Congratulations to Red, the staff, and Wildhack:

[CuseFan]

Feeling quite optimistic that the team leadership is righting the ship, and bringing in members for specific roles and skills. So far they are nailing it!

I'm not quite feeling as good as the initial portal time with Coach Fran, but still this is a big improvement! Let's give them credit

 

[Consigliere]

My father always said that actions speak louder than words: the have shown they heard the fans and have taken positive steps to remedy their roster issues. Whether they all work out is a different issue, but they have given the impression that they are not afraid to learn and take decisive action.
I assume that Red, staff, and JW are being just as introspective regarding rotations, strategies, etc.

I’ll feel better when we couple the talent upgrades with an enhanced support staffs and additional assistant coaches. That shows me the AD is serious about upgrading basketball

 

[newmexicuse]

I definitely like what we have done in the portal so far, but I still think we need to add another big who can play the middle.

Is there anybody on our radar ???

 

[Cusefan0307]

I definitely like what we have done in the portal so far, but I still think we need to add another big who can play the middle.

Is there anybody on our radar ???

The staff likes Kyle better than the fans. Likely done at that position.

 

[HRE Otto IV]

The staff likes Kyle better than the fans. Likely done at that position.

Even so Cs generally play fewer mins per game. IMO we should have a 3rd guy. Even if that guy only gets less than 5 mins per game.

Same thing for PG and a shooting wing. Too many imbalances right now IMO.

 

[RF2044]

I’ll feel better when we couple the talent upgrades with an enhanced support staffs and additional assistant coaches. That shows me the AD is serious about upgrading basketball

Agreed.

No matter where people land on the pro / anti Red spectrum, this program has languished in mediocrity too long. Generating sufficient NIL is a step in the right direction in terms of the University demonstrating that they are "serious" about returning the program to it's proper station in the college basketball landscape, but now it is time to get serious about coaching and holding the staff responsible for outcomes.

And from there, let it work out however it works out. We're either serious about digging out of this hole or the University isn't. Time will tell.

 

[NKR1978]

I'm happy but not excited. Time will certainly tell, but my issues lie with Red's coaching. I hope I'm wrong.

 

[kingtidge]

The staff likes Kyle better than the fans. Likely done at that position.

Beyond the fact that it will be his first season starting at C at a P4 school... If he's injured, who plays center?

Is it Souare or do we move Donnie down low?

 

[Cusefan0307]

Beyond the fact that it will be his first season starting at C at a P4 school... If he's injured, who plays center?

Is it Souare or do we move Donnie down low?

They think Kyle is a starter. So did others outside the program. Souare looks like the backup right now, but I wouldn't be surprised if he plays some stretch 5.

 

[Nicknack]

The staff likes Kyle better than the fans. Likely done at that position.

Man, this feels very similar to last year with Carlos. Hopefully this isn't settling and Kyle is good enough to be the guy.

 

[Cusefan0307]

Man, this feels very similar to last year with Carlos. Hopefully this isn't settling and Kyle is good enough to be the guy.

This guy is athletic and put up legit numbers at a MM. Carlos had more warts. It still is up to Red to coach the team and doesn’t guarantee anything.

 

[Nicknack]

Not finished yet in filling out the roster. And season ticket renewal hasn’t begun.

I'm sure that's what Red is waiting on.

 

[newmexicuse]

The staff likes Kyle better than the fans. Likely done at that position.

I have no issues with Kyle and I really like his potential, but I am not seeing anybody else on the roster as a suitable legit backup for the 5 spot.

Please no Donnie or Souare there. There might be enough D issues as is, what happens if Kyle gets in foul trouble or hurt ???

Nobody could have been clumsier than MacLeod, but his size alone enabled him to be a fairly effective backup for 10 to 15 minutes.

I think bringing back Petar for that spot might be better than what we have if we were to get really desperate.

I cant believe there isnt some euro 7 footer out there or at least a 6'9" guy with some beef that we cant get.

 

[MikeSU02]

Job isn’t close to complete, but they do deserve credit for an off season that is pointing us in the right direction.

I’m measuring next year on getting into the tournament and like this off season for that goal, pending Red improves.

Goal still has to be getting back to where we were.

But I’ll take this off season, no question.

 

[kingtidge]

I have no issues with Kyle and I really like his potential, but I am not seeing anybody else on the roster as a suitable legit backup for the 5 spot.

Please no Donnie or Souare there. There might be enough D issues as is, what happens if Kyle gets in foul trouble or hurt ???

Nobody could have been clumsier than MacLeod, but his size alone enabled him to be a fairly effective backup for 10 to 15 minutes.

I think bringing back Petar for that spot might be better than what we have if we were to get really desperate.

I cant believe there isnt some euro 7 footer out there or at least a 6'9" guy with some beef that we cant get.

This is where I am at with all this.

If Kyle gets injured, we have no center and it will be a patchwork trial of a project player or Donnie at the center position. Not close to ideal either way.

Seems like a pretty big gamble to me, especially for a guy coaching for his job, but I could be wrong.

Here's hoping Kline pulls a Euro or Australian big out of his hat.

 

[Red2003]

Even so Cs generally play fewer mins per game. IMO we should have a 3rd guy. Even if that guy only gets less than 5 mins per game.

Same thing for PG and a shooting wing. Too many imbalances right now IMO.

I like both pickups for the value. Agree though worried about injury.

 

[721Comstock]

Beyond the fact that it will be his first season starting at C at a P4 school... If he's injured, who plays center?

Is it Souare or do we move Donnie down low?

We could play the "if he gets injured, we're screwed" card for almost anybody in the starting 5.

Donnie for sure. See: last year.
Nait George - 144%.

Pretty much the only guy who I wouldn't really sweat it so much if he got hurt (not that I want/wish this to happen)-
is JJ.

We've got a ton of capable SG's, so it wouldn't be season-derailing if he got dinged at some point.

 

[Red2003]

I have no issues with Kyle and I really like his potential, but I am not seeing anybody else on the roster as a suitable legit backup for the 5 spot.

Please no Donnie or Souare there. There might be enough D issues as is, what happens if Kyle gets in foul trouble or hurt ???

Nobody could have been clumsier than MacLeod, but his size alone enabled him to be a fairly effective backup for 10 to 15 minutes.

I think bringing back Petar for that spot might be better than what we have if we were to get really desperate.

I cant believe there isnt some euro 7 footer out there or at least a 6'9" guy with some beef that we cant get.

There is so much revisionist history at the Center position the last 2 years. McLeod never got close to 10-15 mins. He would make 2-3 plays then get completely exposed by teams on one or both ends of the court. Not his faulty on his injury 2 years ago but he was not an option then and Maliq did just fine at Center at 6'9 in ACC play.

The 7 footers that can't move are not viable with how our team plays. There are not bigs left in the portal that can move. There are 6'10 guys that can move but what more do they offer and are they doing exactly what we already have.

 

[kingtidge]

We could play the "if he gets injured, we're screwed" card for almost anybody in the starting 5.

Donnie for sure. See: last year.
Nait George - 144%.

Pretty much the only guy who I wouldn't really sweat it so much if he got hurt (not that I want/wish this to happen)-
is JJ.

We've got a ton of capable SG's, so it wouldn't be season-derailing if he got dinged at some point.

"We can get by without a serviceable backup center".

OK, but I'd argue that is not something said at a serious program.

If so, hopefully Souare is not the project he looks like on paper. I would be glad to be wrong about that.

 

[ezbeezy214]

I appreciate the sentiment of this thread.

 

[cardiac]

The staff likes Kyle better than the fans. Likely done at that position.

The same staff that compared Jaquan Carlos to Tyler Ennis? We need another body at Center or a game-changing wing, or unfortunately, this is not a tournament team with Red coaching

 

[grepal]

But I want to be upset and cynical during the spring and summer too, not just during the season! ARGH!

And I an eternal optimist so we balance out.