Next year's team

[K-dog]

I got to thinking last night about next year's basketball team. It is tough not to because although this team is good it is also young. Below I will try and break down what we have for next year. Please feel free to correct any incorrect information.

LOSING
Vuc Ivanovic, Ben Murdock and Sam Burgess are all seniors and won't have eligibility for next year.

Chris Collinsworth and Nick Martineau are both going to be on missions.

GETTING
Jackson Emery will be returning from his mission. He is listed as 6'3" and 175 lbs. From his freshman year I recall that he played with a lot of energy but not a ton of skill. Jackson had quick feet and hands IIRC and could shoot from deep if left open. I don't expect him to contribute next year. He might even redshirt.
Noah Hartsock will be returning from his mission. He was listed at 6'8" and 200 lbs. coming out of high school. I expect Noah to compete for the reserve power forward spot. He was known in school for his post moves coupled with the ability to shoot from range. I suspect he will fill Collinsworth's roll from this year. The only caveat, it is tough to come back from a mission. A lot will depend on when he gets his legs back etc. Luckily, we will only need reserve minutes from him so he won't be too worn out by the end of the season.

ROSTER
Seniors: Lee Cummard, Trent Plaisted and Archie Rose. This will be the strength of the team. Lee and Trent have both played for 3 years in the program and should have a drive to make their senior year special. The only issues with this class: 1) Trent may go pro...he will need a nice tournament showing to go first round but if he hits first round he may go 2) Archie Rose is dead weight...maybe coach can make something out of his athleticism but his body language tells me he is fairly unteachable.

Juniors: Last year this class looked empty with only JT in it. Going into next year it will include Jonathon Tavernari, Chris Miles, Lamont Morgan, and Gavin MacGregor. JT is improving in direct correlation to his shot selection. Miles and MacGregor will be a key for us if TP goes pro. The only issues with this class: 1) I was not impressed with Morgan's speed or offense...if coach can find a spot for this kid's ball handling to fit and I am wrong about his quickness, he could be a contributor against teams with quick, penetrating guards. We could have used that this year and will need it next year. 2) I don't know if Miles will finish his development or if MacGregor will develop. Both have nice frames and play physical ball. At the least they can guard in the post.

Sophomores: Jimmer Fredette and Michael Loyd, Jr. I have grown to love both of these players. Jimmer has really found a roll on this team and could be a starter next year. Michael Loyd has done the same. I expect their development to continue and both to be strengths of next year's team. The only issues with this class: 1) Who will play what? Jimmer was a PG in HS who is now playing shooting guard. Michael was a shooting guard in HS who is now playing PG. Will Rose continue with this experiment? 2) Loyd's shot from range is not there yet. He is the better of the two on D but lacks the ability to force others to guard him. He also needs to get comfortable finishing in the paint with the big boys. He looked like he had that but seems to have lost it. 3) Fredette needs to improve his decision making on D. he gambles a bit too much.

Freshmen: James Anderson and Matt Pinegar are complete unknowns to me. Anderson still looks like he has a tapeworm. Hopefully Anderson develops. He looks like the kind of kid that will fit in nicely at the 5 where we already have the depth to bring him along slowly. If he does contribute next year it will be at the 4 behind JT competing with Hartsock.

It looks like our starting 5 next year will be:
Trent Plaisted
Jonathon Tavernari
Lee Cummard
Jimmer Fredette
Michael Loyd, Jr.

Our next 5 will be:
Chris Miles
Noah Hartsock or James Anderson (tough to call, there is a gap here)
Archie Rose
Matt Pinegar or Jackson Emery (My guess is Pinegar and Emery RS)
Lamont Morgan

Our depth at the wings is suspect. Lee and Jimmer will do well but behind them we have Archie, Pinegar and Emery. None of those inspire confidence. Our depth at the 4 isn't good either but we can go big there. A lot will depend on how will Noah gets his legs back. Even if they come back, JT will see a lot of minutes because of post mission fatigue. I expect Rose will have Jimmer cross train at the PG spot to add depth before we get to Pinegar or Morgan. I don't think we have a depth problem at center even if Trent goes pro.