Khem Birch transferring out of Pitt

[Upstate]

http://t.co/gCSppful

 

[OrlandoCuse]

I kind of disagree with the article claiming that Pitt has the depth to cover his transfer. Pitt was only 8 players deep this season. They will struggle through the grind of the BE season with only 7 legit players. You need bodies in the Big East, especially with the style of play Pitt plays. And who knows if Woodall will be back to 100% for the rest of the season.

 

[BRNCUSEFRVCUSE]

This i what concerns me about when new freshmen players come in year after year here. I worry bout Rakeem or MCW not getting enough playing time, and Cooney redshirting and being unhappy not use to not playing

 

[Cuseball]

This i what concerns me about when new freshmen players come in year after year here. I worry bout Rakeem or MCW not getting enough playing time, and Cooney redshirting and being unhappy not use to not playing

I would rather have talented players transfer out due to lack of playing time than to not get the talented players. Cooney is fine with the decision to red shirt and will not be going anywhere. MCW is fine with his playing time this year and knows he will be a big time contributor in the future. You never know about Rakeem but this is what happens at big time college hoops programs.

 

[PeteCalvin]

Isn't Birch Dixon's first McD AA? That's a blow no matter how you slice it.

 

[MyMeloMyMan]

Lot of rumblings that the kid didn't want to work. Jamie Dixon doesn't do soft practices, light shoot arounds. He challenges his kids every day, almost like Coach Thibs for the Bulls. Not all guys can handle that.

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

Isn't Birch Dixon's first McD AA? That's a blow no matter how you slice it.

Donte Taylor

 

[SkanSU]

I had heard he was interested in Kentucky ... sure as hell ain't gonna be easier there ... and he had better work his a$$ off to get playing time.

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

Interesting exercise. If he came to SU and we go to ACC next year, would he have to sit out 1 (NCAA) or 2 (BE intra-conference rule) years?

 

[PoppyHart]

I had heard he was interested in Kentucky ... sure as hell ain't gonna be easier there ... and he had better work his a$$ off to get playing time.

Apparently Calipari had no idea who Birch even was until a couple of days ago. Sounds far-fetched considering he was a McD kid.

 

[SoBeCuse]

Lot of rumblings that the kid didn't want to work. Jamie Dixon doesn't do soft practices, light shoot arounds. He challenges his kids every day, almost like Coach Thibs for the Bulls. Not all guys can handle that.

Interesting. Just from afar watching the Burger Boy game it seemed like Birch had a motor and was a type of guy who was making plays near the basket. Defensively and offensively. He along with McAdoo and Beal impressed me the most. This will hurt Pitt.

 

[OrangeMuskyFish]

This will hurt Pitt.

I agree... To be perfectly honest, I thought that with his talent level, mixed with Pitt's style, this was the type of kid that was going to take Pitt to the next level. Not only do they lose him, but might effect whether they get (or take) these types in the near future.

 

[orangefan13]

Leaving Pitt to play for Cal tells me all I need to know about the kid.
Why even bring up cooney seriously? Hes going to be a star at Cuse.

 

[SoBeCuse]

Leaving Pitt to play for Cal tells me all I need to know about the kid.
Why even bring up cooney seriously? Hes going to be a star at Cuse.

Listen, Cal is shady but the guy can flat out coach and he is an underrated tactician. I think it's pretty remarkable that he can get all these freshmen to play at such a high level every year. He isn't afraid to sit guys (Jones @ IU) and I don't know how many coaches would have as much success as he has had on the court with all those freshmen. Teams have to definitely bring their A game to beat a Calipari team the past few seasons. I always wonder how other McD players would do with Calipari.

 

[StopCoolio]

http://t.co/gCSppful

To me, this is kind of a mini disaster for Pitt.

-When Birch committed, they had to let Jaylen Bond go, who's averaging about a 5 and 5 for Texas as a freshman.
-Their front court is much thinner now. Zanna starting, not much else behind him.
-They probably have to burn Gilbert's redshirt now.
-I would say that this would hurt their perception amongst big recruits going forward. At minimum, it certainly opens the door for negative recruiting.
-Going to say that they'll take an APR hit as well. Birch was always seen as a classroom liability.

 

[Orange Barrel]

I worry bout Rakeem or MCW not getting enough playing time, and Cooney redshirting and being unhappy not use to not playing

I don't because Rakeem & MCW are getting enough playing time and Cooney is not unhappy.

 

[SkanSU]

Rak knows his time is coming ... next year he will be #1 4 and kicking a$$. and MCW know that his pt is only gonna climb next year and then the team will be his after Dion leaves for the NBA and Triche graduates. and Cooney knows that by taking the rs he is gonna have 4 quality years of playing time. Some schools (not to mention names but begin with K) do nothing but recruit one-and-doners. At SU they earn their time and get a great education along the way ... we, in the recent past have had 2 ... Melo and Donte and Donte has said that he wishes he had stayed. I think and see that the kids' attitudes are fantastic!! They are a team. They are enjoying themselves. I don't see the unhappiness or friction.
This is a bad thing for Pitt ... they lose someone from an already thin bench. But at the same time they are better off. The kid sounds like a malcontent. Last kinda kid our program needs right now for sure.

 

[PoppyHart]

To me, this is kind of a mini disaster for Pitt.

-When Birch committed, they had to let Jaylen Bond go, who's averaging about a 5 and 5 for Texas as a freshman.
-Their front court is much thinner now. Zanna starting, not much else behind him.
-They probably have to burn Gilbert's redshirt now.
-I would say that this would hurt their perception amongst big recruits going forward. At minimum, it certainly opens the door for negative recruiting.
-Going to say that they'll take an APR hit as well. Birch was always seen as a classroom liability.

Couple things:
1. Can you really be off-pace to graduate after one-semester, especially when a lot of kids take summer classes before freshman year?
2. If you're in good academic standing, you'd assume that the target school would be quite hesitant to accept the kid. Thus, if he's hurting academically (and not clearly NBA-ready), his best option is to stick it out.

 

[SkanSU]

Couple things:
1. Can you really be off-pace to graduate after one-semester, especially when a lot of kids take summer classes before freshman year?
2. If you're in good academic standing, you'd assume that the target school would be quite hesitant to accept the kid. Thus, if he's hurting academically (and not clearly NBA-ready), his best option is to stick it out.

If he wants to transfer ... and I am sure he does ... he had better be in good academic standing altho he would have a year on the bench to get back in good academic standing ... but I doubt that he would be stupid enough to just drop out...unless he transfers mid-year in January or February.

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

If he withdraws from school w o completing semester instead of flunking, what does that do

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[Upstate]

I don't because Rakeem & MCW are getting enough playing time and Cooney is not unhappy.

You're 100% right. Cooney knows that with good coaching and a little more maturity, he has the talent to be the best shooter in SU history, and one of the best in the nation when he's a junior or senior.

 

[SkanSU]

Terrible for APR if he just drops classes ... but as he has probably finished 1 semester will not effect Pitt's APR if he leaves in good standing. If he just drops classes he may have a problem transferring.