Northern Colorado Inks Derrick Barden

I have already reported Northern Colorado signing guard Greg Tucker and forward Cody McDavis, but now they have completed their recruiting class with junior college big man Derrick Barden.

"In Derrick, you've got a guy who, I think, can be an instant impact. His JUCO experience and his versatility are really going to allow him the opportunity to see minutes right away. His rebounding and how he's been coached at the junior college level are things that we looked at and things that were really attractive to us. He brings a ton of accolades and, hopefully, those can transfer to this level."

Barden is a 6'5'' forward originally from Detroit, Michigan. He played his last two seasons at a junior college in Odessa, TX. In his two season there, he had over 1,000 points and 500 rebounds, including averaging 20 and 12 last season. He led the junior college nation with 5.0 offensive rebounds per game last season.

UNC needed to get a big man or two after losing Mike Proctor, and they have done that. Even though Barden is only 6'5'', he plays like someone five inches taller than himself, similar to Chehales Tapscott for Portland State last season.

Barden should see plenty of playing time from the get go, and his signing makes me feel better about my placement of Northern Colorado third in my 2012-12 early Big Sky rankings.

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