2022-23 Roster Construction/Mgmt

[RAM_IT]

4/29/22

The current 2022-23 roster (today) is now fringe NCAA Tourney at-large (Top 50 or so) material. Probably Top 60-ish at the moment. I do like the Jackson/Johns/Shriver adds (on paper). Acquire one more "immediate impact" weapon for the starters/rotation (1-10) and it certainly boosts the overall outlook significantly.

Starters
1) 6'1" Baldwin (Jr)
2) 6'4" Nunn (So)
3) 6'5" Jackson (So)
4) 6'8" Johns (Sr)
5) 6'8" Deloach (So)

Rotation
6) 6'6" Shriver (Sr)
7) 6'5" Kern (So)
8) 6'6" Watkins (So)
9) 6'7" Billups (Fr)
10) 6'8"+ Transfer Portal Big (TBD)

Bench
11) 6'9" Fermin (Fr)
12) 6'3" McAllister (So)
13) 6'5" Banks (Jr)

We are still relatively young and inexperienced right now (two-person senior class, just three potential impact upperclassmen). Kids coming off injury or inactivity. Several newbies. One returning double-digit scorer. Relatively little experience on the interior.

The remaining transfer portal/roster addition is key.

So far: Out - MBJ/Ward/Tsohonis/Nichols. In - Jackson/Johns/Shriver/TBD.

Note: If the staff can land Jamari Smith, that's a pretty solid "roster reconstruction/recovery/replenishment" effort.

Jamir 3rd off the bench? what u smokin

 

[GuardTheArc]

4/29/22

The current 2022-23 roster (today) is now fringe NCAA Tourney at-large (Top 50 or so) material. Probably Top 60-ish at the moment. I do like the Jackson/Johns/Shriver adds (on paper). Acquire one more "immediate impact" weapon for the starters/rotation (1-10) and it certainly boosts the overall outlook significantly.

Starters
1) 6'1" Baldwin (Jr)
2) 6'4" Nunn (So)
3) 6'5" Jackson (So)
4) 6'8" Johns (Sr)
5) 6'8" Deloach (So)

Rotation
6) 6'6" Shriver (Sr)
7) 6'5" Kern (So)
8) 6'6" Watkins (So)
9) 6'7" Billups (Fr)
10) 6'8"+ Transfer Portal Big (TBD)

Bench
11) 6'9" Fermin (Fr)
12) 6'3" McAllister (So)
13) 6'5" Banks (Jr)

We are still relatively young and inexperienced right now (two-person senior class, just three potential impact upperclassmen). Kids coming off injury or inactivity. Several newbies. One returning double-digit scorer. No established “alpha dog.” Relatively little experience on the interior.

The remaining transfer portal/roster addition is key.

So far: Out - MBJ/Ward/Tsohonis/Nichols. In - Jackson/Johns/Shriver/TBD.

Note: If the staff can land Jamari Smith, that's a pretty solid "roster reconstruction/recovery/replenishment" effort.

5/7/22

The current 2022-23 roster (today) remains fringe NCAA Tourney at-large (Top 50 or so) material. Probably Top 60-ish at the moment. I do like the "collective" Jackson/Johns/Shriver/Lawal adds (on paper).

Starters
1) 6'1" Baldwin (Jr)
2) 6'4" Nunn (So)
3) 6'5" Jackson (So)
4) 6'8" Johns (Sr)
5) 6'8" Deloach (So)

Rotation
6) 6'6" Shriver (Sr)
7) 6'6" Watkins (So)
8) 6'5" Kern (So)
9) 6'7" Billups (Fr)
10) 6'9" Fermin (Fr)

Bench
11) 6'8" Lawal (Fr)
12) 6'3" McAllister (So)
13) 6'5" Banks (Jr)

We are still relatively young and inexperienced right now (two-person senior class, just three potential impact upperclassmen; nine underclassmen). Kids coming off injury or inactivity. Several newbies. One returning double-digit scorer. No established “alpha dog.” Relatively little experience on the interior.

Final: Out - MBJ/Ward/Tsohonis/Nichols. In - Jackson/Johns/Shriver/Lawal.

 

[BGDragoon80]

5/7/22

The current 2022-23 roster (today) remains fringe NCAA Tourney at-large (Top 50 or so) material. Probably Top 60-ish at the moment. I do like the "collective" Jackson/Johns/Shriver/Lawal adds (on paper).

Starters
1) 6'1" Baldwin (Jr)
2) 6'4" Nunn (So)
3) 6'5" Jackson (So)
4) 6'8" Johns (Sr)
5) 6'8" Deloach (So)

Rotation
6) 6'6" Shriver (Sr)
7) 6'5" Kern (So)
8) 6'6" Watkins (So)
9) 6'7" Billups (Fr)
10) 6'9" Fermin (Fr)

Bench
11) 6'8" Lawal (Fr)
12) 6'3" McAllister (So)
13) 6'5" Banks (Jr)

We are still relatively young and inexperienced right now (two-person senior class, just three potential impact upperclassmen; nine underclassmen). Kids coming off injury or inactivity. Several newbies. One returning double-digit scorer. No established “alpha dog.” Relatively little experience on the interior.

Final: Out - MBJ/Ward/Tsohonis/Nichols. In - Jackson/Johns/Shriver/Lawal.

You pointed out the Alpha dog as #1 on your list!

 

[LQuarles]

And #2.

 

[PRock]

You pointed out the Alpha dog as #1 on your list!

we have several contenders (Ace, Nunn, Mir), but no one owns that role just yet. The difference between a great season and very good one depends on at least one of those or someone else taking the title and delivering…..consistently. That role isn’t given or declared, it is taken.

 

[Ramdog]

Baldwin is about as alpha as you can get

 

[PRock]

Baldwin is about as alpha as you can get

Not as much in crunch time— definitely the general of the team, but I believe OP is referencing “that dude” that just says I got this and delivers….you know Maynor, Skeen, Tre, Bones and Vince (Dayton1 on). Ace and Nunn showed in spots, but shrank in others. Jamir definitely was that dude on a really good high school team, so has it— we just didn’t see it when Bones was running the show.

We need that dude or maybe two to emerge next season, if they do early enough, we will be a problem!

 

[Celticguy]

Well Rhoades has stayed true to form with this year's roster build so we know what to expect for next season.
We are young owing to having some kids who have missed LARGE chunks of their playing careers to injury, hopes and prayers these guys woes are behind them.
We will be rotating guys quickly again which will make some of our number a bit displeased but thats the Rhoades way so time to get used to it. But it also deemphasizes starts to a degree. Matchups may dictate as much or more than usual.
As always I'd like to see us take advantage of all this athleticism and get truly up tempo.
Get less predictable on defense (mix zone and man).
Give the kids SOME offensive structure while they're learning one anothers tendencies.
Alpha dogs are nice but pack attack is too. I want everyone to be a scoring threat. Cant allow teams to neutralize one or two of our guys and shut us down.
That said, guards/wings are going to have to own the rebounds. We dont have enough bigs to leave it to them. But those guards/wings are tall enough and quick enough to get to the ball first so long as they realize its now their job.
Allie oops are fun but when you miss one it looks silly, make the most certain play. We dont need flashy.
Mainly have fun. Its a game, its supposed to be fun.

 

[Hops]

I see a lot of confidence in Jackson this year - with some thinking he will start. I hope they are right. I just have not seen enough to be confident in that. In 2 years at Michigan he only played in 20 games and scored a total of 29 points. I know that there were plenty of circumstances involved there, but I think we have a lot of talent on the Rams this year and the starting line-up is far from set. Every Ram will have to work for playing time - especially the new recruits.
That said, good luck to Zeb and the others.

 

[VCU Heel]

Next year will be interesting. Mike Rhoades really needs to do well in year 6. If we miss the tournament, then I think he’s on (or should be on) the hot seat in year 7. But we can’t start the season slowly if we want to get an at-large bid.

With 3 transfers, 3 recruits, and 2 guys returning from injury, we’re essentially putting 8 new players on the roster. We only have 5 guys returning that played for us last year (Ace, Nunn, DeLoach, Kern, and Banks). Kern and Banks haven’t done a lot yet. DeLoach had a pretty good freshman season. Ace and Nunn are the only 2 returning players that have been regular starters and performed at a high level. All of the 8 additions have a lot to prove.

We have as many question marks and uncertainty going into the season than any year I can remember… and it’s a pretty important season for the program and for Rhoades. These guys have a LOT of work to do in the offseason. I just hope they can stay healthy this go around.

 

[Newboy]

Based on zero, I think that Mr. Kern will emerge as quite the stud this year.

 

[Celticguy]

Based on zero, I think that Mr. Kern will emerge as quite the stud this year.

he's athletic adn high motor but needs a uge growth spurt in skills this off season.

 

[LQuarles]

@Celticguy his skillset is fine, just needs to raise his aggressiveness and decision making and get more used to the team chemistry. There were a few examples of him last season where he wanted to drive to the basket, but Ace and Vince thought he'd stay in the corner, and the passes flew out of bounds. Kern has a better skillset than Curry did, and he can beat guys off the dribble. Before last season, Rhoades's early comments about Kern were about his aggressiveness.

 

[LQuarles]

I love the super athletic and smooth games of this team. This will be the least "raw" team Rhoades has had.

Ace & Nunn - we know what they'll bring, except improved. Nunn's midrange game will be automatic, and added strength will have him drawing a lot of and-1s.

Watkins - if he's back 100%, his size, athleticism, and smooth jumper will make him unstoppable.

Johns - a more athletic, higher motor Stockard with a smooth game and 3 pointer.

Fermin - a combo of Sanders, Mo, and Tillman wrapped neatly into a super smooth package. He looks like he smoothly teleports around out there, has a motor for days, very smooth handles and touch around the rim, and never gets tired.

Jackson - a taller, lefty Nunn, almost a mirror image. Our backcourt should be deadly.

McAllister - if he's even 50% athletic, he'll still be one of the most athletic guys on the team. It's shocking how smooth yet powerful his dunks are. He will unleash more of his game.

Billups - might have the smoothest game and jumper on the team. Buttery. Like a longer, taller Watkins, and like Fermin, he glides around out there.

Shriver - the buttery shooting specialist fans have craved, and he's a deceptively athletic dunker.

DeLoach - we'll get to see what he can do with a healthy hand. He's much more dimensional than people think.

Kern - I'm ready to see the less timid version. The sky is the limit.

Banks - same.

Lawal - HOLY *&$!

 

[PRock]

he's athletic adn high motor but needs a uge growth spurt in skills this off season.

The skills are largely there, it’s pacing that needs work. We know his intentions from the first step, so he is easy to guard into a mistake. Also, he has a tendency to go for the ”kill shot” rather than making the easy play. I suspect he was able to rely on his athletic supremacy a lot in HS, but now learning on the fly these college dudes are cagey and in some cases just as athletic.

All correctable though with experience. After a full year getting accustomed to the speed of the game, hopefully he takes some time to add polish to his game and figures out when to downshift a bit to set defenders up. We shall see.