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Updated from a post I did about a month ago. I count 15 guys not including Jayden Alexander, I think we are done here. Very balanced, deep roster might be spotty with good DI talent but who knows until we see them?
Centers/Power Forwards
Noah Amenhauser, Sr 7-2 290*
Grgur Burcic, Sr 6-10 235*
Kaleb Smith, Sr 6-10 245
Max Vanlandinghamn, Fr 6-8 215
JJ Chaikovsky, Jr 6-7 190
Assessment: Amenhauser is the biggest center we've had since I think since Andrew Betts who was also 7-2 290 ish. His stats two years ago at Coastal Carolina are more likely what we can expect as he started 30 games and played 23 minutes a game. He averaged 10.8 pts, 6.0 rebounds, shot 56% FG, 64% FTS, and was 4-10 from 3, and almost 1 block per game. 40 turnovers though.
Kaleb same issue, two years ago his production at UCR is probably a better indicator when he started 34 games, 27 minutes a game, and avgd. 11 points, 4.6 rebounds, 37% FGs, 76% FTs, 33% on high volume of 3s. 0 blocks in two years at UCR! 56 TOs.
Burcic may be the most physically imposing front court player we've had since maybe Dan Jennings? In terms of raw strength and bully ball capabilities. He's good at the high post and I think he'll play a lot.
Max Vanlandingham is a physical player in the mold of a Grant Stone or Kevin Roberts and is athletic and brings aggressive defense. Big time shotblocker probably less in DI but he'll get some. Nifty inside offense, runs the court well, decent outside shooter and from 3. He'll find his way onto the court as a frosh.
Chaikovsky is all defense no offense. Good to have and while he didn't impress much he had some good moments on defense. He can play PF in spots he's a banger.
I can see this group ending up: Starters, Amenhauser and Burcic. Bench, Smith and Max. JJ will get a few minutes. This is a deep front court, and I moved JJ here its more of his natural place instead of at the wing. A varied mix of toughness, finesse, drive. Could be one of the better front courts in the BWC.
Small Forward / Wings
Brett Wright, Jr 6-7 195*
Henry Lau, Fr 6-7 195
Christian Jones, Jr 6-4 195
Finally some depth at the wing / small fwd, especially Wright who played in 19 games and started all averaging 22 minutes a game. His stats are good, 12.3 ppg, 2 rebounds, 8 assists and 13 TOs, but shot 49% FGs, 51% from 3, and 82% FTs. Can't remember the last time we had someone incoming with over 50% 3 pt shooting. He's a gunner and with his size he'll be well positioned to do well in the BW.
Jones was a hard worker in his 18 games (injured 13 games) but didn't do much other than he seemed to dig in on man defense. Maybe with more minutes he can improve.
Lau looks promising and he's tough, good handle, great footwork, DI speed might give him some problems, but he's explosive near the rim on dunks and blocks. Work on that 3 pt shot!
This is a decent group especially if Wright really pans out and gets near 30 mpg. Jones is decent depth he plays with intensity but made poor decisions to shoot 3's; Lau is a warrior and on the move constantly. Good FT shooter (90%).
We haven't had legit wing options under Acker. What if that was the secret sauce all along (I doubt it but worth noting...I think the secret sauce missing is poor defensive coaching, prep, and execution).
Shooting / Combo Guards
McCaden Adams, Jr 6-3 170*
Yohann Sissiko, So 6-6 205
Jack Payne, Sr 6-6 195
Ethan Chung, Fr 6-6 190
Sykes production will be missed but McCaden will get his. At a very successful JUCO, he started 32 games and averaged 29 minutes a game, 18.2 pts, 4.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists, around 2 TOs. Shot 46% FGs, 79% FTs, 40% 3s on high volume. Almost 2 steals a game. Very likely will be our leading scorer but feels like he can do more than just bomb away.
Sissoko is very intriguing to me, very good 3 pt shooter, creative and can stuff a stat sheet. Quick and crafty, but also pretty big and strong on defense. I don't think he can push Adams to start, but he'll get a lot of minutes at SG and some at the wing and could prove to be a starter level player.
Payne played a lot the last two years with Idaho, last years stats for 21 mpg might be a good indicator, 6.6 pts, 4.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists, shot 38% FGs, 82% FTs, 32% 3's. Solid and experienced backup.
Ethan Chung could redshirt depending on who else we sign, but if he doesn't, he'll be a project maybe he can play some spot defense minutes and try a 3 now and then.
Very strong group, could end up one of the best in the BWC.
Point Guards
Blake Bahr, So 6-2 190
Jaden Tengan, Jr 5-11 165
Collin Ruffin, Jr 6-4 193*
Bahr is decent, despite not even being a starter for Snow Valley alongside McCaden. His stats were good, started 10 of 34 games, 21 minutes a game. 5.6 pts, 2.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, low TOs. 48% FGs, 85% FTs, 39% 3's.
Tengan is probably very quick, good FT shooter, out of DII but maybe he's another Diaz.
Ruffin has good PG size. Could be the starter he seems to have lead guard capabilities but isn't a pure pg, more of a combo. His 3 pt shot looks pretty good but only 33% last year. Seems to be very active, isn't a prober like Lewis, doesn't waste any time with the ball.
Nice depth. Ruffin is probably the best of the group, good size and skill sets. Bahr and Tengan good off the bench. I don't see pg as a big strength, but quite capable.
OVERALL: on paper, this team is put together well. Enough talent and definitely the depth to make noise in the BWC. I applaud coach Acker and his team for bringing this group together. I hope Acker levels up as a coach because if he can't get this group into the top half of the BWC, I'll be disappointed yet again. It will all start with team defense and rebounding. I think the offense yet again will be good, the 3 pt shooting better overall, decisiveness, creativity, and toughness look like positives.
I think this group is capable of 20 wins, but I don't expect it. I'd expect 10+ wins and leave it at that. Acker has a ton to prove / improve, its now or never IMHO.
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