Answers, as best I can give them

Ok, first off, I just went back and reread my post from yesterday and realized I had combined two topics.
But in general, my point was that the loss of a recruit or two isn't huge. Would a prized recruit help the program? Of course, I didn't mean to imply that getting more players is ever a bad thing. But the team should be pretty darn good next year if everyone continues to develop and there's no sophomore slump.

Now, as to the request for some thoughts:

Just going on what Central already has, here's what I think of the guards: If Washington can improve to join the rotation at least as a fourth guard, I think the backcourt is fine. I'm the driver of the Shemik Thompson bandwagon, so I think he'll grow into the PG role if he gets it. Joe and Hall will help take some shooting burden off of him, which might let him focus more on being the PG if that's the direction CCSU ends up going. Do I know if Jermaine is a starter someday? No, but I'm not ready to write him off, either. Will he get a shot? With Howie, everyone gets a shot. You have to earn your time. Do I think Washington can help? Yes.

You also have to remember that several of these guys were freshmen a year ago, so they should continue to improve in the next year or two.

I don't think I'm giving away any secrets by saying Tamir struggled at times last year, but he also had some good games. He'll have to raise his level with what could be a crowded frontcourt next year to see a lot of time. If Marcus plays like he did the second half of the season, I love Horton, Palmer, Simmons up front with Tamir and Baskerville giving depth. I wouldn't say I expect "incredible" things from Baskerville, but I did really like him in high school and I think he can play at this level. We'll see what kind of talent scout I am.

Call me a homer again, but...

Just a quick word on the thing today, which we had mentioned I believe in the fall. Actually, about the affects of the future. It was just a couple of months ago that we were talking about how loaded the Devils were for the next couple of years. One recruit doesn't change that.
Baskerville, Simmons, Palmer and Horton aren't a bad frontcourt. Shemik is becoming a leader, and I think he'll be fine in the backcourt. Joe isn't Tristan, he'd be the first to tell you that. But that collection of talent, without even any contributions from the freshmen who do come, will be impressive.

I bet you're all glad I was wrong on this one

Howie Dickenman, who occasionally likes to remind me of my inability to correctly predict baseball series correctly, once thanked me for not picking Central to win the NEC.
Maybe when I see him this weekend, Charlie Hickey will do the same thing.
Just a week or so after I wrote about Central being basically eliminated from the NEC race, the Blue Devils have stormed back to pull within two games of first place heading into a big homestand this weekend.
The pitching continues to be Central's anchor, with Berlin's Taylor Kosakowski now joining the fold with just two runs in his last (nearly) 21 innings. Central's rotation is solid, but when Atlantic City comes, it will be guys like Kosakowski who will need to step up, especially closer to Saturday. Names like Kosakowski, Chachko and White will be just as important as names like Gianini and Roberts.

But just to be safe, I'll pick Monmouth. You can thank me later.