re: Keyshawn Murphy out vs USA

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cause he couldn’t deal with a bunch of 18-22 year olds

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coach and players were both young

Which is why any post season is invaluable. And every game will likely help SP more than the team. If for no other reason he'll garner some post season feel.

eta: this was always going to be a rebuild year once Bruce left

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Maybe he looked good vs an inferior team?

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Probably part of it. Once USA wised up and started trapping him he was absolutely lost.

We have a bunch of backup quality players essentially.

If it were my decisions after the season I would keep Jovic, SWA, Overton, Walker. Work with Haad to see what can be worked out.

I would let Magwood, Bashir, Oporum go. Hall and Murphy out of eligibility.

Therefore you need starter level players at the 1,3,4, and two players at the 5. A backup guard for the 2.

I would move Pettiford to a combo guard and use him like he was last season. 8 or so minutes at the 1 and 5-6 minutes at the 2 if he will take a pay cut. If not let him go to free up NIL.

Jovic and SWA can be backup 4’s. Jovic can also play defense on 3’s but can’t play the 3 on offense. Which is ok. Both have to work on their offense big time in the offseason. They are liabilities on that side of the court but both decent defenders. Plus Jovic can give you 4-5 minutes at the 5 if foul trouble. But you need a playmaker at the 4 in this flex cut offense. Needs to be at worst around a Jaylin Williams type player.

If Pettiford doesn’t work with the staff you need a starter and backup point guard.

Need a backup 2 behind Overton that is long and dribble drives. You have Simon Walker that needs to add some weight to begin to be a decent defender but you can at least teach him to be a gnat that just aggravates the shite out of who he is guarding 3-4 minutes each half at the 2. But you do need a backup behind Overton.

Freeman is still a backup 3 with high potential. He needs to improve his jump shooting, finishing at the rim, and dribbling in traffic. Therefore you need a starter level 3. A 3 and D guy would be ok if you get the right 4 spot.

At the 5 you need a bigger bodied guy and a true shot blocker. If either can give you 10 points a game or 14-15 per game together I think that’s good. Especially if one of them can stretch the floor.

Who those players are I have no idea but if I were the coach I would start there. Start at the 4 spot, then the 5, then PG land who you want there and start adding pieces to fill out your roster. That would give you 12 scholarship players and 1 to give to a walkon.