Figured it would be Saunders or DDJ. I assume this means DDJ is staying.
I expect us to mostly go with a 3 guard rotation next year, with MAW/DDJ and a transfer each averaging 20-25 minutes and McGinnis or Skillings sneaking a few minutes per games (at least to start the season).
(03-21-2022 01:41 PM)skyblade Wrote: [ -> ]Figured it would be Saunders or DDJ. I assume this means DDJ is staying.
I expect us to mostly go with a 3 guard rotation next year, with MAW/DDJ and a transfer each averaging 20-25 minutes and McGinnis or Skillings sneaking a few minutes per games (at least to start the season).
They will almost certainly take a PG transfer.
I hate this part of it and don't want to be overly critical of kids who come here and give it everything they've got. But as far as roster priorities for guys who have multiple years of eligibility the question is are they talented enough to play big minutes on an average B12 team in 23-24? Unfortunately here I think the answer was no.
You have to build this team in 22’ with an eye towards guys who will be depended upon in the B12 in 23’.
Hit the portal hard with the starting PG role on the table. MAW can be a good rotation guy if he doesn’t mind not starting. Between a portal addition and one of the highly rated PG’s we are recruiting in the 23’ class, MAW might not be around for his 2 remaining years of eligibility anyways.
(03-21-2022 01:49 PM)RealDeal Wrote: [ -> ]I hate this part of it and don't want to be overly critical of kids who come here and give it everything they've got. But as far as roster priorities for guys who have multiple years of eligibility the question is are they talented enough to play big minutes on an average B12 team in 23-24? Unfortunately here I think the answer was no.
I'd argue that the issue wasn't really talent, you can find guys (Tiger Campbell) with very similar build and athleticism to Saunders who excel at the top level. Sure Saunders had a lot to work on, but he could have done it.
The main issue was we don't want to have a pair of undersized guards. If DDJ had left, I'm pretty confident Saunders would have stayed. But DDJ is the higher priority, so (assuming he is staying) that meant Saunders was the odd man out.
(03-21-2022 01:56 PM)skyblade Wrote: [ -> ] (03-21-2022 01:49 PM)RealDeal Wrote: [ -> ]I hate this part of it and don't want to be overly critical of kids who come here and give it everything they've got. But as far as roster priorities for guys who have multiple years of eligibility the question is are they talented enough to play big minutes on an average B12 team in 23-24? Unfortunately here I think the answer was no.
I'd argue that the issue wasn't really talent, you can find guys (Tiger Campbell) with very similar build and athleticism to Saunders who excel at the top level. Sure Saunders had a lot to work on, but he could have done it.
The main issue was we don't want to have a pair of undersized guards. If DDJ had left, I'm pretty confident Saunders would have stayed. But DDJ is the higher priority, so (assuming he is staying) that meant Saunders was the odd man out.
DDJ also has to be done next year so it opens up a roster spot.
(03-21-2022 01:56 PM)skyblade Wrote: [ -> ]I'd argue that the issue wasn't really talent, you can find guys (Tiger Campbell) with very similar build and athleticism to Saunders who excel at the top level. Sure Saunders had a lot to work on, but he could have done it.
The main issue was we don't want to have a pair of undersized guards. If DDJ had left, I'm pretty confident Saunders would have stayed. But DDJ is the higher priority, so (assuming he is staying) that meant Saunders was the odd man out.
I've watched Tiger Campbell play a couple games in the last couple tourneys and I've been impressed. My problem with Mike is he's a 1 skill guy with his speed and when he got to the hoop he wasn't good at getting a shot up and would throw wild passes to nobody. He did improve as a shooter when left open but not to the point where he looks like he'll be a guy who makes contested shots. I think Mikey's a middle of the conference AAC guy; not the type guy you can build around if we're chasing Houston and Memphis and definitely in B12. I wish him the best but I'd expect he's transferring down and not up.
To me there's two standards. If we're talking about guys with 1 yr left do you make us better to be competitive for a top 4 AAC spot? For guys with multiple years the question has to be can they develop to play good minutes on good B12 teams. To me I've seen enough to answer that question here.
(03-21-2022 02:04 PM)RealDeal Wrote: [ -> ] (03-21-2022 01:56 PM)skyblade Wrote: [ -> ]I'd argue that the issue wasn't really talent, you can find guys (Tiger Campbell) with very similar build and athleticism to Saunders who excel at the top level. Sure Saunders had a lot to work on, but he could have done it.
The main issue was we don't want to have a pair of undersized guards. If DDJ had left, I'm pretty confident Saunders would have stayed. But DDJ is the higher priority, so (assuming he is staying) that meant Saunders was the odd man out.
I've watched Tiger Campbell play a couple games in the last couple tourneys and I've been impressed. My problem with Mike is he's a 1 skill guy with his speed and when he got to the hoop he wasn't good at getting a shot up and would throw wild passes to nobody. He did improve as a shooter when left open but not to the point where he looks like he'll be a guy who makes contested shots. I think Mikey's a middle of the conference AAC guy; not the type guy you can build around if we're chasing Houston and Memphis and definitely in B12. I wish him the best but I'd expect he's transferring down and not up.
To me there's two standards. If we're talking about guys with 1 yr left do you make us better to be competitive for a top 4 AAC spot? For guys with multiple years the question has to be can they develop to play good minutes on good B12 teams. To me I've seen enough to answer that question here.
Tyger Campbell is very much like an improved Justin Jenifer. Year one he was a small PG who hounded guys with on ball defense and didn't turn it over, but he was very limited offensively (26.7% from 3, 41.2% from two). I'm sure after year one you would have answered he didn't have enough to compete.
But regardless we needed more length and athleticism at guard, the choices were DDJ or Saunders and the answer was pretty obvious. DDJ is the better player and also as you noted him staying gives us a better balance to the classes as well. Hope Saunders goes somewhere else and does well, I think he can.
(03-21-2022 01:41 PM)skyblade Wrote: [ -> ]Figured it would be Saunders or DDJ. I assume this means DDJ is staying.
I expect us to mostly go with a 3 guard rotation next year, with MAW/DDJ and a transfer each averaging 20-25 minutes and McGinnis or Skillings sneaking a few minutes per games (at least to start the season).
I *hope* Skillings is earning at least 20 minutes a game. We haven't recruited a high school wing with his size, length and athleticism in a long time...
(03-21-2022 08:08 PM)JFlight21 Wrote: [ -> ] (03-21-2022 01:41 PM)skyblade Wrote: [ -> ]Figured it would be Saunders or DDJ. I assume this means DDJ is staying.
I expect us to mostly go with a 3 guard rotation next year, with MAW/DDJ and a transfer each averaging 20-25 minutes and McGinnis or Skillings sneaking a few minutes per games (at least to start the season).
I *hope* Skillings is earning at least 20 minutes a game. We haven't recruited a high school wing with his size, length and athleticism in a long time...
Since Jacob Evans probably.
(03-21-2022 08:08 PM)JFlight21 Wrote: [ -> ] (03-21-2022 01:41 PM)skyblade Wrote: [ -> ]Figured it would be Saunders or DDJ. I assume this means DDJ is staying.
I expect us to mostly go with a 3 guard rotation next year, with MAW/DDJ and a transfer each averaging 20-25 minutes and McGinnis or Skillings sneaking a few minutes per games (at least to start the season).
I *hope* Skillings is earning at least 20 minutes a game. We haven't recruited a high school wing with his size, length and athleticism in a long time...
It's possible by mid/late-season, but I never expect a freshman to get that many minutes early in the year. It's possible, but pretty rare.
Per twitter UC has reached out to Brayon Freeman a guard from George Washington and Sparks the center from Ball State…both were true freshman. We have also reached out to Sam Sessions…PG from Penn State…I don’t know what year he’d be.
And McGinnis hits the portal as well…
I’d embed the link if I had twitter.
With the news of AJ McGinnis entering the Portal lets revisit this:
Quote:I think and hope will be here:
DDJ
Davenport
Ody
Lahkin
The later two of those are because we desperately need a couple bigs. Lahkin has potential. Ideally they are bench guys next season behind a couple impact transfers. I think they would be fine in that role.
I think will probably be here:
MAW
Madsen
I could see either of these guys transferring, but I think they are the most likely of the other guys to stay. MAW has size, was our only PG Wes seemed to trust at all and would be going into his senior season. I think Madsen seems invested in Wes and strangely think he's shown enough flashes and athleticism that he could play a role for a future team. He has a better understanding of what we're doing than most though he's been one of the more frustrating players for me this year.
I think one or two of these guys will be gone.
Saunders
Newman
Hensley
Gone
McGinnis
Banks
I don't think Wes is inclined to blow things up, because I think he wants to build with high school recruits and ultimately be selective about transfers. To do this you need to create a balance. He'll look for 2-3 impact transfers and spots will open up for those.
https://csnbbs.com/thread-942855-post-18...id18095902
Nailed both the definitively gone guys. Had Saunders in the group of (one or two may leave). Had Madsen as a probably stay, but noted he could leave. We're now up to that 3 transfer spots open for portal guys I thought was ideal for this offseason. Now we need to nail the Portal.
I’m guessing that will probably be it. Maybe one more or maybe one more open scholarship depending on Dejulius’s decision.
With Madsen, Saunders, and McGinnis out, all people who were secondary and tertiary wing options, we have a chance to really change this team quickly. I think we end up with at least two new starters from the portal, which is a worthwhile trade IMO.
I wish all of those guys well. You now have the right amount of roster spots to overhaul this starting lineup. A starting PG is easily priority #1. Wes wants an athletic/defensive presence that can also finish and create at the position. Starter at the 5 is a must get too. We can’t count on Lahkin to play 20+ minutes with his health. He barely could practice all of last year. Find a 5 that gives you more offensively than Ado, but can still protect the rim. Desperately need someone that can actually start at the 4 and defend the position. If we come out of the transfer portal with Davenport and MAW as top of the bench guys then I’m really liking the roster for next year. I think both of those guys can be way more effective in a reduced role, while still being major pieces of the team. The same goes for DeJulius. Need to lessen his load.
(03-22-2022 01:24 PM)Bearcat04 Wrote: [ -> ]I wish all of those guys well. You now have the right amount of roster spots to overhaul this starting lineup. A starting PG is easily priority #1. Wes wants an athletic/defensive presence that can also finish and create at the position. Starter at the 5 is a must get too. We can’t count on Lahkin to play 20+ minutes with his health. He barely could practice all of last year. Find a 5 that gives you more offensively than Ado, but can still protect the rim. Desperately need someone that can actually start at the 4 and defend the position. If we come out of the transfer portal with Davenport and MAW as top of the bench guys then I’m really liking the roster for next year. I think both of those guys can be way more effective in a reduced role, while still being major pieces of the team. The same goes for DeJulius. Need to lessen his load.
DDJ is a perfect 3rd option if you have length at the other guard/wing positions or even a 2nd option if you have a big time creator at PG.
I agree that Davenport's best role would be heat check 6th man, but if we have more length across the lineup, more creators and an inside presence he can start for this team and be a real threat.
(03-22-2022 12:55 PM)cincy11 Wrote: [ -> ]And McGinnis hits the portal as well…
I’d embed the link if I had twitter.
I'm wondering if Wes underestimated the kind of players that it would take to win in the AAC. How else to explain bringing a guy from UNCG only to run him off a year later.
He must feel that he'll be able to upgrade through the portal, otherwise his "conversations" with the current players wouldn't be quite so "honest."
(03-22-2022 01:42 PM)Former Lurker Wrote: [ -> ] (03-22-2022 12:55 PM)cincy11 Wrote: [ -> ]And McGinnis hits the portal as well…
I’d embed the link if I had twitter.
I'm wondering if Wes underestimated the kind of players that it would take to win in the AAC. How else to explain bringing a guy from UNCG only to run him off a year later.
He must feel that he'll be able to upgrade through the portal, otherwise his "conversations" with the current players wouldn't be quite so "honest."
He was trying to fill out a roster and was honest with him last year that it would be tough to get minutes at this level. McGinnis wanted the challenge. No one is being run off. If your slot on the the depth chart doesn’t align with your vision for your career then it’s been made way easier to find one that does. I want these guys to go find 20-30 minutes a game and make the tournament like Johnson and Nsoseme did.