KO breaks down the roster

[Dogbreath2U]

While it could certainly happen, at this point I don't expect Gilbert to start. I envision him coming off the bench as a spark as a freshman. Starters most likely will be Adams/Purvis/Larrier/Facey/Brimah.

Agree, this is the team most likely to be starters at the beginning of the year. The 4 is the only place that we'll probably see changes. The question of how the non-starter minutes are distributed will be interesting. Of course, who will be on the floor at the end of games will tell the tale. If Alterique can rein himself in just a little, he could be such a jolt of energy and speed to the team.

 

[James]

While it could certainly happen, at this point I don't expect Gilbert to start. I envision him coming off the bench as a spark as a freshman. Starters most likely will be Adams/Purvis/Larrier/Facey/Brimah.

when a coach says they are going to hand the keys to you, that does not equate to being a 'spark off the bench' in coachspeak.

 

[BlueMAB]

That whole incident was overblown. Boat barely pushed him, Bazz just happened to have both feet in the air when he did it, so he was knocked off balance and it looked worse than it was.

WATCH: Shabazz Napier shoves Ryan Boatright during play

 

[BlueMAB]

when a coach says they are going to hand the keys to you, that does not equate to being a 'spark off the bench' in coachspeak.

If Gilbert starts, then Purvis is at the three, Larrier the four, and Brimah the 5. That's a fast and athletic lineup. Who comes in for Gilbert and/or Adams in that scenario?

 

[superjohn]

when a coach says they are going to hand the keys to you, that does not equate to being a 'spark off the bench' in coachspeak.

It's pretty safe to say Gilbert will either start or see starters minutes. I expect Adams and Alterique to be on thr floor together as much as possible.

 

[James]

If Gilbert starts, then Purvis is at the three, Larrier the four, and Brimah the 5. That's a fast and athletic lineup. Who comes in for Gilbert and/or Adams in that scenario?

It would be an early sub for either AG or Adams for facey so the line up would turn big*, sliding larrier up to the wing. then you could go back to maybe a short sting for vital at the 2 and gilbert while adams gets rest; either way KO will rely heavily on the AG/adams combo in the backcourt, especially closing games. Purvis will thrive playing with those two guards, and whether larrier can really bang as a stretch 4 remains to be seen... big questions for the 4.

 

[champs99and04]

when a coach says they are going to hand the keys to you, that does not equate to being a 'spark off the bench' in coachspeak.

It can sort of be both, no? Bazz sort of got the keys in '11, even though he didn't start and everybody knew it was Kemba's team. But he was the one usually running the point in high leverage spots w/ Kemba and Lamb working off screens.

 

[superjohn]

It would be an early sub for either AG or Adams for facey so the line up would turn big*, sliding larrier up to the wing. then you could go back to maybe a short sting for vital at the 2 and gilbert while adams gets rest; either way KO will rely heavily on the AG/adams combo in the backcourt, especially closing games. Purvis will thrive playing with those two guards, and whether larrier can really bang as a stretch 4 remains to be seen... big questions for the 4.

Agree, having 2 top notch ballahandlers who can get in the lane is key for the team and especially key for Rodney getting open looks. Facey and Brimah have never shown enough offense for both of them to be on the floor at the same time except for a few spot minutes.

 

[JimHurley]

If Larrier can rebound, I'm all for Gilbert starting. But if he can't then I think Facey has to start.

 

[champs99and04]

If Larrier can rebound, I'm all for Gilbert starting. But if he can't then I think Facey has to start.

Honestly it might make more sense to start Durham.

 

[James]

If Larrier can rebound, I'm all for Gilbert starting. But if he can't then I think Facey has to start.

it doesn't just come down to rebounding, its more about matching the physicality of opposing forwards on defense and being able to turn into an effective screener.

 

[Dogbreath2U]

Honestly it might make more sense to start Durham.

If he's clear and away the best, then he should start. Donyell started from the get go, IIRC. But there also could be something said for taking it slow with Juwan, but that is obviously up to KO as JD has been fully cleared. It will be interesting to see how he plays from the start....hesitant or not.

 

[BlueMAB]

It would be an early sub for either AG or Adams for facey so the line up would turn big*, sliding larrier up to the wing. then you could go back to maybe a short sting for vital at the 2 and gilbert while adams gets rest; either way KO will rely heavily on the AG/adams combo in the backcourt, especially closing games. Purvis will thrive playing with those two guards, and whether larrier can really bang as a stretch 4 remains to be seen... big questions for the 4.

I think we'll see a ton of AG/Adams in the backcourt together too, but I'm not sold on AG starting. Minutes matter more than starts anyway. It will all depend on a feel for how they play. Our frontcourt is unproven, but deep. We've got bodies we can throw in the paint Brimah, Facey, Larrier, Jackson, Enoch, Durham, Diarra...In terms of true ball handlers, we've only got two. I know Purvis can't play the point, I don't know enough about Vital.

 

[intlzncster]

then you could go back to maybe a short sting for vital at the 2 and gilbert while adams gets

Does anyone have a clue if this kid can even contribute this year? Serious question. I've no idea myself.

 

[JimHurley]

Does anyone have a clue if this kid can even contribute this year? Serious question. I've no idea myself.

I don't see Vital having too big of an impact as a freshman. He's a great shooter from deep and a scrappy defender but he's gonna really have to fight for minutes with Purvis, Adams, and Gilbert in front of him. I can see Vital giving us 10-12 minutes a night if he can find his shot and play tough D.

 

[businesslawyer]

I can't think of a single time that Bazz and Boat wasn't a good thing.

You can't? When they played together in '11=12, the chemistry was God awful

 

[CardiacAndre7]

I don't see Vital having too big of an impact as a freshman. He's a great shooter from deep and a scrappy defender but he's gonna really have to fight for minutes with Purvis, Adams, and Gilbert in front of him. I can see Vital giving us 10-12 minutes a night if he can find his shot and play tough D.

An able 4th guard is a necessity for us.

 

[Chief00]

Quite frankly, in basketball lots of depth is often overrated. Sometimes it can create chemistry problems or too much substitution. In theory, nice problem to have since it's a long season with injuries and fouls. But, give me 3 stars, 3 pretty good players and 2-3,role players.

 

[Edward Sargent]

Quite frankly, in basketball lots of depth is often overrated. Sometimes it can create chemistry problems or too much substitution. In theory, nice problem to have since it's a long season with injuries and fouls. But, give me 3 stars, 3 pretty good players and 2-3,role players.

I know lets have two five man teams - shirts and skins maybe!
Coach Cal

 

[BlueMAB]

Quite frankly, in basketball lots of depth is often overrated. Sometimes it can create chemistry problems or too much substitution. In theory, nice problem to have since it's a long season with injuries and fouls. But, give me 3 stars, 3 pretty good players and 2-3,role players.

So you're looking for 8-9 players for the rotation? Groundbreaking stuff Chief.

 

[Chief00]

So you're looking for 8-9 players for the rotation? Groundbreaking stuff Chief.

Not everything in life is groundbreaking. Tougher question is who will they be?

Scary OOC schedule early - when we will be most vulnerable.
Tough to do but one of goals of schedule maker should be two OOC games after January 1st. Given our relatively weak conference.

 

[James]

@Chief00 is actually not wrong for college basketball, the nba is different you need a deep rotation. I can't recall a thibs-esque coach (getting flack for overplaying players) in ncaab for good reason, they play way less and are younger. Ollie is not a master of rotations he doesn't necessarily stagger well but he does know what his truly effective lineups are in clutch time.

 

[champs99and04]

@Chief00 is actually not wrong for college basketball, the nba is different you need a deep rotation. I can't recall a thibs-esque coach (getting flack for overplaying players) in ncaab for good reason, they play way less and are younger. Ollie is not a master of rotations he doesn't necessarily stagger well but he does know what his truly effective lineups are in clutch time.

Duke won the title with seven players two years ago and Cuse just went to the final four with six guys, so you're right. It's not ideal but it can be overcome.

 

[Mr. French]

Quite frankly, in basketball lots of depth is often overrated. Sometimes it can create chemistry problems or too much substitution. In theory, nice problem to have since it's a long season with injuries and fouls. But, give me 3 stars, 3 pretty good players and 2-3,role players.

No joke, that's one of the first rational posts, basically in its entirety, that I've seen from you, and I fear that I think I agree.

 

[RabidHusky]

Al Maguire said "If you can't win with 7 or 8 you can't win with 78"