Welcome to The Holy Land of Hoops

JohnW22 wrote:
We going to pretend Brunson, Bridges, and Spellman are all going to return?

I'd say we can speculate on players leaving when you say that Nova could have 13 players on the roster when the Wildcats are still are still active in the 2018 recruiting class.

kayako wrote:

JohnW22 wrote:
We going to pretend Brunson, Bridges, and Spellman are all going to return?

Might as well add Booth to that list. All 4 may leave, all 4 may stay, or more likely 1-3 decides to leave. I see Spellman as least likely to leave, though. The other 3 may have very little to gain by staying even if they aren't projected 1st rounders.

21 - Mikal Bridges (SG, 6-7, Villaova)

43 - Jalen Brunson (PG, 6-2, Villanova)

21 - Mikal Bridges (6-7, 200, SG/SF, Jr., Villanova)
54 - JP Macura (6-5, 205, SG, Sr., Xavier)

GumbyDamnit! wrote:
RE: potential for Nova roster turnover after this year

Brunson
- JB will have enough credits to graduate after Jr year. We hear about how hard kids work on the court but the kid worked just as hard off the court. Those things rarely get reported. Kudos to him
- He’s probably peaked as a player. Either NBA scouts think he can play in the league or not at this point. You’re getting an A+ BB IQ in a below average athlete. Not sure another year improves his stock.
- He’s already got a ring. As tempting as it would be to have an entire roster in tact for he next 2 years, in his case is a run at another NC (which is so tough to win) worth it when his dream, career and $ (NBA or oversees) is there waiting for him now.

Prediction: this is his last year on the Main Line

Bridges
- RS Jr, so will graduate this year
- So much upside. Already a pro defensively—he’s like a spider. Needs to figure out how to take the next step offensively. He’s highly efficient but not polished enough IMO. He can knock down the 3 so maybe he’s a 3 and D guy. But I’d really like to see him be much more assertive. Everyone at Nova Nation is expecting him to be a 15+ ppg. I think that’s a stretch considering all the other weapons on the team.

Prediction: Tests draft waters after the season but is not a guaranteed 1st round so he returns.

Spellman
- Has one and done talent. Is he athletic enough to guard bigs at the next level?
- If he can show that he can run the floor and learn how to defend, and knock down some 3’s at a decent clip, I think there’s probably an NBA team willing to use a late first round pick on him.

Prediction: O&D

Booth
- RS Jr so he graduates this year.
- Don’t think he’s big enough or athletic enough for the NBA as an off guard.
- If JB bolts Phil is probably the starting PG in 2018-19 (unless they bring in a late stud from ‘18 like David Duke)

Prediction: tests waters, realizes if he has any chance at the big show it’ll have to be as a PG. Returns and runs the point for his post-grad year

So 2 schollys likely open and there’s a good chance another kid on the roster: Tim Delaney, either transfers out or becomes the team Mgr b/c of recurring health issues (bad hips). The kid unfortunately just can’t seem to catch a break.