5 players in the portal - Richie from the pod

[High Quality H2O]

The real question is twofold; who is leaving intially and then who is leaving just as the portal closes.

I am always tempted to be pessimistic….but somehow…maybe naively….optimistic that this years team will enter the portal early or won’t. Being that a lot of these guys saw Cam/Paul screw the team with their timing they may try to do better than that this year. Also the grad portal window is actually defined which helps control some chaos as well.

In future years I’m sure we’ll get burned again by late departures. But holding out hope it won’t be this year/this group.

 

[Caliknight]

The point about waiting for Clif was interesting.
NBA/G-League combine starts May 12th.
Draft withdrawal date is June 16th.

If Clif enters the draft but says he "may" return (he's not a lock to get drafted) how long is HC Pike going to wait?

Or does HC Pike give Clif an ultimatum and say he's looking for a transfer center immediately if available?

Look for a C with the understanding that Cliff isn't coming back. You can't wait for him to decide and miss losing out on other guys. If he doesn't come back because of that, so be it.

 

[PhillyRU]

Switching it up a little, in the pod they also mentioned @Scangg 's boy Ndongo may enter the portal and has been liking everything on Rutgers Instagram.

I have to imagine the prospect of playing with Harper and Ace is very appealing...

I'm kind of curious what the staff was planning/will do with Ndongo. Georgia Tech plays him as a small 5 (6'9" 215) which he certainly has the rebounding and, to extent, shot blocking chops for, but he doesn't seem like a very Pikiellian center

 

[kcg88]

We need Dylan and Ace to be our extra recruiters honestly. Surely Ace knows/has trained with some SEC guard that he could convince to come here. Dylan has been around the team including Cliff forever.

 

[bitnez]

Ndongo would be an unbelievable get. That kid is talented

 

[jerzeyguy]

Switching it up a little, in the pod they also mentioned @Scangg 's boy Ndongo may enter the portal and has been liking everything on Rutgers Instagram.

I have to imagine the prospect of playing with Harper and Ace is very appealing...

He did say that. But I couldn't find 1 Rutgers like - from Ndongo on IG or Twitter

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

It’s sad but I sort of hope Mag already has a foot out the door. I actually think keeping him could hurt us and I like Mag. It’s just that his health for next season is a complete wild card. If he stays it’s going to be harder to bring in a top caliber 3 /4 but then what if he’s constantly hurt again next season too. He’s never been healthy a whole season. It’s a big risk.

 

[PiscatawayMike]

This off-season is going to be interesting...

 

[RutgersClassof2004]

https://www.app.com/story/sports/co...eager-for-showcase-in-piscataway/69747179007/

“I’m completely fine speaking about this because I’m never going to transfer,” he said. “I am never going to enter the portal. Even if things go wrong, knock on wood, I’m here. I’m staying. I’m not a guy that will enter the portal – ever.”

Paul also made similar comments, then bailed a few months later.

 

[PhillyRU]

Ndongo wins it for GA Tech over Wake

 

[MCKnight2004]

Ndongo with the game winner !

 

[Rutgersfan0515]

Paul also made similar comments, then bailed a few months later.

Gavin is true to his word. This is exactly why EVERYONE needs to rally around the guy. He’s a very rare kind

 

[kcg88]

Gavin is true to his word. This is exactly why EVERYONE needs to rally around the guy. He’s a very rare kind

How do we know if he's true to his word?

 

[SBP]

Paul also made similar comments, then bailed a few months later.

Uhm no…similar is not the same as never. Take the kid at his word. Word is bond.

 

[bitnez]

Paul cried after Hofstra and looked absolutely done here. If you watched that presser there was zero chance he was coming back.

 

[RUsojo]

Sojo - I recall you being one of the few posters who supported Hawk’s takes in the Summer/Fall that we would be a better overall team this year without Cam/Paul and an improved roster with the likes of Simpson, Noah, JMike, Williams, Griffiths, Hyatt, and Oscar leading the way with Cliff/Mag.

This was always a ridiculous take and everyone knew we would take a step back this year but curious what changed for you to now say last offseason was a disaster by Pikiell?

I vehemently agree with Hawks overall view of the recent roster management. And his stance that there is an overemphasis on the value certain individual players bring to an average team or our team as is (whichever), and how you can replace certain skillsets with opposite skillsets and make up or gain production.

My recollection was not that I beat home we would be a better team - I don’t think I ever said that we would, maybe that we could, but that everything we do going forward in 2023-2024 should be with an eye on building toward 2024-2025. I think I got across the point that the 2023-2024 floor was really low and the ceiling very low (never an ncaa team). I have been say just don’t finish last and try to get to .500 all year long.

Four main things materialized this offseason/year, not in any specific order, which pretty clearly indicated that low floor was gonna come to
fruition. Nothing that constitutes a change of stance for me occured.

1. Gross negligence in cliff offensive usage/overall offensive game plan
2. Lack of development from Simpson
3. Poor portal acquisitions
4. Mag still injured killing depth again

This all leaves a lot of doubt on what 2024 can be. I have half a mind to say win or lose it we may need to judge it in isolation, having potentially no impact on future results. Though I think we all want to believe, that if things fall right, it could. I tend to have very little trust in the right decisions getting made where everything falls into place. Yet here I am, hoping.

 

[Kbee3]

Paul cried after Hofstra and looked absolutely done here. If you watched that presser there was zero chance he was coming back.

Yeah...I thought it was obvious he was done.

 

[RUGiddy777]

My best guess:

Staying: JMike, JWill, Gavin, Oskar, Ogbole

Leaving: Cliff, Mag, Derek, Woolf, Chol

I don’t see Derek leaving.

 

[BillyC80]

I don’t see Derek leaving.

Your guess is as good as mine 😎

 

[RUsojo]

I don’t see Derek leaving.

When I analyze it, I see both us should be wanting to move on from Derek (and Mag fwiw) and Derek should be wanting to move on from us. Our ceiling in 2024 is limited by returning those two and if we look at where can we really improve significantly and raise our ceiling it’s having their minutes to offer to a new guard and wing.

But it comes down to where does Pike sit? Will he cling to his guys already here? Will mag and/or Derek initiate first and not leave it up to pike?

I just don’t think we know yet. I do know all these outcomes are certainly on the table.

 

[Kbee3]

I vehemently agree with Hawks overall view of the recent roster management. And his stance that there is an overemphasis on the value certain individual players bring to an average team, and how you can replace certain skillsets with opposite skillsets and make up to gain production.

My recollection was not that I beat home we would be a better team - I don’t think I ever said that we would, maybe that we could, but that everything we do going forward in 2023-2024 should be with an eye on building toward 2024-2025. I think I got across the point that the 2023-2024 floor was really low and the ceiling very low (never an ncaa team). I have been say just don’t finish last and try to get to .500 all year long.

Four main things materialized this offseason/year, not in any specific order, which pretty clearly indicated that low floor was gonna come to
fruition. Nothing that constitutes a change of stance for occured.

1. Gross negligence in cliff offensive usage/overall offensive game plan
2. Lack of development from Simpson
3. Poor portal acquisitions
4. Mag still injured killing depth again

This all leaves a lot of doubt on what 2024 can be. I have half a mind to say win or lose it we may need to judge it in isolation, having potentially no impact on future results. Though I think we all want to believe, that if things fall right, it could. I tend to have very little trust in the right decisions getting made where everything falls into place. Yet here I am, hoping.

I agree with 1, 2, 3, and 4.
My optimism is mostly based on the guys coming in next year. If Cooper Flagg hadn't reclassified, Rutgers would have the top two high school players in the country coming in. I think their impact will be significant. And Sommerville should help also.
Great job by the staff. Honestly better than I would ever have thought possible.

 

[S_Janowski]

I vehemently agree with Hawks overall view of the recent roster management. And his stance that there is an overemphasis on the value certain individual players bring to an average team or our team as is (whichever), and how you can replace certain skillsets with opposite skillsets and make up or gain production.

My recollection was not that I beat home we would be a better team - I don’t think I ever said that we would, maybe that we could, but that everything we do going forward in 2023-2024 should be with an eye on building toward 2024-2025. I think I got across the point that the 2023-2024 floor was really low and the ceiling very low (never an ncaa team). I have been say just don’t finish last and try to get to .500 all year long.

Four main things materialized this offseason/year, not in any specific order, which pretty clearly indicated that low floor was gonna come to
fruition. Nothing that constitutes a change of stance for me occured.

1. Gross negligence in cliff offensive usage/overall offensive game plan
2. Lack of development from Simpson
3. Poor portal acquisitions
4. Mag still injured killing depth again

This all leaves a lot of doubt on what 2024 can be. I have half a mind to say win or lose it we may need to judge it in isolation, having potentially no impact on future results. Though I think we all want to believe, that if things fall right, it could. I tend to have very little trust in the right decisions getting made where everything falls into place. Yet here I am, hoping.

Hawk was adamant we were going to be a better team this year with the subtraction of Cam/Paul combined with the new additions / additional opportunity for guys like Simpson, Hyatt, Oscar.

I recall you often saying Hawk was on point when this topic (and many other topics with him) came up…but maybe it was his other points.

Interesting that a few of your 4 points listed (portal acquisitions and Mag) Hawk would have disagreed with. He was very satisfied with our roster this year and always downplayed Mags value. Thought you were always onside with him but maybe not.

 

[GRU23]

I know Matt Allocco is gonna be a grad transfer, and im sure Pike would move heaven and earth to get that guy n the team.

 

[RUsojo]

Hawk was adamant we were going to be a better team this year with the subtraction of Cam/Paul combined with the new additions / additional opportunity for guys like Simpson, Hyatt, Oscar.

I recall you often saying Hawk was on point when this topic (and many other topics with him) came up…but maybe it was his other points.

Interesting that a few of your 4 points listed (portal acquisitions and Mag) Hawk would have disagreed with. He was very satisfied with our roster this year and always downplayed Mags value. Thought you were always onside with him but maybe not.

The past 1.5 years, 2 years, I think Hawk has had a really good take on the program and how decisions can, should, and are made. I’m sure I liked a lot of his posts that probably had a few of these overlapping topics mentioned. We’re talking on the edges of a lot of different topics now so it can get muddy.

There is an aspect to this too, where a decision or thought can be sound, but one in which Pike is not suited to execute - which is a knock BUT also an understanding that there are different ways to end up in similar places. It’s a sentiment on pike that I think was on display with pikes “favorite team/best team comments” where he is most confident in his team when it’s structure fits his ideal play style. And why he prefers certain players over others.

You know I have said although the ride has been fun at times, we have not accomplished much in the landscape of CBB. That is how I view our program and the decisions/results that comes. 2019-2020 covid year was a shame - an NCAA tournament performance that year may be the most significant missed opportunity of our lifetime, slightly ahead of the Houston coaching debacle. Programs are made by taking advantage of the very few opportunities that come. Of course, I recognize what the results of the last 8 years mean based on our history too.

Not sure what Hawk would say. He was resolutely high on Simpson before his first year. I thought that impact was wishful thinking. But, I thought Simpson as a primary ball handler, and cliff in PNR would be a good fit and improve our offense. An offense we never really ran. I thought there was a path for Simpsons development for sure but that it was far from a likelihood. It took me maybe 5 games back in Nov to say soon pike will need to realize no 2 of our 3 guards can play together, and that Davis looked like the guy to keep for 2024. Mag has given us next to nothing. Just like last year, we are not good or deep enough to lose a key contributors impact.

 

[Scangg]

Would happily swap Mag for Ndongo. But would be shocked if Ndongo doesn’t command big money in the portal

This. People want to move on from Mag. If we have the money to land a stud like Ndongo I would happily swap Mag for a player like that. I just don't think it's likely

How much money do we have?

I'm kind of curious what the staff was planning/will do with Ndongo. Georgia Tech plays him as a small 5 (6'9" 215) which he certainly has the rebounding and, to extent, shot blocking chops for, but he doesn't seem like a very Pikiellian center

He would start at the 4 and Ace at the 3

 

[Scangg]

Hawk was adamant we were going to be a better team this year with the subtraction of Cam/Paul combined with the new additions / additional opportunity for guys like Simpson, Hyatt, Oscar.

I recall you often saying Hawk was on point when this topic (and many other topics with him) came up…but maybe it was his other points.

Interesting that a few of your 4 points listed (portal acquisitions and Mag) Hawk would have disagreed with. He was very satisfied with our roster this year and always downplayed Mags value. Thought you were always onside with him but maybe not.

Yeaaaa I mean Hawk was the leading voice saying how this year's roster was so much better at every position on the roster. Every position.

He said Cam wasn't that good. He didn't want Cam taking minutes and shots from Gavin even though they don't play the same position

The phantom better offense he promised obviously did not materialize

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

Does that include you and mean Mag is staying?

I have already stated multiple times what happened last year was meant to approach and look towards what needs to happen in 2024-25 and beyond and fans still aren't getting it. The goal was never intended on being bad or purposely losing games, but it also wasn't meant to bury underclassmen on the bench with no path towards playing this year.

By doing what we did last year, we know with certainty whats needed this year. People keep referring to dumb items like bringing in Ralph Agee when they had no real need to bring in starting caliber players. Players like Fernandes and Austin Williams (and Mulcahy) were not intended on being starters.

I could only explain so many times that Simpson and Davis and Griffiths would both play significant minutes this year, so we could find out or know how much further they could go, so their more reliable in 2024-25 as role/bench players or could they be counted on as contributing players.

Pike ultimately didn't get burned by anyone more than Mag, who he clearly tried to find a replacement for as a role player. There was an interest in bringing in a player like Jay Pal, as a 1 year grad Transfer, to play in Mags spot, until Mag got going. Pal as a bridge guy or combined with Mag would have been perfect, with Mag coming off the injury.

With Mag seemingly healthy enough to play some minutes at the start of this season, created a gap in the rotation. And now he's also not playing or sitting out games at the end of this season, which to me Indicates a lot.

I don't have any idea who is leaving or who's potentially coming in via the Portal, all I know is RU recruited 2 PF or wings, knowingly and for a reason. People keep asking or looking for Mag to return, when RU has 2 better options incoming for 2024 in Dortch and Grant. Add in Ace Bailey and if RU kept Baye Ndongo, things would have been set nicely this year and next year. If you can get Ndongo OR a similar player with his skill set who can actually play, who actually can move, block shots, handle the ball, rebound and hit 3s.(all things he does at a high level and miles better than Mag or any forward we had this year) then there's no reason to worry about Mag and whether he stays or not in 2024.

The rest of portal guesses is really irrelevant unless you are getting players who truly will play in the Top 8 of your rotation.

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

Yeaaaa I mean Hawk was the leading voice saying how this year's roster was so much better at every position on the roster. Every position.

He said Cam wasn't that good. He didn't want Cam taking minutes and shots from Gavin even though they don't play the same position

The phantom better offense he promised obviously did not materialize

Dude, you are still clueless....anyone with a clue, would see that your boy Mag, is clearly not the player you kept saying he was and sitting out games when he was cleared to play "some" minutes at the start of the season and now isn't playing any minutes at the end of the season.

In terms of playing faster, I just actually pay attention and when recruits in 2024 don't want to play games 56-52, you listen to the recruits. We shed the slower players and if Ndongo stuck and JWill was cleared at game 16 and not game 20, anyone with a clue would see RU is significantly better than last year.....OR are you telling me JWill isn't good or better than what we played with in the backcourt last year??? LMAO

If you watch ANY college basketball beyond the RU games, you would see Mag isn't a starter on most reasonable CBB rosters. And Ndongo and JWill with the younger guards like Griffiths, Simpson and Davis, makes way more sense than Mulcahy and Spencer gobbling up minutes and playing slower paced basketball.

If Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey commit to your program and want to play faster and showcase their skills, only you would blindly ignore that.....I agree with Dylan and Ace and the remaining 2024 class, but if I say it, I'm wrong??? LMAO

 

[Scangg]

I have already stated multiple times what happened last year was meant to approach and look towards what needs to happen in 2024-25 and beyond and fans still aren't getting it. The goal was never intended on being bad or purposely losing games, but it also wasn't meant to bury underclassmen on the bench with no path towards playing this year.

By doing what we did last year, we know with certainty whats needed this year. People keep referring to dumb items like bringing in Ralph Agee when they had no real need to bring in starting caliber players. Players like Fernandes and Austin Williams (and Mulcahy) were not intended on being starters.

I could only explain so many times that Simpson and Davis and Griffiths would both play significant minutes this year, so we could find out or know how much further they could go, so their more reliable in 2024-25 as role/bench players or could they be counted on as contributing players.

Pike ultimately didn't get burned by anyone more than Mag, who he clearly tried to find a replacement for as a role player. There was an interest in bringing in a player like Jay Pal, as a 1 year grad Transfer, to play in Mags spot, until Mag got going. Pal as a bridge guy or combined with Mag would have been perfect, with Mag coming off the injury.

With Mag seemingly healthy enough to play some minutes at the start of this season, created a gap in the rotation. And now he's also not playing or sitting out games at the end of this season, which to me Indicates a lot.

I don't have any idea who is leaving or who's potentially coming in via the Portal, all I know is RU recruited 2 PF or wings, knowingly and for a reason. People keep asking or looking for Mag to return, when RU has 2 better options incoming for 2024 in Dortch and Grant. Add in Ace Bailey and if RU kept Baye Ndongo, things would have been set nicely this year and next year. If you can get Ndongo OR a similar player with his skill set who can actually play, who actually can move, block shots, handle the ball, rebound and hit 3s.(all things he does at a high level and miles better than Mag or any forward we had this year) then there's no reason to worry about Mag and whether he stays or not in 2024.

The rest of portal guesses is really irrelevant unless you are getting players who truly will play in the Top 8 of your rotation.

Yes, of course replace Mag with an absolute stud if you can. This will require a big bag of cash. Do we have it?

How much money is there to to around?

Ace and Dylan are getting big money. Have to assume Lathan has something. Grant Dortch not sure

JWill needs to get paid. He earned a raise. It's a given other teams would be willing to offer him a nice chunk of change

A portal 3 poont shooting guard will cost money

Cliff bigggg bag... if he doesn't go pro $EC or blue blood I'm sure woild offer him a lot

Have to assume there isn't unlimited NIL funds to land studs at every position and keep the studs we have

If this is a fantasy world and we have unlimited cash then by all means throw the bag at Ndongo and let Mag walk. I was the biggest Ndongo lover on the board. I'd be alllll for it. I just doubt Rutgers will have the cash he is going to command

 

[Scangg]

Dude, you are still clueless....anyone with a clue, would see that your boy Mag, is clearly not the player you kept saying he was and sitting out games when he was cleared to play "some" minutes at the start of the season and now isn't playing any minutes at the end of the season.

In terms of playing faster, I just actually pay attention and when recruits in 2024 don't want to play games 56-52, you listen to the recruits. We shed the slower players and if Ndongo stuck and JWill was cleared at game 16 and not game 20, anyone with a clue would see RU is significantly better than last year.....OR are you telling me JWill isn't good or better than what we played with in the backcourt last year??? LMAO

If you watch ANY college basketball beyond the RU games, you would see Mag isn't a starter on most reasonable CBB rosters. And Ndongo and JWill with the younger guards like Griffiths, Simpson and Davis, makes way more sense than Mulcahy and Spencer gobbling up minutes and playing slower paced basketball.

If Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey commit to your program and want to play faster and showcase their skills, only you would blindly ignore that.....I agree with Dylan and Ace and the remaining 2024 class, but if I say it, I'm wrong??? LMAO

Don't tell me about Ndongo. I'm the OG believer. He was already gone when you were telling us how good this team would be. JWill was not expected to play at all when you were telling us how good this years team would be. It took a mid season law suit and NCAA rule change for him to unexpectedly play. Talk about clueless

Tell us all again how Cam isn't good

 

[Scangg]

We are also still scoring in the 50s btw lol

 

[Scarlet Shack]

I think it’s fine people need to realize once and for all ….kids will be here from year to year

Here is how I break it down

Most likely to return
-Gavin….I really think it would be out of left field for him to move on. Knowing what I know about him and the family he grew up in,…I think he is here to really make the effort to make a go of it

-Jmike-airous will be here. Playing with airous means a lot to him .

-Jwill-seeing how he interacts witb everyone else and how he was a real bench supporter when he was sitting when it would have been easy for him to sulk…I think he looks like hw found a bone . We need to step up here in NIL…(as the case with anyone ). if we do, this feels right ….but nothing surprises me anymore

Most likely gone
-Chol

-Wolfolk-he just isn’t tall or explosive enough to bang in the middle in the big ten. Might return if Ogoble doesn’t

We don’t know
-Mag-been discussed -
-cliff -been discussed
-ogobke -recent dog house …doesn’t forbids well . We will see
-oskar - maybe returns as a glue guy. He is supmwone who can clearly attest to that fact that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side
-Simpson -I don’t know. Kid hustles everywhere for an undersized guard. But he is an undersized guard thsr is struggling shooting …and he is the same position as Jmike . Like to have him , but he may benefit more than anyone from a fresh start elsewhere

It’s going to be unclear to us…and I hope pike avoid the survivor blind sides like last year with Spenser

Right now for next year , I see it’s the five frosh, two soph and Jwill ….and we shall see

 

[Scangg]

I think it’s fine people need to realize once and for all ….kids will be here from year to year

Here is how I break it down

Most likely to return
-Gavin….I really think it would be out of left field for him to move on. Knowing what I know about him and the family he grew up in,…I think he is here to really make the effort to make a go of it

-Jmike-airous will be here. Playing with airous means a lot to him .

-Jwill-seeing how he interacts witb everyone else and how he was a real bench supporter when he was sitting when it would have been easy for him to sulk…I think he looks like hw found a bone . We need to step up here in NIL…(as the case with anyone ). if we do, this feels right ….but nothing surprises me anymore

Most likely gone
-Chol

-Wolfolk-he just isn’t tall or explosive enough to bang in the middle in the big ten. Might return if Ogoble doesn’t

We don’t know
-Mag-been discussed -
-cliff -been discussed
-ogobke -recent dog house …doesn’t forbids well . We will see
-oskar - maybe returns as a glue guy. He is supmwone who can clearly attest to that fact that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side
-Simpson -I don’t know. Kid hustles everywhere for an undersized guard. But he is an undersized guard thsr is struggling shooting …and he is the same position as Jmike . Like to have him , but he may benefit more than anyone from a fresh start elsewhere

It’s going to be unclear to us…and I hope pike avoid the survivor blind sides like last year with Spenser

Right now for next year , I see it’s the five frosh, two soph and Jwill ….and we shall see

Pretty spot on. One question is Ogbole in the dog house or is it injury related?

"Right now for next year , I see it’s the five frosh, two soph and Jwill …."

This is the scary thing. There is a ton of talent, but that is a super young roster. Bringing in a few veteran starters / major rotations pieces is essential

I know Hawk thinks Grant and Dortch are better and can replace Mag. Although one or both might be better in the long run, it's unlikely their freshman year versions will be better than a healthy Mag another year removed from injury with a full off season to train

I would be more comfortable if Grant/Dortch had major roles on a team where they would be surrounded by veterans, but next year they will be surrounded by a lot of freshman and sophomores

We need to surround Dylan and Ace with talented veterans if we want to make a deep run. It's a must IMO

 

[RutgersClassof2004]

Uhm no…similar is not the same as never. Take the kid at his word. Word is bond.

Unfortunately in today's game word doesn't mean much.

 

[shields]

Negative class of 2004.

 

[dpwhite]

I love Hawk, but last year being Cam is not a good player and now Mag... I mean really? We don't need to trash everyone who's leaving here. I trust Pike knows what he has to do to make next year special and the tea leaves seem to be that Mag is leaving, but we don't need to run every key cog under the bus every time they leave.

 

[willisneverrana43]

J Mike > Simpson

Simpson has a 34% field goal percentage and 25% three-point percentage lifetime. Against that, it's not hard to be >. He's not just shooting bricks. These are mortar shots. Sometimes they're not even near the basket.

 

[RUBlackout]

Where is all this rumor that Mag is leaving??? I think Mag will be back and no indication of that changing.
Cliff is the bigger mystery to me. I am not sure what he will do but any team would want him in college.

 

[S_Janowski]

Pretty spot on. One question is Ogbole in the dog house or is it injury related?

"Right now for next year , I see it’s the five frosh, two soph and Jwill …."

This is the scary thing. There is a ton of talent, but that is a super young roster. Bringing in a few veteran starters / major rotations pieces is essential

I know Hawk thinks Grant and Dortch are better and can replace Mag. Although one or both might be better in the long run, it's unlikely their freshman year versions will be better than a healthy Mag another year removed from injury with a full off season to train

I would be more comfortable if Grant/Dortch had major roles on a team where they would be surrounded by veterans, but next year they will be surrounded by a lot of freshman and sophomores

We need to surround Dylan and Ace with talented veterans if we want to make a deep run. It's a must IMO

I’m torn on Ogbole. Imo I think his lack of playing time recently is more of a matchup thing (I could be wrong here).

He is a massive body and didn’t matchup well vs. a quick/athletic team like Nebraska. I think this is why he got yanked after 1 poor defensive play vs. Maryland.

Against bigger/slower teams Ogbole could be an asset As a backup but not sure how he will do against that smaller/quicker teams.

 

[High Quality H2O]

This. People want to move on from Mag. If we have the money to land a stud like Ndongo I would happily swap Mag for a player like that. I just don't think it's likely

How much money do we have?


He would start at the 4 and Ace at the 3

If we can get Ndongo we take him, but is that his position?

Isn’t he 3-10 from 3, is he helping us space the floor from the 4 spot, or would he be better as Cliffs replacement than Mags?