With a few slow days until our next game, I just wanted to pose the question of what does our future look like next year or even further?

For next year I'm hoping we get a Meech type player that can catch fire and knock down shots anywhere. This year's team would benefit hugely from that. I've seen a few juco players that fit the mold. Also would like a big man down low that enjoys playing physical. I liked what I saw on tape from McCray.

I expect next year's team to be very strong and once again be the head of the class in the SLC. If we finish this year strong and compete in the NCAA tournament, next year could be the year we get our highest seed so far. The committee would get familiar with our name and with the right SOS next year, it would be easy to slide us in there around a 10 seed.

I think Keller will stay a few more years and try to get this program as far as he can. I really want to see a coach try to stay here for the long haul but not sure if that's reasonable.

PurpleForever said:

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For next year I'm hoping we get a Meech type player that can catch fire and knock down shots anywhere. This year's team would benefit hugely from that. I've seen a few juco players that fit the mold. Also would like a big man down low that enjoys playing physical. I liked what I saw on tape from McCray.

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Incoming freshman Jock Hughes could be the next Meech. He hits regularly from downtown at the high school level. Fingers crossed that he carries that over to D-1 basketball.

I'm glad you started this thread, as I wanted to, but felt like I've been starting too many lately.

Future is bright! We lose Charles, Gilmore, and Canete. Two good starters and a great roleplayer. However, next year with TJ and Bogues, and Jovan(?) our only seniors - and just loaded with juniors - I think has a potential to be stellar. If we are going for a JUCO sign, outside shooting has to be a premium. The two Yates HS kids will be great, but I'm not expecting much from freshman with this loaded team.

Hope #1: Fisher and Nieminen turn into powerful post players.

Hope #2: Kevon and Bogues become unstoppable 2/3 guards.

Hope #3: Great nonconference schedule that gives us a legitimate shot at upending big boys.

I believe that starting Aaron, Kevon, Bogues, TJ, and an improved Nieminen is a team that will wreck shop anywhere. Comeaux, Bain, Fisher, Hughes, Seraille, and a killer JUCO outside guard makes us a terrible matchup for anyone.

Don't mean to over hype a freshman but Hughes next year could help as a role player. He is a pure shooter from the three. Don't we have one spot open for next year as of now? Hopeing we get Jalen Harris. After next year who will be the next TJ Holyfield?

PurpleOut said:

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We have 2 spots open right now with Mack leaving.

With 2 solid high school kids signed, I would think we'd go pretty hard after possible transfers like Harris for more immediate impacts.

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2 Open spots? I'd love to get a shooter & an athletic big man(6'9+) who can run the floor if we can. That'd really round out this team well.

PurpleForever said:

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I think Keller will stay a few more years and try to get this program as far as he can. I really want to see a coach try to stay here for the long haul but not sure if that's reasonable.

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I think if there is one, Keller might be it. He seems like the type.

I think we've shown this year that we can contend if we make the tourney, so I wouldn't be surprised to see us win a game.

With a senior TJ, a junior Kevon, & a Junior Augustin, I think our team is going to be stacked for 2018/2019. Probably our first best chance to make the sweet 16 with favorable matchups.

I say 1st best chance, because with the way our recruiting is trending, we should very well become a regular contender to win a few games every March.

Doesn't Keller's Texas ties make him a great candidate to be here for several years? Or is that just a pipe dream when the big boys come a calling flashing the cash?

He has Aggie ties, but I don't expect to see that jump yet and Kennedy may not have a job after their collapse this year. Only former employers that make me nervous are Louisiana Tech and UTEP.

PurpleOut said:

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We have 2 spots open right now with Mack leaving.

With 2 solid high school kids signed, I would think we'd go pretty hard after possible transfers like Harris for more immediate impacts.

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I was thinking along the same lines. However, if we picked up two transfers that would put us at 8 players graduating in 2020 so not sure if he wants to graduate that many players at once.

Keller was at the #15 Trinity Valley vs #24 Paris Junior College game Saturday. PJC took down TVCC at their place but no offers were made. Thought he may offer PJC's Darius Williams after he put up 23 in the second half. Plays just like Meech (will pull it from anywhere, even the logo, and quick enough to get by you). He's only shooting 31% behind the arc but that is very misleading. He can shoot lights out, but he has been taking very dumb shots. In an offense like ours he would shoot about 40%.

cboothe09 said:

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He has Aggie ties, but I don't expect to see that jump yet and Kennedy may not have a job after their collapse this year. Only former employers that make me nervous are Louisiana Tech and UTEP.

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Are LA Tech & UTEP really better jobs than ours?

Our last HC/Top Assistant are coaching Power 5 teams. I hope that is the standard for coaching jumps at the very least.

A couple mill and the hatchet would be buried.

Konkol has a five year contract at $400k/year. La Tech is not a big time program in any respect.

Aggies worry me the most at the moment. But even with him, Kennedy, & Stansbury, they still only managed 1 tourney appearance in like 5 years in the SEC. They're not a basketball school.

But we're one of the most successful programs in Texas, one of the rising mid majors in the entire country. We're a lot better job than some realize if you're only looking at salary dollars or conferences. And Keller's salary will go a long way in Nac. I think he'll wait for the right opportunity if he ever makes the jump. It'll be to big time college basketball.

TallTexan said:

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And Keller's salary will go a long way in Nac.

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Just curious. What is Keller's salary? (I know it's probably in the Board minutes somewhere, but I'm lazy...)

jboy93 said:

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I was curious too and read it yesterday from the board minutes when he was hired...$300k/yr.

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Someone needs to double up this salary and sign him for 5 yrs. Put a big buyout on whomever wants to get him from us so then that will just help us pay for the next coach..

I am telling you Keller is a very well respected coach in the basketball profession. He will recruit better than anyone we have seen because of all his connections across America. His phone is constantly blowing up with calls from NBA scouts,coaches ,etc. asking him different questions and wanting his input. This coach is the real deal.

FWIW, Brad made 400k per year his last year, & may have even gotten another bump if he stayed.

So Keller could make his way to the 400k club with a tourney win or two.

He is worth 600K right now.. Definitely if he wins 2 games in the tournament this year and makes the sweet 16.. Who are the true decision makers on his salary? The AD or the Board or a combination of both?