What do you want to see in the next 60 days?

[MSOrange]

I'd like to see an end to the non-stop rationalization / excuse making from a segment of the fanbase.

And I'd like an objective assessment of how this year unfolded, and what the alarming KenPom / NET data actually suggests about the state of the state.

And unlike last year, I'd like to see results from the portal.

And I'd rather have that $1M that appears to have been earmarked for a center to go instead to a top flight PG.

What I actually expect us for the portal results to be underwhelming, because players with options don't want to play for losing programs. And for the excuse mongering about NIL to continue, when we don't land out top prospects. I also expect there to be a mass exodus of players once the season ends, after the inevitable first round loss in the ACCT. So we'll have lots of holes to fill.

Agree with all your post, but particularly the bolded part. Why would we want to run that back again?

 

[tptcuse]

If you try and move on from JJ, then you end up having to overpay to replace him with a guy in the portal on top of trying to find a quality pg and center. And that replacement, as we have seen every year with the portal, will be a gamble on some level that could easily be worse than JJ. The portal is always likely to disappoint, and more likely to do so when you are trying to replace a ton of guys. Unless JJs money demands are totally ridiculous, we have to try and keep him in the fold. Does anyone really think we will have the money to replace JJ with someone better, along with landing a quality pg and center?

Plus, by all accounts, JJ is a great person. I also hope he stays. But they have to get him to play defense.

 

[MSOrange]

A few thoughts...

• Absolutely zero complaining, excuse-making or rationalization about money. You have the money (supposedly). Get it done or shut up.
• Retain Freeman, Moore, Starling and Majstorovic (that's priority order).
• Completely, 1000%, unquestionably nail the portal.
  • First order of business being to land a premiere, ball distributing PG.
  • Acquire a rebound hoovering, rim protecting Center (who isn't the foul-out-in-15-minutes type).
  • Acquire at least two dead-eye three point shooters at the swingman (SG/SF) spot.
  • Bench acquisitions must be strong defenders.
  • All portal additions must come from Power 5 programs. No mid/low majors whatsoever.
• Schedule 2 closed scrimmages in October vs. strong P5 programs. No open exhibition games or D2 scrimmages.
• Complete revamp of the S&C program.
• Complete revamp of the practice agenda/schedule. Whatever we did this year didn't work at all. Blow it up and start from scratch.
• Fill out the assistant coaching staff and hire a specialized offensive and defensive consultant (one each).
  • Develop customized training and practice plans for each player to follow from the offseason onward. Each player has an assigned assistant/consultant to monitor progress.

Probably more but this is off the top of my head.

They need to tear the player acquisition and training process of this program down to the studs and start over. What we've been doing clearly stinks.

Great post. I agree with all of it, but particularly the closed scrimmages since that hasn't been brought up yet. The D2 scrimmages obviously don't give us any real idea of where the team stands. What's the point? I can totally live without seeing those and hopefully the coaches are actually able to take something from the closed scrimmages about what we need to improve and actually see some improvement. (That part I'm not so sure we can accomplish)

 

[upperdeck]

But we have a broken Roster. We cant get more than 2-3 plays out of anyone without making a mistake.

The Carlos hate is great. But don't confuse his results with bad play. He is trying to make plays with a body that limits his ability for sure.

We have a roster of mismatched broken toys.

 

[Sherman20]

Hire another assistant.
Build a team with a legit point guard, a rim protecting center, and along with a couple of 3 and D wings/2 guard to play off the point guard.
Find a way to keep Donnie.
Move on from JJ and Bell.
Give the freshmen a year to grow.


Do I think all of this is likely? No. Finding a legit PG and rim protecting center are the most urgent needs. Shooting would be next.

We need JJ to return. We won’t be able to afford a high level PG, a rim protecting center who’s a solid offensive player and the other options you name here. It’s not gonna happen. We need some roster continuity unless we have Louisville-like NIL (and a better coach).

 

[RF2044]

We need JJ to return. We won’t be able to afford a high level PG, a rim protecting center who’s a solid offensive player and the other options you name here. It’s not gonna happen. We need some roster continuity unless we have Louisville-like NIL (and a better coach).

JJ certainly might return. He's a "hometown" kid, and he's established -- which might make him more inclined to stay instead of bailing. If he'd get unlimited green light, on a team with near full roster turnover next season.

On the other hand, he might want to play in the NCAA tournament at least ONCE in his career. So I wouldn't count out the possibility of him looking to transfer, to get a better shot at achieving that experience.

 

[Cusefan0307]

We need JJ to return. We won’t be able to afford a high level PG, a rim protecting center who’s a solid offensive player and the other options you name here. It’s not gonna happen. We need some roster continuity unless we have Louisville-like NIL (and a better coach).

It’s what I would like to have happen and what I think needs to happen. There’s a big difference in what I think will happen. That said pg and C are a must. If JJ(I think he does) stays he needs to commit to defense and shooting 1000 jump shots a day.

 

[Cusefan0307]

JJ certainly might return. He's a "hometown" kid, and he's established -- which might make him more inclined to stay instead of bailing. If he'd get unlimited green light, on a team with near full roster turnover next season.

On the other hand, he might want to play in the NCAA tournament at least ONCE in his career. So I wouldn't count out the possibility of him looking to transfer, to get a better shot at achieving that experience.

Even if he’s here he should not get the green light. Ideally he’s a 20mpg 6th man who can score a lot of points against the right matchup.

 

[pwong]

I have no idea how people think Coaching is an issue here

Talent/recruiting/Roster building go ahead

Coaching what are we basing that on?

Inconsistent team effort, undisciplined offense / all the turnovers, defense was a real mess early on, our players underperforming consistently vs preseason expectations, no real in game adjustments / weird substitution patterns, getting smoked by every team with a pulse are all coaching related.

 

[Sherman20]

I'd like to see an end to the non-stop rationalization / excuse making from a segment of the fanbase.

And I'd like an objective assessment of how this year unfolded, and what the alarming KenPom / NET data actually suggests about the state of the state.

And unlike last year, I'd like to see results from the portal.

And I'd rather have that $1M that appears to have been earmarked for a center to go instead to a top flight PG.

What I actually expect us for the portal results to be underwhelming, because players with options don't want to play for losing programs. And for the excuse mongering about NIL to continue, when we don't land out top prospects. I also expect there to be a mass exodus of players once the season ends, after the inevitable first round loss in the ACCT. So we'll have lots of holes to fill.

If there’s a mass exodus of players who still have eligibility, then I don’t see the point of retaining Red. (We need some roster continuity with JJ, Freeman, Moore and Peter returning to give us a core to build off.) If there’s a mass exodus, the narrative on Red will be further baked that he’s not up to snuff, and we won’t be able to attract any top players. In that case, then Wildhack should just pull the plug and make a splash hire NOW. There’s no point in continuing if Red has to start from Square one again.

 

[RF2044]

If there’s a mass exodus of players who still have eligibility, then I don’t see the point of retaining Red. (We need some roster continuity with JJ, Freeman, Moore and Peter returning to give us a core to build off.) If there’s a mass exodus, the narrative on Red will be further baked that he’s not up to snuff, and we won’t be able to attract any top players. In that case, then Wildhack should just pull the plug and make a splash hire NOW. There’s no point in continuing if Red has to start from Square one again.

There will be.

Westry / Bell are near locks to leave. I've heard that the Moore camp has also had enough. And I lean towards Freeman also leaving.

TBD with respect to Cuffe / JJ, although neither would surprise me if they elected to bail [I could also see both returning]. Petar is the only one I see returning at near 100%.

Add that on to the five seniors who run out of eligibility [McLeod, Lampkin, Davis, Taylor, Carlos] and we could be looking at 8 - 12 players leaving, with four coming in [at least 1 of which might be a year away].

We're going to have a LOT of work to do in the portal.

 

[FrancoPizza]

A plan

Prefer a miracle. Plans can be shhitty.

 

[Cusefan0307]

There will be.

Westry / Bell are near locks to leave. I've heard that the Moore camp has also had enough. And I lean towards Freeman also leaving.

TBD with respect to Cuffe / JJ, although neither would surprise me if they elected to bail [I could also see both returning]. Petar is the only one I see returning at near 100%.

Add that on to the five seniors who run out of eligibility [McLeod, Lampkin, Davis, Taylor, Carlos] and we could be looking at 8 - 12 players leaving, with four coming in [at least 1 of which might be a year away].

We're going to have a LOT of work to do in the portal.

This is why we are just running out the clock. Everything within the program is toxic right now. I do not see how Red can build a tournament level team next year.

 

[Madbiker]

Unless the available NIL money is doubling I don't expect a huge improvement. Even then we would be counting on this staff to identify the right targets. The guys they wanted last year and missed on were all pretty much no factors for their teams anyway. Hopefully Kline will help in this regard but he's unproven.
Can't see Moore returning with Anthony Jr coming in and playing the same position. No PT available and a HC that didn't trust him to play this year. Going to be a problem with JJ too since he's a really a SG as is Anthony, neither will be happy playing 20 MPG. He's in no way a PG. Retaining Donny will take a chunk of the available NIL since he probably will be targeted by some deep pocketed programs. It just feels like the program is rudderless and unless a new regime with a proven winning HC from the outside comes in to take over (like Pitino did at St. Johns) I don't see how that changes.

 

[Scooch]

But we have a broken Roster. We cant get more than 2-3 plays out of anyone without making a mistake.

The Carlos hate is great. But don't confuse his results with bad play. He is trying to make plays with a body that limits his ability for sure.

We have a roster of mismatched broken toys.

We should definitely get rid of the guy who built that broken roster.

Oh wait.

 

[Scooch]

FWIW, I may be stupid, but I haven’t given up hope yet. I still think that if they completely crush this offseason we could right the ship.

However, I’m not interested in hearing the pablum of the past few offseasons. If our first portal acquisition is some low major guy who’s “an undiscovered gem” I’ll know we’re not serious.

 

[donniesyracuse]

A plan

How about "concepts of a plan?"

 

[hoopsupstate]

I'd like to see an end to the non-stop rationalization / excuse making from a segment of the fanbase.

And I'd like an objective assessment of how this year unfolded, and what the alarming KenPom / NET data actually suggests about the state of the state.

And unlike last year, I'd like to see results from the portal.

And I'd rather have that $1M that appears to have been earmarked for a center to go instead to a top flight PG.

What I actually expect us for the portal results to be underwhelming, because players with options don't want to play for losing programs. And for the excuse mongering about NIL to continue, when we don't land out top prospects. I also expect there to be a mass exodus of players once the season ends, after the inevitable first round loss in the ACCT. So we'll have lots of holes to fill.

If players don’t want to play for losing programs, how did Louisville do so well?

 

[pwong]

If players don’t want to play for losing programs, how did Louisville do so well?

New coach and higher end NIL budget. Easier to sell future success with a new coach (like our earlier recruiting wins).

 

[RF2044]

If players don’t want to play for losing programs, how did Louisville do so well?

Because they have a proven coach.

Their roster additions weren't all that impressive, on paper. And yet he made it work.

That's the difference between their program and ours.

 

[pearl31]

We have a roster of mismatched broken toys.

(as assembled by the Head Coach)

 

[oldpinepoint]

How about "concepts of a plan?"

Also Acceptable

 

[SUbear]

I think general consensus is Red is getting another year. Given that assumption, what needs to happen in the next 60 days to position this team for an NCAA bid next year?

I think Red is gone next year if he doesn’t make the NCAAT, so that means the next 60 days are the most critical to create a competitive roster capable of making the tournament. As it stands right now we basically have a roster barely capable of fielding a team.

Have at it.

I have seen enough Red should be gone sooner than later. If he is here next year, it will only be because they do not want to absorb the contract money.

 

[tptcuse]

Even if he’s here he should not get the green light. Ideally he’s a 20mpg 6th man who can score a lot of points against the right matchup.

I disagree with the 6th man part. If we get some other shooters, he will be an excellent tool. Kind of like most of us all thought Judah should be, a driving guard playing opposite a point guard who can distribute and shoot enough to keep defenses honest.

 

[phil77]

If players don’t want to play for losing programs, how did Louisville do so well?

New coach