Well, here we are at the end of the season, and I have mixed emotions still coursing through me. While this year can be looked at as nothing other than a resounding success, the lingering gut punch of Saturday's loss is still there. Plus, this year's team was so much fun to follow that I'm still having trouble parsing that feeling with the fact that this is the last time we will see this iteration of Red Raider's wearing the red and black. But at the end of the day (and as time passes the gut punch will fade a bit) the fact remains that this group will end up being one of the best squads in school history and one of my personal favorites. A few notables from this year:
Current Roster (with eligibility), doing a simple "Where we are, where we're going, questions/status?" outlook for each player:
(Some of these are guys Tech has contacted / some not, no inside info here)
And now for portal szn.....
- 2 first team All-B12 players, a second teamer, B12 POTY / Newcomer of the Year, 1x All-American, and a Freshman All B12 player
- longest stint in the AP top 10 in school history
- 3rd Elite 8 in school history
- Team that will likely finish in the top 8 nationally in the final polls
- 2nd place in the B12
Current Roster (with eligibility), doing a simple "Where we are, where we're going, questions/status?" outlook for each player:
- Christian Anderson - Guard - Freshman
- Where we are? Anderson had an outstanding Frosh campaign. Played 30+ mins per game for one of the best teams in the country and showed enormous scoring chops to go along with flashing lead guard skills.
- Where we're going? Anderson has a chance to make a huge jump and be an all-conference guy and one of the best perimeter players in the conference next year.
- Questions? Can he continue to develop lead guard / playmaking skills, get stronger and improve his finishing.
- Status: I have a hard time seeing him go anywhere other than the 806. He should (partially at least) have the keys to the back court next season.
- Fede 2x - Big - Senior
- Where we are? Fede was the definition of a plus bench big. Providing rim protection, rebounding and a lob threat to a team that needed it. He only got better as the season progressed.
- Where we're going? It's hard to see him changing much as a player at this point. But Fede fits his role to a "T". Hard to ask for more than that.
- Questions? Not many from my end.
- Status? Unless he wants to be a starter somewhere Tech is an ideal fit for the big Fin.
- Kevin Overton - Guard - Sophomore
- Where we are? KO had an up and down year at Tech but settled into a role as a key rotation piece and one of Tech's best defenders while providing scoring pop off the bench.
- Where we're going? There are a ton of possibilities for KO. He oozes potential and had flashes where he looked like the best player on the floor. But he also had mental lapses where he was yanked. KO is a guy who could be a starter if things break right with his development.
- Questions? Can he shore up his handle, become more consistent and less streaky as a shooter.
- Status? I wouldn't be surprised to see him stay or go at this point. Alot will hinge on his role envisioned by Mac and himself.
- JT Toppin - Big - Sophomore
- Where we are? JT came into the season as a high upside big-time portal get and ended it as one of the 5-10 best players in the sport. Stud. No other way to put it.
- Where we're going? To the NBA or back to the LBK is the question. IMO it is going to come down to the draft grade. And if it's borderline I imagine Tech is going to put it all on the table.
- Questions? Can he become more consistent/fluid as a shooter, develop more of a right hand and shore up some defensive lapses.
- Status? This one seems up in the air to me. Personally, I don't see him as a first-round lock, but you never know.
- D5 - Wing - Junior
- Where we are? D5 had an outstanding yea. He was a 1st team All-B12er, his numbers jumped dramatically with his usage, and he was the crunch time guy for an elite team. Despite suffering thru lingering injuries and a slight dip in efficiency.
- Where we're going? Same as JT imo... either the draft or back to Tech. While I don't think he is anything other than a second-round prospect at this time there's been an awful lot of chatter about him being done with college ball. And my opinion is he would be more likely than JT to test his value on the open market (gut feel no inside info here). But I couldn't imagine Tech not being well positioned to bring him back if that's an option. Would be an All-American type next year.
- Questions? Continue to improve attacking off the bounce, more consistent pull up shooter, shore up defensively,
- Status? See "where we're going".
- EY - Big - Sophomore
- Where we are? EY had a bit of a rough year with few minutes and injury struggles. But he did have a big game against Houston and flashed shooting potential at time.
- Where we're going? Tough to tell with EY. If he really breaks thru this summer, he could be a rotation big next year. Or he could be end of the bench again.
- Questions? Can he be a real shooter and not just a theoretical one, can he improve his awareness and aggressiveness on offense.
- Status? I could see him moving down to the MM level to get more PT. Not someone I would be surprised to see hit the portal.
- Leon Horner - Wing - Freshman
- Where we are? Leon played very little as a freshman but was shoehorned into some critical moments down the stretch due to injuries. And really flashed defensively.
- Where we're going? Horner has all the makings of a physical defender and already looks the part. He could be someone you pop in the lab and let cook and down the road turns out to be a key piece. Could be a prototypical 3 and D wing but needs the shooting component.
- Questions? Can he develop into a semblance of a threat on offense.
- Status? Could he look for immediate PT elsewhere? Sure, but I bet he and the staff give it another year at least.
- Guard Help - The loss of Elijah Hawkins will loom large this offseason. While Anderson will take a larger role and jump next year Hawkins ability to play make and work in ball screens will need to be replaced. Likely in the form of another plus starter at guard.
- Shooting production - Tech loses a ton of shooting this offseason. McMillian and Kerwin were two of the better shooters in the country and Hawkins shot a high volume of 3's. Adding shooting will be a necessity
- Paint Touches/finishing - Whether it comes from the wing or guard spot this will need to be addressed in some form or fashion. Hawkins couldn't finish when he got there but he was a walking paint touch out of ball screens. Some rim pressure and finishing ability would be a huge plus.
- Overall size/physicality - Easier said than done when it comes to this, but general size and physicality is needed across the board. Whether in the back court or the front court. Of course, how much of this Tech needs will also be dictated by what Toppin/Williams do.
(Some of these are guys Tech has contacted / some not, no inside info here)
- Izaiah Pasha - Guard - Fr. - Delaware: Long, big guard who was the CAA FOTY. Oozes potential and can really get downhill. Shooting and transition to a higher level are question marks.
- Tayton Conerway - Guard - Sr. - Troy: Another big guard who is physical at the POA. One of the best defenders in the country and a ball thief. Funky dribble drive game and a good passer. Shooting and turnovers are huge questions.
- Silas Demary - Guard - So. - Georgia: My favorite guy in the portal. Physical and big bodied lead guard who can play on and off the ball. Gets to the rim at an astounding rate and has great tools on defense. Everyone is after him. Shooting consistently is a question.
- Magoon Gwath - Big - Fr. - SD State: Impossibly long and athletic big who is one of the best shot blockers in the country. Incredibly high ceiling and flashes real ball skills to go along with shooting. Another highly sought after player. Super thin and how much of this potential is realized?
- Lamar Wilkerson - Guard - Senior - SHSU: An absolute bucket at the MM level. Good size for a guard and the requisite athleticism to go with it. Dangerous scorer who is at his best as a movement shooter from deep. At minimum would provide good floor spacing.
And now for portal szn.....
