POPE AND TAYLOR JR. ALREADY COMING BACK IN 2023-24

I think the BIG factor next year is the development and the health of our centers. This year because of injury or inexperience we really didn't have it going at that position. Chol was dominant defensively in the few minutes he played, Andela was playing through injury much of the season (those last few games he was looking healthy and it helped), Imbekwe is a work in progress with tons of potential all around (looking forward to watching him the next few years). We had a good chunk of the season where Bilodeau, Rataj and Ryuny all played a fair amount of minutes as center, hopefully those days well be in the past. My hope is we fill that position with players 6'10" and up.

The X factor next year and beyond could be Marrs and NDong. Can they play the center or are they forwards? Will they be good players at this level? Can or will they mix it up in the middle or are they going to stay a significant part of the time on the exterior (I had hoped to see Olaf inside more often. Maurice was awesome against Oklahoma State, seemingly the one game he chose to mix it up in the middle a big part of the game)? Is Marrs going to be healthy or is he kind of snakebit in that department? etc,etc,etc.... too many questions but hopefully they'll be answered come this summer and fall.

Pope is definitely one of the better freshman guards we've had here since the mid 70s. I think Bilodeau and Rataj are two of the better freshmen forwards we've had here in that same timeframe. With continued development, that's a very solid base. We've got several others who played here who really look like they should contribute the next few years. If we have improved center play next year, it'll open everything up.

While I'm at it, what's the scoop on Grant? I don't think he saw the floor this season. Was he purposely red-shirted to spread out the large freshman class a bit, or is he a huge project? I don't care if he never sees a minute and then gets on the floor on Senior Day, we need a kid or two like that on the bench... terrific enthusiasm. If he's a great player just waiting his time, that's great as well.

Oregon State National Championship in 2024 right here in beautiful Glendale, Arizona!

Get on board or get run over!

Anything short of that will be a huge let down.

There is MOST DEFINITELY a good base to build on here....IF.......

The real X-factor is running a coherent effective offense. Can’t keep having games where we’re in single digits for total assists. Get some ball movement and utilize the talent we do have. Having better center play should (hopefully) make that happen easier.