Next years team

[Bearcat22]

With minutes, you also have to consider guys falling out of the rotation and not getting off the bench at times. The 5 returning players (Guyn, Caupain, Johnson, Shaq, Sanders) and the 3 JUCOs (DeBerry, Ellis, Cobb) will likely see action in every game they are healthy. The 4 freshmen (Clark, Moore, Strickland, Morman) will play a decent amount early in the season, but I don't see more than 2 of the 4 making the rotation during conference play. So you might have a few of the freshmen average 8-10 mpg, but not get off the bench in 7 or 8 games.

I think you're right on based on Mick's history. I hope this coming season the freshman can get some more minutes in hopes there is an x-factor or two come post-season time and or being ready to contribute in case of foul trouble. Mick alluded to JL being that guy last year but his toe injury hindered his progress.

 

[Bearcatboy]

And this is more realistic because?? Because you have Moore redshirting? Other than that you didn't change any of the minutes I had down by more than 5.

5 minutes is a big difference on some players.

 

[jacobkdoyle]

I think you're right on based on Mick's history. I hope this coming season the freshman can get some more minutes in hopes there is an x-factor or two come post-season time and or being ready to contribute in case of foul trouble. Mick alluded to JL being that guy last year but his toe injury hindered his progress.

Maybe Moore can make himself valuable by being the best passing, and best free throw shooting big guy. We saw Johnson earn his way into end of game situations bc he was better than Guyn at the line. Clark and Strickland need to be aggressive defensive rebounders first to lock down their minutes imo. Clark getting offensive boards would be awesome too, obviously.

 

[Bearcatboy]

With minutes, you also have to consider guys falling out of the rotation and not getting off the bench at times. The 5 returning players (Guyn, Caupain, Johnson, Shaq, Sanders) and the 3 JUCOs (DeBerry, Ellis, Cobb) will likely see action in every game they are healthy. The 4 freshmen (Clark, Moore, Strickland, Morman) will play a decent amount early in the season, but I don't see more than 2 of the 4 making the rotation during conference play. So you might have a few of the freshmen average 8-10 mpg, but not get off the bench in 7 or 8 games.

This is true that's why minutes are very misleading and it is way to early to know who will get minutes, I just rough guessed.

 

[Bearcat22]

Maybe Moore can make himself valuable by being the best passing, and best free throw shooting big guy. We saw Johnson earn his way into end of game situations bc he was better than Guyn at the line. Clark and Strickland need to be aggressive defensive rebounders first to lock down their minutes imo. Clark getting offensive boards would be awesome too, obviously.

Any of those scenarios would be great. Last year's recruiting class and the incoming class seem to be upgrades in talent versus previous classes. Maybe we're getting more players ready to contribute early in their careers. TC would be a good example of that.

 

[waterhead]

With minutes, you also have to consider guys falling out of the rotation and not getting off the bench at times. The 5 returning players (Guyn, Caupain, Johnson, Shaq, Sanders) and the 3 JUCOs (DeBerry, Ellis, Cobb) will likely see action in every game they are healthy. The 4 freshmen (Clark, Moore, Strickland, Morman) will play a decent amount early in the season, but I don't see more than 2 of the 4 making the rotation during conference play. So you might have a few of the freshmen average 8-10 mpg, but not get off the bench in 7 or 8 games.

I agree with you about this. Hopefully each of them has a unique talent that will be needed for matchups throughout the year in case they are buried on the depth chart or need more time to develop. Maybe we need some lock down D and Mormon can provide that. Maybe we can take advantage of Moore's mid-long range shooting here and there. Maybe Clark can cause a mismatch for opposing D's here or there and get some rebounds too. Maybe we will need Strickland for an offensive punch late in the game when we are down or something who knows.

This assumes none of them come out and win their position outright...which I actually hope is not the case

 

[jacobkdoyle]

Last year's recruiting class and the incoming class seem to be upgrades in talent versus previous classes. Maybe we're getting more players ready to contribute early in their careers. TC would be a good example of that.

Yep and look at the 2015s and 2016s that we have offered. Big time talent. It is amazing how many programs you can pass up in recruiting when you prove you can send players to the tourney every year of their career.

 

[jacobkdoyle]

A lot of people (me included) have kind of assumed DeBerry will start at C. But since the thought of Sanders starting seems to be a popular one, any way we start Ellis at C over DeBerry?

 

[jacobkdoyle]

Starters
PG Guyn
SG KJ
F Shaq
F Sanders
C DeBerry/Ellis
With Caupain, DeBerry/Ellis, Clark, and Cobb/Morman as the guys in the main conference play rotation.

 

[jacobkdoyle]

Is Shaq at SF the only position where everyone agrees for the starting lineup? Anyone see Sanders not starting?

 

[rogerOH]

I don't see how shaq and sanders can be starters together neither one is a good rebounder or can guard a decent size power forward

 

[jacobkdoyle]

I don't see how shaq and sanders can be starters together neither one is a good rebounder or can guard a decent size power forward

Shaq had 6 5+ rebound games in 22.9 mpg. Sanders had 7 in 21.3 mpg. Both out of 34 games played. That needs to get WAY better.

 

[jacobkdoyle]

I thought Sanders was a better rebounder than that. I think he has to average 5 this year from 3.1 last year.

 

[david aka the TYZ]

A lot of people (me included) have kind of assumed DeBerry will start at C. But since the thought of Sanders starting seems to be a popular one, any way we start Ellis at C over DeBerry?

I think DeBerry will start because he is a big body that we will need down low. I'm not terribly excited about the idea of Sanders starting at the four but at the same time we all know Mick likes to go with experience so therefore I think he could start at the four. If Ellis comes in and is just a beast then it would be hard to not start him at the four as it is more his natural position. Sanders to me isn't a natural fit at the four. I think he plays smart enough to hold his own defensively against an average four and offensively he could be a mis-match for your average four.

 

[david aka the TYZ]

I don't see how shaq and sanders can be starters together neither one is a good rebounder or can guard a decent size power forward

I can agree to this, although Sanders isn't a bad rebounder. And if he's in at the four he will be in a better position to rebound. He will be a little undersized for some fours, although college fours are becoming more and more "guard" oriented for lack of a better explanation. Honestly though if Sanders can box out his guy I think he will be ok. As I said in my reply above, I'm not crazy about Sanders at the four but all things considered right now I think he will start there. I just don't see Mick using a senior off the bench and utilizing 2 of our 3 returning upperclassmen at the same position and essentially platooning them. Now if Ellis comes in and flat outplays Sanders things could be different. And just because he may start at the four doesn't mean all his minutes will be there. When he's on the floor without Thomas he could slide Sanders to the three.

 

[jacobkdoyle]

Is Ellis a legit 225-230 lbs?

 

[david aka the TYZ]

Is Ellis a legit 225-230 lbs?

I have no idea, but what is he 6'9, 6'10? I guess I should look it up. That weight at that height is still pretty thin. I'm 6'4 and roughly 200 pounds and while I don't have an athlete's body, I look fit. I honestly feel more comfortable penciling in DeBerry at the 5 position more so than I do any other spot. I think if Ellis were going to start, and maybe he will, it will be at the four.

 

[jacobkdoyle]

I think DeBerry will start because he is a big body that we will need down low. I'm not terribly excited about the idea of Sanders starting at the four but at the same time we all know Mick likes to go with experience so therefore I think he could start at the four. If Ellis comes in and is just a beast then it would be hard to not start him at the four as it is more his natural position. Sanders to me isn't a natural fit at the four. I think he plays smart enough to hold his own defensively against an average four and offensively he could be a mis-match for your average four.

Our defensive rebounding is a huge key imo. With a bunch of new guys, we all seem to be a little concerned with defense. Especially early in the year. If DeBerry starts and is in good enough shape to lead the team in rebounding, that could open up a lot of possibilities. Parker and Gates were the keys to the small lineup a few years ago. If Sanders and DeBerry (I know DeBerry won't score like Yancy) could give us similar defense and rebounding, we could be dangerous.

Does Ellis have the offensive game to get extended minutes at the 4? I want Clark to be a man on the defensive glass so bad. The more minutes he gets this year, the better we will be. I hope he does the little things necessary to keep himself in the mix at the 4.

 

[david aka the TYZ]

Is Ellis a legit 225-230 lbs?

Where'd you see this listed? I hope he's that weight. I tried to look it up and saw him listed at 205 and 210 and at 6'9 and 6'10 and those weren't his high school numbers.

 

[jacobkdoyle]

Where'd you see this listed? I hope he's that weight. I tried to look it up and saw him listed at 205 and 210 and at 6'9 and 6'10 and those weren't his high school numbers.

Ohhh ok. I saw 210 on his gobearcats page and thought it was from his first stint here. I didn't see they have it updated with him as a JR. Dang. 210 is disappointing.