26-27 Roster

[*23*]

Point Guards - Aiden Argabright, Deuce Simmons
2 Guards - Will Harper, Kirby Mooney
Wings - Jamie Kaiser, Colin Tanner, Donovan Richardson, Dane Caldwell
Big Forwards - Jaylen Robinson
Centers - Amon Dörries, Dylan Homenick, Chad Cook

EDIT: Added Amon Dörries

I know positions are supposedly fluid these days, but these are how I would label everyone in reality, not how they tell the staff to list them, etc. For example - Tanner struggles with guarding a wing, let alone a guard. Does not have guard handles. But he is listed as a guard and we played him as a small ball 4 many times. Not knocks, just reality. So I am just listing at the position I think is most natural and they would excel at most IMO.

Big forwards and Centers in great need. From what I saw in Homenick, coming out of HS was a classic back to basket center with almost all shots point blank. I saw Cook play in person in November. He seems to be a perfect fit for our center position. Very comfortable handling the ball FT line extended out. Good passer, I think good shooter, can go aggressive to boards and attacking rim. Maybe undersized a bit. Also, Mooney seemingly thinks least college ready of out 3 HS recruits - so that is a terrible sign. Unless its just the opposite world (Mooney is so wrong about HS recruits) that he is actually the most ready?
I still like JROB and think he can be productive for us, but we need a stretch 4 type that can move laterally and still guard inside when needed - and shoot from perimeter.
Lot of spots to fill. Hopefully while I am typing this we landed someone.

 

[sman]

I think Mooney will play Caldwell as a big forward, if not a post in our high post offense. I wouldn't call him a wing.
I'll be interested to see Richardson. he's never talked about so my expectations have dropped, but he played point in HS. maybe he's got guard defensive skills and can play the off ball guard.

 

[MrTbone]

I think Mooney will play Caldwell as a big forward, if not a post in our high post offense. I wouldn't call him a wing.
I'll be interested to see Richardson. he's never talked about so my expectations have dropped, but he played point in HS. maybe he's got guard defensive skills and can play the off ball guard.

Agree with both of these, I think Caldwell projects as a stretch 4 for us and Richardson is probably a SG. I know "positionless" but still think there are something akin to roles out there.

 

[*23*]

No no no no on Caldwell at the 4. All his highlights, and I know these are just highlights he is a slasher. And someone stopped by this board to talk about observing him in action at a tournament and claimed he was the best 3 point shooter at a high level tournament. He is a wing, I don't believe this is a guy that want to bang. But I have about the same information as you both do, so guess we will see. Probably best for us if he is "4" but Mooney said he is college ready, and I don't see him competing for rebounds or guarding inside with his present build.

 

[*23*]

Richardson at 6'6 - if he had any guard ball handling skills would think he would have played this year. You have to be able to dribble vs pressure to be considered a guard in my world. Remember they (our brain surgeon staff) listed Cayo as a guard for 2-3 years. Hoping between Caldwell and Richardson, one can be a contributor at the wing this year. Based on HS and RS recent history, probably a lot to ask.

 

[Spide]

Richardson at 6'6 - if he had any guard ball handling skills would think he would have played this year. You have to be able to dribble vs pressure to be considered a guard in my world. Remember they (our brain surgeon staff) listed Cayo as a guard for 2-3 years. Hoping between Caldwell and Richardson, one can be a contributor at the wing this year. Based on HS and RS recent history, probably a lot to ask.

Richardson played point guard in high school, where he brought the ball up the court following a basket by the opposing team.

 

[sman]

No no no no on Caldwell at the 4. All his highlights, and I know these are just highlights he is a slasher. And someone stopped by this board to talk about observing him in action at a tournament and claimed he was the best 3 point shooter at a high level tournament. He is a wing, I don't believe this is a guy that want to bang. But I have about the same information as you both do, so guess we will see. Probably best for us if he is "4" but Mooney said he is college ready, and I don't see him competing for rebounds or guarding inside with his present build.

what's the difference between a 3 and a 4 in our offense? offensively we'd love our 4 to be a slasher and shooter.
you are who you can defend. and at 6'9" 220 Caldwell can defend a 4.

there will be more to add, but I can see being small at guard if we're big enough elsewhere.

AA
Simmons
Kaiser
Caldwell
Dorries

it may take time before Simmons and Caldwell are ready. the length would be nice if Harper or Richardson are ahead of Simmons ... but I really like Simmons. I don't think he's just a backup point.

 

[*23*]

and at 6'9" 220 Caldwell can defend a 4

Where is he listed 220? Looks thin to me, and they list him in HUDL (which may be old at 185). Does not look like a guy that gan bang, and he may not want to.

 

[*23*]

I hope you are right about Simmons, obviously impressive player of the year in Kansas. Looks like he has very legit footspeed to get steals and make plays. Have not seen many highlights on him, searching the web. What was posted on here is very limited and really did not show enough for me to get that excited. Compare to Gilly - coming out of HS he was a big time scorer and there were a thousand highlights of him getting buckets. But Simmons does look like a bullet - but next to AA that is a tiny back court. Which we have seen work, but last time that small and worked was a very veteran Gilly/Francis.

 

[Spide]

Where is he listed 220? Looks thin to me, and they list him in HUDL (which may be old at 185). Does not look like a guy that gan bang, and he may not want to.

Mentioned before that Caldwell is a good ball handler, but most impressive is his three point shooting. During his visit he played in a pickup game with other Spiders and guests; he made more three pointers than anyone. Accurate, and great form on his shot.

 

[sman]

Where is he listed 220? Looks thin to me, and they list him in HUDL (which may be old at 185). Does not look like a guy that gan bang, and he may not want to.

not sure. I have it in my spreadsheet, lol. I assume from something when he committed.

 

[sman]

I hope you are right about Simmons, obviously impressive player of the year in Kansas. Looks like he has very legit footspeed to get steals and make plays. Have not seen many highlights on him, searching the web. What was posted on here is very limited and really did not show enough for me to get that excited. Compare to Gilly - coming out of HS he was a big time scorer and there were a thousand highlights of him getting buckets. But Simmons does look like a bullet - but next to AA that is a tiny back court. Which we have seen work, but last time that small and worked was a very veteran Gilly/Francis.

yeah, this is a small sample and might give me a seizure if I watch it again. but he looks strong and very quick. plays tough.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2020313598351056906

 

[vt4700]

No matter who we land in the portal, I would love to see Simmons, Cook, and Caldwell all come in from day 1 expecting to get minutes as freshmen and not even considering redshirting.

1.We should not even bring it up.
2. They should not consider it.

These guys have talent. Let's get them in their right mindset from day 1. Go compete for time. None of this redshirt crap.

 

[Spider17]

Looking at the roster positions:

1 - I think we have the 1 spot set with AA and Simmons.

2 - Big area of need here. Need someone who complements AA will in the backcourt. Ideally a 6’2 or 6’3” combo guard but at the very least one that focuses more on defense but can get 10+ points in a game if needed, would be great. Essentially a DLo - Jordan King kind of situation.

3 - I imagine Kaiser is starter here. Harper and JRob can play minutes here.

4 - Another area of need. I think this is someone we have to spend big on too because we may be asking him to play some at the 5 as well. This position is critical to have some athletic, drive to the basket, and has a great sense of getting rebounds. Hopefully Caldwell is as good as advertised and get some back up minutes here.

5 - Dorries will definitely be the starter. With 4 more transfer spots to go, I don’t know if we will go after another big, but our back-ups for this position isn’t the best. Need some serviceable depth here in my opinion.

 

[MrTbone]

Looking at the roster positions:

1 - I think we have the 1 spot set with AA and Simmons.

2 - Big area of need here. Need someone who complements AA will in the backcourt. Ideally a 6’2 or 6’3” combo guard but at the very least one that focuses more on defense but can get 10+ points in a game if needed, would be great. Essentially a DLo - Jordan King kind of situation.

3 - I imagine Kaiser is starter here. Harper and JRob can play minutes here.

4 - Another area of need. I think this is someone we have to spend big on too because we may be asking him to play some at the 5 as well. This position is critical to have some athletic, drive to the basket, and has a great sense of getting rebounds. Hopefully Caldwell is as good as advertised and get some back up minutes here.

5 - Dorries will definitely be the starter. With 4 more transfer spots to go, I don’t know if we will go after another big, but our back-ups for this position isn’t the best. Need some serviceable depth here in my opinion.

My comments on your assessment.

1 - I think you want a third PG because guys get injured at 1&5 and you need a sub if that happens. Maybe Richardson in a pinch as he’s played PG but I’d want an actual PG here.
2 - I think Harper is more 2 than 3, but this is glaring hole right now.
3 - you probably need to include Tanner here even if we all expect him to backseat. He’s probably ahead in CMs mind than either Robinson or Harper at 3.
4 - agree, we need a ton in this spot. I think it’s JRob and Caldwell rn, maybe Cook. Very little experience there.
5 - I agree with your thought but I kind of expect CM to bank on the third 5 spot being filled by Cook and in a pinch, JRob. So I’d expect more focus on getting more 3/4 type than another 5.

 

[*23*]

Agree I very much doubt we are looking for another 5 in the portal. Need a legit 2 guard, and another wing and PF. Need size and athleticism

 

[vt4700]

I really don't think power forward is a need. Kaiser has enough size to play with 3 guards or two guards and another wing. The game has changed. Most teams don't really have "power forwards" anymore. No reason for us to worry about having one.

 

[*23*]

Well we better have a strong athletic 6'7 wing that can rebound. We can't rebound or guard the last two years.

 

[Kneepad McKinney]

Well we better have a strong athletic 6'7 wing that can rebound. We can't rebound or guard the last two years.

If this is the sum of the necessary requirements, I submit Jaylen Robinson.

 

[vt4700]

Well we better have a strong athletic 6'7 wing that can rebound. We can't rebound or guard the last two years.

I hear u. I just don't think a lot of teams have 2 big types that play together and pound u inside anymore. I totally agree we want a versatile wing who can guard and grab some boards, but I am fine with anyone here in the 6'5 or 6'6 range alongside Kaiser.