Alright, my overall thoughts on the roster situation, where we go from here this spring and this summer. Apologies, this is long-winded and potentially hard to follow.
To start off, I think we’re finally in a spot where we can really start to truly speculate on the plans now that it appears Pitino and staff are safe (and will probably be extended for recruiting purposes). It was pointless to delve into recruiting too much throughout the season as so much was going to depend on what happened with the coaching situation. Now that we (seem) to know that, we can really have an intelligent discussion.
A few quick notes to start:
-We currently have AT LEAST 3 open scholarships. I would be shocked if it stays that way. There will be another departure.
-People mention banking a scholarship quite frequently and I strongly disagree, there is zero point to doing that in this day in age with the emergence of grad transfers. You fill your scholarships and they open up again next year. It may not even be a good grad transfer but there is absolutely no point to keeping spots open, they will find a way to have 3-4 spots open for 2020 regardless.
Thoughts on some of our most likely departures (I’d be shocked if anyone outside this list was to leave, barring any coaching changes and a free chance to leave):
-Isaiah: I don’t mind him being back but I also would be surprised if he was, despite his comments. I just think this isn’t really working out for either side. If he’s gone, it’s an open scholarship, some of how to use that scholarship depends on what happens with Amir to be honest. So let’s move on to him…
-Amir: if he’s gone, you have to look the grad transfer route and honestly, I look for best guard available, not necessarily the best SF/3 man available. Not ideal but Carr can play the 2 and Gabe the 3 if there was a stud impact PG wanting in for this scenario. Same goes for if there’s some high impact SG coming in, Carr can be the PG, Gabe could play the SF role in the modern college game. We could play with that lineup for a bunch of scenarios, the main point is I wouldn’t get locked into having to have a true SF/6
6” wing type (though that would obviously be the ideal case if this scenario were to happen). If Coffey is back, it actually may not be the worst year to look into the sit out transfers for wings (if they are a certain level of player) but that’s a story for another day.
-Hurt: It’s just another spot open. I’m skeptical that he actually does move on as I don’t see the attraction for him to go walk-on and sit on the bench with his brother, even if he isn’t going to play much here. Wouldn’t mind him coming back, though not expecting any production either.
-Curry: I know this is a bit panicky, the sky is falling type mindset but personal opinion, no inside info: I’d watch Curry closely this offseason too, I think the staff should have a plan in place in case he decides to hang it up due to injuries. If he’s gone, it becomes another spot open and you go best player available.
From there, I think most would agree, we absolutely need an immediate impact grad transfer big (specifically a 4 man, though if there’s some super talented 5 that wants in, you don’t say no and you make it work). As far as the type of 4 man we’re looking for, some want another Murph/Mbakwe bruiser type, some want more of a pick and pop Joey King type. For me, either or is probably fine and you don’t get too picky. There’s pros and cons to each, to me you don’t overly complicate things, you just take the best one you can get and make it work.
The mention of Sims or Nikko transferring home is interesting and I wouldn’t be opposed to either as they’d fill a depth piece need. Sims I think is better (though I think many on here think he’s better than he actually is, I wouldn’t bank on him being anything more than a big off the bench) but the only way I take him is if I am 100% sure he can be immediately eligible, he serves us no purpose from not only a production standpoing but a roster management one as well if he has to sit out. I’m not a huge Nikko fan but we know he’d be immediately eligible, he knows what his role is, and he’s a 1 year depth piece that is for sure going to be able to play and that scholarship is open again next year.
As far as HS recruiting goes, Sherfield and Crowley are the only names that interest me at this point (moreso the first than the latter only cause Tre Williams and Crowley tend to fill the same need in my book despite having a bit different skillsets). We’ll see what happens in the coaching carousel as well and if there are other kids looking to get out of LOIs. I’m not overly thrilled with the idea of either of the European prospects we seem to be linked to or Battle as they all are projects, though in different ways, and just my personal philosophy on avoiding long-term project HS adds in the spring. You could talk me into one of them though if we have more than 3 spots open and with some other things in the roster shaping out the right way.
Long story short for those who are in the too long, didn't read camp:
-At least 3 spots open, but I’d expect having 4 if not 5 spots.
-Need an immediate and high impact grad transfer big.
-Frontcourt has some serious questions that need to be addressed. I’m 100% in the camp that guards win you games in college basketball but we can’t enter next year without some answers and a big talent influx
-A Coffey departure creates some intrigue in the grad transfer guard/wing search, any other departure from the names listed before and it tends to fall into just going the BPA route.
-Please don’t reach at marginal HS prospects.
-Having this many spots open is both a great opportunity and also terrifying.
