Where do we go from here?

[hammb]

So my hats off to the team. By far and away the best season BG basketball has had in the last 15 years. It was a fun rollercoaster ride from the time MAC season started up until the final few minutes last night. We had our ups and downs, but they showed that when engaged they were probably the 2nd best team in the MAC, and could play with anybody in the conference.

So is this the start of building something great, or is it a lightning in a bottle type season with a perfect mix of seniors and young talent? Honestly, it could go in either direction, but there is plenty to be excited about going into next year. The losses will hurt. Wiggins, no matter how much I may complain about him, was a legit MAC big man. Averaging a double double is no small feat. Moreover, I'm not convinced we have his replacement on our current roster. Hard to pencil in Mattos or Gadsen in for next season when neither was a part of the rotation this year. Uju and Lillard were key rotational pieces; we should be able to replace their production, but there is something to be said for bringing in that sort of experience off the bench. We may find players just as capable of producing to bring in off the bench, but they won't have played in nearly as many games as Uju & Lillard have.

That being said, look at what we're returning and it's tough not to be excited. The big one, obviously, is Justin Turner. He should enter next season as a near unanimous preseason choice for MAC POY. He's the only guy on the first or second team all MAC teams that is returning. He'll be the conference's leading returning scorer as well.

Dylan Frye will be a Senior and we've seen for several years that when he gets hot he can fill it up. If we could play him without the ball more often I think his shooting percentage would go up, and his shot selection issues might be mitigated some. I've never been a fan of a primary ball handler who's primary role is scoring, such a fine line between trying to get your points and trying to get your teammates involved. That being said he did a good job as this season went along of acquiescing to Turner being the primary scorer and taking the most shots.

Plowden & Fields are two guys who I think have more game than they've really been able to show at this point. On this team they were role players. Plowden actually scored at a more efficient clip than Frye this year, and while Fields wasn't a very efficient scorer he did some real nice things and had some big games from time to time. Both of them showed that they could be very good defensive players. Fields really made Massinburg and Persons work for their points in this tourney run. Plowden has gotten into some bad habits defensively, IMO, but those blocks are highlight reel plays, and they've been coming with regularity this season. Both as underclassmen, I expect them to start taking some big steps forward next year.

Laster is a guy who I've really loved seeing come in off the bench. Honestly, I'd like to see him get more minutes, but I'm not sure where they come from. Turner is our best player, he's not leaving the floor. Frye can be such a huge spark when he's shooting, and Fields is so valuable on defense. But Laster is the only true PG of the bunch. Second only to Turner in assists on the team, and in 400 less minutes on the year. Laster's Assists per 40 minute numbers ranked him 4th in the league this year, and his 1.6 A:TO ratio is respectable, if not great.

We're going to need Sierra to improve and, at the least, take up Uju's production. We're going to need SOMEBODY to come in and give us some semblance of Center play (to me this spot is BEGGING for a grad transfer that can contribute right away). And, from a coaching standpoint, I'd really like us to do something on offense. We've got a lot of talented players returning, but they're not talented enough for the answer in big game situations to always be isolation ball with Turner or Frye. I really think if we can find a Center and get some production from the incoming recruits we could be one of the teams favored to make it this far again next year. Yeah, we're losing some production, but we're not losing nearly as much as UT (lose 3 of their top 5 scorers) or Buffalo (losing 4 of their top 5 scorers).

[mbenecke]

Buffalo loses 8 seniors - Massinburg, McRae, Harris, Perkins, and Caruthers, among others. They also may lose Nate Oats to a P5 job this summer.
Toledo loses 3 seniors - Sanford, Darrington, and Navigato.

We return 7 of our top 10 rotation guys. This team has the potential to be really, really good next year. We'll see how they deal with the expectations, and it might depend on the schedule, but I'm expecting BG to be a top 4 team in the MAC and be competing for a championship in Cleveland a year from now, with 4 starters all coming back and potentially having a MAC POY in Justin Turner.

[BGSU33]

We return 7 of our top 10 rotation guys. This team has the potential to be really, really good next year. We'll see how they deal with the expectations, and it might depend on the schedule, but I'm expecting BG to be a top 4 team in the MAC and be competing for a championship in Cleveland a year from now, with 4 starters all coming back and potentially having a MAC POY in Justin Turner.

A key word is missing from this, the word “SHOULD.” BG “should” return 7 of 10 and BG “should” return four starters. With the number of transfers at an all-time high and the way guys bolt teams nowadays for various reasons I’m hoping, but not counting, on everyone to return. Let me be clear by saying that, I really want and hope they all do return.

[BleedOrange]

We have 2 newcomers who will be instant rotation guys and potential starters:
1. Chandler Turner, 6-7, #3 in MI Mr. Basketball voting.
2. Devin Ziegler, 6-2 combo guard who has all the D1 guard tools plus next-level athleticism.

We will not replace Wiggins and don't necessarily need to. We may bring in a JC post player who can be an enforcer on the boards.

[mbenecke]

We return 7 of our top 10 rotation guys. This team has the potential to be really, really good next year. We'll see how they deal with the expectations, and it might depend on the schedule, but I'm expecting BG to be a top 4 team in the MAC and be competing for a championship in Cleveland a year from now, with 4 starters all coming back and potentially having a MAC POY in Justin Turner.

A key word is missing from this, the word “SHOULD.” BG “should” return 7 of 10 and BG “should” return four starters. With the number of transfers at an all-time high and the way guys bolt teams nowadays for various reasons I’m hoping, but not counting, on everyone to return. Let me be clear by saying that, I really want and hope they all do return.

Right, of course. You can never be positive in this day and age. "Should" is absolutely the right sentiment here.

[hammb]

We return 7 of our top 10 rotation guys. This team has the potential to be really, really good next year. We'll see how they deal with the expectations, and it might depend on the schedule, but I'm expecting BG to be a top 4 team in the MAC and be competing for a championship in Cleveland a year from now, with 4 starters all coming back and potentially having a MAC POY in Justin Turner.

A key word is missing from this, the word “SHOULD.” BG “should” return 7 of 10 and BG “should” return four starters. With the number of transfers at an all-time high and the way guys bolt teams nowadays for various reasons I’m hoping, but not counting, on everyone to return. Let me be clear by saying that, I really want and hope they all do return.

This is something that crossed my mind when I was putting together my original post, but I'm hoping I don't have to worry about it. We did suffer some defections last year, but this year I am very hopeful we won't lose anybody. At the very least, I hope that we won't lose anybody from our main returners. If Mattos, Gadsen, or Matiss wanted to leave I would be sad to see them go, but at this point I'm not really counting on any of them.

It does sound like Turner & Ziegler are the caliber of recruits that we should expect them to contribute right away. I'm not sure how many guard minutes are going to be available for Ziegler though with Turner, Frye, Fields, and Laster all poised to continue (or expand upon) their current roles.

[Globetrotter]

We return 7 of our top 10 rotation guys. This team has the potential to be really, really good next year. We'll see how they deal with the expectations, and it might depend on the schedule, but I'm expecting BG to be a top 4 team in the MAC and be competing for a championship in Cleveland a year from now, with 4 starters all coming back and potentially having a MAC POY in Justin Turner.

A key word is missing from this, the word “SHOULD.” BG “should” return 7 of 10 and BG “should” return four starters. With the number of transfers at an all-time high and the way guys bolt teams nowadays for various reasons I’m hoping, but not counting, on everyone to return. Let me be clear by saying that, I really want and hope they all do return.

This is something that crossed my mind when I was putting together my original post, but I'm hoping I don't have to worry about it. We did suffer some defections last year, but this year I am very hopeful we won't lose anybody. At the very least, I hope that we won't lose anybody from our main returners. If Mattos, Gadsen, or Matiss wanted to leave I would be sad to see them go, but at this point I'm not really counting on any of them.

It does sound like Turner & Ziegler are the caliber of recruits that we should expect them to contribute right away. I'm not sure how many guard minutes are going to be available for Ziegler though with Turner, Frye, Fields, and Laster all poised to continue (or expand upon) their current roles.

I think Matiss, Zeigler and Turner will all play major roles next year. Matiss was both coming off an injury and playing behind 4 guys who were healthy all year. I am almost certain he will play a role next year. We have 4 spots in the post and only 2 are taken. Mattos and Gadsden still could develop with minutes. Gadsden is going into his junior year making it less likely that the light comes on and more likely that he seeks a place where he can have more minutes. Make no mistake I don't want him to transfer. I get the feeling that he is one of the personalities that helps to bond the team together. Mattos played well in the exhibition season and then looked lost every time he played during the year. I'm hopeful that's simply due to him not feeling comfortable due to lack of minutes.

Turner's game is very similar to Lillards. Like creepily similar. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMzX3v-FDBA" target="_blank

If there is a way to shift things and have Fields move to the bench I think it makes a great deal of sense. Not because I think he has played poorly, just due to roster construction. We may lose defense but I think it plays out better this way.

1 Laster 6-1 SR--Zeigler 6-2 FR
2 Frye 6-2 SR--Fields 6-2 SO
3 Turner 6-4 JR/SR--Turner 6-7 FR
4 Plowden 6-6 JR--Kulackovskis 6-9 S0
5 Sierra 6-7 SR--Mattos 6-11 SO--Gadson 6-10 JR

Having a second true pg changes things quite a bit.
Everyone doesn't need to be a star and some guys just develop later.

2 scholarships to go.

4 offers out there.

C Nathan Brusseau 6-10 New Prague
https://www.hudl.com/profile/8639594/Nathan-Brusseau" target="_blank
Seems like a lot of what we already have.
https://www.verbalcommits.com/players/nathan-brusseau" target="_blank

G JJ Eubank 6-4 Pittsburgh
https://www.verbalcommits.com/players/jason-eubank" target="_blank
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ihp9nw8_BI&t=182s" target="_blank
Looks solid but offers are older.

G Callum Baker 6-2 Toronto
https://www.verbalcommits.com/players/callum-baker" target="_blank
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SX9XWeipTTE" target="_blank
Looks very fast and can shoot. Great developmental PG. Might not provide much next year but long term could make a huge impact.

SF Juco Xfer Yeikson Montero 6-5 Pensacola St College
https://www.verbalcommits.com/players/yeikson-montero" target="_blank
Most recent offer and he has had 8 since.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_cont ... ibSN6qD3XU" target="_blank
http://athletics.pensacolastate.edu/spo ... r=0&pos=sh" target="_blank
He's nasty. Would be in the rotation immediately. Let's hope we get him.

[JohnFloyd4Life]

I agree that getting a grad transfer in the post makes sense. It seems like we are the only team that hasn't gotten one since the trend started. They very well could have Mattos and Gadsen go from playing 0 minutes to significant time and maybe even be alright but I would be surprised. I also would not be surprised if either or both of them transferred (no transfers will surprise me anymore).

Watching J Turner play he actually reminds me of Jeremy Harris who just got done killing us. I think what globe did with that rotation seems pretty likely, we just look very weak in the post.

[hammb]

I agree that getting a grad transfer in the post makes sense. It seems like we are the only team that hasn't gotten one since the trend started. They very well could have Mattos and Gadsen go from playing 0 minutes to significant time and maybe even be alright but I would be surprised. I also would not be surprised if either or both of them transferred (no transfers will surprise me anymore).

Watching J Turner play he actually reminds me of Jeremy Harris who just got done killing us. I think what globe did with that rotation seems pretty likely, we just look very weak in the post.

I think Globe is pretty close to our rotation if we don't add another immediate contributor. And it is small in the post for sure. You can win in the MAC with a rotation like that, but we'd become one of those teams where we'll get killed on the boards by anybody with a true 5.

I hope you're right on Turner. I would love a long wing like Lillard with a more well rounded offensive game.