Wizard of Westroads wrote:vivid_dude wrote:Crazy questions for next year, as we look at the trajectory of the program: Will Marcus stay? Will any of the seniors take advantage of the COVID exception and stay? Will there be any attrition? What will he-who-shall-not-be-named in Millard do? If there is some attrition, could we add a grad transfer big? Will Jacob's health allow him to continue playing basketball?
I'd expect Antwann and AOC to take major steps forward next year. AJ was a 4-star, ranked as high as 61 nationally at one point. AOC also a 4-star, ranked 68 nationally. Both have had their moments this year, but it's hard to get consistent minutes when you're competing against 3 talented seniors.
Completely agree and hopefully they'll get an out of conference season to figure out what it means to be the lead guys.
I've said it before, but I would expect our starting lineup to look something like:
Shereef (PG) or does Ryan Nembhard have the DNA to take hold here due to Shereef's liabilities (I don't expect it, but it's possible)
AOC (F)
AJ (SG)
Christian (C)
Freshman (TyTy), grad transfer scoring guard (SG)
There is a very slight possibility he slides Christian to a stretch 4 role, but unless he suddenly becomes a significant outside threat, I'd assume he'll continue to play the 5 with some more outside shooting similar to what Krampelj did his senior year.
Then you come off the bench with ...
Ryan (C) or potentially Jacob
Insert any combination of freshman names here that rises to the surface as ready for primetime
That's it...
I think any expectation of ANYONE coming back out of Mitch, DJ, Denzel is like having a dream that Cindy Crawford in her heyday finds you interesting enough to date. Only slightly less unlikely is the idea that Marcus is coming back given his injury history and the fact that his job would become significantly tougher next year while the new guys get their sea legs. Let's be clear, nothing would make me happier, but we'll be turning the page next year on this fantastic era.
The young dogs will need to be ready to run and their pedigree indicates we've at least got a shot.
It will be a little bumpy along the way...young guys and guys new to the lead role will occasionally do new guy things. This to me is probably the most intriguing subplot to next year...how will Greg coach in a world that he doesn't have experienced guys to turn to that know exactly what he wants? Greg has a quick hook when guys stray from the plan...at all. This group will likely stray from the plan. Does he give them a little more leeway, knowing that there will be mistakes and he's going to have to let them play through them to some extent? Next year will be Greg's toughest coaching job that he'll have faced in a long time.
Enjoy our current level of consistency while it's here as next year will be an exciting roller coaster ride.