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78 wrote:Okay, I am going to say something nutty that will likely be totally wrong...but, I think Clark is coming back...

I think so too 78. I think Donte would love the opportunity to play with a more disciplined coach and have a solid senior year that will only boost his pro aspirations and opportunities. Unless he tries to this year. Kid could definitely help this team and give them more balance and talent where they need it

Per matty v today
Spoke to Donte Clark this morning. He's still weighing his options RE draft/transfer/return. He said he hoped to have answer later this week

I don't think Dante would fit MM's style of play. He's too inconsistent in every phase of the game.

^

But we need bodies..... I'd take the known vs the unknown in this specific situation... never know what McCall can get out of him that maybe DK couldn't.

InnervisionsUMASS wrote:^

But we need bodies..... I'd take the known vs the unknown in this specific situation... never know what McCall can get out of him that maybe DK couldn't.

100% agree as I have said before. Would love to see a Donte who plays hard all the time. That would benefit his chances for a paying job the following year and help us as well.

I would not mind stopping with what we have right now. Right now we are on a solid track of quality>quantity, I would not want to push the agenda, get more guys just because we may need a body or 2. I would keep the scholarships open, and take the risk with Rasheen Davis pushing towards getting top tier talent out of New England or NYC. I feel that it is bound to happen.

Losing Flowers and potentially Clark, we do need a wing for next season. Demetrius Dyson would have been perfect for our team next season as well.

However, as it stands, our starting lineup for next season:

PG: Jaylen Brantley
SG: LuWane Pipkins
SF: CJ Anderson
PF: Malik Hines
C: Rashaan Holloway

Yay or nay? Baldwin would be our 6th man and would get plenty of playing time.

I think you could start Baldwin if only for the sake that RH will probably be the first to need a blow and a fresh Hines off the bench so RH can rest longer.

uz2b-len wrote:I don't think Dante would fit MM's style of play. He's too inconsistent in every phase of the game.

The most talented guy on the roster doesn't "fit MMs style of play?" Also, how is Clark any less consistent than any returning player? Isn't that a general problem with DK's teams and players and the theory/thought is that perhaps McCall might get more out of all players, including Clark?

JoleonLescottsHair wrote:

uz2b-len wrote:I don't think Dante would fit MM's style of play. He's too inconsistent in every phase of the game.

The most talented guy on the roster doesn't "fit MMs style of play?" Also, how is Clark any less consistent than any returning player? Isn't that a general problem with DK's teams and players and the theory/thought is that perhaps McCall might get more out of all players, including Clark?

Good points, agreed.

MJatUM wrote:I think you could start Baldwin if only for the sake that RH will probably be the first to need a blow and a fresh Hines off the bench so RH can rest longer.

I agree with this assessment... I think Baldwin has the potential to be a pretty darn good player.

gr8won wrote:Per matty v today
Spoke to Donte Clark this morning. He's still weighing his options RE draft/transfer/return. He said he hoped to have answer later this week

I really don't think there are three (3) options.......of the sixty (60) picks in the 2016 NBA Draft, only four (4) were coming off their junior season.

Hey, maybe that system of creating your own shot that DK liked wasn't a great fit for Clark. He might thrive in a more structured offense. Kid definitely is talented and I can't see how, if used to maximize his abilities, he couldn't help us. But everyone has to buy in too and do what's best for the team. I have a feeling he might have a good season with a fresh start here

inthescoop wrote:I would not mind stopping with what we have right now. Right now we are on a solid track of quality>quantity, I would not want to push the agenda, get more guys just because we may need a body or 2. I would keep the scholarships open, and take the risk with Rasheen Davis pushing towards getting top tier talent out of New England or NYC. I feel that it is bound to happen.

If they're serious about being truly competitive and just maybe pushing for an NIT berth, I just don't see any realistic way to do it with who they have now. There's zero room for error, especially on the perimeter, injuries, foul trouble, etc would cripple them. The bench is basically two centers + Unique.

There might be some additional movement with new grad transfers entering the fray, but right now there are very few quality ones who aren't being fought over by teams that are much more desirable than UMass. Darius Thompson would be perfect, but I just read that he's mostly looking at VCU and MTSU, he wants to go where he can be a big part of an NCAA team. With that said, if Clark's head is in the right place, I just can't possibly see UMass being able to get a grad transfer better than him.

If Clark is gone, here are two guys who might be an option, but neither is very exciting...

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basket ... d-stephens
http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basket ... 96/ac-reid

At this point it might not only be Donte's decision to return. McCall may want to move on.

If Clark comes back, we'd have only one ship left unused and I could live with that since it gives us another good size guard who can match up with SF on the wing and a proven scorer.