Curbelo is an über-dynamic PG, along the lines of Frank Williams. Felix is a very good player, but not in Curbelo's class. Curable is much quicker, has WAY better handles and shoots better than Feliz. Curbelo may end up as good as Frankie, but that is a very high bar, especially for a freshman...I'm hopeful he is that good next year, but I'm not expecting it,especially as a freshman...I also think we will miss Dre, he brings a lot of leadership and heart and has some size/strength advantages that he uses well.
Hawkins gives us the stretch 4 we need, plus lots of length at 6'10". He's got really good handles for a guy his size, plays like he used to be a guard. He will make an impact at the 4, plus Giorgi is still around and Griffen can play there in a small line-up. Hawkins may get there, but for next year thinking he will step in and even make the rotation is way farther than I'm willing to go. We can play small ball today, Griffin is already on the roster...roster wise nothing changes & I think that can be a partial solution at the 4, but I still think we need someone that can guard a more traditional 4, for example Cook on IA we couldn't even slow down. I'm also still expect Giorgi to be able to fill that role...but my comment started with the roster looking much better next year, I think if are better next year it is more growth of current players. We bring in 2 very promising freshman guards, but lose Ayo/Dre...to me on paper next year I'm hoping for a wash there next year, 5 is Kofi both years, plug in Griffin/Giorgi at the 4 and nothing really changes appearance wise. I personally don't see Hawkins making the rotation next year...Hutcherson/Grandison ?, but I don't see either of them markedly better options at 1-3 than this year's roster.
I think getting better is more likely to come from growth, Giorgi as a 4, Verdonk growing as a 4, TJ getting right, TF having a monster SR year, thinking Curbelo/Miller over Ayo/Dre makes you much better is underrating Ayo/Dre and to some extent TF. Not saying it can't happen, but I would happily take breaking even next year at this point for the freshman guards.
If Ayo stays, we have a chance to be a really, really good team. Even without him, we'll be a strong, top 3 in the B1G kind of team.