Man what a fun season. Time flies when youâre having fun. Just yesterday we were listening to radio streams of the Vandy Scrimmage.
Society is still crumbling. Need Paul Tudor Jones to come out on top and keep funding UVA sports though (and all other donors)
We did have a good season with a lot of success stories that will absolutely help us in pitching ourself to portal kids and HS decommits
Multi- year forward: Probably rocking with Carrere and Silas to backup the 4 but I wonder where we look for De Ridderâs replacement. David Punch and Jacob Cofie lead the @Hooandtrue list am excited to see in a few weeks what staffâs actual big board looks like and all the new names. I imagine the staff liked the playmaking DeRidder and Tillis flashed at times.
GrĂźnloh has to get stronger at the 5. No way we find another Ugo, but we can compensate with a solid shot blocker, GrĂźnlohâs growth as a player, and better perimeter defense (both individually and team chemistry wise) to make up for it. Of course we should still sue the NCAA for another year of UGO since he turns 22 in September. I donât think we have the money for Mossamba Diop.
DHD (Dallin Hall Difference) is a low-key trait we will have to replace as the steady hand on court leader.
Too many turnovers. Not enough playmaking at times. But on the flip side Odom says he wants to play fast and attack in transition but recruited a transfer haul that wasnât known for forcing steals and creating those opportunities to push. Mason Falslev being available would be a dream come true in providing a little bit of everything. Zoom Diallo is my personal preference but he doesnât steal the ball enough. I get the suspicion that we are also trying to tamper with Saint Supery from Gonzaga. I wonder who else is on our board here.
Things @Hooandtrue is keeping an eye on:
-Tom Izzo, Kelvin Sampson, and Bill Self retirement talk. both for their young players becoming available and the chain reaction of coaching changes and portal entries that would ensue
-Young cores at places with coaching changes: Providence, Georgia Tech (Mustaf and Mo Sylla), NC State if the Will Wade/LSU smoke picks up (Matthew Able)
Chance Zoom Lewis Cofie GrĂźnloh
Terrence Hill jr/Brett Decker Jr
Gertrude
Tyrone Riley/Brett Decker Jr
Silas/Carrere
Luke Bamgboye
Emphasis on the busts. So so many busts. At least our highest paid guys still contributed. Also makes me skeptical of overpays in the future operating under normal circumstances (not first year coach desperate to make adds moves). Odom and staff did a really good job identifying kids that fit both what he wanted in his first year and fit together.
Do hope with more continuity and better play makers added that we see some more play calling/less iso and better team fundamentals on both sides of the ball (communicating on screens/not as much standing around on offense/ etc. etc. )
A home run offseason would be retaining the core 4, and selling a bonafide wing on the opportunity to be the leading guy (or maybe co-leading with Lewis/TDR). Malik profile but maybe 3-4 inches taller?
The Big Drip has been his teamâs leader in RAPM for both of his seasons, so I think heâs been impactful. My question with him is whether he can be a 4 for Odom? He doesnât quite fit into the mold of skilled shot creator (Taylor Funk, TDR) or 3-and-D forward (Jack Clark) that weâve seen with Odom before.
Lewis is the guy Iâm most afraid of losing. Chance is Chance, Johann is regularly one of the most into it guys on the bench and postgame, but Lewis (as much as I like him) tends to have to worst body language/get the most visibly frustrated. Heâs apparently also really close w Jacari and Ugo, who will both be leaving.
Odom really needs to sell his system. Tell him âMy system let you score consistently at a high level, come back and be the first option and I can get you to the league.â I think thatâs true, too. He certainly has the height and the shot. Wouldnât be shocked to see him test the waters this year, but he wonât get drafted. Another year as option 1 and heâs a first rounder, along with GrĂźnloh after a year in the weight room.
