While we were recruiting Heild, I had a coach acquaintence in Wichita that told me Heild was big time and would start at any school in the Big 12. He thought Kansas was going to get Heild and didn't think we were. So, I have high hopes for him.
However, I had a coaching friend in Texas tell me about the same thing about cam when we were recruiting him, and he hasn't become anything special to this point.
Other than a little video, I haven't seen any of the new kids play so I'll reserve judgment until I do. I did see Amath play a couple times on TV at Wyoming, and I think he will be one of the 2 or 3 bests centers in the Big 12. I know there has been a lot of discussion about where he will play (inside or out), and he might very well have the talent to play outside, but Wyoming played him inside and I think we will as well, at least on defense. I haven't seen Bennett play, but Amath may be the only kid on the team that is tall enough and athletic enough to play above and protect the rim. We haven't had anyone like that in a couple years and I don't think Lon will let that ability go to waste. As for offense, I never saw the mid range or outside shooting game that some are talking about. I hope he has that ability. The games I watched he scored mostly in transition (he will absolutely run the court), put backs and just junk shots around the goal. In my book, if he can shoot the ball from the outside, that is just a bonus.
For me, I don't care where Lon plays him on offense, but I would be shocked if he doesn't play inside on defense -- shocked.
Lke many on here, I think bird and Cam are solid, albeit flawed in some areas, wings. We played .500 ball with them for the last couple years. But certainly, if one or more of the freshman break into the starting lineup, that means they are pretty good and that should mean good things for us. In any event, we will have more competition and that should make everyone better.