In Reply to: I believe that, other than Mara, some players were asked to leave posted by mh on April 01, 2025 at 09:36:12
with regard to Mara's decision, his people have to know what the market might be for him out there. Also, when Mick brought in Dent, a ball-centric PG who will be the orchestrator of the offense and likely its focus at least much of the time, that must have affected how he felt the team offense would run next year. Prior to Dent, Mara was to be the primary focus of the offense. IMO that would change more in style than in actual substance but nevertheless, Dent becomes the face of the team for next year and that had an effect.
The others faced diminished roles on next year's team. Dent and Clark are the experienced guys, the two starters, and Perry and Freeny are the youngsters who can look forward to growing into great roles as time passes. I expect Mack saw his PT being reduced and figured he could get paid more and play a lot more elsewhere. Brandon Williams could slot into the wing position and earn PT that way.
Devin I think was told there wasn't much money or a role for him next year. But talking with Phil about that, we were both wondering if Mick shouldn't consider making him an offer to return - I'm thinking breaking the form a bit and telling him he would be paid X amount this year ($400,000? $250,000?) and would expect a nice increase for the following year - an implied multi year agreement; if these guys are now pros, may as well treat them like it all the way - and significantly more if he earns it as a back up post this coming season. He is thin and light but he has height and he has some skills. Then you focus on a starting center and a starting wing and that seems a lot easier to achieve.
The other alternative at center is to bring in one starting center and make the primary rotation at center New Center 30 minutes a game,;Bilodeau 15 minutes a game at PF and 10 minutes at center when the starting center needs his rest time; and Dailey 25 minutes a game at PF. A three man basic rotation.
I'm not overly happy with not carrying two centers - fouls, injuries, illness - as Phil has stated previously. But Kris Johnson has noted that we finished fourth in the Big Ten this last season with Mara getting side tracked by late return, foot injury, another injury and then a significant illness late in the season and his lack of stamina also and Bilodeau playing center a lot. Tyler is NOT a rim protector and struggled much of the year learning to defend the pick and roll BUT Kris Johnson points out that analytics show we did okay with him at center so he COULD play ten minutes a game in the post as our backup and that would improve the PF rotation and save money to invest in a wing and perhaps that actual young backup post as well.
Just thoughts on the subject