(01-21-2020 02:04 PM)The Grape King Wrote: Yea, I'm optimistic for next year, but to be fair, I always am. Who knows. We return a ton, McKie will be more experienced and bringing in more of his own recruits. Strickland will be eligible, Dunn will hopefully be healthy, and Jahlil White is starting to look like he might be an immediate impact player. Josh Pierre-Louis has an incredible ceiling. We've seen some of the stuff that he's capable of. This program is going to have unrivaled guard depth, and Jake Forrester and Arashma Parks look like they're going to be very capable AAC bigs (when was the last time Temple had those?).
So, bright future? Hopefully, but every fan of every school overestimates their team's potential ceiling. Who knows. I do know I'll be willing to throw Aaron McKie a parade if he lands Stevie Mitchell and Lynn Greer.
Glad some Owls fans are optimistic about the team's personnel. I'm not quite as sanguine about their capabilities.
I'm much more optimistic about Coach McKie's potential going forward, given that he's had the Owls in the top 100 all season to date, despite being in his first year, ever, as a Head Coach. He's still got a ways to go through his learning curve, but having a winning record in his first season in the #7 conference is pretty impressive.
Concerns about personnel:
The team loses one of its two "A" quality players (the top scorer on the team, by far), its starting PG, and its only true Center.
Who returns?
One "A" quality player (NPL), one rapidly improving "A-" quality player (Forrester) and a bunch of inconsistent B and B/B+ quality players.
There are several returning players who have been inconsistent or significant underachievers: (1) Moorman, (2) Hamilton, & (3) Scott.
New players (recruits, transfers, injured players):
1) Tai Strickland (6'2" RS Sophomore, PG) is a classic half-court type 6'2" PG who may not have sufficient quickness, height, athleticism, or scoring potential to be a difference maker.
2) Damian Dunn (6'5" Sophomore CG/SG) impressed the coaching staff during preseason, but had a severe foot injury that is still sore and has not healed as quickly as expected. He may not get much playing time this season and if not, may have to shake off some rust after a year with little playing experience. Another concern is that he isn't a proven perimeter shooter. Will have to compete for playing time next season.
3) Jahlil White (6'5"Freshman CG/SG/Wing) plays with high energy, athleticism, and determination and has good driving skills, but isn't a high % perimeter shooter.
4) Quincy Ademokoya (6'5" Freshman SF/Wing) has a nice perimeter shot and is a capable penetrator. He may be able to partially compensate for the loss of Quinton Rose, but will have to compete for playing time as a newcomer to the team.
5) With only two of three slots being filled during the fall recruiting period, Coach McKie intends to sign a new recruit during the late signing period, a JUCO, or a transfer who may or may not be eligible in 2020-21.
2020-21 Roster:
PG: Josh Pierre-Louis (6'3" Soph.) and Tai Strickland (6'2" RS Soph.)
SG/CG: Nate Pierre-Louis (6'4" Sr.), Monty Scott (6'5" Sr.), Damian Dunn (6'5" Soph.), Jahlil White (6'5" Fr.)
Wing: DeVondre Perry (6'7" Sr. F),* Quincy Ademokoya (6'5" Fr. SF), Damian Dunn (6'5" Soph. G), Jahlil White (6'5" Fr. G/W)
PF (4 position): JP Moorman (6'7" Sr.), DeVondre Perry (6'7" Sr.)*
PF (5 position): Jake Forrester (6'9" Jr.), Justyn Hamilton (6'10" Sr.), Arashma Parks (6'9" Soph.)
Although NPL is a fine overall player, and Jake Forrester is becoming a key contributor, but there don't appear to be any other potential top scorers or all-conference quality players on the team.
Perry, Parks, JPL, Hamilton, and Scott have had occasional flashes, but none has demonstrate the ability to play 25-30 effective mpg on a regular basis. Perry has performed well in OOC games the past two seasons, but has been less effective in conference play. Parks was a very pleasant surprise in limited OOC action to date, and may develop into a well-rounded low post player, but has struggled at times with shoulder injuries. JPL hasn't yet shown the full potential that his brother NPL demonstrated in his freshman season. Hamilton and Scott have had their playing time cut back this season due to inconsistent performances.
JP Moorman (current starter, 27 mpg) has been one of the most disappointing players on the team this season. His productivity, scoring, and FG% have dropped off gradually since his promising freshman season, and has declined further during conference play.
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*Perry is currently a backup PF and has occasionally played as a backup Wing.