
day for me as Qualls, (a Junior), joins Sophomore Portis declaring NBA for the Razorbacks...
...was really hoping that when Dusty Hannahs came over from Texas Tech to play with his childhood friend Portis, that Bobby would at least stick around long enough to actually play with him (Hannahs had to sit out 2014-15). This was a really good Team, and although losing Senior PG Rashad Madden and PF Alandise Harris, they had super Freshman Anton Beard ready to step in at PG and several quality players ready to compete for starting PF. Was also really hoping that falling short of the Sweet 16, Portis would feel 'unfinished' - with him and Qualls, and a very deep supporting cast, it's not like Madden and Harris graduating closed the window...and I think had Portis stayed, Qualls would have as well...
...well, the Hogs played a 10-man rotation, and 6 will return. Moses Kingsley is no Portis, but he's 6'10'' 230 and should add weight before 2015-16. Not refined offensively, but is an excellent low-post defender, shot changer, shot blocker. Jacorey Williams logged plenty of starter minutes and can slide into PF to replace Harris, who wasn't particularly special at anything, but was a very smart player - Williams isn't exactly raw, or even immature...he just needs to harness himself, watching him is like watching a puppy grow into his paws. If he plays under control, he's a dangerous slasher and scorer, with decent defensive skills to boot. but I think he's the type who needs to play 2nd fiddle, or even 3rd, to a legitimate 'stud'. Beard was the 5th starter by Season's end, and although he's a little guy, he's a legit potential All-SEC PG, lacks height, but he's strong and stocky and can both shoot and score. Anthlon Bell logged his share of starter minutes as well, and is a solid long-range threat wing guard. Jabril Durham, Manuale Watkins and Hannahs are all solid wings as well. Durham and Watkins both played plenty of minutes as part of the rotation last year, and Durham can play some decent PG. Hannahs should be interesting - if Qualls and Portis had come back, I was expecting him to challenge for a starting wing. As good a shooter as Bell is, Hannahs is better, but to help this squad, he's likely going to have to raise his game some and be more than the pure shooter I think he is. They just have too many of 'the same guy' and with Madden and Qualls gone, there goes any size on the perimeter - tallest guard with any solid experience is 6'3". Nick Babb is 6'5" but didn't crack the rotation as a Freshman like Beard did, and I'm not sure if he brings enough to the table to have any kind of impact.
I don't blame those guys for leaving early as I think they're both NBA caliber, but as a Hogs fan, it sucks. Subtracting Madden/Harris and adding Hannahs, Razorbacks had a real shot at finishing 2nd in the SEC again and Elite 8 potential, all other things being equal. Now we're down to 7 quality experienced Players with no depth and no perimeter size, and no 'studs'. In my mind, the goal should be #4 Seed in the SEC Tournament, which would guarantee not playing until the 3rd day, then hope for a miracle. Unfortunately, this doesn't have the look of an NCAA Tournament Team to me.
:sigh: there was so much to build on if that pair had stayed 1 more year :sigh: