3-5 Next Year

[Bearcat22]

I keep trying to come up with roster combinations for how I hope the team looks at the end of next season. I really skewed to some of the younger guys:

PG: Caupain - JDIII & Johnson getting good minutes
SG: SK - Sanders, Morman, and Johnson backing up
SF: Shaq - Morman & Sanders getting minutes here too
PF: Lawrence - Rubles and Jackson off the bench (great energy players and more suited as role players)
C: Strickland - Jackson, Nyrasuk, and Gaines backing up

I like the idea of Rubles and Jackson off the bench. We haven't had the wealth of players to have true role players like days of Terry Nelson or AD Jackson. I feel like Guyn gets a little lost in the shuffle here.

We need one of the new guys to take the reins early to provide leadership and attitude. I'm sure I missed a bunch of stuff but it's fun to think about.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

So you didn't see those things in JDIII but you've seen enough in Johnson, Morman, and Caupain to say that they need to be the PG?

I see good things in JDIII but with his injury I'm not sure how he has progressed. I think his speed and quickness is underrated. I think he is pretty quick with the ball and his pretty fast when pushing the ball up the court. He isn't overly athletic but that isn't a big concern of mine as he at least has a pretty strong frame.

Cronin has never been one to use freshman and live with their mistakes therefore I find it very hard to believe that any of the incoming guards are going to step in and be the PG. These aren't 5* recruits.

theLonghaul I am hoping one of the new guys step up and am putting my faith in Mick that he new Cash was leaving and his potential replacement is not on current team.. If we are forced to go with Guyn or JDIII as PG next year in my opinion it will not end well. I do know JDIII was told after year 1 that he needed to work on his left hand. PG's need to dribble with two hands. i want one who already knows how. i also want one that is quick and gets in the lane and to the rim. My limited observations of JDIII tells me that is not his game. when both he and guyn were healthy their frehmen year JDIII was not played at PG. If he showed the ability them he would have been playing it his first year not transitioning after his soph. Just my opinion.

 

[CaptDale]

I'd like to see JD3 enter the pg picture. He is a good passer but needs to make better decisions. He is the one guy on the team I think can shoot consistently right now.

My hope is Jamaree Strickland in good enough to start.

PG - Think it's wide open. Davis probably gives you better offenssive options, but I will not be surprised if Caupain or KJ started.
SG - It's SK if he stays. Maybe JD3 or Sanders after.
SF - Thomas and I think Lawrence will play the 3 some as well
PF - Rubles early but think if he transitions well Lawrence will take over.
C - Strickland

Frankly, I am very excited about the new guards and I think they will be UC's best collective backcourt players in time. Mormon is the sleeper to me and he could see time at 2 positions. Bottom line is I think 2 of the young guys will see floor time in the backcourt between the 1, 2, 3 positions.

Bottom line is I'm really not sure how this will play out. I do think UC will be better than some on here think.

What we can guess is we're going to have a young, inexperienced lineup - that's pretty much a given.

 

[L-T]

What we've learned thus far about Mick's recruits, is that they often sound better on paper, than they actually turn out to be once they get here. Shaq Thomas is a perfect example. We were led to believe that last year's team lost a lot when he had to sit out. We all kind of expected him to come in this year and be a force. As it played out, he was a pretty insignificant contributor. Don't get me wrong, he has loads of potential and I really like him, but he is a work-in-process. I fully expect it to be his junior year before we reap real benefits out of him. I hope he is a big contributor next year, but he'll have to really work in the off-season to get there. We'll see.

Because of what we've seen with all these 3-star recruits, they don't get here ready to be a force. Thus, I don't expect these new guys to come in any different. I think we'll be better off working on the guys everyone seems to hate....some of our current veterens and try to improve their skills. I hope the new recruits come in and dominate, but I'm not counting on it. Lawrence is rated higher than the others, so he may be the exception.

 

[TheLongHaul]

theLonghaul I am hoping one of the new guys step up and am putting my faith in Mick that he new Cash was leaving and his potential replacement is not on current team.. If we are forced to go with Guyn or JDIII as PG next year in my opinion it will not end well. I do know JDIII was told after year 1 that he needed to work on his left hand. PG's need to dribble with two hands. i want one who already knows how. i also want one that is quick and gets in the lane and to the rim. My limited observations of JDIII tells me that is not his game. when both he and guyn were healthy their frehmen year JDIII was not played at PG. If he showed the ability them he would have been playing it his first year not transitioning after his soph. Just my opinion.

I agree with you on pretty much everything but I will say that you don't necessarily have to be quick to get into the lane. Even when Cash was at his quickest he refused/hesitated to get in the lane and when he did/does he shies away from contact. Steve Logan got in the lane all the time and he wasn't quick. You have to have good handles (which our guards don't have), good awareness (which only SK has), and you have to be either quick or strong.

I'm not saying JDIII is any of those but just because he isn't lightning quick doesn't mean he can't get in the lane. I think he was decent at it as a freshman. He has a big body for a guard and that helps. Though I agree he needs to get better at the left hand. Hopefully Caupain is the long term answer I just don't think he'll be the short term answer.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

What we've learned thus far about Mick's recruits, is that they often sound better on paper, than they actually turn out to be once they get here. Shaq Thomas is a perfect example. We were led to believe that last year's team lost a lot when he had to sit out. We all kind of expected him to come in this year and be a force. As it played out, he was a pretty insignificant contributor. Don't get me wrong, he has loads of potential and I really like him, but he is a work-in-process. I fully expect it to be his junior year before we reap real benefits out of him. I hope he is a big contributor next year, but he'll have to really work in the toff-season to get there. We'll see.

Because of what we've seen with all these 3-star recruits, they don't get here ready to be a force. Thus, I don't expect these new guys to come in any different. I think we'll be better off working on the guys everyone seems to hate....some of our current veterens and try to improve their skills. I hope the new recruits come in and dominate, but I'm not counting on it. Lawrence is rated higher than the others, so he may be the exception.

L-T I think we need a combination of all your thoughts. Old guys improving and new stepping into roles. I never thought Shaquille would be. Force. He still needs at least 25 lbs. he does show promise but needs a lot of physical improvements. Talent is evident though.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

We really just need one guy from the class of 2013 to step up and be a double digit scorer. I think someone like Caupain or Lawrence is more than capable. I mean look at Georgetown this year: they start Trawick, Porter, and Hopkins who are all sophomores and Starks who is a JR. It is not like any of those three were top 10 recruits, they were all solid top 50-100 guys. I would just like for once to have an impact freshman, I thought we might get one from the 2011 class but that has been basically a bust class half way through their careers.

 

[Scheids21]

Don't forget Shaq is technically part of that class.

 

[CaptDale]

L-T I think we need a combination of all your thoughts. Old guys improving and new stepping into roles. I never thought Shaquille would be. Force. He still needs at least 25 lbs. he does show promise but needs a lot of physical improvements. Talent is evident though.

I think Shaq is going to turn into our go-to guy once he learns to put some arc on his shot. Those flat jumpers just don't hack it. But he plays with energy and enthusiasm, and that's what's needed on this team.

 

[L-T]

There's one issue that has been ongoing with Mick. He doesn't recruit shooters. And, he doesn't seem to be able to develop ok shooters into great shooters either. When's the last time we had a "lights out" shooter? You almost have to go back to Steve Logan. That's a long time. I guess that is why he emphasizes defense...no shooters, no inside game!

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

There's one issue that has been ongoing with Mick. He doesn't recruit shooters. And, he doesn't seem to be able to develop ok shooters into great shooters either. When's the last time we had a "lights out" shooter? You almost t on the roshave to go back to Steve Logan. That's a long time. I guess that is why he emphasizes defense...no shooters, no inside game!

i think he emphasizes D because the guys he coached under are Huggins and Pitino have a rule you don't guard you don't play. Your shot maybe off some nights but you better guard every night. SK went from Hugh school slasher to very good shooter. I think you'll see starting with this class a growth in talent on the roster. When your not a coach with a rep it takes awhile to attract top players. Mick has shown steady improvement in that area.

 

[jrich0323]

im excited to not have a LOT of pressure on us again. Lots of young guys coming in, new conference, and we have room to grow and develop. Love our current team and im proud of everything jaquon, cash, and mbodj have done but its time to get a new wave of guys in here.

 

[Amberlycolonel]

im excited to not have a LOT of pressure on us again. Lots of young guys coming in, new conference, and we have room to grow and develop. Love our current team and im proud of everything jaquon, cash, and mbodj have done but its time to get a new wave of guys in here.

Well put. The only thing that concerns me will be Cronin's habit of playing seniors (with the exception of the walk on) more than they deserve. Use Rubles as a 6th man and Jackson as a breather man off the bench and good things will happen. If we see 3 freshmen starting, it will be an exciting year. The league will be a cake walk and we easily could see 26 wins, considering our notoriously easy OOC each season.

 

[mdchick]

Well put. The only thing that concerns me will be Cronin's habit of playing seniors (with the exception of the walk on) more than they deserve. Use Rubles as a 6th man and Jackson as a breather man off the bench and good things will happen. If we see 3 freshmen starting, it will be an exciting year. The league will be a cake walk and we easily could see 26 wins, considering our notoriously easy OOC each season.

Rubles is starting this year, there is noway he won't start next year, I really do like the new recruiting class coming in and i think they will all get significant playing time, but lets not count our chickens before they hatch

 

[dbieon12]

If SK does stay I would like

SK
Shaq
Lawrence
Rubles
JJ

All of those guys can handle the basketball well besides jackson. Rubles and Sk can just bring the ball up the court and they would murder on the glass.

I know this probably wouldn't be the line-up but I would honestly really like to see them play together

I disagree about the 5 chosen when it comes to ball-handling (particularly in half-court). There is a reason Cronin has recruited so many guards, red-shirted Jeremiah Davis III, and given time to Guyn this year.

I would expect:

Guyn / Davis III / Recruit
Kilpatrick / Thomas / Recruit
Rubles / Thomas / Sanders / Lawrence
Jackson / Lawrence
Nyarsuk / Jackson / Strickland

There are 11-12 players in the above depth chart. I do agree that a lot of players are position agnostic so this should be looked at as one possibility. Depending on size, Cronin might slide up or down players.

I personally wouldn't mind having Gaines return. He honestly needs more practice and playing time to improve but could be a good addition to the bench.

 

[jrich0323]

I disagree about the 5 chosen when it comes to ball-handling (particularly in half-court). There is a reason Cronin has recruited so many guards, red-shirted Jeremiah Davis III, and given time to Guyn this year.

I would expect:

Guyn / Davis III / Recruit
Kilpatrick / Thomas / Recruit
Rubles / Thomas / Sanders / Lawrence
Jackson / Lawrence
Nyarsuk / Jackson / Strickland

There are 11-12 players in the above depth chart. I do agree that a lot of players are position agnostic so this should be looked at as one possibility. Depending on size, Cronin might slide up or down players.

I personally wouldn't mind having Gaines return. He honestly needs more practice and playing time to improve but could be a good addition to the bench.

i personally would rather Gaines return than Nyarsuk. Just cant quite seem to catch up with the fast paced/physicality that is big time basketball. Gaines is an athletic freak at least who can hold his own. Just has to watch his stupid screens! Along with JJackson! - guaranteed to have at least 2 fouls on screens every game lol.

I think Shaq and Rubles both start next year at the 3/4 respectively. Bringing jackson and Lawrence off the bench right away. I like that group of 4. All seem to bring different qualities. With another offseason of Shaq lifting weights, im excited to see what he can do. James White comes to mind when i think of his situation. Skinny, athletic wing who will only get bigger and stronger and will turn into more of a scorer

 

[PakMan]

i personally would rather Gaines return than Nyarsuk. Just cant quite seem to catch up with the fast paced/physicality that is big time basketball. Gaines is an athletic freak at least who can hold his own. Just has to watch his stupid screens! Along with JJackson! - guaranteed to have at least 2 fouls on screens every game lol.

I think Shaq and Rubles both start next year at the 3/4 respectively. Bringing jackson and Lawrence off the bench right away. I like that group of 4. All seem to bring different qualities. With another offseason of Shaq lifting weights, im excited to see what he can do. James White comes to mind when i think of his situation. Skinny, athletic wing who will only get bigger and stronger and will turn into more of a scorer

A lot of those fouls on picks are because guards don't know how to be patient and to use picks properly...if you go too early, the big man gets a foul. Happens a lot.

There's no doubt Shaq will be our best player next year if SK doesn't come back. Hopefully he'll be hitting the weights and playing with NBA players over the summer instead of doing Deveroes.

And JDIII is our PG next year, although Guyn has stepped it up quite a bit recently, and his defense is still insane. Guyn reminds me a little of Immanuel McElroy. But JDIII is our most natural PG, and happens to also be our best natural scorer from that position.

 

[Robert]

Only two things that are certain for next year is that Kilpatrick and Rubles will start, with Kilpatrick possibly being the only guy on the team to average 30+ minutes.

Point guard should be an open competition between JDIII and Guyn, with Kevin Johnson hopefully coming in and pushing them a little.

Most of us probably believe Shaq Thomas should start at the 3, but Sanders will have every opportunity to compete for that spot as well. It could go just about either way.

The 5 is going to be a mess. Nyarsuk and Gaines are going to fight just to even stay on scholarship. Jackson is undersized, but might be our best option. We better hope either Strickland is better than advertised, or Lawrence puts on 30 lbs. of muscle and proves capable of guarding division I bigs.

 

[Robert]

Just thought of something... Imagine putting on a full-court press with a line-up of Guyn, Thomas, Rubles, Lawrence, and Jackson. That would be a nightmare to go up against.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

Only two things that are certain for next year is that Kilpatrick and Rubles will start, with Kilpatrick possibly being the only guy on the team to average 30+ minutes.

Point guard should be an open competition between JDIII and Guyn, with Kevin Johnson hopefully coming in and pushing them a little.

Most of us probably believe Shaq Thomas should start at the 3, but Sanders will have every opportunity to compete for that spot as well. It could go just about either way.

The 5 is going to be a mess. Nyarsuk and Gaines are going to fight just to even stay on scholarship. Jackson is undersized, but might be our best option. We better hope either Strickland is better than advertised, or Lawrence puts on 30 lbs. of muscle and proves capable of guarding division I bigs.

I agree somewhat. I think at the start of the season you will see Cronin give the nod to the vets so the starters will probably be Guyn, SK, Sanders, Rubles and Nyarsuk. My hope is Thomas, JDIII and the freshman will be able to step up and take some of those roles. I could easily see Lawrence play a lot of 3 as well which would be in favor of Sanders.