Potential 2025-26 Roster

[SanDiegoCuse]

Maybe, but why can’t we do both? In 2009-10, we had a team that played very fast and got out on the break, but we also had big guys like Rick Jackson and AO who we could feed it into in the post and let them go to work. It doesn’t have to—and shouldn’t be—an either/or. You need a well rounded team. Same with 2008-09 and 2010-11. I think we need to prioritize shot blocking and rim protection at center but we also need a center who can be an offensive threat, similar to Jesse Edwards. Btw, What a difference Jesse would have made in Red’s first year. That’s a tourney team with him on it.

All excellent points.

 

[Red2003]

You forgot the Shotput Free Throws

In Blacksburg when he shanked all 3 on that bailout call that’s when I said to myself I dont give much for nil but I’d rather it go to someone else. I can come up with a lot of excuses for why this season was so bad but that was just soul crushing to see.

 

[Cusefan0307]

The good DC, Sherm, Rony, Billy years we ran played defense went inside as necessary.
Let's get back to that type of basketball not using the clock for 25 seconds and an iso play.

That requires forcing turnovers again.

 

[rrlbees]

And my point was that they, SU, need to spend every bit of that money, as well as scratch and claw for more to field a tournament quality team next season.

You disagree?

Of course I don’t disagree. All money donated to NiL needs to be spent or very close to it. But your original post I responded too didn’t say that.

 

[OrangeCrush22]

Does Chris Bell get the talk?

 

[Red2003]

Does Chris Bell get the talk?

It'll probably be live streamed on his social media.

 

[ar inj]

Does Chris Bell get the talk?

I will surprised if he stays, and I am waiting for the thumbs down responses, but if I had to choose, I would take Bell over JJ

 

[Hopkins16]

OK. So what does Starling do so well in that environment that a team would overpay for?

Definitely not overpay. I’m talking about going to a team where he could fit and flourish. We can use Girard as a reference as someone who was worse than JJ on defense but was able to be an impact player at Clemson offensively while being surrounded by great defenders who can help and make up for his lack of adequacy on that side of the ball.

 

[Cusefan0307]

Definitely not overpay. I’m talking about going to a team where he could fit and flourish. We can use Girard as a reference as someone who was worse than JJ on defense but was able to be an impact player at Clemson offensively while being surrounded by great defenders who can help and make up for his lack of adequacy on that side of the ball.

Every metric states the opposite. JJ is worse defensively.

 

[Scooch]

Of course I don’t disagree. All money donated to NiL needs to be spent or very close to it. But your original post I responded too didn’t say that.

Sigh. It did say that. It said that we need to spend a ton. A fortune. Spend all we have and then find more.

I get it Bees. You’ve been on a kick about how it’s the fans to blame for the last couple years. I disagree. It’s Red’s job and SU’s job to get the money that’s necessary.

SU has tons of well heeled supporters. If they’re NIL poor then it’s their fault. We’re not talking about supporting an NBA payroll here.

I swear, if I hear the same excuses about how we were totally gonna get that great PG but we just couldn’t possibly find the extra $500K so we got a guy from Sacred Heart instead I’m gonna lose it.

 

[Scooch]

Definitely not overpay. I’m talking about going to a team where he could fit and flourish. We can use Girard as a reference as someone who was worse than JJ on defense but was able to be an impact player at Clemson offensively while being surrounded by great defenders who can help and make up for his lack of adequacy on that side of the ball.

Girard is a great example. Clearly when placed in the proper role, which I don’t believe he was ever placed in at SU, he was an elite shooter with a good handle. It was no surprise that he had multiple suitors when he was a free agent. I also disagree that he was a worse defender than Starling, but that’s besides the point.

I’m sure someone will want Starling. Honestly, I’d like Starling to return. I just don’t think he does anything at an elite level that will land him a lucrative NIL deal to transfer. If someone wants to throw $750K or whatever at him then let him go.

Freeman is the guy I’d go all out to retain. If it takes $1.5 million then spend it.

 

[kingtidge]

Girard is a great example. Clearly when placed in the proper role, which I don’t believe he was ever placed in at SU, he was an elite shooter with a good handle. It was no surprise that he had multiple suitors when he was a free agent. I also disagree that he was a worse defender than Starling, but that’s besides the point.

I’m sure someone will want Starling. Honestly, I’d like Starling to return. I just don’t think he does anything at an elite level that will land him a lucrative NIL deal to transfer. If someone wants to throw $750K or whatever at him then let him go.

Freeman is the guy I’d go all out to retain. If it takes $1.5 million then spend it.

Girard was also a better defender when he was in shape at Clemson.

 

[Giants1973]

Whole new roster next yr.

 

[rrlbees]

Sigh. It did say that. It said that we need to spend a ton. A fortune. Spend all we have and then find more.

I get it Bees. You’ve been on a kick about how it’s the fans to blame for the last couple years. I disagree. It’s Red’s job and SU’s job to get the money that’s necessary.

SU has tons of well heeled supporters. If they’re NIL poor then it’s their fault. We’re not talking about supporting an NBA payroll here.

I swear, if I hear the same excuses about how we were totally gonna get that great PG but we just couldn’t possibly find the extra $500K so we got a guy from Sacred Heart instead I’m gonna lose it.

Where did I say the fans are to blame for the last 2 years? I have said if you aren’t part of the solution, you’re part of the problem. Not the same thing. But I’m renewing and I’m upping my donation because I want to help get out of this mess. I guess it’s better for people to encourage others to not renew and not give any more donations. That helps the situation.

And I’m sorry, this seems like more than SU just pushing for more donations.

“ We need to spend a fortune this offseason. Empty the coffers. I'm talking deficit spending. Take out loans spending.”

 

[pearl31]

I will surprised if he stays, and I am waiting for the thumbs down responses, but if I had to choose, I would take Bell over JJ

I would too

 

[Jake]

I don’t think the guys I want to come back and the guys that are coming back are going to match up.

If the only guy that returns is Freeman, I’d be good with that. Though I see roles for Cuffe and JJ. But I don’t think JJ would accept a significantly reduced roll.

I don’t think Moore and Bell want to come back, so I’m assuming they are gone. Maestro is probably going to come back but. Ugh. He not as good as Jimmy Jr, who wasn’t ACC caliber. Petar just isn’t athletic enough for my taste.

We need an entire roster almost. Fennell really is the lynchpin of how the staff should attack the portal.

Kiyan shouldn’t be a starter at the 2.

I’d like to see a roster something like this, but probably needs a portal shooter and I’m not sure Fennell starts.

PG: Portal/Fennell
2G: Fennell/Kiyan/Cuffe
SF: Portal/White/Womack
PF: Freeman/White/portal
C: Portal/Portal/Freeman

But my point it we need at least 6 portal players and I think at least three of them need to be veterans who can start. And maestro is probably in the mix there, but he’s an emergency break glass guy for me unless he really improved.

JJ is probably in there too, as I think he wants to come back. Will be a tough manage for the staff.

 

[Red2003]

I don’t think the guys I want to come back and the guys that are coming back are going to match up.

If the only guy that returns is Freeman, I’d be good with that. Though I see roles for Cuffe and JJ. But I don’t think JJ would accept a significantly reduced roll.

I don’t think Moore and Bell want to come back, so I’m assuming they are gone. Maestro is probably going to come back but. Ugh. He not as good as Jimmy Jr, who wasn’t ACC caliber. Petar just isn’t athletic enough for my taste.

We need an entire roster almost. Fennell really is the lynchpin of how the staff should attack the portal.

Kiyan shouldn’t be a starter at the 2.

I’d like to see a roster something like this, but probably needs a portal shooter and I’m not sure Fennell starts.

PG: Portal/Fennell
2G: Fennell/Kiyan/Cuffe
SF: Portal/Portal/Womack
PF: Freeman/White/portal
C: Portal/Portal/Freeman

But my point it we need at least 6 portal players and I think at least three of them need to be veterans who can start. And maestro is probably in the mix there, but he’s an emergency break glass guy for me unless he really improved.

Exactly where I’m at too. I keep coming back to needing 6 guys in the portal and that’s going to cost.

Assuming that people care more about your opinion than mine but I like Petar. Jimmy B got here as a senior.

#1 thing that will get people pissed during the portal is if we pay for JJ or don’t pay for him. He really is going to polarize the fanbase depending on what happens.

#2 is that it’s doubtful that we get everyone we want and every player we get outbid for is going to get the sky is falling comments. I’ll be very nervous if we lose Donnie or don’t get the PG we want.

 

[kcsu]

That makes sense. I think Red will clear out the 2G for Kiyan and find a backup from the portal or Cuffe fills that role.

So much to rebuild for next year. I can see a team with only two or three players from this year.

Starting PG and Center are key
Need a backup SF and PF (or possibly starting opposite White)
Backup C
Need shooting
Need defensive minded players

5 transfers at a minimum. Can’t afford to miss on any of them. It’s a very tall order.

What don't we need

 

[FRANKIEFAN]

Did JJ play himself out of being a hot commodity and a bag elsewhere? Always assumed he could go anywhere he wanted as a senior and start or be 6th man.

Might as well keep Bell vs develop him to be a senior somewhere else. Freeman I could see wanting out and us not being able to do anything about it.

 

[kcsu]

Yeah it’s gonna be a photo finish between Choppa and Bell as to who is going to announce they’re entering the portal first IMO.

I hope it's Chris. He needs a fresh start .

 

[kcsu]

Girard was also a better defender when he was in shape at Clemson.

South Carolina isn't known for its pizza

 

[Scooch]

And I’m sorry, this seems like more than SU just pushing for more donations.

“ We need to spend a fortune this offseason. Empty the coffers. I'm talking deficit spending. Take out loans spending.”

I stand by what I said. SU needs to go get, and retain, the players it needs to be a tourney team. Period.

If that means finding somehow, someway, to funnel an extra million into NIL/players compensation then they gotta do it.

Get creative. Take a loan from Carmelo. Put it on a credit card.

But, for yet another time, if we’re being told in July that we were oh-so-close to that PG we really wanted, it’s just that, golly gee, that other school outbid us by $250K, well that’s a failure.

Again, this ain’t NBA money. The funding they need is out there. Go get it.

 

[Scooch]

I don’t think the guys I want to come back and the guys that are coming back are going to match up.

If the only guy that returns is Freeman, I’d be good with that. Though I see roles for Cuffe and JJ. But I don’t think JJ would accept a significantly reduced roll.

I don’t think Moore and Bell want to come back, so I’m assuming they are gone. Maestro is probably going to come back but. Ugh. He not as good as Jimmy Jr, who wasn’t ACC caliber. Petar just isn’t athletic enough for my taste.

We need an entire roster almost. Fennell really is the lynchpin of how the staff should attack the portal.

Kiyan shouldn’t be a starter at the 2.

I’d like to see a roster something like this, but probably needs a portal shooter and I’m not sure Fennell starts.

PG: Portal/Fennell
2G: Fennell/Kiyan/Cuffe
SF: Portal/White/Womack
PF: Freeman/White/portal
C: Portal/Portal/Freeman

But my point it we need at least 6 portal players and I think at least three of them need to be veterans who can start. And maestro is probably in the mix there, but he’s an emergency break glass guy for me unless he really improved.

JJ is probably in there too, as I think he wants to come back. Will be a tough manage for the staff.

Agree. Need 3 starters. Number of bench pieces to be determined by who stays.

Bell is a far better fit for our needs than Sterling. But I’m sure he’s gone.

The question is: can we buy three starters? I’m already seeing folks here throw cold water on that.

 

[phil77]

I don’t think the guys I want to come back and the guys that are coming back are going to match up.

If the only guy that returns is Freeman, I’d be good with that. Though I see roles for Cuffe and JJ. But I don’t think JJ would accept a significantly reduced roll.

I don’t think Moore and Bell want to come back, so I’m assuming they are gone. Maestro is probably going to come back but. Ugh. He not as good as Jimmy Jr, who wasn’t ACC caliber. Petar just isn’t athletic enough for my taste.

We need an entire roster almost. Fennell really is the lynchpin of how the staff should attack the portal.

Kiyan shouldn’t be a starter at the 2.

I’d like to see a roster something like this, but probably needs a portal shooter and I’m not sure Fennell starts.

PG: Portal/Fennell
2G: Fennell/Kiyan/Cuffe
SF: Portal/White/Womack
PF: Freeman/White/portal
C: Portal/Portal/Freeman

But my point it we need at least 6 portal players and I think at least three of them need to be veterans who can start. And maestro is probably in the mix there, but he’s an emergency break glass guy for me unless he really improved.

JJ is probably in there too, as I think he wants to come back. Will be a tough manage for the staff.

Red gets paid to have that tough conversation with JJ and he just needs to move on. Not the ideal player to contribute to winning basketball. Best for all parties to just move on from JJ - Bell all of them turn the page from it all and bring an entire new vibe and atmosphere to the program.

We need 4 portal starters. Bench portal center and another bench portal 3/4 guy. That is assuming Freeman is back. If Freeman leaves, we need an entire new starting 5 in the portal. It has been done at other programs and needs to be done here. None of the freshmen should start, they can all still play and contribute, but they need to be bench pieces and not be counted on. That should be the mindset going into the portal.

For the starting center, they should look for a Senior on his last year, but for the backup center they should look for a Junior/Sophomore so they can build some continuity for the years going forward.

 

[kcsu]

Here is what we do.
Offer NIL to the entire starting 5 of this year's Division 2 national championship team. Offer their head coach or assistant head coach a huge raise to become an assistant. Blend them with the incoming Frosh. Pay Donnie to stay and I bet we make the dance.
Each year do the same thing. Bring on a whole starting 5.