As someone else mentioned, the team has to thread the needle with Carlos’ return and be sure that there are no remaining hard feelings. Carlos will inevitably eat into other players’ playing time. But his game is certainly complementary to the current lineup.
he has committed , he’s back
https://twitter.com/SantaClaraHoops/status/1779948805468942449
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He seems like a good kid, and the fact we took him back probably says a lot for both Carlos and the team at large. Santa Clara is a truly a unique place and this is just another example of how we are much more of a family.
Like previous comments, while with the Broncos, he did take it to the rim a bunch, but many times ended up getting blocked w/out a foul called. I would love to see him pull up 3 - 5 feet for a jumper to avoid such a scenario…perhaps we’ll see some further refinement, especially after playing in the SEC for the past year.
Regardless, welcome back Carlos!
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I saw that Cardenas is heading to Boise State.
Sounds positive. Liked the way he competed but doesn’t really change our soft spots needed for an NCAA bid.
A strong “go to” big(s) who can defend and score as well as spark an inside/out threat.
2 point type guards who can penetrate and dish or finish.
Knockdown shooters at the 3 & 4 spots who can punish teams making 3’s.
The top 3 - Gaels, Zags, USF in the WCC have these…
Our path to NCAA is through the WCC cause it’s so hard to get an at large.
This roster will continue to win 20 games but NCAA’s will be hard.
Maybe that’s good enough for what SCU leaders want, but not for a lot of fans. We build a beautiful AEC and have no banners to hang in it 
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That’s all fine and good, but those kinds of talented bigs are in short supply and high demand. We have been fortunate to get the bigs that we’ve gotten recently. What can we offer an Ike-type talent that they won’t get at a P5 school? Or even a MWC school?
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I think you are underestimating our bigs. We have guys who can defend and score as well as spark the inside/out threat - but we need to develop an offense that caters to that vs our guys being forced to play clean up and get theirs on put backs.
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AD Press Announcement:
It mentions that he has one year of eligibility remaining, so I think they are not trying the medical redshirt route or have dim hopes of success if they are.
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feasibly could have a starting lineup of Los, Adama, Jake, O’Neil, and Tilly. I like that, slide in BK if Adama stays for the NBA and CT for size/matchups
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I’d like to see Cam get more minutes. His energy is infectious. If he can improve his free throw shooting and if he can reduce the number of “bad” fouls, he should get at least 18-22 minutes each game (ideally at the 4).
Just my opinion.
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I don’t have any problems with your lineup but I suspect Mahi may beat out Jake for starting spot, if not beginning of season then at some in the season.
If Bal doesn’t return, even more likely Mahi starts at the 1 or 2.
Plus don’t count out Bryan for a starting role. IMO, he was one of our most complete and consistent players last season…ie- solid shooter/scorer but also a decent defender and rebounder, didn’t turn the ball over much, etc. Whereas, Bal was clearly a strong and capable scorer but didn’t defend or rebound well and didn’t respond well to physical play (ie- mostly struggled vs. SMC).
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forgetting Bryan is so bad of me he would most definitely have something to say about starting next year especially if Adama goes
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Bryan’s defense went from good to better as the season progressed. Not quite Payne level, but arguably the best defender this squad has.
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I would not rule out Cam in a starting line up. (I am hoping the coaching staff will set their starting line up based on opponent and skillset and not out of habit) - so I see potentially different starting line ups this next year. As for the FT line - Cam SUBSTANTIALLY improved his FT last stretch and was shooting 78% (but his first half season FT percentage hurt overall). Cam made it to the FT for 64 attempts in just 394 minutes vs 55 attempts in 866 minutes, or 80 attemtps in 606 minutes.
There was some REAL TALK about his returning and that translated to Cam will have a more integral role next year. I swear I may just LOSE MY MIND (like seriously, put me into an asylum loss of mind) if this does not pan (meaning increased minutes) out since we turned away opportunities to go to some major programs. (Carlos is a perfect lesson that grass is not always greener and stay with the devil you know vs the one you do not).
I personally think he will be “different” next season. His handles are ON POINT. His 3 PT is scary accurate. He actually weighs a tough 245 lbs and is not 220 as his bio reflects. (So he has tons of strength). Tons of off season prep going into Cam this summer.
Cam did a really good job staying out of foul trouble this past season too. His improved footwork is what made this possible.
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https://twitter.com/tobias_bass/status/1780412358742966620
WOAH, Mahaney to the portal
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It is their 3rd player in the portal and it looks like they return just two starters next season
Now this makes no sense to me. St Marys was slated as a top 20 team. The kid was ballin out. Honestly I’m starting to think most leave because they want a more lucrative NIL that the smaller schools can’t afford.
Or - is he following the coach that’s leaving?
I understand the initial reaction. But we shouldn’t be surprised in the current world of NIL and unlimited transfers.
Complete speculation on my part but likely reasons for his departure:
- Siren song of greater NIL elsewhere (there is some initial chatter of San Diego St., amongst others. I’m sure SDSU has more $ to spread around).
- Didn’t want to continue to play 2nd fiddle to Augustus.
- SMC has two 4 or 5 star guards/point guards coming in…some PT risk for Mahaney.
Or some combination of all of the above.
Frankly, I was never as high as others were on him, thought he was a bit overrated and really didn’t deserve the pre-season potential league MVP talk. Mahaney is pretty one-dimensional…good shooter/scorer but not much else. OK passer and playmaker but not elite, subpar defender (worse defender in their starting lineup), doesn’t rebound, modest size, modest athleticism. I don’t see a lot of long term upside for him…his level of athleticism will limit him. In terms of NBA potential…as a 2 guard he’s subpar athletically and less than ideal size/length. As a point guard, also subpar quickness which is going to make it hard for him to be a penetrator/playmaker and hard for him to defend and stay in front of typical NBA point guards.
If SMC loses another key player then I might change my mind but…the sky isn’t falling at SMC. They have the bookends of Marciulionis and Saxen, they have three 4star+ frosh coming in (2 guards and a forward), Barrett had a breakdown year and provides hustle, D and energy, they are high on back-up center, 7footer Wessels, who was dinged up this year but is more skilled offensively than Saxen and across the board had better stats per min than Saxen. Frosh guard Jordan Ross is supposedly pretty talented but was buried behind Mahaney and Augustus. And with some scholarships to give, I suspect they’ll land a transfer at least of the caliber of Mason Forbes to add some depth.
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I agree on Mahaney being overrated for the reasons you mention. Basically an above average scorer who never managed to duplicate his sensational frosh season after defenses made him more of a focus.
But don’t overlook how bruising this is in Moraga on a spiritual level. Mahaney was a homegrown kid, supposedly like a lost son for Bennett (or so goes the narrative) and close to Bennett’s own actual son. SMC has been telling themselves how they build their program “the right way” and have a loyalty and culture that bucks the trend across the sport. And there’s a lot of evidence for that! But Mahaney (and Jefferson to a lesser extent) looking for greener pastures blows a big hole in the Gael narrative that there’s just something in the Moraga water.
SMC will be fine on the court. But this one stings them big time.
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The NIL piece could be tough for SMC long term. They don’t have the deep pockets like some other schools do (even SCU).