If Mangrum is going to leave for grad school elsewhere, that gives us a scholarship for Morgan or Babb, assuming (and it seems reasonable if not likely) that either or both want to come here.

That gives us this lineup next year:

Guard: Tristan, Josh, Dominique, Shannon, RJ McGhee, and Alzee
Forward: Odufuwa, Holmen, Hogans, Edwards, Knox, Spencer
Practice only: Morgan or Babb

At the risk of being gunned down by P1... What if the Knox rumors come true and he does decide to transfer elsewhere? If either Morgan or Babb decides to transfer here, I think their presence in the 2011-12 season makes us an even more attractive option for the other, too.

I don't like the idea of leaving two scholarships on the bench... But if we could somehow free up the space and entice them both here, we'd still have a solid 11 man lineup:

Guard: Tristan, Josh, Dom, Shannon, McGhee, Alzee
Forward: Odufuwa, Holmen, Hogans, Edwards, Spencer

We're still two deep at guard and more than two deep in the paint, not even considering that Shorter has proven capable of subbing in there as part of a smallball lineup.

Then, in 2011, we'd have:

Guard: Alzee, McGhee, Babb
Forward: Morgan, Holmen, Hogans, Edwards

Plus six. The best part would be that Alzee, McGhee, Babb, Morgan, and Holmen would all have at least two years of eligibility left... We'd have a core (with Alzee the shortest at 6'3" or 6'4" ) to carry us through two years of development for the six scholarships we give away next year. And, hopefully, no significant falloff in wins and losses.

I know it's all imaginary... But this whole scenario seems to be playing out about as perfectly as anyone could have dreamed. If we can land Morgan or Babb or both... Things could get really special.

With that kinda class, might make it hard to entice JJ away, and alot easier to find a replacement coach if he does get hired away.