What portions of the roster are salvageable?
Posted on: January 24, 2017 at 11:21:10 CT
BOILERTIGER
MU
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Which of these guys can actually develop into something useful?
Puryear - Needs to become more nimble and difficult to guard on the offensive end. Improving his jump shot would go a long way. Can be an SEC caliber starter by next year IMO.
Walton - Needs to get better pretty much everywhere. To be an SEC starter he needs to improve his shot and his ability to use his left hand. Without that his offensive upside is non-existent. His ceiling is a backup contributor in the SEC, IMO.
Neeko - Extremely overmatched. Has some upside but injuries may limit him. Hard to say. Might be a backup type player in the SEC by his senior year.
Hughes - Must get stronger and develop a more consistent shot. Doesn't have any confidence right now. Could develop (eventually) into a player capable of starting in the SEC but it will take at least two more years.
Phillips - Needs to become more sure handed. If he can play in control more and limit turnovers he will be very good. Already a borderline SEC starter IMO.
Van Leer - Could potentially be a starter by his senior year if he became an elite shooter but he's nowhere near that now.
Geist - No real upside IMO. Should probably transfer.
Barnett - Should be a backup right now but could be a SEC caliber starter next year if the team improves around him and he gets A LOT better. Not impossible because he has some upside.
Basically, if everything goes right we've got three guys who could potentially be SEC caliber starters next year:
Barnett
Phillips
Puryear
In addition, if the following guys develop (a lot) and accept bench roles, they could potentially be useful as bench players next year.
Van Leer
Walton
Hughes
This assumes no one leaves (which some will) but potentially having three functioning starters is a step up from what KA had to start with (which was effectively none).
To get better in year one, the new coach needs to find someone two quality starters. In an ideal world, we need a functional JUCO big to fill a roster spot for two years and a graduate transfer guard who can really shoot to fill a roster spot for a year. In addition, the coach will need to convince Walton and Hughes to stay on the team in potentially diminished roles (unless they can compete for a job).
In year three, the new coach will need to bring in 3-4 high end recruits to compete for playing time immediately. Outstanding transfer wouldn't hurt either.