How good is Christian Gurdak going to be this season?

NBKnight · 2026-10-13T15:10:46-0500

RUChet said:
Agree it’s a better indicator than the cupcakes

I do think Francis, Gurdak, smith and Sydnor are our 4 best players

TBD on guard #2…..

I can’t see a situation where a healthy Mark is not starting.

Bob Chaewsky_rivals · 2026-10-13T15:27:46-0500

RUfan1977 said:
It’s just one game and Luigi Suigo may be overrated, but Gurdak’s exhibition game was impressive. According to early big boards, such as NBA Draft Room and Tankathon, Luigi Suigo (who Gurdak matched up against) is ranked as the number 1 center and a projected lottery pick in the 2027 NBA draft.

Gurdak responded by scoring 19 points, shooting 50% from the field and grabbing 8 rebounds without picking up a single foul.
He matched Luigi’s shooting % from the field, matched him in rebounds, and outscored him 19 to 10. Luigi was limited to 10 points. 8 rebounds and picked up 3 fouls. Luigi did have 3 blocks to Gurdak’s single block. Overall they seemed to be closely matched as Luigi’s blocks and defensive presence countered Gurdak’s higher scoring.

The only question is can he defend 5 men in the Big 10.

Bob Chaewsky_rivals · 2026-10-13T15:35:52-0500

RUChet said:
Agree it’s a better indicator than the cupcakes

I do think Francis, Gurdak, smith and Sydnor are our 4 best players

TBD on guard #2…..

Francis.

RUChet · 2026-10-13T15:48:23-0500

NBKnight said:
I can’t see a situation where a healthy Mark is not starting.

Gotta make shots

RUChet · 2026-10-13T15:49:32-0500

Bob Chaewsky_rivals said:
Francis.

Francis and Francis as your top 2 guards?

seansherm · 2026-10-13T16:15:49-0500

RUChet said:
Francis and Francis as your top 2 guards?

Hopefully Jones.

GM · 2026-10-13T16:38:01-0500

I think Lino getting overhated. Yeah he had some bad drives to the rim but he got up threes, was a great playmaker and I’m sure a little more time together could’ve had even more assists to Gurdak, on top of being a good defender. He lacks much of an in between game still and doesn’t go up with much control which can be frustrating but upon rewatch I think you’ll see his process was decent and the key to us unlocking better shot selection will be giving him the rock.

Zebnatto1! · 2026-10-13T16:42:48-0500

I don't see as much positive about Lino's offensive game as others.

RUChet · 2026-10-13T17:44:29-0500

GM said:
I think Lino getting overhated. Yeah he had some bad drives to the rim but he got up threes, was a great playmaker and I’m sure a little more time together could’ve had even more assists to Gurdak, on top of being a good defender. He lacks much of an in between game still and doesn’t go up with much control which can be frustrating but upon rewatch I think you’ll see his process was decent and the key to us unlocking better shot selection will be giving him the rock.

Just has to make shots and he’s going to play a lot

not make shots and we’ll see

RUfan1977 · 2026-10-13T19:43:20-0500

Lino’s upside on offense is off the charts given how quick and athletic he is. He was obviously needs to make more shots than he did in the exhibition game, but having someone who will generally make the opposing teams fastest player look slow creates huge problems for defenses,

OriginalKnight · 2026-10-13T21:34:42-0500

seansherm said:
6'8 tops probably.

I think 6 7 the most

Simce91 · 2026-10-14T09:06:59-0500

PSAL_Hoops said:
Yes agreed. Jones could be the best defensive player on the team.

If so, that is not going to be good news for Buchanan

seansherm · 2026-10-14T09:27:19-0500

Simce91 said:
If so, that is not going to be good news for Buchanan

Not sure that's true. Ones a 2/3, DB more a 2-4, always good to have multiple options, they will both play plenty.

PSAL_Hoops · 2026-10-14T11:44:14-0500

Simce91 said:
If so, that is not going to be good news for Buchanan

I don’t think Buchanan is quick enough anyway to cover guards.

PSAL_Hoops · 2026-10-14T11:47:48-0500

seansherm said:
Not sure that's true. Ones a 2/3, DB more a 2-4, always good to have multiple options, they will both play plenty.

DB isn’t covering 2s in the BIG. I see him playing a little less than last year. Around 20 mpg. Will not play any center. That will be the difference. A lot depends how many minutes Sydnor gets.

Loyal-Son · 2026-10-14T13:00:59-0500

NightKnight said:
It is a real competition but it is not played with game intensity. No fouls for Gurdak and the Nova big was also mostly going no contact. Part of the gentlemen's agreement in these things revolves around nobody wanting to get hurt in a scrimmage. That said, I can tell by the shine our new center has a lot of polish on his game. Very squared away. In the right spot, taking the right shot.

Were we watching the same game. There were players flying all over the place for both teams.

That was a clear positive for both teams in my mind.

It would be interesting though to count how many times each player dove on the floor for the ball.

NightKnight · 2026-10-14T13:33:21-0500

NBKnight said:
Did you watch? Both team played hard, guys were hitting the floor for loose

Played full speed but not one foul for Gurdak, Junior, Ware or Miteo? When does that happen? Does it makes sense to happen when the best player on Nova is 7'3" future lottery pick with a half foot of clear vision over anyone we put on the floor. From the center position, this was not played like a typical Big East or B1G game.

seansherm · 2026-10-14T13:56:06-0500

PSAL_Hoops said:
DB isn’t covering 2s in the BIG. I see him playing a little less than last year. Around 20 mpg. Will not play any center. That will be the difference. A lot depends how many minutes Sydnor gets.

We HOPE he will not play any center, I don't really think he will either, but not convinced any of our backups would be better, although maybe Ware can give minutes this year. I have low expectations for Buca and the kid. I could see as much 15 min at the 4, 10 at the three, but yeah, anywhere from 18-25 wouldn't surprise me. He only got 24 on a team with one forward last year, so dropping wouldn't surprise.

seansherm · 2026-10-14T13:58:13-0500

NightKnight said:
Played full speed but not one foul for Gurdak, Junior, Ware or Miteo? When does that happen? Does it makes sense to happen when the best player on Nova is 7'3" future lottery pick with a half foot of clear vision over anyone we put on the floor. From the center position, this was not played like a typical Big East or B1G game.

I'll be shocked if that kid ends up a future lottery pick, but size, even mediocre tempts, so who knows.

Zebnatto1! · 2026-10-14T14:16:49-0500

RUfan1977 said:
Lino’s upside on offense is off the charts given how quick and athletic he is. He was obviously needs to make more shots than he did in the exhibition game, but having someone who will generally make the opposing teams fastest player look slow creates huge problems for defenses,

He has no understanding of change of pace and at his size that's a real problem, esp in term of finishing. Think his offensive upside is far from off the charts.

PSAL_Hoops · 2026-10-14T14:51:28-0500

seansherm said:
We HOPE he will not play any center, I don't really think he will either, but not convinced any of our backups would be better, although maybe Ware can give minutes this year. I have low expectations for Buca and the kid. I could see as much 15 min at the 4, 10 at the three, but yeah, anywhere from 18-25 wouldn't surprise me. He only got 24 on a team with one forward last year, so dropping wouldn't surprise.

Buca saw time at center for KState. He’s not Fall. I don’t think he’s great but he’s over 7 foot and will be a better option that Buchanan at the 5. Miteo looked lost to me in a Fall-like way.

seansherm · 2026-10-14T15:13:17-0500

PSAL_Hoops said:
Buca saw time at center for KState. He’s not Fall. I don’t think he’s great but he’s over 7 foot and will be a better option that Buchanan at the 5. Miteo looked lost to me in a Fall-like way.

12 minutes as a 23 three year old. He is what he is. Yes, better than Darren at the 5 - match up dependent.

GM · 2026-10-14T15:34:43-0500

PSAL_Hoops said:
Buca saw time at center for KState. He’s not Fall. I don’t think he’s great but he’s over 7 foot and will be a better option that Buchanan at the 5. Miteo looked lost to me in a Fall-like way.

I don’t think I had same takeaway with Miteo. Idk if he is completely ready to contribute quite yet but he did a good job rebounding, clearly physical enough and even had a great rep on Royal, even though he failed to finish it with a rebound which is the freshman in him showing. But I think there’s a gap between him and Fall. He looked even better than Ogbole on his first season for us.

How good is Christian Gurdak going to be this season?

Heisman

All-American

All-American

All-Conference

All-Conference

Heisman

All-Conference

Sophomore

All-Conference

All-Conference

All-Conference

All-Conference

Heisman

Heisman

Heisman

All-Conference

All-Conference

Heisman

Heisman

Sophomore

Heisman

Heisman

All-Conference