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Message: [QUOTE="ivorytower, post: 3425974, member: 6888"] Can't disagree with any pts made above by anyone regarding the offseason so far. Different realms that were qualified. Agree with Laxobserver that other ACC teams on the surface added more prominent and impactful talents (transfers) from the portal and they improved their standing relative to Cuse who had previous edge in overall talent. Also agree with JC that influx from outside was offset to a degree by us returning many integral 5th yr players and that our additions were geared to where departures happened . Cuse to their credit prioritized return of their own and those returns lessened our needs to pursue some top talents . Grateful that our players wanted to return and that our staff made that happen. My feel is team is neither for the better or worse but some other teams are in either direction . Fairer to say that they were clear winners in the ' transfer game " . Duke was clearly behind us last year and now has to be considered in front of us once they "acquired" Sowers. Maryland is another who has likely surpassed with their numerous additions especially if Bernhardt returns. Some others have improved via transfers while others notably some Ivies have been hurt. Cuse wont be number one when 2021 (hopefully) kicks off My guess is we'll be 5ish just about where we were as 2020 kicked off . Cuse has enough top tier talent to reach FF weekend but so do several others . It is a shame that 2020 season had to be aborted, I do feel that Cuse was taking off and it was going to be a very good year because of where we stood to the field before all this player movement occurred. My initial wish was to see our players return then to see us pursue a top ten talent in free agency despite the griminess with the one year rentals . Prefer the purer route but rather frustrating when prime talents start making some powers suddenly stronger. Some top transfers were certainly enticing but believe Sowers and perhaps Morrill were really the only ones that would have made a huge difference to our offense without much altering much of our approach. Only one ball and integrating others at attack may not have been all that seamless. Something to be said for continuity and on field group chemistry ACC firepower been supplemented over the past two years and offenses are more loaded. Cuse still lacks a pure attacker from X that many opponents have that can breakdown defenses or that physical mule that requires doubles , unit now considered 4th or 5th best n ACC because of that deficiency. Cuse attack still has a top distributor in Refhuss , a top finisher in Scanlan and a overall contributor in Cook and newcomer Hiltz may be capable of a impacting immediately. The attack unit does complement mids and vice versa and overall grouping can be potent. 1st line mids remain intact and they will continue to stir the drink in 2021. Having a strong 4th mid is not a luxury but a important player that will see good p/t . Gonna assume Lipka is gone , he headed second line despite average production. Do wish his entry into portal was done earlier as there were versatile a/m available at time that were clear upgrades that staff may have pursued. Having said that , Buttermore and others will slid up and that second unit can be more productive as long as they move ball. Wish Kims hadn't departed but understandable. Seebold needs to played somewhere. D at a minimum needed greater numbers with three starters departing. Had some initial reservations but all three brought in are competent additions or more who offer depth , flexibility and options . Fernandez didnt want to be here so farewell. Wont dismiss losing a wing specialist with a motor who vacuums and can be a pest up top but team size and overall d should otherwise improve as Fernandez would have been a liability in certain matchups. Several good options there though preference Kennedy impacting both ends but doubtful he shifts back. D should be fine however it's constructed because it has quantity of quality and supported by ssdm rotation that is also good and deep. Dieball size and speed could enter into pic there. Do wonder how new fogo rule will impact Phaup and Varello. Fast hands, fast feet t needed . Aviles is a good ss on wings and Cuse can always revert back to double poling if needed. Younger fogos never mentioned but perhaps one emerges to lengthen rotation. High school is obviously lower level but some clips showed scores off wins reminiscent of LaSalla/ Savio. Strang and Klan likely gone, good talents with high character that would be missed but understandable with Porter returning . Thompson . Shahe , McPeak are very good backups so little concern. JHU is rebuilding towards being a top ten team but Cuse should be the better team in 2021. Might get blasted for saying this but think the sport is better off when a historical team such as Hopkins is a contender Turbulent times . A return to normalcy and decency would be most welcomed. Hoping fall ball happens but some recent reports have me wondering if that will be the case. [/QUOTE]

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