Breaking down the future

[joshvanklomp]

After getting down off the high of Hunter Thompson verbally committing to UW this week, the reality hits that he probably won't play that first year. So where does that leave us as a program.

From all indications, it sounds like the last scholarship for 2017-18 will go to a wing. And that makes sense, as the team will need to find a replacement for Jason McManamen. Parker Stewart, Samuta Avea, Trevin Knell and Anthony Mack are the four most likely to be vying for that spot. Point guard is a concern, though I wonder if Allen Edwards is transitioning away from the prototypical point guard. Guys like Louis Adams and Justin James could be counted on to help hold down the fort this season.

I think this first season under Edwards could be a tough one. Hopefully not as tough as last season, but I wouldn't rule it out. This will be a year of transition - both transitioning coaching philosophies and transitioning the roster. It's too bad for someone like Jason McManamen, who will be asked to shoulder a bunch of the offensive load on a weaker roster for his senior season.

Then in 2017 the reinforcements start to come. I believe Ny Redding and Brodricks Jones can both be impact players for this program. Add in a wing from the class who might play right away and you've got a nice core forming. Then Hunter Thompson in 2018 plus whoever else we sign to replace the six departing seniors.

It's all beginning to come together nicely!


2016-17
Lieberman / Kelley / Redding (TR) (Jr. / Fr. / Jr.)
James / Adams / Marshall (So. / Jr. / Sr.)
McManamen / Aka Gorski / Averbuck (Sr. / Jr. / Fr.)
Herndon / Dalton / Mueller (RS) / Jones (TR) (Jr. / Jr. / Fr. / So.)
Naughton / Moemeka / Barnes (So. / Fr. / Jr.)

2017-18
Redding / Lieberman / Kelley (Jr. / Sr. / So.)
James / Adams / Maldonado (RS) (Jr. / Sr. / Fr.)
WING / Aka Gorski / Averbuck (Fr. / Sr. / So.)
Herndon / Jones / Dalton / Mueller / Thompson (RS) (Sr. / So. / Sr. / Fr. / Fr.)
Naughton / Moemeka / Barnes (Jr. / So. / Sr.)

2018-19
Redding / Kelley (Sr. / Jr.)
James / Maldonado (Sr. / Fr.)
WING / Averbuck (So. / Jr.)
Thompson / Jones / Mueller (Fr. / Jr. / So.)
Naughton / Moemeka (Sr. / Jr.)

 

[NowherePoke]

I do think this year will be tough as well. We will have to have patience.

I would make a couple of changes to your lineups. I pretty much agree with this year, but for next year I would expect Adams to start alongside James on the wing. I don't foresee a true freshman stepping in and starting there. For 18-19, I don't think Thompson will step in as a starter as a RS-Fr. We will have to be patient with his development. I would anticipate either Jones or Moemeka as the starting "4" in that season.

 

[joshvanklomp]

I would make a couple of changes to your lineups. I pretty much agree with this year, but for next year I would expect Adams to start alongside James on the wing. I don't foresee a true freshman stepping in and starting there. For 18-19, I don't think Thompson will step in as a starter as a RS-Fr. We will have to be patient with his development. I would anticipate either Jones or Moemeka as the starting "4" in that season.

OK that's fine. I'll be honest, I had a hard time with the lineups.