I understand why Godfrey is no longer with the team, but the fact of the matter is we need someone like him off the bench so Booker and Royce can start up front when the Cyclones face Big 12 comeptition.
I've been reading a lot of posters that think Railey should stick in the program and develop as opposed to ISU going the Juco route. In theory I agree with developing young post talent over time but you really have to look at it from a case by case (player by player) point of view.
The bottom line is Paul Shirley was a project big. Paul Shirley is not Jordan Railey and frankily based on what I've seen of Railey last year and this summer I have not been impressed.
I'm not ready to pass judgement on freshman Percy Gibson yet, but if Booker has to come off the bench this year then it is clear the staff doesn't trust any of them with a real role on the team and I can't say I'd be dissapointed if Railey, Gibson, and Sledge all moved on and the Clones went out and got JUCO roleplayers to fill out the bench because we already have the stars (especially next year). Every team needs a Stevie Johnson, Shawn Bankhead, Klay Edwards, etc
It is a luxury not to have to play true freshman if they aren't ready. We haven't been able to do that in awhile. the team doesn't have to be 11 people deep. Playing 9 players which is what I think the rotation will be is plenty deep. The team just needs to gel.
The quotes below are relevant to most teams across the country this time of the year and it sounds eerily similar to our team. They were said by Bill Self after KU's recent loss:
"We’re not going to win a ton of games just by playing ‘take ’em.’ That’s not how we’ve ever done things. The ball has to move. The defense dictates who shoots it. We have to be patient enough to get Thomas (Robinson) a touch where he might have an angle. We just have to be patient,†Self added.
"We’ll get better at moving the ball. Guys ... we’ve been practicing for 3 1/2 weeks."
"We have to become one, and we are not one yet. I don’t know any team in the country that’s one this time of year. I think we can learn from it, and our guys will be better from it. It’s a long season in basketball."
Most teams playing lots of new players struggle this time of year. The key is too work hard and improve. That will determine how the season goes, not what has happened but the players and coaches respond.