There's a good reason we had Giorgi at the PF spot for most of the season. We don't have a lot of good options. Let's walk through what we have this year and next year.
1) Da'Monte Williams
Da'Monte is currently our starting PF. With all the buzz around Ayo's return, that development may not have really sunk in yet. He's only 6'3" but at 210 lbs and with his 7' wingspan he actually has the size to compete (he's generally only giving up 10-15 lbs against most Big Ten PFs). The good news is that he's made just enough 3's that you can't just leave him alone on the perimeter. He'll also make a token drive to the basket even though he doesn't really shoot it. He doesn't turn it over much or use many possessions so he really doesn't hurt you much. Can we really just have Da'Monte play 24 mpg at the PF spot? That's what we did at Penn State. Can we do it next year too?
2) Kipper Nichols
Kipper is a senior so obviously he's not available next year. He is famously a 6" vertical leaper and 0-for-dunks for his career
He has an 81.3 ORtg (compared to 84.7 for Da'Monte) and a fairly normal usage rate, so that's not good for our offense. He is 6'6" 220 so that is about right for a PF. He generally appears to be in the right place on defense and can get some offensive rebounds (Da'Monte is a defensive rebounding specialist). 16 mpg at the PF spot is not ideal but it makes sense given our current roster.
3) Giorgi
Teams have stopped guarding Giorgi on the perimeter. He has an 80.6 ORtg in conference play and an above average usage rate and that factors in his work at the backup center spot where he is clearly more comfortable on offense. Underwood has relegated Giorgi to backup center and it's hard to argue with that. The good news is that Giorgi is 6'9" 235 so if you do have a bigger PF you can match up with that and not get Da'Monte and Kipper pounded too much. Indiana has a 245 lb PF so that may be where we see the return of Fourgi. We might also see him against the backup PFs for Iowa. I'm not sure about the future of Fourgi in future seasons, but I hope we can do better.
4) Tevian Jones
Tevian Jones replaced Kipper in the rotation when he was battling illness. He has good height (6'7") and length but at 205 lbs he struggles to guard PFs. On offense Tevian mostly shoots corner 3's. He can grab a few offensive rebounds but he misses assignments on defense. Most people would not be shocked if Tevian transferred after the season, although there is still untapped potential there.
5) Alan Griffin
Alan is mostly a SF and rightfully so. However, he can play a few minutes at the PF spot. At 6'5" 195 you don't want him banging with the big guys. He does stretch the floor on offense and his length and very impressive rebounding rates on both ends are what make this work. I think the team has done pretty well during his spot duty at the PF spot, but he can't have more than backup minutes at this spot just because it won't serve him well over the long run. If Pomeroy is to be believed, he played 50 minutes at that position during our four recent losses.
6) BBV
BBV is 6'8" 235 and would appear to have the natural skillset needed for a power forward. He's essentially doing a medical redshirt with a stress fracture in his foot. I don't know if he's any good or not but you have to give him a chance to compete for the spot next season. That being said, I can't rule out a transfer either.
7) Jacob Grandison
I see Grandison listed as a G/F, which sounds like a possible 4 with an Underwood team. His twitter handle is slimjake and he only played the SG and SF spots at Holy Cross (a team not known for big lineups) so I'm not optimistic there. I know nothing about his game so any further speculation wouldn't add any value. I'm still not totally understanding next year's roster mix.
8) Transfer PF
So after looking over those seven (six since you can't count Kipper) options, if I'm Underwood and I want to build on this year's success, I'm still wanting an upgrade at the PF spot. So my best guess is that two of the Hamlin/Jones/BBV/Hutcherson/Grandison/ crew are not on the roster next season (I suspect it's the first two as Giorgi is blocking Hamlin as backup center) and we add a transfer PF to start. This becomes even more likely if the new transfer rules kick in.
9) Coleman Hawkins
Coleman Hawkins is currently listed as 6'9" 200 lbs. He has good stretch PF skills. At first blush you'd think redshirt and bulk up but with the good reports I've heard you can start to imagine him getting Kipper's minutes as the backup PF in the rotation. So you start a transfer at PF and bring in Hawkins off the bench. Maybe flash some Da'Monte at the PF spot when needed or a little bit of Giorgi if matchups so dictate.
1) Da'Monte Williams
Da'Monte is currently our starting PF. With all the buzz around Ayo's return, that development may not have really sunk in yet. He's only 6'3" but at 210 lbs and with his 7' wingspan he actually has the size to compete (he's generally only giving up 10-15 lbs against most Big Ten PFs). The good news is that he's made just enough 3's that you can't just leave him alone on the perimeter. He'll also make a token drive to the basket even though he doesn't really shoot it. He doesn't turn it over much or use many possessions so he really doesn't hurt you much. Can we really just have Da'Monte play 24 mpg at the PF spot? That's what we did at Penn State. Can we do it next year too?
2) Kipper Nichols
Kipper is a senior so obviously he's not available next year. He is famously a 6" vertical leaper and 0-for-dunks for his career
He has an 81.3 ORtg (compared to 84.7 for Da'Monte) and a fairly normal usage rate, so that's not good for our offense. He is 6'6" 220 so that is about right for a PF. He generally appears to be in the right place on defense and can get some offensive rebounds (Da'Monte is a defensive rebounding specialist). 16 mpg at the PF spot is not ideal but it makes sense given our current roster.3) Giorgi
Teams have stopped guarding Giorgi on the perimeter. He has an 80.6 ORtg in conference play and an above average usage rate and that factors in his work at the backup center spot where he is clearly more comfortable on offense. Underwood has relegated Giorgi to backup center and it's hard to argue with that. The good news is that Giorgi is 6'9" 235 so if you do have a bigger PF you can match up with that and not get Da'Monte and Kipper pounded too much. Indiana has a 245 lb PF so that may be where we see the return of Fourgi. We might also see him against the backup PFs for Iowa. I'm not sure about the future of Fourgi in future seasons, but I hope we can do better.
4) Tevian Jones
Tevian Jones replaced Kipper in the rotation when he was battling illness. He has good height (6'7") and length but at 205 lbs he struggles to guard PFs. On offense Tevian mostly shoots corner 3's. He can grab a few offensive rebounds but he misses assignments on defense. Most people would not be shocked if Tevian transferred after the season, although there is still untapped potential there.
5) Alan Griffin
Alan is mostly a SF and rightfully so. However, he can play a few minutes at the PF spot. At 6'5" 195 you don't want him banging with the big guys. He does stretch the floor on offense and his length and very impressive rebounding rates on both ends are what make this work. I think the team has done pretty well during his spot duty at the PF spot, but he can't have more than backup minutes at this spot just because it won't serve him well over the long run. If Pomeroy is to be believed, he played 50 minutes at that position during our four recent losses.
6) BBV
BBV is 6'8" 235 and would appear to have the natural skillset needed for a power forward. He's essentially doing a medical redshirt with a stress fracture in his foot. I don't know if he's any good or not but you have to give him a chance to compete for the spot next season. That being said, I can't rule out a transfer either.
7) Jacob Grandison
I see Grandison listed as a G/F, which sounds like a possible 4 with an Underwood team. His twitter handle is slimjake and he only played the SG and SF spots at Holy Cross (a team not known for big lineups) so I'm not optimistic there. I know nothing about his game so any further speculation wouldn't add any value. I'm still not totally understanding next year's roster mix.
8) Transfer PF
So after looking over those seven (six since you can't count Kipper) options, if I'm Underwood and I want to build on this year's success, I'm still wanting an upgrade at the PF spot. So my best guess is that two of the Hamlin/Jones/BBV/Hutcherson/Grandison/ crew are not on the roster next season (I suspect it's the first two as Giorgi is blocking Hamlin as backup center) and we add a transfer PF to start. This becomes even more likely if the new transfer rules kick in.
9) Coleman Hawkins
Coleman Hawkins is currently listed as 6'9" 200 lbs. He has good stretch PF skills. At first blush you'd think redshirt and bulk up but with the good reports I've heard you can start to imagine him getting Kipper's minutes as the backup PF in the rotation. So you start a transfer at PF and bring in Hawkins off the bench. Maybe flash some Da'Monte at the PF spot when needed or a little bit of Giorgi if matchups so dictate.
