Originally Posted by
Kedsy
It would be nice to pick up a 6'8", 200 pound PF/C, but calling him a "very, VERY important recruit to the Duke program" would appear to overstate things.
He's currently #23 in the RSCI, with the potential to move up (ESPN and PrepStars moved him up to 10 and 14, while Scout and CBS have him at 47 and 49; assuming the latter haven't updated in awhile (which may or may not be true), we could be looking at a guy in the mid-teens by the end of the season, not that rating is the be-all, end-all). Still, it's hard to say that a non-top 10 guy, who despite his recent weight gain still needs to put on more muscle to play inside in college, would make or break anything for Duke.
He'd be a nice get, but I wouldn't go farther than that.
I would agree that Nichols isn't very, VERY important for the program, especially considering that we have a true 5 for the next 4 years. Also, we have two true 4s (Hairston, Jefferson) and a whole slew of players who can play a stretch 4 (although they are clearly better suited for the 3). But we do need a 4/5 for next year, especially considering we have no idea how Marshall will perform and, more importantly, how long he can stay on the floor (foul trouble, stamina, etc.). There isn't a player right now who can back up Marshall in 2013-2014 and beyond (Hairston is too short, Jefferson is too skinny). I believe that is an issue that we need to address first and foremost.
Randle, IMO, was a huge blow because he easily could have played the 5 when Marshall was out. Although Randle would have likely only been at Duke for a year, it would have given the coaching staff another year to recruit the big men that we want/need.
I'm confident that the coaching staff can get Nichols. He seems like a solid prospect and the true big man that can remedy the issue above.
Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfils the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things. - Winston Churchill
President of the "Nolan Smith Should Have His Jersey in The Rafters" Club