As I see this team for next year I love the wings: Sage, Koch, Thompson, Harris and Coons. Young and athletic with shooters and slashers. I am concerned at guard: Combs, Howard and McCollum(I know Coons and Sage could play SG) and I am also concerned with lack of real size: Cam and Jirek are ok. If Banks returns that just another undersized PF. I suspect Folgerius chases the dollar and Mattoni should be told this is too big for him. That would leave us with 3-5 more roster spots. We need a PG, another SG with depth in his shot and a BIG! Let’s hope Ben uses this attention we got and goes after it! Anyone know of any portal targets we are looking at? The only one I have seen is a Soph PG out of Central Missouri I think.
Young and talented
- Thread starter carolinahawkeye1
- Start date
Yeah, we have some needs but I am so excited about many of our pieces. Finally saw a Coon's highlight package and just athleticism wise it was more impressive than I could have imagined. Tate and Koch have shown so much already, looking forward to '26/'27 already.
Don't sleep on Jirek I think he will step it up next year
Talent wise we will again be near the bottom of the league. Coaching wise we will again be near the top. That got us to 10-10 in the toughest league in the country but also to the Elite 8. I think way to many people just think replacing your 1st team pt guard is going to be seamless. I do not. A lot to play out over the next month for sure.
Needs to greatly improve strength and agiliity/footwork which I hope happens
Anyone have any clue if Banks is going to get another year? How long will the NCAA take on this, probably until the last f’ing second as they’re so busy… NOT… he better get another year as the dbag Vandy QB got like 12 years of eligibility
We add 6'-8" Thompson and Harris who are talented 4* players. Koch and Sage were playing at a high level by year-end. Manywu, Combs and Howard are above average players. who bring a lot defensively. Add in a true post and top tier point guard, look out. Jirak and Coon are two more very good pieces.
Note: I didn't mention Banks or Alvaro. Alvaro is a true four, not a center. If we could fit him with a top post we would be better.
A lot of pieces to work with.
The 2-4 spots will be above average with this group. Thompson hitting 47% from 3pt land in practice is unreal. Coons will be electric. Harris with another 15lbs will be dang good - Same with Alvaro. We know what we got in Banks, Sage & Koch.
Trevin needs to keep his weight and lower his BMI, and he will be a player. Combs and Howard are solid.
Get a C1 & PG1, and a combo guard, and this team will be pre-season Top Third of the B1G, and Top 15 nationally.
Thompson hasn’t played a game yet. Koch and Sage were both much improved but will be Sophs. Harris has also not played a game yet. Jirak has a long ways to go athletically. Go compare our roster talent wise to the other schools. We are still bottom 1/3 and we lose our best player. And possibly best defender in Banks. Again, we have a top 3-5 coach in the league but we were 10-10. This is not the 1986-87 Roy Marble roster!