Let's talk '25

[Chicat]

Is it true that Carter is gone? Or is that still up in the air depending on the pre-draft process? I had thought no news was good news, but of course it can be the opposite.

[Winger]

Is it true that Carter is gone? Or is that still up in the air depending on the pre-draft process? I had thought no news was good news, but of course it can be the opposite.

I haven’t heard and don’t know anything. Apologies for wording that poorly. Prior to this new era my assumption would be he isn’t coming back. Not sure what to think now.

[Chicat]

Is it true that Carter is gone? Or is that still up in the air depending on the pre-draft process? I had thought no news was good news, but of course it can be the opposite.

I haven’t heard and don’t know anything. Apologies for wording that poorly. Prior to this new era my assumption would be he isn’t coming back. Not sure what to think now.

Ahh, gotcha. I’m hopeful that the admin is working to put together an NIL deal that would make it attractive to return if he doesn’t get a Lottery guarantee (which I don’t think he will).

[TheCat]

Exactly what do YOU know about Nelson's defense?

I know he can't play it at this level.

Same as ADO.

Arizona is going need Aristode to be good and immediately.

Coming off injury (I don’t know what it was beyond “foot”, assumption is stress fracture but guessing there).

And where is the staff going to play him? Are we going, or have we already, done the promise to play 1 position down thing (i.e. in this case SG instead of SF) to help his draft stock? Accordingly does the staff intend to make Aristode the combo guard I posted that we still need/don’t have? If so that’s a negative imv.

With some exceptions like Flagg imo it’s difficult to forecast prep to college production. There are lots of good reasons why KenPom won’t include significant production in his preseason ratings for any incoming prep ranked below #20 nationally.

But, fwiw Lloyd’s track record is not one of relying on freshmen for big time minutes. Now maybe the quality of this class changes things but we still have to get past the fact that this staff has relied on guys like ADO and Townsend when it comes to trusting their evals (players like Bal, Fili, Maruskas, maybe even Martinez are in a different category).

Still need a combo guard and a 3/4 if Carter leaves.

Ones that can actually play.

Agreed

Look, I will definitely take Jason and Mikes word that the staff is extremely high on Aristode. Dude was a very highly ranked recruit, and he certainly could be capable of locking down the 20 MPG role across 2-4 as needed. I'll provide my take when I can actually see him play this October...

What you, and many of us, have been saying is a contingency as a legit, readymade, 3rd guard, provides options and also lineup permutations which could prove vital. Specifically, the concept that I stole from Josh Gershon years ago. You get your young guys ready for March. Having that guard allows Aristode to progress naturally, and breakout into his role, very similar to Carter his year.

Additionally, that also lengthens your rotation, especially against quality teams, where we have a lot of our games in conference and OOC. Yes, we all know that going 7 deep in the tournament is logical, as was the talking point elsewhere yesterday. The point is getting there 30 games into the season. Right now, the margins are razor thin. God forbid anyone goes down for an extended period.

For some to spin that into hyperbole (not here), of which I'm not even going to repeat due to intellectually dishonesty, is lame. We all get we have a salary cap. We all are giving Lloyd credit for absolutely crushing his HS recruiting class, and that's why the money is gone.

The point is, I'm not willing to bet a FF on being a man short. I think we are, the staff may feel differently, and obviously have their hands tied due to NIL. I get it. However, it doesn't change our point..

I would love nothing more than for Aristode to be all freshman, lap up all the minutes we have, and we ride that 7 man rotation into Indy.

Last year

Bradley, Love, Carter, KJ, ADO.


This year

Bradley, Burries, Carter/replacement, Aristode, ADO.

Does that help for clarity?

Interesting article on the NIL and what the new reality is. https://www.cbssports.com/college-baske ... ial-chaos/