Speculation, who is leaving, who is staying?
I think Awaka will get a NIL offer he cant refuse and Carter will stay to play side by side with Koa.
That's my first hot take.
Second is going to be spicy ---> Slo-Mo Krivas may need to be asked to leave, or Stephen may walk out the door.
Yes, the biggest "question marks" are Krivas and Stephen.
If three of our frontcourt players stick around (between Awaka, Veesaar, Krivas and Stephen), Arizona is in good shape.
If two somehow leave, Lloyd will unquestionably go after 1-2 transfers or international recruits (with one likely contributing).
If Tommy can develop Stephenn into a legitimate role player I will be pleasantly surprised. Obviously he has the physical tools, but it's hard to watch him out there, he looks like he just started playing basketball a year ago. Krivas is an interesting one. His foot injury was a good excuse for his subpar performance, at this point I would prefer he transfers, but Tommy was so high on him that I still have hope he can play. I actually think he and Veesaar would make a good hi low combo on the court. Awaka is most likely to transfer unless he really loves the school and doesn't mind not starting. He's a super smart dude and seems to me that he is really into studying and getting a degree
Stephen is definitely raw. It I don't think he's any different than Ballo, when he arrived at Gonzaga. The difference is that his shooting mechanics are better than Ourmar's, which may translate into a FT% above 50%!
Awaka appears to love this team and I'm hoping he embraces the "role player" concept because he would be a leader, alongside Bradley, on next year's team.
If Carter stayed that would be amazing. Right now they should be focused on Keeping Veesaar and Bradley.
would love to have Awaka, KJ too but all will not stay probably
Rivals has Aristode as a five star. Many be a great forgotten recruit
It's a stain on Tom's record that he burned Emmanuel Stephen's redshirt for no reason whatsoever.
I think it's a long shot that Stephen would stick around for 4 more yesrs in Tucson anyway. If he makes it through the next 3, I'll be ecstatic.
I posted this in the wrong thread and it's obsolete now...
I hope he's not, but I think Bryant is gone. He's not ready for the NBA, but somebody will pay to be able to develop him. Bradley and Lewis are both great, but I think they need another year and I don't think their draft stock is very high (they likely make more money here). I don't think there's room for both Vessar and Krivas and one will likely be gone. Awaka is my favorite player on this team. If he's an NBA player, it's as a role player. He can definately play overseas though. If he stays, and I really hope he does, he'll have a greatly diminished role. Financially, it probably makes sense for him to go. ADO has really surprised me with his growth this year, but like Awaka, his role is likely diminished next year (assuming Bradley & Lewis stay). Will he be Ok with that? Will Martinez be OK with being buried on the bench again? If I were as good as he is, I wouldn't be. Stephens, the only place for him next year is the weight room and bench. I can't see him staying unless he red shirts. I agree that it's a stain on Tommy's record that he burned his red shirt for no reason (unless Stephens asked him to).
Does KJ leaving mean Burries is commuting?
Leaving
Love (Eligibility)
Townsend (Eligibility)
Veesaar (Europe)
Staying
Awaka
Bradley
Dell'Orso
Lewis
Martinez
Stephen
Undecided
Bryant (NBA)
Krivas (Europe)
I know Lewis has transferred out, but I would have put him in the "staying" category.
Bryant could easily leave for the NBA, but his stock would be much higher as he would have a much more featured role in the offense as Love departs (possibly the go-to scorer?).
Anytime you have a Euro prospect on your roster?
The thought of them going back home to play is always on the table.
I know he is coming off an injury, but he went from projected 1st round pick to...
I can see both Krivas/Veesaar leaving, and I could see both of them staying.
Awaka is my starting PF next season though no matter what!
#BearDown
Quote from: |ᴘ|ʀ|ʏ|ᴍ|ᴇ| on March 29, 2025, 02:34:39 PMIt's a stain on Tom's record that he burned Emmanuel Stephen's redshirt for no reason whatsoever.
I didn't know he burned it. I thought you get like 5 games or something and can maintain the status.
If that's true then literally WTF is Tom thinking just to get him in the box score vs Akron up 50 or whatever? Might as well have played him vs Duke for a Body on Malauch and Flagg.
That is a big stain if true and good call to investigate.
I think Tommy will end up hitting the portal for the best PG he can find unless he really thinks it will be Conrad running the show with Bradley at the 2... or if he can get Burries.
Henri should be working on that 3 ball all offseason if he is coming back.
Carter should be working on everything because it will be His Team overall as the Superstar player if he returned... which would be a shock.
What I don't want to see is Tommy have these 3 Recruits, then Conrad, Bradley, Awaka, Krivas left over because the Bash Brothers Henri and Carter moved on and KJ peaced out.
That would be awkward and looking like Tommy would get desperate and try to find Transfers who will want all the minutes that need to go to Peat and Aristode right away or why would they come? And NO MORE CAMBPELL PIPELINE. If Tommy wants to search from the SEC for more "Awaka" types that didn't get a shot, then fine, but I am done with the "best mid majors" approach.
I posted after our loss that I thought Krivas, Awaka and KJ would transfer. I now think only 1 of Krivas or Awaka leaves. JB may enter the portal to see how much he can get as well. ADO could get a lot more playing time somewhere else, so watch for him.
I hate that we just can't build on what we already have, because we always have to replace guys
Quote from: TucsonTruckStop on March 29, 2025, 09:35:17 PMI posted after our loss that I thought Krivas, Awaka and KJ would transfer. I now think only 1 of Krivas or Awaka leaves. JB may enter the portal to see how much he can get as well. ADO could get a lot more playing time somewhere else, so watch for him.
I hate that we just can't build on what we already have, because we always have to replace guys
The main comment I have in response here is "What do we actually have?".
Take Love away and what is it really? Tommy refused to let Carter play the game. It may be a use it or lose it. Where are we going to find our 3pt shooting? ADO was nice when we had a PG setting him up. He can't be expected to play PG nor defend at these high levels. Good kid though.
Awaka is really nothing to write home about and was actually playing over Carter and Henri early on for no good reason. Uncoordinated like Slo-Mo Krivas. Both Mo and Tobe don't really fit with what Tommy does.
Unless Tommy is changing that is.
I hope to see
Burries
Bradley
Carter
Koa
Henri
Aristode
Bryce JamesConradStephen?
Krivas?That is a good enough 8 man team. Krivas just can't run the floor for Tommy's system. So unless we go to half court he makes no sense. I wish we could trade players. I would take Braden Smith from Purdue so fast. Kid is maybe The best PG in the nation by far.
Conrad could join St Mary's tomorrow and elevate them to Elite 8 level.
I think Tommy is missing 3pt Shooting. Every year. He just doesn't emphasize 3 + D from anyone.
It can't just be Carter.
We need 3 Carter's if that's the case. Is Peat able to snap 3's? Henri has to learn to if he is staying.
Burries? Is he viable? Realistic? Can we land him? If it is not going to happen then I really wonder what Tommy is going to do because we need a real PG badly. Scoring isn't the problem. Playing smart, high IQ ball is. With Peat I think we have the Athleticism.
Aristode? Is he someone who can defend and snap the 3 ball?
In the end Tommy's system will ONLY shine brightest when he gets 3 guys around 6'6" to 6'9" who can snap the 3 ball. 2 Guards with Low Turnovers and both hit 3s as well, but DISH the rock. Then finally yes. We need an Ogre. But we need the Donavon Clingan type Ogre. The one that can actually JAM it. Not Slo-Mo.
We need a guy who can run the floor, block 3 shots a game, and slam 12 points down hard snatching souls.
Quote from: Naterade on March 29, 2025, 08:26:38 PMDoes KJ leaving mean Burries is commuting?
I hope he does. Otherwise Tommy should consider putting in a Big offer to Otega Oweh from Kentucky. That kid has a TON of Grit and I think we could use the UCONN Model and stack up 6'4'-6'8" kids who can play tough, hit 3s, and play with 1 Ogre. Overmatching opponents in size and skill at the 1-5.
Yes, Burries is the top uncommitted recruit and I assume that he was waiting for KJ to announce, prior to committing. Fingers crossed.
Without Caleb's heroics and leadership, we have a big hole to fill. Not seeing it from any of our returners. We need big energy and need to feed Peete and Henri hopefully Bryant (doubt he stays but hope he does) and Aristode. I think we bring in a high energy pg like Cadeau and go full tilt boogie. I would Love to see Love on the sideline as an assistant coach.
I'm not worried about backfilling PG. burries would be the best situation but if he somehow doesn't commit, guys like Cadeau (UNC), Smith (Dayton) or Isaacs (Creighton) have similar shooting numbers to Love and would likely not take as many errant threes in our system.
Arizona is in pretty good shape next season.
Quote from: KansasCityCats on March 30, 2025, 09:46:58 AMI'm not worried about backfilling PG. burries would be the best situation but if he somehow doesn't commit, guys like Cadeau (UNC), Smith (Dayton) or Isaacs (Creighton) have similar shooting numbers to Love and would likely not take as many errant threes in our system.
Arizona is in pretty good shape next season.
You cannot rely on freshman. If Burries commits, thats 4 freshman and 2 possibly starting. Freshman performing is more rare than it is common. Duke hit on their start frosh. That rarely happens. LLoyd needs 2 starters from the portal and now needs to replace HV.
Kentucky and Dook previously proved that you can't rely on a starting lineup full of freshmen but Arizona would have upperclassmen at the PG, Wing and Center positions, which puts significantly less pressure on the incoming recruits.
James already knows that he won't have a major role this year and Aristode will surprise off the bench.
As far as I know, we still have Conrad Martinez.
I wouldn't be opposed to a Starting 5 like this:
Conrad
Bradley
Carter
Peat
Henri
Again, no idea what is going on with Krivas or Stephen --- I don't want Awaka taking minutes from anyone, and I sincerely hope Carter and Henri both stay.
If Tommy would admit that Slo-Mo can't play his system, but still wants to ride with him, then using Half Court sets could be DEADLY if Conrad is given the Keys like Braden Smith has for Purdue.
Conrad
Bradley
ADO
Carter
Krivas
Does ADO have another year with us if he wanted?
Aristode
Peat
Henri
Bryce James
Doesn't sound like it would be fun for those kids off that bench. However, I don't care about Fun. I can't about Winning.
Tommy needs to be coaching Defense 80% of the offseason. Offense will be there.
There will inevitably be an identity crisis. Tommy must commit to Half Court or Run and Gun.
He can't do both. Stephen can play the fast pace for sure.
Quote from: arxpert on March 30, 2025, 07:39:19 PMAs far as I know, we still have Conrad Martinez.
I wouldn't be opposed to a Starting 5 like this:
Conrad
Bradley
Carter
Peat
Henri
Again, no idea what is going on with Krivas or Stephen --- I don't want Awaka taking minutes from anyone, and I sincerely hope Carter and Henri both stay.
If Tommy would admit that Slo-Mo can't play his system, but still wants to ride with him, then using Half Court sets could be DEADLY if Conrad is given the Keys like Braden Smith has for Purdue.
Conrad
Bradley
ADO
Carter
Krivas
Does ADO have another year with us if he wanted?
Aristode
Peat
Henri
Bryce James
Doesn't sound like it would be fun for those kids off that bench. However, I don't care about Fun. I can't about Winning.
Tommy needs to be coaching Defense 80% of the offseason. Offense will be there.
There will inevitably be an identity crisis. Tommy must commit to Half Court or Run and Gun.
He can't do both. Stephen can play the fast pace for sure.
Is this a joke? Conrad starting? We'd be in serious trouble if Conrad is starting. And I'm a fan of his.
QuoteIs this a joke? Conrad starting? We'd be in serious trouble if Conrad is starting. And I'm a fan of his.
Conrad is Starting Material. I can see him dominant for a school like St. Mary's.
I think he can handle it at Arizona too.
But right now we have BIGGER problems to worry about. As long as Bradley is on the roster we don't need to be focusing on Conrad..
But we need to fill some of the 5 Spots.