Obviously a lot can change in 21, but with our current position and the staff’s usual roster management strategy, I wouldn’t be surprised to see us only take 2 in 2021. Having an extra scholly in 22, we could take a PG like McDaniel or Holloman (I’m assuming Tony wants a PG in 22), that Gradey Dick / Colin Smith type forward, and still have room for a McKneely, or someone similar.
These aren’t predictions of players, more so the type or position. Also full disclosure, this idea is built around having room for McKneely at shooting guard. I feel like we wouldn’t take him and a PG if we only had two slots. Idk, I’m fairly high on McKneely and the competition hasn’t fully picked yet, praise a los hoos
Basically UVA needs 4 things by 2022 with 5 scholarships. The “Brogdon style” guard that can defend 1-3 (Keels, Warley, etc) , a point guard (Brizzi maybe) , a center (Reid), and scoring at the 4 spot (Kaufman) They’d take any or all in '21, or kick them back to '22.
5th spot, for 2022 only, could go to a variety of players. A wing with small ball 4 size (Batchelor, NIckel, etc) a shooter (Taylor, McKneely, Dick), or an Akil MItchell type like Maliq Brown. Remember Badocchi was in that class with Clark and Stattmann too.
Yeah. I mean this is all way down the line stuff that quite honestly even the coaching staff isn’t thinking that deeply about yet. But I think this is probably right. They’d like to get the next PG by '22 and probably will one way or another. Chances are more spots open up by then too. But the other part of it is the expectation that Casey Morsell will be viable at the PG spot later in his career like Brogdon was which wouldn’t make it an absolute need until '23. Which would also make it MUCH easier to recruit. As we know, TB is extremely picky about his floor generals.
I’m pretty high on McKneely too. The Kyle Guy comparison is right on.. I watched several clips of him last night and was impressed. Looked like Kyle coming off them screens and shot lights out. Good passer too
In recruiting, do you know if the staff consider Rodney Rice a combo guard? Apparently he plays pg for his AAU team (and is teammates with Jalen Warley I believe you said)?
They’d be recruiting him as a PG. Yeah him and Warley both play for Team Durant, were on the 16U squad together last summer. I caught a few games on stream because TB was there but can’t really remember who took the lead more. There’s a lot of whoever gets it keeps it in AAU lol
2022 pretty far out to think of positions available. I also think it is clear that we are trying to go to positionless basketball. With reclassifications, easy transfers, and VA getting better players who leave early for NBA, it is a changing world. Get some bigs (hopefully ones that can contribute right away). And fill team with players who can play PG or spot at PG, or players who are G/F players. Thus dealing only with 3 types of high level players. Thus team becomes more interchangeable and not so harmed by the coming and going of players. Much easier to recruit for 3 types of players than 5 types of players. The tall 6-6 or more PG/F players are the dream.
There is not enough minutes for 13 players so if you are full you probably need 2 or 3 sit out transfers/redshirts/development guys not ready to play types. That is why I wonder how minutes are going to be distributed if they sign a bunch of studs in 2021/2022.
You recruit the best players, get the ones you can. Who gets the minutes plays itself out. This is the same on every team. The best players play. And sure there is strategic match ups against each opponent. But as a general matter, taking into account strategic match ups, the best players will get more minutes.
No science here. Best play. And players ready to play professionally will get plenty of minutes at Virginia.
found these highlights of Collin Smith. You only need to watch the first 4 minutes to get the gist.
He’s the one I personally am keying on as wanting for the 22 other scholie. No idea who the staff are considering for their first moves. Also might be an uphill battle as Kansas offered two years ago (2018) I believe and Collin was one of Bill Self’s personal calls on Monday. Also have to imagine whatever school lands his teammate, 5* 2021 Harrison Ingram, will also be a factor (Stanford, Texas Tech, Michigan, etc.).
Hoping the Rick Carlisle connection we had with Ingram is also in play for Collin Smith. Also what connections does Jason Williford have to texas because I feel like he has recruited a lot of prospects out of that state. Or was it more just being assigned to that state?
Maybe that should be a question for the J-Willy show (if it hasnt been answered already): How is recruiting divided nationally and the process behind vetting.
