Gardner or Noreen?

[MUBalla23]

Who will sign?  will anyone sign?  who do we want?

[LastWarrior]

Luke Cothron

[MUBalla23]

Do we still have a chance with him?

[Tom Crean's Tanning Bed]

Who will sign?  will anyone sign?  who do we want?

This is a good question.  

Part of me wants a low-post banger that can get the ball in the bucket.  I'm not entirely sold on Otule being healthy for a full season, but I think he's the player that can do that for us.  And I'm not sure how much Gardner can contribute in year 1 given his physical conditioning.

Right now, I like what Noreen's skill set would potentially bring to the table.  Yeah, he's not very big right now (about 215 or so from what I've read), but he definitely looks like he can add weight to his frame over time.  What excites me about him, though, is what he can do offensively potentially to open up the floor.  I liked a ton what we were able to do in the past with 5 perimeter guys on the floor in terms of our motion offense and creating mismatches.  However, we could definitely use a player like Noreen to create some mismatches on the offensive side (which is a reason Buzz was so high on Desrosiers), and Noreen would give us the advantage of not having to give up 4-5 inches in the post (even though his defense still needs work).  

I'll cast my ballot with Kevin Noreen right now.

[JimFitch]

Cothron is the man

[4everwarriors]

I'd take Noreen for both the athletic and cerebral abilities. That said, I'm figuring he goes to NU or stays at BC.
Gardner, though I've never seen him play, doesn't float my boat. He'll sign in a heartbeat if Buzz gives him the thumbs up.

[Tugg Speedman]

If someone has to be pushed out, take neither.  They are not that good to warrant such a move.

If someone leaves, take Noreen.  But don't expect much next year (2 minutes/game)

If someone leaves and Noreen passes on us, we should pass of Gardner.  He's not that good.  He'll be behind Mbao on the depth chart.

[MUBalla23]

Whats the latest on Luke Cothron?

[muarmy81]

Latest on cothron is that he may not qualify for Alabama meaning he may not qualify at Marquette.  Now that Dieng is out of the picture I'd be content to stock woth what we got and try to prepare and develop O'Tule and Mbao for next year.

[tower912]

I am happy with the way the roster is.   IF someone is leaving and IF we can choose, I will take Noreen.    Cerebral and can stroke it out to 18.   Gardner would be fun, though.   Having an immovable object down on the blocks has its appeal.     All things being equal, keep the team we have. 

[Aughnanure]

Noreen! I truly believe every player has the ability to play adequate to very good defense with he right coaching, system, etc. However, it is the talent and ability to score that separates an average player from a very good to great one.

I just can't get over how much Noreen was able to score in his High School career. I know he doesn't play in the highest division in MN or against the nation's top recruits as often as many other players but scoring more than 40 points 14 times this season and topping 50 seven times just screams to me someone that will find a way to be successful at the next level.

This is the same reason I am really excited about Newbill, and don't care about who he scored 64pts against....its still hard to score 64 pts in 32 minutes.

[NersEllenson]

At this point, if we can't get Cothron..I'd pass on Gardner and Noreen, and bank the scholarship for next year - assuming a player is leaving or not qualifying.  I suspect Buzz could land a better caliber player in next year's signing season, as there are more top prospects available.  If MU has a great year, could sell that in the spring signing season in 2011.  Of course if MU has a bad year...maybe that hurts a bit too.

[LastWarrior]

Latest on Cothron from bama site...

http://hoopsrecruits.blogs.tidesports.com/10051/knox-to-transfer/

Knox to leave team

by greg.ostendorf

Word is that junior big man Justin Knox will forego his senior season after graduating this summer. My guess is he will transfer and play out his final year at another school in 2011-2012. It's not like the NBA Draft is an option for him. Check out the story here.

This kind of comes out of left field. It's not like Knox wasn't playing good minutes or contributing last season, and this is an Alabama team already hurting for size. I'll see what I can find out, and be sure to stay tuned to TideSports.com as details emerge.

As far as recruiting goes, this announcement means that the Tide's latest commit, Jason Carter, will be asked to make an even greater impact next season. The only true post players returning are JaMychal Green, Chris Hines and Demetrius Jemison (who is coming off injury).

The other thing this might mean (and this is pure speculation) is that Alabama may sign yet another player, Luke Cothron or Marcus Thornton, now that Grant has one more scholarship to work with. I haven't heard much about either prospect recently, but this announcement puts the Tide right back in the mix for both of them.

If I hear anything else on the matter, it will be up here.

[Dawson Rental]

Latest on cothron is that he may not qualify for Alabama meaning he may not qualify at Marquette.  Now that Dieng is out of the picture I'd be content to stock woth what we got and try to prepare and develop O'Tule and Mbao for next year.

You could very well be right on, army.  What's that old expression, "Sometimes the best trades are the ones you don't make."  In the next two weeks I guess we'll see how Buzz weighs in on this.