Ibrahima Thomas

[baronzeus]

Didn't realize how good he is. He's on the http://nbadraft.net 2011 mock draft. Makes me even more excited for the upcoming season.

Him + Gates in the frontcourt, Cash + Vaughn + Stephenson starting in the backcourt, we're in very good shape.

He also gives us great length on the defensive end and will be the tallest playable player on our team.

[baronzeus]

Oh, that means we have Vaughn (proven veteran), Cash (4*), Stephenson (5*), Gates (5*), and Thomas (4*) as our starting 5. Not much more you can ask for, especially since it looks like all but Vaughn and maybe Stephenson will be around for at least 1 more year after this one.

[dp3113]

Oh, that means we have Vaughn (proven veteran), Cash (4*), Stephenson (5*), Gates (5*), and Thomas (4*) as our starting 5. Not much more you can ask for, especially since it looks like all but Vaughn and maybe Stephenson will be around for at least 1 more year after this one.

thomas was a 3 star if your going by that system. http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/recruiting/player-Ibrahima-Thomas-50018

its more important how he fits our system than what his star rating was.

[baronzeus]

fair enough. we have almost 0 midrange game right now, which is why we jack up 30 threes a game. hopefully he helps us with that aspect of our game :)

[icehole3]

Didn't realize how good he is. He's on the http://nbadraft.net 2011 mock draft. Makes me even more excited for the upcoming season.

Him + Gates in the frontcourt, Cash + Vaughn + Stephenson starting in the backcourt, we're in very good shape.

He also gives us great length on the defensive end and will be the tallest playable player on our team.

saw Lance didnt see Thomas

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

thomas was a 3 star if your going by that system. http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/recruiting/player-Ibrahima-Thomas-50018

its more important how he fits our system than what his star rating was.

You can ignore Star Ratings once a player is several years into college play.

Just like you can ignore SAT or ACT scores once a student is several years into college studies.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

Oh, that means we have Vaughn (proven veteran), Cash (4*), Stephenson (5*), Gates (5*), and Thomas (4*) as our starting 5. Not much more you can ask for, especially since it looks like all but Vaughn and maybe Stephenson will be around for at least 1 more year after this one.

Please learn to ignore the Star Ratings of players. They were created by Rivals and Scout (no one else uses them) to sell SUBSCRIPTIONS to their services.

[bearcated]

When is Thomas eligible?

More important. Where does he play? Right now you have to start Vaughn, Gates, Stephonson. You need Wright at point (only true PG). And I think you need Bishop because of the way he D's up. So, where do you play Thomas?

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

When is Thomas eligible?

More important. Where does he play? Right now you have to start Vaughn, Gates, Stephonson. You need Wright at point (only true PG). And I think you need Bishop because of the way he D's up. So, where do you play Thomas?

He can play versus XU on Dec 13th. He'll play F or C at the high post.

[Kindog202]

When is Thomas eligible?

More important. Where does he play? Right now you have to start Vaughn, Gates, Stephonson. You need Wright at point (only true PG). And I think you need Bishop because of the way he D's up. So, where do you play Thomas?

Thomas is eligible on Dec 13 against Xavier.

I don't think he starts right away, but he will be starting by Big East play. Bishop gets bumped to the bench then. Starting 5 for Big East play - Wright, Vaughn, Stephenson, Thomas and Gates. Bishop gets starters minutes though. Thomas will play Mike Williams' role in the offense this year. Look for him to catch passes in the high post and either turn and shoot or make a pass into Yancy in the low post. He will be our best shot blocker on the defensive end.

[ou_bearcat]

saw Lance didnt see Thomas


I didn't See Thomas on there, either....

[bubbachunk]

I didn't See Thomas on there, either....

Go to the expanded 2011 mock draft, thomas is 49 and gates is 33

[anbuc88]

Thomas is in the 2011 mock draft, along with Yancy. Lance is in the 2010 mock draft, but 2nd round. Of course, this is all too early, but IF this holds true, Lance will be likely be here for his soph season.

[bearcat_cd]

lance stay another year and all those weaknesses listed for him will all disappear. It's still an early season and he could easily turn it on to another level, but those draft guys in the nba are pretty accurate since nba is mostly potential drafting anyway and there aren't as many players like in the nfl and of course there are about a million draft picks in the mlb. however it's exciting to see that we have 3 potential nba players on this team, and possibly a few more in the future.

[bubbachunk]

lance stay another year and all those weaknesses listed for him will all disappear. It's still an early season and he could easily turn it on to another level, but those draft guys in the nba are pretty accurate since nba is mostly potential drafting anyway and there aren't as many players like in the nfl and of course there are about a million draft picks in the mlb. however it's exciting to see that we have 3 potential nba players on this team, and possibly a few more in the future.

Yea but there is a huge difference in 1st and 2nd rounders for mlb or nfl vs all other rounds.

[Kindog202]

Lance is all about winning. If we perform well the rest of the year and make a good run in March but come up just a little short in the tourney and Lance is not a guaranteed lottery pick, I think he could be talked into coming back next year. Next year's team will be absolutely loaded if no one leaves early and could be considered one of the favorites to win it all. Sure, we lose Deonta but with Davis, Dixon and Kilpatrick or even Lance sliding to the "2", we have more than enough talent to make up for Deonta's loss. Everyone else is a year more experienced. This would be a team with few weaknesses if any.

[anbuc88]

Lance is all about winning. If we perform well the rest of the year and make a good run in March but come up just a little short in the tourney and Lance is not a guaranteed lottery pick, I think he could be talked into coming back next year. Next year's team will be absolutely loaded if no one leaves early and could be considered one of the favorites to win it all. Sure, we lose Deonta but with Davis, Dixon and Kilpatrick or even Lance sliding to the "2", we have more than enough talent to make up for Deonta's loss. Everyone else is a year more experienced. This would be a team with few weaknesses if any.

Agreed. The impact that Lance has made on this team is as much from his immense talent as it with his hate to lose mentality. They have a swagger because of Lance, and the importance of this on the success of this team cannot be underscored.

[boxout]

I am just really excited about how people will defend us.. If it's true about IT being able to shoot the three it really stretches the defense and makes it really difficult to double team anyone.. Not to hijack the thread but do you guys think we'll be in the top 25 this week?

[waterhead]

Agreed. The impact that Lance has made on this team is as much from his immense talent as it with his hate to lose mentality. They have a swagger because of Lance, and the importance of this on the success of this team cannot be underscored.

Swagger...

Lance
Bishop
Dixon
Toyloy

studs...

Gates
Vaughn

Very useful...

Davis
Parker
Wilkes

Can't wait...

McClain
Kilpatrick
Thomas

[cmm27]

Unfortunately you might have to wait on McClain.

[bearcat_cd]

I am just really excited about how people will defend us.. If it's true about IT being able to shoot the three it really stretches the defense and makes it really difficult to double team anyone.. Not to hijack the thread but do you guys think we'll be in the top 25 this week?

Im not sure. It's going to be a toss up. I'd like to see if michigan and louisville will not be ranked anymore. I doubt they will lose their rank since it is early in the season. I am for sure maryland, minnesota, notre dame, vanderbilt, and clemson will not be ranked. You never know what happens. We beat two top 25 teams, and barely lost to a team that will definitely be ranked. If we are ranked it would be in the 20-25. If not expect us to be right on the edge, which might fire this team up, and I think we will need to again prove to the nation we are now the team to beat in cincinnati.

[bearcatjoey]

Agreed. The impact that Lance has made on this team is as much from his immense talent as it with his hate to lose mentality. They have a swagger because of Lance, and the importance of this on the success of this team cannot be underscored.

Couldn't agree more. Lance plays with intensity and passion, a swagger that has been missing for years. Moreover, his defense, in my opinion, is not all that bad for a freshman with only a few games experience, and it seems to be improving each game. On top of that, he rebounds well, and seems to be a good team player. I'm thrilled that he's a Bearcat.

[dp3113]

I love this quote from Bilas on his Maui recap on ESPN:

"I was impressed with just how hurt the players were after the title-game loss to Gonzaga."

[Bearcat Jeff]

That is a key ingredient in having a good team. You have to have players that hate to lose. I like that about them too.

[Joe C.]

Please learn to ignore the Star Ratings of players. They were created by Rivals and Scout (no one else uses them) to sell SUBSCRIPTIONS to their services.

Rivals was the original.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

Rivals was the original.

Both are meaningless, except to sell subscriptions.

[chrislewis]

I love this quote from Bilas on his Maui recap on ESPN:

"I was impressed with just how hurt the players were after the title-game loss to Gonzaga."

i was thinking the same thing. thank you for posting this. in the past few seasons, we would be happy with this. now, we are not. thanks dp3113.