=>LFG!
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Interesting, but justified.
No. 1 Akron lost a lot of core players as did No. 3 Kent State, and usual power Toledo. RedHawks look the most stable team in the league.
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I think we can win it all but it will be a dog fight as the MAC is way better than people in the media think it is. Take away the top 4 schools and there’s BG and EMU plus UMass. Testes State will be solid. It’s gonna be a way better overall now that Northern is out.
In a one-bid league, all it takes is one upset loss in the conference tournament to ruin an otherwise dream season. The Sweet Sixteen team in 1999 did not win the MAC tournament, so it can happen to any team.
Having said that, our team next year could be good enough to have a legitimate shot at winning an NCAA tournament game. I also think a 16-2 MAC regular season is within reach, which would surpass the 15-3 record from Wally’s senior season.
I love Travis Steele’s approach:
- Culture, culture, culture.
- Recruit great high school players.
- Retain all high school recruits for at least two seasons.
- Retain 2 or 3 of your best players beyond their sophomore seasons.
- Recruit juniors from the transfer portal who fill out your roster and who want to finish their playing careers at Miami.
- Don’t use all 15 scholarships. Use 12-13 and make sure you utilize and challenge your true freshmen to the extent they’re ready for it. This is critical to retaining those freshmen for a 2nd season and hopefully all 4.
I think this model can play for a long time.
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Well said save for one tiny bit: I think we are using all our 15 scholarships FWIW.
I agree with MAX. I think 15 scholarships breed dissention on the bench, unless 2 or 3 are redshirts. Especially in this NIL era where $$$ could dictate minutes at the end of the bench.
That may be true. I’m simply saying we are in fact using all 15 scholarships. He’s not saving any this year.
Are you counting Eli Yofan or other former walkons when you say we’ll use all 15? Ex Yofan, we’re at 13 now.
I guess I mentally exclude former walkons from the scholarship count due to the low risk of those players being unhappy with lack of playing time.
Or, maybe you have info on a soon to be announced signing?
Eli is 14, and you figure Reece (if he returns) or whoever they get to replace him is 15.
Do we know if the coaching staff has left the door open for Potter to return?
I would think yes they have as he was well liked and recruited by Steele. The coaches are realistic. Prolly say “see if you can get that bag, son, but if not, here’s a smaller bag but maybe a bigger playing opportunity.”
Do not hold breath for Potter. He’s gone. Wanted to transfer before last season.
Currently have 13 scholarships spoken for. I would doubt two more scholarships are coming. The kid from Bradley is replacing Potter. That’s seven rotation players and two last rotation spots will come from which of the five freshmen earn those roles.
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If true, what kept him from leaving? Lack of offers? $?
We have 8 returning counting Eli on scholarship.
Plus The IceMan. (1)
Plus (5) freshmen.
That gets the number to 14, but maybe my number is off? This is like ordering Little Caesar’s. Confusing.
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Never entered portal but was seriously considered. Guessing maybe health of back played a factor in running it back knowing he needed surgery?
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