Roster Breakdown:
Guards: Chris McNeal, Senior, Jarron Cumberland, Senior, Jaevin Cumberland, Senior, Keith Williams, Junior, Zach Harvey, Freshman, Mika Adams-Woods, Freshman
Forwards: Trevor Moore, Junior, Trevon Scott, R-Senior, Prince Gillam, R-Freshman, Mamoudou Diarra, R-Sophomore, Jeremiah Davenport, Freshman
Centers: Jaume Sorolla, Senior, Chris Vogt, Junior (probably won’t be eligible until 2020-21 season)
I’m sure they have a walk-on or two, but I’m just putting information of the scholarship players.
Brannen will play a more up-tempo style of play with more free flowing for the players, the player I think it will help the most is Keith Williams. Williams was the second leading scorer on last year’s team as a sophomore at 10.6 points per game, more open court plays will lead to an increase. Getting Jarron Cumberland to come back gives the Bearcats a true No. 1 option as he averaged 18.6 points per game, I know he will be looking to impress NBA scouts and with the new tempo he should have ample opportunities. Adding grad transfers McNeal, Cumberland and Sorolla was huge. McNeal gives the Bearcats a true point guard after losing two due to graduation. Cumberland gives the Bearcats another vital shooter and proven scorer averaging 17.2 points and shooting 40% from three. Sorolla gives them a big body as they lost two of them via transfer.
I expect an improved season from Scott, you could see the confidence growing throughout the season. Diarra and Gillam will be very important for the success of this team, but their skill set fit the new scheme. Of the freshman I expect Harvey and Adams-Woods to have the most impact this year, both of them have skills set that could prove valuable immediately.
I wouldn’t be shocked to see a starting lineup of Cumberland, Cumberland, Williams, Scott, Diarra or McNeal, Cumberland, Cumberland, Williams and Scott. I could be wrong, but currently how the roster is structured they will have a lot of flexibility.
I expect this team to be a Top 3 team in the American Athletic Conference in the upcoming season.
Not looking too far ahead, but the 2020-21 recruiting class will be important as five slots will be able due to graduation.
