Maybe the most exciting aspect of this season will be seeing who steps into the key roles. Lots of wide-open opportunities for guys to step-up.
If Howard was a better defender / rebounder, then I think the 4 spot would be wide open for a player like Jalon Moore or even Deebo Coleman (at 6'6" 218) to play at the 4. But as it is, I think it will be Franklin at the 4 because of his physical play and proven production on the boards. I think we need him at the 4 to help cover some of Howard's defensive deficiencies in the paint.
But, positions 1 thru 3 seem wide open to me. If Deivon Smith has really made a jump, then I think he easily surpasses Sturdivant. I think if Sturidivant was going to make a move, he would have done it last year, but the opportunity is still there for him regardless of my skepticism. Whomever plays the position, we need way, WAY, WAAAAAAYYYYYY more production at both ends from the PG spot this season. Not turning it over is not enough. If things are going porly at the PG spot, could Miles Kelly see some minutes here?
The two and three spots are up for grabs. Deebo is too big and heavy legged to guard at the 2. So, I think it will be Kelly, Terry or Maxwell at the 2. Will it be a season long rotation or will one of them grab the position by the horns? Lance Terry is the x-factor at this spot. The coaches keep referring to him as steady and dependable. The team may really need that on the court.
Same for the 3. I could see any of Kelly (if he's not playing the one or two), Coleman or Jalon Moore establishing themselves at the 3. Kelly is slight for the 3 but long. Coleman has size, but is not quick and has to learn to use his size instead of floating around the perimeter. He needs to make major changes to his game to be a +ACC starting player. Jalon Moore is the x-factor at this spot. Moore likely has more upside on the defensive end at the 3 than either Kelly or Coleman.
Pre-season returns suggest that the team has a low ceiling on the defensive end and a high ceiling on the offensive end. We may lack adequate defensive versatility so that the staff is forced to play guys who will stick their nose in there and grind on the defensive end rather than playing the player with the greatest offensive firepower at each position.