What will we look like in 2018-2019?

[wmmmfan]

I’m not sure Holloway will be back next season. With his recent academic issue he could be done with college basketball if he doesn’t graduate this May I believe. If I remember the rule correctly in order to get the fifth year doesn’t he have to graduate in May?

[uz2b-len]

No. Any player gets 5 years to complete their 4 years of eligibility as long as they are otherwise eligible. The graduation rule only applies to transferring without sitting out.

[NilesGold]

We should have enough talent and depth at all of the other positions that a motivated Holloway could put us in the top 4 of the conference. There is just no way to know right now how this will play out.

They will have to climb over ten teams to achieve that goal and I totally agree with the last sentence.

Saint Louis, SJU and Duquesne climbed out of the gutter this year with Saint Louis currently sitting at 4th in the league.

Look closer at the top half of the team in the league and you'll notice that the A10 is going to be wide open to start next year. Let's go down the list in A10 standings order.

-URI loses 5 of their top 6 scorers and is going to rely heavily on freshmen, definite step back.
-Bona loses 3 starters, including the two guys who carry that team that they won't be able to replace (Adams, Mobley and Taqqee), definite step back.
-Davidson loses 3 starters, including by far their best player who they have no replacement for (Aldridge, Magarity & Michelsen), likely step back.
-SLU loses less than most, with only Roby & Hines graduating, step forward.
-VCU loses two starters, their PG and Tillman who's irreplaceable, likely step back.
-SJU loses one of their top players (Demery), but assuming Brown and Kimble come back healthy they could take a step forward.
-Richmond doesn't lose any meaningful contributors, step forward.

The two clearly best teams in the league this year are also the ones who are taking the biggest hit with graduations and it leaves the top of the league wide open. My way too early guess is that SLU, Richmond, Davidson, SJU and UMass will make up the top 5 of the league next year, not necessarily in that order.

[Floyd]

The added depth alone, plus talented newcomers, will make this team much better. If the newcomers play with the tenacity and never quit attitude this group does, I see dramatic improvement. Still would like to see an athletic, shot blocker added to the mix

[69MG]

The added depth alone, plus talented newcomers, will make this team much better. If the newcomers play with the tenacity and never quit attitude this group does, I see dramatic improvement. Still would like to see an athletic, shot blocker added to the mix

I agree. That's the one missing element but that can be overcome if the team defense is good.

[Roadtrip]

A feared shot blocker makes a good defense better.

[Slapthefloor93]

Laurent seems like he has the body and athleticism to maybe be that guy. Obviously we know nothing about his motor yet though

[Slapthefloor93]

I’m just hoping we find a way to avoid the ‘16-17 problem of having a whole lot of talented bodies but no cohesiveness/role definition... just a log jam trying to get everybody time. Maybe part of the problem was that nobody separated themselves as emotional leader(s) who could inspire the others to play for the team instead of looking at the stat sheet. Donte had the talent but not the confidence. I think Pip has both and will be (already is) the unquestioned leader, and a strong one at that. Either way, if everyone can play together and be content making their niche contributions, there is no reason we shouldn’t be a double-bye team.

[MJatUM]

^ It is going to help that everyone will have a 'role' in the offense and be held accountable. McCall has already shown he will bench your ass if he thinks you are not putting the team first. Also, the offense isn't high pick and roll and then figure it out from there. If McCall thinks someone is looking at the stat sheet and trying to fill it up for themselves I have complete faith that they will be sat. I also like that the transfers have all had to be mixed in by necessity in practices - even with the "first" team.

Of course there will be some rust, growing pains, whatever. But one thing is for certain, selfish play is no longer unnoticed and/or allowed.

[TheInsider]

When you don't run an organized offense it's easy for a bunch of talent to not work out. Look at our 3pt % this year compared to other years. It's high because guys are taking the right shots. Not just jacking 30 footers 10 seconds into the clock. I agree there will be rust but we will play as a team with max effort and that's all I want.

[Jackson96]

Im not so concerned about the offense next year...it has been better than I expected this year, especially considering Holloway missing a good chunk of the year and the fact that they were playing mostly lineups with three non-shooters on the floor. I think adding a couple of shooters (Heyward and Cobb) along with some size and athleticism at forward with Laurent and Diallo will help. Point guard is still a question mark -- Wood could help there but he will still be a freshman -- but I think we are in pretty good shape at that end.

Defensively is where I am more anxious. I thought the team was decent (and good at times) at that end during the non conference part of the schedule, but it really fell off a cliff in conference play. A lot could probably be attributed to the lack of bodies, but still its been a pretty steep regression. Hopefully this is where having Laurent (and to a lesser extent Diallo) will really help...having some longer guys to play at the 3-4 spots can only help defensively and on the glass. I think having more bodies will also all the staff to do what they want to do defensively...wondering what that will look like.

Then I'm curious to see what happens with the kids they still appear to be targeting in the 2018 class. Could be even more of an injection of puzzle pieces. Will be interesting whatever happens.

[DearOleUMass]

There are some people on the boards here that have had access to practice or directly to the coaches. Would anyone be willing to give some insight into practice or what the coaching staff is thinking for next year? Is there a specific transfer that they think can be a big piece next year and beyond?

The tidbit on Pip and his conversation with Tindall is great to hear. I love when players have confidence. Specifically confidence that is deserved, not ignorant confidence that we have seen before, but confidence that is supported by their play, how the speak, and how they generally carry themselves. I can't wait to watch him play the next two years. Him alone, is worth the price of admission and more.

[eldonabe]

I’m just hoping we find a way to avoid the ‘16-17 problem of having a whole lot of talented bodies but no cohesiveness/role definition... just a log jam trying to get everybody time. Maybe part of the problem was that nobody separated themselves as emotional leader(s) who could inspire the others to play for the team instead of looking at the stat sheet. Donte had the talent but not the confidence. I think Pip has both and will be (already is) the unquestioned leader, and a strong one at that. Either way, if everyone can play together and be content making their niche contributions, there is no reason we shouldn’t be a double-bye team.

Just curious - Why would you be concerned about that? Granted, MM has not had the luxury of too many players to choose from, but he is all about structure and accountability. Even with his limited numbers he sat players to make his point with them. That is the last thing I would be worried about.


Unless I am not remembering clearly, the guy who dropped the players in a Yatzee cup and played the first 5 who popped out isn't here anymore?

[minutefanjsf]

I’m just hoping we find a way to avoid the ‘16-17 problem of having a whole lot of talented bodies but no cohesiveness/role definition... just a log jam trying to get everybody time. Maybe part of the problem was that nobody separated themselves as emotional leader(s) who could inspire the others to play for the team instead of looking at the stat sheet. Donte had the talent but not the confidence. I think Pip has both and will be (already is) the unquestioned leader, and a strong one at that. Either way, if everyone can play together and be content making their niche contributions, there is no reason we shouldn’t be a double-bye team.

Just curious - Why would you be concerned about that? Granted, MM has not had the luxury of too many players to choose from, but he is all about structure and accountability. Even with his limited numbers he sat players to make his point with them. That is the last thing I would be worried about.


Unless I am not remembering clearly, the guy who dropped the players in a Yatzee cup and played the first 5 who popped out isn't here anymore?

I don't think it would be the SAME problem, but getting guys playing time and keeping them bought in to the team concept and sacrificing, especially if the wins don't come, could be a problem. With Pip saying they are shooting for top 25, they need a lot of winning. So, I think winning will cure a lot. Pip might not mind losing 7 minutes per game or so, but Some others who will see their minutes halved or more, may need some help staying the course, even though the atmosphere, tenor and rules have been established this year.

[minutefanjsf]

I’m just hoping we find a way to avoid the ‘16-17 problem of having a whole lot of talented bodies but no cohesiveness/role definition... just a log jam trying to get everybody time. Maybe part of the problem was that nobody separated themselves as emotional leader(s) who could inspire the others to play for the team instead of looking at the stat sheet. Donte had the talent but not the confidence. I think Pip has both and will be (already is) the unquestioned leader, and a strong one at that. Either way, if everyone can play together and be content making their niche contributions, there is no reason we shouldn’t be a double-bye team.

Just curious - Why would you be concerned about that? Granted, MM has not had the luxury of too many players to choose from, but he is all about structure and accountability. Even with his limited numbers he sat players to make his point with them. That is the last thing I would be worried about.


Unless I am not remembering clearly, the guy who dropped the players in a Yatzee cup and played the first 5 who popped out isn't here anymore?

I don't think it would be the SAME problem, but getting guys playing time and keeping them bought in to the team concept and sacrificing, especially if the wins don't come, could be a problem. With Pip saying they are shooting for top 25, they need a lot of winning. So, I think winning will cure a lot. Pip might not mind losing 7 minutes per game or so, but Some others who will see their minutes halved or more, may need some help staying the course, even though the atmosphere, tenor and rules have been established this year.