2023-24 roster

[Queens_NYC]

My take on minutes:

With Reynolds:

PG: MAW 24 / DayDay 10 / Jizzle 6
SG: Frederick 24 / Newman 12 / Rayvon 4
SF: Simas 25 / Skillings 9 / Rayvon 6
PF: Vik 15 / Ody 18 / Skillings 7
C: Reynolds 25 / Vik 12 / Sage 3

Without Reynolds:

PG: MAW 24 / DayDay 10 / Jizzle 6
SG: Frederick 24 / Newman 12 / Rayvon 4
SF: Simas 25 / Skillings 9 / Rayvon 6
PF: Ody 22 / Skillings 10 / Reed 8
C: Vik 30 / Ody 5 / Sage 5

 

[skyblade]

Yep, I left Rayvon out of mine. But he could also be a guy who gives us 20 minutes. There's a lot of questions marks on this roster. The biggest is probably PG. I think by conference play there will be separation and the starter will play 25 minutes and one guy will be almost left out. I couldn't say who though.

I'm also not confident about Reynolds getting a waiver since the NCAA specifically stated coaching changes are not a valid reason.

One thing I like about Fredrick is he actually spaces the floor. He stands at NBA range off the ball and can shoot from there. That opens up a lot more room for guys like Skillings and Jizzle to operate.

Also our athleticism hasn't taken a huge hit because DDJ and Davenport weren't great athletes, and Nolley wasn't using his thleticism most of the time.

Davenport ended up on the bench in large part because of his lack of athleticism though. Simas may well have the same fate. On the Butler forum they say he lacks athleticism and physicality and can get overwhelmed by bigger/more athletic teams.

Fredrick is less of a concern, guards can get by with less athleticism and physicality. Plus supposedly he's a better defender than you'd expect.

 

[skyblade]

My take on minutes:

With Reynolds:

PG: MAW 24 / DayDay 10 / Jizzle 6
SG: Frederick 24 / Newman 12 / Rayvon 4
SF: Simas 25 / Skillings 9 / Rayvon 6
PF: Vik 15 / Ody 18 / Skillings 7
C: Reynolds 25 / Vik 12 / Sage 3

Without Reynolds:

PG: MAW 24 / DayDay 10 / Jizzle 6
SG: Frederick 24 / Newman 12 / Rayvon 4
SF: Simas 25 / Skillings 9 / Rayvon 6
PF: Ody 22 / Skillings 10 / Reed 8
C: Vik 30 / Ody 5 / Sage 5

I think Skillings is going to be better than Simas and it won't be close.

Without Reynolds I'd say
PG: MAW 25/ DaVeon 10/ Jizzle 5
SG: Skillings 15/ Fredrick 25
SF: Newman 20/ Simas 10/ Skillings 10
PF: Vik 15/ Ody 15/ Reed 10
C: Sage 15/ Vik 10/ Ody 10.

If Reynolds can't play, Sage and/or Reed better be ready to contribute, otherwise we may be in for a long season.

 

[sedziobs]

My take on minutes:

With Reynolds:

PG: MAW 24 / DayDay 10 / Jizzle 6
SG: Frederick 24 / Newman 12 / Rayvon 4
SF: Simas 25 / Skillings 9 / Rayvon 6
PF: Vik 15 / Ody 18 / Skillings 7
C: Reynolds 25 / Vik 12 / Sage 3

Without Reynolds:

PG: MAW 24 / DayDay 10 / Jizzle 6
SG: Frederick 24 / Newman 12 / Rayvon 4
SF: Simas 25 / Skillings 9 / Rayvon 6
PF: Ody 22 / Skillings 10 / Reed 8
C: Vik 30 / Ody 5 / Sage 5

I view these as worst case rotations, as in this is what we'll be forced into if Skillings and Reed haven't improved much, Sage is still a project, Jizzle isn't ready to produce like a typical top 50 guy, and Newman isn't 100%.

My hope is that Jizzle and Skillings end up being 25 minute guys by the end of the year. Our ceiling will be much higher if those guys are pushing CJ, Simas, and MAW.

 

[sedziobs]

Davenport ended up on the bench in large part because of his lack of athleticism though. Simas may well have the same fate. On the Butler forum they say he lacks athleticism and physicality and can get overwhelmed by bigger/more athletic teams.

Davenport averaged 25 minutes per game last year, and his playing time actually went up in conference play after he lost his starting role. Between him and DDJ's 33 minutes, we're dropping 58 minutes of limited athleticism. I don't think Simas and Fredricks combine for that many next year. And it seems likely that MAW's role will be reduced from the 30 minutes he played last year.

My point is that even though we're bringing in players who aren't very athletic, it's not really going to be a step down for us. Might even be a step up overall with younger athletes playing a bigger role.

 

[skyblade]

Davenport averaged 25 minutes per game last year, and his playing time actually went up in conference play after he lost his starting role. Between him and DDJ's 33 minutes, we're dropping 58 minutes of limited athleticism. I don't think Simas and Fredricks combine for that many next year. And it seems likely that MAW's role will be reduced from the 30 minutes he played last year.

My point is that even though we're bringing in players who aren't very athletic, it's not really going to be a step down for us. Might even be a step up overall with younger athletes playing a bigger role.

I don't disagree, but I would argue that many felt that we need to get more athletic last year, especially going into the Big 12. Simas and Fredrick are at best an even trade for Davenport and DDJ. If you include Nolley it's a clear downgrade.

Of course Reynolds makes it an a bit of an overall upgrade. Assuming he gets a waiver and loses 30 lbs.

 

[sedziobs]

I don't disagree, but I would argue that many felt that we need to get more athletic last year, especially going into the Big 12. Simas and Fredrick are at best an even trade for Davenport and DDJ. If you include Nolley it's a clear downgrade.

Of course Reynolds makes it an a bit of an overall upgrade. Assuming he gets a waiver and loses 30 lbs.

I would have liked a more athletic wing, but at least this year we have the option of running out a long athletic lineup. We can put Jizzle, Newman, Skillings, Ody, and Vik on the floor together if we need to.

 

[TheRealMick]

I would have liked a more athletic wing, but at least this year we have the option of running out a long athletic lineup. We can put Jizzle, Newman, Skillings, Ody, and Vik on the floor together if we need to.

I would've preferred a more athletic wing also over taking both CJ and Simas. I liked the way our roster shaped up. With Reynolds uncertainty we maybe still in on a certain big. Stayed tuned...

 

[Emperor Snapper]

I would've preferred a more athletic wing also over taking both CJ and Simas. I liked the way our roster shaped up. With Reynolds uncertainty we maybe still in on a certain big. Stayed tuned...

Davenport's primary issue wasn't his athleticism. His primary issue was that he was prone to making a lot of mistakes and losing focus on both ends of the floor, and he wasn't actually that good at the one thing he was on the floor to do - his FG% dropped two years in a row. An actually consistent shooter who keeps their head up and makes good plays will be a massive improvement, even if they are also, like Davenport, not a great athlete.

 

[Queens_NYC]

We're supposedly recruiting Aziz Bandaogo, the center from Utah Valley who went for 15, 12, and 4 against us in the NIT quarterfinals.

2 years remaining but this would be his 2nd transfer.

With zero scholarships remaining, there is obviously still something going on behind the scenes where we could see one more departure from the current squad.

 

[sedziobs]

We're supposedly recruiting Aziz Bandaogo, the center from Utah Valley who went for 15, 12, and 4 against us in the NIT quarterfinals.

2 years remaining but this would be his 2nd transfer.

With zero scholarships remaining, there is obviously still something going on behind the scenes where we could see one more departure from the current squad.

Aziz would be a great get, but he's in the same boat as Reynolds looking for a waiver after a coaching change. Hopefully at least one will be eligible, but we might be forced to use two scholarships on players that have to sit. Maybe the NCAA will flexible with mental health waivers.

Either way someone will have to go. It's very late now to kick a player out.

 

[sirthought]

Some Twitter poster said the Athletic reporter confirmed Aziz to UC, but I find no such announcement. I wonder if something was pulled?

Even if he couldn't play this season, I think it would be a positive move for the program overall.

Not really excited about where the team is yet. Just trying to give it time. But next season could be only about patience.

 

[TheRealMick]

Some Twitter poster said the Athletic reporter confirmed Aziz to UC, but I find no such announcement. I wonder if something was pulled?

Even if he couldn't play this season, I think it would be a positive move for the program overall.

Not really excited about where the team is yet. Just trying to give it time. But next season could be only about patience.

It all depends what Reynolds brings to table as roster stands today. We need Aziz badly.

 

[Bearcat_Z]

MAW enters the portal . . . There’s something brewing here.

 

[sedziobs]

MAW enters the portal . . . There’s something brewing here.

The portal closes tomorrow I think. I wonder if this was us wanting to open a spot or another team looking for a veteran guard at the last minute.

There's a possibility Jizzle can be a 20-25 minute guy and Day Day 15-20. But I would feel much better having a veteran who can play point. We'll just have to wait and see.

 

[Queens_NYC]

MAW enters the portal . . . There’s something brewing here.

We've been targeting another center for several weeks now, so someone would've always had to go to make space for that player.

Weird how MAW released a statement confirming his 23/24 return only to leave now, but I guess things can change in a short span of time.

There was going to be a logjam at the 1 for minutes, and while MAW provided the most stable option, I have no problem giving those minutes to two players with higher upsides.

MAW will assuredly have high major suitors given his pedigree and hopefully finds a promising landing spot ala JD.

 

[skyblade]

The rumor going around is that MAW is only going to have one suitor, because he knew where he was going before entering the portal. Apparently he got poached by an offer of a significant amount of NIL money.

Can't blame him if that's the case, he could stay here, with a lot of fans who are hoping he plays minimal minutes. Or go play starter minutes elsewhere, while making 200k.

The other rumor is that this took Wes by surprise, MAW was not the guy expected to leave to make room if we needed it. We may need to add another PG, relying on Jizzle and Day Day to be our only two PG's is a major risk. CJ Anthony may get his chance to play meaningful minutes if we don't add another PG.

 

[sedziobs]

CJ Anthony may get his chance to play meaningful minutes if we don't add another PG.

I can't see that happening unless Jizzle and Day Day are both injured. Those guys could play 30 minutes if they had to and we'd live with some mistakes, which Anthony would be prone to just as much. I think we'd see Simas at point forward before Anthony getting minutes in a meaningful game.

 

[sirthought]

MAW has been a hard worker and more of a help than a hinderance in my opinion. I would have valued his experience and leadership this year.

But I don't think he can do anything that someone else on this squad can't step up and fill that role. We just need to be sure someone can start plays and not lose the ball. Easier said than done, I know, but I think someone will take that seriously and do alright.

If he's getting that kind of money, I'm happy for him. It might be his only chance to get paid professionally at that high a rate. I don't see him playing much overseas even. But he might be someone who gets into coaching eventually.

 

[sirthought]

The rumor going around is that MAW is only going to have one suitor, because he knew where he was going before entering the portal. Apparently he got poached by an offer of a significant amount of NIL money.

Can't blame him if that's the case, he could stay here, with a lot of fans who are hoping he plays minimal minutes. Or go play starter minutes elsewhere, while making 200k.

The other rumor is that this took Wes by surprise, MAW was not the guy expected to leave to make room if we needed it. We may need to add another PG, relying on Jizzle and Day Day to be our only two PG's is a major risk. CJ Anthony may get his chance to play meaningful minutes if we don't add another PG.

Just curious where you hear these rumors? I always see posters saying they hear rumors but they never say from where.