2025-2026 Roster Construction and Needs

[MDspider8]

With how this season is going, can't help but to start looking ahead to next season. As I understand it, if we opt-in to the revenue sharing agreement for next year, our roster allotment will go from 13 scholarships + unlimited walk-ons to a roster limit of 15 players, inclusive of walk-ons. If we assume that a decision on the potential universal 5 years of eligibility is not made for next year, we're going to go into this summer already at that 15 player limit:

1. Weaver (RS Sr.), 2. Roumoglou (Sr.), 3. Walz (Sr.), 4. Beagle (Sr.), 5. GW3 (Jr.), 6. Graham (Jr.), 7. Tanner (Jr.), 8. Tyne (Jr.), 9. Soulis (RS Soph.), 10. Mooney (Soph.), 11. McGlothin (RS Fr.), 12. Robinson (RS Fr.), 13. Argabright (Fr.), 14. Harper (Fr.), 15. Richardson (Fr).

I think we can all agree that we'll need multiple impact transfers next year to be competitive in the A10, but if this 15-player roster limit happens, we'll need to have multiple transfers out OR take away spots from walk-ons to open those spots. I can't imagine Mooney doing that to the walk-ons, so I'm expecting that we're going to have at least 3-4 guys from the list above transfer out. Truthfully, at this point I'd only really be surprised at a handful of guys transferring given the environment that we're in.

Biggest needs for me are: 1. Lead/Scoring Guard, 2. Versatile, Athletic Wing/F, 3. Post-scoring big.

What do you all think? Seems like a lot of moving parts...and not going to be an easy task to get this roster back to contending.

 

[spiderstudent17]

I don't like to criticize the players on their basketball performance too much because at the end of the day, they are kids and are trying their best for this University. But to be completely candid, we basically need a new roster if we want to be good next year. When Gilly, Sherod, Golden and them were freshmen, sophomores we took our lumps and didn't do so great, but you could see that this team could blossom and be very good after a couple more years together. I hate to say it, but I don't think we have the talent on this team where I would be optimistic about us being better the next 2 years on team chemistry and time together alone.

The way I see it, I think Tyne could end up being a good A10 role player and the robin to someone's batman. However, I don't seem him being like a Gilly or Jordan King and taking over games and willing a team to victory. Also, I think Walz/Beagle together can be good enough for the 5 spot, but neither are A10 level players.

Our biggest priority and I will say it a million times is we have to get a dynamic point guard who can create his own shot, score on multiple levels, especially the 3. The best teams under Mooney always had those players (Kevin Anderson, Cedrick Lindsay, Shawn'dre Jones, Kendall Anthony, Gilly, Jordan King). We have to get this right and it is the single most important determining factor on whether we have a chance to be successful again next season.

The next need I think is the 4 spot. Tough, quick, and willing to get rebounds and play defense. Someone like Bigelow or Burton.

We also need players who can shoot the 3 at a relatively consistent manner. I think AP can fit that role, but I haven't seen enough of him yet to say he is A10 starter material.

So all-in-all we basically need a revamp to our roster next year, or at least bringing in 3-5 impact players and in my order of things, its very similar to yours MD. #1 by a mile is a dynamic scoring PG. Then #2 is a versatile, defense minded forward and then for me #3 is a wing who can shoot 3's consistently well, in the mid 30% range. If we're going to be a team that relies on the 3 most games, which looks to be the case, then we better have players on the floor who can make 3's

 

[97spiderfan]

We need a completely new guard room. We've got nothing there and with our offense if you don't have a great guard room, we are screwed. We might have the worst guard roster in the A-10 this year (now that Hunt is injured).

 

[spiderman]

I'm in the minority and will get crushed for this, but until I see otherwise I continue to believe in the young incoming talent we have. the freshman class of Richardson, Harper and Argabright is exciting to me. and just because we didn't burn the shirts of Robinson and McGlothin doesn't mean they can't be great. those 5 could be the future core.

Tyne could still develop into a lot more than he's shown. GW3 can shoot. Tanner has his moments. etc ...

as far as opening spots up, I appreciate walkons as much as the next guy. but I'm not just handing them scholarships if that's the mandate. to me Weaver, Graham and Mooney's spots are open. if they're better than what we see in the portal, then fine. but assuming they're not ...

 

[spider23]

Agree on the walkons. Cannot afford to just hand them spots. But am sure we will. Agree with 17 above, need a lot and not seeing it on current roster. I'm fine with developing the freshman, but in this day and age makes no sense to wait two to three years. Let them develop and battle legit players.

 

[ur2K]

We need better guards. A center who can run our offense would be nice to have too.

 

[spiderman]

add a young center to develop.
any experienced transfer center good enough to start over Walz and Beagle and Soulis will have a ton of higher level opportunities.

roll out the red carpet for a Jordan King type guard though.

 

[RichmondNative]

Staying with 13 scholarships and unlimited walk-ons seems like a possibility to me as I am still not convinced that UR will opt-in for revenue sharing. I do think it is hard to decide when specifics are lacking.

If the limits stayed as-is, there would be one scholarship open if all current players stayed. I wouldn’t be surprised to see one or two additional spots open up, so you could look for as many as three portal additions to go with the young core. I can’t see any of the walk-ons getting scholarships unless UR can’t find any portal options.

I have zero confidence that there will be some sort of miracle makeover that vaults UR to the top 4 conversation.

 

[GKiller]

Staying with 13 scholarships and unlimited walk-ons seems like a possibility to me as I am still not convinced that UR will opt-in for revenue sharing. I do think it is hard to decide when specifics are lacking.

If the limits stayed as-is, there would be one scholarship open if all current players stayed. I wouldn’t be surprised to see one or two additional spots open up, so you could look for as many as three portal additions to go with the young core. I can’t see any of the walk-ons getting scholarships unless UR can’t find any portal options.

I have zero confidence that there will be some sort of miracle makeover that vaults UR to the top 4 conversation.

if we don't opt in that's a death blow and we might as well join Pat League now. I think 100% we opt in. Otherwise u give up 2 ships we could use in future. & comes with no $ committment and the only downside is giving up some ncaa distribution.

Plus, Mooney basically admitted as much in presser other week with JOC. Now JOC should have asked him if UR is opting in. But the question presumed it, as did Mooney answer. Even tho Moon was or acted clueless about the $ part etc (unlike vcu).

It does look like many teams won't be increasing ships right now tho. Because any NEW scholarship money counts toward the revenue sharimg amounts and obviously those ships have cost and teams would rather go with say 12 ships and have more $ to pay just those 12 players as opposed to 15. So you'll still see walk ons. For us, I'd actually rather go up to 15 real ships. Picking the best players out of 15 is better than 12 or 13. Maybe we get lucky and find more diamonds in the rough. But it will be done with real scholarship recruits not walk ons. Mooney needs all the help he can get.

Tho I don't see us doing that immediately. because I expect his nephew and Graham will stay on roster. Either as walk ons or ships. So we wont be getting new scholarhip players. not counting player transfers that we replace. Weaver is a senior and tho he has 1 more year of eligibility I can see graduating & moving on.