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

[Orangezoo]

There is no way the money works to get this guy, someone like Hines and then have 3 mil for an elite PG unless we are working with closer to 15 mil. Not to mention why would you want 6-9 250 at PF and 6-11 276 trying to defend in the ACC together? This guy can move for his size but you are asking for trouble running something like that out there.

 

[orangefog]

There is no way the money works to get this guy, someone like Hines and then have 3 mil for an elite PG unless we are working with closer to 15 mil. Not to mention why would you want 6-9 250 at PF and 6-11 276 trying to defend in the ACC together? This guy can move for his size but you are asking for trouble running something like that out there.

You're right, the money probably doesn't work. But, I think they would work on the floor.

 

[VikesCuse84]

There is no way the money works to get this guy, someone like Hines and then have 3 mil for an elite PG unless we are working with closer to 15 mil. Not to mention why would you want 6-9 250 at PF and 6-11 276 trying to defend in the ACC together? This guy can move for his size but you are asking for trouble running something like that out there.

I don’t think they’re spending $3M on an elite PG sounds like the kid from Colgate is gonna be the PG and I can’t imagine he’s gonna get $3M

 

[RedtheGOB]

you can’t be a 6’9 center in the ACC and be an effective scorer around the rim. Will Kyle had the athleticism to be a good rim protector but we all saw how he got pushed around on offense and defense a lot of the time. Tomislav would likely be a PF.

250 pounds and a top rebounder in the country and people are still poking holes. Meet his price and then figure it out where he plays.

Kyle got pushed around because Donnie left him on an island while he played around on the 3 point line and the rest of our guards just sat around watching him battle under the rim.

 

[RF2044]

There is no way the money works to get this guy, someone like Hines and then have 3 mil for an elite PG unless we are working with closer to 15 mil. Not to mention why would you want 6-9 250 at PF and 6-11 276 trying to defend in the ACC together? This guy can move for his size but you are asking for trouble running something like that out there.

Seems premature to me.

We only have 5 playerse in the fold. How much do you think we are paying those guys, or the reported ~12M?

We still have about 7 players to go land -- including the two most critical gaps on the roster [PG and C]. We BETTER have the majority of that NIL to still spend, or we've screwed up roster construction.

 

[Orangezoo]

You're right, the money probably doesn't work. But, I think they would work on the floor.

I think that frontcourt would struggle on switches and get ball screened to death putting too much on to the bigs to recover and the guards to cover for him leading to open kickouts.

 

[Orangezoo]

Seems premature to me.

We only have 5 playerse in the fold. How much do you think we are paying those guys, or the reported ~12M?

We still have about 7 players to go land -- including the two most critical gaps on the roster [PG and C]. We BETTER have the majority of that NIL to still spend, or we've screwed up roster construction.

That’s fair we do need 7 guys just trying to sort out the money. We paid up for Sadiq so would we pay up similar again for his backup while then needing a big check for a starting 5 and 1 to boot?

 

[Cuse House]

We are balking at a guy who is a double double machine and has produced strong numbers against good competition because he is not 2 inches taller? Give me a break. This guy can rebound in any conference.

The expectations here are through the roof for portal guys.

 

[RF2044]

That’s fair we do need 7 guys just trying to sort out the money. We paid up for Sadiq so would we pay up similar again for his backup while then needing a big check for a starting 5 and 1 to boot?

Right. Which is why I'm contending that if we actively push the chips in for this guy, he is NOT a backup 4.

It wouldn't make sense. The same way that Folefac might price himself out, if his price tag gets too high.

Agree 1000000% that our two biggest needs are a starting 1 and a starting 5.

Focusing on the latter -- Estrella is out. Who else are we going to sign?


Edit -- also, if we are already running short of money on just the 5 players we have in the fold currently, then this new staff has bungled the offseason rebuild. I'm not accusing them of doing so, I'm just pointing out that we better have enough money to fill those two starting spots with PLUS caliber starters, because if we have to bargain shop then we overpaid for the likes of Doty, Kiyan, and White.

 

[Orangezoo]

Right. Which is why I'm contending that if we actively push the chips in for this guy, he is NOT a backup 4.

It wouldn't make sense. The same way that Folefac might price himself out, if his price tag gets too high.

Agree 1000000% that our two biggest needs are a starting 1 and a starting 5.

Focusing on the latter -- Estrella is out. Who else are we going to sign?

Right this guy is the only one I’ve seen us connected to of recent at the 5 besides Estrella and that SFA guy who is just a backup. Haven’t seen anything connecting us to Hines which sucks but maybe the silence is the way things are going to go with Gerry in the portal.

 

[granthath9]

Right this guy is the only one I’ve seen us connected to of recent at the 5 besides Estrella and that SFA guy who is just a backup. Haven’t seen anything connecting us to Hines which sucks but maybe the silence is the way things are going to go with Gerry in the portal.

Kansas is going after Moustapha Thiam so it really seems to me that Hines is a fall back for both his main suitors. I think Gerry needs to get really aggressive with him.

 

[Caleb8800]

There is no way the money works to get this guy, someone like Hines and then have 3 mil for an elite PG unless we are working with closer to 15 mil. Not to mention why would you want 6-9 250 at PF and 6-11 276 trying to defend in the ACC together? This guy can move for his size but you are asking for trouble running something like that out there.

I'm not sure why people continue to bring up Hines, he isn't happening. The big fish want him we can't compete here

 

[tptcuse]

Right. Which is why I'm contending that if we actively push the chips in for this guy, he is NOT a backup 4.

It wouldn't make sense. The same way that Folefac might price himself out, if his price tag gets too high.

Agree 1000000% that our two biggest needs are a starting 1 and a starting 5.

Focusing on the latter -- Estrella is out. Who else are we going to sign?


Edit -- also, if we are already running short of money on just the 5 players we have in the fold currently, then this new staff has bungled the offseason rebuild. I'm not accusing them of doing so, I'm just pointing out that we better have enough money to fill those two starting spots with PLUS caliber starters, because if we have to bargain shop then we overpaid for the likes of Doty, Kiyan, and White.

Exactly. If we’re hurting for money after signing zero legitimate “star” players, that’s a major problem.

 

[Orangezoo]

Kansas is going after Moustapha Thiam so it really seems to me that Hines is a fall back for both his main suitors. I think Gerry needs to get really aggressive with him.

Have we even made an effort?

 

[Orangezoo]

I'm not sure why people continue to bring up Hines, he isn't happening. The big fish want him we can't compete here

Are you on staff ? Seem to have a lot of answers and expertise jumping in here on pretty much everything.

 

[Willy75]

Yes, we get a bit too focused on height. Etan was 6'9". Elton Brand and Dejuan Blair were beasts. I know those are outliers but you don't need to be 7 feet tall to be effective. Arm length, hops, agility, strength all play a huge role in defensive efficiency.

Reed from UConn is 6’ 9” right?

 

[djorange1989]

Seems like GMAC is prioritizing production. I am beginning to feel as if we are not going to get any "splash" transfers, but guys who have produced in college and or Europe. A little surprising with all the money we supposedly have, but I also don't hate it. Seems like good value for this guy, Cox, and 3M.

I agree. I look at what Gerry has to do similarly to what Fran had to do this past portal window. Filling a lot of holes with decent, but not big boy level, NIL. No big splashes like you said, but solid and productive guys

 

[35kcuse]

De Ridder played a ton of five this year and had zero problem

 

[tptcuse]

I agree. I look at what Gerry has to do similarly to what Fran had to do this past portal window. Filling a lot of holes with decent, but not big boy level, NIL. No big splashes like you said, but solid and productive guys

Except Fran had MAJOR splashes.

 

[Scotch]

I don’t think they’re spending $3M on an elite PG sounds like the kid from Colgate is gonna be the PG and I can’t imagine he’s gonna get $3M

I really hope we spend a bunch on two difference makers and then get frugal/opportunistic around them.

 

[granthath9]

Have we even made an effort?

Not a hard court press or anything. I know they have interest in him. Which everyone does, he's a good player with room to be great.

 

[orangefog]

Reed from UConn is 6’ 9” right?

I think he's 6'-11"

 

[pearl31]

Are you on staff ? Seem to have a lot of answers and expertise jumping in here on pretty much everything.

interesting that there've been a few of these types of newbies of late

 

[Orangezoo]

I really hope we spend a bunch on two difference makers and then get frugal/opportunistic around them.

As I know we all want answers, it’s not the worst idea to avoid over bidding on every guy out of the gate and letting opportunity present itself with casting a wide but targeted net. The early splashes can be fun but also missing a chance to get 2 for 1 when agents don’t have as much leverage.

 

[Cuse House]

Except Fran had MAJOR splashes.

He did year one. He did not have a flashy portal season this past year, which is what dj referred to.