Look at all of those newcomer freshmen. If Boals can walk a tightrope and win the MAC now but play those freshman enough to keep them around but not have to rely on them so much that they're poached after the season.........

+1. All great points. I'm confident our freshmen will contribute and help win games. However, if they weren't on P5 radars out of HS, that's unlikely to change after maybe 10-15 mins a game at the mid-major level.

I think this is something that people are going to have a hard time coming to terms with, but it's the new reality. Ohio and the like are farm systems now for the bigger programs more than they ever were. Recruit good players; who cares if they "get called up" to the big leagues. At least your name gets mentioned when they succeed at the higher level. Make a name for yourself in developing talent.

Like anyone else, I'd love to hold on to all talent, but we most likely don't have the dollars to do so.

I mean, again -- we've lost two meaningful players: Mark Sears & BVP. And BVP only left for a year of eligibility he never would have had without all the weird Covid stuff.

We have benefitted far more from the transfer portal than it's hurt us.

Last year, our top 3 players in terms of win shares included two guys from the portal and a junior who has played with us all three years, and is back for his senior season. The season prior, our best two players were from the portal (Wilson and Hunter).

Next season, we're projecting big minutes and contributions from a portal big and a portal guard who will very likely start alongside another portal guard (Reef). Our best player will likely be a senior who made 3rd team All MAC and didn't get recruited away. Our rotation will include juniors in AJB, Hadaway, James, and Sheldon.