We all know that Jay likes to keep his scholarship level at 10. In the past four years that has been - 10 - 11 - 10 -10. Next year Jay will have 11 (ten eligible and one must sit out). We will have 2 Seniors (Arcidiacono & Ochefu), 3 Juniors (Hart, Jenkins & Reynolds) 1 Sophomore (Booth), 4 Freshmen (Brunson, DiVincenzo, Delaney and a redshirt frosh in Bridges) and Eric Paschall to sit out as a transfer with 3 years of eligibility left.
In the past four years Jay's rotation has been - 10 - 9 - 9 - 8. But recruits want to play and not sit. Jay has four new freshmen that he has to work into the rotation. Will they all accept their roles as in the past two years? If no one transfers at the end of the year then we'll know the answer.
Josh Hart has created a new role for Jay and his rotation. We have a 6th man who certainly could be a starter who brings high energy and ends up with starter minutes. His role has been critical to the success of the team these past two seasons. Who will Josh hand the baton to?
Let's look at the starters and rotation and minutes for the team next year. Of course, all this could change after their European trip next month and preseason workouts in September - October.
5 - Ochefu - 28mpg (17.5 - 21.7 - 24) Has had some stamina issues to improve on this year.
4 - jenkins - 20mpg (11.7 - 18.6) Definitely has had stamina issues to correct. Will also play some 3 & 5.
3 - Hart - 28mpg (21.4 - 25.5) Will also play some 4 & 2.
2- Arcidiacono - 28mpg (34 - 31.1 - 30.4) Will also play some 1.
1- Booth - 23mpg (14.5) - Will also play the 2. Experience and best shooter on the team gets him to start.
6th Man - Brunson - 28mpg -Will play the 1 & 2. This is the high energy guy. It should also keep him here for 2 years. Best situation for team chemistry. However, this could change over the next 2 months.
7th - Bridges - 11mpg at the 3. Being in the top 7 gets him into every game. Perimeter player behind the arc. A shooter not a slasher to the cup. Had troubles with his handle in traffic. Did he improve it? Never liked contact either - has that changed? Went from 190 to 208 in one year - that's 18 lbs of muscle!! Has to learn his role on the team - it will take some time.
8th - Reynolds - 11mpg (3.1 - 5.4) at the 5. Someone besides Jenkins will have to spell Ochefu. Athletic and knows Jay's system after 2 years. Not skilled enough to play the 4 unless he's really improved.
9th - DiVincenzo - 11mpg at the 2 & 3. Very high ceiling with his athleticism but must learn the system.
10th - Delaney - 10mpg at the 4 & 5. Wish he would redshirt as he's the youngest freshman and is he all healed from last year? Has inside and outside skills but may struggle with the speed of the game. Can shoot it but needs time and distance. Reynolds has the advantage of being more athletic and knows our system. However, there is no one on the team as fundamentally sound as Delany. Even as a freshman he has a PhD in hoopology - a Dr. of basketball!!
11th - Henry Lowe - 1mpg (0.7 - 1.4 - 2.1) at the 1
12th - Pat Farrell - 1mpg (1.3 - 1.5 - 1.8) at the 3.
Our 9th & 10th men may get a DNP in 6 games. Two out-of-conference games against Top 10 teams (Oklahoma and Virginia) should be very telling on Jay's rotation. Looks like a 14-4 Big East record (X,Butler, Marquette, Georgetown and either Providence or Creighton) will be tough "gets" on the road. Our success in the Big East Tournament should determine our seed in the NCAA Tournament. Probably a 2 or 3. Hopefully, this is an Elite Eight team this year. Should we make it to the Final Four then worry about Hart and Brunson leaving with Arch (Professional ball in Italy) and Ochefu (hopefully a 1st round pick in the NBA).
Beefer, what sayeth you?
In the past four years Jay's rotation has been - 10 - 9 - 9 - 8. But recruits want to play and not sit. Jay has four new freshmen that he has to work into the rotation. Will they all accept their roles as in the past two years? If no one transfers at the end of the year then we'll know the answer.
Josh Hart has created a new role for Jay and his rotation. We have a 6th man who certainly could be a starter who brings high energy and ends up with starter minutes. His role has been critical to the success of the team these past two seasons. Who will Josh hand the baton to?
Let's look at the starters and rotation and minutes for the team next year. Of course, all this could change after their European trip next month and preseason workouts in September - October.
5 - Ochefu - 28mpg (17.5 - 21.7 - 24) Has had some stamina issues to improve on this year.
4 - jenkins - 20mpg (11.7 - 18.6) Definitely has had stamina issues to correct. Will also play some 3 & 5.
3 - Hart - 28mpg (21.4 - 25.5) Will also play some 4 & 2.
2- Arcidiacono - 28mpg (34 - 31.1 - 30.4) Will also play some 1.
1- Booth - 23mpg (14.5) - Will also play the 2. Experience and best shooter on the team gets him to start.
6th Man - Brunson - 28mpg -Will play the 1 & 2. This is the high energy guy. It should also keep him here for 2 years. Best situation for team chemistry. However, this could change over the next 2 months.
7th - Bridges - 11mpg at the 3. Being in the top 7 gets him into every game. Perimeter player behind the arc. A shooter not a slasher to the cup. Had troubles with his handle in traffic. Did he improve it? Never liked contact either - has that changed? Went from 190 to 208 in one year - that's 18 lbs of muscle!! Has to learn his role on the team - it will take some time.
8th - Reynolds - 11mpg (3.1 - 5.4) at the 5. Someone besides Jenkins will have to spell Ochefu. Athletic and knows Jay's system after 2 years. Not skilled enough to play the 4 unless he's really improved.
9th - DiVincenzo - 11mpg at the 2 & 3. Very high ceiling with his athleticism but must learn the system.
10th - Delaney - 10mpg at the 4 & 5. Wish he would redshirt as he's the youngest freshman and is he all healed from last year? Has inside and outside skills but may struggle with the speed of the game. Can shoot it but needs time and distance. Reynolds has the advantage of being more athletic and knows our system. However, there is no one on the team as fundamentally sound as Delany. Even as a freshman he has a PhD in hoopology - a Dr. of basketball!!
11th - Henry Lowe - 1mpg (0.7 - 1.4 - 2.1) at the 1
12th - Pat Farrell - 1mpg (1.3 - 1.5 - 1.8) at the 3.
Our 9th & 10th men may get a DNP in 6 games. Two out-of-conference games against Top 10 teams (Oklahoma and Virginia) should be very telling on Jay's rotation. Looks like a 14-4 Big East record (X,Butler, Marquette, Georgetown and either Providence or Creighton) will be tough "gets" on the road. Our success in the Big East Tournament should determine our seed in the NCAA Tournament. Probably a 2 or 3. Hopefully, this is an Elite Eight team this year. Should we make it to the Final Four then worry about Hart and Brunson leaving with Arch (Professional ball in Italy) and Ochefu (hopefully a 1st round pick in the NBA).
Beefer, what sayeth you?
