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10:52

Commercial Appeal - Welcome to our weekly Tiger basketball chat with beat writer Dan Wolken.

10:53

Commercial Appeal - We'll be starting in a few minutes.

10:57

[Comment From Dan Wolken]
I'm here and ready to take questions

10:57

Commercial Appeal - Hi Dan, thanks for joining us. Let's get started.

10:57

[Comment From Lee]
Dan, are you expecting at least one big to commit or sign for us in November?

10:58

[Comment From Dan Wolken]
I think Hippolyte Tsafack will make a decision early, perhaps as early as next week. There's a chance Tarik Black pulls the trigger before the early period. Other than those two, almost certainly no.

10:59

[Comment From Tigerman]
How many minutes do you think DJ Stephens will play in contested games? Thx.

11:00

[Comment From Dan Wolken]
I don't want to put a specific number on it, but he won't play a ton of minutes unless there's a major foul problem. He probably would be redshirted this year if there was more depth on the team. Not ready to really contribute at this time.

11:00

[Comment From Tigerman]
When will the coaching staff start prepping for Jackson St?

11:01

[Comment From Dan Wolken]
They won't prepare specifically for that game until a couple days beforehand. I'm not sure whether Jackson St. is playing exhibition games or not, but it might be difficult to get film on them because it's the season opener.

11:02

[Comment From Chris]
What other recruits are we looking at?

11:03

[Comment From Dan Wolken]
Most of the names have been discussed ad nauseum for weeks. There are other names that aren't public or known very well beyond the coaching staff. But with four players committed, there will probably be four more signed. Unless Tsafack, Black or Kendrick commits to Memphis in the fall, everyone else will go to spring.

11:04

[Comment From Taylor C]
Is it reasonable to think Niles will average over 6 rebounds per game?

11:05

[Comment From Dan Wolken]
I think if Niles averages 6 rebounds, that would be a great season. If you really look at statistics, top rebounders average 8 or 9. If Niles plays 25 or 26 minutes and averages 6 rebounds, that's a very good contribution.

11:05

[Comment From RW]
Is Witherspoon having any problems with knees?

11:07

[Comment From Dan Wolken]
He has to wear a brace and ice the knees, and I'm sure that they stiffen up from time to time but generally speaking I think he's OK. Most players have some sort of issue that they have to fight through.

11:07

[Comment From Scoopmcgovern]
What's it going to take for Wesley to play like a pro?

11:08

[Comment From Dan Wolken]
He's got to play harder, compete harder, play with a high motor. An NBA scout was in the gym on Saturday and just raved about his talent, but he doesn't play hard all the time and that's a big knock on him. He has the talent to be one of the top players in the country.

11:09

[Comment From J-Dub]
What is the overall analysis of this years team? How do you feel about Pastner closing the practices?

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