Here's my list, with the understanding that some of these roles/skill sets can be filled by one player.
1. Go to scorer. I don't feel like we have anyone on the roster that can get us 15 points consistently. This is the guy at the top of the scouting report for the opposition. It was Cade Tyson last year, but we could literally add an individual scorer at almost any position 1-5 and adjust our targets accordingly. This could be a guy who has scored at another high major, mid major, or low major or a former heavily recruited kid looking for a bigger offensive role that Niko and staff believe in.
2. Size/Athleticism in the frontcourt. It struck me watching the Final Four how many of the rebounds were being collected way above the rim. This was previously lower on my list, so I may be a prisoner of the moment here, but we really could use a 4 or 5 that plays above the rim.
3. Backcourt shooting. Niko's offense creates so many good looks from 3 and last years backcourt of Asuma and Reynolds simply couldn't knock down enough of those looks. If Willis is back, he's another below average shooter that doesn't upgrade us from the Reynolds/Asuma backcourt of last season in regards to knocking down 3's.
4. Ballhandler/playmaker. I think it should be instructive that Niko trusted Langston Reynolds to handle the ball and create offense over Isaac Asuma. Maybe he really liked what he saw from Chansey Willis in preseason practice and sees him in this role next season. If not, I assume Willis is probably gone and we will add a lead guard.
5. Perimeter/Wing defender. This was also Langston last year. He was often on the other teams best perimeter player. I'd argue our two best pure athletes were Langston and Cade and we lose both of them. Depending on who else we add, this could be more of a cheaper option. If we nail other options we could get away with a Sean Sutherlin type here who plays a more situational role.
In general, I'd love to see us really pay 2 guys and then try to get average production out of 3 lower salary guys as opposed to adding 5 guys that are all in that middle tier salary range. Ideally you have the funds to add everything you need, but if not I'd rather definitively fill a couple needs and hope to fill in/overachieve with the guys who don't cost much.
Really interested to read how others view the roster and what roles are at the top of their wishlists. Hopefully this was the last year for a long time we're sitting out the Dance.
1. Go to scorer. I don't feel like we have anyone on the roster that can get us 15 points consistently. This is the guy at the top of the scouting report for the opposition. It was Cade Tyson last year, but we could literally add an individual scorer at almost any position 1-5 and adjust our targets accordingly. This could be a guy who has scored at another high major, mid major, or low major or a former heavily recruited kid looking for a bigger offensive role that Niko and staff believe in.
2. Size/Athleticism in the frontcourt. It struck me watching the Final Four how many of the rebounds were being collected way above the rim. This was previously lower on my list, so I may be a prisoner of the moment here, but we really could use a 4 or 5 that plays above the rim.
3. Backcourt shooting. Niko's offense creates so many good looks from 3 and last years backcourt of Asuma and Reynolds simply couldn't knock down enough of those looks. If Willis is back, he's another below average shooter that doesn't upgrade us from the Reynolds/Asuma backcourt of last season in regards to knocking down 3's.
4. Ballhandler/playmaker. I think it should be instructive that Niko trusted Langston Reynolds to handle the ball and create offense over Isaac Asuma. Maybe he really liked what he saw from Chansey Willis in preseason practice and sees him in this role next season. If not, I assume Willis is probably gone and we will add a lead guard.
5. Perimeter/Wing defender. This was also Langston last year. He was often on the other teams best perimeter player. I'd argue our two best pure athletes were Langston and Cade and we lose both of them. Depending on who else we add, this could be more of a cheaper option. If we nail other options we could get away with a Sean Sutherlin type here who plays a more situational role.
In general, I'd love to see us really pay 2 guys and then try to get average production out of 3 lower salary guys as opposed to adding 5 guys that are all in that middle tier salary range. Ideally you have the funds to add everything you need, but if not I'd rather definitively fill a couple needs and hope to fill in/overachieve with the guys who don't cost much.
Really interested to read how others view the roster and what roles are at the top of their wishlists. Hopefully this was the last year for a long time we're sitting out the Dance.
