Not sure what will happen Sunday, but look for a LOT of touches for Diaz in the remaining non-con games.
backer you know your my boy, but here we go.
1. Diaz will be ineffective Sunday. CU with McDermmot and Echenique will limit him a bunch. Echenique will keep him off the boards and hold him under his 4 rebound a gae average.
2. The problem of giving JBD touches, means facing the truth that JBD has to secure said entry pass and then be strong with said ball in his possession. This is something he has continued to struggle with. If he isn't forcing up a shot from behind the backboard, he is dribbling it off his foot, or getting stripped by a guard dropping down(why he is doubled is beyond me) to double him.
3. I know, and you know I know, that JBD is not a power kind of guy. So I let the pass go with him on going after offensive rebounds so he can get back on defense. It is his defensive rebounding that is atroshish(man if I spelled that one right +1 from me) he is just bad and gets moved away from the glass by guards.
4. With his skill set, I honestly think it would be best for him to get his touches from the high post and let Ubel play the low post. JBD is a decent passer, and I think that he could thrive from the high post. Hell half of his "post touches" usually take place from >7 feet out once he is pushed off the block.
5. I severely disagree with your assessment of AA. He IS being missed and it only will become more obvious when NU has to match up with bigger stronger centers in league play. We saw last year the spark he provides off the bench. It was always just a crap shoot if he was going to pick up 3 fouls in 40 seconds. But he is a presense in the paint and is just as good as a passer out of the post as JBD