Shortening the Bench

[UConnDan97]

I've always felt that the good teams had about 8 guys that they had solidly in their rotation. What we saw early this year is that we had about 10 or 11, with many of them being young. Roles don't get established. Leaders don't develop.

What we saw in the second half was a shortening of the bench and a necessary establishment of roles. Granted, they came under horrible circumstances with injuries to Larrier and Gilbert, and teams don't often get better when they lose talent.

But now, Adams and Purvis are the guys without having to look over their shoulders. And we'll have a solid 8 player rotation where all 8 players develop within their roles. I expect us to go on a run now. Mark me down for saying it...

 

[jrazz12]

I've always felt that the good teams had about 8 guys that they had solidly in their rotation. What we saw early this year is that we had about 10 or 11, with many of them being young. Roles don't get established. Leaders don't develop.

What we saw in the second half was a shortening of the bench and a necessary establishment of roles. Granted, they came under horrible circumstances with injuries to Larrier and Gilbert, and teams don't often get better when they lose talent.

But now, Adams and Purvis are the guys without having to look over their shoulders. And we'll have a solid 8 player rotation where all 8 players develop within their roles. I expect us to go on a run now. Mark me down for saying it...

Hate to say it but glad you did. I was kinda thinking the same. There were a lot of moving parts figuring where each fit in before. Now, for good or bad, those pieces are less in flux.

 

[Yankees32123]

Jalen, Purvis, Gilbert, Larrier, Brimah, Jackson, Vital and one of Facey, Enoch and Durham. If Larrier is out for the year, make it 2 of Facey, Enoch and Durham.

 

[NielsisGood]

I just wish that this weren't coming at the expense of 2 of the 3 best players on this team being unavailable.

 

[Chin Diesel]

The three frosh- Vital, Durham and Jackson seemed to be positively affected the most.

They had to play and all seemed aggressive.

 

[HuskyBandDad]

We only have 8. Walk-ons don't count

 

[huskiesNhoos]

Most teams start by trying a lot of rotations early...the fact that we haven't trimmed the rotation to 8 guys yet (ignoring the fact that injuries now only allow us to play 8 guys) is not an issue

If it's January and we haven't figured out our best 8 and rotations that's when we have a problem. KO has always seemed to have an issue figuring out his rotations and subbing patterns, and it usually takes him until late February for it to click.

 

[Danzz]

Bench is already pretty short with the injuries.