open I would have to try and get commitments from Diallo first, then Walton and finally Maricevics. Is there anything else I'm missing or do we just play four guards next year and put all of our eggs into getting a quality big next year? Do you guys think either of the two bigs above can play at this level?