Josh Mballa in the portal from UBuffalo

[OrlandoCuse]

Big difference in the number of roster spots last year and this year. We didn’t bring in a 6 player class last year nor did we lose 6 players this year. The numbers are much different.

We’ve lost 6 players this year:
Buddy
Jimmy
Sid
Frank
Swider
Chaz

 

[kcsu]

You’re getting your short white guards confused.

Im bored. Just stiring the pot

 

[Niastri]

in recent seasons it hasnt worked using a forward at the 5.

im not sure what youre getting at, honestly.

I want a portal center and forward to come in...I think we both want that.

If I had to choose 1 I would reluctantly choose a C...bc I think it is easier to cover for a forward than a C.

but now that chaz is in the portal, I might get my wish...

As an addendum, I would point out that we have six forwards, one center and four guards on the roster... If our one center gets hurt, it's a big hole filled by a smaller player. If one or more of our forwards get hurt, we have a few more at least being plugged into their natural position.

 

[rrlbees]

We’ve lost 6 players this year:
Buddy
Jimmy
Sid
Frank
Swider
Chaz

I didn’t count chaz because he was never gonna okay and I didn’t count Sid cause he had no eligibility left. Point being he didn’t “find” a spot for Jimmy.

 

[TexanMark]

Here's what I'm getting at -- we've had 4's who slide over to 5 for decades. It not working recently to your satisfaction is more personnel driven, then an issue with the approach, IMo. Maybe it's just that Guerrier, JB3, etc. weren't suited for the 5.

Mballa is 6-8 and 240 pounds -- he'd have no problem manning the pivot. And if he were to come here [I doubt we've even reached out], then I'd rather see him get those minutes than JBA, when Edwards comes out of the game.

I definitely agree that it would be great to land a and a C via the portal. But I don't think we'll land either.

I think we're going to need to hope that Carey and Brown are ready to contribute.

I'm all in...take the best players available. I know we love us some 6'11, 185lbs centers but a slightly shorter version of Arinze sounds okay when we start getting pushed around.

 

[RF2044]

yeah its personnel driven...I wasnt ven happy with lydon or marek at the 5, let alone jimmy or qg...i really am dumbfounded about JB thinking that works...

think about which forwards can cover timme garza or bacot (returning next season) etc...the list is small. this team has been gatting manhandled on the boards in the buddy era even with playing a 5 at the 5...so im just not a fan of slide a 4 to the 5 approach...its possible to get another 5 on this roster...so why get cute???

NFL teams carry 3 QBs. Soccer teams carry 3 GK. 3 centers is the minimum for me...

maybe a rick jackson could do it. im not really too too familiar with mballa though i vaguely remember he did well vs SU last game...

theres 2 schollie slots now so no need to only get 1 player

i think chaz leaving is a crystal clear sign that this roster hasnt been finalized yet.

will be shocked if this roster as it currently stands is the one that gets rolled out next season.

Right -- we have two needs, a starting caliber forward and a center. We have two open slots, and its questionable whether we'll fill either one of them.

So, if we could land one player who could cover both needs, that would be better than them going unused and both needs being unmet.

 

[heresjohnny88]

Big difference in the number of roster spots last year and this year. We didn’t bring in a 6 player class last year nor did we lose 6 players this year. The numbers are much different.

Fair point. But we still have spots...and he's just not using them.

 

[Orangezoo]

Right -- we have two needs, a starting caliber forward and a center. We have two open slots, and its questionable whether we'll fill either one of them.

So, if we could land one player who could cover both needs, that would be better than them going unused and both needs being unmet.

Yeah. While I realize Mballa isn't going to help our shooting, with much more effective ball handling- a kid with this kind of physicality who can play the 4 and backup the 5 fits just fine. The starting front court becomes UNC like in being long and physical.

Good players first- make it work second. He also isn't getting in the way of these frosh getting major minutes in year 2.

 

[SWC75]

I'd love to get Mballa. He's a ballar.

 

[20plus]

Wanna be a Josh Mballa, shot calla, 20-inch blades on the Impala.

Very well done

 

[OrangeDW]

Did they recruit over Z with a top guy at that spot. No.

Yeah - Michael Lloyd.