Future teams

[Helicopter]

Class: 2020 2021 2022 2023

Cumberland
Cumberland
Scott
McNeal
Sorolla
Williams
Moore
Diarra
Vogt
Gillam
Hardnett
Davenport
Adams-Woods

My man. Font is nice touch, too.

Not to get too far ahead of myself but next year's team is going to be a major wildcard. Need to see what kind of players Toyambi and Davenport can be.

 

[TheRealMick]

We haven't had this much length and size on wing since Huggins days. This is something that has killed us over years. Rashad bishop and Shaq are only two true SF in Cronin era. This year we have 3 on this year team alone, Prince, hardnett, Davenport. I don't consider Keith to be true SF. We can have all 6'5 or better players on court if we wanted.

 

[skyblade]

Man what a crazy couple of days. With the Jaevin commit, I think we are going to rely on about 7 players....
Jarron, Jaevin, Keith, Tre, Diarra, Sorolla and McNeal.

I am sure JB discussed with McNeal the possibility of Jaevin coming here too. This is his 5th year at a 5th different school so I am assuming he is expecting to play quite a bit. Sorolla will have to play to spell Tre and Diarra.

The lineup could even be 2 guards, 2 wings and Tre Scott based on what JB likes to run, fast paced run and gun and full court press.

The rest of the team such as Moore, Prince, Laquill, and Adams-Woods will play sparingly

I think Davenport may redshirt if I had to guess. Just not enough minutes to go around and we will be loaded at the wing this year.

Lets be real JB is not going to play 13 guys in a game, not sure if this may hurt the feelings of some of the Cronin guys such as Prince, Laquill and Moore. But either way I am ready to ride with this team against anyone on our schedule this year. I don't think any team we will play is going to be substantially better than us (maybe Memphis, but lets just see how 5 freshman play together before I make that decision)

Honestly if Hardnett/Prince can't beat out Sorolla, they deserve to have their feelings hurt. I don't get what people see in Sorolla that makes it look like he can get many minutes. He was Valpo's backup big man for a reason, at 7'1" he had a worse offensive rebound percentage than LoJo. He's a situational backup vs teams with a true 5.

I also don't see it for McNeal. Moore is at least said to be a great practice shooter. McNeal is a poor 3-point shooter and so far nothing about him shooting well in practices either. MAW looks like a much better 3 point shooter then McNeal.

I agree with the starting 5, but after that I disagree completely. I think we go 8/9 deep. Moore and whoever plays best out of Davenport/Hardnett/Prince will be the 6th and 7th man. McNeal will get 5-10 minutes per game as the PG and maybe spot minutes at other positions. Sorolla gets 5-10 minutes per game as center (maybe 15-20 against teams with a true big) but may not even play in some games. Prince/Hardnett/Davenport could combine for 30/40 minutes per game as they backup at Center, PF and SF (if Davenport is behind the other two he may redshirt).

 

[Mcginnjw]

I think we now have a better roster than what we were potentially going to enter the season with. Now the question is can they adapt to the new system fast enough. If they click quickly we could have an extremely fun team to watch. Either way all the recruiting activity has been fun and the Cumberland signing was a great cap to the 2019 roster.

 

[Vanhoop]

I don't know you need somebody to run the point. I think macneal could get a lot more time than everyone's thinking.

 

[JoeRunner89]

Well well well, thanks goodness we picked up Cumberland #2. Might of just saved the season. Now we have a fighters chance to get this new era off to a good start. Let's hope Kieth and Tre have a power off-season and we should be back in business

 

[TheRealMick]

I don't know you need somebody to run the point. I think macneal could get a lot more time than everyone's thinking.

All our guards outside of Moore should see 20+ min. Neither Cumberland has to play PG now if we don't won't them to.

 

[skyblade]

I don't know you need somebody to run the point. I think macneal could get a lot more time than everyone's thinking.

I can't see it. You want your best players on the floor. Say you have McNeal starting at point, that means we'd need to have JC/JC at SG/SF, Williams at PF and Scott at center. That is an extremely undersized lineup. If you don't like that lineup and want McNeal to start, who do you sit to put Diarra in at center? Williams? Jaevin?

If you start Jarron, Jaevin, Williams, Scott and Diarra, there are a lot of ball handlers on the floor. Scott's handle improved throughout last season and should continue to get better. Jarron, Jaevin and even Williams can share duties bring the ball up the court, then let Jarron initiate the offense - which he did a lot last year anyway.

 

[z_bearcat]

Jarron, Jaevin and Williams are three players competing for two spots on the roster. If Brannen plans an up-tempo and running style of play, those three guys can substitute for each other and stay fresh all game long. Perhaps that is the plan for them.

 

[TheLongHaul]

I'd argue JC ran point in most of the critical situations last year. I don't see this year being any different. Jarron, Trevon, and KW are your shoe-ins to start. The other two positions are up in the air.

 

[waterhead]

Jaevin is likely the 2nd best player on the team right now. If we don’t start both Cumberland’s, Scott and Williams I might just pull off Brannens mask and find Cronin there. I don’t care who the 5th starter is.

 

[skyblade]

Jarron, Jaevin and Williams are three players competing for two spots on the roster. If Brannen plans an up-tempo and running style of play, those three guys can substitute for each other and stay fresh all game long. Perhaps that is the plan for them.

If you rotate those three and they only play SG/SF, it means they will average at most a 26.66 minutes per game - assuming Jarron is above 30 minutes, the other two would average 25 or less. I don't think Jaevin is coming here to play 25 minutes and I doubt Keith is going to be under 30 either.

But let's continue the assumption. At PG you have McNeal and MAW sharing minutes. McNeal is a bit of a mystery, but his most recent statline was a poor assist/TO ratio and below average 3-point shooting (and not good from 2 either). MAW is a freshman and in HS was more of a SG than a PG. Do you really trust either of them to bring the ball up more then you'd trust Jarron or Keith? And if you do, is it worth having a bad 3-point shooter or a freshman on the court instead of Jaevin/Keith?

I don't think there are any questions. Jarron plays PG and initiates the offense when he's in (though sometimes Jaevin, Keith, McNeal or MAW bring the ball up the court - similar to how we used Broome last year). We will have to figure out what works when Jarron sits, but it will probably be McNeal, Keith or possibly MAW initiating the offense.

Jaevin, Keith, Scott and Diarra are the other obvious starters. The first three because they are the next 3 best players, Diarra because there is no other option (I'd gladly be proven wrong, but I don't consider Valpo's backup center an option to start). Diarra also has tons of potential, so there's a long-term benefit to giving him a lot of minutes and hoping he figures it out.

 

[BorisTheCat]

Measurements added to the roster

Class: 2020 2021 2022 2023

Cumberland --- 6'5" / 205
Cumberland --- 6'3" / 185
Scott -------- 6'8" / 225
McNeal ------- 6'1" / 190
Sorolla ------ 7'0" / 240
Williams ----- 6'5" / 210
Moore -------- 6'5" / 195
Diarra ------- 6'9" / 215
Vogt --------- 7'1" / 240
Gillam ------- 6'7" / 225
Hardnett ----- 6'8" / 210
Davenport ---- 6'7" / 205
Adams-Woods -- 6'3" / 185

 

[TheLongHaul]

If you rotate those three and they only play SG/SF, it means they will average at most a 26.66 minutes per game - assuming Jarron is above 30 minutes, the other two would average 25 or less. I don't think Jaevin is coming here to play 25 minutes and I doubt Keith is going to be under 30 either.

But let's continue the assumption. At PG you have McNeal and MAW sharing minutes. McNeal is a bit of a mystery, but his most recent statline was a poor assist/TO ratio and below average 3-point shooting (and not good from 2 either). MAW is a freshman and in HS was more of a SG than a PG. Do you really trust either of them to bring the ball up more then you'd trust Jarron or Keith? And if you do, is it worth having a bad 3-point shooter or a freshman on the court instead of Jaevin/Keith?

I don't think there are any questions. Jarron plays PG and initiates the offense when he's in (though sometimes Jaevin, Keith, McNeal or MAW bring the ball up the court - similar to how we used Broome last year). We will have to figure out what works when Jarron sits, but it will probably be McNeal, Keith or possibly MAW initiating the offense.

Jaevin, Keith, Scott and Diarra are the other obvious starters. The first three because they are the next 3 best players, Diarra because there is no other option (I'd gladly be proven wrong, but I don't consider Valpo's backup center an option to start). Diarra also has tons of potential, so there's a long-term benefit to giving him a lot of minutes and hoping he figures it out.

No way should KW be bringing the ball up the court. His handles aren't nearly good enough under pressure.

 

[waterhead]

If you rotate those three and they only play SG/SF, it means they will average at most a 26.66 minutes per game - assuming Jarron is above 30 minutes, the other two would average 25 or less. I don't think Jaevin is coming here to play 25 minutes and I doubt Keith is going to be under 30 either.

But let's continue the assumption. At PG you have McNeal and MAW sharing minutes. McNeal is a bit of a mystery, but his most recent statline was a poor assist/TO ratio and below average 3-point shooting (and not good from 2 either). MAW is a freshman and in HS was more of a SG than a PG. Do you really trust either of them to bring the ball up more then you'd trust Jarron or Keith? And if you do, is it worth having a bad 3-point shooter or a freshman on the court instead of Jaevin/Keith?

I don't think there are any questions. Jarron plays PG and initiates the offense when he's in (though sometimes Jaevin, Keith, McNeal or MAW bring the ball up the court - similar to how we used Broome last year). We will have to figure out what works when Jarron sits, but it will probably be McNeal, Keith or possibly MAW initiating the offense.

Jaevin, Keith, Scott and Diarra are the other obvious starters. The first three because they are the next 3 best players, Diarra because there is no other option (I'd gladly be proven wrong, but I don't consider Valpo's backup center an option to start). Diarra also has tons of potential, so there's a long-term benefit to giving him a lot of minutes and hoping he figures it out.

I think we start with The best 5 and then figure out who can run point and who can’t. We obviously aren’t going to run a half season with someone who can’t do the job. I don’t care if that is Williams or either Cumberland. If we need Mcneal or MAW it will become apparent and changes can be made. Same with Diara at the 5. We may have to go Sorolla or Gillam etc if one or the other isn’t getting it done. The situation is fluid not set in stone.

 

[Emperor Snapper]

Given the current roster, there are four sorts of lineups they can play:

A "no true PG" lineup: Cumberland x 2, Williams, Scott, Diarra. You could also have Sorolla in as one of the bigs or Moore/Davenport as a wing in this sort of lineup

A "no true C" lineup: a PG, Cumberland x 2, Williams, Scott. Hardnett or Gillam could also be your big in this sort of lineup

A "no true C/ no true PG" lineup with Cumberland x2, Williams, Scott, and say, Gillam

A "traditional" lineup with a PG, 2 of (Cumberland, Cumberland, and Williams), Scott, and Diarra (or Sorolla).

My guess is that the traditional lineup won't get a ton of play. The other combos just seem better, in part because they allow the 4 best players (Scott, Williams, and the Cumberlands) to all be on the floor together.

 

[Emperor Snapper]

It is possible that they have a better team in 19-20 than they did last year. 3 of 5 starters return - Williams has a good chance to improve; Scott was playing his best BB at the tail end of the season, and seems like a good fit for Brannen's style. Jarron is Jarron.

Jaevin has a good chance to be better than Jenifer. Obviously a different player, but more physically capable on defense and a better scorer - Jenifer had a heck of a year but he was limited on offense to mostly spot-ups, and even then he needed room.

Diarra is almost certainly a downgrade from Brooks, although he has potential and brings more offensive versatility.

The bench was terrible last year. Broome was the only reliable player; Johnson brought defense and energy but little offense (would have been nice to have him back). Moore was a disaster, Fredricks a non-factor, and Nsoseme was shockingly deficient on the offensive end. The bench this year is largely unknown, and I'm not sure there is anyone who will provide Broome-like offense. However, if one or two of the freshmen step up, and maybe Moore finally does something positive, it could equal last year's bench without too much trouble.

 

[TheRealMick]

Williams and Tre handles below average to non existent, I highly doubt either push pace dribbling. Cumberland has shaky handles at best, he very seldom was asked bring ball up under pressure. Going out getting two PGs more likely knowing Jaevin was coming let's us know coach seen we needed help bad ball handling. It was one of his biggest improvements he wanted see from team was basic ball handling.

 

[Vanhoop]

Yep agreed that's one of the reasons and also that he gets in the paint that I've been saying Mcneal will get lots more time than people think. He's the starter 100% guaranteed.

 

[waterhead]

If you rotate those three and they only play SG/SF, it means they will average at most a 26.66 minutes per game - assuming Jarron is above 30 minutes, the other two would average 25 or less. I don't think Jaevin is coming here to play 25 minutes and I doubt Keith is going to be under 30 either.

But let's continue the assumption. At PG you have McNeal and MAW sharing minutes. McNeal is a bit of a mystery, but his most recent statline was a poor assist/TO ratio and below average 3-point shooting (and not good from 2 either). MAW is a freshman and in HS was more of a SG than a PG. Do you really trust either of them to bring the ball up more then you'd trust Jarron or Keith? And if you do, is it worth having a bad 3-point shooter or a freshman on the court instead of Jaevin/Keith?

I don't think there are any questions. Jarron plays PG and initiates the offense when he's in (though sometimes Jaevin, Keith, McNeal or MAW bring the ball up the court - similar to how we used Broome last year). We will have to figure out what works when Jarron sits, but it will probably be McNeal, Keith or possibly MAW initiating the offense.

Jaevin, Keith, Scott and Diarra are the other obvious starters. The first three because they are the next 3 best players, Diarra because there is no other option (I'd gladly be proven wrong, but I don't consider Valpo's backup center an option to start). Diarra also has tons of potential, so there's a long-term benefit to giving him a lot of minutes and hoping he figures it out.

I agree with most of your analysis and conclusion. I just hope Diara is serviceable at the 5 because it's going to be tough putting out a lineup that has McNeal, Cumberland x 2, Scott and Williams. 6'1", 6'3", 6'5", 6'8" and 6'5. Or another lineup that has Sorolla starting.

Just as I write that I think back to Gates Sr year (our only S16 under Cronin) we went 6'0", 6'3", 6'3", 6'4", and 6'9". But Gates was completely different from Scott and was built for the paint. The writing was on the wall here for Cronin. A year he was kind of forced to play small and it had the best outcome for him in the dance. Coincidence? Maybe. But it seems Brannen will be more likely to embrace playing this way.

I don't see any scenario that makes sense to force one of your best 4 players to the bench. When you have 6 really good players it's kind of cool to sub to strength. When you have only 4...you put them on the floor!!