This probably belongs more in the recruiting thread, but thought it also is more of a general Ohio Basketball discussion as well.  I was really worried about the future of Ohio Basketball following this season after Groce left last year and Evan Bradds and Levert both bailed.  However, my confidence has been restored by the talent we brought in through transfers, what we have returning and the development of guys like TJ Hall and Ricardo Johnson, and the recruits we have signed for next year.  I think Ohio Basketball is in a position to really sustain a high level for years to come. 

Reasons I am optimistic:

1. With Jon Smith and Kellogg returning next year we have poised leadership and experience.
2. Ricardo Johnson looks to me like he is just sitting back out of the spotlight getting ready to take his game to an entirely new level next year.  I think he is ready to replace Walt's grit and tenacity while bringing more size, length and pure athleticism to the table.
3. Maurice Ndour! We only have him for 2 years, but I think it is going to be a very special two years. His stat line is unreal right now!

				Minutes		Total			3-pts			F-Throws			Rebounds										Scoring
##	Player	GP	GS	Tot	Avg	FG	FGA	FG%	3FG	3FGA	3PT%	FT	FTA	FT%	Off	Def	Tot	Avg	PF	A	Ast/G	TO	Stl	Blk	Pts	Avg
5	Maurice Ndour	22	22	581	26.4	147	274	.536	10	26	.385	74	91	.813	52	168	220	10.0	60	79	3.6	68	28	64	378	17.2

4. Reg and Baltic are tough losses, but with Setty, Smith, Ndour and possibly Campbell giving some minutes as a freshman (No idea what Mompremier will bring next season so leaving him out) we should be deep, long and athletic.

The only position I really do not feel good about is PG.  How can you when losing one of the best PG's in the history of college basketball!  I really feel good about what we have coming back and replacing what is leaving in every position with the exception of DJ though.  Just thought I would get people's temperature on this.

Sidenote: I am really going to miss Big Reg.  He has transformed as a player physically and mentally and I am loving watching him this year.  Wish he had shown this new Reg earlier in his career.

It would not surprise me if all three of our incoming freshmen redshirt next year. When you include Willis and Setty, we have nine non-freshmen already immersed in the Ohio Bobcats system. Throw in Ndour, who I expect to be an immediate impact player, that's a 10 deep rotation. We can dress one or two of them each game as a precaution against mid-game injury, just like Moe Pearson did in 07-08. Otherwise, I don't see where their minutes are coming from.

My only concern going forward is who is going to be relied on to create his own shot? All four of our seniors have their own unique way of scoring points. How do we not lose that kind of production? Kellogg and to a lesser extent, Hall can score, but they often need to be set up by someone else. I think Willis will be fine. Setty showed some flashes as a true freshman at SIU. Can Ndour have the same impact at the D1 level?

After seeing D.J. Wingfield in the Flyin to the Hoop tourney, I'm gonna lay on the hype.  I think he is too talented to be redshirted and also think he could be the answer to needing a shot creator.  He is just silky smooth and has great court awareness.  He kind of reminded me of Sonny Troutman...Or a smoother and better shooting Ricardo.  I could go on, but then he'll end up being a dud and you'll all remind me for 4 years of how I hyped him up too much.

If Bean Willis is half way decent, it will go a long way.

well that'd just suck. hopefully he'll stay for at least year so JC can get a PG in. will probably need to go JUCO route again if Willis leaves.

stevie taylor better improve a lot over the summer because he is currently a 10 MPG player at best right now

As early as just tonight I caught myself forwarding to next year and thinking that nearly this entire roster being gone at which time I tell myself, "just enjoy this season and worry about that, then."  I hope everyone on here is correct, but next year is truly an unknown.  I've learned to never trust "the potential" or "scouting reports" of incoming players until we actually see their games on a college court.

My main concern is scoring.  I realize that when our current underclassman get their own chances to see the ball more, we could be amazed at what they mature into.  At the same time, I'm just wondering how much upside some of our current underclassman have at scoring significantly more.  Especially considering we will be losing nearly 60% of our scoring in one season.  Kellog, Smith, Willis, Green, Johnson, Hall, Taylor?  Can they be counted upon to lead a "good team"  team offensively?  Can they go from the 3rd or 4th option to the 1st or 2nd and elevate their games?  Can they and a bunch of first year players make it all work in hurry to have anything more than a rebuilding year?  I hope so, but as I started, don't want to think too much about it and enjoy what we got, while we got it.

These Willis mutterings are concerning.  If it rings true and he never wears the green and white, with no other PG recruits it not only means Stevie will end up playing a huge role but it also means Nick would be called upon to be more of a ball handler in his senior year. 

I like Stevie in his current role but I agree.  He's quick as hell but I just don't see that he has the vision to be a great PG.   He's going to need to improve his ability to create. Not saying he can't do it just that I haven't seen it yet.

As for Willis, I expressed concerns in the Spring and I still have them.  PG is my biggest area of worry going forward. 

I could see Wingfield being capable at PG, but I don't think that is where he would be best utilized.  I'd say the answer would be Nick stepping up (with Travis stepping up to Nick's current role) and secure a solid JUCO or polished freshman in 2014.

But hopefully Willis is committed to being a Bobcat and our worries are unwarranted.

To me the rumors of Bean wanting to leave are just as silly as the rumors last Summer that Coop was going to transfer after Groce left. 

Why would Bean Willis transfer half way across the country and sit out a year during his athletic prime, just so that he could leave and go to Europe next year? 

Until I hear otherwise, I'm still expecting to see him as our starting PG and probable go-to-guy next year.