Much better position heading into next season than this time 10 months ago. Lot of teams in the SEC will have complete rebuilds with the amount of 4th and 5th year seniors leaving. We very well may bring back the highest returning scorer in conference with Oweh + 4 other guys with experience. Add to that one of the single best freshmen classes in country with 3 5* or near 5* players.
Just need to get 4-5 extra players from portal or overseas market. Lot different than having to bring in 11 in a month.
Probably need a starting PF, PG, rotation wing, and a 4-5 switch that can compete for starting spot. Add in an extra developmental player or two just so you've got options with the inevitable injuries. I don't think Pope quite understood how physical and athletic the SEC is but he certainly does now.
bulk of minutes
Oweh
Jasper Johnson
Garrison
PTBNL PF
PTBNL PG
PTNBL 4-5
rotational players
Acaden Lewis
Malachi Moreno
PTBNL Wing
fighting for minutes / depth
Collin Chandler
Trent Noah
Travis Perry
Developmental PTBNL (1-2 elite traits, maybe raw in other areas) x1 or x2
Our staff prides itself on player development and I see no reason why Collin Chandler and Brandon Garrison can't both take a big leap this offseason. I see potential with Noah as well. Perry has things to work on but I think his biggest problem areas will be tough to improve on. His lack of length and defensive speed are hard to overcome.
Adding Ansley Almonor or Koby Brea is fantastic, just can't have half a roster of them. Finding players who can shoot and extend defense and play smart offensive basketball while also bringing athleticism and physicality and defensive ability will be the name of the game this offseason.
The type of player I'm describing will be a very hot commodity come portal season and so we will need to have our NIL in shape.
As of now we're well positioned. Lot to be determined though
