Honestly, this is so hard to follow. To other tOSU fans, do I have this right:
Used up eligibility:
- Jamison Battle
- Dale Bonner
- Owen Spencer (walk on)
Transferred:
- Felix Okpara - Tennessee
- Roddy Gayle Jr - Michigan
- Scotty Middleton - Seton Hall
- Zed Key - Dayton
- Bowen Hardman - Akron
Returning:
- Bruce Thornton, 6-2 G will be a JR, 4* in 2022 class
- Devin Royal, 6-6 F will be a SO, 4* in 2023 class
- Evan Mahaffey, 6-6 G will be a JR, transfer from PSU
- Colby Baumann, 6-3 G will be a Jr, walk on from Houston via IMG
- Taison Chatman, 6-4 G will be a SO, 4* in 2023 class
- Austin Parks, 6-10 C will be a SO, 3* in 2023 class
- Kalen Etzler, 6-8 F will be a JR, 3* in 2021 class
Incoming:
- Meechie Johnson, 6-1 G will be a SR, 4* in 2020 class, transferred to USCe, returning
- Sean Stewart, 6-8 PF will be a SO, 5* to Dook in 2023, transfer
- Aaron Bradshaw, 7-1 C will be a SO, 5* to Kentucky in 2023, transfer
- Micah Parrish, 6-6 SF will be a SR, 1* to SDSU but 3* as a transfer
- Juni Mobley, 6-2 PF will be a FR, 4* from Utah
- Colin White, 6-6 SF will be a FR, 3* from Ottawa, OH
I *THINK* they have one roster slot available because Baumann is a walk-on but I could be wrong.
Of the returning players Thornton (1179), Mahaffey (793), and Royal (369), played meaningful minutes in 23/4. The others only averaged 2-3 MPG or less.
I feel like trying to follow this sport is more of a complete crapshoot than ever:
Optimistic view:
- Stewart and Bradshaw were legit 5*'s and just misused/bad fits at Dook/Kentucky. They'll show up as Sophomores and show why they were 5* guys.
- Johnson and Parrish are quality transfers and will be great players.
- Thornton, Mahaffey, and Royal will improve at least incrementally and with another year under their belts they will be great players.
- Chatman will finally "click" and look like the 4* recruit that he was a few years ago.
- Mobley will arrive on campus ready to at least fill in at PG to give Thornton breaks.
- Parks will develop sufficiently to at least give Bradshaw breaks.
The above is a great and a deep team that just might win the B1G and go DEEP in March.
Pessimistic view:
- Dook and Kentucky moved on from Stewart and Bradshaw for good reasons and they'll never be more than serviceable at this level.
- Johnson isn't really any better than he was when he left Columbus and Parrish isn't ready for the game-in, game-out grind of playing at this level.
- Thornton, Mahaffey, and Royal have already hit their peaks and will continue to be no more than serviceable players at this level.
- Chatman is just plain a bust and will never be a substantial contributor at this level.
- Mobley will be unready.
- Parks was a 3* guy despite being 6-10 for a reason and he'll never be a substantial contributor at this level.
The above is a team that will not come close to a B1G title and they'll be lucky to even make it to March Madness let alone actually make it out of the first weekend.