Since the transfer portal for basketball opened today, it's interesting to think about how the current BYU BB roster could line up for next season vs. what might happen with the portal. It's also interesting to think about the fact that BYU loses four players for sure to graduation - Trey Stewart, Trevin Knell, Fouss Traore, and Mawot Mag - all key pieces, but that it has been these upperclassmen that Coach KY has relied on for much of the success this season.

To continue on as a program, I think Kevin Young needs continuity and he has to reload with up and comers also - it will be a tricky balancing act. Lots of folks have projected the roster already and are identifying portal needs - BUT, I think BYU already has a LOT of the players we need on the roster currently. There are 17 roster players, 11 who mostly play - up to 12, maybe. Let's take a look:

Key Contributors and Players to Keep (5 guys)

* Richie Saunders JR - You want Richie Saunders SR back - BUT, Saunders could test the NBA draft waters, too. And could go. We'll see.
* Keba Keita JR - You want Keba Keita SR back - your rim runner and force in the middle
* Dallin Hall JR - You want Dallin Hall SR back - your steady, veteran point guard. Hope he's comfortable enough with his role to come back.
* Dawson Baker JR - You want Dawson Baker SR back - another veteran, wily scorer, steady and poised.
* Mihailo Boskovic JR - Backup center and stretch 4 combo - will get better, gives you experience - can play the same role next season.
- That's a good nucleus to start the season next year

Guys You Lose and Who Steps In
* Mawot Mag SR graduates - need a "3 and D" guy for that role - Kanon Catchings is already on the roster - he's that guy if he accepts it. Bigger upside on offense, similar upside on defense if he wants it. We already have that "next guy" on the roster. If NOT, hmmmm . . . then we gotta shop.
* Trey Stewart SR graduates - need a scrappy, hustling, combo guard - Elijah Crawford is already on the roster. He's that guy if he wants it. Same size as Stewart, similar quickness and athleticism, seems to have a great intensity for the game. We already have that "next guy" on the roster.
* Fouss Traore SR graduates - need an athletic big man who can contribute on offense, defense, rebounding - Khadim Mboup is already on the roster. A frosh, yes, BUT will have a year in the system, has more size at 6'9", mobile and good athleticism. Already have that "next guy."
* Trevin Knell SR graduates - need a wing who can be a sniper, learn to play tough - Brody Kozlowski is already on the roster. A frosh, yes, BUT will have a year in the system. More size than Knell, just a sniper himself. 26 ppg as a senior in HS. Great 3-point shooter. Already have that "next guy."
* Egor Demin FR - leaves to NBA? - hope not, but who is the freshman NBA talent - obvious this next guy is AJ Dybantsa. Same size, different type of player. Would LOVE Demin back. Who knows?

- So, you already have the next 5 who can fill the shoes of your departing 5, hopefully - the only downside is that they are "young" - but, ALL of them would have a year in the system, except AJ, and he is likely to step in and contribute well from early on.

So, do we really need to go shopping in the portal?

I didn't even mention that we also have Xavion Staton coming in, to develop as a backup big man and defender and rim protector. Catchings, Crawford, Kozlowski, Dybantsa and Staton are all top-150 guys. High level recruits. That gives you 11 guys right there, plus you can get back Tripple, Triplett and MacGregor to round out the roster.

The only reason I'd go after much more guys is to build depth or competition, but you're almost just as likely to make people unhappy. If this team is as unselfish as it is this year with this group, you'd hope that after being together for a season that those coming up could replicate that for each other.

Now, having said all that - yes, I know, we'll probably have guys go in the portal. But, we are pretty stocked right now. If we kept these guys, I would add a couple more and they would be guys more likely to come:

* Keeyan Itejere - Northern Kentucky, in the portal, 6'9" forward, great athlete, LDS - would be good depth for the frontcourt. Rim runner, rim protector.
* Jake Wahlin - Utah, in the portal, 6'10" wing - athletic, smart, good shooter, LDS - would be great depth on the wing.
- Why these guys? Mawot Mag. Wasn't a "high profile" portal guy - but, he was just what we needed. Experience. Maturity. Glue guy. Wahlin is that type of guy. Itejere seems that type of guy. Mag was our MVP of glue guys, because our last "glue guy" (Richie Saunders) became our team MVP this year. We need those type of guys.

Again, having said that - watch all portal heck break loose. Thoughts welcome.