Just wanted to share some thoughts after taking a few days to let everything sink in. It is going to be a very interesting offseason. There is no doubt about that. Here is what is on my mind in regards to this program.
- Have to hope Tuesday night was rock bottom. I thought a few players basically mailed it in, which is very disturbing. The staff appeared like they wanted to be there, but the team did not. This gives me some concerns, but I still think this team can be pretty good next year. Basically, just trying to forget what I saw on Tuesday.
- Tyrone Haughton and Joseph Uchebo are gone. There may be one or two more. In my opinion, a good percentage of this roster is expendable right now. Not saying anyone should transfer, but I do think a handful of these guys are expendable. Jamel Artis and Mike Young is what you have to build around. Have to hope Durand is 100% and comes back with a chip on his shoulder. Add in Sheldon Jeter off of the bench, and you have a nice collection of forwards to work with.
- James Robinson is who he is. He needs shooters alongside him. He will have that with the Johnsons next year, but he was obviously exposed at times this year. When there is no offensive talent around him, he is going to look ineffective. Pitt has had a lot of offensive teams that were rough on the eyes, but they went about ten consecutive years with a point guard that could create. James is just a different style point guard. Nothing personal against James, but I just think this program and system runs better with a true point guard in the mold of a Knight or Fields. With that being said, let's see what he can do next year with a few shooters in the mix.
- I do think James wore down a bit because he was forced to play and do too much. The reason for that is Josh Newkirk. Very tough year for Josh. It is clear that it was mostly mental with him. We saw him struggling with his shot in the summer, and it just progressively got worse. This kid is talented, but he couldn't even hold onto the ball or execute grade school plays. I can't remember another situation like this. You would like to think he can shake it off and develop, but you never know. I do wonder how he fits in, because he does not have a position. Josh is basically a 1.5. Point guard size but he does not have the IQ for the position. He is too small and not good enough of a shooter to play off the ball. Josh is a great kid that you can't write off yet, but I do wonder how he responds.
- Without diving into it too much, it won't be too difficult to replace the senior class. No need to discuss it really, but it will be addition by subtraction.
- To me, this team will be as good as the two and five spots. Those are the areas I worry about. They do need a true point guard, but we all know James is handling that spot next year. He should be in better shape with some more talent around him. Can Rozelle Nix and Damon Wilson step in and solve those two spots? I don't think so. Rozelle will help, but they need more. I think they need help in the back court even more. With Jones and Newkirk in the mix, both are rotational bench players. I can't imagine them developing into more than that. This team will add two shooters with length that can stretch the floor, but they still need a guard that can penetrate.
- Cameron Johnson can be really good, but I do worry about his injuries. From what it sounds like, he needs to become tougher. Some around the program wonder if they will ever be able to count on him. From a talent perspective, the kid could be special. We will see if his injuries are due to the growth spurt, or if it is a reoccurring theme.
- This program needs to add a couple of players. Jamie Dixon always likes to fill out the roster to at least twelve guys. I wouldn't get too excited about Marcus LoVett. There is a good chance he doesn't qualify, and his recruitment will be ridiculous. Chicago is a very difficult area to recruit. Tom Izzo basically wiped his hands of the area. Benji Bell may be a fit, but you have to wonder about seven juniors.
- With Diallo, Pitt will need some luck. I have heard rumors of Hoiberg going to Chicago, after the Bulls' coach heads to Boston. Whispers that Stephens wants to get back into college. Not exactly a surprise, as he has always been, and always will be a college coach. If that happens, look out.
- A lot of jobs will be open. Maybe Texas. Maybe Indiana. Alabama and DePaul are open. A lot of kids could be back on the market. You never know who may fall into your lap in the spring. It is always nice to have some scholarships in the spring.
- Tough break with Levi Cook and the ACL. I don't think Pitt is in a position to take him now. Other than Diallo, we will probably reset the 2015 board completely. I know the staff is intrigued with a grad transfer or two. Thorne from Charlotte is a name to track, among others. A grad transfer or two would be ideal, as they are in good shape in 2016. Manigault is a quality addition. We will have to see what happens with Mustapha. Pitt is also still in play for Maverick Rowan.
- As far as the coaching staff, I do think there will be some movement. Not an overhaul, but a little bit of movement. Jason Richards is a kid that may move up or just move out. He is a rising star in the business, and has outgrown his position. He has taken on a lot more than the typical video coordinator, but it is time. Bill Barton was close to getting the New Hampshire job last year, so I would expect that he pursues jobs again this spring.
- The spring is never short on excitement. With Pitt this year, it should be very interesting. At least two more players will be added at some point, and probably a staff move or two. And all of this activity can occur all the way up through August. We will see a ton of names emerge, and we will do everything that we can to follow everything.
- Have to hope Tuesday night was rock bottom. I thought a few players basically mailed it in, which is very disturbing. The staff appeared like they wanted to be there, but the team did not. This gives me some concerns, but I still think this team can be pretty good next year. Basically, just trying to forget what I saw on Tuesday.
- Tyrone Haughton and Joseph Uchebo are gone. There may be one or two more. In my opinion, a good percentage of this roster is expendable right now. Not saying anyone should transfer, but I do think a handful of these guys are expendable. Jamel Artis and Mike Young is what you have to build around. Have to hope Durand is 100% and comes back with a chip on his shoulder. Add in Sheldon Jeter off of the bench, and you have a nice collection of forwards to work with.
- James Robinson is who he is. He needs shooters alongside him. He will have that with the Johnsons next year, but he was obviously exposed at times this year. When there is no offensive talent around him, he is going to look ineffective. Pitt has had a lot of offensive teams that were rough on the eyes, but they went about ten consecutive years with a point guard that could create. James is just a different style point guard. Nothing personal against James, but I just think this program and system runs better with a true point guard in the mold of a Knight or Fields. With that being said, let's see what he can do next year with a few shooters in the mix.
- I do think James wore down a bit because he was forced to play and do too much. The reason for that is Josh Newkirk. Very tough year for Josh. It is clear that it was mostly mental with him. We saw him struggling with his shot in the summer, and it just progressively got worse. This kid is talented, but he couldn't even hold onto the ball or execute grade school plays. I can't remember another situation like this. You would like to think he can shake it off and develop, but you never know. I do wonder how he fits in, because he does not have a position. Josh is basically a 1.5. Point guard size but he does not have the IQ for the position. He is too small and not good enough of a shooter to play off the ball. Josh is a great kid that you can't write off yet, but I do wonder how he responds.
- Without diving into it too much, it won't be too difficult to replace the senior class. No need to discuss it really, but it will be addition by subtraction.
- To me, this team will be as good as the two and five spots. Those are the areas I worry about. They do need a true point guard, but we all know James is handling that spot next year. He should be in better shape with some more talent around him. Can Rozelle Nix and Damon Wilson step in and solve those two spots? I don't think so. Rozelle will help, but they need more. I think they need help in the back court even more. With Jones and Newkirk in the mix, both are rotational bench players. I can't imagine them developing into more than that. This team will add two shooters with length that can stretch the floor, but they still need a guard that can penetrate.
- Cameron Johnson can be really good, but I do worry about his injuries. From what it sounds like, he needs to become tougher. Some around the program wonder if they will ever be able to count on him. From a talent perspective, the kid could be special. We will see if his injuries are due to the growth spurt, or if it is a reoccurring theme.
- This program needs to add a couple of players. Jamie Dixon always likes to fill out the roster to at least twelve guys. I wouldn't get too excited about Marcus LoVett. There is a good chance he doesn't qualify, and his recruitment will be ridiculous. Chicago is a very difficult area to recruit. Tom Izzo basically wiped his hands of the area. Benji Bell may be a fit, but you have to wonder about seven juniors.
- With Diallo, Pitt will need some luck. I have heard rumors of Hoiberg going to Chicago, after the Bulls' coach heads to Boston. Whispers that Stephens wants to get back into college. Not exactly a surprise, as he has always been, and always will be a college coach. If that happens, look out.
- A lot of jobs will be open. Maybe Texas. Maybe Indiana. Alabama and DePaul are open. A lot of kids could be back on the market. You never know who may fall into your lap in the spring. It is always nice to have some scholarships in the spring.
- Tough break with Levi Cook and the ACL. I don't think Pitt is in a position to take him now. Other than Diallo, we will probably reset the 2015 board completely. I know the staff is intrigued with a grad transfer or two. Thorne from Charlotte is a name to track, among others. A grad transfer or two would be ideal, as they are in good shape in 2016. Manigault is a quality addition. We will have to see what happens with Mustapha. Pitt is also still in play for Maverick Rowan.
- As far as the coaching staff, I do think there will be some movement. Not an overhaul, but a little bit of movement. Jason Richards is a kid that may move up or just move out. He is a rising star in the business, and has outgrown his position. He has taken on a lot more than the typical video coordinator, but it is time. Bill Barton was close to getting the New Hampshire job last year, so I would expect that he pursues jobs again this spring.
- The spring is never short on excitement. With Pitt this year, it should be very interesting. At least two more players will be added at some point, and probably a staff move or two. And all of this activity can occur all the way up through August. We will see a ton of names emerge, and we will do everything that we can to follow everything.
