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I will go with

1) DeJulius
2) MAW
3) KW
4) Dou
5) Vogt

Harvey is first guard off the bench and IRap first big man. Im not expecting a ton of minutes from any of the freshman other than I think Eason and Gabe M get about 15 minutes. I think scoring will be pretty balanced with KW leading the way at about 14-15 per game.

I don’t recall where, but I heard that Mason Madsen is the one brother that has been turning heads early with his hustle, defense, and versatility.

I’m excited to see what Brannen does this year. Last year was a weird transition year where he had to throw the roster together. We are being overlooked by most preseason previews, but I think we should be able to make the tournament if everything comes together. Still a lot of new parts as Brannen tries to get his that fit what he wants to do.

Will 18-7 get us in the NCAA tournament 14-6 in conference (4-1 non conference)?

Preliminary guess on the season...hope we go 20-5 and this team really gels but I see a talented roster that will take some time adjusting...with only 25 games (maybe less with COVID) we need to come out of the gate strong. Lipscomb, X, Furman, Tenn and UGA...4-1 there would be a good start and we need early AAC victories because our schedule is back loaded.

It's way to early to tell when you have this many new pieces, particularly with two veteran transfers, and a frosh bench for the most part. Lots and lots of wild cards, not to mention cancellations, et. al Will be interesting for everybody.

I'll go with:

1. DeJulius
2. Adams-Woods
3. Williams
4. Ivanauskas
5. Vogt

This year's team will be better and more consistent than last year's. Whether the starting five is as good as last year is certainly debatable, but the talent on the bench is much deeper. I think we'll see a lot of minutes for all of the non walk-ons with the possible exception of Lakhin.

I don't think Diarra is ready for the starting lineup yet.

I'll go with Rap's experience. Especially if he plays for us the way he played against us.

(11-22-2020 10:30 AM)Bear Catlett Wrote:  I don't think Diarra is ready for the starting lineup yet.

I'll go with Rap's experience. Especially if he plays for us the way he played against us.

Agree with this, although I believe Dou is ready for a big leap. What's the word on Davenport, by the way? Is he still going to be out to begin the year?

(11-22-2020 10:30 AM)Bear Catlett Wrote:  I don't think Diarra is ready for the starting lineup yet.

I'll go with Rap's experience. Especially if he plays for us the way he played against us.

I expect this team to be worse than last years team. With Covid limiting practices and early games, this season is going to favor teams that have veteran returning players more so than usual. We are going to have a lot of new faces, play quite a few freshmen and it is going to take awhile for them to gel. The short out of conference schedule and tough games is going to be pretty unforgiving.

Rap's game against us was the exception, not the rule. He has generally performed poorly against quality teams. I expect him to be similar to our experience historically with small school transfers moving up in competition. A quality 6th man, somewhat streaky and regularly having issues on defense. Much like Cane Broome or Jaevin Cumberland, he will have games he will take over on offense, but when he isn't playing great on offense, his defense will make him nearly unplayable at times.

I believe Dou will start because of his experience in the system and his defense. Vogt, Rap and Diarra will probably all average in the 20-25 minute range (possibly more if Davenport/Eason can't earn minutes). I expect Diarra to average the most minutes out of bigs because of his defense. Vogt and Rap need to have a major impact on offense to make up for their poor defense (unless one of them makes a big jump defensively), while Diarra can play solid defense and be enough of a threat from 3 to be playable on offense.

(11-22-2020 10:46 AM)skyblade Wrote:  

(11-22-2020 10:30 AM)Bear Catlett Wrote:  I don't think Diarra is ready for the starting lineup yet.

I'll go with Rap's experience. Especially if he plays for us the way he played against us.

I expect this team to be worse than last years team. With Covid limiting practices and early games, this season is going to favor teams that have veteran returning players more so than usual. We are going to have a lot of new faces, play quite a few freshmen and it is going to take awhile for them to gel. The short out of conference schedule and tough games is going to be pretty unforgiving.

Rap's game against us was the exception, not the rule. He has generally performed poorly against quality teams. I expect him to be similar to our experience historically with small school transfers moving up in competition. A quality 6th man, somewhat streaky and regularly having issues on defense. Much like Cane Broome or Jaevin Cumberland, he will have games he will take over on offense, but when he isn't playing great on offense, his defense will make him nearly unplayable at times.

I believe Dou will start because of his experience in the system and his defense. Vogt, Rap and Diarra will probably all average in the 20-25 minute range (possibly more if Davenport/Eason can't earn minutes). I expect Diarra to average the most minutes out of bigs because of his defense. Vogt and Rap need to have a major impact on offense to make up for their poor defense (unless one of them makes a big jump defensively), while Diarra can play solid defense and be enough of a threat from 3 to be playable on offense.

First Team All American Diarra! -hepblade.

(11-22-2020 11:07 AM)MickMack Wrote:  

(11-22-2020 10:46 AM)skyblade Wrote:  

(11-22-2020 10:30 AM)Bear Catlett Wrote:  I don't think Diarra is ready for the starting lineup yet.

I'll go with Rap's experience. Especially if he plays for us the way he played against us.

I expect this team to be worse than last years team. With Covid limiting practices and early games, this season is going to favor teams that have veteran returning players more so than usual. We are going to have a lot of new faces, play quite a few freshmen and it is going to take awhile for them to gel. The short out of conference schedule and tough games is going to be pretty unforgiving.

Rap's game against us was the exception, not the rule. He has generally performed poorly against quality teams. I expect him to be similar to our experience historically with small school transfers moving up in competition. A quality 6th man, somewhat streaky and regularly having issues on defense. Much like Cane Broome or Jaevin Cumberland, he will have games he will take over on offense, but when he isn't playing great on offense, his defense will make him nearly unplayable at times.

I believe Dou will start because of his experience in the system and his defense. Vogt, Rap and Diarra will probably all average in the 20-25 minute range (possibly more if Davenport/Eason can't earn minutes). I expect Diarra to average the most minutes out of bigs because of his defense. Vogt and Rap need to have a major impact on offense to make up for their poor defense (unless one of them makes a big jump defensively), while Diarra can play solid defense and be enough of a threat from 3 to be playable on offense.

First Team All American Diarra! -hepblade.

LOL, I sensed a familiar theme.

(11-22-2020 10:46 AM)skyblade Wrote:  

(11-22-2020 10:30 AM)Bear Catlett Wrote:  I don't think Diarra is ready for the starting lineup yet.

I'll go with Rap's experience. Especially if he plays for us the way he played against us.

I expect this team to be worse than last years team. With Covid limiting practices and early games, this season is going to favor teams that have veteran returning players more so than usual. We are going to have a lot of new faces, play quite a few freshmen and it is going to take awhile for them to gel. The short out of conference schedule and tough games is going to be pretty unforgiving.

Rap's game against us was the exception, not the rule. He has generally performed poorly against quality teams. I expect him to be similar to our experience historically with small school transfers moving up in competition. A quality 6th man, somewhat streaky and regularly having issues on defense. Much like Cane Broome or Jaevin Cumberland, he will have games he will take over on offense, but when he isn't playing great on offense, his defense will make him nearly unplayable at times.

I believe Dou will start because of his experience in the system and his defense. Vogt, Rap and Diarra will probably all average in the 20-25 minute range (possibly more if Davenport/Eason can't earn minutes). I expect Diarra to average the most minutes out of bigs because of his defense. Vogt and Rap need to have a major impact on offense to make up for their poor defense (unless one of them makes a big jump defensively), while Diarra can play solid defense and be enough of a threat from 3 to be playable on offense.

Of coarse you do, they run you away from Bearcat Talk....

Season Opening Lineup
PG - DDJ
SG - MAW
Wing -KW
PF - Rap
C -Vogt

Conference Tournament Lineup
PG - MAW
SG - ZH
Wing - KW
PF - Eason
C - Vogt

I think DDJ will end up being instant offense and a spark from the bench with Saunders and Rap / Dou bringing mismatches that will wear teams down. Having watched DDJ the last two seasons I love his offense but teams picked on him defensively...hopefully he takes a leap here in that regard and is a starter throughout the year...but right now I think MAW and ZH might give us more upside on both sides of the court. Looking forward to the season and hoping COVID does not derail it again.

DDJ
MAW to begin the season. Harvey will take over later in season
KW
Rap
vogt

I think when it is all said and done... Rap, Dou, and Vogt get about even minutes rotating between 4 and 5, but I think we are better off starting Dou because he is more versatile defensively. Hopefully he has bulked up.

Chatter is looking down and smiling on your lineups.

I feel like most years we usually have 2 or 3 starters written in stone before the season starts, and this year KW is the only guy I would classify that way. That should be kind of terrifying, but instead I'm just really intrigued/excited to see how all the new faces meld together.

(11-22-2020 04:59 PM)Crewdogz Wrote:  Chatter is looking down and smiling on your lineups.

yes he would have every different type of lineup (small, big, athletic, shooters), points, minutes, rebounds averages all figured out before the season tipped off.

(11-22-2020 05:10 PM)RuckleSt Wrote:  I feel like most years we usually have 2 or 3 starters written in stone before the season starts, and this year KW is the only guy I would classify that way. That should be kind of terrifying, but instead I'm just really intrigued/excited to see how all the new faces meld together.

I would say Vogt is pretty much a lock as well at this point.

MAW/KW/Rap/Vogt and....Eason

1) DDJ - I think he'll be our 2nd best playmaker behind Keith. There will be some growing pains with him adjusting to a new/bigger role but I think his talent will shine through most nights.

2) MAW - Not expecting to see a big year 1 to year 2 jump with him but I expect him to be consistent on both ends of the floor and hit a few shots each night.

3) Keith - No doubts about his ability at this point - he's absolutely ready to be The Man this year. Always did a great job of letting the game come to him on offense and I hope he keeps that same mindset while still being more assertive when necessary.

4) Rap - Think he'll be a high floor/low ceiling 3rd/4th option on offense and hopefully can use his experience to not be too much of a liability on defense. Would like to see Dou start here by season's end, but also recognize he may need time to develop into a consistent rotation player.

5) Vogt - Just need him to stay healthy and we'll get a solid ~25 minutes from him each night