Obviously Self knows far better than I but this is similar to what has worked well for us lately and how we can build a FF Caliber team around the 3 returning starters of HD, KJ and Juan, with adjusting their roles and some responsibilities taken off their plates. I'm speculating on players that we might not get but I believe someone with similar skills will likely fill the following roles:
STARTERS:
C) HD 26 mpg - let's him save his legs and KJ serves primary backup C while Flory gets acclimated. More shooters and playing 60% of the time in a 4 out 1 in set makes him very tough to guard in the paint. Should have done that this year if we had the dudes.
F) KJ 26 mpg - as a defense, energy and short role guy, but about 8-10 of his minutes at the 5 spot because he's a match-up problem for other centers in that role, and makes us versatile in the post. He's going to be more effective for the team playing 25 mpg instead of 35 mpg.
SF) McNeely 32 mpg - with probably 20 or so coming at the 4 spot when KJ is out or at the 5. Stretch the defense 36-40% shooter from 3, HUGE for us.
SG) Bruce Thornton 33 mpg - can play either guard spot. Bigger than Remy but offensively similar in that he can take pressure off Juan and allow Juan to play less minutes and focus on what he does best, which is defense and getting others involved. Thornton can get his own shot and is a career 35% 3 pt shooter in two years at Ohio State while creating space for himself. Perhaps the most important role to fill for next season.
PG) Juan 30 mpg - with Thornton being able to help run the offense Juan could play less and not be our only ball handler. Let's Juan get back to doing what he does best and not shoulder more load than he's capable of. 36 mpg is way too much for him but with the right guy next to him we know he's a better player who can lock down other teams best guard.
BENCH: (Hard to speculate right now)
SG) Slachert (we've reached out to him) SG 14-17 mpg - I think would be a good fit to rotate with Bruce and Juan as he's a 42% 3 point shooter and a smart player.
PG) Philon 10-13 mpg - hard to project but at 6'4" he probably has position versatility and seems to have a LOT of things Self likes in his guards including moxie and toughness.
SF) Transfer wing 10-15 mpg - Need another guy to provide wing depth. Hopefully a 3 and D type?
SF) Passmore 6-8 mpg - is raw but has all the athletic tools and looks like he can score, but might take time?
C) Bidunga 7-9 mpg - hard to predict. Super talented, can help defensively, but probably will take some time, and I think we will use HD and KJ at the 5 until he can contribute more. Maybe can be one of those guys who gives us an energy spark with blocks and dunks at the end of season.
MASSIVE speculation on my part but there's at least a reasonable possibility of a similar lineup that would excite me for next year. Im guessing Clemence, Jackson transfer and McDowell redshirts like he was initially going to do this year.
STARTERS:
C) HD 26 mpg - let's him save his legs and KJ serves primary backup C while Flory gets acclimated. More shooters and playing 60% of the time in a 4 out 1 in set makes him very tough to guard in the paint. Should have done that this year if we had the dudes.
F) KJ 26 mpg - as a defense, energy and short role guy, but about 8-10 of his minutes at the 5 spot because he's a match-up problem for other centers in that role, and makes us versatile in the post. He's going to be more effective for the team playing 25 mpg instead of 35 mpg.
SF) McNeely 32 mpg - with probably 20 or so coming at the 4 spot when KJ is out or at the 5. Stretch the defense 36-40% shooter from 3, HUGE for us.
SG) Bruce Thornton 33 mpg - can play either guard spot. Bigger than Remy but offensively similar in that he can take pressure off Juan and allow Juan to play less minutes and focus on what he does best, which is defense and getting others involved. Thornton can get his own shot and is a career 35% 3 pt shooter in two years at Ohio State while creating space for himself. Perhaps the most important role to fill for next season.
PG) Juan 30 mpg - with Thornton being able to help run the offense Juan could play less and not be our only ball handler. Let's Juan get back to doing what he does best and not shoulder more load than he's capable of. 36 mpg is way too much for him but with the right guy next to him we know he's a better player who can lock down other teams best guard.
BENCH: (Hard to speculate right now)
SG) Slachert (we've reached out to him) SG 14-17 mpg - I think would be a good fit to rotate with Bruce and Juan as he's a 42% 3 point shooter and a smart player.
PG) Philon 10-13 mpg - hard to project but at 6'4" he probably has position versatility and seems to have a LOT of things Self likes in his guards including moxie and toughness.
SF) Transfer wing 10-15 mpg - Need another guy to provide wing depth. Hopefully a 3 and D type?
SF) Passmore 6-8 mpg - is raw but has all the athletic tools and looks like he can score, but might take time?
C) Bidunga 7-9 mpg - hard to predict. Super talented, can help defensively, but probably will take some time, and I think we will use HD and KJ at the 5 until he can contribute more. Maybe can be one of those guys who gives us an energy spark with blocks and dunks at the end of season.
MASSIVE speculation on my part but there's at least a reasonable possibility of a similar lineup that would excite me for next year. Im guessing Clemence, Jackson transfer and McDowell redshirts like he was initially going to do this year.
