2024-25 Roster Thread

Ramdog · Apr 9, 2024

Excellent

Ululating Daddy · Apr 9, 2024

I'm happy - Zeb gives us a solid player in the backcourt.

Mr X · Apr 9, 2024

Well, that's 2 on my list that I was hoping would come back. 4 more to go.

GuardTheArc · Apr 9, 2024

4/9/24

Double-digit scoring 5th yr kids (like Jax/Bam) don't generally return (or commit) to non-P6 programs unless they expect (or have been promised) to start and play big minutes/have significant roles. While Zeb's announcement is a positive development, it will now be a bit more challenging to lure other top quality portal perimeter players (as the backcourt picture takes shape); it's even stickier with Shulga in limbo.

The framework of a 2024-25 roster (heading into Jun 2024) hopefully looks like this (for now):

Starters
1) Sr Jackson (5th yr)
2) Sr Shulga (5th yr; if he returns); if not, portal SG/CG
3) Sr Bamisile (5th yr)
4) Portal
5) Portal

Rotation
6) Portal Combo Guard
7) So Billups (or Portal)
8) So Belle (or Portal)
9) Jr Lawal (or Portal)
10) Jr Fermin (or Portal)

Bench
11) Fr Jennings
12) Portal or HS recruit (late signee/decommit)
13) Portal or HS recruit (late signee/decommit)

Notes:
a) Nelson and Okafor presumably move on to lower-level programs (as they should)
b) Shulga situation (staying or leaving?), along with Jax/Bam staying, creates doubt/hesitation in a potential perimeter prospect's mind (regarding PT/role)
c) An "alpha" (leader/producer) is still very much needed; even two of them (1A/1B)
d) Players can (and do) move up and down the "depth chart" based on summer/physical development, skills upgrade/advancement, health/injury, etc

SteveMM · Apr 9, 2024

GuardTheArc said:
Double-digit scoring 5th yr kids don't generally return (or commit) to non-P6 programs unless they expect to start (and play big minutes/have significant roles). While Zeb's announcement is a positive development, it will now be a bit more challenging to lure other top quality portal perimeter players (as the backcourt picture takes shape); it's even stickier with Shulga in limbo.

College basketball is now year to year. I’m happy we’ll have Zeb. We’ll worry about the future when it gets here.

RamStrut · Apr 9, 2024

You love to see it! Both Zeb and Bam aren’t just great ball players but represent the University well. Another year for those two to gel together could be significant.

Ramlove81 · Apr 9, 2024

2012Ram said:

Great news!

BaNgMyPrOgRaM · Apr 10, 2024

I guess no more news about players leaving. I think that's a good thing.

TampaKAP · Apr 10, 2024

BaNgMyPrOgRaM said:
I guess no more news about players leaving. I think that's a good thing.

A lot can still happen in three weeks. My wife asked me last night if I thought we were done and I told here still to early to say and it would depend on a couple of variables.

balldontlie · Apr 10, 2024

BaNgMyPrOgRaM said:
I guess no more news about players leaving. I think that's a good thing.

A lot can still happen, but if it stays this way it’s definitely a good thing. Continuity in the age of the transfer portal is a rare commodity. Even though we could use a couple upgrades, keeping a core group of guys together is valuable. I think we have to give some credit to coach, he’s got the guys buying in.

Half-baked Mcbride · Apr 10, 2024

BaNgMyPrOgRaM said:
I guess no more news about players leaving. I think that's a good thing.

Maybe being a high mid major will generally help with roster stability? We're kinda in the "Goldilocks Zone" for a certain level of quality 3*/4* type player (as we have for the last 20 or so years)
COULD these guys jump to a P4 school? Sure, but maybe the PT/comfort level isn't there...so staying at VCU is the right call.

Works for me...snag a PG and some help in the paint and we'll continue to be a top tier A10 program

SteveMM · Apr 10, 2024

Half-baked Mcbride said:
Maybe being a high mid major will generally help with roster stability? We're kinda in the "Goldilocks Zone" for a certain level of quality 3*/4* type player (as we have for the last 20 or so years)
COULD these guys jump to a P4 school? Sure, but maybe the PT/comfort level isn't there...so staying at VCU is the right call.

Works for me...snag a PG and some help in the paint and we'll continue to be a top tier A10 program

If we can pick up those players you mentioned AND Shulga comes back, VCU is going to be very hard to beat in the A10 next year.

WillWeaverRVA · Apr 10, 2024

Half-baked Mcbride said:
Maybe being a high mid major will generally help with roster stability? We're kinda in the "Goldilocks Zone" for a certain level of quality 3*/4* type player (as we have for the last 20 or so years)
COULD these guys jump to a P4 school? Sure, but maybe the PT/comfort level isn't there...so staying at VCU is the right call.

Works for me...snag a PG and some help in the paint and we'll continue to be a top tier A10 program

I think that's a good assessment. We're a strong, well-known program in the 8th best conference in the country. Not everyone's going to end up on a P4 or Big East roster. I think that leaves us in a pretty good spot.

Ramdog · Apr 10, 2024

Get the PG from Norfolk st ( or someone with a similar skill set )and we will have a solid backcourt
VCU always seems to have a talented true PG …need one

WillWeaverRVA · Apr 10, 2024

Ramdog said:
Get the PG from Norfolk st ( or someone with a similar skill set )and we will have a solid backcourt
VCU always seems to have a talented true PG …need one

If Max doesn't return, I think if we pick up Jamarii Thomas from Norfolk State and a solid big out of the portal (maybe two) to play the 5 on a consistent basis, we'll be golden.