Dieng Impact - Justin Coleman Not likely to Qualify

[Dawson Rental]

Here is an interesting article from Louisville's board:

"Jody Demling doesn't think Justin Coleman will qualify

by Mike Rutherford on Apr 14, 2010 9:42 AM EDT

It's just a prediction, but no one in the city has a stronger finger on the pulse of the recruiting world, so this is pretty worrisome.

  

As far as the pick of what's going to happen? I'll take a stab and it's a littler easier than the Kentucky and Indiana picks for this spring.

    With Smith and Justice already joining the Cardinals' roster, I believe Dieng will make a commitment before the end of the month. On the other hand, Coleman is still trying to get qualified and I'll predict he doesn't make it.

    But if Coleman doesn't make grades, could there be another surprise?

Coleman would absolutely step in and play big minutes right away, so there's no point in acting like him not qualifying would be anything less than an enormous blow to a season that already appears as up in the air as any in the Pitino era.

Losing him after the aerial display he put on last weekend would be pretty cruel."



This is of great interest because as GOMU1104 said on April 8th:

"He and Coleman are pretty much a package deal.  When Coleman committed to UL, it was presumed that Dieng wouldn't be far behind...it has taken awhile though..."

Perhaps Dieng has been holding back to see if his good buddy wasn't actually going to be at Louisville before committing.  If so, I would have to think that Marquette's chances of getting Mr. Dieng just improved significantly.

[Dawson Rental]

BTW, Jody Demling is a sportswriter for the Louisville Courier-Journal.

[bma725]

It's been known that Coleman isn't likely to qualify for more than a year, before he even attended Huntington Prep.  That's why he transferred out of Henrico County, went to prep school in Houston, returned to Henrico County, and then went to Huntington.  Coaches at the top schools have been staying away from him based on the belief that even a year of prep school won't get him qualified and he'll have to go the JUCO route.

Despite knowing all of that from the very beginning, Dieng is still thought of as part of a package deal, so the idea that he's waiting it out to see if Coleman qualifies doesn't hold much water...especially because final qualification status likely won't come until well after the signing period ends.

[GOMU1104]

Demling seems to be connected. It wouldnt shock me at all if Coleman doesnt qualify. Some were saying he would need a year post grad prep school, AND 2 years of JUCO in order to get qualified.

If Buzz wants Dieng, hopefully he can reel him in.

[Dawson Rental]

Here is some more from Demling's article that wasn't included on Louisville's board:

"U of L does have a commitment from Huntington (W. Va.) Prep School guard Justin Coleman, but he won't be able to sign scholarship papers until he clears up his academic situation.

Louisville coach Rick Pitino and staff are still after Coleman's teammate - center Gorgui Dieng - who should make an announcement in the next couple of weeks. Huntington coach Rob Fulford has said Dieng, a native of Senegal, is visiting Colorado (supposedly this week) and Marquette before making a final decision."

[4everwarriors]

Why visit Colorado? They don't have a coach.

[GGGG]

Why visit Colorado? They don't have a coach.

Have they ever had one???

[Dawson Rental]

It's been known that Coleman isn't likely to qualify for more than a year, before he even attended Huntington Prep.  That's why he transferred out of Henrico County, went to prep school in Houston, returned to Henrico County, and then went to Huntington.  Coaches at the top schools have been staying away from him based on the belief that even a year of prep school won't get him qualified and he'll have to go the JUCO route.

Despite knowing all of that from the very beginning, Dieng is still thought of as part of a package deal, so the idea that he's waiting it out to see if Coleman qualifies doesn't hold much water...especially because final qualification status likely won't come until well after the signing period ends.

No one should lose sight of the fact that Dieng just got to the U.S. (for the first time in his life) October 30th or so.  He might not be internet savvy enough to be checking out his buddy's academic status online.  If Coleman wasn't deluding himself at least a bit about his status, would he have bothered to make a commitment?  In these circumstances, its possible that Dieng was relying on what Coleman was telling him in hoping that Coleman could qualify.  I know that I'm using the word "qualify", and that decision by the NCAA won't come for some time, but based on what you've said, what we may really be talking about is whether Coleman's academics will even allow him to get into Louisville.
I just reread the article by Demling and I must say I find the quote: "He won't be able to sign scholarship papers until he clears up his academic situation" quite interesting.  It seems like its up in the air whether he's eligible to sign a LOI.

[radome]

I have no inside knowledge but thinking through this a bit.

*Coleman was penciled as coming to MU a year or so ago, if qualified.
*That penciling seemed to evaporate.
*Likely conclusion, MU backed off due to qualifying, not getting accepted into university or something.
*Assumption: Coleman liked MU and wanted to play here.

*Dieng was going with Coleman.
*This article indicates that Coleman unlikely to qualify.
*Dieng therefore may go anywhere.
*but, just maybe, when the friends discuss options, and if Coleman was treated right by Buzz and company, then Coleman puts in good word for MU.

He seems like a decent fit and I'm am hoping that he signs.

[79Warrior]

A native of Senegal. Isn't that where Ooze is from? Maybe he should be on the welcome team for Dieng!

[Hards Alumni]

A native of Senegal. Isn't that where Ooze is from? Maybe he should be on the welcome team for Dieng!

Mbao is also from Senegal, IIRC.

[Golden Avalanche]

A native of Senegal. Isn't that where Ooze is from? Maybe he should be on the welcome team for Dieng!

Ooze is nice but Yous is there as well. Ah, perhaps his leaving won't help sell Dieng?

[Hards Alumni]

who says Mbao is leaving?  Rumor mongers on the internet?

okay, just checking.

[BrewCity83]

Dieng's Senegalese "brother" Mbao will help get him to MU.

[LAZER]

How bout Coleman goes the JC rout while Dieng commits to Marquette and then Coleman comes back to MU after a year or two in juco.

[Dawson Rental]

Here's are some comments from Tony Benford regarding the recruitment of Yous last year:

How did the MU staff learn about Mbao initially?

"I’ve known his coach, Babacar Sy, for probably 10-15 years. He’s always had players, he’s always tried to make a difference in the country of Senegal. He goes over and brings kids over all the time to the States for AAU tournaments and what-not.

What do you think helped sway Mbao toward MU?

""Babacar’s (Stoneridge Prep's coach) real particular about where he sends his kids. You’ve got to have a relationship with him. And then obviously the success Ousmane Barro had here. Buzz knowing ‘Ooze’, and Ooze having a lot of respect for Buzz really helped us too."

[Jay Bee]

""Babacar’s (Stoneridge Prep's coach) real particular about where he sends his kids.

Obviously -- Kanter to Kentucky.

[goldeneagles43]

Justin Coleman signed his LOI today, so apparently he will be at Louisville. He's a big time player.

[MuMark]

Signing a LOI doesn't mean he will qualify.

[4everwarriors]

So, does that firm up the other 20% for Dieng?