OK, to start - here is the "happy path" - in which we exceed all expectations and contend for an NCAA at large and finish near the top of the A10.
Guards - Jordan King. If he plays like did down the stretch for ETSU last year - he is a much more dynamic scorer at this position compared to anyone we had last year. He needs to carry that over for 30+ minutes per game. Dji - Health, health, health is the very obvious key. If he can stay healthy, we need him on the court for defense and playmaking. If he can give us 20 minutes a game of A+ defense, and make plays for others, will be a good fit next to King. He did shoot ~40% from 3 last year, if he can stay in that area then he becomes a huge factor in us winning games. And cut down turnovers - use his body to shield defenders vs try to dribble right through smaller defenders. We have a lot of guards again. If Dji can hold things down for 20 minutes/game, now we really just need to hit on two out of Smith, Roche (yes guard/wing - we will be playing small), Tyne, Hunt. Tyne and Smith are the most interesting to me. Roche, we know what he can do - with his mystery injury I feel like unfortunately he does not have much opportunity to up his game this off season. But he will be a contributor at some level. I believe if Tyne or Smith can come in and establish themselves as offensive threats in year one - that will be a huge benefit.
Forwards - Bigelow continues to play D, rebound, scrap, make athletic plays, AND would be very very helpful if they can fix his 3 point shot. Great FT shooter, but as sman was early to point out last year fades on his 3 point shot. If that can be corrected AND he has better shot selection - I do think this guy can shoot high 30's from 3. That would be huge, but mostly with our lack of interior depth he is going to need to provide toughness, rebounding and interior D. Noyes. Has the tools it seems. Needs to take next step. Why not in year 3? Tanner. Played at high level vs good comp in h.s. Can shoot it. We need one of those guys to be able to knock down 2-3 threes per game...And make contributions on the defensive/rebounding side.
Big men - Quinn looked very good at times last season, and Not so good at times. We need him to be consistently good to very good. And we need Walz to be able to come in and be impactful, and play 15+ minutes when needed. I do think the Grant Golden load management plan will be beneficial to Quinn to keep him fresh and away from injuries.
Coaching - Mooney needs establish guard pecking order early in the season, and figure out who can play and impact minutes and give them the minutes. Establish an identity. Let and help Boyden impose his will on defense. Adapt.
I know I am not very high on Mooney's off season - losing Burton and no replacement for he or Reed's loss is a big hit to the roster. But I do feel like we have enough players to win big in the A10. Just going to take a lot to go right.
Guards - Jordan King. If he plays like did down the stretch for ETSU last year - he is a much more dynamic scorer at this position compared to anyone we had last year. He needs to carry that over for 30+ minutes per game. Dji - Health, health, health is the very obvious key. If he can stay healthy, we need him on the court for defense and playmaking. If he can give us 20 minutes a game of A+ defense, and make plays for others, will be a good fit next to King. He did shoot ~40% from 3 last year, if he can stay in that area then he becomes a huge factor in us winning games. And cut down turnovers - use his body to shield defenders vs try to dribble right through smaller defenders. We have a lot of guards again. If Dji can hold things down for 20 minutes/game, now we really just need to hit on two out of Smith, Roche (yes guard/wing - we will be playing small), Tyne, Hunt. Tyne and Smith are the most interesting to me. Roche, we know what he can do - with his mystery injury I feel like unfortunately he does not have much opportunity to up his game this off season. But he will be a contributor at some level. I believe if Tyne or Smith can come in and establish themselves as offensive threats in year one - that will be a huge benefit.
Forwards - Bigelow continues to play D, rebound, scrap, make athletic plays, AND would be very very helpful if they can fix his 3 point shot. Great FT shooter, but as sman was early to point out last year fades on his 3 point shot. If that can be corrected AND he has better shot selection - I do think this guy can shoot high 30's from 3. That would be huge, but mostly with our lack of interior depth he is going to need to provide toughness, rebounding and interior D. Noyes. Has the tools it seems. Needs to take next step. Why not in year 3? Tanner. Played at high level vs good comp in h.s. Can shoot it. We need one of those guys to be able to knock down 2-3 threes per game...And make contributions on the defensive/rebounding side.
Big men - Quinn looked very good at times last season, and Not so good at times. We need him to be consistently good to very good. And we need Walz to be able to come in and be impactful, and play 15+ minutes when needed. I do think the Grant Golden load management plan will be beneficial to Quinn to keep him fresh and away from injuries.
Coaching - Mooney needs establish guard pecking order early in the season, and figure out who can play and impact minutes and give them the minutes. Establish an identity. Let and help Boyden impose his will on defense. Adapt.
I know I am not very high on Mooney's off season - losing Burton and no replacement for he or Reed's loss is a big hit to the roster. But I do feel like we have enough players to win big in the A10. Just going to take a lot to go right.
