2026 roster needs

[bigdog1002]

We saw what throwing around a bunch of money did for Pope.

Pope isn’t in the same universe as Hurley as a coach. The guy I was sitting next to Saturday (Illinois fan) was gushing over Hurley’s offensive sets. Not that I didn’t already know it

 

[Frank06830]

And Michigan.

Wait.

Curious does anyone have an idea what the Michigan 5/5 portal team earned in NIL $?

 

[FightOnCT]

Apparently according to Trilly FWIW ... we're actively engaging Najai Hines. How would we feel about him and Reibe at the 5?

I'd like it but tough to imagine. And seems unlikely with them both being rising sophomores.

If we can get both that’d be awesome. But would probably create issues later down the line regarding PT and starter status

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Apparently according to Trilly FWIW ... we're actively engaging Najai Hines. How would we feel about him and Reibe at the 5?

I'd like it but tough to imagine. And seems unlikely with them both being rising sophomores.

I don’t hate it. He’s a strong defender and rebounder, which gives a pretty good floor to a Hines/Reibe platoon. Would be nice to have another Tarris sized dude to throw at guys as a different look.

 

[FightOnCT]

My #1 choice by a mile would be Murauskas. He's a dominant PF and will be in the National Player of the Year discussion next season once he's inevitably on a top 10 team

I read an On3 article that said he’s on our radar. I’d love to nab him too

 

[BFieldHusky]

I read On3 article that said he’s on our radar. I’d love to nab him too

I am hearing we have reached out.

 

[aburks41]

Thanks for the response. This largely gets at why I asked.

You absolutely can get a discount on some guys when you've got the track record we do of developing guys and putting them into the NBA. But, there's probably some minimum threshold you have to hit financially to be competitive.

Really, it'll be an interesting case study in radically free market economics. Eventually there's got to be a natural ceiling on money available for college athletes, right? This seems unsustainable when guys who didn't even earn conference recognition are apparently demanding 3M+.

Big Ten schools like Indiana, Michigan, MSU, OSU, Illinois, Purdue are all likely to be 15M+ next year from what I gather. That said... there's a lot of reasons for these numbers to be inflated both by schools and players/agents. So everything has to be taken with a grain of salt. But... it is an arms race... I'm sure our AD is doing what needs to be done. Just wild to see what college sports is becoming.

I mean you’d think there would have to be a natural cap that mega donors hit, right? In pro sports, the owners at least get a return on their money that they spend. In college, donors don’t get a monetary return. If you’re a multi-billionaire, are you cool with spending $15M a year on college athletics? Maybe. I know I would be if I had a net worth like Repole.

Granted, that could all change soon the way things are going. We may have mega donor backed Private Equity groups buying shares in athletic departments in a few years lmao. They’re already trying do that at the conference level with the Big 12.

 

[mauconnfan]

Not sure that they are both "wonderful"

I am for bench pieces. Stew had a rough ending with the injury but he’s a solid kid and teammate we’d be lucky to have him for his 4th year.

 

[upstater]

I read an On3 article that said he’s on our radar. I’d love to nab him too

Just watched a little of him. Seems he did really well against WCC (which is a weaker conference). He had a horrible game against Tex A&M. I watched him a little. He looked like a more earthbound Alex Karaban. Hmmmm.... think I'd rather have Hines.

 

[TheChamps990411]

No pizza talk and stay on point....lol

Need a starting 7'1 big body (German kid needs another year)
Need a karaban pf
Need a backup pg

Big question-- is mullins testing the nba

Theres only one Karaban. We need more athleticism and defense at the 4 not just a shooter. There are some good options at the 5 and i wouldnt mind seeing the kid that just left Georgia or the kid that left Georgetown come here. Itd be a great mix of defense, rebounding and shotblocking and Reibes more offensive game. We need a PG that cant challenge Demary for the starting job not just a Malachi type back up.

 

[lateralous]

Apparently according to Trilly FWIW ... we're actively engaging Najai Hines. How would we feel about him and Reibe at the 5?

I'd like it but tough to imagine. And seems unlikely with them both being rising sophomores.

I would assume it’s more about having leverage for NIL negotiations and a plan B should those break down as opposed to pairing them together. Sounds like a lot of agents, handlers and parents are asking for the moon this year

 

[REB1094]

The offseason fun begins. I'm annoyed that we're having this conversation 1 day after the title game. But that's just where the game is right now

tbh there is only one no brainer starter, Silas Demary. I expect a big jump next year. Think a Tristen Newton 2nd year leap. AP All America contention. Junior County is our only other PG so I'd expect an upperclassman PG transfer

It gets situational after that.

First thing first we need a home run starting PF. He needs to be a really good scorer and a really good defender. Type of guy you build the entire gameplan around. Unfortunately I'd also look for a quality C. Early to mid season Reibe is a penciled in starter but he fell off as the year went on. I'd bet that Reibe develops well over the summer and becomes a starter. He had REALLY promising moments and very high potential. But this will be more a Samson/Tarris situation than a Sanogo/Clingan or Clingan/Samson.

This is where it gets really difficult. Maybe we lose Braylon to the NBA and you slot in Ross at starting SF or bring in a transfer that can create his own shot. But if not, you're bringing back the Solo Ball/Braylon Mullins backcourt that got abused defensively by bigger and stronger players. You can probably get away with this if you bring in big defenders at PF-C

If you can't bring in those PF/Cs, do you (gulp) bring one of Solo or Braylon off the bench so you can start Ross and get some size and defense in the starting 5? I feel gross just thinking about this. But I don't think it is a good idea to run back the Silas/Solo/Braylon rotation unless there's some real size and defensive dominance behind them. I know that lineup just made the title game, but most of that March run was on the backs of Reed and Karaban

PG: Silas, upperclassman transfer, County
SG-SF: Solo, Braylon, Ross, Landrew/transfer?
PF: superstar transfer, Stewart
C: Reibe and high quality transfer
Probably some mid major senior transfers like a Millender or Koroma situation at F/C

 

[jnew66]

Hurley, get it done:

Starters:

PG Silas Demary Jr.
SG Solo Ball
SF Braylon Mullins
PF Transfer (Extremely athletic, decent 3pt shooter, great rebounder- Scuffed Cam Boozer archetype)
C Transfer (Extremely athletic, great shot blocker + rebounder, good footwork- Scuffed Clingan archetype)

Bench:

Transfer PG (Size, athletic, can drive to the basket and get buckets/draw foul, can shoot the ball- Elliot Cadeau archetype)
Jayden Ross
Jaylin Stewart
Eric Reibe
One of Colben Landrew, Furphy, Junior County, etc. to potentially contribute

EVERY TRANSFER MUST BE EXTREMELY ATHLETIC! NO MORE CLASSY SOFT PLAYERS WHO SHOOT 25% FROM 3 PLEASE!


If we can land a home run with those 3 transfers (starting frontcourt + backup PG), we will be the best team in the country next year. Ross, Stewart, and Reibe will give us the best bench in the country