Regardless of who is coach (not a discussion in this thread), although I think it will be Cal, how do we see next season with so MANY unknowns on our roster
Mintz and Grady 100% eligibility gone.
After that, nothing is certain.
Tyty - most likely 95%+ gone, but we have been basing that on draft projections by people who aren't associated with NBA teams. If I am an NBA GM, I look at Tyty's last 8 games or so, I'm not impressed. Even looking at the whole season, he does a lot of things well, has a good "feel for the game", but isn't great at anything. Honestly he looks like a guy who won't contribute as a rookie, but may in a year or two, but even then won't be a star, but rather may be a 3rd or 4th guard (combo). So suppose he goes to workouts, and doesn't impress and is told you are a mid-late 1st round pick, maybe even early 2nd. Could he return then? IDK, maybe.
Sharpe - 80% gone IMO. Who knows. Maybe Cal thought (right or wrong) that adding him in the rotation in Feb would mess with Chemistry; or maybe Sharpe said not playing this year. Only those 2 know. He would only be smart to test the waters. If after that he is told (by teams) he is a top 5 pick, then yeah he's gotta go, because that means they think he can contribute year 1. But if he drops to 10-15, I mean he is a mystery to teams. Maybe he's not ready for the physicality of the NBA and will need an extra year. But from listening to his handler in that one interview 2 months ago, the guy understands that for Sharpe the "big Win" isn't getting drafted as early or as soon as possible, the "big Win" is getting a Max-Deal contract after his 3rd season. So just maybe they see playing 1 year at UK as a way to increase the odds of that, even though it puts it off 1 year. Either way, stay & NIL or go & rookie contract, he ain't going to be broke, far from it.
* If Sharpe goes pro, we will bring in a top SG transfer
Oscar -70% gone. Even though he has nice touch and form from 15-17', his release is a bit slow, and he's not expanded it out to 3pt range yet. So yeah another year could improve that area. Although if that becomes a focus for him, do NOT expect him to get 15rpg again, 10-12 may be more like it. Now that he has NIL certainly helps our odds, as does his love for UK and KY. Although with his personality, I think he would be like that almost anywhere. Oscar too has to test the waters. And I think teams, especially playoff teams, who need a piece, not a star, but a specialist to come in and gobble up offensive rebounds and kick back out to open 3pt shooters, would like him well enough that 1 will take him late in the 1st round. Obviously wanting to help his family is first for him, can NIL do that, I hope so; but NBA certainly can.
* If we lose Oscar, we will bring in a top 4/5 transfer (probably rim-protector type)
Collins - 40% gone. I'm sure he is frustrated by his PT. But going against Oscar every day, he can surely see the difference. Even in games how many times did he get the rebound only to have a defender take it away from him. So he is not strong enough, YET. I correctly predicted his limited contributions this year. And I am also predicting, if he stays, that he will be a VERY BIG contributor for us next year (like 14, 8 & 4, ...yes 4 blks). I think if Oscar leaves that increases the chances of Collins staying, if our coaches convinces him that he can play the 5 on DEF but still shoot some jumpers on offense.
Hopkins - 50% gone. Much the same as Collins. He's a bit out of shape, damn if we could transplant 20 lbs from him to Collins. But maybe a bit of that is due to his pre-season back issues (was it back?). I think for Hopkins he just sees the 2 guys ahead of him (Brooks and Toppin), and if 1 doesn't leave I think he will. If 1 of the 2 leaves, then I think a decent chance Hopkins stays. If both left I think he would be stupid to leave.
Ware - 10% gone. His offense is limited, and he has to know this. So yeah he could transfer, but it's going to be hard to start anywhere until you can play on both ends of the court.
Brooks - 30% gone. Although I don't know where to. He isn't going to get drafted. He'll be a SR, so degree-wise transferring might be odd. I guess there is overseas. Or maybe he doesn't want to be the scapegoat for a school as a SR, and transfers for that reason. I don't think he's as bad as many on here think, but he's never going to be a star player. He is what he is.
Toppin - 20% gone. Transfer is possible, but less likely than Brooks (3rd school). I think with his athleticism, if he did some workouts and made some shots a team could take him in the 2nd round. Is that good enough for him, IDK. And the Brooks decision probably affects him too.
Fredrick, he just transferred, is back "home", and hasn't played yet. So he will likely fill the Grady role, although maybe won't play that many minutes.
Wallace, I think can step into the Tyty role. Hope he's as good and well-rounded as we've been hearing past few weeks.
Livingston, I think his PT will depend on what Brooks and Toppin and Hopkins do, as well as how much of an outside game he has, allowing him to play some 3. But I could see him next year much like Hopkins this year just due to the numbers/roster.
Wheeler 30% gone. And hell no he's not going to NBA, 0% chance. International, I think would even be hard for him as I picture they value being able to shoot more than the US does. I think he transfers out "IF" Cal/coach X says we are going to bring in the best PG transfer (who can shoot) we can find and you will be given the opportunity to compete with him, so you may be a backup next year. And I think that is how it should go. If not for his shooting I think he would be a very good PG. But damn teams dare him to shoot from even 15'. If Tyty were to return, I think he would be our PG next year. So I see us bringing in a PG that can shoot. And we all know our current coach likes height at the PG.
Allen, 40% gone. When your role is to make 3's, and you can't make them. Not good! We know he can, he did last year. Maybe he thinks a change of scenery is for him, maybe not. But after this year, if he returns, you have to think he will be at the end of the bench until and if he can show he is a good 3pt shooter again.
So.....what will our roster look like? Who knows.
But below in my opinion is a best case scenario:
Oscar, Collins, Toppin, Ware, Hopkins, Livingston
Sharpe, Wallace, Fredrick, top PG transfer, Wheeler, Allen
Where minutes are probably (highest to lowest) Sharpe, Oscar, PG transfer, Collins, Toppin, Fredrick, Wallace, Wheeler, Hopkins, Ware, Livingston, Allen; with mostly an 8 man rotation (possibly 9).
Mintz and Grady 100% eligibility gone.
After that, nothing is certain.
Tyty - most likely 95%+ gone, but we have been basing that on draft projections by people who aren't associated with NBA teams. If I am an NBA GM, I look at Tyty's last 8 games or so, I'm not impressed. Even looking at the whole season, he does a lot of things well, has a good "feel for the game", but isn't great at anything. Honestly he looks like a guy who won't contribute as a rookie, but may in a year or two, but even then won't be a star, but rather may be a 3rd or 4th guard (combo). So suppose he goes to workouts, and doesn't impress and is told you are a mid-late 1st round pick, maybe even early 2nd. Could he return then? IDK, maybe.
Sharpe - 80% gone IMO. Who knows. Maybe Cal thought (right or wrong) that adding him in the rotation in Feb would mess with Chemistry; or maybe Sharpe said not playing this year. Only those 2 know. He would only be smart to test the waters. If after that he is told (by teams) he is a top 5 pick, then yeah he's gotta go, because that means they think he can contribute year 1. But if he drops to 10-15, I mean he is a mystery to teams. Maybe he's not ready for the physicality of the NBA and will need an extra year. But from listening to his handler in that one interview 2 months ago, the guy understands that for Sharpe the "big Win" isn't getting drafted as early or as soon as possible, the "big Win" is getting a Max-Deal contract after his 3rd season. So just maybe they see playing 1 year at UK as a way to increase the odds of that, even though it puts it off 1 year. Either way, stay & NIL or go & rookie contract, he ain't going to be broke, far from it.
* If Sharpe goes pro, we will bring in a top SG transfer
Oscar -70% gone. Even though he has nice touch and form from 15-17', his release is a bit slow, and he's not expanded it out to 3pt range yet. So yeah another year could improve that area. Although if that becomes a focus for him, do NOT expect him to get 15rpg again, 10-12 may be more like it. Now that he has NIL certainly helps our odds, as does his love for UK and KY. Although with his personality, I think he would be like that almost anywhere. Oscar too has to test the waters. And I think teams, especially playoff teams, who need a piece, not a star, but a specialist to come in and gobble up offensive rebounds and kick back out to open 3pt shooters, would like him well enough that 1 will take him late in the 1st round. Obviously wanting to help his family is first for him, can NIL do that, I hope so; but NBA certainly can.
* If we lose Oscar, we will bring in a top 4/5 transfer (probably rim-protector type)
Collins - 40% gone. I'm sure he is frustrated by his PT. But going against Oscar every day, he can surely see the difference. Even in games how many times did he get the rebound only to have a defender take it away from him. So he is not strong enough, YET. I correctly predicted his limited contributions this year. And I am also predicting, if he stays, that he will be a VERY BIG contributor for us next year (like 14, 8 & 4, ...yes 4 blks). I think if Oscar leaves that increases the chances of Collins staying, if our coaches convinces him that he can play the 5 on DEF but still shoot some jumpers on offense.
Hopkins - 50% gone. Much the same as Collins. He's a bit out of shape, damn if we could transplant 20 lbs from him to Collins. But maybe a bit of that is due to his pre-season back issues (was it back?). I think for Hopkins he just sees the 2 guys ahead of him (Brooks and Toppin), and if 1 doesn't leave I think he will. If 1 of the 2 leaves, then I think a decent chance Hopkins stays. If both left I think he would be stupid to leave.
Ware - 10% gone. His offense is limited, and he has to know this. So yeah he could transfer, but it's going to be hard to start anywhere until you can play on both ends of the court.
Brooks - 30% gone. Although I don't know where to. He isn't going to get drafted. He'll be a SR, so degree-wise transferring might be odd. I guess there is overseas. Or maybe he doesn't want to be the scapegoat for a school as a SR, and transfers for that reason. I don't think he's as bad as many on here think, but he's never going to be a star player. He is what he is.
Toppin - 20% gone. Transfer is possible, but less likely than Brooks (3rd school). I think with his athleticism, if he did some workouts and made some shots a team could take him in the 2nd round. Is that good enough for him, IDK. And the Brooks decision probably affects him too.
Fredrick, he just transferred, is back "home", and hasn't played yet. So he will likely fill the Grady role, although maybe won't play that many minutes.
Wallace, I think can step into the Tyty role. Hope he's as good and well-rounded as we've been hearing past few weeks.
Livingston, I think his PT will depend on what Brooks and Toppin and Hopkins do, as well as how much of an outside game he has, allowing him to play some 3. But I could see him next year much like Hopkins this year just due to the numbers/roster.
Wheeler 30% gone. And hell no he's not going to NBA, 0% chance. International, I think would even be hard for him as I picture they value being able to shoot more than the US does. I think he transfers out "IF" Cal/coach X says we are going to bring in the best PG transfer (who can shoot) we can find and you will be given the opportunity to compete with him, so you may be a backup next year. And I think that is how it should go. If not for his shooting I think he would be a very good PG. But damn teams dare him to shoot from even 15'. If Tyty were to return, I think he would be our PG next year. So I see us bringing in a PG that can shoot. And we all know our current coach likes height at the PG.
Allen, 40% gone. When your role is to make 3's, and you can't make them. Not good! We know he can, he did last year. Maybe he thinks a change of scenery is for him, maybe not. But after this year, if he returns, you have to think he will be at the end of the bench until and if he can show he is a good 3pt shooter again.
So.....what will our roster look like? Who knows.
But below in my opinion is a best case scenario:
Oscar, Collins, Toppin, Ware, Hopkins, Livingston
Sharpe, Wallace, Fredrick, top PG transfer, Wheeler, Allen
Where minutes are probably (highest to lowest) Sharpe, Oscar, PG transfer, Collins, Toppin, Fredrick, Wallace, Wheeler, Hopkins, Ware, Livingston, Allen; with mostly an 8 man rotation (possibly 9).
![[winking]](http://l.yimg.com/j/assets/img/emoticons/classic/wink.r191677.gif "Winking [winking]")
