Let me start by saying that I am going to go ahead and assume that we hear good news on Likelele later today. All signs are pointing in that direction. Hopefully this doesn't end with the rest of you informing me of how my jumping the gun resulted in us losing him to Tech.
Taking a look at our roster last season v. this season.
PG
I think we are definitely improved since last season.
Kendal Smith turned out to be a big part of what success we had last season. However, I have only heard raves about Weathers, and suspect that he will be at least as good as Smith on both ends of the floor (Smith was an above average defender, but nothing special). Backing up Weathers, we have both Cunningham and Likelele. IMO, either guy would be an upgrade over last season's BA (impossible to say if BA would have improved enough to stay ahead of 1 or both in the rotation).
SG
I'm going to call this one a push, but the potential is there for us to be a little better or a little worse than last season.
Last season, the majority of 2G minutes went to JC and LW (with some Shine, DZ and BA/KS). JC and LW both gave us above average height at the position, and we could almost always count on at least one of them (often both) contributing bigly on the offensive end. However, both were poor defenders. JC will be missed, and LW is likely going to shift over to SF, so, we will be fielding all new guys at the position (plus DZ in reserve). The most likely scenario is that 2 of Weathers, Cunningham and Likelele will be in the game for the most part. We will be shorter at the position, and will have to wait and see what we get offensively from those 3 guys. But, we will likely be better defensively. CuJo will figure big into this rotation after Winter Break. That will allow for MB to play a lot of 3 guard lineups when it is needed due to matchups, fouls, etc.
SF
I think this position group is likely to be not quite as good as last season.
Last season, the position was basically shared by JC, Lindy and Shine. All 3 missed games due to injury/suspension, so it wasn't like we just had an abundance of depth at the position. However, it looks like we may be pretty thin at the position this season. Lindy will get the majority of minutes. My guess is that Cam and Caloo will also see minutes here. Maybe Demuth? (not sure what his best position is). SF is not Cam's best position. I'm not sure how far along any of the new guys (over 6'7") are. Maybe Caloo will surprise and he and Lindy will be a strong combo. We shall see.
When CuJo is available, MB will have another option and be able to play a lot of 3 G lineups.
PF
I think we are better at this position.
I expect Cam to improve in the off season... at least a little bit. He will get the majority of the PF minutes. I suspect that Caloo (or another big) will be good enough to provide quality back up minutes at this position.
C
I will be surprised if there is not a significant drop off at the position. Solomon is going to be nearly impossible to replace. He was productive at both ends and a strong defender. He was also a leader. If LNG makes some strides, or KJ/Anei/Demuth are surprisingly more advanced than expected, maybe the drop off won't be quite as precipitous.
Looking ahead to the the following season, we have a lot of young talent with huge upside spread across the roster. The future looks bright. Especially if MB can bring in one or more studs, in addition to the Boone twins.
Taking a look at our roster last season v. this season.
PG
I think we are definitely improved since last season.
Kendal Smith turned out to be a big part of what success we had last season. However, I have only heard raves about Weathers, and suspect that he will be at least as good as Smith on both ends of the floor (Smith was an above average defender, but nothing special). Backing up Weathers, we have both Cunningham and Likelele. IMO, either guy would be an upgrade over last season's BA (impossible to say if BA would have improved enough to stay ahead of 1 or both in the rotation).
SG
I'm going to call this one a push, but the potential is there for us to be a little better or a little worse than last season.
Last season, the majority of 2G minutes went to JC and LW (with some Shine, DZ and BA/KS). JC and LW both gave us above average height at the position, and we could almost always count on at least one of them (often both) contributing bigly on the offensive end. However, both were poor defenders. JC will be missed, and LW is likely going to shift over to SF, so, we will be fielding all new guys at the position (plus DZ in reserve). The most likely scenario is that 2 of Weathers, Cunningham and Likelele will be in the game for the most part. We will be shorter at the position, and will have to wait and see what we get offensively from those 3 guys. But, we will likely be better defensively. CuJo will figure big into this rotation after Winter Break. That will allow for MB to play a lot of 3 guard lineups when it is needed due to matchups, fouls, etc.
SF
I think this position group is likely to be not quite as good as last season.
Last season, the position was basically shared by JC, Lindy and Shine. All 3 missed games due to injury/suspension, so it wasn't like we just had an abundance of depth at the position. However, it looks like we may be pretty thin at the position this season. Lindy will get the majority of minutes. My guess is that Cam and Caloo will also see minutes here. Maybe Demuth? (not sure what his best position is). SF is not Cam's best position. I'm not sure how far along any of the new guys (over 6'7") are. Maybe Caloo will surprise and he and Lindy will be a strong combo. We shall see.
When CuJo is available, MB will have another option and be able to play a lot of 3 G lineups.
PF
I think we are better at this position.
I expect Cam to improve in the off season... at least a little bit. He will get the majority of the PF minutes. I suspect that Caloo (or another big) will be good enough to provide quality back up minutes at this position.
C
I will be surprised if there is not a significant drop off at the position. Solomon is going to be nearly impossible to replace. He was productive at both ends and a strong defender. He was also a leader. If LNG makes some strides, or KJ/Anei/Demuth are surprisingly more advanced than expected, maybe the drop off won't be quite as precipitous.
Looking ahead to the the following season, we have a lot of young talent with huge upside spread across the roster. The future looks bright. Especially if MB can bring in one or more studs, in addition to the Boone twins.
