Despite a 23-10 record and a second consecutive NIT berth, Bronco fans and season ticket holders were left with the feeling we let a great opportunity slip away to make some noise in the NIT and raise our national profile. It was a season to remember as we sent BYU packing with two wins and turned heads with big wins over name opponents.
The optimism for the 2024 season got a big shot of adrenaline after Brandin Podziemski was drafted # 19 by the Golden State Warriors. This quickly subsided as fans realized the key piece for a 2024 NCAA tournament run was gone. Departures by Carlos Stewart, Giordan Williams, Jaden Bediako, Parker Braun, and Jacob Holt also added more fuel that a down year of rebuilding was ahead. Fans wondered, what if anything would back to back NBA first round picks mean for the Broncos? All our starters are gone!
Then, the phones started ringing.... Times past, WE did the calling. Now, as a result of Jalen and Brandin's NBA successes, transfers want to talk to US. They've read the J & B stories and see themselves as the next potential under the radar, underappreciated, player who wants to prove they are worthy of the NBA conversations. They are leaving National Champions like Virginia and Arizona, and turning down power conference teams like Ohio State. While many thought the transfer portal put SCU at a major disadvantage the opposite has happened.
Begs the question, why? Why would these potential top level players choose to come to SCU given their abundant choices? While each player has slightly different reasons, the common denominator is the ability to showcase their game in an up-tempo offense mentored by a proven, experienced coaching staff. Oh, and by the way the AEC and Campus are homeruns.
An example is 6' 10" transfer Johnny O'Neil, from American University, was the Patriot League Freshman of the Year and all league defensive team last season with 27 steals and 51 blocked shots. Not a typo and he wasn't their center. American, as a team, was # 342 in the NCAA in offensive tempo. A snail pace. They were # 275 in offensive efficiency. O'Neil averaged 10 shots per game with an 11.3 ppg scoring average. By contrast, SCU was # 46 in offensive tempo and Brandin averaged about 16 shots per game. We'll see what O'Neil unhinged can do with 6-10 more shot per game.
He's not alone. Adama Bal, Tyree Bryan, Jalen Benjamin, and 7' 1" Francisco Caffaro all want the opportunity to have their talent on display in an high octane team setting. Add returnees, Knapper, Tongue, Tilly, Akametu, Carlos Marshall, Redshirt Ensminger, and add freshman 7' 1" Oboyu, 6"10" McClendon, and 6' 4" shooting guard Hammond and this roster is as big as it is "DEEP".
Our coaches have dealt with the Zags when they substitute to players on their bench who would start for any other team in the WCC. Quote: "We have that depth this season." So, given the hefty bench, how are all these guys going to get playing time with only 40 minutes to divide? Herb's rule: You earn minutes in practice and keep them if you perform. Simple, straightforward.
To say practices will be intense competition is an understatement. Every teammate wants your minutes. Hard to think of a better preparation formula than needing to win your daily battles. The trick for the coaches will be to make the right move at the right time with a full complement of chess pieces. Expect a tsunami and rolling thunder on offense. A non-stop assault to the rim. Opposing coaches might have to invoke the famous Butch Cassidy line when they can't shake the posse not matter what they do, "Who are these guys?" With this depth, we shouldn't have guys run out of gas late in a tight game as we saw last season.
In a short time we'll know who these guys are and how they'll play. We may even discover "who" might emerge as the next Bronco NBA prospect or prospects. We've waited more than 25 years for the last NCAA bid. Is this the year?
