In Reply to: Re: Here's something I've been thinking about lately: posted by Cachorro on June 02, 2026 at 14:39:44
Some really interesting points made here in this thread. I really doubt Skyy could get an extra year from the NCAA but have no doubt Mick would take him in a heartbeat.
Re: this upcoming season's roster, I think Mick got to understand where the portal is right now and decided he didn't have the money to land a post who could contribute meaningfully this coming season. For a couple million bucks he could bring in someone who most likely would contribute at the level of Jamerson and that would be a waste of money for value. He held his money to build a new backcourt and hoped to land a wing who would actually move the scale in our favor but he couldn't match the situation of St John's or outbid KY. He'll most likely fill out the roster with a couple Euros for depth and/or development.
Re: this coming team: I have questions beyond our paint defense. I don't believe Perry has the quickness to defend the point position and, even switching Robinson or Petty - whom I like a lot - still leaves a defensive vulnerability in the back court. Also Dailey's consistency is a big issue in my mind. The question is his mental toughness and focus. I was expecting a great deal from him last season and didn't see it except here and there. That may be his trying to be a 3 instead of a 4. Hopeful but we have to see it to really believe it will come around. And of course paint defense with Booker.
But re: Cronin's head going forward: it looks to me like Cronin has realized his strength and that of his staff is in finding tough and tough minded younger players he can develop and who fit his system which requires solid defense, whatever it does on offense. He's brought in solid looking players with potential and they all have multiple years to develop and play. The reports on our current top Euro target says he's young - US HS age - also.
IMO that's the approach he really does need to follow - and stick to. The rent-a-talent through the portal approach just hasn't worked very well for him. And the cost of top players at this point, as things are right now, gives a huge advantage to the rich whale schools like Tech and the huge spenders like KY and those with nothing or little to spend on football like St John's in competing for the big name upper division transfers. Plus the older guys have no time to capitalize on the first year in which they learn the system and the required basics - Donovan Dent is a great example - took him 2/3s of the season to learn how to really protect the ball and after he fully emerged he had what, 10 games?, and then he was gone.
/Anyway, that's how I'm reading what we're seeing in recruiting.