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Next year's starting lineup

BUBrave28 said:
If the WE can shoot rumors are true here's what I would do - even though I know it won't happen:

SM
AW
CR
WE
SS
Click to expand...

Considering how different WE looked as a freshman trying to learn to play the 4, and a sophomore playing his natural position at the 5... I'll be happy to see WE at the 5 from now on.
 
I've noticed that several people have suggested scenarios with an eleven or even twelve man rotation. Looking at the individual players, barring no one leaving the program or getting injured, I could see any one of the twelve scholarship players getting decent playing time. But on the other hand I can't imagine Jim Les playing more ten people regularly. It seems to me even if all goes well a couple of people will get bumped out, probably officially for not performing in practice.
 
epistibrain said:
I've noticed that several people have suggested scenarios with an eleven or even twelve man rotation. Looking at the individual players, barring no one leaving the program or getting injured, I could see any one of the twelve scholarship players getting decent playing time. But on the other hand I can't imagine Jim Les playing more ten people regularly. It seems to me even if all goes well a couple of people will get bumped out, probably officially for not performing in practice.
Click to expand...

Good observation. It certainly seems that the 11-12 player rotation might be more possible than in previous years, but there always seems to be something holding a few back (for instance JC's sophmore year)

and, of course,I'm beginning my yearly ritual hoping to use more height (even pre S16 I wondered if MS would ever get to play his more natural 3), only to see smaller teams on the court.
 
ph said:
Good observation. It certainly seems that the 11-12 player rotation might be more possible than in previous years, but there always seems to be something holding a few back (for instance JC's sophmore year)

and, of course,I'm beginning my yearly ritual hoping to use more height (even pre S16 I wondered if MS would ever get to play his more natural 3), only to see smaller teams on the court.
Click to expand...

It will be a 9-10 at the most man rotation. About going really big, I doubt it because EM is our best guard at defense and really hounds the other teams point guard and if he develops a 3 point shot this summer he will be special, SM is our 2nd best pure shooter and with AW at the 3 he will only improve. JL likes a team that can shoot and play D and unless DD or CR takes SM's spot I doubt if we'll start a bigger team. We did try to press this year a bit and it did not work. I'm not sure of why but I'd guess the biggest reason was because of all the new guys did not know where to go and our big was not quick enough to protect the basket. Going big to me for this team would be:

SM or EM at the 1
AW - 2
CR - DD - TB -3
JP - 4
SS or WE - 5

The following year when we add JW we should deploy a constant pressuring team.
 
I shy from hypothetical situations.... but I'd like to say that this is the first time in a very long time that I legitimately feel like there is a shortage of minutes for bodies. This lends itself to a couple simple conclusions. 1. Some players might be miffed, or, alternatively, might recognize the situation and work extra hard to fight for time over the summer, thus leading to an overall improved team.. the corollary of this is that a player like AT might become alienated and leave the program (I hope he stays)... 2. The "oh boo-hoo we're Bradley and we're always hurt" excuses should (but won't) stop from the fans, 3. An aggressive style of defense will be viable with a glut of big men to absorb fouls, 4. An extensive array of different looks might cause problems for opponents... this could help AW and SM get more open shots and take pressure off their weaknesses. 5. We'd better win the conference with everyone (including myself) salivating like Pavlovian dogs whenever anyone mentions this roster.
 
After seeing J.P. play I don't see how he doesn't start. After watching Butler play last night I think he is as good as there big man Howard right now.

I've never been as excited about any freshman as I am about him.
 
We have no shortage of experience from the 1-3 position but the 4-5 position, we do not really have the experience to say we have depth. If JP can play right away and MK can also step up that would be huge but I do not expect it right away.

4 - TB Soph. J, MK Fr.
5 - SS super Sr., WE - Soph. coming off a serious injury, AT Soph and unknown

I do feel better about our bigs this coming year then last year but there is a lot of work this summer to get them up to speed. Our best outcome over the summer would be for WE to come back healthy and stronger, someone lights a fire under AT, TB develops a consistent mid-range because he has talent and rebounds like no one else on the team, JP is even much better then anyone relies, MK is the answer for a big that can shoot over a zone and SS develops another speed and does not get injured.

This is all possible but we'll probably still be a team that depends on our guards to score and make things happen for another year and then the following year we should have the balance on this team to be really special. I also predict if there are no injuries that this team has the capability of doing some spectacular things come Feb. - Mar. I just do not expect to much from these guys early on unless the back court is truly much better then I even dream of.:)
 
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