Pitino says Gophers looking to play Gaston Diedhiou at backup PF spot

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Go Gophers!!
 


No one knows when - maybe not even Pitino. However, this is a positive sign- maybe Gaston is showing some potential by doing some rebounding in practice. That and marginal defensive awareness would put a power forward on the floor a few minutes a game for starters.
 

Maybe this is how Pitino motivates he guards to play better!
 

Expanded quotes per Marcus:

Pitino tried experimenting with 6-11 freshman Bakary Konate at forward during nonconference play but that didn't work out. Minnesota's depth at the position became more of an issue when freshman Josh Martin transferred in early December.

"We really are moving towards playing him at the four and seeing how he looks," Pitino said of Diedhiou. "He looked good. It's hard because you're on the road and game planning; you almost forget a little bit to bring him along. We'll try again today.

"The toughest part with (Gaston) is that possessions are so important. He's going to make mistakes. Now is probably not the opportune time to play him, but we've But we've got to start looking to do it. We're struggling at that backup four spot right now. That's evident."

http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci...rce=rss&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Go Gophers!!
 


Not if Gopher Warrior has anything to say about it!
 


Its nice to recruit raw, but very high potential athletic players in theory, but if you have too many of those players, you are going to suffer. Next year we have Bakary, Gaston, Nwankwo, and Joey in our frontcourt. 3 of those guys are as raw as can be, and Joey cant rebound. Mo and EE are gone so we will be very inexperienced in the frontcourt. We need someone to step-up.
 

DeathClutch said:
Next year we have Bakary, Gaston, Nwankwo, and Joey in our frontcourt. 3 of those guys are as raw as can be
Click to expand...

As raw as can be? So, King can't rebound. Buggs isn't mentioned at all... Kontae has averaged 9mpg thus far and is pretty physically gifted.

No idea how 'raw' Gaston is or how 'raw' he will be next season.

Nwankwo is a beast, if he was some 210 lbs freshman, I might go along with raw as can be.
 



HOOP DREAMS said:
As raw as can be? So, King can't rebound. Buggs isn't mentioned at all... Kontae has averaged 9mpg thus far and is pretty physically gifted.

No idea how 'raw' Gaston is or how 'raw' he will be next season.

Nwankwo is a beast, if he was some 210 lbs freshman, I might go along with raw as can be.
Click to expand...

Im a very optomistic Gopher fan, but you cant deny how untested our frontcourt will be next year. I didnt mention Buggs because he does not play at all like a PF. Konate has shown some flashes with rebounding, but he has not played a single minute inn big ten play. Gaston, who knows. If he can provide us some quality minutes. Nwankwo isn't producing alot at Victory Rock. He has a Big Ten body, but he needs to develop Big Ten skills.
 

DeathClutch said:
Im a very optomistic Gopher fan, but you cant deny how untested our frontcourt will be next year. I didnt mention Buggs because he does not play at all like a PF. Konate has shown some flashes with rebounding, but he has not played a single minute inn big ten play. Gaston, who knows. If he can provide us some quality minutes. Nwankwo isn't producing alot at Victory Rock. He has a Big Ten body, but he needs to develop Big Ten skills.
Click to expand...

It's said Pitino's guards 1-3 are interchangeable in the offence... That aint Buggs. He fits more in the frontcourt than the backcourt. And the dude is a hair short of 6'-10" Mo (if at all) so we need him to add some more muscle and snag some boards next season.

There is no such thing as Big Ten skills.
 






This could be Pitino's latest attempt to motivate Buggs and get him to play some decent defense. I can't imagine Diedhiou is ready after only a few weeks of practice. It's just such a weak spot for us right now.
 

I want Gaston to play just because I want to hear his name announced on the loudspeakers! "Now entering, Gaston (the Beast) Diedhiou!!!" (Read as if a WWE announcer is speaking.)
 

I know Martin hadn't shown much, but it sure seems like he could have gone in and grabbed a few rebounds for us.
 

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