2011 Recruit/transfer Nikola Cerina

[Da Coach]

So if you haven't heard, we have a visit tomorrow from a kid looking to transfer-
It is a kid from TCU, Nikola Cerina.
http://gofrogs.cstv.com/sports/m-bas..._nikola00.html
He is 6'9", 245, and was developing into a really good inside player. His stats were not so impressive, but by the end of last year, he became a starter for TCU, was the team's leading rebounder the second half of the season, and was becoming a good inside post scorer. He played 2 years at TCU under Geno's former boss at Kent State, Jim Christian. But TCU just joined the Big East, and Christian has recruited a couple other big men he feels he needs to compete in the Big East. Nikola Cerina decided to transfer. But Geno's connection with Jim Christian works out for both sides. Cerina is the type of big body inside player we have not had for many years. He would have to sit out a year, but would have 2 more years of eligibility.

[jeffsu]

6'9 and 245 pounds? That would be fun to have downlow!

JP and this guy downlow together could be interesting.

[Da Coach]

Corrected link to Nikola Cerina's bio from the TCU site-

http://gofrogs.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/cerina_nikola00.html

YouTube video-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKxDmtxrkFE

His sister Jelena plays at Oklahoma-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKxDmtxrkFE

[LittleBrave]

I did a little statistizing:

Nikola played pretty solid the last 18 games of the season.
Over that span, he shot 51% from the field (7.5 ppg) and grabbed 5.4 boards per game.
Over the last 8 games, he pulled down nearly 8 reb's per game.
Judging from his body, he could still gain 5-10 lbs. of muscle by the time he plays after sitting out a year, and seems to have good agility. This kid could be pretty good by his senior year, if not earlier.

If we were to get him, we'd have NW (7'1"), DH (6'8"), NC (6'9") in 2 seasons. Not saying they'll be superstars, but I like the potential.

[shaunguth]

If we were to get him, we'd have NW (7'1"), DH (6'8"), NC (6'9") in 2 seasons. Not saying they'll be superstars, but I like the potential.

Don't forget about JP!

[Majik45]

That looks like Wichita's front line from this past year. They seemed to do alright with all that height and beef.

[LittleBrave]

Don't forget about JP!

I DID forget JP! How could I!!! He will be a junior jack-hammer in 1 1/2 yrs!

So, in 2012, we could have Nate Wells (FR), Devon Hodges (SO), Nikola Cirena (JR), Jordan Prosser (JR) - them's some bigg-ins.

If this were so, not lookin' too shabby even after TB & WE are gone after next season!

[real fan]

Nikola would fit in perfectly next season , we could use his inside play and he would have a whole year to workout with us, hope he likes the team, staff and the facilities enough to make us a commitment.