Holt won't last IMO unless the Asian import rule is coming and then he would classified as one of those.

Was Ibekwe really that good last season?

yes ibekwe was that good last season

He was amazing when he wasn't getting into foul trouble.

Ibekwe is a solid rim protector- something United desperately missed last season.

I haven't seen much of Majok Majok, so I'm interested in this front court mix. Is there enough mobility and perimeter D?

So many of the NBL's 4's are inside outside players- Think of ex United guys Walker and Wortho. Redhage, Forman, Loughton. Do Kickert and Majok have the footwork and perimeter defensive ability to chase these guys? I hope so....

breakers missing out on ibekwe and penney, interesting!?!?!?!?!?!?!

He was pretty foul prone but very effective, finished well at the rim and got up and down the floor pretty well.
NZ could cope with his foul issues by being able to play Pledger for small spells and then playing small ball with Vukona & Wesley.

NZ passed on Ibekwe & Carter as they wanted big pay rises over what they had previously been paid and with Abercrombie, Vukona & Webster all renewing contracts there simply wasn't enough peso's to go round.

Ibekwe was coming off a reasonable injury lay off when he signed for NZ and improved as the season went on. There is a big chance we haven't seen his best basketball.
Cedric Jackson & Rhys Carter's passing ability definitely helped Ibekwe's catch & dunk game but his jump shot wasn't too shabby either and in the low post his long reach and scoop shot/finger roll with either hand proved difficult to defend.

United are definitely the mystery team this season with a new coach and some unknowns in the roster.

As Mystro said, Ibekwe was coming off injury before Breakers got him and he said so many overseas teams were passing on him because of the injury. So he signed with NZ for relatively cheap.

Of course, with his performance the past season they simply couldn't retain him because his worth went up.

Presume they passed on Penney because they a) didnt have enough points to get him or money (or both) or b) they didn't see how he would fit in with Webster, Ced, Abercrombie, Te Rangi etc.

I think that would actually be a fair enough reason - given the way Webster is tracking did they really want to bring in Penney to take away a lot of his minutes.

Bit of a lose lose situation.

Because even if he didn't play very high minutes then it becomes an issue of 'why are we throwing our points and money at a guy who were not fully using'. And if you play him a lot..well your under utilising CWebb.

Was a tough decision for the Breakers given who they have and the stage of his career.

I think they simply chose to spend their money on Jackson and their four main Kiwis who can be their core for a number of years to come.

From what I am hearing yes he was keen. But at the same time was equally happy to play elsewhere in the NBL (because he understands the Breakers situation and has been happy to pass the torch per se).

He also knew their financial position so was resigned to the fact that he would most likely get a gig in OZ.

NZ were trying to snag him when their season turned to shit without Jackson but he was completing his studies and now that he's finished the timing isn't right with Websters rapid improvement and as Macdub said, the rest of the teams make up.

I'm eagerly anticipating watching this United team.

Goulding, Blanchfield and Barlow might turn out to be the best wing combination in the NBL. Because they're almost veterans of the NBL it's easy to forget that Blanchfield is only 24, while Goulding is about to turn 27, so their best basketball might even be ahead of them.

Barlow meanwhile was a disappointment last season to most people, but as a reserve I think he'll be one of the best in the NBL. Is still a great spot up shooter and a strong defender. Goulding, Blanchfield and Kickert are all quality scorers and Barlow is the perfect fit alongside them because you can't afford to leave him open. He'll stretch the defense out, giving those other guys the room to go to work.

Barlow is a pretty nice 6th man to have.

Goulding & Blanchfield is interesting, Goulding needs the ball in his hands and likes to put up shots, even tough ones. Blanchfield is versatile but is used to getting to touch the ball a lot on offence coming from Townsville.

Can they co-exist together?

Luckily I don't think Blanchfield is overly egotistical and may just pick his poison like Abercrombie does for NZ and take the scraps when required when on court with say Corey Webster but when needed he can put points on the board from range or attack the basket drawing fouls.