I think seniority is rewarded in the starting lineup, so Hass, Ball, McNeeley, AK, Samson. If AK goes, Stewart, but Stewart gets 25-30 minutes regardless. Reed likely plays more than Samson and finishes many games, but comes off the bench. Nowell gets 25-30 too and may finish games alongside Hass.
Projected Starting Line Up
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If AK stays in the draft, the chances of Stewart starting go up significantly. And I certainly hope you’re right about Solo’s game improving enough to take the job from a known quantity like Mahaney (because that’s an amazing problem to have). But the statement that it’s 100% both start is a bit bonkers.
HuskyWarrior611
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Improves aka has a real role in the offense.
On paper Mahaney is our best 6th man, an excellent combo guard who can close. Starting Diarra with Ball makes a lot of sense to begin the season. McNeeley is expected to be on the ball some from the 3. Personally very excited for Abraham. He's got the potential to absolutely crush lower expectations.
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Kid averaged 14ppg on a top-25 team. The likelihood of him coming off the bench is monumentally low. Idk what some of y'all are smoking.
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Yup... I expect him to start at either the 1 or 2.
Chin Diesel
The timing could not possibly be worse
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Hot take.
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I’m a huge Solo fan, but lack of a role was not the only thing keeping him from stardom year one. He had a lot to improve on, which is fine, because he’s a freshman and that’s normal.
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Boldest prediction yet. Not only will Solo start, he will do so at both guard positions!
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100%
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I think going into the season it'll be:
Diarra
Mahaney
Stewart
Karaban
Reed/Johnson
Then first 3 off the bench: McNeeley, Solo, Reed/Johnson
But the great thing is if Diarra or Stewart or someone isn't playing how they need to play we have so many different lineup possibilities that Hurley can tinker with like Mahaney/McNeeley/Stewart/Karaban/Reed or Mahaney/Solo/McNeeley/Karaban/Johnson or whatever
Diarra
Mahaney
Stewart
Karaban
Reed/Johnson
Then first 3 off the bench: McNeeley, Solo, Reed/Johnson
But the great thing is if Diarra or Stewart or someone isn't playing how they need to play we have so many different lineup possibilities that Hurley can tinker with like Mahaney/McNeeley/Stewart/Karaban/Reed or Mahaney/Solo/McNeeley/Karaban/Johnson or whatever
CL82
NCAA Men’s Basketball National Champions - Again!
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And for a lesser player, that might be an issue...
If Stewart doesn't improve 27% 3-pt shooting, he'll get plenty of minutes--but start over the best shooter in high school ball this year?
Diarra and Ball have been challenged to step up their playmaking--but Nowell and Mahaney are very good shooters who also can both direct the offense.
Diarra and Ball have been challenged to step up their playmaking--but Nowell and Mahaney are very good shooters who also can both direct the offense.
Like everyone here, I would love to win 3 in a row. I'll be crushed if we get bounced from the tourney before we bag another championship.
AK returning gives us the best chance of that.
But also, I would love to go into the season with a brand-new starting five. Whatever we accomplish next year, think how awesome it will be with that extra degree of difficulty.
AK returning gives us the best chance of that.
But also, I would love to go into the season with a brand-new starting five. Whatever we accomplish next year, think how awesome it will be with that extra degree of difficulty.
HuskyWarrior611
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All aboard the Solo at PG train!
It’s honestly the best roster fit that makes sense for everyone to have adequate playing time and roles.
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I can’t tell if you’re joking or not.
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Mahaney and Karaban (if he returns) are the penciled-in starters barring a calamity of an off-season. I don't know what some of y'all are thinking.
Stewart and Diarra are the next surest things. But it wouldn't surprise me if Nowell and McNeeley outperform them either. It's going to be a fight in practice and the team will be better for it.
Solo, Johnson, Reed need to develop to be starting-level players. Penciling in any of them is just silly. If Solo can't learn to pass or handle the ball, he isn't going to play much. If Johnson fouls 8x per 40, he's not starting. If Reed turns the ball over 25% of the time, he's not starting. Every one of those guys needs to understand that they aren't good enough right now, and it's time to put in the work to earn their minutes on a championship team.
Then the freshman. I could see Abraham earning decent minutes because of his defense and physicality. I'd be shocked if McNeeley wasn't the first wing off the bench if he isn't starting. And Nowell is too talented to not see the floor; it will all depend on how his defense translates and when he gets used to the faster pace of play. Not much room for error when you're only 6-foot.
Ross and Singare need a HUGE off-season to play, frankly. Their rate of improvement will need to be astounding, and they better know it, and do something about it.
And for those easily offended: This is my opinion.
Stewart and Diarra are the next surest things. But it wouldn't surprise me if Nowell and McNeeley outperform them either. It's going to be a fight in practice and the team will be better for it.
Solo, Johnson, Reed need to develop to be starting-level players. Penciling in any of them is just silly. If Solo can't learn to pass or handle the ball, he isn't going to play much. If Johnson fouls 8x per 40, he's not starting. If Reed turns the ball over 25% of the time, he's not starting. Every one of those guys needs to understand that they aren't good enough right now, and it's time to put in the work to earn their minutes on a championship team.
Then the freshman. I could see Abraham earning decent minutes because of his defense and physicality. I'd be shocked if McNeeley wasn't the first wing off the bench if he isn't starting. And Nowell is too talented to not see the floor; it will all depend on how his defense translates and when he gets used to the faster pace of play. Not much room for error when you're only 6-foot.
Ross and Singare need a HUGE off-season to play, frankly. Their rate of improvement will need to be astounding, and they better know it, and do something about it.
And for those easily offended: This is my opinion.
HuskyWarrior611
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When you take everything into account.
We have a transfer from a top 25 team that is going to want big minutes. Stewart is looking for a larger role after biding his time for the upperclassman and same with Solo.
Diarra does next expect a starter role, neither will Nowell.
Obviously talent is going to play into the decision as well, but it makes the most sense for Solo to play PG and be the guy alongside Mahaney, Stewart, and whoever between AK or LM. If we want any shot at 7 he has to be the guy to take the leap.
We aren’t winning with a backcourt of Diarra and Mahaney trying to be the best guards in the country. No disrespect to those guys. Solo has the talent to be that. Diarra is an amazing 6th man.
Price (Solo), Austrie (Diarra), Kemba (Nowell), Dyson (Mahaney) is how those roles and minutes can be allocated.