Our 2015-16 Center?

[Sean Miller Fan]

This may have already been posted but I dont remember seeing it:

http://zagsblog.com/articles/charlotte-transfer-mike-thorne-has-suitors-planning-visits/

Charlotte Grad Transfer Mike Thorne. 6'11 270. Averaged 10 and 7 in CUSA and would easily start at the 5 for us. I'm of the opinion and that an adequate center (allowing Young to play the 4) would be a game-changer for us and Thorne would be more than that.

Lots and lots of competition though so the chances aren't good. Its interesting that Pitt and Kansas are both both him and Diallo. Could that mean neither expect to get Diallo (going to ISU) or just trying to get whoever commits first?

 

[King Of All Message Boards]

It has been posted and the general consensus is he's not coming here.

 

[Pitt79]

Originally posted by King Of All Message Boards:
It has been posted and the general consensus is he's not coming here.

Pay him more than Kansas is paying him.

 

[California Panther]

The pay hoops board has had plenty of info on Thorne and others Pitt has offered or is looking at.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Originally posted by King Of All Message Boards:
It has been posted and the general consensus is he's not coming here.

Jamie has got to do a better job in this "market." These "free agent" transfers are a whole new animal in the recruiting game and getting 1 or 2 quality players could be the difference between the Sweet 16 and the NIT.

 

[pittfan57]

I sure hope some of that info indicates we have a decent shot at some help because the Diallo sweepstakes got more interesting.

 

[Pitt79]

Originally posted by Sean Miller Fan:

Originally posted by King Of All Message Boards:
It has been posted and the general consensus is he's not coming here.

Jamie has got to do a better job in this "market." These "free agent" transfers are a whole new animal in the recruiting game and getting 1 or 2 quality players could be the difference between the Sweet 16 and the NIT.

Has Pitt had even a single one of these in basketball or football, or are we behind the curve or "too moral" or some such BS to get some of these guys to USE?

 

[King Of All Message Boards]

Dixon has tried for some. Carlino who was at Marquette this year. He went after Wesley who left Southern Cal and ended up at Gonzaga. There was a power forward who I think was from the Southwest whose name escapes me. They visited Thorne this year. I'm sure there are more.

 

[Piranha]

The sales pitch should be pretty easy.
1) You can start and get 30 mins.
2) I turned Aaron Gray into a pro. He has a similar skill set to you.
3) You will have the opportunity to play in front of family and friends numerous times, but yet experience a great city.
4) You can show all the ACC schools they made a mistake by not recruiting you.
5) Our track record of winning speaks for itself and you can help us achieve big things.

 

[wbrpanther]

Not to sure about this. We are assuming Thorne could start but what if he can't beat out Mike Young. These grad transfers look at our roster and see that our starting center is a sophomore. And though we know he is out of position and needs help, what do you think the other schools are telling him. "Pitt's starting center is a junior and you won't start there".

 

[King Of All Message Boards]

@DerekPiperBSH: Mike Thorne Jr. tells me he will visit Pitt on April 9th and Kansas on the 22nd. Illinois visit still set for April 17th. #Illini #kubball

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Originally posted by wbrpanther:
Not to sure about this. We are assuming Thorne could start but what if he can't beat out Mike Young. These grad transfers look at our roster and see that our starting center is a sophomore. And though we know he is out of position and needs help, what do you think the other schools are telling him. "Pitt's starting center is a junior and you won't start there".

If Young is our starting center next year, we're in trouble. Pitt's selling point to Thorne is: "we don't have a center, the starting center job is yours, guaranteed."

Young/Artis is a pretty bad defensive/rebounding combo at the 4/5. Thorne/Young would be a major major upgrade. Artis can play the 3 while filling in some minutes at the 4.

Selling points for Thorne:

- guaranteed starting job
- play in the ACC with several games in North Carolina where he's from
- game at MSG
- free trip to Japan
- NCAA Tournament

 

[NTOP]

Guaranteed to start??

If he's already graduating, he's too smart to believe that crock.