Originally Posted by
houstondukie
I think they will be pretty good this upcoming year - I predict 3rd behind UNC and Duke - but 2009-2010 could be their best shot ever at a national championship.
If they lose nobody after this upcoming year - Al Faroq Aminu, James Johnson, and Jeff Teague are the most likely to leave after next year - Wake will have an extremely talented roster with very few weaknesses, in my opinion...if they lose nobody, which is a big if of course.
Check out their potential 2009-2010 roster and note their talent/experience/size:
Starters:
PG Ish. Smith - Sr.
SG J. Teague - Jr.
SF A.F. Aminu - So.
PF J. Johnson - Jr.
C Chas McFarland - Sr.
Bench:
SG G. Clark - Jr.
SG/SF L.D. Williams - Sr.
PF J. Skeen - Sr.
C Tony Woods - So.
C Ty Walker - So.
C D. Weaver - Sr.
Aminu, in his sophomore season, and Johnson, in his Junior season, could be unstoppable. Few know how good Jeff Teague was throughout this past season, not just against Duke - he averaged 16 points the last 20 games, inluding games of 25, 25, 26, 26 and 27. L.D. Williams is a great defender, leader, and maybe the best athlete in the ACC. Ishmael Smith might be the quickest player in the ACC. And look at their size - 7'0, 7'0, 6'10, 6'10, 6'8, and 6'8. Plus they'll have at least 2 scholarships available.
You may argue...
1.) Aminu is one-and-done and James Johnson will most likely leave with him.
2.) The jury is still out on Dino Gaudio - he showed great courage in a difficult situation with the sudden loss of his best friend Coach Skip Prosser, but how good a coach is he? Will he know how to use all that talent? Will he be too inexperienced? - it would be his 3rd season in 2009-2010.
3.) Chemistry problems with too much talent and not enough PT.
4.) Possible transfers
I would argue back...
1.) Most mock drafts have Aminu as a late lottery pick next year and James Johnson as a late 1st rounder, but both could really improve from staying a couple more years. And the real possibilty of winning a national championship may make them stay in school. Aminu did say he wanted to "put Wake on the map."
2.) Perhaps the most valid argument against Wake. A lot will depend on this upcoming season. If Dino gets all that talent to play together and keep everyone happy with playing time, that will say a lot about his coaching ability.
3.) This team became much closer and rallied around the sudden loss of Skip. Even the new recruits Aminu, Woods, and Walker stayed loyal to their commitments to Wake and from their comments, they were also touched by Skip (many of us were).
4.) See #3. Perhaps Jamie Skeen or Tony Woods or Gary Clark could transfer, but they'll still be very deep and have plenty of talent.
This upcoming season will tell us a lot, but if the chips fall right, Wake will have a great shot in 2 years.
Then again, so will Duke.