Wholeheartedly agree about Wilson: In my view he's a situational player who could play the 4 given the matchup (especially when we're on offense) but should be primarily at the 3 spot backing up AJ. I don't think this role diminishes Lester's value whatsoever - he's a critical piece to this year's team.

Based on (VERY) limited data, this would be my depth chart with the first player listed as the starter:
Devin, Petey, Desonta
Rashawn, Jalen
AJ, Lester, Desonta
Tommy Williams/Bates/Banks
Giplaye/Bates/Overstreet (If Bartow can give Overstreet 10 minutes regularly -- history indicates that Overstreet's minutes will be mop-up only -- I feel strongly that Overstreet should be redshirted. It's not worth a year of eligibility if Karl is just going to play spotty minutes).

I really do think you have to make a strategic decision about either Merriweather or Wilson starting at 3 and drop the 4 guard failing mentality. Bartow's preference for upperclassmen would suggest Wilson, but Merriweather does as much or more practically and the upside looks greater.

But envision Petey, Rashawn, AJ, Lester, and Bates. The point guard won't shoot, won't finish reliably at the rim at times, won't really rebound but will defend well. Rashawn will put up high points and defend well, but again will likely be a modest rebounder. Lester will shoot a lot and go through his slumps, hopefully score well most nights, but will be quiet rebounding and on defense other nights if he shows the same colors - against bigger matchups (which will be common) will at times be outscored and largely outrebounded for a net loss as far as productivity - will be set up for failure, and then Bartow's nagging criticism that kills a player - that's what I am suggesting.

The one big, Bates, will provide defense, mainly, and hopefully at least average rebounding for his size - he will hopefully prevent some points allowed and help us get the ball for others to score. But not going to dazzle. And overall, your starting 5 will be on average something like 6'3 203 lbs. Rotating only one big at a time, that average will stay fairly constant. I'll hazard a guess that this will just barely be larger than Wofford's starting 5 and otherwise the smallest lineup in the conference.

So you'll have one player at legitimate size to guard the post and rebound on defense, by no means the kind of stud you need if he's your only big on the court, this actual player setting picks and rebounding on offense mainly. Four players running around the perimeter mostly, not enough penetration (leading to assists, that is), no one in place to rebound on offense most of the time. And, ultimately, three hot hands (or merely hot heads on a given night) jacking up shots at any given moment in the game. Depending on who's in, it could be four "hot hands". Sub in Jaylen at point for that effect (I see the same logic for Wilson starting at 4 leading to Jaylen being put in at point - it happened last year, it will happen at some point this year because he's a senior and must play 35+ minutes a game so help me, Bartow). There will be minimal cutting, passing, ball rotation - but a lot of one on one.

Bartow wants Jaylen Riley to score 18 points a game. Bartow wants Rashawn, presumably, to score another 16-18 points a game. Bartow must be assuming Lester will put up 15-18 per game with more minutes....is this realistic to expect three guards scoring 15+ per game each with no one rebounding on offense, each player making his own shot, the inefficiency that follows the incomplete system and one on one? Will AJ still get his 10/game in, or suffer the sophomore slump on offense? And when teams scout and learn they can safely back off of Petey and double-team whoever's hot, then what? I don't see it working regularly enough to win the season, definitely not against bigger, longer match ups - and especially not out of conference against the better teams we'll see.

Sorry, really not trying to be pessimistic about the season already. But very concerned by that mess of a scrimmage and the growing feeling that we will be seeing a flawed starting 5 leading to lots of aimless variations on the guard/undersized theme. No indication that defense or rebounding is still the focus, what most everyone agrees is the achilles hill. Maybe Milligan will be a modest test to recalibrate the focus - they do have a couple 6'8 upperclassmen - but it won't be a simulation of real matchups.

(10-30-2014 09:07 PM)Bucfaithful Wrote:  Here are my surface observations from tonight's scrimmage:

• Giplaye looked trim and in great shape
• Overstreet runs the floor well and doesn't seem reluctant to mix it up
• I like Tommy Williams a great deal - he's athletic and has an AJ-like motor.
• Bates has size and moved better than I thought he would.
• Desonta has a prototypical basketball physique to go long with length and athleticism.
  

I'm eagerly awaiting Monday's game against Milligan.

I like your positivity! My big areas of concern for our move to FH are the SOUND SYSTEM and SCOREBOARD. I did not like having to look to the corners for the score. But these are both easily addressed.

GO BUCS!

Sound system and scoreboard improvements would have an immediate impact on the experience. I hope at some point this season they are able to get 4,000-5,000 in for a good game - crowd volume could be pretty intense for the space. And to touch on an earlier comment, the branding helps already. Looking forward to Monday, even if it is just Milligan. Would like to see some energy out of the team, and everyone getting some minutes for consideration!