Wish List for 2024-25

[mat1992 2,237]

Not talking about incoming players or potential transfers. Assuming every player but Charles and Hicks is returning and yes, this list can change at the drop of a hat, but every player has eligibility left (even Chase). Without getting too stat-heavy and geeky. Just by watching every game and a handful of practices.

*Jaiden Cole. Needs to get stronger at 6-3 or 6-4, 165. Shot is a bit lofty with a lot of arc, but he's not seeing PT without at least 20 pounds added to his frame.

*Tyler Coleman. Not sure there's a lot he can work on other than his three-point shot. That would get him on the floor more or some. Has shed a lot of weight, but is limited athletically. Works hard.

*Messiah Jones. Again, has been around a long time at Wofford and Towson. His two-point numbers (48%) weren't quite as bad as I thought, but he still needs to be around 58%, Was 39% from 3 (11 of 28) so that was a pleasant surprise. Defense is worrisome at power forward because this is a four-guard league. Needs to play more center.

*Mekhi Lowery. Don't need the stats to know FT shooting and overall shot needs a lot of work. Put on about 20 pounds and needs at least 15 more so he could play 1-4. Sky is the limit with a 7-2 wingspan but may have competition in Chike Ndefo, who is supposed to be a big-time defender. Lowery could also be an all-league defender.

*Christian May. Seems so far away because of the late-season slump, but isn't that far if he can put the effort in several areas. Starts with his handle. If he's going to play the 2, he has to handle the ball better. Needs a quicker release on jumper. That's what Timberlake did from his 3rd to 4th year. May will need to take that jump(er). Also work on the mental part. Defense is solid.

*Chase Paar. If he returns, and I'm not sure he is, but has a year left, just continue working hard on his stamina and conditioning. Who knows about knees? Had some good and bad moments this season. Hands are going to be an issue when you give him the ball down low. Probably best used against (bigger 6-9 or taller centers) and kept away from speedier squads.

*Tomiwa Sulaiman. Very similar numbers to Jones. Needs to use his body better down low. He's a tank at 6-6, 235+. Uses both hands. Needs to rebound better defensively. Defense wasn't bad but again, maybe play him some at center so he doesn't have to guard quicker players on perimeter.

*Nendah Tarke. Not sure that he's going to change a lot in his fifth season. Better three-point shooter? Maybe needs to get a little more sleeker to get faster and more dynamic. That would also help defensively, where he was good but sometimes struggled against quicker guards. He can give about 5 of his pounds to Cole or Lowery. Like to see him drive and dish instead of just drive. To his credit, improved his FT shooting by about 10% from last season

*Tyler Tejada. Improve Defense. Could also rebound better and it's time to move him to power forward with a few additional pounds. He's going to be the focal point of the offense next season and defenses will be focused on him. Has to know when to shoot and when to dish it. Stick with the three-point shot if it's there. Tends to overthink and then pump fake and drive. If he takes another step or two, this team could be very good and well, he could be gone. Which is fine.

*Dylan Williamson. Improve defense. Play like you did in the CAA Tournament. Averaged 15 points in three games. Take care of the ball and make better decisions down the stretch, but could be really good if he takes another step this offseason (FT shooting, 3pt shooting, lefty drive). Probably best freshman point guard since Jerome Hairston (that didn't end well). 

 

[TuTigers2012 1,071]

2 hours ago, mat1992 said:

Not talking about incoming players or potential transfers. Assuming every player but Charles and Hicks is returning and yes, this list can change at the drop of a hat, but every player has eligibility left (even Chase). Without getting too stat-heavy and geeky. Just by watching every game and a handful of practices.

*Jaiden Cole. Needs to get stronger at 6-3 or 6-4, 165. Shot is a bit lofty with a lot of arc, but he's not seeing PT without at least 20 pounds added to his frame.

*Tyler Coleman. Not sure there's a lot he can work on other than his three-point shot. That would get him on the floor more or some. Has shed a lot of weight, but is limited athletically. Works hard.

*Messiah Jones. Again, has been around a long time at Wofford and Towson. His two-point numbers (48%) weren't quite as bad as I thought, but he still needs to be around 52%. Was 39% from 3 (11 of 28) so that was a pleasant surprise. Defense is worrisome at power forward because this is a four-guard league. Needs to play more center.

*Mekhi Lowery. Don't need the stats to know FT shooting and overall shot needs a lot of work. Put on about 20 pounds and needs at least 15 more so he could play 1-4. Sky is the limit with a 7-2 wingspan but may have competition in Chike Ndefo, who is supposed to be a big-time defender. Lowery could also be an all-league defender.

*Christian May. Seems so far away because of the late-season slump, but isn't that far if he can put the effort in several areas. Starts with his handle. If he's going to play the 2, he has to handle the ball better. Needs a quicker release on jumper. That's what Timberlake did from his 3rd to 4th year. May will need to take that jump(er). Also work on the mental part. Defense is solid.

*Chase Paar. If he returns, and I'm not sure he is, but has a year left, just continue working hard on his stamina and conditioning. Who knows about knees? Had some good and bad moments this season. Hands are going to be an issue when you give him the ball down low. Probably best used against (bigger 6-9 or taller centers) and kept away from speedier squads.

*Tomiwa Sulaiman. Very similar numbers to Jones. Needs to use his body better down low. He's a tank at 6-6, 235+. Uses both hands. Needs to rebound better defensively. Defense wasn't bad but again, maybe play him some at center so he doesn't have to guard quicker players on perimeter.

*Nendah Tarke. Not sure that he's going to change a lot in his fifth season. Better three-point shooter? Maybe needs to get a little more sleeker to get faster and more dynamic. That would also help defensively, where he was good but sometimes struggled against quicker guards. He can give about 5 of his pounds to Cole or Lowery. Like to see him drive and dish instead of just drive. To his credit, improved his FT shooting by about 10% from last season

*Tyler Tejada. Improve Defense. Could also rebound better and it's time to move him to power forward with a few additional pounds. He's going to be the focal point of the offense next season and defenses will be focused on him. Has to know when to shoot and when to dish it. Stick with the three-point shot if it's there. Tends to overthink and then pump fake and drive. If he takes another step or two, this team could be very good and well, he could be gone. Which is fine.

*Dylan Williamson. Improve defense. Play like you did in the CAA Tournament. Averaged 15 points in three games. Take care of the ball and make better decisions down the stretch, but could be really good if he takes another step this offseason (FT shooting, 3pt shooting, lefty drive). Probably best freshman point guard since Jerome Hairston (that didn't end well). 

 

I’m assuming you meant 62% for Jones as he shot 52% from 2.  Tarke needs to play more consistent and actually make layups and actually pass the ball. Mays defense was ok, he seemed very slow the last month.

 

on everyone’s wish list… a new coach!