What will we look like in 2018-2019?

[NilesGold]

My overview for the coming season is that if everyone returns, we'll have an average amount of talent for the a10. We'll have one guy whose a top ten player in the conference (obviously, Pip) and one guy who is looking like he'll be better than average (Pierre). Cobb and Laurent may be better than average but that remains to be seen. Beyond that is nothing but average and below. Holloway and Baldwin haven't lived up to their potential and I can't call their contribution any better than average. Hines is average. Clergeot and Hayward haven't demonstrate that they would be any better than average, if that. From my exalted status i declare that McClean and KTM are below average for the conference, and the freshmen are, well, freshmen. So I think a decent coach could get them to 9-9 in the conference. I'm very curious to see if McCall can do better.

I think you might be confusing average player for average starter, but I still think you're wrong about the talent level. Some of the below is conjecture on my part, but there are a lot of unknowns across the league... a lot of opposing starters next year, came off the bench this year, or weren't even playing.

Pipkins is a top 5 player in the A10
Pierre, Cobb, Laurent, and Holloway are above average A10 STARTERS
Hines & Clergeot are probably average A10 STARTERS
Baldwin, Hayward, and Wood are probably average A10 players (not starters)

Assuming everyone comes back, those guys would take up most of the minutes. In the A10, above average talent level with an above average coach.

[Floyd]

My overview for the coming season is that if everyone returns, we'll have an average amount of talent for the a10. We'll have one guy whose a top ten player in the conference (obviously, Pip) and one guy who is looking like he'll be better than average (Pierre). Cobb and Laurent may be better than average but that remains to be seen. Beyond that is nothing but average and below. Holloway and Baldwin haven't lived up to their potential and I can't call their contribution any better than average. Hines is average. Clergeot and Hayward haven't demonstrate that they would be any better than average, if that. From my exalted status i declare that McClean and KTM are below average for the conference, and the freshmen are, well, freshmen. So I think a decent coach could get them to 9-9 in the conference. I'm very curious to see if McCall can do better.

Len, selling guys a little short, plus look what McCall got out of a shortened roster this season. Need someone to really step up in that 4 spot who can really help on the boards and score inside and out, and I'm hoping it's Laurent

[rayers]

I don’t think the individual talent on a team ever is the key to winning. The keys are the three E’s.
Exceptance of roles, Execution and Effort. I believe that is where Coach is trying to go.

[baseline47]

^ I think we'll be about average in the conference, which is better than we were last season. I'll really be surprised if we challenge for the conference title (i.e., be a top 4 team in the A10). It takes time to rebuild a program. Pip and Carl Pierre seem to be solid players. Everyone else is a question mark. Will Turner-Morris and/or Unique improve over the summer? Hines will give us some size, but who else? Baldwin? He's coming off surgery. Will Holloway be back and if so, will he be in basketball shape? I've never seen any of the transfers play. How will they adjust to their new teammates and the A10? I am aware that there is currently a discussion about our best starting lineup! And, a prediction of pts. per game by player. A little early for that.

I'm waiting to see if McCall can land another recruit.

[NilesGold]

I don’t think the individual talent on a team ever is the key to winning. The keys are the three E’s.
Exceptance of roles, Execution and Effort. I believe that is where Coach is trying to go.

Exceptance? Isn't that supposed to start with an A? Is that like the three Rs?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_three_Rs

[NilesGold]

^ I think we'll be about average in the conference, which is better than we were last season. I'll really be surprised if we challenge for the conference title (i.e., be a top 4 team in the A10). It takes time to rebuild a program. Pip and Carl Pierre seem to be solid players. Everyone else is a question mark. Will Turner-Morris and/or Unique improve over the summer? Hines will give us some size, but who else? Baldwin? He's coming off surgery. Will Holloway be back and if so, will he be in basketball shape? I've never seen any of the transfers play. How will they adjust to their new teammates and the A10?

There are zero teams in the A10 without major question marks heading into next season. There are no teams like Bona and URI this year, where the majority of their key players were returning from the prior season.

[Floyd]

Maybe we can change that first one to Embracing your role

[69MG]

Beyond that is nothing but average and below. Holloway and Baldwin haven't lived up to their potential and I can't call their contribution any better than average.

Len, I agree that these two have not lived up to their potential but the ceiling on Holloway is very high if he were to fully buy in (weight, grades, work ethic, etc.). His numbers per 40 minutes are off the charts compared to everyone but LP. The problem is staying on the court for all of the reasons we know. He frustrates me to the nth degree because of how much he could elevate the program if he maxed out.

[iwearglovesndhat]

My overview for the coming season is that if everyone returns, we'll have an average amount of talent for the a10. We'll have one guy whose a top ten player in the conference (obviously, Pip) and one guy who is looking like he'll be better than average (Pierre). Cobb and Laurent may be better than average but that remains to be seen. Beyond that is nothing but average and below. Holloway and Baldwin haven't lived up to their potential and I can't call their contribution any better than average. Hines is average. Clergeot and Hayward haven't demonstrate that they would be any better than average, if that. From my exalted status i declare that McClean and KTM are below average for the conference, and the freshmen are, well, freshmen. So I think a decent coach could get them to 9-9 in the conference. I'm very curious to see if McCall can do better.

I think you might be confusing average player for average starter, but I still think you're wrong about the talent level. Some of the below is conjecture on my part, but there are a lot of unknowns across the league... a lot of opposing starters next year, came off the bench this year, or weren't even playing.

Pipkins is a top 5 player in the A10
Pierre, Cobb, Laurent, and Holloway are above average A10 STARTERS
Hines & Clergeot are probably average A10 STARTERS
Baldwin, Hayward, and Wood are probably average A10 players (not starters)

Assuming everyone comes back, those guys would take up most of the minutes. In the A10, above average talent level with an above average coach.

I think I have seen offseason on here a few times say cobb isn't going to start. I am inclined to agree with him, he seems to be very knowledgeable about this. Tre wood, imo will be better than average as a freshman. He's a real gamer

[uz2b-len]

I just watched some of Tre's youtube. He looks ready.

[Juice Stand]

I don’t think the individual talent on a team ever is the key to winning. The keys are the three E’s.
Exceptance of roles, Execution and Effort. I believe that is where Coach is trying to go.

Exceptance? Isn't that supposed to start with an A? Is that like the three Rs?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_three_Rs

Niles, you're mistaken. You're thinking about the three Rs of baseball. And of course, hot ice. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gF8rlghyxJU

[natwam2547]

Re: Holloway's ceiling. It's lowering. Yes, if he puts it all together he can be a monster. But in 3 years he hasn't shown he can do that. Obviously I'm still pulling for him, but if McCall wants a guy who can help the program for 4 years instead of one guy who can maybe help the team for 1, wouldn't he rather look towards the future? I'm really starting to doubt whether or not he'll be on the team next year or not.

And as far as new players, the one I'm looking forward to the most is Laurent. I feel like he fills a void immediately.

[InnervisionsUMASS]

Re: Holloway... I think if McCall really wanted to push him out or there was a problem, I don't think Holloway would have been with the team during his academic suspension. McCall could have told him he was done at that point, or strongly suggested so by not allowing him on the bench during home games and that sorta of thing.

Instead, I think McCall wants Holloway as part of this team next year and is doing everything he can to keep him engaged with the team and engaged in the academic services to ensure he is able to play next year. I think McCall realizes what a beast he has in Holloway and knows how to properly utilize him.

But, we all know anything can happen. So while doing the above, McCall is also continuing to recruit in case something goes awry.

[rayers]

OOPS. My bad. Yes should be "Embrace". THanks Floyd.

[Bubba]

There are no teams like Bona and URI this year, where the majority of their key players were returning from the prior season.

Well to be fair the majority of our key players are returning. What did we have 0.75 scholarship players on the floor by the last game?