Lets be real most of these close games that either we lost by 3 or less points, we needed a big man who can go in and rebound the ball and make a presence felt in the post. Krutwig is good with ball movement and opening up other players. Christian is great but needs more meat to be able to keep up with the toughness of down low.

Guards: We have Ben,Clay,Tyson,Bruno,Satterwhite, and Marques(Can play Next Year).

Also Aundre is 6'5, so unless he grows 3 inches over the summer, He needs help down low.

Kirby is probably leaving. Vlatko never really played great minutes or any minutes at all.

No more recruiting guards. Stick with guys like Taylor Bruninga 6'9 who we just offered.

This is a tough one for me.

If we were to stand pat and not offer any one else our roster would be as follows

Guards: Ben,Clay,Tyson,Bruno,Satterwhite, and Marques
Wings: Donte and Chastain
Bigs: Granic, Jackson, Krutwig, Kirby, Negron


But it gets interesting when you look at who is leaving following next season as we will be very senior heavy.
Guards: Ben, Tyson, potentially Clayton
Wings: Donte
Bigs: Granic, Jackson, Kirby


But lets assume Kirby (or anyone really) leaves. It comes down to a numbers game. Do you really want to go into 2018-19 season with your top 3 big men as sophomores? They're certainly talented but they'll still be learning and growing in their game. On top of that have Bruno and Satterwhite shown enough that you can confidently project down the line that they'll be starting pieces? I personally don't know, I like what i've seen in spurts and think they both have massive potential but you never know with injuries, development, transfers etc. All things you have to consider.

The way i see it you may want to balance next years freshmen class to develop the two bigs and a scoring guard. You can address the relative inexperience in the post with one or two JUCO big men (a la Montel/Aundre) in the next recruiting class to add experience and depth down low for the 18-19 season. Adding an additional guard to this incoming class would hopefully help fill the scoring/athleticism that will be lost when milt leaves. It also will ensure that we have decent experience at guard in 2018-19 behind Cam, Bruno, and Townes.

Feel free to disagree! Just how i see it looking at it long term. Also, really hope Chastain comes back healthy. He looked like he could do some great work on the boards for us right away early in the season. Outside of his jumping ability he was able to hold onto the ball strong.

YAY !! I finally am NOT the voice in the wilderness !!! Without height we have been beateb !! No disrespect to our team as is BUT we are not big enough. I am satisfied that Porter knows this and will adjust accordingly.
Most everyone knows that scoring starts ith getting the boards !! When we do our little guys udually put yeos and threes in the books.
Sad, but true !!
PM next year will have some BIGS and Chastain 00Waych us win BIG !!

I don't totally disagree with the OP, but I think it's more than just recruiting. We already have 2 bigs next year coming in. A third will help, but if they're not coached and developed, it's worthless. Whether or not there are staff changes, who knows.

Also, I wouldn't be surprised if we lose players this year to transferring, etc. It seems like it's the new normal for college basketball, nevertheless Loyola. So if another scholarship opens up, I wouldn't be opposed to another point guard to back up Custer. I don't think he's a 35 minute a night guy in the Valley, and if Tyson can't stay healthy, a 3rd option to give 10-15 minutes a game would help with depth. It might even turn around some of the tight games we've lost.

interesting posts.....From what I have observed Coach's first priority is defense. 3 players this year that play a lot have some defensive issues. Jackson is not a rim protector nor a great re bounder,(although tremendous around the basket) Bruno has a tough time guarding quick players as does Custer. Ramblers make up for it sometimes by great help defense. Bruno may end up playing as a small 3. Offensively he operates with a drive and dish kind of offense that requires good ball handling skills.....Richardson and Custer are excellent....Satterwhite so-so, Skokna okay...None are tremendous at finishing at the rim like Peterson was. Somewhere on the offense you need someone who requires a double team. Lots of returners for next year with one big hole. Lots of questions.....Is Townes a good ball handler and can he finish at the rim? Is Chastain a guard or a forward? Will Gratko improve to the point where he is in the rotation? he has the physical size. Will Krutwig and Negron be able to contribute next year and how much? Back to original question? If we have a spot left what position should we recruit? from my perspective do we want a dominate guard with the quickness to pressure on defense and on offense break down a defense with penetration (I do not think this is Townes who I see as similar to Bruno) or a real rim protector who can screen and hit the 3? Do we recruit this last spot for next year or the years after? I say either . But my real answer would be to find a 5th year senior to come in for one year that is a forward/center who is a defensive rim protector .

So my idea for the roster next year will be

Senior: Donte 6'6, Ben 6'3, Tyson 6'2, Aundre 6'5
Junior: Marques 6'4, Clay 6'1
Sophomore: Bruno 6'4, Satterwhite 6'4
Freshmen: Chastain 6'6, Krutwig 6'9, Negron 6'6

2 more scholarships open to get the 13 total allowed.

I just want a big man to help with height either JUCO or Freshmen. We just cant have Krutwig be the only man over 6'6. Height is our issue in games and porter needs to realize that Aundre can not grab all the rebounds and second chance points.

HP you left Granic off the list....Do you know something we do not?

That assumes Granic and Kirby both leave. I'd personally doubt Granic would leave a year before getting the degree but who knows!

Also to your point Nate i don't know if you went to the open practices over the summer but Townes is a bull driving in the paint. He looks like a football player and hits the whole really well and has good finishing ability. He may be better on the drive than Earl was but I'm not sure he has the pull-up ability/outside shot that Earl could flash from time to time. I'd love to land a quick guard with mid-range game which is why I'm really hoping we can land Tai Bibbs.

As for Negron i think he plays much bigger than 6'6'', and has a pretty wide base. He's highly regarded for his work on the glass and I think he could be solid off the boards as a freshmen. His offense will need polish after missing a season but he should be healthy for a full off season.