Willard was hired late and did a good job keeping four of their best players although they were coming off a losing season. He added to that four transfers one of whom is excellent and the other three are serviceable. He is working with a team that has similar talent to last year but is producing at a much higher level. My point is that he has done a good job as a coach but without retaining the core of the team he might have been looking at a long season. He has a strong recruiting class coming in.
He wasn't hired late he was hired right after NCAA's when most hires happen.
All that proves is there is more than one way to skin a cat. Who knows what would've happened if more players transferred out maybe he replaces them with even better players and they are much better than a bubble team.
See K-St. He replaced 11 out of 13 players and all of the staff and how has that worked out?
All I am saying is there is no magic formula. Get the coach. If Pitino retains EVERYONE and he thinks that is the best path, great. If he replaces everyone and 3/4 of the roster is overturned so be it.