I'm pumped about this season, so I hope I'm not being too much of a Negative Nancy here. I just don't understand the logic in burning up a year of Diarra's eligibility. Between the 2 exhibition games and the game today, he has played a grand total of 12 minutes. Unless there is an injury we don't know about, it's obvious he's not as ready to contribute as Nsoseme is. And with Diarra, we have 6 guys vying for playing time at 2 positions. Last season we had 5, and 3 of those 5 averaged 10 or less minutes per game. Is there something I'm missing here?

(11-10-2017 09:51 PM)robertfoshizzle Wrote:  I'm pumped about this season, so I hope I'm not being too much of a Negative Nancy here. I just don't understand the logic in burning up a year of Diarra's eligibility. Between the 2 exhibition games and the game today, he has played a grand total of 12 minutes. Unless there is an injury we don't know about, it's obvious he's not as ready to contribute as Nsoseme is. And with Diarra, we have 6 guys vying for playing time at 2 positions. Last season we had 5, and 3 of those 5 averaged 10 or less minutes per game. Is there something I'm missing here?

Perhaps Diarra did not want to redshirt.

Being from Mali, I’m not sure what his age is. Maybe he’s older.

I dunno... I guess it's too late anyway. Perhaps it is his own decision or his age. It just seems like kind of a waste, because I would be surprised if he played much more than 100 minutes the entire season.

Hey, I say gamble everything on winning it all this year.

Unless Mick absolutely doesn't think he can help, he'll play him. He's obviously not far enough yet, to where Mick trusts him.

Look for Diarra's minutes to increase as he gets more comfortable.

The kid has a ton of potential. I’m really looking forward to watching him.

(11-11-2017 08:08 AM)BJUnklFkr Wrote:  Unless Mick absolutely doesn't think he can help, he'll play him. He's obviously not far enough yet, to where Mick trusts him.

Look for Diarra's minutes to increase as he gets more comfortable.

Agree Beej. During the ESP3 cast, Terry Nelson said Mick is intrigued by his raw talent and athleticism but his mind needs to catch up to the basketball IQ side. In other words, his physicality alone is enough to warrant being on the roster and his mental approach to the game will improve as the season churns along.

How long has he been in the states? Does anyone know how well his English is? I wonder if there is still a language barrier issue.

My understanding is Mick leaves it up to the player. If a basketball player doesn't want to redshirt, he'll just transfer and leave. At least, that's what all the guys in the know have said about the situation.

It appears Diarra simply doesn't want to redshirt.

I'm fine with him not redshirting if he gets some meaningful time in real games, if for any other reason, it will help him for next year with Gary and Kyle are gone. I'd trade no redshirt for some quality experience that helps us next year for sure.

Now, if he isn't going to redshirt and gets zero meaningful minutes, then yeah, its a waste. I trust Cronin on this.

Mic hasn't had the luxury of a deep bench,,and this is the year to build experience for the next 2-3 yr's
roster..Let the excitement extend beyond just 2017-8...

It's not the coach's call. Kid had a lot offers, and the mentality is not there anymore particularly with big kids for them to want to sit. Not a lot of players in this generation to contemplate 5 year plans. Years ago the skuttle butt was Huggsins wanted Brannen to redshirt instead of pickup 5 fouls in 3 or 4 minutes his first year, but he didn't want it. He may well have been an Nba pick with a 5th year.

(11-11-2017 09:53 AM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  I'm fine with him not redshirting if he gets some meaningful time in real games, if for any other reason, it will help him for next year with Gary and Kyle are gone. I'd trade no redshirt for some quality experience that helps us next year for sure.

Now, if he isn't going to redshirt and gets zero meaningful minutes, then yeah, its a waste. I trust Cronin on this.

I don't think Diarra will be fill Gary or KW's spots. He is tall but he's not a big. He's more of a wing form what I've seen.

(11-11-2017 11:02 AM)BeerCat Wrote:  

(11-11-2017 09:53 AM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  I'm fine with him not redshirting if he gets some meaningful time in real games, if for any other reason, it will help him for next year with Gary and Kyle are gone. I'd trade no redshirt for some quality experience that helps us next year for sure.

Now, if he isn't going to redshirt and gets zero meaningful minutes, then yeah, its a waste. I trust Cronin on this.

I don't think Diarra will be fill Gary or KW's spots. He is tall but he's not a big. He's more of a wing form what I've seen.

He's listed as 6'9" 215. Kyle is 6'9" 230 and Gary is 6'8" 230. I believe both were slimmer (in particular Gary) when they first got to UC.

(11-11-2017 11:02 AM)BeerCat Wrote:  

(11-11-2017 09:53 AM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  I'm fine with him not redshirting if he gets some meaningful time in real games, if for any other reason, it will help him for next year with Gary and Kyle are gone. I'd trade no redshirt for some quality experience that helps us next year for sure.

Now, if he isn't going to redshirt and gets zero meaningful minutes, then yeah, its a waste. I trust Cronin on this.

I don't think Diarra will be fill Gary or KW's spots. He is tall but he's not a big. He's more of a wing form what I've seen.

Sure but im betting kid puts on some weight in the next two-three years too. He's never going to be a low post thumper but he can go up in weight class a bit.

i always though eli was the redshirt candidate. diarra (ranking wise) seemed like a pretty impressive last minute grab. like on prom night

(11-11-2017 02:42 PM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  

(11-11-2017 11:02 AM)BeerCat Wrote:  

(11-11-2017 09:53 AM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  I'm fine with him not redshirting if he gets some meaningful time in real games, if for any other reason, it will help him for next year with Gary and Kyle are gone. I'd trade no redshirt for some quality experience that helps us next year for sure.

Now, if he isn't going to redshirt and gets zero meaningful minutes, then yeah, its a waste. I trust Cronin on this.

I don't think Diarra will be fill Gary or KW's spots. He is tall but he's not a big. He's more of a wing form what I've seen.

Sure but im betting kid puts on some weight in the next two-three years too. He's never going to be a low post thumper but he can go up in weight class a bit.

Yes. I'm thinking "stretch 4" is the appropriate description. All the skills and probably not quite quick enough to match up with wings, full-time.

(11-11-2017 02:54 PM)BJUnklFkr Wrote:  

(11-11-2017 02:42 PM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  

(11-11-2017 11:02 AM)BeerCat Wrote:  

(11-11-2017 09:53 AM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  I'm fine with him not redshirting if he gets some meaningful time in real games, if for any other reason, it will help him for next year with Gary and Kyle are gone. I'd trade no redshirt for some quality experience that helps us next year for sure.

Now, if he isn't going to redshirt and gets zero meaningful minutes, then yeah, its a waste. I trust Cronin on this.

I don't think Diarra will be fill Gary or KW's spots. He is tall but he's not a big. He's more of a wing form what I've seen.

Sure but im betting kid puts on some weight in the next two-three years too. He's never going to be a low post thumper but he can go up in weight class a bit.

Yes. I'm thinking "stretch 4" is the appropriate description. All the skills and probably not quite quick enough to match up with wings, full-time.

I think stretch 4 is accurate. And i wouldn’t call Gary or Kyle a stretch 4 even though they both can and will shoot 3s. Diarra to me looks capable of beating defenders off the dribble where Gary and KW don’t have that ability.