Best I can figure this is the breakdown
eligibility left:
Clark
Dar
Erheriene
Felton
Hines
Mbaye
Parker
Simpkins
Williams
Could probably pursue a medical redshirt:
Suemnick
Out of Eligibility:
Fisher
Gabriel
Payne
Rivera
Station-McCray
That's a pretty strong core of by some miracle everyone stays, then add a PF and 2 or 3 legit shooters to the list. I know posters will get on me it'll never happen, but as a fan you can always dream.
We should include Payday Moore in this list of potentials, right? He's a 2026 commit coming here this fall unless I am mistaken. There's your backup PG for Budd, alongside Walker & Felton if they both come back (but both almost certainly won't).
I'd imagine you would see Walker (if he stays) at the 1 a bit but hopefully more at the 2 if Payday is here. I like Simpkins alot & clearly Coach is in love with Williams (he DOES have great energy & was good on offense at times), so I would roll the dice on the two of them platooning at the 2 & cross your fingers they both improve. At the same time, this feels a bit pollyanna, b/c if a known quantity/stone cold shooter type was available to us as a starting 2 guard, it would be irresponsible of the staff to not take him. Ugh. "Two in the hand..." to some degree.
Then we hopefully get a major upgrade at the 3 & 4 in the portal. At least we know we have to pursue that 100% & it won't ruffle any feathers to do so. Godswill used to love it here, and hopefully still does, so he can stay on as a backup down low if he is cool with that. Really unfortunate how long he was out & he clearly didn't develop at all as a result. He's gotta know he can't be the man at the 4 for us as a result.
To be blunt, Suemnick looked like an awful pickup for us BEFORE he got hurt. Now that he clearly really hurt himself, I want no part of him. Find another backup 5.