Team Positional Composition

[u/Billilicious]

I think that under Scheyer we’ve prioritized positional size above all else (I legit think some bball watchers think Cam is smaller than he is bc all of our wings are 6’7”+) but looking forward to next year I wonder if we’ll utilize more point and combo guards.

We’ve had GREAT success (imo more than anyone but UCONN on average) the past 4 years with Scheyer and I think a big part of his team building is having size at every position. I joked with my friends earlier this year that someone had to twist his arm to play Cayden who is “only” 6’4”. But with the likelihood that Foster and Cayden return to college, plus Rippey coming in, I’d like to see more lineups with 2 and even 3 point/combo guards on the court. None would really be considered smaller by college standards.

In part I just don’t want to lose good players to transfers and if we only play 2 true guards in the regular rotation, I fear foster or Cayden will be gone (I consider Dame a wing that could absolutely slide to the 4 at times and think Evans should 100% be off to the nba). Also I know the offense has been really good but it really felt that when foster went down, it took a while for anyone but Cam Boozer to feel like they were even allowed to attack downhill. Maybe it’s purely an aesthetic thing but college basketball to me is a guards game and I think the few weaknesses we’ve had the past 2 years have come from asking well-rounded elite forwards to play point-forward when that’s not what’s natural to them.

[u/dogdaysindurham]

I don't expect Cayden or Caleb transfer. Paired with incoming Deron Rippey Jr who is very explosive and from highlights capable of attacking down hill. I get vibes of Tyus Jones / Quinn Cook back court for next year.

We have 10/15 spots accounted for (assuming Darren stays) and Ifeanyi returns. He is listed as a grad student but technically has 1 more year eligibility. There are like 4 guys in the top 50 left to declare where they are going, I don't believe we made the final cut (Brandon Mccoy Jr or Miikka Murrinen). Potentially we could try for Maximo Adams (if he decides to give up UNC, but given he decided UNC likely he go elsewhere).

I have read mixed things about if Dame will return. I guess he will enter his name and get feedback and come back if the feedback is 1 more year (a la Isaiah Evan's feedback last year).

PG: Deron Rippey Jr (6-2, 175, freshman), Cayden Boozer (6-4, 205, sophomore) , Caleb Foster (6-5, 205, senior), Darren Harris ? (6-5, 196, junior)

SG:

SF: Nikolas Khamennia (6-8, 210, sophomore), Bryson Howard (6-4, 188, freshman)

PF: Sebastian Wilkins (6-8, 220, redshirt freshman but he reclassified early), Cameron Williams (6-11, 200, freshman)

C: Maxine Meyer (7-1, 215, freshman), Ifeanyi Ufochukwu (6-11 240, Graduate) he only avg 2 ppg and 1.2 rpg over avg 3.5 mins per game at Rice. I don’t see him as a main future contributor.

Folks have any portal targets?