I'm honestly a bit surprised by the lack of concern on this board regarding AJB's departure. I definitely understand the "it is what it is" mindset regarding the portal in general, as this will be far from the last guy we lose to the Portal going forward ... but I feel like AJB's impact is being downplayed. [/QUOTE]For me, a big part of it is that concern is relative. We lost a starter from a .500 team that has never quite lived up to the potential he showed early in his career. Largely, I think that's because AJB is basically a specialist and more of a role player than a guy you can build an offense around and expect to create with the ball in his hands. If he ends up at a P5 school, it's going to be as a shooter and nothing else.
I totally agree that we'll miss his shooting. I think it's entirely possible we have spacing issues next year, but we also have plenty of guards who may be able to help address that. Pavs and Sheldon improving back to their means, Burris, Kuany, the freshmen, etc. We also have another roster spot to fill in the portal.
AJ was likely to lead us in scoring next year and provided shooting that we desperately need. I am happy with the frontcourt additions as well - but this is a big loss.
He isn't the leading returning scorer -- Pavs is. And I think people underestimate how good Pavs was offensively in the second half of the season. It's going to piss off some folks here, but Pavs is gonna be our number one option next year.
[QUOTE=Bobcatbasketball32]
Count me among those who isn't crazy about a Pavs-EE-Hadaway-Simmons-Breath lineup. To me, Hadaway is just much better suited as a stretch 4. Does he create the same mismatches from the 3 spot? Can he consistently stretch the floor with his shooting, as a 3 man should? Do we struggle getting to the rim cleanly without Hadaway (and Clayton) pulling opposing bigs away from the basket?