You cant replace Livers with 1 guy, but last night 3 different guys filled in the void - Chaundee, Johns and Brooks. Brooks was the gotta have the 3 guy - he's capable and willing. Chaundee can be a bit more up and down, but was outstanding last night.
Think Johns is a wash with Livers on defense and probably a bit better on the boards. Livers wasn't a much of a create a shot guy - his #1 asset is his shooting - especially from 3 and FT. Luckily Johns has been good at the FT line as well. Terrence Williams had some ups and downs, but 3 assists and 4 points in 9 minutes with bad turnover is something you'd take - probably something Johns might have given you off the bench - frankly better than Johns would give us for those minutes earlier this year.
One benefit of the Livers injury for next year is Johns is probably playing himself into a reliable returning starter. A front court of Hunter and Johns with Diabatte, Houston and Terrence Williams in the mix is outstanding.
Zeb showing something helps paint a nice PG position for next year. You'd take Smith back, but Zeb and Frankie Collins seems pretty good too. Brooks returning would probably be more valuable at the 2 and 2nd ballhandler.
Interesting will be where the big freshman play.
Diabatte is 6-10 and might come in at 220 - Franz is 6-9 220 right now, so he's probably more of a PF until he gets up to about 240 if he even gets there
Houston is 6-8 205 and looks like he has the shooting to play the 3 from day one
Tschetter is 6-8 225 and can see him actually be an undersized 5 who can shoot as he grows into the program
Although I think Johns will start, he may be the backup 5 where Juwan's first sub is Diabatte for Hunter with Johns shifting to the 5 on that substitution
Care to dream a bit if Brooks is back
5 - Hunter (30), Johns (10)
4- Johns (15), Diabatte (20), Williams (5)
3 - Houston (25), Bufkin (10), Williams (5)
2 - Brooks (30), Bufkin (10)
1 - Jackson/Collins sharing 40 minutes
Sure Brooks may play 35 minutes in a big game, Hunter could play 25 or 32 depending on fouls and opponent, but the above is just a sample.
Think Williams could play a lot more, Bufkin could play 30 minutes if he's awesome, same for Houston
That's a 9 man rotation, likely more of an 8 man will happen
Tschetter will take RS, Barnes will play some, Jace Howard will play some, assumption is Nunez graduates and leaves
Can survive Brooks not coming back for sure, but would be nice to have Hunter, Johns and Brooks back as starters.
Doubt Davis would return for a covid 6th year, but there's def some minutes there if he wants more schooling
Think Johns is a wash with Livers on defense and probably a bit better on the boards. Livers wasn't a much of a create a shot guy - his #1 asset is his shooting - especially from 3 and FT. Luckily Johns has been good at the FT line as well. Terrence Williams had some ups and downs, but 3 assists and 4 points in 9 minutes with bad turnover is something you'd take - probably something Johns might have given you off the bench - frankly better than Johns would give us for those minutes earlier this year.
One benefit of the Livers injury for next year is Johns is probably playing himself into a reliable returning starter. A front court of Hunter and Johns with Diabatte, Houston and Terrence Williams in the mix is outstanding.
Zeb showing something helps paint a nice PG position for next year. You'd take Smith back, but Zeb and Frankie Collins seems pretty good too. Brooks returning would probably be more valuable at the 2 and 2nd ballhandler.
Interesting will be where the big freshman play.
Diabatte is 6-10 and might come in at 220 - Franz is 6-9 220 right now, so he's probably more of a PF until he gets up to about 240 if he even gets there
Houston is 6-8 205 and looks like he has the shooting to play the 3 from day one
Tschetter is 6-8 225 and can see him actually be an undersized 5 who can shoot as he grows into the program
Although I think Johns will start, he may be the backup 5 where Juwan's first sub is Diabatte for Hunter with Johns shifting to the 5 on that substitution
Care to dream a bit if Brooks is back
5 - Hunter (30), Johns (10)
4- Johns (15), Diabatte (20), Williams (5)
3 - Houston (25), Bufkin (10), Williams (5)
2 - Brooks (30), Bufkin (10)
1 - Jackson/Collins sharing 40 minutes
Sure Brooks may play 35 minutes in a big game, Hunter could play 25 or 32 depending on fouls and opponent, but the above is just a sample.
Think Williams could play a lot more, Bufkin could play 30 minutes if he's awesome, same for Houston
That's a 9 man rotation, likely more of an 8 man will happen
Tschetter will take RS, Barnes will play some, Jace Howard will play some, assumption is Nunez graduates and leaves
Can survive Brooks not coming back for sure, but would be nice to have Hunter, Johns and Brooks back as starters.
Doubt Davis would return for a covid 6th year, but there's def some minutes there if he wants more schooling
