Can't Help Thinking About Next Year

[Jockey]

Sam Vecenie (who I consider one of the more tuned in guys) has Justin Lewis at #61 on his latest draft big board.

Justin certainly has some NBA skills, but still needs some improvement. 3-point shot needs to be more consistent and he needs to rebound every game like he did against X (my opinion - not Vecenie's).

[Milkshakes]

Over breakfast this morning I said “The only bad thing about this run is Lewis is leaving to get paid after this year”. Even my dog rolled her eyes and said “just enjoy this dude!”

[Galway Eagle]

Over breakfast this morning I said “The only bad thing about this run is Lewis is leaving to get paid after this year”. Even my dog rolled her eyes and said “just enjoy this dude!”

I think you had the wrong type of mushrooms in your breakfast omelet

[GoldenEagles03]

I think it is pretty certain that this season is going to be one that nearly every fan will be satisfied with (except those few who now think we should be an elite 8 team).  Shaka has given us all a reason to be proud of MU b'ball again and to look forward to future seasons. So, I can't help thinking about next season.

Shaka is going to have some holes to fill - Morsell and Kur will certainly be gone, Greg will most likely be gone, and it is looking more and more likely that Justin will be gone if he keeps up his strong play. That's 3 starters and a very key bench player to replace. Kam Jones can take Greg's role, but replacing the three starters is much harder. Oso is becoming a good player but, in terms of rim protection, he is not Kur. Stevie Mitchell may be able to replace a part of what Morsell brings defensively, but not his offense or his leadership. And, you just don't go out and grab another Justin Lewis off the street. 

Shaka certainly knows what he needs to do but I can't help but wonder if the coaches have a way of tracking players they want to try to grab if the player decides to transfer. Shaka will have two spots open for transfers and one of those has to be a big. I would think the other is a scoring wing. Do you think there is a list somewhere that gets constantly updated?

PG: Kolek, S. Jones
G: Mitchell, Ellis, K. Jones, Ross
F: Joplin, OMax, Itejere, Oso

That leaves 3 spots. 2 if Greg or Justin are back. 1 if both Greg and Justin are back.

A few things:

I think our PG spot next year is as good as you'll find in the country in terms of true PG play offensively. Kolek is elite at setting up teammates and Sean Jones will be more of the same. Defense will be the ? for these 2, but isn't a concern to this point.

The Guards are good. Kam can light it up. Stevie is a menace defensively and driving and cutting. Ross is ELITE athletically. Ellis does a little bit of it all. We all have our own opinions, but I think Darryl is why this team is successful.  He is so good defensively as the leader and his offense is big especially when it matters most. I think Shaka will look to find another veteran guard with skills similar to what Darryl brings.

The Forwards will be fine. OMax and Joplin are both guys that can defend multiple positions and stretch the floor.  Oso is just solid. Shaka will definitely look to add a 4/5 type whether Lewis is back or not to replace the depth Kur provides now.

We are in a good spot but we should enjoy now! Shaka will make it all work out regardless of what happens after March. He's already got a Top 25 team and he's probably not even on a first name basis with some people around the University yet! Let it play out!

[Johnny B]

I agree with Goose. This year will be one of the worst if not the worst team of the Shaka era. Only going up from here.

this is just wild optimism. so if this year is as bad as gets under shaka weve basically reached nova status already.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

this is just wild optimism. so if this year is as bad as gets under shaka weve basically reached nova status already.

Not already, still have to do it

[Galway Eagle]

Not already, still have to do it

I don't think so, pretty sure we can crown ourselves defacto future champions twice over.

[MU82]

this is just wild optimism.

[BCHoopster]

PG: Kolek, S. Jones
G: Mitchell, Ellis, K. Jones, Ross
F: Joplin, OMax, Itejere, Oso

That leaves 3 spots. 2 if Greg or Justin are back. 1 if both Greg and Justin are back.

A few things:

I think our PG spot next year is as good as you'll find in the country in terms of true PG play offensively. Kolek is elite at setting up teammates and Sean Jones will be more of the same. Defense will be the ? for these 2, but isn't a concern to this point.

The Guards are good. Kam can light it up. Stevie is a menace defensively and driving and cutting. Ross is ELITE athletically. Ellis does a little bit of it all. We all have our own opinions, but I think Darryl is why this team is successful.  He is so good defensively as the leader and his offense is big especially when it matters most. I think Shaka will look to find another veteran guard with skills similar to what Darryl brings.

The Forwards will be fine. OMax and Joplin are both guys that can defend multiple positions and stretch the floor.  Oso is just solid. Shaka will definitely look to add a 4/5 type whether Lewis is back or not to replace the depth Kur provides now.

We are in a good spot but we should enjoy now! Shaka will make it all work out regardless of what happens after March. He's already got a Top 25 team and he's probably not even on a first name basis with some people around the University yet! Let it play out!

Greg is a Covid free year, so they can have 14 on the team if they want,  so he has 2 open and 3 if Lewis leaves.  It would nice to have a good player stay for
2 years instead of leaving.  Carton, not sure how much fun he is having.  Garcia going somewhere else for sure did not help him.  Sometimes it is best to stay
where you are.  One more year for Lewis would probably really up his draft status, unless he plays like last game consistently, different story.  First game I was wrong,
he looked like a player that wanted to rebound, lets see what happens tonight!

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Greg is a Covid free year, so they can have 14 on the team if they want,  so he has 2 open and 3 if Lewis leaves.

I thought this was true but was incorrect. That only applies to this year's seniors. Greg counts next season.

[MU82]

I don't think Greg's got too many more years on the team.

3 ... 4 tops!

[Spotcheck Billy]

Greg IS the new Van Wilder

[BrewCity83]

He's on the Decade Plan.

[Galway Eagle]

Greg IS the new Van Wilder

 he's the new Tommy in Tommy Boy as he's at Marquette not Coolidge College.

[Jockey]

I don't think Greg's got too many more years on the team.

3 ... 4 tops!

Couple more years and he'll catch our Irish record holder.

[Goose]

It took me 9.5 years to graduate, and I will give Greg a pass on being here a couple more years.

[Galway Eagle]

It took me 9.5 years to graduate, and I will give Greg a pass on being here a couple more years.

Really wanted to keep those student tickets huh?

[jfp61]

Integrate the 2 freshman Guard recruits and Ellis and Itejere.  Play Kam Jones more. Add one or two transfers (likely in the front court).

We'll be alright.

[Goose]

Galway

A bit of underachiever in the classroom, but enjoyed the rest of the experience quite a bit.

[Galway Eagle]

Galway

A bit of underachiever in the classroom, but enjoyed the rest of the experience quite a bit.

Took me 5 with non stop summer school I can relate. Hell you got the piece of paper and that's what counts!

[TallTitan34]

Greg IS the new Van Wilder

Fun Fact:  Greg played at the Bradley Center

[BrewCity83]

Fun Fact:  Greg played at the Bradley Center

Did he also play at the MECCA Arena?

[Newsdreams]

Couple more years and he'll catch our Irish record holder.

Heard a rumor that the Irish one has eligibility left and will use it if his record is broken.