extra year of eligibility for seniors

[mubear]

In December, Ben Steele wrote: "MU could lose Jamal Cain, Koby McEwen and Theo John after next season, though the NCAA is giving winter sports an extra season of eligibility. "

Has there been any word of who might want to return for another year or who the coaching staff might want to return or who might enter the transfer portal?

As noted many times, we will be woefully thin at center when/if Theo departs.  Garcia and Lewis seem to be best suited as forwards, Oso seems to have potential but is unproven at best and the only legitimate center we will has is a freshman coming into the program.  Not the prettiest picture.

The trio of Cain, Garcia and Lewis should be a force at forward next year if Cain continues to build on recent strong performances, Garcia matures physically and Lewis learns to channel his urge to shoot into high-percentage shots for him.

I would be less concerned if McEwen opts not to return with a couple of guards coming in next year.  We lose his grit and physicality but also his occasional lapses in ball handling and judgement.  Perhaps one of the freshmen can become the backup to Carton as Torrence has struggled in that role.  McEwen has not been the answer in that role.

[The Sultan]

In December, Ben Steele wrote: "MU could lose Jamal Cain, Koby McEwen and Theo John after next season, though the NCAA is giving winter sports an extra season of eligibility. "

Has there been any word of who might want to return for another year or who the coaching staff might want to return or who might enter the transfer portal?

As noted many times, we will be woefully thin at center when/if Theo departs.  Garcia and Lewis seem to be best suited as forwards, Oso seems to have potential but is unproven at best and the only legitimate center we will has is a freshman coming into the program.  Not the prettiest picture.

The trio of Cain, Garcia and Lewis should be a force at forward next year if Cain continues to build on recent strong performances, Garcia matures physically and Lewis learns to channel his urge to shoot into high-percentage shots for him.

I would be less concerned if McEwen opts not to return with a couple of guards coming in next year.  We lose his grit and physicality but also his occasional lapses in ball handling and judgement.  Perhaps one of the freshmen can become the backup to Carton as Torrence has struggled in that role.  McEwen has not been the answer in that role.

I don't believe there has been any announcement of any players who would otherwise be returning.  Theo would be nice because yeah they are thin at the post, but Garcia definitely can play in that role and does so when Theo is off of the floor.  But we also have James Aidoo coming in next year as a freshman.

Cain would be a nice return too, and this would allow him to finish up with his friend Elliott.  And I am not sure if we have a player like him in the wings.  Osa maybe but he seems lost, and Perez...I don't even know what to think about that situation.

Koby is nice but yeah we have a lot coming in at the guard level.  Both parties might just be ready to move on at that point.

[GooooMarquette]

At the beginning of the season, I thought the most important senior to return would be Theo. Now I am beginning to think it might be Jamal.

We could probably use both, but as Fluff noted, Jamal's skillset is unique on our roster. I also think he has a higher upside.

Anyway, I'm betting we won't know for sure until after the season. Same time we usually learn about transfers, guys going pro, etc.

[Billy Hoyle]

At the beginning of the season, I thought the most important senior to return would be Theo. Now I am beginning to think it might be Jamal.

We could probably use both, but as Fluff noted, Jamal's skillset is unique on our roster. I also think he has a higher upside.

Anyway, I'm betting we won't know for sure until after the season. Same time we usually learn about transfers, guys going pro, etc.

the transfer market is going to be insane this year. But, the important factor is those expiring eligibility seniors who return to their original institution do not count against team limits, but those who have an additional year and do transfer (e.g. if Cain were to transfer) would count against their new team's limits.

[Markusquette]

the transfer market is going to be insane this year. But, the important factor is those expiring eligibility seniors who return to their original institution do not count against team limits, but those who have an additional year and do transfer (e.g. if Cain were to transfer) would count against their new team's limits.

Any of the three I'd welcome back, honestly. After Cain's recent performance and our lack of wing depth and athleticism at that position, I would hope he considers returning. Garcia can rebound but by no means is he a physical big. I hope Theo returns too. Jonas Aidoo won't likely be ready to make a huge contribution, and he's also very slim. Seems like more of another versatile big that plays all over the court.

Will be interesting to see what happens. I don't think Perez is going to do anything at MU. If he was any good I just feel like he would have sniffed the court more this year. Akanno seems to be another mystery.

[Shooter McGavin]

Any of the three I'd welcome back, honestly. After Cain's recent performance and our lack of wing depth and athleticism at that position, I would hope he considers returning. Garcia can rebound but by no means is he a physical big. I hope Theo returns too. Jonas Aidoo won't likely be ready to make a huge contribution, and he's also very slim. Seems like more of another versatile big that plays all over the court.

Will be interesting to see what happens. I don't think Perez is going to do anything at MU. If he was any good I just feel like he would have sniffed the court more this year. Akanno seems to be another mystery.

Has anyone in the media asked Wojo directly why Perez is getting zero playing time?  He seems happy and engaged on the bench.  I think there may be more to the story than him being a wasted scholarship.

[mug644]

Has anyone in the media asked Wojo directly why Garcia is getting zero playing time?  He seems happy and engaged on the bench.  I think there may be more to the story than him being a wasted scholarship.

You mean Perez, right? It may be nothing more than the fact that we wasn't expected to be eligible this year, and so plans for the season didn't include him. He is eligible and played a bit, but hasn't really been worthy for more time, especially as Wojo has shortened the bench.

[CountryRoads]

I predict all 3 seniors move on. I think the college season takes a huge toll on the guys and they will be ready to start playing professionally. I think only a small percentage of players will become super seniors next year, but it will be interesting to see.

[Shooter McGavin]

Sorry, yes

[Jockey]

Has anyone in the media asked Wojo directly why Garcia is getting zero playing time?  He seems happy and engaged on the bench.  I think there may be more to the story than him being a wasted scholarship.

I'm guessing you mean Perez. I was gonna make a snarky comment about their names all sound the same, but it's an honest mistake and you are a good poster. And some people here can't take a joke.

I thought Perez looked slow and didn't play very well when he had a chance in the bunny games. Probably using this as like a redshirt year since everyone gets a free year. He did look to have some skills, though, and could be a good bench contributor the next couple years.

[bilsu]

I thought Wojo said that they will not discuss this with the seniors until after this season is finished.

[Jockey]

I thought Wojo said that they will not discuss this with the seniors until after this season is finished.

Yup. They have plenty of time. I know most eligible guys on UW football haven't decided yet even though the season is over. And guys like McEwen Theo, and Cain might want to look at possibilities overseas or G League.

[panda]

He didn't look like he'd be able to contribute this season in the limited action we saw of him but still strange he's not dressing in case of emergency.

Couple that with him leaving Gardner Webb halfway through the year last season with no explanation and it's a bit of a strange situation.

[BallBoy]

Any of the three I'd welcome back, honestly. After Cain's recent performance and our lack of wing depth and athleticism at that position, I would hope he considers returning. Garcia can rebound but by no means is he a physical big. I hope Theo returns too. Jonas Aidoo won't likely be ready to make a huge contribution, and he's also very slim. Seems like more of another versatile big that plays all over the court.

Will be interesting to see what happens. I don't think Perez is going to do anything at MU. If he was any good I just feel like he would have sniffed the court more this year. Akanno seems to be another mystery.

Perez was going to sit this year out to work on his game and had stated as much. It wasn't until they were calling this a free year that he applied. I think he got some run in the non-conference but that is the extent and will only be called up based on injury or deep foul trouble.

Akanno was built up to unreasonable levels based on an off-season two play video.  He was also set back based on illness.  I see him as a Sacar type.

I think this transfer market is going to be massive because coaches will have to make tough decisions like keep the senior and give him minutes or let the nature progression occur. Either way there is going to be a number of players wanting to move. I don't know what it is going to be like for incoming freshman either who could now be behind two players instead of one.

[PGsHeroes32]

I'd be ok with all 3 coming back and basically rolling with the same team next year(though that would probably not sit well with some players and lead to change).

Koby is the easiest to move on from just because assuming DJ is still here we will still have good guard depth. Got recruits coming in. Greg can definitely step up as a senior. Dex may develop.

Jamal is the one I think would be the most beneficial to return. Good shooter. Establsihed role guy. Excellent rebounder at his position and no clear cut player hes truly blocking next year.

And if its something that matter to him and Greg, would be really cool to see them ultimately go out together.

[Markusquette]

I guess I shouldn't be so quick to judge, seeing as a couple of successful MU players sat out as a redshirt or transfer recently. It's just the fact that Perez has two years of college experience. If he is good enough to make an impact and earn minutes, I think he would be playing regardless of whether he was in Wojo's game plan to start the year. As fans we didn't really get much of a sample to judge but I'm just reading between the lines. Hope he can be a contributor next year.

[Billy Hoyle]

Yup. They have plenty of time. I know most eligible guys on UW football haven't decided yet even though the season is over. And guys like McEwen Theo, and Cain might want to look at possibilities overseas or G League.

depending on where we are with COVID there may be fewer overseas opportunities for 2021-22 season and kids may decide to return for an additional year of college ball. If MU's three seniors were to return that would be a roster of 16 scholarship guys. Younger players are likely going to transfer in that case, especially since MBB will have immediate eligibility for transfers moving forward.

[Jockey]

depending on where we are with COVID there may be fewer overseas opportunities for 2021-22 season and kids may decide to return for an additional year of college ball. If MU's three seniors were to return that would be a roster of 16 scholarship guys. Younger players are likely going to transfer in that case, especially since MBB will have immediate eligibility for transfers moving forward.

Good points.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I would put the over/under on any of our three seniors returning at .5. I think it's a lot more likely that 0 come back than multiple come back. I think that will be true at most high majors. I think the ones who will benefit the most are low and mid-majors whose players aren't considering professional basketball as a career.

Perez I think could be good enough to be in the back end of the rotation but we are stacked at his position and he came into this year expecting to sit. Redshirts are valuable, frees up minutes for other players. If Jose already had the mentality of sitting this season, I could see the staff choosing to "redshirt" him even though he's been cleared to play. I assume this would have been discussed with Jose when they applied for his waiver.

[wadesworld]

I can't wait to see the Badgers entire starting lineup be in their mid 20s.

[Spaniel with a Short Tail]

For every super senior we'll likely lose at least one underclassman or recruit. And figure that Wojo will be out fishing for other team's underclassmen who transfer because their super seniors stay. And if he gets any, that may also prompt some of our underclassmen to leave. This will be going on at every school out there. This promises to be the most interesting offseason ever!

It will be amusing if Bucky's seniors all stay since that will result in a starting lineup that averages about 24 years old!

[TSmith34, Inc.]

Koby is already a 5th year senior, hard to imagine he wants to stick around another year in college.

Purely a guess, but I think Theo moves on as well.

Jamal I'd say is 50/50, only because Greg might still be here.

[mileskishnish72]

If Jamal improves as much next year as he has this year, I hope the over is the bet.

[JWags85]

I can't wait to see the Badgers entire starting lineup be in their mid 20s.

The Badgers starting lineup is older on average than at least one NBA team (I believe the Knicks)

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

There should be a lot of good teams in general next year if players stick around for a 5th year.  All those experienced players whether they stay with their current team or transfer.