The Reggie-less roster
By Joe Micik
Prepare to cringe.
In the absence of Reggie Jackson next year – or what I assume will be the absence of Reggie Jackson – and with all of the other seniors on their way out, I think we need to make peace with what next year’s basketball roster will look like (assuming no last-minute scholarships or walk-ons).
Seniors
Dallas Elmore (G)
Peter Rehnquist (G/F)
Juniors
Matt Humphrey (G)*
Sophomores
Gabe Moton (G)
Danny Rubin (G)
Freshmen
Ryan Anderson (F)
Kyle Caudill (C)
Dennis Clifford (C)
Jordan Daniels (G)
Lonnie Jackson (G)
Eddie Odio (F)
*Humphrey is listed as a junior on the BC Eagles official roster, but he left Oregon as a sophomore and as such has two years of eligibility remaining
The roster is definitely bottom-heavy. I’m sure a lot of the guys in that freshman class (and the sophomore class, for that matter) will end up being fine players, but they’re brand new to college and the ACC. That does not change the obvious fact, however, that Steve Donahue will be starting a handful of freshmen next year.
I can venture guesses as to who will start and who will come off the bench given this roster, but clearly, I can’t guarantee accuracy at this distant point. Of the upper classmen, I think Humphrey will start, as will Gabe Moton. Of the freshmen, I’d think Anderson (the highest-ranked recruit we’ve got) and Caudill and/or Clifford will get another spot. As for the fifth guy, well, if you have any suggestions, feel free to offer them. I think Donahue could pick five guys out of a hat before every game and get similar results each time.
This is where that Al Skinner recruiting class of zero a few years back hurts us. It would have meant a few more veteran players on the team, but now, the Eagles are completely in rebuilding mode as we are all but starting over with a throng of freshmen. There is no proven depth whatsoever and I don’t think it will take us long to see that for ourselves. Just because they’re freshmen doesn’t mean they’re bad, however it’s probably the safe bet that the results will not be pretty. We’re going to have to ride next season out in hopes that these guys will be better later. I have every confidence that they will.