I don't think you can publicly say 'yeah, we're rebuilding' at a program like this. Everyone knows that more or less - it's a rebuilding year - but not necessarily in the traditional sense. He's right - there's a good core of talent here, but there's also a lot of question marks. I do like the mentality they're taking to this year in terms of saying 'these are going to be our guys, now what are the things those guys lack that we can add to amplify that core' and that's a thing they just haven't done a good job of in the last few years. There IS a scenario where this team is quite good next year. I'm not ready to say that yet, or anywhere near ready to say that yet; but that possibility does exist. But I kind of like this plan a little more than dumping lots of pro prospecty talent into a funnel and hoping the talent peaks its head up.
I don't think "rebuilding" is even a thing at this level of college basketball. If it is, Kentucky is in that mode every year. Football....yeah, many don't start until their 3rd year and you have 60 guys you need to bring in, build up etc. Basketball? We are talking about 8 players realistically, of which half need to be very good, and the other half competent complimentary pieces.
You can win with: (1) overwhelming young talent; (2) a team of savvy gritty veterans or (3) a team with some very talented young guys mixed in with savvy veterans. Three formulas. Kentucky and UNC run option 1 every year. Most schools run option 2 or 3. If you are trying to win with option 2, you may need to rebuild. This is what happens at smaller schools who have one strong team of upperclassmen every once in awhile.
UConn has always had a blend of stars and role players. I don't think we're short on star talent next year. Now that involves a leap of faith that Larrier and Gilbert will be what they showed early last year, and Adams will be even better. I do like the odds on that. Who are the complimentary pieces? That's the issue. Vital is reliable as one. I think Anderson will be as well. So we need a couple of guys from the group of Diarra, Cobb, Polley and Carlton to be valuable contributing role players. Or, we need another grad transfer who would perhaps be less of a risk. But we certainly have a path to be an NCAA team next year.