Let's start with the obvious. Coach Willard has done good work over the past two years. He absolutely deserves credit for that, and his formerly "hot seat" has rightfully cooled. Now that a few days have passed since the Hall's gut-wrenching, season-ending loss, and acknowledging upfront that I am asking this question here because it will turn into a sh*tshow on Pirate Hoops Chat: do you believe that this is the beginning of a sustained run, or is this run a proverbial flash in the pan? I am concerned it is the latter, for three reasons: recruiting, recruiting, recruiting.
KW's 2015 class -- which wasn't that strong to begin with -- has basically disappeared. And while we all root like hell for the lone member of that class who remains (Dalton Soffer), it is neither reasonable nor fair to expect that he will be a major contributor next season. The 2015 class would've been next season's juniors -- guys who should either be starters or important contributors off the bench for the next two seasons. The virtual absence of any players from the 2015 class is a hard blow.
Of course, the current recruiting situation is also concerning. We all have our fingers and toes crossed for Trevon Duval, and if he comes, this question is happily put to rest for next season. That said, let's remember that the Hall went hard after two PGs earlier this year, both of whom were considered far more realistic "gets" -- Isaiah Washington and Jose Alvarado -- and the Hall whiffed on both of them. This, of course, doesn't even touch upon the Hall's frustrating failure land a competent big man behind Angel.
At bottom, Kevin did what he needed to do to get the 2014 class to the Hall. And, while the two Myles are indeed very good "follow-ups" to that class, KW's recruiting is still alarmingly lacking, and there is real reason to be concerned that once the 2014 class graduates/leaves for the pros, the Hall will backslide hard. Hopefully that won't come to pass.
KW's 2015 class -- which wasn't that strong to begin with -- has basically disappeared. And while we all root like hell for the lone member of that class who remains (Dalton Soffer), it is neither reasonable nor fair to expect that he will be a major contributor next season. The 2015 class would've been next season's juniors -- guys who should either be starters or important contributors off the bench for the next two seasons. The virtual absence of any players from the 2015 class is a hard blow.
Of course, the current recruiting situation is also concerning. We all have our fingers and toes crossed for Trevon Duval, and if he comes, this question is happily put to rest for next season. That said, let's remember that the Hall went hard after two PGs earlier this year, both of whom were considered far more realistic "gets" -- Isaiah Washington and Jose Alvarado -- and the Hall whiffed on both of them. This, of course, doesn't even touch upon the Hall's frustrating failure land a competent big man behind Angel.
At bottom, Kevin did what he needed to do to get the 2014 class to the Hall. And, while the two Myles are indeed very good "follow-ups" to that class, KW's recruiting is still alarmingly lacking, and there is real reason to be concerned that once the 2014 class graduates/leaves for the pros, the Hall will backslide hard. Hopefully that won't come to pass.
