What am I missing here? Ricker said he doesn't see the Ball, Ross, etc. class doing much if they're our core group. Singare and Ross hardly played, Ball played when Castle was hurt and then disappeared, and Stewart didn't do much until late in the season but would hardly be called a member of the core group. Castle was it and he even called Diarra's impact on their playing time exactly right.
Here's part of Ricker's 7/17 Peach Jam quote you referenced:
"I don't see how we win The Big East and make deep Ncaa runs if this became our core group. IMO these guys seem most suited to help a team that has a core of alpha players like Clingan, Karaban, Johnson, Castle, portal transfers, etc Diarra seems like he would keep these guys glued to the bench."