What are the potential impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on the 2020-21 season that have been overlooked? A look at some potential lingering issues from the crisis. Also in today’s Three-Point-Play, a FutureCast selection for a four-star junior and a look at another junior with a famous father who is proving to be a baller in his own right.
MORE: Twitter Tuesday mailbag | Rivals150 guard Donovan Williams picks Oklahoma State
2020 Rankings: Rivals150 | Team | Position
2021 Rankings: Rivals150 | Position
2022 Rankings: Top 75
1. OTHER IMPACTS OF THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
The coronavirus pandemic has, obviously, significantly impacted college basketball programs across the country and limited opportunities for prospects to be seen.
However, there are some long-term issues that we haven’t even discussed yet. Over the past few days I’ve spoken with several college coaches who are particularly worried about the impact that players not being on campus now and potentially not being on campus throughout the summer will have on the 2020-21 season.
Take for instance a program like North Carolina. The Tar Heels have a large class of newcomers to integrate into the program. They have a key piece in freshman guard Anthony Harris who is trying to recover from a knee injury and they are going to have to figure out the best way to use a lineup that will have tremendous size, but essentially four centers in today’s game. Caleb Love, Day’Ron Sharpe and the rest of the newcomers are all very talented. But, if Roy Williams and his staff don’t get a summer to work with these guys or have less time in the fall to figure out how to make it work, there’s little doubt it will have a big impact on their ability to get back to business as usual in Chapel Hill.
The same can be said for other programs with major influxes of talent or roster change like Duke, Kentucky, Louisville, Ohio State, USC and many others that are experiencing major roster turnover. The more time they miss in the summer or fall, the longer it is going to take to click come winter time.
On the other hand, teams that are returning experience and have few parts to replace should benefit. It’s a big part of why I like programs like Creighton, Gonzaga, Houston, Iowa, Tennessee and Villanova that return a lot of experience to be among those in heavy contention for a national title. Obviously, how we and the rest of the world bounce back from all of this will play a role, but as a fan of college hoops, it is something to think about.
2. MAKING A FUTURECAST FOR FOUR-STAR JUNIOR LUKE GOODE
One of the most skilled wing players in the class of 2021, four-star Luke Goode of Ft. Wayne (Ind.) Homestead has proven that he is a legitimate high major wing.
At 6-foot-6 he has good size, he is skilled and he is a solid athlete. It’s no surprise that programs like Butler, Illinois, Iowa, Louisville, Maryland, Michigan State, Northwestern, Xavier and more have offered scholarships.
There has been talk that Goode could be closing in on a decision in the near future and after doing some digging, I’ve gone ahead and put in a FutureCast for Illinois. If I turn out right on this one, Brad Underwood and his staff could be enjoying a commitment sooner than later.
3. HERCY MILLER MAKING A NAME FOR HIMSELF
Being the son of a famous father has it’s perks, but it isn’t always easy. This winter, class of 2021 combo guard Hercy Miller, the son of rap mogul Master P, of Minneapolis (Minn.) Minnehaha Academy, has been busy establishing his own identity as a high major prospect on a loaded high school team.
Playing alongside 2020 five-star point guard Jalen Suggs, 2021 five-star big man Chet Holmgren and 2022 four-star forward Prince Aligbe, Miller has carved out a niche as an athletic combo guard who can score at all three levels.
“(Miller) is one of the best on-ball defenders in the country played his role with Jalen Suggs and Chet Holmgren and fit in well,” Team Sizzle program director Brian Sandifer told Rivals.com. “Brought a defensive toughness to our program and his ability to score the basketball is underrated. (He) runs the team well and is an above average athlete with the ability to score it from all three levels. Enjoys physical play and contact will be leading the charge with Chet and Prince Aligbe as the point guard this year. Schools love his ability to guard and distribute at the right time off the bounce.”
Miller has landed scholarship offers from Missouri, Morgan State, UCLA and Western Kentucky, while many others including Georgetown, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Minnesota and Purdue are keeping close tabs.
