Al-Farouq Aminu to go pro

Al-Farouq Aminu has decided to go pro and will hire an agent, ending his collegiate career. Its a good decision, as Aminu is likely going to end up somewhere in the top 10-15 picks.

Aminu is a physical specimen, a perfect fit for the NBA's trend towards combo-forwards. He's 6'8" and athletic with a long wingspan and the ability to defend inside and on the perimeter. Aminu is at his best right now when he can allow his athleticism to take over -- crashing to offensive glass and getting out on a wing in transition -- and playing as a face-up four. He jumper and ball skills need some serious work, but keep in mind he is just 19 years old.

For the second straight season, Wake Forest is losing players to early entry.

Last year, it was sophomores James Johnson (16th pick) and Jeff Teague (19th pick) that went pro early. There also a chance that guys like Ishmael Smith and Chas McFarland this year, and Tony Woods and David Weaver down the road, end up getting drafted.

My question?

How can Wake Forest struggle as much as they do with this much talent?

Clearly, the Demon Deacons were the better team last season, at one point reaching No. 1 in the country. But that Wake Forest team lost five of nine at one point, finishing with an 11-5 ACC record before losing in the opening round of both the ACC and the NCAA tournament. That's quite the collapse.

This season, Wake climbed to within a half game of the ACC lead before losing four of five to end the regular season and getting blown out by Miami FL in the opening round of the conference tournament. They followed that up with a 30 point second round loss to Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament.

All told, Dino Gaudio won just a single tournament game in two years with at least three first round picks on the roster. Both season's his teams collapsed late. What does that tell you about Gaudio? His teams do exceed expectations early in the season, but flameouts at the end of the year are not the way to get a contract renewed.

I like Gaudio. He seems like a good guy. I think it is also pretty obvious the guy can recruit. But if he wants to keep that job, he needs to start winning in the postseason.