Pike isn’t an idiot and learned a hard lesson you need to bring in experience and talent via the portal. Just getting complimentary players and relying on freshmen to be the core no matter how good was in reality doomed from the get go. Starting 5 with an avg age of 18.5 vs teams with an average age of 22-23 is doomed.
Now if he thinks he will develop a core over multiple years we are doomed.
Starts with bringing Lathan and Grant and Dorsch back. Then bring the freshman along and hope Mark and Nwuil can be impactful as freshman.
Must then bring in 2-3 guards and wings that are 2 way players that can dribble drive , shoot , rebound and score and play defense without letting a man go right by them.
Then go get a rim protector even if not a huge offensive skill set. If he only catches lobs that is fine but he better block shots and hit the offense and defensive glass hard. He alters shots as much as blocks shots and having him there makes the opposing guard not think they can just waltz in for a layup.
Williard did it at Maryland getting 3 two way guards / wings all from lower level schools like Belmont , South Florida and forgot the third school but not a big one.
Williard stepped in **** and Pike has to step in ****.
