Star ratings all come down to potential. Not all players are ready to go from day 1. Usually 1-2 guys are just dominant players and/or we have 1-2 vets to see the team along. We have all freshman who are just above average with no veterans. The coach can only do so much. They guys got here in the summer and he learned early he didn't have 2 players (Baker/Vanderbilt) he thought would contribute. He had to learn how to play them and what their strengths are in a shorter time than usual.
We have good players, but defensive lapses and turnovers are killing us. We have 2 freshman PG's who were borderline top 25 players. I feel like that just an age thing that has to be played through.
Jon Hood was a 4 star and Marcus Lee was a 5 star. I think Ryan Harrow was a 4/5star coming out.
Rivals had Devin Booker as a 4 star. Harrellson was what? a 2/3 star juco jump shooter.
We cry about not having players staying around for 2-4 years, well this is how its done if you guys want that. You have to have a rough year where guys just are not ready.
Look at the 2013-2014 classes after the 2012 mass exodus. We struggled for 2 years but look at how it paid dividends long term having some guys comeback after struggles.
13: Noel(1), Goodwin(1), Poythress(4), WCS(3)
14: Andrew(2), Aaron(2), Randle(1), Young(1), Dakari(2), Lee(3), Hawkins(4), Willis(4)
Those 2 years we had an NIT and a 8 seed, but they turned it around. The struggles and not having top guys/experience led to several coming back. Those to a Runner-Up, 38-1 season, and an elite 8 loss at the buzzer to the national champions. Heck, remember the regular season struggles of 2011? Better team yes, but TJones and Lamb probably don't come back if that team powers through the SEC that year.
Most years we are great and just 1-2 players away, and guess what? When you are 1-2 players away, theres a good chance you'll get those 1-2 players you need back(Harrisons, Jones, Lamb, Willie, Poy, Darkari) I mean a bad injury in 2015 to Poy and we are 40-0 with ease.
These guys as freshman compete, but don't know what they are doing. Add in 2-3 shooters and a year of experience and I really like this group next season. And who knows? A lucky draw and they could come together in March.
We have good players, but defensive lapses and turnovers are killing us. We have 2 freshman PG's who were borderline top 25 players. I feel like that just an age thing that has to be played through.
Jon Hood was a 4 star and Marcus Lee was a 5 star. I think Ryan Harrow was a 4/5star coming out.
Rivals had Devin Booker as a 4 star. Harrellson was what? a 2/3 star juco jump shooter.
We cry about not having players staying around for 2-4 years, well this is how its done if you guys want that. You have to have a rough year where guys just are not ready.
Look at the 2013-2014 classes after the 2012 mass exodus. We struggled for 2 years but look at how it paid dividends long term having some guys comeback after struggles.
13: Noel(1), Goodwin(1), Poythress(4), WCS(3)
14: Andrew(2), Aaron(2), Randle(1), Young(1), Dakari(2), Lee(3), Hawkins(4), Willis(4)
Those 2 years we had an NIT and a 8 seed, but they turned it around. The struggles and not having top guys/experience led to several coming back. Those to a Runner-Up, 38-1 season, and an elite 8 loss at the buzzer to the national champions. Heck, remember the regular season struggles of 2011? Better team yes, but TJones and Lamb probably don't come back if that team powers through the SEC that year.
Most years we are great and just 1-2 players away, and guess what? When you are 1-2 players away, theres a good chance you'll get those 1-2 players you need back(Harrisons, Jones, Lamb, Willie, Poy, Darkari) I mean a bad injury in 2015 to Poy and we are 40-0 with ease.
These guys as freshman compete, but don't know what they are doing. Add in 2-3 shooters and a year of experience and I really like this group next season. And who knows? A lucky draw and they could come together in March.