I recall a great conversation with JC where he told me that you can't fill an entire roster with guys who expect immediate PT or you're going to turn them over in frustration. At the same time, SP tenure at OHIO has been filled with a short bench and lots of dead weight on the sidelines that based on how much he plays them--is not useful or functional as they're either not available to play or he doesn't have the confidence too play them. He's worn the tread on more than a couple guys and plays his bench very short minutes. Based on that mere fact, I think I'd be taking "best available" right now and building depth. Not sure he's in the position to be "protecting" guys right now. What do we have, like 2 guaranteed parts to MAC Championship Team puzzle (Carter & Simmons and we're not even sure of Simmons)? Every other roster position is "maybe's," "could be's" and "we expect to be be's." I see nobody whose spots are protected, do you? Our PG could be leaving and we have no proven back up. Our #2 is one dimensional and while he's my favorite player, could be more versatile. Our #3 IMO opinion needs totally upgraded all together. Could score more, could slash more, could be more athletic, could be a lot of things. And at the #4 and/or #5 we've got Carter and nothing else guaranteed. That to me is not a "cupboard is full" situation. That to me, is a situation where lots of positions are open competitions going into next season.

Secondly, this fan board confuses me. If it's strictly going on cold hard facts and researched opinions, then it should only be a 3-5 pages long. This is a time killing board filled with opinions and hunches. Personally, I'm not doing research like I do for work, I'm just giving first hunch opinions. Granted, there are some really "not well thought out stuff" on here, but most is filler. In regards to Mickle, how can you grill people for not being impressed? Honestly, unless you're watching film I haven't seen; talking to people in the know; or are a FGCU fan that's been watching games the past 2-3 years and see something good--just based on the facts you're given, you're not impressed. Even the Naples Daily News article stated, "Mickle, who still is green offensively (despite being a Senior)," and is "apparently going to take a step down from Division I in search or more playing time." If that's the data you're presented with, are you really excited? On a casual fan board do you expect people to read this limited data and go, "GREAT GET. Way to find what on paper looks like one of the less appealing options on the transfer wire, while UM is going after Simmons, probably one of the more attractive options?" We won't know until we see him and then the pie is on the face of those who questioned the choice, but come on, true or false--just not great front page appeal.

This^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ All of it. Too many people here are satisfied with 20 wins and CBI. Wish more people would get fired up over the fact this program hasn't been to the NCAA Tourney in 5 years.

Who on here comes out and states, "yeah, I'm satisfied with making the CBI"? No one I converse with regularly here is. This game of being bothered by assuming people are satisfied, that they're embracing mediocrity, that they don't believe, etc is nothing more than hot air. Because it doesn't matter at all what any one poster is or isn't satisfied with. What matters is what the coaching staff, players and university expectations are for the program. We already know they're goal is the NCAA Tournament as often as possible. Saul has said as much at several caravan stops this year. The players stated they had that expectation last year. They fell short and were disappointed by it.

As for the paper covering FGCU and Mickel - if that's the only information you're basing your feelings of Mickel on, it seems misguided to me. I'm sorry they didn't call him a "rising" player like they did to every single player they're bringing in new next year. It's not coincidence that it reads that way. They're bragging up the new recruits, and being dismissive about the departures.

The other source in that thread referred to a nice mid-range game. Which do I believe is true? Reality is probably somewhere in the middle. As long as he's capable of giving some quality minutes, I think all will be well.

Another thing to consider is that maybe there's a "home run" that's being recruited for 2018, and they didn't want to blow a 3-4 year scholarship on someone who wasn't as good? I don't know that's the case, but I know you know enough basketball to know there's more to the recruiting strategy than just looking at this specific year.

Sorry...I did fix it. 11 blocks. And I'm not trashing the kid. Just laying out the facts that many others have pointed out here as well. This program can't afford to miss on Grad transfers. I wish the young man well and hope he becomes an important cog in the rotation. If not, then Saul has some explaining to do. #BleedGreen

And Allen...don't forget those 11 blocked shots. If people get upset about "dead weight" I can't do anything about that. All I know is that EDoz, Wadley and Harley didn't contribute last season. And yes..I realize Wadley was red-shirted. That's a whole different topic and don't even get me started on that one. People are way too sensitive on this board. That's why so many are satisfied with moral victories and CBI appearances. This is a message board and we are allowed to make comments concerning the players and recruiting. Sorry, 2 points and 2 rebounds doesn't do it for me either. If I'm wrong, I'll come back here and tell the world. I truly hope I get the opportunity to do so. I don't want my school to only go to the NCAA Tournament once every 5 years. This program has the ability to elevate and should have bigger goals (sadly we screwed up the 5 year post sweet 16 season window by hiring JC #6-48). We should expect bigger goals when recruiting one and done grad transfers. There ya go...I'm sure I just hurt somebody's feelings. #BleedGreen

I'll definitely come on here and say I was wrong about Mickle....but we won't know that until next March. I'll work on new material for the coming season, but a good LaFerla twins joke and JC #6-48 never gets old.

I think DT started the year very poorly, but something clicked part way through MAC play. I'm thinking it was the Toledo blowout actually that I saw him become way more assertive and move around more on offense. He also really became a more disciplined rim protector as well this year. I would just like to see some more touch around the rims and a little more aggressiveness for rebounds and high pointing the ball next year.

Yep...I would gladly take 8 points and 8 boards from DT next year. It really should happen with the progression he made from his sophomore to junior year.