I expect Diallo to join his French speaking buddy, Skal. And for UK to land one more big from Zimm, Bryant and Swanigan.
Cheick Diallo
- Thread starter westerncat
- Start date
It was my impression, during the time when MKG was "deciding what to do", that he really wanted to come back for his sophomore year. Why he didn't is, of course, beyond my knowledge.
I have not seen Diallo in a game situation other than largely worthless mix tapes. If he plays hard at his height, he'll be valuable. Look how valuable Faried was/is and how valuable Harrell is despite the fact that he can't shoot a lick.
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Having said that, I really like big Z whom I have seen in game conditions. He can really shoot and has an excellent feel for the game,passes like a dream. . If he stays for two years ,he will get much stronger which is his only real weakness now.
As far as the other bigs are concerned ,I would rank them Maker, Rabb,then Swanigan whom I see as a smaller version of Dakari.
Any class that includes Skal, big Z plus any one of Diallo, Maker ,Rabb or Swanigan would be great. Skal, big Z and Rabb would be spectacular.
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Having said that, I really like big Z whom I have seen in game conditions. He can really shoot and has an excellent feel for the game,passes like a dream. . If he stays for two years ,he will get much stronger which is his only real weakness now.
As far as the other bigs are concerned ,I would rank them Maker, Rabb,then Swanigan whom I see as a smaller version of Dakari.
Any class that includes Skal, big Z plus any one of Diallo, Maker ,Rabb or Swanigan would be great. Skal, big Z and Rabb would be spectacular.
I don't quite understand the love for Swanigan. Admittedly, I've only seen a sample size, but he reminded me of a poor man's Dakari Johnson.
Some were suggesting that perhaps Cal was more interested in him than Bragg, which I just didn't understand. Maybe I need to watch more of his games.
Saw him play a few times. Defense is great great at blocking shots. Offense just needs some work but how many big men like that have we had? He would do just fine here.
I'm torn on Swanigan. On one hand I think he's a lot like Jared Sullinger. Just a bull on the low block, but has the feet and finesse to go around you, and can step out and shoot it to midrange. I also know that short, relatively slow centers hurt you defensively most of the time too, and while he appears longer than Sullinger, there's not much lift or explosiveness there.
He's kind of the opposite of Diallo. Undersized for the five spot, but lacking the perimeter game to play the four on both ends. He's a very good low block scorer and rebounds the hell out of the ball though, and in college that lack of ideal size isn't usually a huge detriment, although we've really made our mark under Cal with using superior length/athleticism inside and for the most part I prefer elite tools and defense to offensive skill.
Cal must have some strong connections with that Indy Spiece squad or really believe he can mold Swanigan into a good defender to go with that offensive talent.
He's kind of the opposite of Diallo. Undersized for the five spot, but lacking the perimeter game to play the four on both ends. He's a very good low block scorer and rebounds the hell out of the ball though, and in college that lack of ideal size isn't usually a huge detriment, although we've really made our mark under Cal with using superior length/athleticism inside and for the most part I prefer elite tools and defense to offensive skill.
Cal must have some strong connections with that Indy Spiece squad or really believe he can mold Swanigan into a good defender to go with that offensive talent.
Gonzo what you mean by being the opposite of Diallo?
Height wise? Diallo is kinda short to be a center unless he grows some more, He is no more than 6'8" has the body of a power forward but not the skill set.
Height wise? Diallo is kinda short to be a center unless he grows some more, He is no more than 6'8" has the body of a power forward but not the skill set.
Matt Jones has been alluding to something positive for UK being worked out regarding a recruit, but he couldn't talk about it.
Pretty sure it's Maker.
Sorry, did a really lazy job of making that point.
I meant that while both are undersized, Diallo is able to effectively guard either spot (4/5) but doesn't have the range/skillset to play the four offensively, while Biggie is able to effectively play either spot on offense but doesn't have the quickness to guard 4s.
So they're similar in that they're limited, but opposite in what those limitations are. That's what I should have said the first time.
I hate to say it, because depending on who goes I would love to see a guy like Swanigan at UK because he's super talented but not ideally suited for the pros (kind of the Ulis of big men), but he feels like the perfect Michigan State player. Wouldn't blame that kid a bit for going there.