I know many here are keeping tabs with the big men as well as PG in college basketball now especially with the conference championships and of course the big dance coming up soon. So in the spirit of scouting I just want to inform those interested out there that NBA 2005 draft 1st round prospect Ike Diogu (a 6-8 PF) will be on FSN this Saturday (March 5) @ 5:00PM CST. His team (Arizona state will be at home against in state rival Arizona). This is a rare occurence because I believe this is one of the few times or even the only time Arizona state will be on TV. So check it out and enjoy.
I missed the game. I was wondering if you could post about how he played, and how you think he'd fit in with the rockets?
We need Turiaf. He is better than Diogu and should be available unless he goes off in the tournament and raises his draft status. He is very active, boxes out real good, has good quickness and good footwork. Just an underrated workhorse.
Sorry for the delay. It was a great game to watch. A classic imho. ASU started off poorly by going down to the wildcards 20-4 in the first 5 minutes of the first half. Arizona started off hot thanks to early turnorvers by ASU coupled with hot shooting by Salim Stoudamire. Arizona started off double teaming Ike Diogu while playing 2-3 zone. ASU was left with wild open shots as a result of that but defensive tactic but they could not knock down the open shots. ASU (the home team) then came back with an impressive streak midway in the first half to pull the game close and even came within 2 points I believe by half time. The fans were now back into the game. They were so loud that they forced Zona into an uncharacteristic shot clock violation. The energy in the arena was definitely palpable. The second half started the same way the first one did - Arizona got off to a large lead (double digit) again after Ike Diogu forced and missed a baseline shot that could given them the first lead since 4-3 in the first half. It was indeed a momentum killing shot where was not really Ike's fault rather poor guard play that led to forced shot will shot clock running down. To make matters worse, Ike Diogu commited his 3rd and 4th fouls (in college you foul out with 5 fouls) with about 15 minutes left in the second. ASU continued to struggle with silly turnovers and with Ike Diogu on the bench. It got to a point that ASU coach was forced to bring Diogu back in with about 12 minutes left because Arizona was on their way to running away with the game. Then it got interesting again - Ike re-insertion seemed to energize the fans and his teammates. ASU mounted another rally and pulled even deep into the second half. The fans went crazy again making it had to "yourself think" and it all looked like ASU would pull this one out with all the momentum on their side. Defensive rebounding and fate did them in late especially in the last two minutes - the breaks went to Arizona. They gave Arizon at least 2 second chance shot opportunities in the final 90 seconds. That broke their backs. The game was tied with about 40 seconds left and Arizona had the ball - ASU did everything right defensively except recover the rebound after a missed shot by Salim I believe. Arizona recovered the offensive rebound and called timeout with about 22 seconds left and shot clock turned off. Salim held the ball until the dieing seconds and went for the win which he clutchly made from 15 feet with a step back jumper leaving only 0.6 second on the clock. ASU lost the game by two. Ike Diogu impressed me with his clutchness, great free throw shooting and blocked shot ability. He did everything right except rebound well (I believe he finished with only 6). He had to earn every point and he did that qith style. That low rebounding number (for someone who averages about 9.5 per game) could be a result of fatigue. Ike played all 20 minutes of the first half and was on his way to playing all 40 minutes of the game had he not gotten into foul trouble because it seemed like he was Arizona State's only hope to even stay in the game. He is their best player and they are reduced to a AAU team without him. Often times, much hyped players fizzle when thrown into big games but not Ike on that night. Arizona forced him to put the ball on the flow and he did it perfectly for at least one bucket. The wildcards forced him to shoot from outside, he did so perfectly as well going 3-3 from 3-point range. He did the dirty work inside as well - in fact he did all on his way to make Channing Frye and other Zona big men his personal property. He was tripple and double teamed all night even without the ball but it did not make much difference. He did not complain or pout when the ball did not get to him or when calls did not go his way. Ice water runs in his veins - he came up with clutch play after clutch play. I am now a believer of his ability at least offensively. He still needs to improve his rebounding but his low post scoring is already there and good enough for the NBA level. He could be an Elton Brand with a little more refined offensive skills because of his ball handling, dribble drive and long range shooting. Right now he is between Elton Brand and Marcus Fizer in terms of what his NBA career could look like. One thing I am sure of is that he is going to be better than Fizer. He lives in obscurity out there in the desert but his time to shine will surely come. He is a really humble kid who has amitted that he will likely return for his senior season if his coach returns. Rumour has it that his current coach could be fired after the season. Ike parents wants him to get his degree first and he is on pace to get it next year. When asked about this year's draft he said he has not even thought about because he is so much enjoying his college experience. He will likely be a top 20 pick this year if he comes out and almost a surefire top 10 pick next season. His other down side is that scout do not like his height. He is listed as 6-8 255lbs with a good wing span but scouts believe he is more like a 6-6/7ish ala elton Brand. Good kid and great talent. Great game. Hopefully we get to seem him and Bogut one more time in this weeks championship games. He finished with something like 8-13 shooting (3-3 3-point shot), 25 points, 2 blocks, 2 assists, 6 rebounds.
Fegwe described him well. He is short for an NBA PF, probably no more than 6'8 or 6'7, but strong, fairly (but not phenom) athletic, great hands, great body control and good court sense. He really is one of the most dominating presences in college basketball and despite his forcefull game is respected by everybody (fellow players and hiscoaches, opponents' players and coaches). I think Turiaf more has the NBA body for a 4, but Turiaf probably won't be available where the Rockets pick. I am less sure about Turiaf work ethic and health as well. I'd compare Diogu more to Corliss or Kenny Thomas than Elton Brand. Probably will be a good tweener 4 to have off the bench. Diogu will definetly bolt for the NBA if ASU fires their coach. He probably will stay 1 more year if Rob Evans stays as coach out of loyalty to him. My guess is the ASU AD knows this and that they will really suck w/o Diogu and thus give Evans 1 more year. Whether this year or next, I doubt he will be a lottery pick. The trail behind Marcus Fizer has not helped his cause.
Your description of him really makes him sound like a player we could use. I only hope that his stock doesnt go too high, that is to say, that he's still around when we're picking.
according to a small blurb in the la times this morning Diogu has declared for the draft this year forgoing his senior year at asu. Pac-10 player of the year with conference leading 22ppg and 9.8rpg
