Bates

RayJ announced today that he is also in the portal, so if he decides to not go through with staying in the draft, he's still likely leaving Toledo...

Amen and adios.  He’s destined for bigger pastures.  

Perhaps you've noticed that our coaches getting recruiting classes "under their belt" without getting that sort of player simply means they can't recruit that sort of player.

You don't have to be an NBA talent to be a special player in our league.  We've had a grand total of 2 first team all-MAC players since 2003 and only 7 2nd teamers.  Meanwhile, Kent, Akron, OU, Buffalo have dominated the conference because they consistently have elite players and usually several at a time.  MAC championships are won by deep teams with at least one alpha, sometimes two.  We haven't had one in a long time.  Teague was close and so was Persons but neither was in the same league as Payne, Beez, Paris, Williams, Tee, Bonzi, Ray, Chandler, etc.    

Exactly.  We've had a long line of "special" players, but as you said, not recently.  The majority of those guys were not NBA talents, but, they WERE special for us, in our league.  Closers, finishers, alphas, whatever you want to call them, they were 'it," especially in crunch time. They were competitors and they weren't afraid of making a play.  Honestly, if Coleman could get it all together and play with consistency, under control, and within the context of how Lewis wants to play, he could be that guy.  That UT game in the MAC tourney where he almost willed us to an upset showed what he can do.  For part of the season this year he looked like that guy.   But, he gets too ME in his play and things get out of whack and he starts throwing up crazy shots and wild passes. Plus, he needs to be more interested in defense.  I think he's got the overall skill set, just, where's his head at? 

As hard as Doughty goes and the way he doesn't back down from anyone, he could eventually be an alpha.     I'll be very interested to see if one of our incoming transfer guards has an "it" factor they'll get to show in our program. 

I agree about depth, and that we'll probably not see a player like the best, like those you mention who comes to the MAC for 4 years. As I said above we'd get a Ray. Maybe a Payne or Chandler or Williams, but not for 4 years. Think of the NIL Chandler might have cashed in on!

It's a new world.

I also agree you need not just depth but one or two "better" players. Maybe not the "best.". We can do that, may have it with some luck. Would have had it with Sparks and Coleman returning. Sellers has the potential. Keeping somebody that gets to that level is the trick.