Kevin Johnson

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Caupain and Johnson have played very well offensively when they've been on the court together. Both do a good job moving without the ball and getting to spots on the floor they are comfortable scoring in. I know Guyn will likely start, but from a talent stand point think about this line up next year:

G Troy Caupain (SO)
G Kevin Johnson (SO)
F Shaq Thomas (JR)
F Jermaine Lawrence (SO)
C Coreante DeBerry (JR)

That could be an exciting lineup to see and there will be time to grow as they will all come back the following year!

like this line up as long as they defend and board.

 

[JerseySean]

I was thinking in the Rutgers game how pretty his shot looked. People were too quick to write KJ off early. Kevin Johnson is going to be a very good basketball player at the University of Cincinnati and has been able to watch Sean Kilpatriack for a season and learn what it takes to be a great player.

Building on this... we have two freshman who saw SIGNIFICANT playing time this year (TC/JL). We have another in Johnson who seems to finally have his sea legs. These are three players we can count on to contribute immediately next year -- all as sophomores. AND... I can see all staying through their junior year, if not senior year. The future looks very bright in Clifton, if you ask me!

 

[Not Guilty]

Caupain and Johnson have played very well offensively when they've been on the court together. Both do a good job moving without the ball and getting to spots on the floor they are comfortable scoring in. I know Guyn will likely start, but from a talent stand point think about this line up next year:

G Troy Caupain (SO)
G Kevin Johnson (SO)
F Shaq Thomas (JR)
F Jermaine Lawrence (SO)
C Coreante DeBerry (JR)

That could be an exciting lineup to see and there will be time to grow as they will all come back the following year!

Does anyone think we will try to play Lawrence and Clark together next year. I know neither is really a 5, but when JJ goes out, Lawrence plays the 5 this year.

I do expect Deberry to start at the 5, but I think Moore may be a redshirt candidate next year and I wonder how ready Strickland will be given how much basketball he has missed in the last 4 years.

 

[bearcat jeff]

Does anyone think we will try to play Lawrence and Clark together next year. I know neither is really a 5, but when JJ goes out, Lawrence plays the 5 this year.

I do expect Deberry to start at the 5, but I think Moore may be a redshirt candidate next year and I wonder how ready Strickland will be given how much basketball he has missed in the last 4 years.

I think Clark will back up Lawrence barring foul trouble, and given Deberry and Strickland will man the 5, I don't see Clark and Lawrence playing together unless it's a strictly late game press situation. Unlike others I don't think any of the 4s or 5s will redshirt. There are too many unproven players and believe Mick would have loved to have some low post numbers this season. Moore gives you that versatile guy that can play the 4 or 5 and that's valuable.

 

[mdchick]

Does anyone think we will try to play Lawrence and Clark together next year. I know neither is really a 5, but when JJ goes out, Lawrence plays the 5 this year.

I do expect Deberry to start at the 5, but I think Moore may be a redshirt candidate next year and I wonder how ready Strickland will be given how much basketball he has missed in the last 4 years.

I'd say there is a 100% chance they will play at the same time a lot, they are too skilled of players to split time with one another, Mick will find a way to have them on the floor, whether its Lawrence at the 5 or clark at the 3 they will both average more than 20 mins per game

 

[bearcat jeff]

I'd say there is a 100% chance they will play at the same time a lot, they are too skilled of players to split time with one another, Mick will find a way to have them on the floor, whether its Lawrence at the 5 or clark at the 3 they will both average more than 20 mins per game

I agree that Clark will play some three, and have said so on the recruiting page, but I was addressing it from the 4/5 aspect per the poster.

 

[mdchick]

I agree that Clark will play some three, and have said so on the recruiting page, but I was addressing it from the 4/5 aspect per the poster.

Wonder if they would ever consider playing a line-up with Thomas at the 2, clark at the 3 and Lawrence at the 4 with any of the 3 big men, that would be a matchup nightmare for the opposing teams.

 

[bearcat jeff]

Wonder if they would ever consider playing a line-up with Thomas at the 2, clark at the 3 and Lawrence at the 4 with any of the 3 big men, that would be a matchup nightmare for the opposing teams.

Mick at 1 time spoke of ST at the 2 but my guess is that has gone by the wayside.

 

[mdchick]

Mick at 1 time spoke of ST at the 2 but my guess is that has gone by the wayside.

yah I'd have to agree, he's definitely a 3, quick enough to play the 2 though, but his ball handling skills aren't there yet, he's still got to be stronger with the ball.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Mick at 1 time spoke of ST at the 2 but my guess is that has gone by the wayside.

While ST contributes a few splash plays he will need to become much more consistent next year. His ball handling,rebounding will need to take a step up. With Clark and Sanders on the roster at the 3 he will be pushed to earn his playing time. I also suspect Mick is recruiting another 3 to play the wing who can provide a outside presence.

 

[mdchick]

While ST contributes a few splash plays he will need to become much more consistent next year. His ball handling,rebounding will need to take a step up. With Clark and Sanders on the roster at the 3 he will be pushed to earn his playing time. I also suspect Mick is recruiting another 3 to play the wing who can provide a outside presence.

also wouldn't be surprised to see caupain kj and morman all playing together with a small but quicker line-up making morman playing the 3. morman is strong enough to play the three and mick has said he is defensively ready to play.

 

[bearcat jeff]

I think Mormon is going to contribute next season and people shouldn't sleep on him.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

I think Mormon is going to contribute next season and people shouldn't sleep on him.

I agree. Your definitely going to have to earn your PT next year. Mick could still bring in another wing this year if the right opportunity persents itself. Intra squad games will be a war. That is a good thing

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

Does anyone think we will try to play Lawrence and Clark together next year. I know neither is really a 5, but when JJ goes out, Lawrence plays the 5 this year.

I do expect Deberry to start at the 5, but I think Moore may be a redshirt candidate next year and I wonder how ready Strickland will be given how much basketball he has missed in the last 4 years.

Mick said he didn't want to have to play Lawrence at the 5 spot and it has hindered his development that he's had to learn both the 4 and 5. He was saying how much better he'll be when he can just focus on playing the wing. UC will have 3 guys that can legitimately play the center in DeBerry, Moore and Strickland so Lawrence will be more in his natural spot. He can actually handle the ball decently well for a 4 man, but he hasn't been able to display it...

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Mick said he didn't want to have to play Lawrence at the 5 spot and it has hindered his development that he's had to learn both the 4 and 5. He was saying how much better he'll be when he can just focus on playing the wing. UC will have 3 guys that can legitimately play the center in DeBerry, Moore and Strickland so Lawrence will be more in his natural spot. He can actually handle the ball decently well for a 4 man, but he hasn't been able to display it...

Absolutely NTS. He has displayed some flashes with his ball handling. His form on his shot doesn't look bad either. He has developed into a effective rebounder especiially on the offensive end and he seems much more aggressive defensively compared to beginnig of the year. Add some weight and strength and I think he will be a monster next year.

 

[bearcatz1]

KJ is solid he I'd really athletic and plays really good def he will start next year and should see the floor more

 

[Not Guilty]

Wonder if they would ever consider playing a line-up with Thomas at the 2, clark at the 3 and Lawrence at the 4 with any of the 3 big men, that would be a matchup nightmare for the opposing teams.

I hope not. There would be no shooting on the floor with that team. It would be impossible to create floor spacing.

 

[Bearcatboy]

KJ is solid he I'd really athletic and plays really good def he will start next year and should see the floor more

IMO KJ will not start next year.

 

[Bearcatboy]

Wonder if they would ever consider playing a line-up with Thomas at the 2, clark at the 3 and Lawrence at the 4 with any of the 3 big men, that would be a matchup nightmare for the opposing teams.

I think the lineup they may consider next year would be

Caupain
Guyn/Sanders
Thomas
Lawrence
Deberry

Or

Caupain
Thomas
Lawrence
Moore
Deberry

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

I think the lineup they may consider next year would be

Caupain
Guyn/Sanders
Thomas
Lawrence
Deberry

Or

Caupain
Thomas
Lawrence
Moore
Deberry

Wrong on both accounts...

There will ALWAYS be two guards on the floor at a time. Caupain and Guyn are likely to start and Johnson and Morman will give valuable minutes. Please stop....