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My prediction (as someone with no inside knowledge):

Dawes and Whalin will be back. Dawes is potentially a star and Whalin is a decent role player. This is a decent-good frontcourt combo that has two more years of eligibility. Ausar won’t be back due to the various reasons that have been mentioned.

I don’t rate Keller at all, but I think he might be kept just to have a true center with some experience.

I’m also not high on Shark and Little, but I think one might be kept for some transitional continuity and experience in the backcourt. They both primarily play PG, so I don’t think it makes sense to keep both considering we should be trying to upgrade the starting PG. I wouldn’t be surprised nor disappointed if neither are back.

I have no idea about any of the other scholarship guys that didn’t play.

So that would make 4 returning rotation players, but only 1 that figures to be a real impact player. Need to fill 4 rotation spots with guys that didn’t play last year or new recruits.

Highest priorities should be to keep Dawes, upgrade PG and get an athletic wing.

If Jensen’s impact is what we hope and we pick up the right pieces in this and next offseason, I think it’s conceivable that we could develop into a tourney team in ’26-27.

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This is pretty surprising, I thought he was the one to most likely be back. In a season of very erratic lineups/rotations, his role seemed to be the most consistent with no competition at his position. He also figures to have a lot to gain from a coach who played the same position.

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I don’t see both Dawes and Ausar being back. They play the same position and both will want to be the main PF. Dawes’ talent and potential is undeniable and he has two more years of eligiblity, so he should be the preferred choice. I don’t think Ausar would accept a decreased role when he could probably get a featured role and decent NIL deal elsewhere.

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In the postgame presser a reporter asked Dawes about his impressions of Jensen so far; apparently Jensen met the team at the hotel.

https://youtu.be/rY48AS-FbnA&t=360 (starts at 6:00)

Not much to infer from his answer. I hope he stays, but he’s going to get plenty of interest if he wants to test the market. I would understand if he ends up leaving for potentially greener pastures after what must have been a frustrating season for him.

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Worth noting that they shot 23-27 FTs (85%); Kneepkens had an off shooting day from the field, but was 10-10 FTs, including a clutch pair to tie it with 18 sec left.

Hey men, see how to give yourselves a chance?? Hoping the next coach actually understands the importance of fundamental skills.

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Also, Ausar and Dawes play the same position and both will want to be the main PF. Dawes has more upside and should be the preferred choice. I don’t see Ausar accepting a reduced role when he can probably get a featured role and better NIL elsewhere. I just don’t see the logic/logistics of Ausar returning.

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Yeah I think you’re right that it’s likely just a procedural method to improve his deal. His statement seems to intentionally communicate that he’s still interested in returning.

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I have mixed feelings about Ausar. I have been very critical of his flaws, but he was really productive and consistent the last quarter of the season – 17 pts 6.8 reb in his last seven games. Those are excellent numbers. His efficiency skyrocketed by improving his FT to 79% in this stretch (he led the conference in FTAs).

One major potential point of conflict is that Ausar and Dawes play the same position, so something/someone has to give as I suspect both will want to be the main PF. I think this conflict will likely result in only one of them (if either) being back and I would rather it be Dawes. Dawes is more capable of competing against top-40 competition and he has more upside with two more years of eligibility.

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The turnovers problem is in large part due to not having any guards that can create off the dribble. The offense is almost completely reliant on running strictly executed sets to create opportunities, which results in players often forcing bad passes in those sets because they don’t really know what else to do. Compare this to TDS, who has four+ players who can effectively drive and finish. They got so many driving layup/assist opportunities from Demin, Saunders, Hall, Baker (+18 points in the paint). Our guards can neither dribble penetrate and finish/create on offense nor stop dribble penetration on defense.

Dawes, Ausar, Wahlin can be decent holdovers, but the backcourt can be a complete rehaul as far as I’m concerned.

Btw, Ausar has managed to greatly improve his FT shooting over the last month. He has shot 79% (45-57) in the last seven games and averaged 17 pts, 6.8 reb — excellent productivity and efficiency. He actually leads the conference in FTAs. If he can continue at this improved FT%, he becomes a much more efficient player with the rate at which he draws fouls.

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