VolitileGopher
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Note: if Robbins and Gabe stay healthy, they are a 4-5 seed. Seriously. Look at the schedule, fricking brutal until the injuries set in. Thx to covid, we get no @nebraska early to build confidence (note hoiberg had them playing by March). Anyway. Pitino is gone. I don’t see how they finish better than 2-14 in conferenceFirst of, Let's establish some starting points.
Let's say Ben Johnson retains Conroy and does a good job of recruiting the players currently on the team. So he has the following to work with:
Kalesheur
Robbins
Ihnen
Williams
Mitchell
Freeman
Pulls rabbit out of his hat and keeps Mashburn.
Then he nabs KyKy and CJ from the portal along with Jamison Battle.
He dumps Pohto but keeps Thompson.
NCAA grants 1 time waiver in euphoria over ticket revenue from pandemic leniency effect. Now you have the following:
PG: Mashburn and Kyky battle for the starting spot and minutes.
SG: Kalesheur starts but 4* CJ and his 6'6" frame is waiting in the wings for the leftovers.
SF: Williams and Battle battle for the starting spot and minutes making each better.
PF: Ihnen assumes the throne and is backed up by the untapped Mitchell and Thompson.
C: Robbins and the five fouls and dunks offered by Sam Freeman.
Insert an offense (any offense with movement and passing) and get these guys to commit to team defense.
Is this really a last place team?
You have a two time National Player of the week and three returning starters being coached by a guy who is replacing a coach who employed a stagnant offense and a horrible defensive strategy and you don't think they will be better than last place?
I suppose you think he will allow them to chuck 25 3s per game too.
I don't see it. If he keeps these guys and gets some more. Changes the CULTURE of the program.
No way they are bottom material. They won't win the conference, but if he can change the CULTURE ala PJ, they sure as hell won't be last.
I gotta think that is what Coyle saw in him to make this hire. A guy with a plan.