Copying my take from KHC:
Obviously there is a lot to play for this season, but that doesn't stop us as fans to look ahead to the future. Assuming Biggie is gone (I'd be stunned if he's not), Vincent and Isaac return (seems pretty likely), and no one else is signed (Sasha or Epperson most likely add) or transfers out, below is the roster for next season:
Seniors: Vincent Edwards, PJ Thompson, Isaac Haas, Dakota Mathias, Basil Smotherman
Juniors: Ryan Cline, Jacquil Taylor (could earn 6th yr and have soph eligibility if he doesn't return), Eden Ewing
Sophomores: Carsen Edwards
Freshmen: Nojel Eastern, Aaron Wheeler, Matty Haarms
Position by position:
PG - It will be hard for a true freshman to take the starting role from a senior three year starter but if anyone can do it, it's Eastern. We are in good hands with one as starter and one as backup
SG - If Eastern starts, I think this is Carsen's job. If not, we may still see Dakota starting. That would be a 3 year senior starter at SG as well. Add Cline as a possibility and the 2 guard is well stocked
SF - Because of the depth at SG, I could easily see Mathias and/or Cline getting SF minutes and shifting Vincent back to the PF slot. Is Wheeler ready to contribute? Coming from Brewster, he may be.
PF - If Vincent stays at the SF, this is the biggest question mark position. Can Basil assume the starter role? It certainly looks possible after the Nova game. Is Ewing ready to contribute immediately? One would hope as a Juco.
C - Obviously having a senior Haas in the middle is big. Hopefully by his senior year, he's ready to play 28 minutes and dominate without getting in foul trouble (much like Hammons learned). If that's the case, we just need Taylor and/or Haarms to play steady minutes behind him.
Normally, you try not to expect much of freshman unless they are heralded (like Biggie and now Eastern). As such, one would like to think at least one of Haarms or Wheeler redshirts. But considering:
- Both are coming from high level programs where they are playing alongside multiple D1 commits
- They will each have an entire summer to indoctrinate thanks to the World University Games appearance
- Redshirting would shift them back into a class that will likely already have 5 or 6 members
- With so many seniors, it may be an all hands on deck, go for the jugular type of season
I'd almost be surprised if either redshirts. Now, if Purdue picks up Epperson in the spring, I'd expect either him or Haarms to redshirt.
All in all, I like the roster. Athleticism will be much improved. It will be loaded with senior leadership. And it will have several guys that are skilled. And if it plays out above, Purdue will have 12 scholarship players for the first time in a while.
Now, enough about next year, let's kick some Georgia State ass.
