Lineup Predictions

[basketball nut]

Here are a couple thoughts regarding next season's starting lineup...
just to show how hard it is and how totally inaccurate we all have been each of the past two years...

Back in the fall of 2006, we had a pick-em to see if anyone could win a prize by accurately picking the starting lineup for the first game.
Guess what.......we had 50 different guesses and NOT ONE was right, as nobody foresaw Jim Les' 4-guard starting lineup, so everyone struck out!

Then in 2007 we did it again!!
This time 53 people guessed 32 DIFFERENT COMBINATIONS of five players,
and still almost all got it wrong...two were right but one was sorta disqualified as he guessed twice.
http://www.bradleyfans.com/vb/showthread.php?t=4829
http://www.bradleyfans.com/vb/showthread.php?t=4829&page=5


Later this summer/fall we'll probably do it again, but let's wait and see what all personnel changes we might have.

I would have to agree completely on how can one even begin to guess what next years line up would consist of. Let's look back over the past few years.
3 years ago we were all excited because we would have MS, JC, DR, POB and some good incoming players, mainly junior college but they sounded good non the less. Then JC hit the soph brick wall and never recovered. By the end of the season many on here were ready to throw in the towel on JC.
2 years ago we thought we wouldn't have anything and many couldn't understand why JC even came back until the 1st game of the season when he goes off for 7 3's and we became one of the most prolific 3 point shooting teams in the country. ZA stepped up immensely when we wondered on the board if he could ever play more then 10 minutes w/o being in foul trouble but he ended up being an inside presence that all of us loved.
Then last year we were all excited because we had all these guys coming in that was taking us to the next level and it neve materialized like we thought. This was for many reasons starting w/ the fact they were new and it took time to gel together and get use to playing at this level. Yet w/ all the disapointments of this past year we also seen some great future things such as SM, TW and the one who may very well turn out to be the best that we have had here in a long time (since #24 Anthony Parker) and he even reminds many of AP whose # he wears and that is AW. Then the CBI brought even more glimpses of hope in DC whom I thought was a waste of time but is showing that he may be able to help out next year. He was a gliimer of light at the end of the tunnel for all of was who are wondering what we will have.
Basically it all depends on how hard each of these guys work this summer as to what we will reallly have next year but right now I wouldn't want to predict it as one never knows how hard a young man will work to improve himself. For JC 2 years ago it was taking lots of shots everyday and getting in top ph7ysical shape.
Who will be next years JC-Ican't even begin to predict.

 

[georgethedog]

Thornton may get that last scholarship...

 

[Stryker]

Your correct. Heck, last year at this time we were all predicting starts for guys that weren't even on the team at the scrimmage in October. I remember predicting that Fears and Brown would be starters. I'm not saying that anyone on this team is going to be leaving, but it is pretty early to be picking the starting line-up, even though it is a blast and I am going to do it right now anyways...

1) Sam Maniscalco getting somewhere around half the time to two thirds at PG. DD will probably get the rest of time as he is integrated into the offense. Look for more of DD in the non-conference season.

2) Warren will obviously be starting here, he will probably play 30 minutes a game if he can handle it. I expect great things from him next year, and hopefully a little more consistency from beyond the arc. I don't want to see him nail 3 3 pointers and then airball 2 more. I would rather see the other 2 bounce off the rim...! DD may get some playing time at the 2 spot, as he is large player and has ball handling skills.

3) HOPEFULLY we will see Wilson playing most of his time here. I think he will improve and hopefully average at least 13-14 pts a game. He had some really great games this year where he scored over 20, so I don't see that as unrealistic. Roberts may get some playing time behind Wilson.

------Scary thought ---- What if we see Egolf behind Wilson next year and actually coming in and hitting a shot from behind the arc?? I've been wondering how Egolf is going to be developed, I think he has a lot of speed and athleticism, if his shot improves I can see Les letting him shoot from outside more and maybe relieve Wilson.

4) Starting here should be Thompson. AT has an excellent mid-range jumper, I don't know if anyone has watched him close in warm-ups this year, but his stroke is pure. If he puts on enough weight he shouldn't have trouble posting up at the 4 spot. I imagine Austin relieving him here if Austin isn't in at the 5 spot. I think AT will hopefully play around 20 minutes or more as the year progresses. Look for Les to experiment with him in non-conference games moving him from the 4-5 spot and back again. Obviously look for Egolf here as well.

5) Either Sam Singh or Austin will get the start here. I don't see Sam getting alot of playing time as we have 2 bigs behind him. I think between the 4 and 5 spots we have a good 5 man rotation, so look for all of them to spend some time at the 4 and 5, except for Egolf, I can't see him at the 5 position.

 

[Out of Balance]

After the obvious three of Wilson, Warren and Maniscalco, I don't have a clue. New guys are always a crapshoot and none of the returning guys did nothing this year to get meaningful playing time when it was available.

I like that we have a lot of people contending to get those minutes. I hope some people emerge over the summer. Bradley needs to get away from this 6 or 7 man rotation if they are going to play effective uptempo basketball.

I do like that BU redshirted a player this year and I would like to see that continue next year.

Should of redshirted WE this yr. As he gained very little from the little playing time he got! He has alot of tools, but needs such help in all areas of his game! Sub again next yr. with a great future in his Jr. and Sr. yrs. He is a 4 and should focus only on that!!

 

[Out of Balance]

As of now, I would regard Thornton's status as a wild card for next year. He has the shot, but needs to prove that he can compete at this level to earn minutes.

I also think RT is a wild card but I know the guy can shoot and he has been well coached his entire life. Not sure he can rebound, but at 6'7" with a little more weight and work with RL could work into a 4. Hope this wild card helps!

 

[Out of Balance]

Bradley Slamma Jamma

Are you short minded about what SM did this year. SM will be the 1 next yr. As for DD I havn't seen him play.

 

[Da Coach]

This thread is about to be ended, as there are too many comments and speculations into areas that our rules prohibit.

Please avoid negative comments about players, and do not suggest, or predict that specific Bradley players will leave, transfer, lose their scholarships, etc.

 

[Bradleyguy10]

Your correct. Heck, last year at this time we were all predicting starts for guys that weren't even on the team at the scrimmage in October. I remember predicting that Fears and Brown would be starters. I'm not saying that anyone on this team is going to be leaving, but it is pretty early to be picking the starting line-up, even though it is a blast and I am going to do it right now anyways...

1) Sam Maniscalco getting somewhere around half the time to two thirds at PG. DD will probably get the rest of time as he is integrated into the offense. Look for more of DD in the non-conference season.

2) Warren will obviously be starting here, he will probably play 30 minutes a game if he can handle it. I expect great things from him next year, and hopefully a little more consistency from beyond the arc. I don't want to see him nail 3 3 pointers and then airball 2 more. I would rather see the other 2 bounce off the rim...! DD may get some playing time at the 2 spot, as he is large player and has ball handling skills.

3) HOPEFULLY we will see Wilson playing most of his time here. I think he will improve and hopefully average at least 13-14 pts a game. He had some really great games this year where he scored over 20, so I don't see that as unrealistic. Roberts may get some playing time behind Wilson.

------Scary thought ---- What if we see Egolf behind Wilson next year and actually coming in and hitting a shot from behind the arc?? I've been wondering how Egolf is going to be developed, I think he has a lot of speed and athleticism, if his shot improves I can see Les letting him shoot from outside more and maybe relieve Wilson.

4) Starting here should be Thompson. AT has an excellent mid-range jumper, I don't know if anyone has watched him close in warm-ups this year, but his stroke is pure. If he puts on enough weight he shouldn't have trouble posting up at the 4 spot. I imagine Austin relieving him here if Austin isn't in at the 5 spot. I think AT will hopefully play around 20 minutes or more as the year progresses. Look for Les to experiment with him in non-conference games moving him from the 4-5 spot and back again. Obviously look for Egolf here as well.

5) Either Sam Singh or Austin will get the start here. I don't see Sam getting alot of playing time as we have 2 bigs behind him. I think between the 4 and 5 spots we have a good 5 man rotation, so look for all of them to spend some time at the 4 and 5, except for Egolf, I can't see him at the 5 position.

Sorry but the first thing that stands out to me after reading this is no mention of DAVID COLLINS....you might not think he starts but to not even mentioning him...I think he could be a significant contributor next season, and his mid-range shot is like AT's, it's pretty. If WE can learn to calm down and just shoot the ball that'll be dangerous next season; a 4 knocking down 3's...how can you stop that? And AW can throw up as many air balls as he wants as long as he's making around 50% of them.