I think it's a real issue with recruiting both transfers and high school kids. I am as big of a Buzz fan as there is. But man you've got to do better.

Diamond was a huge Cash fan, apparently

Double Diamond said:

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But man you've got to do better.

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I think people are going to eat some crow on this one who think this is just meh. I'm not saying the kid is a star, but he's going to help us win ball games and as I said based on our roster today he might be the leading rebounder next year for us.

AgEfan said:

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Gap said:

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This pickup is fine unless you are playing GM and looking to match the additions with our needs and weaknesses.

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Are you saying it doesn't match needs and weaknesses? Or you saying its better than fine because he doesn't fit some needs.

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We have plenty of complimentary pieces. We need an elite ball-handling scorer and a elite big. We don't need more tweener G/F who we convert into bigs.

In year 4 the goal is simply making the NCAA tournament. No excuse to head into the season with a roster that is lacking. We will see what else we add as I can't imagine we are done.

If he's the only guy we land or we land someone else at basically the same skill level, then I agree. But if you look at it as Garcia taking Cash's spot, then it is an upgrade.

I think we need to add a piece or two that are better than Garcia appears to be, but I don't understand the negativity towards the whole roster at this point.

I think if you're expecting an "elite big" you're going to be disappointed.

I also don't really think it's something we need.

Sorry if this is dumb - but we passed the portal entry deadline for those wanting to transfer and play in the Fall, correct? That was a May 1st deadline?

Is it possible an Aggie or two entered the portal yesterday and we just haven't heard publicly yet? Or is Diarra the only portal entry we are going to have?

Deadline to inform compliance office was yesterday. Could take a couple of days to enter the actual portal.

Garcia is a great fit for what we do and is a major upgrade from Cash. Not sure what y'all were expecting but this is a good pickup for us.

He loves defense and has great defensive versatility, is a good rebounder, and will allow us to stay fast on both ends. His offensive game is still developing but he can pass and move at least.

Complete Idiot said:

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Sorry if this is dumb - but we passed the portal entry deadline for those wanting to transfer and play in the Fall, correct? That was a May 1st deadline?

Is it possible an Aggie or two entered the portal yesterday and we just haven't heard publicly yet? Or is Diarra the only portal entry we are going to have?

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A few things that are possible

1) Its possible somebody entered the portal and we don't know yet
2) It's possible somebody can enter the portal later and get a waiver to be cleared for the fall semester.
3) It's possible not all the recruits will be here or be here using a scholarship

MarcAg said:

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Complete Idiot said:

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Sorry if this is dumb - but we passed the portal entry deadline for those wanting to transfer and play in the Fall, correct? That was a May 1st deadline?

Is it possible an Aggie or two entered the portal yesterday and we just haven't heard publicly yet? Or is Diarra the only portal entry we are going to have?

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A few things that are possible

1) Its possible somebody entered the portal and we don't know yet
2) It's possible somebody can enter the portal later and get a waiver to be cleared for the fall semester.
3) It's possible not all the recruits will be here or be here using a scholarship

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Yeah, good points and I guess I logically know the roster might change up to Fall enrollment day - I'm just hungry for knowing now. Hard to be patient and watch this new process.

Garcia was playing about 13 minutes a game for most of the season. In 5 games in March he averaged 23.6 minutes per game and his numbers went up to 7.2 pts, 8.0 reb, 2.8 ast, and 1.4 stls. If he can do that for us that is a great pickup.t

No. I can't look at it only as an upgrade over a certain player. This roster needs a big uptick in talent. And we're about to see what life is like post Jackson. I see schools all over adding legit upgrades. Here it's one under the radar kid after another.

I said this last year, and it's still true, it doesn't need a "big uptick" in talent.

It needs some talent, yes, but as the end of last year showed, we weren't as far away as it seemed.

According to the MSU website, Garcia was born August 2000 - so turning 22 before the season starts with 2 more years of eligibility? I wonder if that date is accurate.

bobinator said:

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I said this last year, and it's still true, it doesn't need a "big uptick" in talent.

It needs some talent, yes, but as the end of last year showed, we weren't as far away as it seemed.

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Several well/known national basketball pundits whose tweets are regularly posted here have included A&M in their Way Too Early Top 25 lists. So, at least people in the industry don't feel A&M is THAT far away or need a significant talent upgrade.

Hey, the greater the upgrade the better. Sure, I'd love to have the highest rated portal guys like Abogidi and the point guard from Michigan St. that just announced into the portal, but I don't agree with all the gloom and doom.

Q is a loss, but he wasn't a one man show. Radford and Coleman were just as critical this season. Manny is that top-end talent guy and he was trending upward in the postseason.

There are now four newcomers and there will likely be a 5th as it appears the staff is still active in the portal…and of the departures there was one major contributor (Q) and one off the bench guy (Diarra).

Essentially get 5 and lose two. I think the odds are good that next year's team will be better…certainly deeper.

Also note that Andersson Garcia (7.9 BPM in 486 minutes this season) and Josh Minott (7.2 BPM in 483 minutes) just missed the 500 minute threshold I’ve been using for these lists, but are notable entries to the portal even if there’s a decent chance Minott stays in the NBA Draft.

— Josh Markowitz (@Josh_markowitz) May 2, 2022

Haven't seen this, but Washington State's other big man, Mouhamed Gueye (6'11) is in the portal. Basically same stats as Efe Abogidi except terrible from FT line and not as many blocks.

Entering name in draft and keeping college eligibility.

Plus, he was a true freshman last year who started 33 games.

Was the No. 34 recruit in the country for 2022 according to 247sports.com before finishing his academic requirements early to join the college ranks early in 2021..

https://wsucougars.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/mouhamed-gueye/10397

why is washington state losing all their players to the portal?

I want to Thank God for putting me in this position I would also like to thank my Mother, Chanler, Bob, Chris, Rich, Coach Buzz and the entire Staff. It’s been a long three years but I’m ready to come home!
I’d like to announce that I’ll be committing to Texas A&M!
Gig ‘Em pic.twitter.com/AyhJsGXORq

— Julius Marble II (@julius_marble) May 2, 2022

This helps with size^

Projected to be Michigan State's starting post next year. He's originally from Dallas. No relation to Iowa great Roy Marble.

Athletic…longer than Coleman. Can finish with either hand. Good stroke from the perimeter.

Michigan State transfer Julius Marble has committed to Texas A&M, per his Twitter page. Very underrated get for Buzz Williams. Aggies should be a consensus Top 25 team to start next season.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) May 2, 2022

Solid pickup in the post. He should allow us to match up better against teams with a lot of size that we struggled with at times this last year.

We actually have quite a few posts on the roster now, won't surprise me if one of the guys from last year doesn't end up on the roster.

Are we done? Or do we look to add a guard?

MarcAg said:

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Are we done? Or do we look to add a guard?

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Would love to see us add one more if we can. I know that requires someone to leave, but I think if we can land someone that is a little more of an established scoring threat, we should do it.

Hop said:

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That mid-range shot is sexy! Should do a lot to open up our offense by forcing the opposing post to have to follow him out there and leave open driving lanes for Boots and Manny.

Yeah, like the mid range jumpers, looked very natural. Loved the hook shot up to 8 feet out. Doesn't look super athletic but looks quite skilled. Not sure how Coleman/Marble minutes and roles will be managed.

What a luxury it will be to be able to drop it down in the post and get a quality look from a guy with a legit back to the basket game. Hope he wants to play defense! Because his offensive game is highly developed already base on this video.

Topher17 said:

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MarcAg said:

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Are we done? Or do we look to add a guard?

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Would love to see us add one more if we can. I know that requires someone to leave, but I think if we can land someone that is a little more of an established scoring threat, we should do it.

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I think Buzz will count on the continued development and improvement in our current guards. I believe both Taylor and Obaseki have very high ceilings because of their athleticism. It will also be interesting to see how Jordan Williams can play. We know he's a workout warrior.

skaggsjw said:

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What a luxury it will be to be able to drop it down in the post and get a quality look from a guy with a legit back to the basket game. Hope he wants to play defense! Because his offensive game is highly developed already base on this video.

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The knock on him was his defense at MSU. But he has the size and quickness to be a better defender. That's where I expect Buzz to make him a better player.

I'm pretty sure our starting 5 is set at this point unless we land someone unexpected. It is the early part of our bench that I would like to see upgraded, so my initial wish for a more established scorer is asking a little too much on second thought. You don't see many guys like that in the portal and especially ones that are willing to come off the bench.

My main concern as of today is I don't really feel comfortable relying heavily on Gordon or Hefner unless we see significant improvement from both. I expect Garcia will be our 6th man, but after that I think we could have the opportunity to upgrade or we might be hoping one of the recruits coming in can give us consistently good minutes.

Hop said:

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skaggsjw said:

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What a luxury it will be to be able to drop it down in the post and get a quality look from a guy with a legit back to the basket game. Hope he wants to play defense! Because his offensive game is highly developed already base on this video.

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The knock on him was his defense at MSU. But he has the size and quickness to be a better defender. That's where I expect Buzz to make him a better player.

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He also was playing the 5 going up against 7'1 monsters in the Big Ten. Big men in the SEC aren't typically as big as the giants they roll out in the Big Ten.

Topher17 said:

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I'm pretty sure our starting 5 is set at this point unless we land someone unexpected. It is the early part of our bench that I would like to see upgraded, so my initial wish for a more established scorer is asking a little too much on second thought. You don't see many guys like that in the portal and especially ones that are willing to come off the bench.

My main concern as of today is I don't really feel comfortable relying heavily on Gordon or Hefner unless we see significant improvement from both. I expect Garcia will be our 6th man, but after that I think we could have the opportunity to upgrade or we might be hoping one of the recruits coming in can give us consistently good minutes.

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Edit - wrong emoji

For as much crap as he got at times I think that's where losing Diaria really hurts.

Also, is it likely that Henderson is that additional player that we would need to transfer out to make room for everyone coming in?