UC @ New Mexico

[Bearcat_NTS]

I have high hopes for KJ. He really looks to me like he has a natural ability to score.

I really believe this team will be much better in March then they are now. Three big contributors are freshman and two others (Guyn and Thomas) haven't gotten much run in their careers.

I think UC beats Xavier and Pitt will be a good match up. They do not have the skilled big men like New Mexico and Cincinnati will be their first "test" of the season. I see the Cats with a good shot of winning that one...

 

[JumpinJack5]

I really believe this team will be much better in March then they are now. Three big contributors are freshman and two others (Guyn and Thomas) haven't gotten much run in their careers.

I think UC beats Xavier and Pitt will be a good match up. They do not have the skilled big men like New Mexico and Cincinnati will be their first "test" of the season. I see the Cats with a good shot of winning that one...

You are scaring me, you sound far too optimistic! Are you feeling okay, did you fall and hit your head?

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

You are scaring me, you sound far too optimistic! Are you feeling okay, did you fall and hit your head?

I like this particular team. They will be fun to watch as the young players grow. It has been a while since UC has played freshman. Thankfully these kids are talented, I am also excited to see Morman and Strickland next year. Definitely upgrades in talent and skill level.

For the record, I wasn't this high on last years team. Also, I am almost always correct so this should be a good sign.

 

[JumpinJack5]

I like this particular team. They will be fun to watch as the young players grow. It has been a while since UC has played freshman. Thankfully these kids are talented, I am also excited to see Morman and Strickland next year. Definitely upgrades in talent and skill level.

For the record, I wasn't this high on last years team. Also, I am almost always correct so this should be a good sign.

It is nice to see fresh blood, as we haven't seen what their ceiling will be yet. With Guyn, Sanders, etc., we pretty much know that by now, what we see is what we get. With the freshman, we still have plenty of time to help them grow

 

[Basketball.com]

I like

I like the Kevin Johnson kid, I see a lot of other things in this kid that's going to make his future very bright. As soon as he gets into the game he gets a deflection or is involved in some type of turnover. He can score but I think he holds back some. He will be okay, I'm looking for him to have a breakout game here real soon in what we have coming up. I like him, He's my favorite player on this team. I like TC, JL, the frost. I really could enjoy ST if he decides to wake up and leave Alice in wonder land, and play the game that I know he can play. When he decides to wake up, it should be something real nice that he will contribute in an elite way.

 

[Bearcat22]

I like the Kevin Johnson kid, I see a lot of other things in this kid that's going to make his future very bright. As soon as he gets into the game he gets a deflection or is involved in some type of turnover. He can score but I think he holds back some. He will be okay, I'm looking for him to have a breakout game here real soon in what we have coming up. I like him, He's my favorite player on this team. I like TC, JL, the frost. I really could enjoy ST if he decides to wake up and leave Alice in wonder land, and play the game that I know he can play. When he decides to wake up, it should be something real nice that he will contribute in an elite way.

I agree the future is bright with talented freshman and another great recruiting class. With JDIII's departure, I wonder who Mick might target with another open scholarship. A big or shooter would be on my wish list. I can't quite figure out ST yet, the tools are there for him to take over a game it just doesn't seem to be happening. I've been high on TC since B-Cat Jeff's first mention of him. He's going to drive teams crazy by getting to the line a lot and knocking down FT's.

 

[bearcat jeff]

Right now I'd like to see Caupain, Johnson, Kilpatrick, Rubles, and Jackson. Second team at this point would be GG, rotate SK to sg since he'll play 30 minutes anyway, Sanders/Thomas depending on match up, Lawrence, Nyarsuk. Thomas is giving you vbery little at this point in terms of scoring, rebounding or defense. Still holding out some hope for Strickland but if it doesn't happen soon you have to write the season off. The team sorely needs his body and depth.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Right now I'd like to see Caupain, Johnson, Kilpatrick, Rubles, and Jackson. Second team at this point would be GG, rotate SK to sg since he'll play 30 minutes anyway, Sanders/Thomas depending on match up, Lawrence, Nyarsuk. Thomas is giving you vbery little at this point in terms of scoring, rebounding or defense. Still holding out some hope for Strickland but if it doesn't happen soon you have to write the season off. The team sorely needs his body and depth.

jeff the more I see of KJ the more I like him. Thought the trio of JL,KJ and TC played well at New Mexico. The key to this team's success this year will be one of the new guys stepping up and providing some consistent offense. Right now the only dependable scorer we have is SK. JJ and Titius give you good minutes defensively and rebounding but neither should be confused with good offensive players. KJ and Caupain look to be the best bets right now because JL just isn't physically ready. The most disappointing player to me right now is ST. Really expected him to contribute much more then he has. If someone doesn't step up, SK will see many double teams.

 

[Basketball.com]

I agree the future is bright with talented freshman and another great recruiting class. With JDIII's departure, I wonder who Mick might target with another open scholarship. A big or shooter would be on my wish list. I can't quite figure out ST yet, the tools are there for him to take over a game it just doesn't seem to be happening. I've been high on TC since B-Cat Jeff's first mention of him. He's going to drive teams crazy by getting to the line a lot and knocking down FT's.

TC is the real deal! He's plays with really nice pulse, he has a very mature game for such a young guy. I like the youngies. His free throws are money in the bank.

 

[waterhead]

Right now I'd like to see Caupain, Johnson, Kilpatrick, Rubles, and Jackson. Second team at this point would be GG, rotate SK to sg since he'll play 30 minutes anyway, Sanders/Thomas depending on match up, Lawrence, Nyarsuk. Thomas is giving you vbery little at this point in terms of scoring, rebounding or defense. Still holding out some hope for Strickland but if it doesn't happen soon you have to write the season off. The team sorely needs his body and depth.

I agree with almost everything you have said. There are 4 guys right now I think we can use all the minutes we can get from them...TC, SK, TR, and JJ. After that it depends on matchups and foul trouble until a 5th player makes it clear we need them in there.

Any one of these players can take the wing minutes no matter if they are a PG or a PF. KJ, ST, JS, JL, or GG. Whoever is making us most effective on the court. I think GG and JS are consistent and don't make mistakes but I think their potential is somewhat limited. ST, KJ, and JL have more potential IMO. JL is going to get minutes by default at PF/C...so if we are going to have someone step up and make us a great team I think it will have to come from ST or KJ. No matter what happens we will have plenty of depth to keep up the press.

 

[JumpinJack5]

I think Shaq needs consistent playing time. I realize he makes plenty of mistakes, but you can't learn if you don't get consistent pt. If we give him til the middle of conference play and he still does nothing, then I move him back to a part-timer.

 

[waterhead]

I think Shaq needs consistent playing time. I realize he makes plenty of mistakes, but you can't learn if you don't get consistent pt. If we give him til the middle of conference play and he still does nothing, then I move him back to a part-timer.

I would pencil in TC with SK, JJ, and TR. After that it's hard to make a case for any one person being more effective on the court since there are different aspects of their game between ST, KJ, GG, JS, and JL. I think JL will get minutes by default at the 4 and 5 but the wing is the ?. We have 5 more games before conference play so we have time to figure out who that 5th starter is going to be.

 

[Robert]

I agree that Caupain deserves to start, but has there been any indication from Mick that he might make the switch?

 

[david aka the TYZ]

I'm guessing Guyn continues to start and Caupain continues to come off the bench. I do think however that Caupain will prob start seeing more minutes than Guyn. I just think Mick likes to start the same line-up unless someone just plays horrible and I don't think Guyn is playing horrible. I still think at this point Guyn is the better protector of the ball and that means something at the start of the game/2nd half when all the starters are out there for both teams and you're trying to establish what you are going to do. Also Mick likes having some defensive intensity coming off the bench and Caupain and Johnson do a very good job of coming in and making things happen. Plus if you put Caupain in the starting role and he starts to struggle, not only do you risk hurting Guyn's confidence by taking him out of the starting line-up you risk doing the same thing to Caupain if you have to put Guyn back in there. There's no saying Caupain's minutes can't increase coming off the bench. I just think status quo is the safe road right now.

 

[Scheids21]

Yeah I don't feel like looking it up but hasn't Troy been seeing more minutes than Guyn? That's all that matters really and I expect it to become even more obvious.

 

[waterhead]

Yeah I don't feel like looking it up but hasn't Troy been seeing more minutes than Guyn? That's all that matters really and I expect it to become even more obvious.

Good points guys. It might be best to give GG the start and give TC 25+ minutes for the near future. Keep them both happy and confident.

 

[CaptDale]

I'm guessing Guyn continues to start and Caupain continues to come off the bench. I do think however that Caupain will prob start seeing more minutes than Guyn. I just think Mick likes to start the same line-up unless someone just plays horrible and I don't think Guyn is playing horrible. I still think at this point Guyn is the better protector of the ball and that means something at the start of the game/2nd half when all the starters are out there for both teams and you're trying to establish what you are going to do. Also Mick likes having some defensive intensity coming off the bench and Caupain and Johnson do a very good job of coming in and making things happen. Plus if you put Caupain in the starting role and he starts to struggle, not only do you risk hurting Guyn's confidence by taking him out of the starting line-up you risk doing the same thing to Caupain if you have to put Guyn back in there. There's no saying Caupain's minutes can't increase coming off the bench. I just think status quo is the safe road right now.

I like your rationale, David. Maybe Mick will make you the psychological team coach

 

[waterhead]

Yeah I don't feel like looking it up but hasn't Troy been seeing more minutes than Guyn? That's all that matters really and I expect it to become even more obvious.

Without looking it up I think Caupain has been trending up slightly but not much. GG missed most of one game because of a leg injury. Right now TC is averaging 19.1 and GG 18.6. When they are both healthy they are seeing similar minutes...obviously game by game it could change a little.

I am thinking we need to see more of TC...and that doesn't HAVE to mean less of GG. GG has been about as productive as KJ, ST, and JS for the most part. If our best lineup is three guards so be it. I think Cronin will prefer the height and length but who knows.

Did some more checking...over the last 4 games GG and TC have been almost identical in minutes played. Probably within 5 total minutes or less of each other. After more checking, if it weren't for GG's leg injury in one game he would probably have played roughly 25 minutes to TC's 15 in the first 4 games. So yes, definitley trending up. He's drawn even with a slight edge over the last 4...so that's a 10-11 minute swing when you really break it down.

 

[david aka the TYZ]

I like your rationale, David. Maybe Mick will make you the psychological team coach

As long as I can start next year, not sure I want to find out what's in JJ's head...

 

[Robert]

Without looking it up I think Caupain has been trending up slightly but not much. GG missed most of one game because of a leg injury. Right now TC is averaging 19.1 and GG 18.6. When they are both healthy they are seeing similar minutes...obviously game by game it could change a little.

I am thinking we need to see more of TC...and that doesn't HAVE to mean less of GG. GG has been about as productive as KJ, ST, and JS for the most part. If our best lineup is three guards so be it. I think Cronin will prefer the height and length but who knows.

Did some more checking...over the last 4 games GG and TC have been almost identical in minutes played. Probably within 5 total minutes or less of each other. After more checking, if it weren't for GG's leg injury in one game he would probably have played roughly 25 minutes to TC's 15 in the first 4 games. So yes, definitley trending up. He's drawn even with a slight edge over the last 4...so that's a 10-11 minute swing when you really break it down.

I don't know our conference opponents' personnel that well, but I was looking over the rosters/stats of Louisville, UConn, and Memphis last night, and noticed that none of them really have guys over 6'9" or so in the rotation... I can't remember which, but one of them has a 6'10" guy who plays about 10 minutes per game. Being that the 3 most talented teams in our conference play small and we are more talented than the rest of the conference, we might be better served playing small ball once we get in to conference play.