The Starting 5

[Guapo]

I know there have been a couple of similar threads; but now that we are through the pre-season, what is everyone thinking re: the starting 5 for Friday?

I'm thinking:

Adams
Gilbert
Vital
Larrier
Cobb

Maybe Diarra instead Vital?

 

[JimHurley]

Easy.
Gilbert
Adams
Vital
Diarra
Cobb
This lineup gives us the best combination of scoring, defense, and rebounding.

 

[Husky25]

Easy.
Gilbert
Adams
Vital
Diarra
Cobb
This lineup gives us the best combination of scoring, defense, and rebounding.

Did Larrier start against Queens? I feel there is no way he is not in the starting line up. Vital comes off the bench, but gets Hybrid starter/6th man minutes. He needs to relieve one of the guards just before the 16:00 time out.

I think the rotation runs at least 9 deep to start the season.

 

[mauconnfan]

Adams
Gilbert
Vital
Larrier
Cobb

-or-

Adams
Gilbert
Larrier
Polley/Whaley/Diarra
Cobb

 

[Guapo]

Easy.
Gilbert
Adams
Vital
Diarra
Cobb
This lineup gives us the best combination of scoring, defense, and rebounding.

Hey I don't disagree with you, but man not starting Larrier is tough...

 

[UConnSwag11]

Hey I don't disagree with you, but man not starting Larrier is tough...

Agreed. But what has he done that’s better than what Vital has done? His size and length are the only plus. Maybe ease larrier in?

 

[Son of Robert]

Gilbert
Adams
Larrier
Diarra
Cobb

Combination of speed, power, and scoring inside outside. Very good defensive lineup with a balanced offensive attack.

 

[Wordbomar]

I like each of the following and would be fine with any:

Lineup 1
Gilbert
Adams
Larrier
Mamadou
Cobb

Lineup 2
Gilbert
Adams
Larrier
Polley
Mamadou

Lineup 3 (This will be our crunch time lineup imo)
Gilbert
Adams
Vital
Larrier
Mamadou/Cobb

 

[partyATkemba]

I think if we go two guards, AG comes off the bench. Would be shocked if Vital isn't a full time starter.

My guess is we still go three guards at least to start the season against smaller teams- Gilbert, Adams, Vital, Larrier, Cobb.

 

[upstater]

Ollie said last night that Diarra didn't play much because he was a starter.

So... Gilbert, Adams, Larrier, Diarra and EITHER Vital or Cobb.

 

[QDOG5]

Coaches always talk about it's the players who are in at the end of the game that count. I believe that Vital will be on the court at the end of most games.

 

[CardiacKemba]

Gilbert
Adams
Larrier
Diarra
Cobb

CV is your 1st guy off the bench. Larrier starts on this team, and there should be zero doubt about that.

 

[BlueMAB]

Easy.
Gilbert
Adams
Vital
Diarra
Cobb
This lineup gives us the best combination of scoring, defense, and rebounding.

I can't imagine Larrier not starting, regardless of how he is playing.

Gilbert
Adams
Larrier
Cobb
Diarra

Next 5
Vital
Anderson
Carlton
Whaley
Polley

 

[BlueMAB]

Coaches always talk about it's the players who are in at the end of the game that count. I believe that Vital will be on the court at the end of most games.

This. Tyler Olander started at center in the national championship game but only played about 10 minutes.

At the end, Gilbert, Larrier, Vital, Adams, and one of Cobb/Diarra depending on their defense/fouls/free throw shooting.

 

[businesslawyer]

Agreed. But what has he done that’s better than what Vital has done? His size and length are the only plus. Maybe ease larrier in?

He's coming off knee surgery. He's starting unless and until his starting hurts the team. And not in an exhibition game.

We are going nowhere without Larrier playing well. he is going to be given some rope.

 

[Excalibur]

Adams is obvious.
The center is either Diarra or Cobb.
Larrier is going to start.

So the question is whether we are going with three or two guards --

If it's two, I think Gilbert is the odd man out and we go with Adams, Vital, Larrier, Cobb and Diarra.
If it's three, then Larrier goes to the four and either Cobb or Diarra sits.

The two-guard lineup lacks ball-handling. The three-guard lineup will have trouble rebounding.

 

[BlueMAB]

Adams is obvious.
The center is either Diarra or Cobb.
Larrier is going to start.

So the question is whether we are going with three or two guards --

If it's two, I think Gilbert is the odd man out and we go with Adams, Vital, Larrier, Cobb and Diarra.
If it's three, then Larrier goes to the four and either Cobb or Diarra sits.

The two-guard lineup lacks ball-handling. The three-guard lineup will have trouble rebounding.

I'm surprised anyone really thinks Gilbert, Adams, and Larrier aren't penciled in as starters from now until the time they leave. If it's based on the 3 exhibition games, I think that's somewhat foolish. No disrespect intended, but I don't think Ollie needed these 3 games to figure out the starting 5 but to figure out the next 5.

Le'ts remember he was playing walk-ons in the first half yesterday.

 

[gtcam]

Larrier will start
But if it looks like he is not in synch I doubt KO has him on a long leash
Vital will be out there when it counts - he's been through the tough spots of last year and only he and JA can claim that dubious honor
The 1st 3 games will be an extension of the preseason with JA getting the most burn and Vital coming in second.
I just hope the outcome is a bit different than a year ago or this place will implode

 

[Kenny11]

Start the best lineup again against a zone because that is what we should be seeing.

 

[gtcam]

Start the best lineup again against a zone because that is what we should be seeing.

The problem is>>>>>>>>>>>>>> there is none

 

[HuskyHawk]

Agreed. But what has he done that’s better than what Vital has done? His size and length are the only plus. Maybe ease larrier in?

Done when? We haven't played any games yet.

So far in his actual UConn career, Larrier averages 13.5 PPG and 5 RB a game. Plus almost 2 assists and .5 blocks.

Vital averages 9 PPG and 3.5 RB with the same assists. He's also a combo guard on a team with two PGs. He should be our sixth man, spelling both Adams, Gilbert and Larrier at times. He'll probably be on the court at the end of most games.

 

[aceboon]

How is posters thinking Gilbert won't start still a thing on here?

 

[Horatio]

Gilbert
Adams
Larrier
Diarra
Cobb

Combination of speed, power, and scoring inside outside. Very good defensive lineup with a balanced offensive attack.

I think this is the one.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I think this is the one.

Yes, and as the season goes on, I hope to see the young guys challenging for minutes. Carlton can push Cobb for example.

 

[jibsey]

Larrier starts but if he’s jacking and missing 3’s he’ll lose PT.