JJ, isn't Thomas going to be a sophomore this year? The leaves Boothe, Kennedy, Horne, Burrell, Evans, Coker - 7 sophs. The scenario you put up, does that assume players redshirting? Or is Thomas planning on only spending 3 yrs on campus?
I agree that roster balance is a big issue here. And I think Roberts' signing might have been an attempt just to use the scholarship since Kilpatrick wasn't coming.
And I have an iffy time believing that Donald Williams, if he was spectacular, wouldn't have been signed by Miss State or 'Bama or Arkansas, or by Maryland. Then again, I'd never heard of the New Orleans Jazz AAU team, and it sounds like he has outside shooting prowess. He might be good as insurance if Roberts isn't a great shooter, and someone else is likely to transfer.
They got on him late, as did Marquette. No one had heard of this kid, really, until Bob Gibbons. Is he the equivalent of a "workout warrior?" Marquette offered him too, so someone else thinks he's at least Big East bench talent. I might save the scholarship also...