Where was Diallo?

cdekovic

Well-Known Member
Mar 25, 2006
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For a "One and Done" player he sure didn't do anything last night. 5 minutes off the bench and conspicuously missing down the stretch and in OT. Second thoughts about going to KU perhaps? Certainly not a lottery pick just yet. He's supposed to be the missing piece for KU?
 
He's not ready. He still would be a lottery pick if the draft was today though.
 
For a "One and Done" player he sure didn't do anything last night. 5 minutes off the bench and conspicuously missing down the stretch and in OT. Second thoughts about going to KU perhaps? Certainly not a lottery pick just yet. He's supposed to be the missing piece for KU?
No, that was the narrative for our consideration, and despite his limited PT at KU just a few games in, I still agree.

KU has real depth.
 
Self needs him next year. He's intentionally holding him back so that his draft status drops and he is forced to return for a sophomore year.
 
If anyone wants to photoshop Diallo's face in there. It's even KU colors.

Waldo-image_approved.jpg
 
I think one and dones should realize it doesn't matter where you go as long as there is a spot in the rotation. Ku and uk seem so loaded some freshman can't shine. I hate duke but they do the best job in that regard
 
diallo is a defensive player and frehman often struggle to understand the game at the college level. He doesn't offer enough offensively for Self to feel comfortable with the defensive mental mistakes, even if he can block some ***** and rebounds.....may see more of him later in the year or he may declare and be a late lottery to mid late first round pick.....NBA is all about youth and so called potential in the draft now....and half these guys will be out of the league in a couple seasons...NBA sucks...
 
Seems like Self does this with his freshmen just about every year. Doesn't give them real mins until mid way through conference season. Slowly works them in.

Did it last year with Alexander but he never got it together. Kind of did it with Wiggins and Embiid as well. Played them much less on the road at the beginning of conference play then at home. Believe it may have been the same narative with Mclemore as well.
 
Seems like Self does this with his freshmen just about every year. Doesn't give them real mins until mid way through conference season. Slowly works them in.

Did it last year with Alexander but he never got it together. Kind of did it with Wiggins and Embiid as well. Played them much less on the road at the beginning of conference play then at home. Believe it may have been the same narative with Mclemore as well.

Citation needed.
 
So if Diallo was a Cyclone, would his minutes be any different? It would be great for us to have him to spell McKay or Niang for 5 minutes a game. But other than that, I can't see him playing much more than that. So I'm not sure ISU would have been a smarter move on his part. Though next year he could be the core of the team.
 
So if Diallo was a Cyclone, would his minutes be any different? It would be great for us to have him to spell McKay or Niang for 5 minutes a game. But other than that, I can't see him playing much more than that. So I'm not sure ISU would have been a smarter move on his part. Though next year he could be the core of the team.
He's averaging 9.6 minutes per game at KU this year. He would definitely play more than 5 minutes with us.
 
He's averaging 9.6 minutes per game at KU this year. He would definitely play more than 5 minutes with us.

That's an assumption. Had him come here and played the same position as Naz I would agree but I don't think its that easy to just say he would definitely play more.
 
From the little I've seen of Diallo, he would have got played off the floor last night. Thought he played about the right amount in that game.
 
Seems like Self does this with his freshmen just about every year. Doesn't give them real mins until mid way through conference season. Slowly works them in.

Did it last year with Alexander but he never got it together. Kind of did it with Wiggins and Embiid as well. Played them much less on the road at the beginning of conference play then at home. Believe it may have been the same narative with Mclemore as well.

And by "every year" you mean this year and last, right? McLemore's first three college games were 30 minutes, 35 minutes and 35 minutes y the way. He started every game at Kansas. So has Selden. So did Wiggins. The list goes on and on. If Kansas has a better option than the freshman then the better option is going to play. If they don't then the freshman plays. It's easier for freshman guards to get up to speed because there isn't as much of a disparity from high school/AAU. It's a world different for a freshman big.
 
So if Diallo was a Cyclone, would his minutes be any different? It would be great for us to have him to spell McKay or Niang for 5 minutes a game. But other than that, I can't see him playing much more than that. So I'm not sure ISU would have been a smarter move on his part. Though next year he could be the core of the team.

Next year he'll probably be warming the bench in the NBA somewhere.
 
I remember the word "raw" often being used throughout his recruitment.
 
I remember the word "raw" often being used throughout his recruitment.

Yep. He is pretty much exactly as advertised. He's working hard in practice and has been a great teammate. He seems to be a very hard worker with a great attitude and really seems to want any piece of info that might help him improve. Lots of talent so we'll see how fast he learns. If he sticks around next year, GREAT. If not, so be it. Someone will take that scholly and I'll cheer for them instead. Anything he can provide to the season goals is great.
 
Self expects a lot out of his players and he can be pretty hard on them. If you are not ready to play he just wont play you and build you up for the next season. Remember the love hate relationship he and Ellis had when Ellis was a Freshman.
 

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