I’m not sure I’d call last year a nightmare. And getting Barlow back healthy will be a big help.
If Barlow can be a contributor next year I think that will be a big help. There was a noticeable difference in interior defense without Samuel most nights. When he got into foul trouble we got into trouble. Since we never got much from Alok or Barlow and nothing McWilliam I think having Barlow and Samuel healthy for the full season would be a definite step-up from where we were last year at the 5.
I am a little worried about the 4. JD was really our only true 4 so we were thin there last year even when everyone was healthy. It's impossible to replace his experience at the position, but the production he provided can be replaced. Lat Mayen has the size for the 4, but plays more like a 3 it seems. We don't have a physically imposing guy like JD who can play the 4 next year. If Lat is healthy I'd feel comfortable with one more guy at that position for next year as we'll have some 3s who can fill in that role if needed.
I'm not totally confident Lat And Barlow will be significant contributors next year, but that comes down to trusting our recruiting. If we can't trust that those guys will be impactful then why would we think any other guy we might bring in would be? With that in mind I feel pretty good about both guys taking big steps forward next year. Pretty good is less than totally confident, though.