Class of 2023 PF Ibrahim Souare (Guinea / AZ) TRANSFERRING TO SYRACUSE (4/6/25)

[im4cuse]

What aren't you following?

You don't need 7 footers to field a solid interior -- you can win with 6-9 sized guys if they can play.

Nobody said "going small at center" is a strategic plan, or that we're actively trying to "copy" anyone. But this is where we are, due to how the dominoes toppled.

You're the one who introduced the topic of not wanting to emulate Houston, because to you it is "ugly basketball." I would rather win, and worry less about aesthetics, but that's just me. I just pointed out that Houston is an example of teams not needing a bunch of 6-11+ guys to play effective basketball.

6’9 guy who can play is Deng.

 

[newmexicuse]

What aren't you following?

You don't need 7 footers to field a solid interior -- you can win with 6-9 sized guys if they can play.

Nobody said "going small at center" is a strategic plan, or that we're actively trying to "copy" anyone. But this is where we are, due to how the dominoes toppled.

You're the one who introduced the topic of not wanting to emulate Houston, because to you it is "ugly basketball." I would rather win, and worry less about aesthetics, but that's just me. I just pointed out that Houston is an example of teams not needing a bunch of 6-11+ guys to play effective basketball.

I agree with you on the size issue, but do we have any evidence that this kid can defend from the middle irrespective of his size ? I saw none on the vids, though, of course, vids emphasize offensive highlights.

Has anybody seen him play the 5 ??? If so do we have any vids ???

 

[Orangezoo]

Still plenty of time in the Portal...

Got to have bodies for practice.

If that is us done at the C position, there will be serious questions asked.

We haven’t had true quality PG play out of a starting PG since Gbinijes sr year and even then, it was really going back to Ennis to affirm that reality even more.

Kadary left before he could provide that quality. The combo guard approach (including Mike G in that) had very limited success evidenced by regression since then.

Judah was talented as a scoring guard and ok with playing the point as a combo but again just another example of not having the quality needed at the position.

So the 5 spot maybe warrants a couple question marks but the guard play will dictate a lot of how things go and it’s finally been addressed at PG.

 

[kingtidge]

We haven’t had true quality PG play out of a starting PG since Gbinijes sr year and even then, it was really going back to Ennis to affirm that reality even more.

Kadary left before he could provide that quality. The combo guard approach (including Mike G in that) had very limited success evidenced by regression since then.

Judah was talented as a scoring guard and ok with playing the point as a combo but again just another example of not having the quality needed at the position.

So the 5 spot maybe warrants a couple question marks but the guard play will dictate a lot of how things go and it’s finally been addressed at PG.

OK, but if we don't have a legit starting center next year and it's obvious by the end of November, what are we supposed to do? Souare looks like complete project/practice squad filler - which is OK, as we need bodies for practice (but god forbid he has to start due to injury.)

I hope Kyle pans out but to say he is the starter and will be effective at this point in time is a BIG stretch. He'd be going into his first year starting at center on a P4 team this fall.

I am glad we got a good PG finally.

We should be able to walk and chew gum, however.

We need another viable big.

 

[hoopsupstate]

OK, but if we don't have a legit starting center next year and it's obvious by the end of November, what are we supposed to do?

I hope Kyle pans out but to say he is the starter and will be effective at this point in time is a BIG stretch. He'd be going into his first year starting at center this fall.

I am glad we got a good PG finally.

We should be able to walk and chew gum, however.

He’s been a starter before playing over 27 minutes a game. A level lower, but he showed he can handle it.

 

[kingtidge]

He’s been a starter before playing over 27 minutes a game. A level lower, but he showed he can handle it.

And Carlos was defender of the year in the Coastal Athletic...

I get "hoping for the best" but i am hoping for more.

 

[Cusefan69]

OK, but if we don't have a legit starting center next year and it's obvious by the end of November, what are we supposed to do? Souare looks like complete project/practice squad filler - which is OK, as we need bodies for practice (but god forbid he has to start due to injury.)

I hope Kyle pans out but to say he is the starter and will be effective at this point in time is a BIG stretch. He'd be going into his first year starting at center on a P4 team this fall.

I am glad we got a good PG finally.

We should be able to walk and chew gum, however.

We need another viable big.

If it's obvious things are not working by end of November and into December then it's simple. Red won't return. It's on him and the staff at this point. Maybe we add Deng but it sounds like most of the "groceries " have been bought. It's up to Red to mix them together into something really good. We are better on paper than last year's team it seems like. It is what it is at this point. Again I would make an educated guess that Red and GM made the best acquisitions they could.

 

[kingtidge]

If it's obvious things are not working by end of November and into December then it's simple. Red won't return. It's on him and the staff at this point. Maybe we add Deng but it sounds like most of the "groceries " have been bought. It's up to Red to mix them together into something really good. We are better on paper than last year's team it seems like. It is what it is at this point. Again I would make an educated guess that Red and GM made the best acquisitions they could.

OK, so are we moving the goalposts now then??

We have the requisite NIL to get the quality players we need >> Ran out of NIL to get (or simply couldn't land) a proven legit center and it is what it is

 

[Cusefan69]

OK, so are we moving the goalposts now then??

We have the requisite NIL to get the quality players we need >> Ran out of NIL to get a proven legit center and it is what it is

Who is moving the goalposts? I keep seeing you and some others asking for a better center than the 2 in essence grabbed. Who should they get that will come here and meet the expectations of a starting center? With that what do you want stats wise from that person who is not on the team? 14 pts, 4 blocks 9 boards a game? 10/3/10? 8/4.5/12? Are those P4 players available right now? Maybe a lower division? Outcomes from lower divisions don't always translate. To be clear I have no idea how much Nil remains but if the players are not on the team yet and fans are waiting on a center force in the paint, I am just saying I am not sure that it's arriving.
Edit: maybe Kyle surprises as well. He certainly is athletic and can do some rim protector things for us.

 

[kingtidge]

Who is moving the goalposts? I keep seeing you and some others asking for a better center than the 2 in essence grabbed. Who should they get that will come here and meet the expectations of a starting center? With that what do you want stats wise from that person who is not on the team? 14 pts, 4 blocks 9 boards a game? 10/3/10? 8/4.5/12? Are those P4 players available right now? Maybe a lower division? Outcomes from lower divisions don't always translate. To be clear I have no idea how much Nil remains but if the players are not on the team yet and fans are waiting on a center force in the paint, I am just saying I am not sure that it's arriving.

Not looking for a singular statline... Our starting Center and backup Center are graduating.

I am hoping that a proven legit center with starting major conference experience comes in along with a serviceable backup.

I thought that was a realistic expectation given our needs and what the administration said regarding adequate funds being available for quality players.

If we can't do that after all, then either my expectations were too high or the goalposts got dug up and replanted, that is all I am saying.

 

[Orangezoo]

Not looking for a singular statline... Our starting Center and backup Center are graduating.

I am hoping for a proven legit center with starting major conference experience comes in along with a serviceable backup.

I thought that was a realistic expectation given our needs and what the administration said regarding adequate funds being available for quality players.

If we can't do that after all, then either my expectations were too high or the goalposts got dug up and replanted, that is all I am saying.

Kyle very well could hands down be that guy at the 5. The story seems to be he wasn’t that guy for UCLA because of injury more so than ability.

We clearly have more money which is helping. That said we don’t have a coaching staff that can sell proven success. So we are a card or two short right now until Red proves otherwise. This is the make or break it year for him. Hopefully not at the expense of another painful year for fans. The go to emotion is to be disappointed. Hopefully that can start changing.

 

[EnviroSciGuy]

So how do you pronounce this name? Is it like SOIREE?

 

[jdubs30]

Not looking for a singular statline... Our starting Center and backup Center are graduating.

I am hoping for a proven legit center with starting major conference experience comes in along with a serviceable backup.

I thought that was a realistic expectation given our needs and what the administration said regarding adequate funds being available for quality players.

If we can't do that after all, then either my expectations were too high or the goalposts got dug up and replanted, that is all I am saying.

I think your expectations are too high. We retained Donnie and filled our biggest hole ( pure PG). Those should have been our 2 priorities and I’m glad We operated that way. I’m curious how many “proven legit center with major conference experience” are out there? And has interest in us?

I’d rather we fill our 5 with high potential wildcards than our PG slot. We can’t spend max dollars at each position - we know JJ, Donnie, Nait are all getting decently paid. We clearly have money this year but it’s not what other schools have

 

[OttoinGrotto]

So how do you pronounce this name? Is it like SOIREE?

I think that's reasonable but am not sure.

I think it might be like Sue-Are.

 

[RedtheGOB]

144% THIS.

What may have been literally our best *TEAM* in the past 15 years,
The Wes Johnson “Shut it Down” crew -
Had 2 C’s that were both generously listed at 6’9”.

You don’t need a 7’ dude in the middle to play winning hoops.

In retrospect, that team was really ahead of it’s time:
A bully at C, surrounded by 4 guys who could hit 3’s at near or over 40%.

This is how I remember. Also I don't know when we got away from fouling guys in the paint. I guess prob cuz we've been shortstaffed at the 5.

Last few years we just give up the layup too easy, don't want to foul. Make them earn it.

 

[RedtheGOB]

Unless we are running a zone, finding a productive two way 7 footer at the 5 who isn’t going to be a liability in screening action is an expensive endeavor with a short list. Hopefully we can be able to pull such players when available
who are good fits.

In the meantime you need guys who defend the rim and play with a high motor to hit the glass and fill the lane.

I really don’t think there would be as much heartburn with going into the year without our traditional 7 footer or two if not for questions around Reds ability as a coach. That weighs on pretty much everyone and no matter the roster make up, it all falls on him now to grow into the role more and show he has what it takes to build, develop and captain a winning tournament stalwart and top 25 program.

Expensive? I'd question if there are any?

 

[OrangeXtreme]

So how do you pronounce this name? Is it like SOIREE?

 

[kingtidge]

I think your expectations are too high. We retained Donnie and filled our biggest hole ( pure PG). Those should have been our 2 priorities and I’m glad We operated that way. I’m curious how many “proven legit center with major conference experience” are out there? And has interest in us?

I’d rather we fill our 5 with high potential wildcards than our PG slot. We can’t spend max dollars at each position - we know JJ, Donnie, Nait are all getting decently paid. We clearly have money this year but it’s not what other schools have

Well then I will hope for the best that Kyle pans out and stays healthy.

At the end of the day, if he doesn't, it is what it is.

 

[RF2044]

Not looking for a singular statline... Our starting Center and backup Center are graduating.

I am hoping that a proven legit center with starting major conference experience comes in along with a serviceable backup.

I thought that was a realistic expectation given our needs and what the administration said regarding adequate funds being available for quality players.

If we can't do that after all, then either my expectations were too high or the goalposts got dug up and replanted, that is all I am saying.

My opinion only -- but I don't think that was ever the plan. I think the Kline algorithm targeted bigs who had upside but performed below the baseline due to injury or whatever. Both Kyle and the kid from Arizona fit the bill.

Point being, the price tag for those guys would be well below market value for guys with better stats, due to their "lack" of production. But the lack of production was attributable to the injury / reduced PT after they came back from injury, not due to lack of skill.

Important to remember that Kyle was a highly rated / coveted guy in the transfer portal last year, and that Stephen was a highly rated recruit [at least a 4 star, maybe a 5 star].

 

[kingtidge]

My opinion only -- but I don't think that was ever the plan. I think the Kline algorithm targeted bigs who had upside but performed below the baseline due to injury or whatever. Both Kyle and the kid from Arizona fit the bill.

Point being, the price tag for those guys would be well below market value for guys with better stats, due to their "lack" of production. But the lack of production was attributable to the injury / reduced PT after they came back from injury, not due to lack of skill.

Important to remember that Kyle was a highly rated / coveted guy in the transfer portal last year, and that Stephen was a highly rated recruit [at least a 4 star, maybe a 5 star].

Yeah, I think Kyle deffo looks like player - if he can stay healthy.

Stephen looked decent as well but it sounds like UNLV simply topped off the bag beyond where we wanted to go...

Souare looks like a practice squad player.

 

[Orangezoo]

My opinion only -- but I don't think that was ever the plan. I think the Kline algorithm targeted bigs who had upside but performed below the baseline due to injury or whatever. Both Kyle and the kid from Arizona fit the bill.

Point being, the price tag for those guys would be well below market value for guys with better stats, due to their "lack" of production. But the lack of production was attributable to the injury / reduced PT after they came back from injury, not due to lack of skill.

Important to remember that Kyle was a highly rated / coveted guy in the transfer portal last year, and that Stephen was a highly rated recruit [at least a 4 star, maybe a 5 star].

Which if Kline proves he knows what he’s doing in roster building, Red proves he’s learning and capable of coaching you build a foundation. Next then comes maintaining the war chest you need and then being able to keep those that are now much more expensive or mix and match with finding more of those types of players every year letting some go after bigger pay days and then ponying up for others.

This year is what you would rather be seeing in year 1 vs year 3 but it is what it is.

 

[Orangezoo]

Yeah, I think Kyle deffo looks like player - if he can stay healthy.

Stephen looked decent as well but it sounds like UNLV simply topped off the bag beyond where we wanted to go...

Souare looks like a practice squad player.

Souare is an athletic redshirt frosh who got major minutes on a mediocre/poor p4 team.

That experience and what he did show in games against Clemson and Wake has greater value than a higher producing mid/low major big man to bring off the bench. The backup 5 options in the portal are slim pickings. Stephen making a lot of sense as option 1 and a player like Souare making sense as an alternate in the bigger picture.

I don’t think we have anything to sell to higher profile guys to convince them like Duke convinced Maliq for example unless we massively overpay.

We all want a full turnaround but sticking with Red and after last years debacle probably still does limit things. Thus it’s a prove it year.

Kline and company need to be right about the frosh and portal guys. A healthy Kyle makes sense, Kingz makes a lot of sense just as does George. Souare makes sense if they got things right with the freshmen and the vision they have for JJ and Donnie.

A lot has to go right but the question marks aren’t as big like they were last off season.

 

[Franz69]

So how do you pronounce this name? Is it like SOIREE?

On the highlight video I posted, the introduction sounded like Swahr.

 

[CbusCuse]

That’s usually my take.

He just doesn’t look like somebody who is going to help us much. I like having depth, but finding out we have Kyle and suboptimal choices at center instead of Kyle and somebody good as a center dynamic duo is disappointing.

I just watched the Clemson condensed game, where Souare had arguably his best game. Good thing George was on the same team to keep me interested because Souare was invisible and when Souare was on screen during a defensive possession he seemed to be going the wrong way most of the time.

Looking at his advanced stats, he’s not even a good rebounder or shotblocker, he’s a turnover machine and you absolutely can’t have him on the floor if you’re protecting a lead late.

Anyway, I’m not going to cry about a bench guy, especially when they are actively looking to recruit over him as we speak. But I’m disappointed if this is our guy.

I'm sure he didn't touch the ball much but 0.5 turnovers per game at 17 mpg for a Center is not exactly what i would call a turnover machine.

 

[Niastri]

My opinion only -- but I don't think that was ever the plan. I think the Kline algorithm targeted bigs who had upside but performed below the baseline due to injury or whatever. Both Kyle and the kid from Arizona fit the bill.

Point being, the price tag for those guys would be well below market value for guys with better stats, due to their "lack" of production. But the lack of production was attributable to the injury / reduced PT after they came back from injury, not due to lack of skill.

Important to remember that Kyle was a highly rated / coveted guy in the transfer portal last year, and that Stephen was a highly rated recruit [at least a 4 star, maybe a 5 star].

They may have wanted Ballard (or another center) at a set price, and now Red and team are waiting for the market to force Ballard (or another center) to accept a more reasonable offer, after they find no takers.

Every season in the pros, somebody signs a “below market” deal after turning down a “At the market” offer, because they flew too close to the sun. Once the roster spots and money dry up, players will become very reasonable.