Which of our guys would we like back next year?

[Hopkins16]

I would like every player who can return to do so. What I saw early on in the season against some good teams, tells me these guys can play but slowly began to lose their way due to bad coaching.

Run it back with a competent coach.

 

[JustPherU]

There seem to be a pretty good number of talented guys on the roster, to the extent we want to run it back next year with a different coach.

If Freeman is potentially back, I wouldn't want to overpay for him. I see him as a purely small forward. His defense is too poor and he's never in rebounding position on offense to get put-backs. I'm not so sure Donnie leaving would be a bad thing, especially if he wants too much money, and even more of the star treatment.

Sadiq White would be a pretty good power forward next year. I like his fire. I see him as a Terrence Roberts type, and I think he makes a pretty good jump next year with more playing time. Sadiq can defend. Sadiq gets inside for offensive rebounds. That's what we need from this spot.

If Kingz gets his extra year, as some have said, I start him at shooting guard next year.

I think George will be better next year. He has gotten better as we've gone along, and as he looks for his shot a bit more.

Anthony is back, but if Kingz gets another year, he is the clear starter. I think Anthony will work hard this summer, and hopefully come back in much better physical condition next year.

I feel bad for Fennell, and think he may be a good player who gets away. I would be happy with him as the backup point guard.

Kyle will be missed, but he should have been a PF for us, to be honest.

JJ will be missed more than some people realize. Did you notice that Wake got their margin in the 2nd half when JJ was out and we had about 3 bad possessions in a row? (Donnie shot clock violation started that stretch.)

I like Soare as our backup center again next year. I see him improving, getting more blocks and rebounds, a few less fouls. If he's our starter, that's a problem. But he is a quality back up on the roster, and worth a roster spot.

I would like to have Betsey back, but I would obviously start Donnie over him at the 3, if he's here.

We have to get a 6-10 240 guy with a low post offense next year. Someone with size to defend the post. We have enough three point threat in the front court. Let's get a horse down low who is athletic enough to defend the rim.

You'd want to add another 3, and another PG. But otherwise, with a better technical, tactical coach, that could still be a very good team. Think of the retained chemistry in this portal day-and-age.

I think you are selling Sadiq short by comparing him to Terrence Roberts, Sadiq has NBA potential and has 10 times the athletic ability as Robert’s.It will be a shame if we can’t keep him.

 

[PoppyHart]

Tabula Rasa.

I don't want anyone back, especially Kiyan and Donnie.

IMO, the appeal to this job right now, for anyone outside the Melo/Hop camp, is the opportunity for a blank slate.

Focus on the the inherent, lasting advantages that the job offers (local fan base, conference affiliation, brand recognition, etc...) and not the fleeting ones that will use 2026-27 as NBA auditions and may bring more baggage than a new coach desires.

No need to muddy the transition with holdovers in this new era of semi-pro sports. If this was 3-5 years ago, sure keep the "glue guys" like White or Kingz. But they are not indispensable and it's easier to do a clean reboot imo.

 

[JaySU22]

Depends on their price points, need to spend wisely

 

[Dcuse]

Ultimately it takes two to tango, but a good coach can make a world of difference.

This is a weird angle that I see you taking in multiple threads. Our current coaching is (to be kind) not adequate. I know part of your schtick is that you've stayed as loyal as possible for as long as possible, but for your own sanity stop placing blame everywhere but where it belongs.

I am not arguing that Autry shouldn’t be let go. The coach is ultimately responsible for the results. But you with your he’s to blame for everything. I actually make players responsible sometimes for things that happen on the court. I know that’s hard for you to comprehend. I mean, have you ever coached or even played basketball? Did you watch this team get beat for every loose ball and damn near every rebound yesterday? Was that really the coach’s fault?

 

[IthacaMatt]

I think you are selling Sadiq short by comparing him to Terrence Roberts, Sadiq has NBA potential and has 10 times the athletic ability as Robert’s.It will be a shame if we can’t keep him.

Terrence Roberts was also a Top 50 recruit and was terrific for us until he had a couple knee injuries.

 

[JustPherU]

Terrence Roberts was also a Top 50 recruit and was terrific for us until he had a couple knee injuries.

Maybe I’m being too harsh on Robert’s but I just don’t remember him ever being terrific even before his knee injury his senior season.Good player but I think Sadiq has serious star potential with the abilities he has shown this year.

 

[CuseFaninVT]

I think you are selling Sadiq short by comparing him to Terrence Roberts, Sadiq has NBA potential and has 10 times the athletic ability as Robert’s.It will be a shame if we can’t keep him.

But he may be dumb enough to slap a backboard and get us an ill timed tech.

 

[CuseFaninVT]

I am not arguing that Autry shouldn’t be let go. The coach is ultimately responsible for the results. But you with your he’s to blame for everything. I actually make players responsible sometimes for things that happen on the court. I know that’s hard for you to comprehend. I mean, have you ever coached or even played basketball? Did you watch this team get beat for every loose ball and damn near every rebound yesterday? Was that really the coach’s fault?

To me, the coach’s main job is to make sure the best players are on the floor at every point in the game. If someone isn’t producing on either end he has to sit him down. That’s where Red has failed consistently.

 

[CuseFaninVT]

Maybe I’m being too harsh on Robert’s but I just don’t remember him ever being terrific even before his knee injury his senior season.Good player but I think Sadiq has serious star potential with the abilities he has shown this year.

His form on his three is better than Roberts ever was.

 

[Owens guy]

Whoever Hodgson wants.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Maybe I’m being too harsh on Robert’s but I just don’t remember him ever being terrific even before his knee injury his senior season.Good player but I think Sadiq has serious star potential with the abilities he has shown this year.

He never became a star, but he and Mookie Watkins gave us terrific interior defense and rebounding.

Roberts would leak out on fast breaks for breakaway dunks, and hit the occasional three.

We won 95 games in his 4 years, which we would have killed for over the last decade.

 

[Eric15]

Maybe I’m being too harsh on Robert’s but I just don’t remember him ever being terrific even before his knee injury his senior season.Good player but I think Sadiq has serious star potential with the abilities he has shown this year.

When I first laid eyes on Roberts at our first exhibition his frosh year, I was like "OMG this dude is the next Derrick Coleman." Same exact size, lefty, seemed tough with an attitude and I remember him hitting a few smooth jumpers. But I never felt like he really developed as a player. He played hard and was extremely emotionally invested in winning, but never improved skill wise between his freshman and senior years. Offensively it was always dunks and putbacks, but never a refined offensive game in the low post like we desperately needed on those mid-2000s teams to take the pressure off GMac.

 

[JustPherU]

He never became a star, but he and Mookie Watkins gave us terrific interior defense and rebounding.

Roberts would leak out on fast breaks for breakaway dunks, and he was a serviceable shooter from three.

We won 95 games in his 4 years, which we would have killed for over the last decade.

Robert’s made exactly 10 threes in 50 attempts over his 4 years, not sure that qualifies as serviceable.

 

[Cuse99&01]

Donnie is the most talented player on the roster. Could benefit from proper coaching and player development. I would definitely want to see him back next year.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Robert’s made exactly 10 threes in 50 attempts over his 4 years, not sure that qualifies as serviceable.

Yes, I just made an edit. He hit them occasionally, not with any consistency.

It would always give Boeheim a heart attack when he tried them, but I remember him hitting a couple important ones.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Donnie is the most talented player on the roster. Could benefit from proper coaching and player development. I would definitely want to see him back next year.

He's such a poodle of a player. He needs to go play some pick up ball this summer in the inner city.

 

[Cuse99&01]

He's such a poodle of a player. He needs to go play some pick up ball this summer in the inner city.

I would almost guarantee whatever coach comes in would want to keep Donnie (assuming it fits with their NIL budget).

 

[Briancuse]

White and kingz if bh wants them.

 

[Cusefan0307]

But he may be dumb enough to slap a backboard and get us an ill timed tech.

One of the worst T’s in program history. I saw it live. Miserable day in Worcester.

 

[EnviroSciGuy]

I am not arguing that Autry shouldn’t be let go. The coach is ultimately responsible for the results. But you with your he’s to blame for everything. I actually make players responsible sometimes for things that happen on the court. I know that’s hard for you to comprehend. I mean, have you ever coached or even played basketball? Did you watch this team get beat for every loose ball and damn near every rebound yesterday? Was that really the coach’s fault?

It's a combination. Autry isn't putting the players in the best position to succeed, but the lack of effort we've seen recently from the players is also completely unacceptable.

 

[PoppyHart]

He never became a star, but he and Mookie Watkins gave us terrific interior defense and rebounding.

Roberts would leak out on fast breaks for breakaway dunks, and hit the occasional three.

We won 95 games in his 4 years, which we would have killed for over the last decade.

How does one "leak out" on a fast break when they are playing along the baseline in the zone setup?

 

[Scott11]

There seem to be a pretty good number of talented guys on the roster, to the extent we want to run it back next year with a different coach.

If Freeman is potentially back, I wouldn't want to overpay for him. I see him as a purely small forward. His defense is too poor and he's never in rebounding position on offense to get put-backs. I'm not so sure Donnie leaving would be a bad thing, especially if he wants too much money, and even more of the star treatment.

Sadiq White would be a pretty good power forward next year. I like his fire. I see him as a Terrence Roberts type, and I think he makes a pretty good jump next year with more playing time. Sadiq can defend. Sadiq gets inside for offensive rebounds. That's what we need from this spot.

If Kingz gets his extra year, as some have said, I start him at shooting guard next year.

I think George will be better next year. He has gotten better as we've gone along, and as he looks for his shot a bit more.

Anthony is back, but if Kingz gets another year, he is the clear starter. I think Anthony will work hard this summer, and hopefully come back in much better physical condition next year.

I feel bad for Fennell, and think he may be a good player who gets away. I would be happy with him as the backup point guard.

Kyle will be missed, but he should have been a PF for us, to be honest.

JJ will be missed more than some people realize. Did you notice that Wake got their margin in the 2nd half when JJ was out and we had about 3 bad possessions in a row? (Donnie shot clock violation started that stretch.)

I like Soare as our backup center again next year. I see him improving, getting more blocks and rebounds, a few less fouls. If he's our starter, that's a problem. But he is a quality back up on the roster, and worth a roster spot.

I would like to have Betsey back, but I would obviously start Donnie over him at the 3, if he's here.

We have to get a 6-10 240 guy with a low post offense next year. Someone with size to defend the post. We have enough three point threat in the front court. Let's get a horse down low who is athletic enough to defend the rim.

You'd want to add another 3, and another PG. But otherwise, with a better technical, tactical coach, that could still be a very good team. Think of the retained chemistry in this portal day-and-age.

Was this entire post and thread just a front/excuse for you to praise JJ? Be honest it’s OK.

 

[hoopsupstate]

Robert’s made exactly 10 threes in 50 attempts over his 4 years, not sure that qualifies as serviceable.

But he hit one at the buzzer to beat Rutgers

 

[sufandu]

Here's a hot take. With proper coaching Donnie could become the player he should be and end up back on the draft boards.

Would he accept the coaching?