One thing I'm seeing is that, unlike this year when we got a bunch of one-and-done 5th year seniors, we seem to be setting up for more continuity. We want to win now - and Pope damn well needs to try to win now - but we might be seeing the construction of a core group that will stay together 2 to 3 years. This coming season we're going to have:
Freshmen: Johnson, Lewis, Moreno
Sophomores: Chandler, Noah, Perry, Williams
Juniors: Garrison, Lowe, Folgueiras?
I still think we need one or two elite level guys to break through to true championship contender, whether it's a top 5 freshman like Duke or a portal transfer who reaches all-america level like Florida or Auburn. I don't see that next year. Our ceiling might be similar to what it was this year, had we stayed healthy. But if we can take that team, return 7 or so guys, THEN add in one or two pieces to take us over the top? Who knows, yet to be seen if Pope is going to land talent at that level. Or if he can just take a bunch of GOOD players and put them together into an elite unit like Sampson has done at Houston. I'm pretty excited to see what can come with a group of top 40 level guys working together in the system for a couple of years, getting coached up to the level our guys this year were but with more athleticism and quickness. I'm a bit worried about the Center position (and obviously we need to land an impact transfer at PF) but maybe Garrison can take a big step in his 3rd year... I hope.
