All Things 2013 Basketball Recruiting Thread UPDATED 5/15: Malik Smith a Gopher!

Donate To GopherHole
We don't need to compare recruiting rankings. Both of them have played multiple seasons of college ball in the same conference.

Buckles has played 3 years and at at his best was averaging 7 points and 6 rebounds in 18.8 minutes per game for Louisville (injury shortened sophomore year against inferior competition).

Randall has played 2 years and at his best averaged 2.5 points and 2.5 rebounds in 11.3 minutes per game for Rutgers (his freshman year).

Interestingly enough, they each played exactly 11.3 minutes per game their freshman year. Buckles average 3.8 ppg and 3.4 rpg.

Buckles downside is that he might not be the same player after two ACL injuries. His upside is that he keeps a space open for next year's recruiting class, is familiar with Pitino, can shoot the 3, and seemed to show a trajectory of improvement in his career. I would very happily take him over Randall, even before I heard he committed to Pitt.
 

eker0016 said:
We don't need to compare recruiting rankings. Both of them have played multiple seasons of college ball in the same conference.

Buckles has played 3 years and at at his best was averaging 7 points and 6 rebounds in 18.8 minutes per game for Louisville (injury shortened sophomore year against inferior competition).

Randall has played 2 years and at his best averaged 2.5 points and 2.5 rebounds in 11.3 minutes per game for Rutgers (his freshman year).

Interestingly enough, they each played exactly 11.3 minutes per game their freshman year. Buckles average 3.8 ppg and 3.4 rpg.

Buckles downside is that he might not be the same player after two ACL injuries. His upside is that he keeps a space open for next year's recruiting class, is familiar with Pitino, can shoot the 3, and seemed to show a trajectory of improvement in his career. I would very happily take him over Randall, even before I heard he committed to Pitt.
Click to expand...

To add to your post, Mbakwe had surgeries on both knees, and was able to comeback and play well. That gives me some hope if Buckles transfers here. I would much rather have Buckles over Randall as well.
 

DeathClutch said:
To add to your post, Mbakwe had surgeries on both knees, and was able to comeback and play well. That gives me some hope if Buckles transfers here. I would much rather have Buckles over Randall as well.
Click to expand...

That is a good point. Buckles sustained his injury in January of 2012, so he essentially has had 1.5 years to recover. Mbakwe sustained his in November of 2011 and returned for the subsequent season.

One difference I can envision is that as a banger down low, an ACL injury may not be as detrimental to Mbakwe as it would to a guy who relies more on leaping and change of direction etc. I don't really know what kind of a PF Buckles is (other than to see he can hit the 3) so I can't make a judgment about that.
 

Has Ngosi Asantewa signed with anyone yet? If Buckles falls through, isn't Asantewa about the last big guy Pitono has shown interest in for 2013-14?
 

From Pitino to Pitino?


Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN)
6/23/13, 2:41 PM
Louisville transfer Zach Price told ESPN he has visited Dayton and Purdue -- and plans to visit Minnesota and Missouri.
 


scher215 said:
From Pitino to Pitino?


Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN)
6/23/13, 2:41 PM
Louisville transfer Zach Price told ESPN he has visited Dayton and Purdue -- and plans to visit Minnesota and Missouri.
Click to expand...

Price really never did much of anything offensively for Louisville. He's a defensive presence in the lane but picks up a lot of fouls.

I'm not sure he'd be more productive than Buckles or a slimmer Mo. If he's eligible right away, I think we take him, though. 7 footers don't grow on trees.
 

The Gopher Report said:
Price really never did much of anything offensively for Louisville. He's a defensive presence in the lane but picks up a lot of fouls.

I'm not sure he'd be more productive than Buckles or a slimmer Mo. If he's eligible right away, I think we take him, though. 7 footers don't grow on trees.
Click to expand...

He's a straight transfer, not going to be eligible.
 

Considering his offer list coming out of high school, this wouldn't be a bad get (Miami, tOSU, Wisco, Wake Forest). Plus once Elliot and Mo both graduate it would give us another big for that next year since he won't be eligible this year. I agree though, I would rather have Buckles for one year.
 

GoldyForLife said:
Considering his offer list coming out of high school, this wouldn't be a bad get (Miami, tOSU, Wisco, Wake Forest). Plus once Elliot and Mo both graduate it would give us another big for that next year since he won't be eligible this year. I agree though, I would rather have Buckles for one year.
Click to expand...

Price would be Minnesota's "highest rated" high school player.. as said here, I think if you can find a good defensive/rebounding option for this season you go that route... but if not, Price could be a nice addition.
 




Gopher Warrior said:
Price would be Minnesota's "highest rated" high school player.. as said here, I think if you can find a good defensive/rebounding option for this season you go that route... but if not, Price could be a nice addition.
Click to expand...

Yikes! 34.8% from the FT line? If we sign him he better spend his transfer year strictly shooting free throws...
 

what were Tbakwe's stats coming in? This could be a very similar situation where a highly recruited player didn't get the PT he wanted on his original squad, transfered and turned out to be a stud?

/wishfulthinking
 




MadtownGopher said:
I don't think there will be any, Pitino has spoke very highly of him and it sounds like he may have a shot at starting this year.
Click to expand...

It also seems like Price and King would be different type/style of big men.

Go Gophers!!
 

BleedGopher said:
It also seems like Price and King would be different type/style of big men.

Go Gophers!!
Click to expand...

Yep, they actually sound like they could complement eachother well. King is the stretch 4 and Price is the interior swatter.
 

MadtownGopher said:
I don't think there will be any, Pitino has spoke very highly of him and it sounds like he may have a shot at starting this year.
Click to expand...

some will look at it as a King for 3 years starting this year or price for 2 years starting next year if it came down to Buckles taking the last scholarship....

I agree with you, we've got King, he could be nice and you cannot always look back and think "what might have been"....
 

Winasota Gopher said:
some will look at it as a King for 3 years starting this year or price for 2 years starting next year if it came down to Buckles taking the last scholarship....

I agree with you, we've got King, he could be nice and you cannot always look back and think "what might have been"....
Click to expand...

Buckles is far from a sure thing at this point. I'd be happy with King+Price or King+Buckles. Each has it's upside and downside, but I think they are about the same impact regardless.
 


I think I'd prefer Price over Buckles. I'm willing to take a step back this year as long as we start to see Pitino's impact in the 2014-2015 season. How much would Buckles really help this year anyways? There are injury concerns with him, and it's not like he was dominant when he was healthy at Louisville. Price was highly regarded out of HS and is a legit 6'11'', those guys aren't easy to find. It'd be a perfect scenario in 2014-2015 having him join what we hope is a talented crop of freshman (Vaughn, Perkins, Travis?). We'd be looking at some really good depth across the entire roster at that point.
 

jaymil said:
I think I'd prefer Price over Buckles. I'm willing to take a step back this year as long as we start to see Pitino's impact in the 2014-2015 season. How much would Buckles really help this year anyways? There are injury concerns with him, and it's not like he was dominant when he was healthy at Louisville. Price was highly regarded out of HS and is a legit 6'11'', those guys aren't easy to find. It'd be a perfect scenario in 2014-2015 having him join what we hope is a talented crop of freshman (Vaughn, Perkins, Travis?). We'd be looking at some really good depth across the entire roster at that point.
Click to expand...

+1
 

jaymil said:
I think I'd prefer Price over Buckles. I'm willing to take a step back this year as long as we start to see Pitino's impact in the 2014-2015 season. How much would Buckles really help this year anyways? There are injury concerns with him, and it's not like he was dominant when he was healthy at Louisville. Price was highly regarded out of HS and is a legit 6'11'', those guys aren't easy to find. It'd be a perfect scenario in 2014-2015 having him join what we hope is a talented crop of freshman (Vaughn, Perkins, Travis?). We'd be looking at some really good depth across the entire roster at that point.
Click to expand...

I don't see how one affects the other. Price is not eligible to play next year. Buckles would be gone after next year so we get the scholly back. Price should be evaluated against 2014-15 incoming recruits.
 

bga1 said:
I don't see how one affects the other. Price is not eligible to play next year. Buckles would be gone after next year so we get the scholly back. Price should be evaluated against 2014-15 incoming recruits.
Click to expand...
Scholly is committed both years I believe...
 

bga1 said:
I don't see how one affects the other. Price is not eligible to play next year. Buckles would be gone after next year so we get the scholly back. Price should be evaluated against 2014-15 incoming recruits.
Click to expand...

No, he would be on the roster and would require a scholarship.
 

MadtownGopher said:
Buckles is far from a sure thing at this point. I'd be happy with King+Price or King+Buckles. Each has it's upside and downside, but I think they are about the same impact regardless.
Click to expand...

I completely agree, however what I was getting at was some might have preferred buckles and price had we not taken king
 

Winasota Gopher said:
I completely agree, however what I was getting at was some might have preferred buckles and price had we not taken king
Click to expand...

And I doubt that will be the case since Pitino has already referred to him as the "MVP" of the early practices.
 



MadtownGopher said:
And I doubt that will be the case since Pitino has already referred to him as the "MVP" of the early practices.
Click to expand...

Madtown, I believe the quote you are referring to was in regard to King taking a number of charges (thus, earning "MVP" honors) during those first two one hour practices. I haven't read anything or listened to anything that was overwhelmingly positive/negative on King thus far. Pitino did say King reminded him of Luke Hancock in a 1500 interview in that he always thought he was the best player on the floor (confidence), but Pitino also has compared Mo Walker to Jamaal Magloire who was a first round draft pick and an NBA All Star.

Personally, I am not real excited about Price. I do think a red shirt year could help the kid and it would be nice to have an experienced big man after Mo/Elliott graduate. I would have avoided King and passed on Price and concentrated on bringing in a stellar 2014 class. I really don't like the idea of having only 3 scholarships available for Pitino's first Fall recruiting class.
 

EG#9 said:
Madtown, I believe the quote you are referring to was in regard to King taking a number of charges (thus, earning "MVP" honors) during those first two one hour practices. I haven't read anything or listened to anything that was overwhelmingly positive/negative on King thus far. Pitino did say King reminded him of Luke Hancock in a 1500 interview in that he always thought he was the best player on the floor (confidence), but Pitino also has compared Mo Walker to Jamaal Magloire who was a first round draft pick and an NBA All Star.

Personally, I am not real excited about Price. I do think a red shirt year could help the kid and it would be nice to have an experienced big man after Mo/Elliott graduate. I would have avoided King and passed on Price and concentrated on bringing in a stellar 2014 class. I really don't like the idea of having only 3 scholarships available for Pitino's first Fall recruiting class.
Click to expand...

I'm not worried about what we have for 2014 because I wouldn't be surprised if someone like Oto transferred after this season, not to mention we are after a lot of good talent in 2015 and beyond as well. I trust Pitino's judgment.
 

EG#9 said:
I really don't like the idea of having only 3 scholarships available for Pitino's first Fall recruiting class.
Click to expand...

Even though Oto is technically a Jr, he will graduate next year and would be a candidate to be sent packing (if his play doesn't improve).

I see next year as being minimum of 4 available schollies if Pitino needs and possibly 6 if we sign Buckles and Big Mo will have graduated and if the slimmed down version isn't performing. Again, another guy that can be pushed out.

Lots of options for next year.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.



Top Bottom