I predict this will be the starting lineup in the first game. Not that this is the starting lineup I would probably utilize, but who I think will start.

Devonte, Ben, James, Stetson and Gus. I'm not saying those players will play the most minutes at their positions, but I believe that's how things will begin. How they end up remains to be seen.

I have assumed that would be our Day One starting lineup since the end of last year. I doubt we will end the season with it, though.

(07-12-2014 04:40 PM)MICHAELSPAPPY Wrote:  I have assumed that would be our Day One starting lineup since the end of last year. I doubt we will end the season with it, though.

Agreed.

Someone may jump out later on, but you would assume that the veteran players would have a leg up early in the season.

(07-14-2014 07:17 AM)MICHAELSPAPPY Wrote:  Someone may jump out later on, but you would assume that the veteran players would have a leg up early in the season.

Especially Seniors who have been here all through their careers, like Ben and Gus. And Devonte is also a Senior who started and played most of last season.

Do you start someone just because they are seniors or do you start the player who deserve to start.

All else being equal, starting spots might go to seniors, but play time will go on ability. But even at that, I agree that I don't think being seniors will determine starters. I just figure the returning players are a jump ahead of the others early in the year, so they have a leg up. Later on in the season it's not as easy to figure. I will confidently predict, however, that not all our starters will be seniors! (How's that for confidence?)

I figure James' spot is the safest.

Watch out for Roger Woods. I think of all the incoming jucos he is the most likely to get extensive PT early on.

I suspect that there is a reason that the players who start are not always the players who get the most minutes. I am not a coach and not an expert by a long shot. But if I were a coach I would want players starting who are steady and who will not let the game get out of hand early on, until I can get a feel for how things are going. Is the opposing coach throwing out anything new? Are any players out of sync that night? Etc. Then when I see how the land lies, I feed in the reserves where I need them.

Some players make things happen, but the things they make happen are not always predictable. And I do want to be sure the right things happening early. And this is PURELY guess, but if J. T., DeVonte and Ben are starters most of the time, that could be the reason, even though they do not get the most minutes.

(07-15-2014 05:23 AM)MICHAELSPAPPY Wrote:  All else being equal, starting spots might go to seniors, but play time will go on ability. But even at that, I agree that I don't think being seniors will determine starters. I just figure the returning players are a jump ahead of the others early in the year, so they have a leg up. Later on in the season it's not as easy to figure. I will confidently predict, however, that not all our starters will be seniors! (How's that for confidence?)

I figure James' spot is the safest.

Watch out for Roger Woods. I think of all the incoming jucos he is the most likely to get extensive PT early on.

Woods sounds like he could really help us. But the reason I predicted the starting lineup as I did was not just because the guys are Seniors, but because they started most of the games last year. Well Devonte and Ben did, and Gus was steady when he could stay out of foul trouble. I find it interesting that some are ready to concede the starting point guard spot to J.T. Yes he started early, but when Devonte took over, he injected a new spark that J.T. didn't have, IMO. And Devonte now has nearly a full year of experience at the D1 level. My hope would be that they could redshirt J.T. this year, and save him for next year when D is gone. Josh can adequately fill in at the point when D needs a breather, when he's not playing the two spot. We do have a lot of nice options this season.

J.T. got a redshirt for last year. He can't redshirt again. I like Devonte because he plays hard and is a good defender. But to me he is a good back up to J.T. or Josh, not many times did he attacked the basket and create an easy shot for someone else. Don't get me wrong he is a good player but don't have true point guard mentality. The position is not just having the ball in your hands and dribbling, it's a frame of mind.

[quote='Isolater' pid='10908442' dateline='1405458726']
J.T. got a redshirt for last year. He can't redshirt again. I like Devonte because he plays hard and is a good defender. But to me he is a good back up to J.T. or Josh, not many times did he attacked the basket and create an easy shot for someone else. Don't get me wrong he is a good player but don't have true point guard mentality. The position is not just having the ball in your hands and dribbling, it's a frame of mind.

If J.T. received a redshirt, then he has two years left, correct? If that's true, we could be set for the next two seasons at the point.

He did receive a redshirt and have 2 years left.

(07-15-2014 04:42 PM)Isolater Wrote:  He did receive a redshirt and have 2 years left.

That's good news. Two good point guards this year (three if you count Josh) and two next year. J.T. and Josh, and maybe a newcomer. Can't have too many good point guards.