There is another program out there that, not including transfers, had to deal with 8 scholarship players returning plus an incoming recruit. In addition, half of those will be seniors, so not only will they need a big class (and/or quite a few transfers in) just to get to their standard 11-12 player team, but they will also have to replace those 4 who will be graduation next year.

That program is UConn.

They've had a grad transfer (from Murray St.) and a player from Poland added so far (are either standard level for UConn? Not sure). Also, there is Evina Westbrook who might get immediate eligibility, but that isn't certain.

But my point is that UConn, of all programs, was in that very situation that you said an elite program should never be in.

It appears our solution is going to be to employ a 4-guard lineup. Sometimes that happens out of necessity, but not great that we are going into the year with that plan. Add onto that the fact that our lone post player is a year removed from a major knee injury. I just think we didn't have to be so thin on the front line.

But I think a lot of aspects are to blame for the lack of depth this year. It's rare that 4 starters are all in the same class. That probably scared off a few recruits who wanted immediate playing time and also Jackie still had another year so that didn't help matters. I don't think the staff anticipated Jackie leaving early. Then we had several bigs transfer over the last few years. And a few guards when they didn't get PT. It is what it is but I think they will be better than expected by season's end.

I have more optimism about this year than others. The first few months may see more losses than we are used to, but by the time March rolls around, our coaching staff is too brilliant and the players are far too athletic and intelligent for this year to be a disaster. Based on the last decade, I have faith things will work out.