Next Year's Team

[UAZip0510]

Any guesses on next year's depth chart?

[Zip Watcher]

What about next week's?

[Let'sGoZips94]

What about next week's?

All I can say is, you're going to see a lot less of Nik next week unless we need him.

[UAZip0510]

My friends and I were debating on how good they'd be next year...just thought I'd get others' thoughts.

[mes102]

shooting playersMcNeesMcClanahanGreenHitchensStewardRobertsPetersenSullivanPost playersB. McKnightMarshallEutonEgnerSweichBardoOldham

[akronzips71]

What about next week's?

All I can say is, you're going to see a lot less of Nik next week unless we need him.

Next week?What's up with that? Season is OVER.

[UAZip0510]

C-Marshall/Bardo/SweichF-Cvetinovic/EutonF-McKnight/McClanahanG-Hitchens/RobertsG-McNees/StewardMy best guess...not sure where Green, Petersen, Sullivan, Egner, and Oldham will fit.

[ZippyforPresident]

I think they've got a chance to be really, really good next year. The back court will be full of upperclassmen. I really liked what I saw from McNees and McClanahan these past three games. Hitchens will be a sparkplug as usual and Steward has shown some flushes of being able to do some really good things with his speed and ability to slash, penetrate and just plain make plays, whether by passing or scoring. I think Zeke is going to show a TON more next season, he's going to give everyone huge match up problems both offensively and defensively. His potential is virtually unlimited at this point, and he just has a really nice touch shooting the ball for a big man. I think the big area of focus will be at Forward. It's all going to be up to Brett and Nikola next year. If Dakotah Euton, or Josh Egner can hit the ground running then I think we can be pretty/extremely awesome next year. It's a lot of pressure to put on any true freshman, but in the last two years all we have lost are forwards. And Linhart, C. McKnight, and Conyers leave some gargantuan shoes to fill.

[Let'sGoZips94]

What about next week's?

All I can say is, you're going to see a lot less of Nik next week unless we need him.

Next week?What's up with that? Season is OVER.

CBI or NIT?As for next year, I think we'll be a lot better actually. I think we'll be more (the) 'A' word.

[Quickzips]

My guess at the depth chart:PG: McNees, Hitchens, StewardSG: Hitchens, RobertsSF: McClanahan, Egner, Green (expect Egner to take this starting spot eventually)PF: McKnight, Cvetinovic, EutonC: Marshall, Bardo, SwiechI don't expect Sullivan to be back. There clearly isn't room in this program for another short combo guard and probably won't be until at least his senior year. Might as well look for playing time elsewhere. I would like to see more Hitchens at the point as I still think McNees can play PG alright for 10-15 minutes a game but trying to play him there 30 minutes a night limits his effectiveness. I almost wonder if Euton might not redshirt. With Brett McKnight and Cvetinovic I don't think I see a lot of minutes for him.

[Captain Kangaroo]

I don't know how many of you caught the post-game interview, but this quote from Coach Dambrot really stood out to me. I wrote it down so I wouldn't forget --"We're going to have to do some things to get better that I don't particularly care for."Schedule differently?"Suggest" some players transfer?Take a chance on an at-risk kid?Take in a transfer?JUCO?Very interesting comment. I'm actually a little excited about it.

[GP1]

Very interesting comment. I'm actually a little excited about it.

It's hard to come up short three of four years, losing at times to some below average teams, and continue to think what you are doing is OK.The questions is this. Can KD handle an at risk kid, or a JUCO, or a troubled transfer?I have no problem with him giving some of the players the boot. Anyone who looks at their bench know there is some dead wood that needs to be eliminated.

[w00t]

I don't know how many of you caught the post-game interview, but this quote from Coach Dambrot really stood out to me. I wrote it down so I wouldn't forget --"We're going to have to do some things to get better that I don't particularly care for."Schedule differently?"Suggest" some players transfer?Take a chance on an at-risk kid?Take in a transfer?JUCO?Very interesting comment. I'm actually a little excited about it.

I read it as beefing up the schedule. It's the only thing I can think of right off that he's been vocal in the past about not wanting to do (except on his terms anyway).

[GP1]

I don't know how many of you caught the post-game interview, but this quote from Coach Dambrot really stood out to me. I wrote it down so I wouldn't forget --"We're going to have to do some things to get better that I don't particularly care for."Schedule differently?"Suggest" some players transfer?Take a chance on an at-risk kid?Take in a transfer?JUCO?Very interesting comment. I'm actually a little excited about it.

I read it as beefing up the schedule. It's the only thing I can think of right off that he's been vocal in the past about not wanting to do (except on his terms anyway).

The last thing on the list KD is going to do is beef up the schedule. Beefing up the schedule could shatter the 20 win illusion. My guess is bringing in better talent is what he is going to do. Better talent could take the team from 24 wins to 26 against the horrible schedule they play. The illusion is reinforced at that point. Then we can hear the growers say, "See, we won more this year than last year. The process works and the team is growing."This year was a big year for the "growers" and there is nothing to reinforce their beliefs at this point. UofA played an abnormally large number of OOC games at home and will not be so blessed next year. They had, with the exception of one player and the addition of a HS All American, the same team coming back. It would have been one thing to lose to Can't last night, but getting beat by OU is nonsense. The talent has to increase if they are going to play more road OOC games and maintain the same number of wins.

[Blue & Gold]

Thanks for that quote, Captain. I did not hear the postgame interview so did not hear that quote. You are right; very, very intruiging.At least we have a coach who - even though we've made the conference tourney title game four years in a row - is not satisfied with where the program is at presently and publically admitted as much. Though I sometimes have wondered if our relatively weak schedule may have had to do with the nice bonus KD receives with a 20-win season, quotes like this reassure me that we have a coach that wants to put Akron basketball on the map as badly as I want to see it there.It's going to be fun watching the program's developments over this off season.

[ksu sucks]

The last thing on the list KD is going to do is beef up the schedule. Beefing up the schedule could shatter the 20 win illusion. My guess is bringing in better talent is what he is going to do. Better talent could take the team from 24 wins to 26 against the horrible schedule they play. The illusion is reinforced at that point. Then we can hear the growers say, "See, we won more this year than last year. The process works and the team is growing."This year was a big year for the "growers" and there is nothing to reinforce their beliefs at this point. UofA played an abnormally large number of OOC games at home and will not be so blessed next year. They had, with the exception of one player and the addition of a HS All American, the same team coming back. It would have been one thing to lose to Can't last night, but getting beat by OU is nonsense. The talent has to increase if they are going to play more road OOC games and maintain the same number of wins.

I think it might a combo of both scheduling and players. Maybe a small schedule upgrade and an increase in talent at certain positions. Specifically at point guard. I know Dambrot likes the short tough guys like Humpty, but we had no match for Armon Bassett last night. Can't's guards gave us problems as well. Humpty is going to be great, but he can't do it alone. Mcnees is a shooter. I don't trust him driving to the lane. Bottom line, we need someone with size and athleticism like that Bassett or Cooper at Ohio. They are going to be good the next few years. We have the size and athleticism down low. Now we need a "go-to" athlete at the point.

[GP1]

Though I sometimes have wondered if our relatively weak schedule may have had to do with the nice bonus KD receives with a 20-win season, quotes like this reassure me that we have a coach that wants to put Akron basketball on the map as badly as I want to see it there.

Oh the cynicism.....I like it. A lot of decisions college coaches make are not a pure as the newly fallen snow.If KD wants to get a fat bonus again next year with a more difficult schedule, better players have to come in.

[xu9697]

B. McKnight= work on becoming a 3. He has a great looking shot, needs to get more consistent. But the #1 thing I would like to see from him is to work all summer on developing a handle and working on his passing. What is he listed..6'6, 245..not saying there is a definite weight, but build your body to be more of a wing player..6'6, 230-235. Zeke, Nik and Euton can handle the 4/5 position.Humpty= have to get it under control. Only guard that really, really can be a difference maker in the ilk of Medlock, Bassett, Kool. Have to mature in so many ways, but the potential is there.Zeke= steaks, eggs, malts..7'0, 218 needs to become 7'0, 230 to 235.McNees and Nik..glue guys. McNees, continue to be our "Delonte West". Nik...slow down and you can be the "Anderson Varejao" of the frontcourt.McClanahan and Steward. Nice backcourt depth.7 deep at least. Nice start. 1-2 frosh to get some time, no doubt.But unless one of the freshmen really is big time, it is going to come down to developing McKnight, Humpty and Zeke as our difference makers. If at least 2 of them can make that jump, we might see a season of only 4-5 losses. And you will truly see the team take that next step.

[Valpo Zip]

Our bench situation is certainly not a healthy one. With Euton, Egner, and Green coming in and only 2 scholarship players graduating, someone must be asked to give up their scholarship. That is not a good situation to be in and KD certainly is not looking forward to do that.

From KD/fans point of view: Swiech has been on scholarship for 3 years with no on-court production same thing could be said about Sullivan (2 years).

From the kids/families point of view: we had other options coming out of high school, you offered us to come here so we did. Your decision, your fault, you pay the price.

[Quickzips]

If we're giving out offseason homework:

McNees: Work on the lateral quickness. We need you to at least have a chance at staying in front of the quicker guards that are starting to become more prevelant around the conference. It would also be good for you to add a mid-range jump shot to your game.

Hitchens: Must work at finishing the ball around the rim in traffic. Humpty is our only guard who has the ability to break guys down off the dribble, but he struggles finishing at the rim. If I'm him, I'm asking Zeke, Cvetinovic, Swiech, Bardo and any other big guy I can find to come in the gym with me so that I can work on this. Also needs to get much better at the free throw line.

Roberts: Has to get back to where he was at the end of last year. I think a lot of it can be traced to that ankle that has been a problem all year. Give that baby a rest, then get in the gym and work on getting that shot back that was so pure a year ago.

Steward: Has to get some arch on that jump shot. Might be our most creative ballhandler, but Dambrot just isn't going to play a guard whose shot is that flat. KD's system is predicated on getting the ball into the post and kicking it back out to open shooters. You have to have a reliable jump shot if you are going to get more minutes from him.

McClanahan: Apparently you are a SF now and not a SG. As such we need you to hit the weight room and get a little stronger to be able to match up with guys defensively at that position. Decision making on the offensive end needs to get a lot better as well. Especially off the dribble.

McKnight: As others have mentioned, needs to lose a little weight. If he could get down to the 225-230 range it would help him a lot. Particularly with that back and those knees that seemed to be nagging him all year. Beyond that, consistency is the name of the game. We can't have our leading scorer disappearing for games at a time like you did during the tournament.

Cvetinovic: Free throw shooting is one big thing. Also needs to work on his handle while backing guys down in order to avoid those travel calls that became more prevelant this year. Must add some more diversity to his offensive game which right now consists of trying to blow by defenders from the top of the key after a ball fake or running that baseline spin move.

Zeke: No brainer here. Has to continue to get bigger and stronger. Whatever he did leading into the tournament to improve on his shot offensively, keep doing it. The biggest thing is going to be adding the bulk that he needs to really be effective without losing the athleticism that made him such an exciting prospect.

Bardo: No idea here. At this point in his career, Mike is what he is. You aren't going to suddenly make him into an offensive threat, an outstanding shot blocker, etc.

[Dave in Green]

One thing KD does not like to do is play freshmen long minutes over veterans. But some of the veterans have shown inconsistent performances that make them vulnerable to the strengths the incoming freshmen have shown at the HS level.

Of course it's no easy thing for true freshmen to show more consistent performance than returning veterans. But I'm going to guess here that Euton, Green and Egner will be given more opportunity than usual from KD to earn steady PT in their first seasons.