Next years team?

Any thoughts on who is coming back? I'd guess Braun and Wilson could be gone though I don't see them on any NBA draft boards so I'm hoping they come back but who knows.

If we get them back and we add in Harris and the other young players from this years team that played some this will be a very solid team that could make a deep tourney run again. Especially with the talent coming in.

Thoughts?

I have been wondering also. Haven't seen any projections on local media. Caesers Sportsbook has KU at 10-1 (tops) to win it all in 2023. Didn't give any details. ESPN's top 25 for 2023 has KU #4, says Braun will go, but Harris and Wilson back. CBS Top 25+1 has KU #8, with Braun, Agbaji, & McCormack leaving.

I think it would wise if CB takes the path that Och took last year. Enter the draft without an agent and get good feedback on those things he needs to work on (constancy on 3s, etc.) and return for final year at KU. Seemed to work out well for Och projected first round pick).

I'm getting greedy here but what if DMac came back taking advantage of the COVID 5th year. I know it is a far stretch but interesting thought. I believe it would not affect the scholarship count. We haven't seen a healthy DMac and would be interesting to see how dominant he could be.

Just my opinion but another year at KU would serve Jalen Wilson. He has a great opportunity to showcase his skills with national exposure. Since he already enter the draft last year, he cannot enter again unless he is really leaving.

Harris only leaves if he transfers. He's not going pro.

Wilson stays as well, unless he sees no significant chance of improving, at which point he might jump to G league and grow from there.

I see Braun getting the same advice as Ochai got last year. You're maybe second round now, but have to show that you can be the main man, and take the other teams' best defense targeted at you and still perform. Ochai did that in spades, and Braun will have to do the same to get a sniff at first round draft status.

We have some freshmen coming in who I think could make an immediate impact, and I expect a lot from Petiford and Clemence, and maybe Yesufu. We'll lack a true big (unless Clemence takes that spot, which I'm not sure is his strength), which might also be filled by a couple freshmen or a portal transfer.

I think we'll be very good, perhaps not out of the gate, but by season's end we could make another natty run.

I completely forgot about Cuffe and KJ Adams.

No idea at all what Cuffe brings.

Even watching KJ play some this year, I have no concept of his skillset other than being a good on ball defender. Can he dribble, shoot from outside, rebound, or play inside? I recall he has a poor free throw shooting form, but the data set is so small that may not be a fair assessment.

Also have Cam Martin coming off a redshirt year. Don't know much about him except he is a forward that has been a good scorer in NCAA Division 2.

DEFINITELY GONE
Agbaji — gone to make millions as a lottery pick, possibly top 10 but more likely 12-13
Remy Martin — must leave. Will play somewhere for money.
Coleman-Lands — must leave. Probably play for money buT that young man will be successful whAtever he does
Mitch — must leave. Wants to play for money. May be back on staff sooner than later.

LIKELY GONE
McCormack — close to a graduate degree. Could return and will probably think about it. 90% gone
Braun — pops up on draft boards ranging from late 1st round to not picked. Agree he might be better off being the man as a senior. 50/50 he stays.

POSSIBLY GONE
Jalen Wilson — have not seen him on any draft boards bUt he is itching to earn money. NIL May be a positive for KU in that it could help him stay. 65/35 he stays. Like Braun, May improve his stock if he stays.

LIKELY RETURN
Harris — 100% he’s back
Cam Martin — 100% he’s back
KJ Adams — 99% he’s back. He seems to be a Self guy so he probably expects more minutes

SHOULD RETURN
Clemence — looking at a much bigger role next year even with Ejiofor and Udeh coming. Can’t see him transferring but who knows these days.
Pettiford — will be the No. 2 PG with lots of potential minutes. Should return.

MIGHT RETURN
Cuffe — tough to say with transfer portal and him being a NY kid. I hope he returns. Muscular kid, great athlete.

NEW ADDITIONS
Gradey Dick — ton of hype here. Possible OAD. Depends on Braun and Jalen for his role.
MJ Rice — another strong athletic wing.
Ernest Udeh — will vie with Clemence to be starter at 5.
Zuby Ejiofor — redshirt likely

STARTING LINEUP
1 — DaJuan Harris — you do not bench the starting PG on the NC team
2 — Christian Braun — if Christian is gone plug in Gradey Dick
3 — MJ Rice — this could be Pettiford but I really think he subs for Harris
4 — Jalen Wilson — if Wilson is gone plug in KJ Adams or outside chance of Cam Martin
5 — Zach Clemence — whole new look with a stretch 5.

KEY BENCH
1 — Bobby Pettiford — will be first guy off the bench at 1, 2 or 3
2 — Ernest Udeh — crazy fits for opponents with Clemence and Udeh - stretch 5 and bruiser.
3 — Cam Martin — another matchup problem
4 — assuming Jalen and Christian come back Gradey Dick will be first guy off the bench with Pettiford.

OFF-SEASON DEVELOPMENTS
1. IF Jalen and/or Christian go look for an proven shooter in the portal (Moss, JCL type)
2. KJ Adams works his but off to develop a shot and his post offense
3. Zach Clemence adds 15 pounds of pure muscle and works on his hook shot and post moves
4. DaJuan tries to improve his release on 3-pointers
5. Cam Martin works on defending with muscle and footwork
6. Christian (is he comes back) bonds with Coach Case and hones his leadership skills


QUESTIONS TO PONDER
1. Does Self go after Nijel Pack to add that shooter we lose in Agbaji? (I say hell yes)
2. Does Self go after Courtney Ramey (Texas transfer) (I’d prefer pack)
3. Does Self go after Terrance Shannon (Texas Tech transfer) if Braun or Wilson leaves? (I say yes)

You forgot all about Yesefu...

I think it's likely we start slow and probably won't be a 1 or 2 seed.

One site had Christian picked 33. No first round guarantee, but it worked out for Mario,
I think he should explore the draft process and find out what the scouts/teams thin. If some team shows great interest,, thanks so much for three fine years. If not, the only question is whether he has much upside after another year.
He can be the face of the program for the defending champs.

I assume Dave will go and Jalen probably comes back. the tools are there to develop into a 1st rounder.

USAF, good catch on Yesufu. I meant to put him in the probably gone category. If he stays he certainly has the potential to have an impact. We really need a shooter and he does not seem to be that. I think he is a tough fit with all we have coming in. But his 40+” vertical and defense would be valuable.

I didn't realize Mac had another year. Wow.

I don't think I've ever been happier for a kid than I am for Mac after this tournament. I lost track of how many times I yelled "no! don't throw it to Mac", only to see him dominate the last two minutes. BUT - he drove me crazy over the entire season.

I'm not sure my heart can take another roller coaster ride watching him play 35 games, but he became one of my all time favorites in that final game.

I didn't realize Dave could come back. I doubt he will but I'd love it if he did.

I do think both CB and JW will be back. CB is very good now, but can be "the man" next year and improve his draft stock. Also a year to get bigger and stronger. JW still needs some time in the oven until he's done as well. Very good now, but can still improve.

Note: I am probably the absolute WORST when it comes to determining NBA potential. I think NBA scouts would benefit from listening to my advice and then doing the exact opposite.