'14 KS (JUCO) C Coreontae DeBerry (Commit)

[handwaver]

Certainly don't want to be a downer, I've never watch any video on this kid but....just reading that article, I am not too hyped up about this get. What else ya got brewing coach?

Me either - kid sounds downright lazy. Didn't even play 13 min/game either - not excited about this one.

 

[BamaCat]

Enquirer reporting He is a Bearcat!

 

[bearcatfan1211]

Enquirer reporting He is a Bearcat!

NO WAY!!! I never would have guessed he would commit this early after reading thought this thread!!

 

[JasonS]

Me either - kid sounds downright lazy. Didn't even play 13 min/game either - not excited about this one.

I'll wait to pass judgement until I see him play. I don't care if the kid played 13 minutes per game last year. If he can play and figures it out, great. If not, then at least he is only taking up a scholarship for 2 years. If Strickland becomes the player we all hope, this kid may only be looking at 10-12 minutes a game anyway. The question I will pose to all of those who have formed an opinion without seeing him play is, "Who would you rather have?" I have a feeling there will be a lot of unrealistic answers to that question.

Look, after 10 games or so, I may agree with you but a lot can change between now and then. Why rush to judgement? I don't think anyone is thinking this kid is the missing link to a National Title, but I also don't think it is fair to go to extremes the other way too. The kid was a freshman and a lot of freshmen struggle to adjust to college ball on any level. The kid has talent and size and maybe last year was a wake up call. All I am saying, is lets not rush to judgement.

 

[JackBauer151]

Very classy.

 

[ralph1950]

This could be an indication of the qualilty of recruits that will be available in the future to schools not in one of the Power 5 conferences. If you are getting a mere $6 million from your TV contract it will be more and more difficult to compete with schools getting $30 million a year from their TV contracts. Have you seen the pictures of Oregon's new football player's facility? The schools getting $30 million a year from their TV contracts are going to be able to build some very fancy living and training facilities for their basketball players. What UK has in Wildcat Lodge could very well become the norm for schools in the Power 5 Conferences. The Power 5 are probably going to form Division 4 in a couple years which will further widen the gap between the Power 5 and those not in the Power 5.

 

[ucdave]

This could be an indication of the qualilty of recruits that will be available in the future to schools not in one of the Power 5 conferences. If you are getting a mere $6 million from your TV contract it will be more and more difficult to compete with schools getting $30 million a year from their TV contracts. Have you seen the pictures of Oregon's new football player's facility? The schools getting $30 million a year from their TV contracts are going to be able to build some very fancy living and training facilities for their basketball players. What UK has in Wildcat Lodge could very well become the norm for schools in the Power 5 Conferences. The Power 5 are probably going to form Division 4 in a couple years which will further widen the gap between the Power 5 and those not in the Power 5.

^^^Pure BS^^^

 

[Bcatfollower]

^^^Pure BS^^^

There is probably some truth to that in theory... Everyone can name some exceptions to the rule but for the most part there is a money/success cycle that UC is not currently included in. It would be nice at some point to not have to fight so hard just to stay relevant... but to the previous point, the conference didn't sway Lawrence away from signing...and every team other than the top top schools needs players like this DeBerry kid...Big athletic and can eat up some minutes...if he turns out great, awesome...if not he can give someone else a breather for a few.

 

[JumpinJack5]

This could be an indication of the qualilty of recruits that will be available in the future to schools not in one of the Power 5 conferences. If you are getting a mere $6 million from your TV contract it will be more and more difficult to compete with schools getting $30 million a year from their TV contracts. Have you seen the pictures of Oregon's new football player's facility? The schools getting $30 million a year from their TV contracts are going to be able to build some very fancy living and training facilities for their basketball players. What UK has in Wildcat Lodge could very well become the norm for schools in the Power 5 Conferences. The Power 5 are probably going to form Division 4 in a couple years which will further widen the gap between the Power 5 and those not in the Power 5.

There is no truth to it in basketball, when you only need 13 players and the playing field is more equal than ever before. Wichita St., Gonzaga, Memphis, Temple, St. Louis, VCU, Butler, etc. all have landed big players before. Having money certainly helps, but it doesn't matter in basketball as much as it does in football. If you have a decent brand in basketball with a solid coach that has had lots of success, you can land some good recruits.

 

[ralph1950]

There is no truth to it in basketball, when you only need 13 players and the playing field is more equal than ever before. Wichita St., Gonzaga, Memphis, Temple, St. Louis, VCU, Butler, etc. all have landed big players before. Having money certainly helps, but it doesn't matter in basketball as much as it does in football. If you have a decent brand in basketball with a solid coach that has had lots of success, you can land some good recruits.

But there has never been a Division 4, which is more than likely going to happen, so the past is no indicator of the future.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

Eventually one of these project big men will pay off in a huge way, right? I forsee in 2016 when this young man is graduating Mick will say, "You know, I wish we coulda had 2 more years with him"

I will reserve judgement until I see the remained of the 2014 class but it isn't off to a good start.

 

[bearcat jeff]

I am not going to concede the class is off to a bad start. They filled a need and juco junction says this guy is a riser. No it isn't an exciting move at this point, but it is certainly prudent and has some nice upside.

 

[JumpinJack5]

Eventually one of these project big men will pay off in a huge way, right? I forsee in 2016 when this young man is graduating Mick will say, "You know, I wish we coulda had 2 more years with him"

I will reserve judgement until I see the remained of the 2014 class but it isn't off to a good start.

I see your point, it is a valid argument to make. Im just happy this guy has size, has played basketball for a long time (compared to the African bigs), and has a good skill set. If he has an average motor, he might be able to duplicate Yancy, which would really help us.

 

[david aka the TYZ]

I realize this isn't a big name, but I think Mick will always go after a big in the juco ranks. It gives you an older and thus stronger player and you can see what he looks like playing past the high school level before you offer. I agree with the previous poster who said at least this kid has played ball for awhile unlike the African bigs we always get. Sounds like effort is an issue here, but his coach said he pressed him last year about this and he responded well and gave better effort. I do understand the notion of signing a guy early seems a little disappointing if he isn't a big name, but I'd rather do this then have to pick from the scraps when all our big targets go elsewhere. I trust Mick's opinion. He wouldn't offer if he didn't think he were good enough or if he realistically thought he could sign much better players down the road.

 

[JackBauer151]

Also everybody remember that this is just a verbal and UC just proved in the last class they are willing to get creative to get the best class that they can. Dont think for a second if the Cats could lock up Moore and Okonoboh that they wouldnt do so. They are so thin on the front line for next year. They had an opportunity to shore up that position and will most certainly add one or two more interior players. This is a move for the stability of an important position if nothing else. 2014 class has a long way to go.

 

[bearcat jeff]

Also everybody remember that this is just a verbal and UC just proved in the last class they are willing to get creative to get the best class that they can. Dont think for a second if the Cats could lock up Moore and Okonoboh that they wouldnt do so. They are so thin on the front line for next year. They had an opportunity to shore up that position and will most certainly add one or two more interior players. This is a move for the stability of an important position if nothing else. 2014 class has a long way to go.

I will be surprised if they sign 3 bigs in 14. I think they will sign 2 and a rugged type 3. That said there is an overload of guards and the roster needs some balance. 3 bigs is certainly a possibility but it may come at the expense of a current scholarship imo. As I always say it will work itself out as the season moves on.

 

[ucdave]

There is probably some truth to that in theory... Everyone can name some exceptions to the rule but for the most part there is a money/success cycle that UC is not currently included in. It would be nice at some point to not have to fight so hard just to stay relevant... but to the previous point, the conference didn't sway Lawrence away from signing...and every team other than the top top schools needs players like this DeBerry kid...Big athletic and can eat up some minutes...if he turns out great, awesome...if not he can give someone else a breather for a few.

I'd have to disagree with at least part of your comments. I don't think it has anything to with basketball, which was what Ralph was speaking to. If he would have talked about whether we can get top Football recruits in our current situation, I would agree 100%. Playing in the so-called P5 is huge as far as football but has no meaning in regards to basketball. In fact, it was even stated that the NCAA tournament was going to be left alone. Getting Lawrence proved this point. The conference situation had nothing to do with obtaining Lawrence's services (He was a 5 star and rated in the top 25). In fact, Lawrence signed with us knowing we are not in the P5 AND knowing we would not play our post season tournament in MSG. Being that JL is from New York and selected us over St. John's is huge and I think says a lot about Mick's recruiting ability.

 

[sirthought]

“I’d like to see his motor get a little more consistent. He’s not overly active sometimes but he’s an absolute man (physically). He’s got a nice touch, he shoots free throws well and he’s working on his post moves. He’s a challenging young man sometimes. He needs to be put in the right situations and the right scenarios to make sure he excels.”

This guy sounds very similar to Yancy's overall makeup coming in. That might be why Mick got the verbal.

Best case: someone pushes his conditioning and he becomes a steal for defense and put backs.

Worst case: He's a 6'9" 270 lbs. player to offer some challenge to the other big men during practice.

Large big men with some skill for practice are not easy to come by. So that might be all this is. Hopefully, the system clicks with him and he becomes a champion.

 

[JasonS]

“I’d like to see his motor get a little more consistent. He’s not overly active sometimes but he’s an absolute man (physically). He’s got a nice touch, he shoots free throws well and he’s working on his post moves. He’s a challenging young man sometimes. He needs to be put in the right situations and the right scenarios to make sure he excels.”

This guy sounds very similar to Yancy's overall makeup coming in. That might be why Mick got the verbal.

Best case: someone pushes his conditioning and he becomes a steal for defense and put backs.

Worst case: He's a 6'9" 270 lbs. player to offer some challenge to the other big men during practice.

Large big men with some skill for practice are not easy to come by. So that might be all this is. Hopefully, the system clicks with him and he becomes a champion.

I'd take Yancy's stat line from a big any day of the week.

 

[Bcatfollower]

I'd have to disagree with at least part of your comments. I don't think it has anything to with basketball, which was what Ralph was speaking to. If he would have talked about whether we can get top Football recruits in our current situation, I would agree 100%. Playing in the so-called P5 is huge as far as football but has no meaning in regards to basketball. In fact, it was even stated that the NCAA tournament was going to be left alone. Getting Lawrence proved this point. The conference situation had nothing to do with obtaining Lawrence's services (He was a 5 star and rated in the top 25). In fact, Lawrence signed with us knowing we are not in the P5 AND knowing we would not play our post season tournament in MSG. Being that JL is from New York and selected us over St. John's is huge and I think says a lot about Mick's recruiting ability.

Thats what I was trying to say about Lawrence...he still came here regardless so Mick is doing something. But we've all talk about this before...if T.V. = MONEY = FACILITIES = RECRUITS = BRAND = FANBASE = better recruits/nba players.... then we are def behind the 8 ball. Not all P5 schools are better but they all have a better income to work with.