We know we're losing Fous, Knell, Mag & Stewart to graduation or their final years of eligibility. It's presumed that at least Demin is moving onto the NBA. And a 50/50 chance of Catchings being a late first rounder or a returnee for an additional year of development next year. If Catchings does move on, that at least 6 spots that open up. But lets assume Catchings does come back, making it 5 spots. 2 of those are already secured by Staton and AJ, so that now leaves at least 3 openings. Yes, there could be another guy or two that jumps in the portal. Maybe Crawford. Maybe Tripple. Maybe another. But let's assume everybody else is content with their current roles in the program, love the culture, and are excited to return and play alongside AJ and all the hype he will bring in whatever role they can. So what do you do with those 3 other spots?

There's chatter that Tyran Stokes could reclassify and have a big interest in joining up with AJ next year. There's thoughts of Nate Ament (though he didn't include BYU in his recent finalists under consideration). And then there's some hope by some for maybe Brayden Burries.

Problem is, even if all those guys wanted to come to BYU after all, those make up a bunch of young freshmen that will be eager for minutes alonside AJ and all the returning veterans BYU could be returning and would likely mean more chemistry and experience issues to overcome, at least early on, for sure. And if we all would really like to see BYU and AJ make a push for a Final Four appearance...I don't think that would be a winning formula for that.

Instead, I'm thinking BYU will need at least one and probably two proven upperclassmen players from the portal that are very familiar and experienced with the college game and would also be content to be strong role players who play with sound fundamentals. Priority #1 would probably have to be a very fast and athletic 2 way guard. Some analysts have said the same. I'm also wondering if it's worth holding open a sport for another European talent.

So I guess this is how I see what would be ideal or most likely to happen for maximizing BYU's post season potential with the presumed 5 spots opening up for next year and a 6th if Catchings moves on:

1 - AJ
2 - Xavier Staton
3 - (Veteran Portal Player: speedy athletic guard)
4 - (European Talent: low post player)
5 - (One of: Burries/Ament/Stokes. Otherwise: Veteran Portal Player)
6* - Mboup

* If Catchings moves on, maybe Mboup gets in for some occasional minutes here and there, especially early on in the season. Otherwise, I can see him being redshirted for further development.