PG next year

[JackBauer151]

No chance Strickland starts to begin the year. Caupain and Lawrence have a good chance though. I think JL will be the first man off the bench to begin the year and could very well be in the starting 5 once we roll around to march.

 

[bearcat jeff]

No chance Strickland starts to begin the year. Caupain and Lawrence have a good chance though. I think JL will be the first man off the bench to begin the year and could very well be in the starting 5 once we roll around to march.

I would not be surprised to see Mick go with two fours to start the season. We definitely will see it throughout the season. Strickland would be huge if he could play right away.

 

[JumpinJack5]

Im sorry but Three freshmen starting???? Come on man, get it together!

Three freshman getting significant minutes, the / indicates some mixture or rotation of the players....

 

[JumpinJack5]

Mick has lots of pieces, I doubt he will have one set lineup. Thus, I think 3 of the freshman will receive significant playing time, but not all at the same time. If Mick wants a bigger lineup, Strickland will play with Rubles as PF. If he wants a smaller and quicker lineup, maybe JJ and Lawrence are out there. There is not set formula with this team and we will have to wait and see which combos work the best, but I would look for freshman to contribute....

 

[mplebanon]

rubles a TO machine????
I think you got him and JJ confused.

Final stats:

Turnovers per game - Bearcats.....

1. Kilpatrick averaged 2.0 turnovers per game in averaging 34 minutes per game.
2. Rubles averaged 1.9 turnovers per game in averaging 21 minutes per game.

I would say Rubles was a turnover machine. In the game at Louisville, Rubles turned the ball over 8 times.

If he plays a lot next year, they need to limit his ball handling and get him the ball close to the basket.

 

[Gotcha23]

You'll see a different animal in Rubles this year. I expect him to be one of the leaders. The second year in major D1 bball will help him. I think he'll be second in points scored.

 

[JumpinJack5]

You'll see a different animal in Rubles this year. I expect him to be one of the leaders. The second year in major D1 bball will help him. I think he'll be second in points scored.

I agree, I think he will take a big step forward next year. His shot will never be great, but with his ability to drive, he only needs a mediocre shot to be successful. I still think Shaq Thomas will be second on the team in scoring, but I would put Rubles and Lawrence right behind him. I also expect Dave to be better next year. While he won't improve as much as Shaq or Rubles, he could become a decent player (think Cheikh Mbodj) if he can improve his stamina and strength/conditioning. Strickland has the ability to contribute, I expect him to be a decent contributor by the end of this basketball season, after the game slows down a little bit for him. Dont see a lot of big, lefty post players that have some good moves. Caupain will fill up the stat sheet, I know that for sure. While it might take some time for him to become comfortable, I already like him more than Guyn because he does a little of everything. While his scoring might not transfer right away, his rebounding, assists, etc. will. KJ is probably the 2nd best scorer in this class, so he has potential, but he has never played PG before. Morman reminds me of a Dion Dixon type of player-very underrated, it will take him time to adjust, but if he is here all 4 years, he could be a very solid player. He already has the slashing ability, but his shot needs to be adjusted for him to be successful in college.

 

[cincycpaw]

You'll see a different animal in Rubles this year. I expect him to be one of the leaders. The second year in major D1 bball will help him. I think he'll be second in points scored.

I hope so. JUCOs tend to do a lot better their senior years. I think it'll be the case.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Final stats:

Turnovers per game - Bearcats.....

1. Kilpatrick averaged 2.0 turnovers per game in averaging 34 minutes per game.
2. Rubles averaged 1.9 turnovers per game in averaging 21 minutes per game.

I would say Rubles was a turnover machine. In the game at Louisville, Rubles turned the ball over 8 times.

If he plays a lot next year, they need to limit his ball handling and get him the ball close to the basket.

What was his assist per game? What was JJ's TO versus assist per game and minutes. Fact is Rubles is going to be a much better option then JJ.

 

[ucdave]

Neither one is worth writing home about based on last year's stats:

Titus - 2.0a/1.9to
JJ - 1.5a/1.8to

Titus avg about 3 min more per game. They both committed 78 fouls, titus played 4 more games than JJ. So the avg per game is a little less for TR, but both are foul prone. JJ was DQ'd 6 times to TR only once. But TR played on the wing a lot more. The only category where there is a distinct advantage for JJ is the block shots. JJ avg 1.4/g and Titus only 0.3/g.

I think Titus has much more upside due to the fact that it will only be his second year playing D-1 whereas Justin has had 3 years already. But both will have limited minutes if they continue to foul.

 

[david aka the TYZ]

I think to start the year off, SK (duh), Rubles and Jackson will all start based on experience. At the 3, I think it will be Shaq's to win, Sanders to default to and if Lawrence really impresses I could see him in there. My guess is with his height Mick doesn't want to play him when both Rubles and Jackson are on the floor. With them two being seniors and Lawrence being a freshman, Mick will probably want to humble him and make him earn his start though actual playing time. As far as pg goes, I think it's Guyn's to lose. Meaning maybe Caupain or even Davis can win it if one of them impresses and Guyn shows he can't handle it, but honestly in practice I don't see there being a true "open competition" for the spot so I think Guyn will start the year at pg. I think Strickland will be first off the bench at the 5 and Sanders (assuming Shaq starts) will be the first off the bench at the 2/3. Davis is a question mark but I think he'll get minutes at the 1 and 2 and if Strickland isn't ready, which is a good possibilty, then Nyarsuk would see decent minutes at the 5. Morman is a question mark as well, I'm intrigued by him, but I think he falls behind too many players at the 2/3 to see significant minutes. SK will play 35 minutes except in blowout games. With Johnson, I think his minutes could be limited and I wouldn't be surprised if he was redshirted.

We have alot of young talent and I really don't envy Mick trying to divvy out minutes to all these guys. I'm guessing we'll have alot of "why is this guy getting minutes and not this guy" arguments on this board next year. Should be a fun year.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Neither one is worth writing home about based on last year's stats:

Titus - 2.0a/1.9to
JJ - 1.5a/1.8to

Titus avg about 3 min more per game. They both committed 78 fouls, titus played 4 more games than JJ. So the avg per game is a little less for TR, but both are foul prone. JJ was DQ'd 6 times to TR only once. But TR played on the wing a lot more. The only category where there is a distinct advantage for JJ is the block shots. JJ avg 1.4/g and Titus only 0.3/g.

I think Titus has much more upside due to the fact that it will only be his second year playing D-1 whereas Justin has had 3 years already. But both will have limited minutes if they continue to foul.

Titus will improve after coming from JUCO. JJ has been here 3 years and what you see is what you get. Titus also makes free throws.

 

[mplebanon]

I think to start the year off, SK (duh), Rubles and Jackson will all start based on experience. At the 3, I think it will be Shaq's to win, Sanders to default to and if Lawrence really impresses I could see him in there. My guess is with his height Mick doesn't want to play him when both Rubles and Jackson are on the floor. With them two being seniors and Lawrence being a freshman, Mick will probably want to humble him and make him earn his start though actual playing time. As far as pg goes, I think it's Guyn's to lose. Meaning maybe Caupain or even Davis can win it if one of them impresses and Guyn shows he can't handle it, but honestly in practice I don't see there being a true "open competition" for the spot so I think Guyn will start the year at pg. I think Strickland will be first off the bench at the 5 and Sanders (assuming Shaq starts) will be the first off the bench at the 2/3. Davis is a question mark but I think he'll get minutes at the 1 and 2 and if Strickland isn't ready, which is a good possibilty, then Nyarsuk would see decent minutes at the 5. Morman is a question mark as well, I'm intrigued by him, but I think he falls behind too many players at the 2/3 to see significant minutes. SK will play 35 minutes except in blowout games. With Johnson, I think his minutes could be limited and I wouldn't be surprised if he was redshirted.

We have alot of young talent and I really don't envy Mick trying to divvy out minutes to all these guys. I'm guessing we'll have alot of "why is this guy getting minutes and not this guy" arguments on this board next year. Should be a fun year.

Yeah, I think many of us forget that freshmen usually play like freshman. It's a huge jump from high school for most, but not all.

 

[david aka the TYZ]

Yeah, I think many of us forget that freshmen usually play like freshman. It's a huge jump from high school for most, but not all.

Exactly. Now by the end of the year I wouldn't be surprised to see a different line-up with a freshman or two starting. And Cronin has a history of sticking with seniors and letting the freshman pay their dues. Other than Lance. Now Lawrence is the caliber of recruit Lance was, so we will see, but I'd be very surprised if Titus isn't starting at the 4 and JJ at the 5 being seniors and having the experience. That kind of forces Lawrence to come off the bench behind one of them cause I just don't see Cronin wanting that much height on the floor at the same time. I don't remember if Lance came in and took somebody's spot or not. I do remember that same year wanting Cash to have gotten more of Vaughn's minutes at point guard and moving Vaughn to the 2 but Vaughn pouted and Cronin stuck with his senior.

 

[JasonS]

Exactly. Now by the end of the year I wouldn't be surprised to see a different line-up with a freshman or two starting. And Cronin has a history of sticking with seniors and letting the freshman pay their dues. Other than Lance. Now Lawrence is the caliber of recruit Lance was, so we will see, but I'd be very surprised if Titus isn't starting at the 4 and JJ at the 5 being seniors and having the experience. That kind of forces Lawrence to come off the bench behind one of them cause I just don't see Cronin wanting that much height on the floor at the same time. I don't remember if Lance came in and took somebody's spot or not. I do remember that same year wanting Cash to have gotten more of Vaughn's minutes at point guard and moving Vaughn to the 2 but Vaughn pouted and Cronin stuck with his senior.

What does height have to do with anything? When it comes to basketball, height is usually a GOOD thing. The best players will play. If Lawrence is better than Titus, he will start. Period.

 

[david aka the TYZ]

What does height have to do with anything? When it comes to basketball, height is usually a GOOD thing. The best players will play. If Lawrence is better than Titus, he will start. Period.

In theory I agree about height. I was referring to all three players starting. Big guys can get in foul trouble and if they're all out there at the same time getting minutes then who comes off the bench? Another thing is you play match-ups. If the other team plays small and quick then size can hurt you defensively. My opinion is I don't think Cronin will play all three of these guys at the same time.

As far as if Lawrence is better than Titus he will start I say perhaps. He's obviously a better talent. Can he play defense, rebound and is he as strong as Titus from day one? They'll practice a couple weeks before they play their first game and we know they all are studs in practice according to Mick so will Lawrence unseat the senior? My guess is Titus starts the four to start the year off.

 

[Bearcatboy]

In theory I agree about height. I was referring to all three players starting. Big guys can get in foul trouble and if they're all out there at the same time getting minutes then who comes off the bench? Another thing is you play match-ups. If the other team plays small and quick then size can hurt you defensively. My opinion is I don't think Cronin will play all three of these guys at the same time.

As far as if Lawrence is better than Titus he will start I say perhaps. He's obviously a better talent. Can he play defense, rebound and is he as strong as Titus from day one? They'll practice a couple weeks before they play their first game and we know they all are studs in practice according to Mick so will Lawrence unseat the senior? My guess is Titus starts the four to start the year off.

I don't think you have to worry about Lawrence unseating Rubles I think Lawrence could unseat Thomas at the 3 spot.

 

[Gotcha23]

I don't think you have to worry about Lawrence unseating Rubles I think Lawrence could unseat Thomas at the 3 spot.

I would play Titus, Shaq and Lawrence. You don't need a 6'10 kid down low in college. I never understood why Mick forces these big guys minutes when someone 6'8 could do a better job.

 

[Bearcatboy]

I would play Titus, Shaq and Lawrence. You don't need a 6'10 kid down low in college. I never understood why Mick forces these big guys minutes when someone 6'8 could do a better job.

Who would be your 5 man?

 

[david aka the TYZ]

I don't think you have to worry about Lawrence unseating Rubles I think Lawrence could unseat Thomas at the 3 spot.

My original point was if Lawrence started it might would be at the three because to me the three spot is where we'll be starting an inexperienced player (as well as pg, but we can all agree he won't run the point). Other people introduced the idea of Lawrence starting at the four to which I responded. And honestly that is his listed position. But, if he were to play the three you're using two of your other size guys at the four and five. I just don't see Mick using three of our five "bigs" in the line-up at the same time, much less to start the game, especially with JJ being highly foul prone and Nyarsuk not having the knees to play too many minutes at a time. It is possible Lawrence is good enough to start over either Rubles or JJ. My guess though is Lawrence comes off the bench behind Rubles and JJ to start the year. I think Shaq starts at the three unless he just looks lost defensively then it would be Sanders.