Class of 2025 PF Tomislav Buljan (Croatia) Portal from New Mexico

[CuseMan4]

This kid is going to kill it no matter where he goes. He has a game that translates to a lot of different offensive systems. He can adapt too. He’s not overly athletic, plays mostly below the rim. Suppperrrr productive and efficient. Extremely fundamentally sound as most euros are.

To be that looks like what G-Mac is targeting. High IQ players, fundamentally sound players that are smart, skilled and don’t make a lot of mistakes and are tenacious on defense. He’s sprinkling in some athletic players as well. But the kids we are getting or connected to remind me a lot of UVA players.

 

[Caleb8800]

I think this is the guy they target if they can't get Folefac. I feel like there is at least a decent chance they don't get Folefac if they are looking at a guy like this. He's not a center and they wouldn't bring in both him and Folefac

 

[Cuse House]

I think this is the guy they target if they can't get Folefac. I feel like there is at least a decent chance they don't get Folefac if they are looking at a guy like this. He's not a center and they wouldn't bring in both him and Folefac

This guy is the better player.

 

[pearl31]

I think this is the guy they target if they can't get Folefac. I feel like there is at least a decent chance they don't get Folefac if they are looking at a guy like this. He's not a center and they wouldn't bring in both him and Folefac

wonder if in this scenario gmac hasn't yet made his full-on pitch yet to Folefac, hasn't given him the full-throated "we need you and will pay you" as the staff is looking around at other 4s, and Folefac/agent are waiting for that and in the meantime trying to get leverage - I would think that if/when gmac gives that pitch/offer, considering the existing relationship and trust, Folefac would commit

 

[phil77]

Very solid player can do a lot worse

 

[RF2044]

I think this is the guy they target if they can't get Folefac. I feel like there is at least a decent chance they don't get Folefac if they are looking at a guy like this. He's not a center and they wouldn't bring in both him and Folefac

I don't think this is an either-or -- I see Buljan as a center, Folefac as a PF.

We can land them both. Let's go.

 

[CuseBlock]

I think this is the guy they target if they can't get Folefac. I feel like there is at least a decent chance they don't get Folefac if they are looking at a guy like this. He's not a center and they wouldn't bring in both him and Folefac

This guy is MILES better than Folefac

 

[rrlbees]

yes please

 

[sufan59]

Looks like he had one of his weaker games of the year against VCU (11 pts, 3 Rebs, 4 TOs), but it allowed Ryan Daly to at least see him in action.

It's funny because with Estrella, I think the reason people aren't as high on him is his most recent performance. Against the team (Michigan) who just picked him up in the transfer portal. Michigan made him look awful that day. Syracuse does not beat Tennessee this past season if Estrella plays in our game.

 

[Caleb8800]

I don't think this is an either-or -- I see Buljan as a center, Folefac as a PF.

We can land them both. Let's go.

I enjoy the optimism but I'm telling you this isn't the case they aren't looking to bring in both players. There is a reason they have started to look at other PF options. Leverage is a two way game Folefac has other offers and his agent his taking advantage of that. Syracuse can play the leverage game as well by reaching out to other PFs.

Now will they come to a resolution and bring in Folefac or does his agent drive us away and we go with another option that is the question. They aren't going to bring in both Folefac and this guy though.

 

[Melancer46]

I don't think this is an either-or -- I see Buljan as a center, Folefac as a PF.

We can land them both. Let's go.

This is my hope as well. Get this dude or Allenspach or whatever and then have Folefac as a versatile big off the bench (and hopefully one more taller player that can play here and there if needed).

Edit: Totally forgot Tasman, I guess he's probably the latter guy that I'm referring to.

 

[Caleb8800]

This guy is MILES better than Folefac

I'm not disagreeing with this sentiment but Gerry knows exactly what he's getting from Folefac. Folefac knows the system, knows Gerry etc..This is why he is being prioritized. Coaches favor familiarity to uncertainty

 

[Cusefan0307]

Folefac is a backup. This guy can start.

 

[Orangezoo]

I'm not disagreeing with this sentiment but Gerry knows exactly what he's getting from Folefac. Folefac knows the system, knows Gerry etc..This is why he is being prioritized. Coaches favor familiarity to uncertainty

You need 4 guys in the frontcourt minimum. This dude, Sadiq, Goodrick and Folefac would make sense plus add one more for development depth. This would be a starter not a bench player.

 

[phil77]

6’9” is super short for a center be interesting if a player like this would come to sit behind White or did we pay White to come off the bench

 

[Orangezoo]

6’9” is super short for a center be interesting if a player like this would come to sit behind White or did we pay White to come off the bench

Kyle was 6-8 and he wasn’t the problem on defense. Also this dude is 6-9 250 , 20 lbs heavier than Kyle and he can move really well.

 

[CuseMan4]

I don't think this is an either-or -- I see Buljan as a center, Folefac as a PF.

We can land them both. Let's go.

Correct. Buljan would be our starting center with Goodrick backing up.

Folefac and Sadiq would be our power forwards.

All 4 guys hit the glass hard. Must be a point of emphasis for G-Mac. Obviously if we get all 4 of these guys. I’d expect G-Mac to add one more 4/5 combo. Which tbh Petar Majstorovic would be the perfect guy to be the 3rd power forward and center.

PF- Sadiq, Folefac, Majstorovic
C-Buljan, Goodrick, Majstorovic

 

[phil77]

Kyle was 6-8 and he wasn’t the problem on defense.

Or front court of White and Kyle was overwhelmed by the size of other teams

 

[RF2044]

I enjoy the optimism but I'm telling you this isn't the case they aren't looking to bring in both players. There is a reason they have started to look at other PF options. Leverage is a two way game Folefac has other offers and his agent his taking advantage of that. Syracuse can play the leverage game as well by reaching out to other PFs.

Now will they come to a resolution and bring in Folefac or does his agent drive us away and we go with another option that is the question. They aren't going to bring in both Folefac and this guy though.

We need to bring in at least two bigs. If we land Folefac, we still need another.

It isn't either / or. We need two.

And Buljan has the size / weight / rebounding prowess to play the pivot. So, two birds with one stone.

I don't dispute that Folefac, Buljan, or any of the prospects we are pursuing don't have other options. Recruiting is a two way street in this portal / NIL era. But I don't belive that the staff will hold fast only bringing in the Siena center and call things good at the 5.

We have ~12M to spend on players, and they will look to strategically spend it.

 

[Orangezoo]

Or front court of White and Kyle was overwhelmed by the size of other teams

It wasn’t until later in the year when things fell apart including perimeter defense. Not to mention we couldn’t rebound.

 

[Cusefan0307]

Correct. Buljan would be our starting center with Goodrick backing up.

Folefac and Sadiq would be our power forwards.

All 4 guys hit the glass hard. Must be a point of emphasis for G-Mac. Obviously if we get all 4 of these guys. I’d expect G-Mac to add one more 4/5 combo. Which tbh Petar Majstorovic would be the perfect guy to be the 3rd power forward and center.

PF- Sadiq, Folefac, Majstorovic
C-Buljan, Goodrick, Majstorovic

Rebounding and limiting turnovers maximizes possessions. It’s not s e x y, but these are the things that lead to winning.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Correct. Buljan would be our starting center with Goodrick backing up.

Folefac and Sadiq would be our power forwards.

All 4 guys hit the glass hard. Must be a point of emphasis for G-Mac. Obviously if we get all 4 of these guys. I’d expect G-Mac to add one more 4/5 combo. Which tbh Petar Majstorovic would be the perfect guy to be the 3rd power forward and center.

PF- Sadiq, Folefac, Majstorovic
C-Buljan, Goodrick, Majstorovic

Let's count our chickens before they hatch. What if we go...

C - Buljan, Goodrick
PF - Sadiq, Gillhool

 

[Melancer46]

Kyle was 6-8 and he wasn’t the problem on defense. Also this dude is 6-9 250 , 20 lbs heavier than Kyle and he can move really well.

Kyle's wingspan and verticality allowed him to play WAY bigger than that though.

Think you can argue Buljan's strength does the same to some extent. Always some concern about how those touch shots look when you're trying to get them up over 7 footers instead of other similarly sized guys, but I'm at least confident he'll be able to hold his ground in the post and then you probably need guys like Sadiq to be able to rotate over to help contest post shots.

 

[Orangezoo]

Kyle's wingspan and verticality allowed him to play WAY bigger than that though.

Think you can argue Buljan's strength does the same to some extent. Always some concern about how those touch shots look when you're trying to get them up over 7 footers instead of other similarly sized guys, but I'm at least confident he'll be able to hold his ground in the post and then you probably need guys like Sadiq to be able to rotate over to help contest post shots.

Exactly and this guy needs some time with Arinze on how to use that body and improve his footwork in the post much like AO has done with Folefac.

 

[Caleb8800]

Bulijan is not going to be our starting center. He can play Center in small ball lineups but he's not going to be our starting center