Not to worry, according to some on here (one hasn't been around for a long time) we are going to be world beaters this year. Pat finally has things going his way and we will zoom up to about 11th in the Big, thereby buying five more years for Pat.
No excuses for Pat this year. He's got a lot of talent with just a few holes.
PG: Carr had very good stats for a true freshman. I'm not sure about his ability to break down the defense and create scoring opportunities for his teammates but he can use his size score over his opponent in the paint. His defense was marginal but I'm hopeful that will improve. IMO Samuels is a big loss because he was Carr's backup. Wheeler is going to have to fill that role.
SG: Garner didn't improve as a junior but I expect him to be solid this year. The problem is what other perimeter shooters do we have now that Banks is gone. PSU really needs a shooter like Mike Walker back in the day. He doesn't have to be super athletic, he just has to be able to score and keep the defense honest.
G/F: Reaves is all over the court on defense. I expect him to make better decisions as a junior but I doubt that he'll ever become a great perimeter shooter. Bostick could be a similar player. He doesn't have a history of being a great perimeter shooter.
F: Stevens is very athletic and should have a great career at PSU. The only problem is his size. 218 lbs makes him suited to be a 3/4, not a pure 4. Zemgulus is the only backup and he really struggled last year. Buttrick has the body but he seems like a bit of a project.
C: Watkins has the potential to be one of the best centers we've had at PSU. Great rebounder and shot blocker with the ability to catch and pass the ball. He has to learn to be a little smarter and avoid needless fouls. Moore is an adequate backup as long as you don't count on him for more than 10 minutes per game. I have no idea what to expect from Pierce.
Walker & Cornley would make this an almost certain NCAA team IMO but I don't see those guys on the horizon. Maybe Gavin Peppers is our shooting guard. Too bad we can't attract any of the top 10 PA kids.