Players I am most excited to see in 2012:
Gorgui Dieng:
Gorgui Dieng’s leap last season from a freshman who barely experienced any playing time to one of the top shot blockers in the nation was very impressive, but most believe the 6-foot-10 Dieng will have a greater impact this season.
I really believe that the potential is there for him to be the Big East Player of the year. Dieng should benefit from another year of playing with Chane Behanan and the presence of Montrezl Harrell on the interior. Coach Pitino believes that Gorgui is the best shot-blocker in Division I.
“I think he’s the premier shot-blocker in college basketball, I really do”
According to many sources, Dieng has worked on his conditioning this past summer and has added a touch of aggression to his overall game meaning that he may display some offensive skills in the Big East this season. There is little doubt that the NBA scouts will be front and center this season as Gorgui shows the world that he is one of the best big men in college basketball.
In the video clip below Gorgui tells Cardinal Nation what his goals are for this upcoming season.
Wayne Blackshear:
Last year the crowd roared when Wayne was brought into the game for the first time as a Cardinal. The former top 30 recruit was the most anticipated player that has come to Louisville in a long time. That excitement was short lived as Wayne was sidelined for most of the season with a shoulder injury. He did not get much playing time due to his injury but when he did get his chance he made the most of it having some moments that will hopefully prove as a teaser for this year. He had 13 points in his debut against West Virginia, and nine points in 14 minutes in the Final Four against Kentucky including a monster dunk off a rebound that made the highlight reel.
Many sources have said that Wayne is looking like the player we expected him to be, and in this short video clip from the Caravan he says that he is as healthy as he’s been in a long time.
Blackshear could mean the difference between Louisville having a good year, or winning the national championship.