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Sag Konate

pittfan57

Sophomore
Gold Member
Sep 6, 2009
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Given that we got Corey Manigualt in the 2016 Class, was curious if we anyone knows if we are still pursuing Konate? I would think we could still use another big in the 2015/2016 classes. Maybe the outcome of Diallo's decision may have some impact here. Looks like Iowa St. and Kansas still pretty involved with Diallo.
 
I think we ARE still recruiting Konate.

Konate and Manigault, while similar in size, are different players. Konate is raw and perhaps a better athlete with more upside. Manigault has performed against much better competition and appears to be a little taller. He would probably be ready to contribute earlier.

Basically, if we sign one or both of them in the 2016 class, unless we have unexpected attrition from the current junior-to-be class of Young, Artis, Jeter and Nix, neither would likely be expected to be major contributors as freshmen. They would be in a similar position as Ryan Luther, having some talent but being blocked by older, more experienced players.

They are really being recruited to be the backbone of the front line in the 2017-2018 season, when our current starters have graduated. We will need more than one big man at that time. Depending upon how Manigault or Konate develop, either could play at 4 or at 5 in two seasons. With the current group, we stand to lose 6 guys at one time when Young, Artis, etc leave. Jamie has to have multiple guys prepared to step in.

Until Levi Cook tore his ACL, he was in the plans as a developmental big man to contribute by then, but after the experience with Uchebo, I think the staff is leary of tying up a scarce scholarship on an injured player right now.

Obviously, all of those plans could change. Roster management is always tricky and it seems particularly in flux right now. Diallo is still in play. We are talking with some 5th year players and at least one juco. Other names will emerge, in the '15 class or '16 class.

Juggling available scholarships and signing the right kids to fill them will be an interesting challenge for the staff.
 
Thanks. I was thinking it would be good to still be involved with him for the reasons you have stated. Current group is a little shorthanded at the 4/5.
 
I'm continually hearing rumors of more possible roster attrition. Now that Uchebo and Haughton have moved on, who else is likely if any other players should decide to move on as well? Luther? Cam Johnson? Newkirk? Someone out of left field a la Moore and Zeigler a few years back?

Just curious if anyone's heard anything...
 
Originally posted by JohnnyGossamer:
I'm continually hearing rumors of more possible roster attrition. Now that Uchebo and Haughton have moved on, who else is likely if any other players should decide to move on as well? Luther? Cam Johnson? Newkirk? Someone out of left field a la Moore and Zeigler a few years back?

Just curious if anyone's heard anything...
Haven't heard a thing, but I'd be stunned if Uchebo and Haughton were the only 2.

Other possibilities:

Newkirk is the most likely. He's more of a mid-major talent.
Luther may have felt overwhelmed. His twin plays at Elon, maybe he tries a lower level.
Durand can grad transfer and is one test away from being kicked off so maybe he doesn't want to risk that and leaves.
Artis would be the "out of left field" transfer but maybe he would rather play for a coach who doesn't ask him to play defense.
 
You lost me when you mentioned Artis transferring. That wouldn't be "out of left field", that's past the parking lot, across the highway and right before the creek type of talk. Artis isn't going anywhere.
 
Durand Johnson being mentioned made me shudder. I don't expect it to happen in the least given he could've already done instead of practicing while serving his suspension. But, ugh, if it did, given the injury and then suspension, I guess I wouldn't be totally shocked.
 
I don't know what SMF posted. As I've said, he's been on ignore for me for almost a year.

But, someone in another thread referenced the turmoil after the CBI year and after Adams left, when virtually everyone on the roster was rumored to be leaving at one time or another.

There will be roster changes. There may be staff changes. I don't expect Artis to leave but we just offered a juco stretch 4 shooter. Since we already have FOUR of those on the roster, counting Young, SOMEBODY may be leaving. Some seem to think Luther but adding ANOTHER junior to a roster already overloaded with juniors seems unusual.

"The only thing that is constant is change."
 
Originally posted by JohnnyGossamer:
Durand Johnson being mentioned made me shudder. I don't expect it to happen in the least given he could've already done instead of practicing while serving his suspension. But, ugh, if it did, given the injury and then suspension, I guess I wouldn't be totally shocked.
I don't expect Durand to transfer, just saying, of the players who "potentially" could or at least give it more than a passing thought, he would be one for the reasons I mentioned. I fully expect he and Artis to be back, but despite what Harve or anyone else thinks, it wouldn't be a total shocker if a guy like Artis transfers. I don't expect it but there are "WTF" transfers every spring. D1 is littered with them. The guy plays no defense at all. Would it be crazy if he thought he's a better fit somewhere else?

Harve likes mentioning that I've been on ignore for a year when its really only been a few months because we debated the season ticket stuff in Nov/Dec and after I owned him in that debate (he still believes a game against a MEAC school has the same value to a season ticket package as an OOC game against UConn). But, he has to be right and when he's not you go on his "ignore" list I guess.

I am sure there will be at least 1 more transfer after Uchebo and Haughton and maybe 2 or 3 more. We may need a total purge. A lot of bad fits and "misses" on this roster.
This post was edited on 3/24 11:12 AM by Sean Miller Fan
 
What coach in the universe tells his team not to play defense? Other than Jamie Dixon apparently.
 
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