They said it … about Tarik Black

By Gary Bedore     May 20, 2013

Tweets and other comments regarding new Kansas University forward/center Tarik Black, a 6-foot-9, 262-pound senior transfer from the University of Memphis, who is immediately eligible to play in games his final season following his graduation from Memphis.

Jason King, ESPN.com: “Black is a unique player because he’s a senior who hasn’t come close to reaching his ceiling. He’s big and mean and physical — an intimidating figure who will make anyone’s All-Airport team. His arrival in Lawrence couldn’t come at a better time for a KU squad that is young and inexperienced in the paint. The lack of consistency (and, sometimes, effort) that kept Black from peaking at Memphis won’t fly with Bill Self. But if Self manages to get the best out of Black, he could end up being the country’s best offseason addition. In some ways I think Black is similar to former KU standout Jeff Graves, the x-factor in the Jayhawks’ run to the 2003 NCAA title game. Black doesn’t rebound quite as well as Graves, and it’s no secret he’s a poor free throw shooter. But he’s a smart player who runs the court extremely well and is a bully in the paint. This is just what the Jayhawks need. I see Black averaging 20-25 minutes per game as one of Kansas’ top three big men along with Perry Ellis and Joel Embiid.”

Dick Weiss, New York Daily News: “Additon of Memphis center/fifth year transfer Tarik Black makes Kansas a potential Final Four team again.”

Adam Zagoria, zagsblog.com: “Kansas now has five guys up front in Joel Embiid, Tarik Black, Perry Ellis, Jamari Traylor and Landen Lucas. Depth to avoid foul trouble.”

Hoops News: “Tarik Black reminds me of former Kansas forward Darnell Jackson. Numbers won’t be huge, but can be very important to their success.”

Jon Rothstein, CBS Sports Network: “Tarik Black adds depth for KU next year. They’ll need it. Jayhawks will play 11 potential NCAA Tournament teams before Big 12 play begins … Big men that will practice for Kansas next year: Tarik Black, Perry Ellis, Joel Embiid, Hunter Mickelson, Jamari Traylor, Landen Lucas. Wow.”

Roger Kuznia, Sporting News: “One thing Black will have to work on is his propensity to foul. Through three seasons, he reached or passed the four personal fouls mark in 44 percent of his appearances. As Sporting News’ Mike DeCourcy notes, “If that’s not a record, it ought to be.”

Memphis coach Josh Pastner, to ESPN.com (on Black and Antonio Barton both graduating and leaving to play elsewhere for a final season): “They’ve graduated and got their degrees. They have every right to explore other options. They did their job, and we did our job. They graduated. That’s a big thing. You graduate, you have options. I’m OK with that.”

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42632They said it … about Tarik Black