...I trust that Pope and staff won't leave things to chance and that they're 100% committed to not just getting to the dance but winning there too. So if they don't think their roster can do that then I trust that they will add another piece that will be a difference maker. I also trust that they will figure out which guys go where in the rotation/depth chart and who are our most efficient player combos.

My hope is that returning guys (like Knell, Lohner, Johnson, George and Harward) who were inconsistent last year due to inexperience, confidence issues, needing further development, etc are making really big strides in those areas this off-season and return to the court in 21-22 as much improved and more dependable players. A 2nd hope is that we get a 100% fully healthy return of Gavin Baxter and even Wyatt Lowell and both show refined games ready to be prime time contributors. It would also be nice to find some surprises from guys like Trey Stewart, Nate Hansen, Hunter Erickson, Atiki Ally Atiki, Fouss Traore, Brandon Warr or Jeremy Dowdell who can make a contribution during the year in a pinch when coaches need an unexpected shot in the arm.

My final thought is somewhere between a trust and a hope. Last year nobody on the team really demonstrated an understanding of Pope's offense from the year before and we turned into a disappointing and easy to defend team that stood around the perimeter watching one guard try to drive and then kick to reluctant shooters. I trust Pope and staff will be working hard trying to teach and implement it once again with this returning group and hope that players will pick up the nuances of it better than they did last year and that we'll see more guys moving without the ball, better recognition by ballhandlers when a screener is open rolling to the basket or when the D switches and a big has a mismatch in the paint, less reluctance to shoot when open on the perimeter, several feet deeper range from 3 shown by our guards/wings and quicker movement of the ball/less stickiness.

I know that final hope is asking a lot.