Time To Move On

[Censored by Laurie]

our mediocre, no championship-winning coach just got hired UP in the college sports world and most of you don't know what to do because 98% of your fandom is seemingly centered around water cooler talks with your Horn/Aggie/Raider/Bear/Mustang/Frog co-workers, and the feelings of inadequacy you feel toward your rather mid Alma Mater's sports history always well to the surface and cloud perspective and as such you've never learned to just enjoy the successful basketball we've had since 2017...

so finally, that era is over.

I was initially a bit ambivalent on the Robinson hire, but the more I've dug the more I like the pick and think at worst he is a good continuity hire to continue our upward trajectory as a basketball program

as likely would've been the case had Hodge stayed another season, we're going to be looking at a brand new roster for the '25-26 season yet again. just the nature of the beast. wanna complain about it? fine, I guess...but last I checked ESPN+ isn't putting a gun to your head to watch these games. 

so, what do we have so far? 

3 CSU transfers:
 - Je'Shawn Stevenson - G - 6'2" 200 - Soph - starting guard/6th man potential
 - Dylan Arnett - F - 6'9" 240 - Sr - likely starter at the 4/5
 - Reece Robinson - F - 6'8" 225 -Soph - 15-20 minutes/game reserve

Possible Retunees, Known Commodities:
 - Brennan Lorient - F - 6'9" 215 - Sr - imma set it at 25/75 at best that B-Lo is back...he's done enough to get paid more than UNT can offer
 - Jasper Floyd - G - 6'3" 195 - Sr - 50/50? I like him and want him back, but I would think WVU fans would be under-whlemed dropping a ship on him next year
 - Grant Newell - F - 6'9" 220 - Sr - he's maddening, sure...but he fills a role here and given the Chicago connect, I bet he's back 

Possible Returnees, Unknowns:
 - Tyran Mason - G - 6'6" 195 - RS-Fr - hope he stays, I guess?
 - Brock Vice - F - 6'10" 240 - Soph - gotta think he either stays or Hodge had a plan for him and brings him to WVU...I see little middle ground here
 - Alex Cotton -G - 6'5" 200 - So/Jr(?) - two years here and no PT likely means a transfer down...best of luck in the SoCon
 - Baron Smith - F - 6'9" 220 - Fr - just on the eyeball test at shoot-around in Phili, we could do worse for a prospect...wouldn't be disappointed if he stayed

Incoming Recruits:
 - DJ Thomas - F - 6'7" 210- Fr - I've seen their game described differently, but I'd be happy if either he or Mason stuck for next year...they're probably filling a similar roll
 - Cahmai Crosby - 6'3" 180 - Soph - solid JUCO numbers...looks like a role player...happy if he's a contributor next season, but won't lose sleep if he never steps foot on campus

Recruitment Needs:
 - #1 lead scoring guard - we need 15ppg ideally from a winning D1 program walking through the door
 - starting center - I would love someone who makes either Arnett or Newell our reserve 4/5...both if B-Lo happens to stay
 - starting PG - I mean, in an ideal world Floyd stays, but is our swing guard and we add a dynamic PG
 - 6'5"-ish wings - can never have too many

[Censored by Laurie]

Dream 13

Starters: 
PG. Rowan Brumbaugh - transfer Tulane (facilitator with the ability to score the rock)
SG. Jaron Pierre - transfer Jax State (pure scoring guard with some size)
SF. Tyran Mason/DJ Thomas - Dello role, high-level athlete more interested in defending than scoring
PF. Brennan Lorient - biggest recruiting job for the new gaffer
C. Dylan Arnett - experienced hard working post

Key Bench
 - Je'Shawn Stevenson - scoring guard
 - Jasper Floyd - reserve PG, defensive stalwart
 - Brock Vice - 6'10" with legit perimeter game...man I hope he stays 
 - Grant Newell - rugged, experienced stretch 4/5

Developmental Bench
 - Reece Robinson - probably has a big role next year
 - Baron Smith - if all the above happens, all your bigs are seniors so maybe there's a role in 2 years
 - Cahmai Crosby - his profile makes sense...hard being too excited about him right now
 - high-upside scoring guard freshman from Denton-area high school

[Censored by Laurie]

probably the more than likely 13

PG. Jasper Floyd - I'd be happy if he sticks around, especially the more assertive version we saw in the NIT...probably a tick below Big 12 standards, at least as a starter
SG. Je'Shawn Stevenson - I think he needs another year, but all his stats indicate he'll be a star 
SF. D1 transfer that we're all assuming/hoping will be the leading scorer
PF. Grant Newell
C. Dylan Arnett

Key Bench
 - Brock Vice - just trying to talk myself into the idea he's staying
 - Tyran Mason/DJ Thomas - can't get over the idea only one of these dudes will be here next year
 - Cahmai Crosby - everything I can find says he's just barely good enough to carve out a role here
 - Reece Robinson - there's a lot of upside here

Developmental Bench
 - Baron Smith - if all the above happens, all your bigs are seniors so maybe there's a role in 2 years
 - freshman guard
 - freshman guard
- freshman wing

[Green with Envy]

you can probably wipe DJ Thomas from your list.   Pretty sure he's had a change of plans with the coaching change.   

[2020 Sucks]

I think we will have 0 returning players from this years team that contributed.  I hope I'm wrong.  But our 8 guys in the rotation are GONE in my opinion.  Maybe Cotton, or Mayson Howell tries to stay...I'd like to see that.  But the 8 players in the rotation are going to move on.  B-Lo is gonna get a bag somewhere...probably Morgantown.  Floyd will be in demand...probably a SEC school.  Grant is the only one I think could possibly stay...but it would take some money and some convincing by D-Rob.

[NTWL20]

2 hours ago, 2020 Sucks said:

I think we will have 0 returning players from this years team that contributed.  I hope I'm wrong.  But our 8 guys in the rotation are GONE in my opinion.  Maybe Cotton, or Mayson Howell tries to stay...I'd like to see that.  But the 8 players in the rotation are going to move on.  B-Lo is gonna get a bag somewhere...probably Morgantown.  Floyd will be in demand...probably a SEC school.  Grant is the only one I think could possibly stay...but it would take some money and some convincing by D-Rob.

We should not drop an ounce of money on Newell if he wants to stay. He was quite underwhelming the entire year. 

[TIgreen01]

6 minutes ago, NTWL20 said:

We should not drop an ounce of money on Newell if he wants to stay. He was quite underwhelming the entire year. 

Depends on your expectations.  He was maddening for all the missed layups and shots from close range, absolutely.  But he was a high motor defender with length.  I'd definitely bring him back if possible.  I bet every single player in our starting 5 with eligibility gets offers from P5 schools. 

[UNTLifer]

5 hours ago, Green with Envy said:

you can probably wipe DJ Thomas from your list.   Pretty sure he's had a change of plans with the coaching change.   

Guess or fact?

[Green with Envy]

2 minutes ago, UNTLifer said:

Guess or fact?

can i say both?

the poor kid's head is probably spinning right now as it came on pretty quick and his post HS plans got flipped around.   his mom has made it known, pretty adamantly, that his future is TBD.   and the tone of when she most recently said it tells me TBD likely does not include UNT. 

[MeanGreenTexan]

24 minutes ago, Green with Envy said:

can i say both?

the poor kid's head is probably spinning right now as it came on pretty quick and his post HS plans got flipped around.   his mom has made it known, pretty adamantly, that his future is TBD.   and the tone of when she most recently said it tells me TBD likely does not include UNT. 

Well, hopefully they get to have a conversation with Coach Robinson.   Seems like a great guy from what we've heard from him so far.

[UNTLifer]

5 hours ago, Green with Envy said:

can i say both?

the poor kid's head is probably spinning right now as it came on pretty quick and his post HS plans got flipped around.   his mom has made it known, pretty adamantly, that his future is TBD.   and the tone of when she most recently said it tells me TBD likely does not include UNT. 

Who is his Mom?  I am guessing she is commenting on X/Twitter?

[Jonnyeagle]

7 hours ago, NTWL20 said:

We should not drop an ounce of money on Newell if he wants to stay. He was quite underwhelming the entire year. 

My understanding was Newell was still being paid from Cal so we didn’t have to pay him any NIL money.   I would take him for free.