Let's be honest: Hassan Diarra is one of the biggest reasons we are the best team in the country. Why do a say this? Well, here's a list off the top of my head:
1. He is absolutely the best 4th guard on any team in the country, and he is an integral piece to us having the best back court in the country. His game meshes perfectly with Tristen's, Cam's and Steph's.
2. Time and time again this year when one or more of the other guards have been off their games or we have started slow, he comes in and has changed the dynamic for us. Both his play and his energy are infectious, and you can see the positive effect he has on the other guys on the court. At least half a dozen times I can think of off the top of my head, and surely more often than that.
3. I would argue he is also the best non-starting defensive guard in the country, bar none. No one has a guy who can come off the bench and shut down the other team's best guard like Diarra does, when Steph is in foul trouble, or just for a change of pace. He is just as relentless as Steph, and a joy to watch.
4. His improvement on the offensive side of the ball has been amazing also. We didn't trust him a lick last year... now, I not only trust him but I look for when he is coming into the game in the 1st half to give us a lift and help get the offense going to another level. And he does, practically every time.
I am so happy for him for how much he has improved on offense from last year to this one... and I am so happy for him and his brother Mamadou, who surely had a hand in Hassan transferring here from Texas A&M. Honestly, I hope he stays for one more year because if he does, and we can get one more dynamic big man we will be a Top 10 team with serious designs on a title again next year with the other pieces we believe that we will have here.
