Here is what I heard. One scholarship. Does it go to a big forward/center or a guard?
Doyle was injured last year as was White. So a good ball handling guard was needed as an insurance policy. I think it was a good move.
I saw Smith at the open practice and I know he will make a contribution. Peterson is also graduating this year along with White and if Doyle left, that would not leave much experience in the LU/PM system.

If you get an answer, it will be a violation of FERPA, the educational records privacy act.

Streak's recollection may be accurate so far as it goes. But my question is whether the choice between a big or a guard became operative only after Admissions ruled Barker out. In other words, was the choice between Barker and a guard, or between some yet to be determined, leftover, big and a guard? My guess is it was the latter.

ALWAYS OFFER THE BIG GUY!!!!!!!!

Absolutely. A three star big guy is worth a four star guard in most cases, and they're very rare.

I totally agree. That's why I don't think it came down to a choice between Barker and Smith. Rather, it was a choice between the pool of post-Barker available bigs versus the pool of available guards very late in the recruiting cycle. Given that there are tons more talented guards than talented bigs, I think the percentage choice was to look for a guard.

As for need, I think it's pretty much of a wash whether the Ramblers were better served signing another guard or another big.

None of this is meant to disrespect Smith, who looked pretty good in the Lewis exhibition and in his mixtapes.

Smith is going to be needed badly in this Alaska tournament. Great chance to step up.

The Ramblers have enough big players. Adgei and Kirby will be fine. They need some seasoning and playing time. Ingram will be a fine replacement for Christian with some more experience and Rajala will not be a great defender or rebounder but he can be a great outside weapon as a three point shooter to open up the inside ala Campbell was for Butler a few years back.
The key to this season is to stay small with quick outside shooting guards. Richardson and White along with Doyle, Peterson, Turk and now Smith running our opponents into the ground so that in the second half our depth wins out. The problem in the first few games has been too many minutes for some players. Once we get into a tempo and rotation that uses ten/all eleven players, we will be fine. Richardson was hurt and Smith ineligible. Our best games are ahead.
The second half of the Toledo game showed what our first seven could do. We need all eleven and no injuries.
This tourney should give us the opportunity to get ready for the Valley season which is what counts.
Just an opinion and I know others know much,much more about the game than I do. Just my impressions.
Remember Milwaukee almost went to the Sweet Sixteen with a line up that had its second tallest player at 6'4" and its center was 6"8".
DePaul had Aguirre at 6'4", Watkins and Garland at 6'5", Bradshaw at 5'11" and Mitchem and Maday at 6'9" and 6'8" and not much behind them. So I think a lot of guards is critical to win in the Valley. We now have players to put in some minutes and block up the middle.
We should be better than last year.