The unofficial online home for fans of the University of Cincinnati Bearcats. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

(04-09-2022 10:04 AM)Bear Catlett Wrote:  It may be early in the process but the fact that we still have zero (0) additions gives me the impression that nobody was chomping at the bit to join our team.

However, I'm not here to bury Miller. I'll see what he can pull off.

The big kid from ODU was in town the past couple days for an on campus visit. Remember the deadline to be eligible for Fall is you have to be signed by 5/1 this year vs 7/1 so there will be a ton of signings the next several weeks. There are still kids hitting the portal.

https://www.pilotonline.com/sports/vp-sp...story.html

https://twitter.com/cdortch/status/15120...OI9vspAAAA

So, three more weeks. Not panic time just yet.

Best Case Scenario:

Starters

PG: Phinisee - Stays healthy and returns to a 35% 3PT shooter
SG: DDJ - Becomes more efficient offensively across the board due to less defensive attention
SF: Nolley - Leading scorer shoots 39% or better from 3
PF: Davenport - Vast improves shot selection, becomes a more physical rebounder
C: Ezikpe - Averages double digit rebounds

Bench

Newman - First sub off the bench for POS 2-4 - gets starter minutes
Lahkin - Plays more under control, limits foul trouble
Oguama - See Lahkin
MAW - 10-15 mpg - hopefully only shoots wide open looks
Hensley - 10-15 mpg - plays more under control
Reed - Freshmen TBD
Skillings - Freshmen TBD
Solentino - Probably RS

Note: The roster looks long but lacking big men. I wouldn't be surprised if we played a lot of 4 "guard" offense throughout the year.

I know I'm not going to get much agreement but my predictions.

Starters
PG: DDJ - he's better as a creator and distributor for others than as a scorer. MAW/Phinisee are the weakest link among possible starters.
SG: Newman - There's not much he doesn't do better than MAW/Phinisee.
SF: Nolley - Continues to be a streaky shooter, but gets better at taking it to the hoop instead of taking jumpers. Between that and his passing he's a real threat on offense.
PF: Davenport - improves his shot selection, handle and post-up game and becomes our best scorer.
C: Vik - The game slows down for him and his massive potential starts to shine through.

Bench
MAW - 15-20 minutes per game, first guard off the bench, three point shooting improves a little with getting more open looks.
Ody - 15-20 minutes per game, first big off the bench.
Ezikpe - 5-10 minutes per game, his poor defense limits his minutes and he doesn't rebound as well as Ody/Lakhin (especially not on the offensive end).
Hensley - 15-20 minutes per game, starts to look and feel more confident. Stops playing not to make mistakes and plays to make plays.
Phinisee - 10-15 minutes per game, pretty much rotates with MAW as backup PG. Still can't shoot.
Reed/Skillings - may end up sneaking in quite a few minutes especially later in the season. Our lack of shooters leaves room for guys who can make threes to play and Reed/Skillings may be those guys. I'd bet on Reed over Skillings initially. Skillings has more potential, but he's going to struggle more on defense. Reed I think will slot in more quickly as a 3-and-D guy.
Tolentino - RS barring something crazy.

(04-28-2022 01:13 PM)skyblade Wrote:  I know I'm not going to get much agreement but my predictions.

Starters
PG: DDJ - he's better as a creator and distributor for others than as a scorer. MAW/Phinisee are the weakest link among possible starters.
SG: Newman - There's not much he doesn't do better than MAW/Phinisee.
SF: Nolley - Continues to be a streaky shooter, but gets better at taking it to the hoop instead of taking jumpers. Between that and his passing he's a real threat on offense.
PF: Davenport - improves his shot selection, handle and post-up game and becomes our best scorer.
C: Vik - The game slows down for him and his massive potential starts to shine through.

Bench
MAW - 15-20 minutes per game, first guard off the bench, three point shooting improves a little with getting more open looks.
Ody - 15-20 minutes per game, first big off the bench.
Ezikpe - 5-10 minutes per game, his poor defense limits his minutes and he doesn't rebound as well as Ody/Lakhin (especially not on the offensive end).
Hensley - 15-20 minutes per game, starts to look and feel more confident. Stops playing not to make mistakes and plays to make plays.
Phinisee - 10-15 minutes per game, pretty much rotates with MAW as backup PG. Still can't shoot.
Reed/Skillings - may end up sneaking in quite a few minutes especially later in the season. Our lack of shooters leaves room for guys who can make threes to play and Reed/Skillings may be those guys. I'd bet on Reed over Skillings initially. Skillings has more potential, but he's going to struggle more on defense. Reed I think will slot in more quickly as a 3-and-D guy.
Tolentino - RS barring something crazy.

Why do you continue to start guys in spots they will not playing in the majority of minutes. DDJ isn’t playing PG outside a few spot minutes, Newman isn’t a 2.

I would be shocked if this comes even close to the staring five or minute breakdown.

I think it almost certainly will be
PG Phinesee
SG DDJ
SF Nolley

I'm pretty sure JD will start at PF.

I think the Center starting spot is up for grabs depending on who develops. Ezikpe will start if neither Vik nor Ody make significant leaps. If Ody and/or Vik make a big leap I could see 2 of Ezikpe/Ody/Vik starting at the 4/5 and using JD as instant offense off the bench...trying to maximize his minutes against backup 4s, but that really depends on trusting 2 of the three bigs.

(04-28-2022 01:18 PM)UCBearcatlawjd2 Wrote:  

(04-28-2022 01:13 PM)skyblade Wrote:  I know I'm not going to get much agreement but my predictions.

Starters
PG: DDJ - he's better as a creator and distributor for others than as a scorer. MAW/Phinisee are the weakest link among possible starters.
SG: Newman - There's not much he doesn't do better than MAW/Phinisee.
SF: Nolley - Continues to be a streaky shooter, but gets better at taking it to the hoop instead of taking jumpers. Between that and his passing he's a real threat on offense.
PF: Davenport - improves his shot selection, handle and post-up game and becomes our best scorer.
C: Vik - The game slows down for him and his massive potential starts to shine through.

Bench
MAW - 15-20 minutes per game, first guard off the bench, three point shooting improves a little with getting more open looks.
Ody - 15-20 minutes per game, first big off the bench.
Ezikpe - 5-10 minutes per game, his poor defense limits his minutes and he doesn't rebound as well as Ody/Lakhin (especially not on the offensive end).
Hensley - 15-20 minutes per game, starts to look and feel more confident. Stops playing not to make mistakes and plays to make plays.
Phinisee - 10-15 minutes per game, pretty much rotates with MAW as backup PG. Still can't shoot.
Reed/Skillings - may end up sneaking in quite a few minutes especially later in the season. Our lack of shooters leaves room for guys who can make threes to play and Reed/Skillings may be those guys. I'd bet on Reed over Skillings initially. Skillings has more potential, but he's going to struggle more on defense. Reed I think will slot in more quickly as a 3-and-D guy.
Tolentino - RS barring something crazy.

Why do you continue to start guys in spots they will not playing in the majority of minutes. DDJ isn’t playing PG outside a few spot minutes, Newman isn’t a 2.

I would be shocked if this comes even close to the staring five or minute breakdown.

Wes is building a roster to compete in the 23/24 seasons and beyond. I can't see next year being a whole lot different than this year. So regardless of who is starting, I'd like to see the younger guys get a good bulk of the minutes. DDJ and MAW are great guys who stuck with the program so their efforts are greatly appreciated. But they aren't the future and aren't guys I really even want mentoring for the future.

(04-28-2022 02:28 PM)bearcatmark Wrote:  I think it almost certainly will be
PG Phinesee
SG DDJ
SF Nolley

I'm pretty sure JD will start at PF.

I think the Center starting spot is up for grabs depending on who develops. Ezikpe will start if neither Vik nor Ody make significant leaps. If Ody and/or Vik make a big leap I could see 2 of Ezikpe/Ody/Vik starting at the 4/5 and using JD as instant offense off the bench...trying to maximize his minutes against backup 4s, but that really depends on trusting 2 of the three bigs.

If we assume DDJ won't play PG, then I think it could go either way between MAW/Phinisee. I'd put the odds slightly in MAW's favor (60%) for his chance of starting. He's taller, longer and a slightly better shooter.

Newman/Nolley could also go either way. It might make sense to have Newman start as a defense first guy and bring Nolley off the bench in order to maximize the minutes that either DDJ or Nolley are on the court. Might makes sense to have Nolley start and Newman be the first guy off the bench to bring defensive pressure and rebounding. Last year Wes started the better defender/rebounder (MAW) and brought the offensive guy (Saunders) off the bench. Regardless I think they get more or less equal minutes.

Davenport I think is hard to sit unless we get other guys to up their three point shooting. He is our only proven sharpshooter. Teams are going to try to pack it in against us and Davenport is the one guy who can reliably force them to stretch the defense (at least to cover him).

I agree, but I expect significant leaps from Vik/Ody/Hensley. I think Ezikpe is the safety net in case they don't or somebody gets injured. Ezikpe isn't that good, but at least he a veteran if the other guys don't pan out.

(04-28-2022 02:45 PM)skyblade Wrote:  

(04-28-2022 02:28 PM)bearcatmark Wrote:  I think it almost certainly will be
PG Phinesee
SG DDJ
SF Nolley

I'm pretty sure JD will start at PF.

I think the Center starting spot is up for grabs depending on who develops. Ezikpe will start if neither Vik nor Ody make significant leaps. If Ody and/or Vik make a big leap I could see 2 of Ezikpe/Ody/Vik starting at the 4/5 and using JD as instant offense off the bench...trying to maximize his minutes against backup 4s, but that really depends on trusting 2 of the three bigs.

If we assume DDJ won't play PG, then I think it could go either way between MAW/Phinisee. I'd put the odds slightly in MAW's favor (60%) for his chance of starting. He's taller, longer and a slightly better shooter.

Newman/Nolley could also go either way. It might make sense to have Newman start as a defense first guy and bring Nolley off the bench in order to maximize the minutes that either DDJ or Nolley are on the court. Might makes sense to have Nolley start and Newman be the first guy off the bench to bring defensive pressure and rebounding. Last year Wes started the better defender/rebounder (MAW) and brought the offensive guy (Saunders) off the bench. Regardless I think they get more or less equal minutes.

Davenport I think is hard to sit unless we get other guys to up their three point shooting. He is our only proven sharpshooter. Teams are going to try to pack it in against us and Davenport is the one guy who can reliably force them to stretch the defense (at least to cover him).

I agree, but I expect significant leaps from Vik/Ody/Hensley. I think Ezikpe is the safety net in case they don't or somebody gets injured. Ezikpe isn't that good, but at least he a veteran if the other guys don't pan out.

I think MAW and Newman will be second unit guys to bring the young players along. i think there is a need to have some experience in that second group.

I think MAW is going to be better next year. With Phinisee probably the starter at PG, MAW can be the backup and log more minutes at the 2. His shooting has to get better, it can’t get any worse, can it?

(04-28-2022 02:54 PM)UCBearcatlawjd2 Wrote:  

(04-28-2022 02:45 PM)skyblade Wrote:  

(04-28-2022 02:28 PM)bearcatmark Wrote:  I think it almost certainly will be
PG Phinesee
SG DDJ
SF Nolley

I'm pretty sure JD will start at PF.

I think the Center starting spot is up for grabs depending on who develops. Ezikpe will start if neither Vik nor Ody make significant leaps. If Ody and/or Vik make a big leap I could see 2 of Ezikpe/Ody/Vik starting at the 4/5 and using JD as instant offense off the bench...trying to maximize his minutes against backup 4s, but that really depends on trusting 2 of the three bigs.

If we assume DDJ won't play PG, then I think it could go either way between MAW/Phinisee. I'd put the odds slightly in MAW's favor (60%) for his chance of starting. He's taller, longer and a slightly better shooter.

Newman/Nolley could also go either way. It might make sense to have Newman start as a defense first guy and bring Nolley off the bench in order to maximize the minutes that either DDJ or Nolley are on the court. Might makes sense to have Nolley start and Newman be the first guy off the bench to bring defensive pressure and rebounding. Last year Wes started the better defender/rebounder (MAW) and brought the offensive guy (Saunders) off the bench. Regardless I think they get more or less equal minutes.

Davenport I think is hard to sit unless we get other guys to up their three point shooting. He is our only proven sharpshooter. Teams are going to try to pack it in against us and Davenport is the one guy who can reliably force them to stretch the defense (at least to cover him).

I agree, but I expect significant leaps from Vik/Ody/Hensley. I think Ezikpe is the safety net in case they don't or somebody gets injured. Ezikpe isn't that good, but at least he a veteran if the other guys don't pan out.

I think MAW and Newman will be second unit guys to bring the young players along. i think there is a need to have some experience in that second group.

Agreed. A second unit of MAW, Skillings, Newman, Reed, (Big) would make sense to get them substantial minutes. You're gonna have to play Skillings and Reed minutes this year to keep em happy going into year two. The days of freshman playing 4 minutes a game are over.