My guess
Obviously, none of us knows.
But based on playing time alone, it would be a shock if Hatch were back. He's a smart, mature, level-headed guy who has to realize that this is a situation in which he isn't going to prosper. I expect him to leave with no hard feelings, and wouldn't be surprised if he moves to a level at which basketball commands less of his time and attention, gets married, and starts to move forward with his life. We have Mormon friends down the street who had a number of sons go on missions before heading off to college (at BYU in each case), and every one of the sons I've met is married and has been for a while, has a family, and is as solid a citizen as you could imagine. I see Hatch the same way.
Personally, I doubt that if Mekel returns, Preadom will be back as a scholarship player. (Yes, I know he plays defense.) But where will his minutes come from? And he can see that, too. Others argue that he should be allowed to stay if he wants, and I won't bother to dispute that. I just don't see him staying to sit. On the other hand, I believe Durley is finally waking up, as the column by Lutz suggested, and that he'll be back as a result.
So I see two openings (Hatch and either Preadom or Mekel) materializing, even if Orukpe finally makes it to the good old USA. And based on what he's done so far, I have great faith in Marshall's ability to fill them effectively.
Obviously, none of us knows.
But based on playing time alone, it would be a shock if Hatch were back. He's a smart, mature, level-headed guy who has to realize that this is a situation in which he isn't going to prosper. I expect him to leave with no hard feelings, and wouldn't be surprised if he moves to a level at which basketball commands less of his time and attention, gets married, and starts to move forward with his life. We have Mormon friends down the street who had a number of sons go on missions before heading off to college (at BYU in each case), and every one of the sons I've met is married and has been for a while, has a family, and is as solid a citizen as you could imagine. I see Hatch the same way.
Personally, I doubt that if Mekel returns, Preadom will be back as a scholarship player. (Yes, I know he plays defense.) But where will his minutes come from? And he can see that, too. Others argue that he should be allowed to stay if he wants, and I won't bother to dispute that. I just don't see him staying to sit. On the other hand, I believe Durley is finally waking up, as the column by Lutz suggested, and that he'll be back as a result.
So I see two openings (Hatch and either Preadom or Mekel) materializing, even if Orukpe finally makes it to the good old USA. And based on what he's done so far, I have great faith in Marshall's ability to fill them effectively.
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