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Orange Blooded [3406]
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Next season appears to have gotten tougher for MBB
3
Apr 12, 2024, 3:00 PM
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The news of Godfrey hitting the portal definitely was news none of us wanted to see today.
So far, from the starters & key contributors of the Elite 8 run:
* 2 guys done w/ exhausted eligibility (Girard & most likely Clark despite his portal status)
* 1 guy most likely moving on to NBA draft (Hall)
* 2 guys in transfer portal (Godfrey & Beadle) - Godfrey expected to be starter for next year
* Hunter's status unknown
Add in the wait on Hemenway's eligibility status for next year...not the type of instability fans want to see after such a special run.
This just compounds couple issues. First of all, the need for Brownell to have a good follow-up. The biggest knock on Coach from folks (it's my biggest knock on Brad's tenure for sure) is that while he's been able to build to a point, he hasn't been able to sustain. We build up to a point of having a successful season (2014 NIT semi run, 2018 Sweet 16, 2021 NCAA berth, and the Elite 8 run), then its like everything resets & it takes 3-4 years to rebuild back to that point. Next is fan interest/engagement - enough pieces coming back lead to some hope from fans about being able to try & replicate the run. With the apparent optics of 3 starters & now a key reserve essentially out the door, expectations for 2024-25 are gonna take a major downturn. While we definitely don't want to go 44 years before another Elite 8 run, we want Clemson to be a regular March Madness participant.
If Brad is gonna be able to try & build on/replicate this run and show he can sustain success, I believe Chase Hunter's return for a COVID year is the linchpin. If he opts to come back, him and Schefflin will provide a solid enough core that with an impactful transfer, being a tournament team is a reasonable expectation. I also think that might be a factor for Godfrey (or Beadle) to return if they know that next year isn't gonna be a complete rebuild.
An unlikely flipside of Godfrey in the portal might center around PJ Hall - does he know something we don't? I'm very sure (like I'm sure many Tiger fans are) is he's off to the NBA after back-to-back All-ACC campaigns. That said, Hall has been a hometown hero - a local/in-state, highly-rated recruit who chose to stay home & strive to elevate the program. Would being that close to the Final 4 last month actually be enough to sway him to forgo the NBA for a COVID year? Again, I highly doubt it happens - but in the slim chance it does and the trio of Hall, Schef, and Hunter were to be on the court next year...then the game definitely changes.
Either way, we have much more questions than answers about what next year looks like for Clemson basketball and expectations for 2024-25 after this week.
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Walk-On [108]
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Re: Next season appears to have gotten tougher for MBB
Apr 12, 2024, 3:03 PM
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He alone was one of the positives I was the most excited about next season. We finally had a good lineup building. Oh well guess that's why I don't get excited about Clemson basketball. Always something missing.
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Scout Team [169]
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Re: Next season appears to have gotten tougher for MBB
Apr 12, 2024, 3:22 PM
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Nice commentary, but Hall isn’t coming back. However, I’d be happy to be mistaken. 😀
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Orange Blooded [3406]
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I said very unlikely
Apr 12, 2024, 3:41 PM
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That it will happen. Everyone would §ĥ!ț bricks if that did come to pass (I'd be hoping for a gold brick on my end). Other than NIL/tampering, it would be the only logical reason for a guy slated to be a starter next year to hit the portal out the blue.
& as I said, it could be a wait & see for Godfrey to see if Hunter is coming back for 1 more season & who Brad does land in the portal (or maybe bring in as recruit since some guys reopened w/ the round of coaching changes) to fill roster spots.
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Team Captain [490]
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Re: I said very unlikely
Apr 12, 2024, 5:42 PM
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That it will happen. Everyone would §ĥ!ț bricks if that did come to pass (I'd be hoping for a gold brick on my end). Other than NIL/tampering, it would be the only logical reason for a guy slated to be a starter next year to hit the portal out the blue.
& as I said, it could be a wait & see for Godfrey to see if Hunter is coming back for 1 more season & who Brad does land in the portal (or maybe bring in as recruit since some guys reopened w/ the round of coaching changes) to fill roster spots.
Eat a lot of mustard. Your chances of creating Gold should go sky-high. I just wouldn't take it to the bank, if I were you.
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