First, I expect a talent upgrade when all is said and done from last year's team.

Second, we were all expecting a talent upgrade if Pope had stayed adding Chandler and Baker.

So there are two hurdles to look at. What we were last year and then what we thought we would be (keeping Robinson and everyone else which is a big unknown).

Right now I believe we are at a talent deficit.

What we have lost: Robinson (might come back but highly unlikely), Waterman, Khalifa, Johnson (would gone no matter who the coach is) Atiki and Davis.

What we didn't gain: Chandler and Davis (if Pope was still the coach we would have Davis).

What we have gained so far (no speculation): Kates, Koz and Crawford (you can add Baker if you want, hopefully he is healthy).

I am not sure how anyone could say that Kates, Koz and Crawford are anywhere near Waterman, Khalifa, Johnson, Robinson and Atiki. That is 3 starters + our leading scorer. Baker should help, but that is still not enough.

Kates was a backup on a much worse team. Crawford is the #140 (I use 247 but feel free to use others, I just think they do the best job) and Koz is #114.

While I agree that Keita is better than Atiki, they are similar players.

When you add in the fact that we no longer are getting #120 or #33 from 2 years ago it isn't close (although again a different standard).

There is a reason we are tied for dead last in the portal.

Do I have faith in the staff? Yes. But saying we have a talent upgrade from last year is just silly.

From my point of view we still have some major holes.

PG: Dallin Hall/Elijah Crawford/Trey Stewart (all set)
SG: Dawson Baker (we need a lot more here)
SF: Saunders/Knell
PF: Koz/Kates? I think Keita is a 5 and Koz is nowhere near starting 4 material at this point.
C: Fouss/Keita (all set)

We need another wing and a legitimate 4 for next year.