The team moving forward needs proven scorers. Period. Two or ideally three of them who were 10+ ppg relied upon scoring options on their teams - not 4th options.
If TJS does not return we will not have anything resembling a go to guy. We will need to hit the portal hard for at least two and hopefully three decent proven scorers. (post/wing/PG).
Even if Hawkins returns he is not a consistent scorer. He really is kind of just a guy after three years who occasionally makes an athletic play.
Have no idea why any NBA team would want him on anything but a two way at best to take a look at for a year as a flyer. My advice to him is to learn Spanish and make a few bucks overseas and get a fcking jumpshot.
He can't shoot at all, he really can't guard his space one on one as he is not very strong, he is average rebounder, and he amazingly can't reliably get his own shot even though he is 6'10".
As noted we need a PG, but it needs to be a scoring point guard.
We need three point shooting badly.
Only guy coming back who can shoot the three is Goode and I am not sure he can do enough other stuff.
I could care less about RJ. Looks like a head case. He needs to start over somewhere else.
Harris and Rodgers are really just rotation guys on a good team. Not starters. Maybe as juniors or seniors. I like the effort and energy and physical ability, but they are unbelievably bad jump shooters and shoot free throws like shitty 4th graders.
Dainja is usable, had a decent first year, but we need another post guy. This poorly executed drop coverage bullshit we have been doing for years is embarrassing.
We will have some role guy talent coming back, a couple interesting freshmen, but none of it (except for Shannon if he returns) are proven scorers.
Shannon actually is a possible NBA prospect physically and athletically and skill wise and my hunch is with decent workouts he gets feedback that he can go second round and could make a roster.
Lets assume he does not return.
Hit the portal for guys who can score the fcking ball.
When you look at these teams who went deep, the only guys we had that would even play on these teams were TJS who really is a pretty damn good player, and then Hawkins as just long athletic support guy.
We were not good this year, they didn't like each other, and Underwood and staff are below average game and development coaches.
They did about as well as we could have hoped.
They were a Top 35-40 team and that is what we got.