With the new pieces this roster now has a lot of flexibility, they lost smaller players 6-foot, 6-foot-4, 6-foot-3 and 6-foot-4 and added 6-foot-1, 6-foot-7 and 6-foot-8.
Guards: David DeJulius, Mika Adams-Woods, Daniel Skillings, Rob Phinisee, Landers Nolley II (G/F), John Newman III (G/F)
Forwards: Jeremiah Davenport, Jarrett Hensley, Josh Reed, Ody Oguama (F/C)
Centers: Viktor Lakhin, Kalu Ezikpe, Sage Tolentino
Nolley II and Newman III will give the Bearcats forward guard flexibility with their length, which will allow a lot more ball pressure. Ezikpe’s size will help on the glass and he has a solid offensive game, but it will allow Lakhin and Oguama help and if they both take big leaps that will help on both sides of the ball. Lakhin has a lot of talent he just has to keep improving on offense and on defense he has to play hard without fouling. Oguama needs a go to move on offense, but his energy and hustle is great another key will be not fouling as much. With the new players, Davenport’s offensive pressure will drop, but a key for the senior will be to develop a few off the dribble moves to create space. Adams-Woods is solid on both ends of the floor a key for him will be to work on his finishing at the rim, but with the new roster his pressure won’t be as high as well. Hensley just has to build off the finish of the season, keep that same energy and he’ll be effective on both sides of the ball.
The freshman that are coming in have potential to be factors. I think Skillings will play a lot because he provides a three level scorer and has the attributes to be solid on defense. Reed has the size and skill to be effective from the jump as well. Tolentino has the height as 7-feet, but he is thin frame so the key for him will be the Monster Factory and how well he can adjust to the physicality of the college game.
I know it is early, but with the new pieces if these guys gel they have a chance to get back to the NCAA tournament which hasn’t happened since Mick Cronin left three years ago. How do you feel about this current roster? If you are a fan you should have hope!
