Gard won't be fired. I think they'd owe him $9 mill if fired without cause. After this coming season, it would be $6 mill. He's probably going to get two more years, then could get the axe when it's only a $3 mill buy out. But, in the meantime, we're going to find out if the guy can adjust to the playground basketball that's going to be coming his way, like it or not. Guys like McGee and Blackwell excel at it. If he gets a couple of guys through the portal who can slash to the hoop, he's got himself a solid team.
To be honest, I'm not a bit surprised Hepburn is leaving. Some people may be upset about it, but I thought Blackwell was already poised to replace him by the middle of this past season. It does mean we are out of the Fidler race I'd assume. But, that's life.
Personally, I didn't think Hepburn was that good. We're going to see a huge upturn in the offensive game. All they need to do now is land a couple of dead eyes through the portal who can put the ball up from outside, and can drive to the hoop. It's going to be a lot more aggressive team than it was with guys like Hepburn and Essegian out there. They weren't fast enough to play the game. I said it most of last year. The game is changing, and the Badgers need to get out of that 4 corners set shot routine.
I have hopes that Gard can change. We have to hope they're all out there working their rears off looking for the right fits to fill the open spots.
