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Message: [QUOTE="RF2044, post: 5066202, member: 40"] So, lots to unpack in this thread. And my post below is initial reactions to some of these disclosures, not shooting the messenger. [LIST] [*][COLOR=rgb(243, 121, 52)][B]Leffew[/B][/COLOR] -- clearly, the staff wanted him. After watching game film, I could see why -- he is a good shooter, he is a nifty ball handler / passer, and he is athletic and quick. I wasn't sure whether he was a point or not, or whether his slender frame would hold up in the ACC. Was also concerned that he didn't have good games against P5 competition. BUT he could play, and he's the type of player -- whether as a starter or a microwave type off the bench. We had a guy like that last year with similar versatility [Copeland], but Leffew was a much better shooter. And we lost him to Georgia because of $$$ considerations. [/LIST] [LIST] [*][COLOR=rgb(243, 121, 52)][B]Evans [/B][/COLOR]-- when news of Leffew committing to Georgia broke, I was disappointed because I wanted to see the staff bring in guys who could flat-out play. Period. Don't worry about traditional position fits, or who's starting over who -- just get them in and let the chips fall where they may. We've faced lots of opponents like that, who have 8-10 guys who might not be better athletes / players than some of our guys, but they just know how to play and get the job done. So when we pivoted to Evans, a conference POY and a similarly terrific shooter like Leffew, I was excited. It seemed to make sense why they wouldn't overbid to get Leffew -- they had a better, more proven option that they were pursuing. Although Evans was even less of a "pure" point than Leffew, but could handle / pass. As mentioned, deep range shooter who was also strong enough to drive and / or score in the paint. To hear that the staff kicked the tires and decided not to get involved seems strange, because unlike Leffew, Evans performed WELL against P5 opposition, having some of his best games -- which implies that he is a good candidate to make the transition playing "up" a level to the ACC. I'm FINE with the coaching staff deciding that Evans isn't a fit, or prioritizing other prospects more. But why not Evans, if they liked Leffew? And if not Evans, then who? Because we still have... [/LIST] [LIST] [*][COLOR=rgb(243, 121, 52)][B]Depth Constraints [/B][/COLOR]-- by my count, we lost 6 players to the portal. We lost two others [Benny / Judah] off last year's squad, who won't be returning. We couldn't even play in the NIT tournament if we'd wanted to, because of all that attrition. That's a lot of shoes to fill, just to field a roster. Now, we all hope that Westry gets healthy, Cuffe is ready for a bigger role, McLeod gets right, etc. But even if all of those question marks get answered favorably, we still need more guys. Shoot -- at center alone, we lost Brown / Hima / Carey / Pattertson -- not exactly a murderers row, but that's 20 fouls, at minimum. Guys like Leffew / Evans, who can provide scoring / shooting / versatility no matter what position they play would go a long way toward fleshing out that bench. But as of right now, we haven't added those types of players. Obviously, Lamkin and Davis are going to play a ton, so it's not like the staff is twiddling their thumbs, but we need a few more guys. And options are now dwindling. [/LIST] [LIST] [*][B][COLOR=rgb(243, 121, 52)]Carlos[/COLOR] [/B]-- I like this pickup. We need a true lead guard, even in the modern era of semi-positionless basketball. And I can get behind that adding an experienced starter might make his transition to playing "up" easier. I think he can be a very solid contributor. But I do have to express concern about what has been reported about the staff's expectations for him. Namely, because... [/LIST] [LIST] [*][COLOR=rgb(243, 121, 52)][B]The coaches say stuff[/B][/COLOR] -- The offense is going to be built around Bell. Leffew is the top guy on our board. Carlos is going to be a stud. Patterson was going to be better than Jesse. Etc. A lot of times, it seems like what the staff EXPECTS to happen, doesn't work out the way they expect. I am admittedly a little jaded from the previous HC, who also used to say stuff. But I need to see more from this staff before I take some of these reports at face value -- because until proven otherwise, some of it seems off-target, as if they just don't have their finger on the pulse. [/LIST] [/QUOTE]

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