Article: Transfer Portal Target: Arkansas’ Boogie Fland

I should have put some money for them to win it all when it 600/1 odds even it was just $100.

 

Too many variables remain at this point to speculate. Do we get Fland? Do we get Condor and the Chins back? Is Xaivian SEC-ready? Can Lloyd and Ingram contribute right away?
If yes to all, we're almost certainly a top-ten team, and in the mix for another national title. Then you need a couple lucky bounces.

 

It will be hard to replace that chemistry. Though if the front court (mostly) comes back that’s an excellent start to feel good about maintaining top 10-ish consideration.

But the backcourt is all new and will have to form a new team chemistry so you never know how that goes. SEC was so brutal last year the margin between 14 wins and 9 wins was thin. Hell a special player like Clayton pretty much is that difference. Esp when you get him 2nd year in the system, along with 2 3rd year guys AND Martin who was a perfect fit.

 

And yes, Martin WAS a perfect fit!!

 

I can't imagine a world where I would project this team being remotely as competitive as last year at this stage, even with Fland. The experience and productivity of those veteran guards is borderline irreplaceable. It's one thing to replace talent, but, in this day and age, that experience and productivity is what separates you. We saw it time and again all season in the consistently big games of theirs, the come-from-behind victories, clutch shots, pivotal plays. It's not reasonable to expect that of this group.

Coming into the season, those four guards last year had a combined 12 years of college experience, 8 years starting (including 5 on NCAA tournament teams), and 5 years playing at Florida. They entered the season with a combined 4147 points and 8957 minutes under their belts. By comparison, Lee, Fland, AJ Brown, and Klavzar only have 7 years of college experience, 4 years as starters (only 1 for a tournament team), and 1 year alone at Florida. And they will start the year with 2251 total points and 4769 total minutes. Those are different stratospheres.

Now, to their benefit, we return a ton of experience in the post that we didn't have to start last season. Our bigs basically doubled their combined minutes and point totals last year. And what those guys provide in terms of offensive rebounding, rim protection, and depth will translate very well, no matter who we play with on the perimeter. That's why I don't imagine a massive regression, like what happened to UConn or UNC. But a comparable team to last year is hard to envision, especially with our two best returnees basically excelling at the same position, and one of them having to play an entirely new position both to get more minutes and to fill out our vacant perimeter rotation.