Mystery Spring Recruit???

[nyg]

So here is the exact information I got.  I think it was after the Notre Dame game that I was wishing out loud that we had someone to get a defensive rebound after a miss late in the game (something that plaqued us in the NCAA as well).  I said with all of these 6' - 6'6" recruits coming in it would be nice to land a "stud" like T. Black.  Why can't MU pull one of these athletic bigs who would be fasttracked to a starting spot on what has obviously been a talented and winning team in the Big East?  A person with connections (I don't want to incriminate this person by saying more) said not to worry, Buzz had gotten a good big man.  I pressed him for who it was and he said he could not say more but wait till signing day.  Buzz had said he wasn't done recruiting and he had pulled another big surprise.

I posted this to find out if anyone else had further information along the same lines, and some people did.  I never knew exact height and weight of said "surprise", and have been trying to find the right fit between Walker, mills, this UCLA kid and even the 6'6" kid who is teammates with the 2011 recruit in chicago we just offered to.  This last one just recently jumped to the class of 2010 and that seems like something Buzz is usually on top of (DJO).

Maybe it was wishful thinking on his part, but where there is smoke there is fire.  I hope my quest to confirm this info does not result in a tar and feathering, but if it comes to that, I will help point the finger and we can have a good ol' fashioned witch hunt.

Way to "man-up" on this.  Look forward to how it shakes out next week. 

[muguru]

To their credit, reading Rosiak's articles over the past few weeks, it certainly sounds like he's hinting at something as well. IMO, he would probably know a lot better than just about anyone on this board. That said, it wouldn't surprise me in the least if it was just newbill and crowder that sign this spring.

"MU signed three players in the fall, has two more committed to sign in less than a month and is still on the hunt for at least one more despite having all 13 scholarships for 2010-'11 accounted for."

I thought I remembered him mentioning that several times but I can't remember what other articles that may have been in. I could also be completely wrong. Either way, sounds like Buzz certainly wants to sign someone else

There is absolutely no doubt he WANTS to sign one more...even 2 quite possibly. But the notion that one is already wrapped up is flat out WRONG.

[bma725]

Difference is, Caracter had produced at Louisville.  He'd averaged 8PPG and 4RPG in limited time due to his off the court issues.  Morgan, with UCLA in desperate need for a big to actually contribute couldn't even get off the bench a lot of the time.

Sometimes, there's more to taking a player than just his innate talent.  This is one of those times.  Howland didn't put up with his often lackadaisical attitude, there's no way Buzz would either.

[damuts222]

 And there was more than enough playing time to go around at UCLA this year, they were pretty bad due to early draft entries.

[ATWizJr]

There is absolutely no doubt he WANTS to sign one more...even 2 quite possibly. But the notion that one is already wrapped up is flat out WRONG.

And you know this how?

[GOMU1104]

The signing period runs from April 14th to May 19th. Lets not flip out if there is no news on April 14th.

[HoopsMalone]

Who knows what Buzz is doing when he is out recruiting.  He could be focusing on 2011 and maybe following up on some leads for 2010.  He could be recruiting with knowledge of someone not coming back though.

I would personally be fine with Fulce, Otule, and Yous being the 3 headed monster at the 5 spot this coming year.  17 mpg for Otule and Fulce respectively, and 6 mins for Yous.  15 fouls.  Decent interior D.  It's more size than we have had in quite some time.  Occassionally playing 3 SFs in Ewill, Jimmy, and Crowder would not be terrible I guess.  

[muballer10]

Way to "man-up" on this.  Look forward to how it shakes out next week. 

+1 to thaanoj. If I would have heard what you did, I would have the same assumptions as you. I remember posters getting hung from the cross after correctly breaking out that DJames was coming back last year. I applaud your clarity and appreciate you sharing the information with us, whether or not it turns out to be true.

[Dawson Rental]

Difference is, Caracter had produced at Louisville.  He'd averaged 8PPG and 4RPG in limited time due to his off the court issues.  Morgan, with UCLA in desperate need for a big to actually contribute couldn't even get off the bench a lot of the time.

Sometimes, there's more to taking a player than just his innate talent.  This is one of those times.  Howland didn't put up with his often lackadaisical attitude, there's no way Buzz would either.

I thinking this way, too.  It's great that he tackled the weight issue (a year late), but lack of defensive intensity is not a good mix with Buzz.  Sometimes there's a good reason why a 6'6" 235 pound guy is playing ahead of a 6'10" 240 guy.

[DomJamesToTheBasket]

I wouldn't be surprised if we got an upside guy that has some connection with a current player.  Maybe a guy like J.P. Kambola.....St. Benedicts and Grassroots Canada.  MU had been recruiting him,  but I am unsure of his status now.

[Dawson Rental]

I got it. I got it. Kris Farber from DePaul!  He's 6'10" and 250 pounds, and DePaul just had a coaching change!

[T-Bone]

What about Luke Cothron?
http://rivals.yahoo.com/clemson/basketball/recruiting/player-Luke-Cothron-82575

http://blog.al.com/bamabeat/2010/04/tide_closing_in_on_coveted_hoo.html
"Red Springs, N.C., power forward Luke Cothron, a 6-foot-8 player who is rated by Rivals as the nation's 33rd-best prospect for 2010, has narrowed his list to Alabama, Auburn and Marquette, according to an update today from Rivals' basketball recruiting analyst Jerry Meyer."

Decommitted from NC State.

[CAINMUTINY]

I would be incredibly stoked for a player of this caliber; hopefully Buzz can seal the deal.

[GOMU1104]

From what I have read, I am not to excited.

[Doctor V]

I must admit I know nothing about this kid but from a quick glance I know a few things:

1- If there was any doubt Buzz is still recruiting for this season, or that there may be some turnover on the squad, it is no more

2- Buzz really might be an absolute STUD recruiter. I mean, we all already know this, but if he can go out and snag a top 40 6'8 guy for 2010 this late in the recruiting game it would be HUGE. The kid is from NC and has had some major suitors, and if Buzz can swoop in and grab him from the school he grew up rooting for it would be incredible

3- If Buzz lands this kid and he ends up being as good as people think, this may be the most excitement Ive had over MU bball in quite some time

PS... Im still waiting for a catch here, but I hope there is none. Also, according to that article, the guy is Bama's to lose, but Ive seen Buzz do it before (Now its time for a big!)

[tower912]

I will be excited if this happens on signing day, but refuse to get any kind of hope up before then.   Also, I really hope Buzz isn't running somebody off.

[Dawson Rental]

Here is an interesting take from one sports blog on March 16 on Luke Cothron:

"Today, NC State saw it's impressive recruiting class take a hit with the loss of 4-star prospect Luke Cothron. Elite guards Ryan Harrow and Lorenzo Brown remain on board, making the 2010 class still quite good, but the loss of the class' big man has got to sting for Sidney Lowe. However, not every Wolfpack fan would tell you they were upset to see Cothron's decision to look elsewhere.

In fact, some would say they were happy to see the super talented but often frustrating young man go. I saw Luke put up impressive numbers at the GlaxoSmithKline Holiday Basketball Invitation held here in Raleigh, NC, but he also showed me a player who takes poor shots and often too many of them, with a tendency to get lazy on the defensive end of the court. Granted, this was a small sampling of a generally highly thought of career for the elite prospect, but it was enough to make me question his dedication to team over individual achievement, that is for sure, and that's not an ingredient in the recipe for consistency and success."

[HoopsMalone]

Sounds like the criticisms of J-May.  Before J-May left, few would have said the same things about him.  If Cothron gave an interview to Marquette's media, he would have talked up Marquette just as much.  He has to either stay home or go away for school.  We'll see what he picks.

[texaswarrior74]

Rumors are also circulating on the UNC boards that Roy may be talking to him in case Ed Davis or Justin Watts leave early. Reaction to that has been mixed though many who have seen him play think that with the right coach he can be a stud.

If Buzz can get him it would be HUGE this late in the game.

[Doctor V]

Here is an interesting take from one sports blog on March 16 on Luke Cothron:

"Today, NC State saw it's impressive recruiting class take a hit with the loss of 4-star prospect Luke Cothron. Elite guards Ryan Harrow and Lorenzo Brown remain on board, making the 2010 class still quite good, but the loss of the class' big man has got to sting for Sidney Lowe. However, not every Wolfpack fan would tell you they were upset to see Cothron's decision to look elsewhere.

In fact, some would say they were happy to see the super talented but often frustrating young man go. I saw Luke put up impressive numbers at the GlaxoSmithKline Holiday Basketball Invitation held here in Raleigh, NC, but he also showed me a player who takes poor shots and often too many of them, with a tendency to get lazy on the defensive end of the court. Granted, this was a small sampling of a generally highly thought of career for the elite prospect, but it was enough to make me question his dedication to team over individual achievement, that is for sure, and that's not an ingredient in the recipe for consistency and success."

Why underline all the negatives? Glass half empty today?

Ive said it before and I will say it again, unless there is a DEFINITE red flag, MU is not yet to the point where they can turn down ANY top 50 talent. That is just the bottom line

[Dawson Rental]

Why underline all the negatives? Glass half empty today?

Ive said it before and I will say it again, unless there is a DEFINITE red flag, MU is not yet to the point where they can turn down ANY top 50 talent. That is just the bottom line

My concern with Morgan especially, less with Cothron is that MU is probably subject to negative recruiting about not being able to develop bigs.  If we do get someone with size and a reputation as a player, and he doesn't work out, I think the volume on the negative recruiting dials ups louder.

[RawdogDX]

My concern with Morgan especially, less with Cothron is that MU is probably subject to negative recruiting about not being able to develop bigs.  If we do get someone with size and a reputation as a player, and he doesn't work out, I think the volume on the negative recruiting dials ups louder.

He's 6'8 and graded at a 95 so i'm going to be excited if we get him.  However the timeline doesn't exactly mesh with the guy's story who said that after the ND game someone told him that the big man was in the bag. 
He didn't decommit till 3/16.

My guess is Gorgui Sy Dieng, thanks to the Senegal connection.

[Doctor V]

He's 6'8 and graded at a 95 so i'm going to be excited if we get him.  However the timeline doesn't exactly mesh with the guy's story who said that after the ND game someone told him that the big man was in the bag. 
He didn't decommit till 3/16.

My guess is Gorgui Sy Dieng, thanks to the Senegal connection.

I know nothing about Gorgui, but I would be all for this based on named alone (I just hope its pronounced george-ee)

[Lighthouse 84]

I know nothing about Gorgui, but I would be all for this based on named alone (I just hope its pronounced george-ee)

I don't know much either but I did find these stats:


Stat Name   Season Stats
Points Per Game   19.0
Assists Per Game   2.0
Blocks Per Game   6.0
Rebounds Per Game   15.0
Steals Per Game   1.0
3pt Field Goal%   100

6 blocks and 15 boards a game?  not to mention he can shoot from 3 point land.........

[T-Bone]

I know nothing about Gorgui, but I would be all for this based on named alone (I just hope its pronounced george-ee)

From http://kentuckysportsradio.com/?p=35189 :

"Gorgui Sy Dieng  (pronounced ra-r^ely c0-reckt-lee, let’s just call him Georgie Say Ding)"