With the basketball roster filling out, I’ve been pondering what we’ll look like next year. I’m operating under the assumption that Kira Lewis and John Petty move on and no one redshirts except Miles. Since we’re going to be running a 4 out, 1 in offense I’m getting away from the PG, SG, ect. and instead just listing the positions as 1-5. Anyway, here’s what I think we’ll see...
1: Jahvon Quinerly 6’1”, 31 minutes Josh Primo 6’5”ish, 5 minutes Keon Ellis 6’6”, 4 minutes
If we stay healthy, then how this position goes is how our season will go. We have leaned HEAVILY on our point guard as the one player who could create on our half court offensive possessions. We cannot assume we’ll have that luxury with three unknowns running the point. I do feel like Quinerly will be more than adequate on defense and managing the offense, but I worry about trusting two true newcomers to handle that role when he gets a breather. I hope we don’t have to ride Quinerly 35+ minutes, but we might.
2: Jaden Shackleford 6’3” 22 minutes Josh Primo 6’5”ish, 10 minutes Keon Ellis 6’6”, 8 minutes
Jaden can light it up on the perimeter. I don’t have the same level of confidence in his defense or ballhandling. Primo and Ellis have the length and quickness to be exactly the type of defender Coach Oats likes, but it remains to be seen if they can limit turnovers or create their own shots.
3: Keon Ellis 6’6”, 10 minutes Herb Jones 6’7”, 10 minutes Juwan Gary 6’5”, 14 minutes Keon Ambrose-Hylton 6’8”, 6 minutes Darius Miles 6’7”, redshirt?
A lot of options on the wing is a blessing for Coach Oats. I think we’re going to see a lot of experimenting with player combinations at this position. Regardless of who is on the court, we will have speed and length to spare. We’ll obviously have a drop-off in point production from the perimeter with Petty likely leaving. Hopefully we’ll be able to make that up with defense, rebounding, and penetration.
4: Herb Jones 6’7”, 18 minutes James Rojas 6’8”, 12 minutes Alex Reese 6’9”, 8 minutes Jordan Bruner 6’9”, 2 minutes
Herb Jones is the heart and soul of this team, full stop. We have a lot of options here, and we can do a lot with match-ups. I’m excited to see how Reese and Rojas come back from injury. We can truly play Oats’s 4 out, 1 in style now. I am a bit concerned about turnovers when Herb slides to the 3 or takes a breather. I see this as a HUGE upgrade over last year.
5: Jordan Bruner 6’9”, 22 minutes Javian Davis 6’9”, 12 minutes Galin Smith 6’9”, 4 minutes Alex Reese 6’9”, 2 minutes
If the 4 was an HUGE upgrade, it pales in comparison to what we could see at the 5. We have 4 guys big enough to bang down in the SEC, and Bruner brings matchup advantages we haven’t had for several years. Galin can play the enforcer role when we need to physically disrupt an opposing big. Hopefully Davis continues to improve. I have a slightly lower opinion of his ceiling than some posters here, but he can definitely help us.
In summary, there are a lot of moving pieces, a lot of turnover, and a lot of unknowns with next year’s roster. What you just read is my best guess for how we’ll line up and how we'll perform. I’d love to see what you think I’ve gotten wrong. I’m going to call 22ish wins and a Sweet 16 now, and award us the SEC title if the season gets cancelled. I can’t wait for basketball to start up again! It can’t come soon enough. ROLL TIDE ROLL!
1: Jahvon Quinerly 6’1”, 31 minutes Josh Primo 6’5”ish, 5 minutes Keon Ellis 6’6”, 4 minutes
If we stay healthy, then how this position goes is how our season will go. We have leaned HEAVILY on our point guard as the one player who could create on our half court offensive possessions. We cannot assume we’ll have that luxury with three unknowns running the point. I do feel like Quinerly will be more than adequate on defense and managing the offense, but I worry about trusting two true newcomers to handle that role when he gets a breather. I hope we don’t have to ride Quinerly 35+ minutes, but we might.
2: Jaden Shackleford 6’3” 22 minutes Josh Primo 6’5”ish, 10 minutes Keon Ellis 6’6”, 8 minutes
Jaden can light it up on the perimeter. I don’t have the same level of confidence in his defense or ballhandling. Primo and Ellis have the length and quickness to be exactly the type of defender Coach Oats likes, but it remains to be seen if they can limit turnovers or create their own shots.
3: Keon Ellis 6’6”, 10 minutes Herb Jones 6’7”, 10 minutes Juwan Gary 6’5”, 14 minutes Keon Ambrose-Hylton 6’8”, 6 minutes Darius Miles 6’7”, redshirt?
A lot of options on the wing is a blessing for Coach Oats. I think we’re going to see a lot of experimenting with player combinations at this position. Regardless of who is on the court, we will have speed and length to spare. We’ll obviously have a drop-off in point production from the perimeter with Petty likely leaving. Hopefully we’ll be able to make that up with defense, rebounding, and penetration.
4: Herb Jones 6’7”, 18 minutes James Rojas 6’8”, 12 minutes Alex Reese 6’9”, 8 minutes Jordan Bruner 6’9”, 2 minutes
Herb Jones is the heart and soul of this team, full stop. We have a lot of options here, and we can do a lot with match-ups. I’m excited to see how Reese and Rojas come back from injury. We can truly play Oats’s 4 out, 1 in style now. I am a bit concerned about turnovers when Herb slides to the 3 or takes a breather. I see this as a HUGE upgrade over last year.
5: Jordan Bruner 6’9”, 22 minutes Javian Davis 6’9”, 12 minutes Galin Smith 6’9”, 4 minutes Alex Reese 6’9”, 2 minutes
If the 4 was an HUGE upgrade, it pales in comparison to what we could see at the 5. We have 4 guys big enough to bang down in the SEC, and Bruner brings matchup advantages we haven’t had for several years. Galin can play the enforcer role when we need to physically disrupt an opposing big. Hopefully Davis continues to improve. I have a slightly lower opinion of his ceiling than some posters here, but he can definitely help us.
In summary, there are a lot of moving pieces, a lot of turnover, and a lot of unknowns with next year’s roster. What you just read is my best guess for how we’ll line up and how we'll perform. I’d love to see what you think I’ve gotten wrong. I’m going to call 22ish wins and a Sweet 16 now, and award us the SEC title if the season gets cancelled. I can’t wait for basketball to start up again! It can’t come soon enough. ROLL TIDE ROLL!
Last edited:
