Starting 5 question

[Xuperman]

Just curious to hear if y'all think Coach will settle on a consistent starting 5? In most seasons that has been pretty much in stone at this point. Granted, C19 prevents any normal decision but the 3 seniors + Z seem to be a given. Will the 5th starter become more predictable?

I personally think Kunk has made a strong case, although CoJo makes it razor thin. Both guys are multi-tooled and highly effective scorers. Either way X has a very strong unit from the jump, to go along with, arguably, the strongest bench in conference.

When the calendar turns to February, the rotation typically gets condensed to maximize chemistry for the stretch run but it looks like team 99 will continue to have 9/10 guys getting productive minutes.

[GIMMFD]

Good question, definitely think Nate, Scruggs, Carter and Freemantle are pencil'd in, and that 5th spot is rotating, I don't personally think we're going to see a consistent starting 5, I think Steele may play it by match-ups with Dwon, Kunk, Colby all fighting for it. I think in games where Steele wants Scruggs off the ball, Dwon will get it, and others could see Colby/Kunk get it, I like Colby a bit more just because of his smoothness, just a sense of calm when he's with the ball, but Kunk really has made a helluva case as of late. I definitely agree we're going to have a deep bench in February and March, which is good as we'll be able to have some fresh legs, plus the bench packs a good scoring punch too.

[drudy23]

I honestly don't think it matters who starts. Maybe for the psyche of the players, but I don't think it impacts results much.

In-game adjustments and who makes plays down the stretch is much more important.

[Xuperman]

With so many questioning Coach Steele's ability with rotation/player minutes, I am guessing a popular starting 5 on this board would be Scruggs, Tandy, Jones, Odom, Freemantle. It's a very young line up but I think it would be effective vs Marquette....BUT guarding Garcia will be a major problem. Go with this as long as possible if we can match them offensively. Keep in mind Justin Lewis is healthy and back to being very productive...he's another tough guy to guard.

You could sub in Kunk and/or CJ if anyone struggles and I would love to see Griffin come up big of tge bench, frontcourt. Hopefully Carter will not be forced into alot of minutes because no one can guard Garcia.

What do you guys think?

[xudash]

With so many questioning Coach Steele's ability with rotation/player minutes, I am guessing a popular starting 5 on this board would be Scruggs, Tandy, Jones, Odom, Freemantle. It's a very young line up but I think it would be effective vs Marquette....BUT guarding Garcia will be a major problem. Go with this as long as possible if we can match them offensively. Keep in mind Justin Lewis is healthy and back to being very productive...he's another tough guy to guard.

You could sub in Kunk and/or CJ if anyone struggles and I would love to see Griffin come up big of tge bench, frontcourt. Hopefully Carter will not be forced into alot of minutes because no one can guard Garcia.

What do you guys think?

I think I like the way you think:

1. Scruggs, Tandy, Jones, Odom, Freemantle.

2. Griffin as a response to the down low competition.

3. < Carter.

4. Game intensity that = the Creighton game.

[paulxu]

4. Game intensity that = the Creighton game.

This.

[xavierj]

Just curious to hear if y'all think Coach will settle on a consistent starting 5? In most seasons that has been pretty much in stone at this point. Granted, C19 prevents any normal decision but the 3 seniors + Z seem to be a given. Will the 5th starter become more predictable?

I personally think Kunk has made a strong case, although CoJo makes it razor thin. Both guys are multi-tooled and highly effective scorers. Either way X has a very strong unit from the jump, to go along with, arguably, the strongest bench in conference.

When the calendar turns to February, the rotation typically gets condensed to maximize chemistry for the stretch run but it looks like team 99 will continue to have 9/10 guys getting productive minutes.

Just curious why you think Kunkel has made a strong case. He has had a couple of good games but very inconsistent. He is shooting like 27% from three on a lot of attempts. In addition he struggles with stronger bigger guards on defense and was actually being pulled last game when they went offense/defense late. I think Kunkel is going to help a lot next year but not sure he should be starting or playing starter minutes. Needs to get stronger and more consistent. I would probably go with Odom, Scruggs, Jones, Witcher and Free and then bring Kyky in for Odom to get another shooter in the game.

[Xuperman]

Just curious why you think Kunkel has made a strong case. He has had a couple of good games but very inconsistent. He is shooting like 27% from three on a lot of attempts. In addition he struggles with stronger bigger guards on defense and was actually being pulled last game when they went offense/defense late. I think Kunkel is going to help a lot next year but not sure he should be starting or playing starter minutes. Needs to get stronger and more consistent. I would probably go with Odom, Scruggs, Jones, Witcher and Free and then bring Kyky in for Odom to get another shooter in the game.

You are responding to my original post on this thread. That was the end of January and Kunk has cooled off some unfortunately, but I love how he plays with passion. Hard to see him as a liability regardless of his 3%....give me an 110% effort guy any day!

[bleedXblue]

I don't care who starts. Play fuc*&^G better!

[D-West & PO-Z]

Mt starting lineup would be:

Odom
Scruggs
Kunkel
Jones
Free

Kyky first off then bench, then Griffin then Carter.

While I think Carter deserves less playing time, I think he still deserves 10-15 mins/game depending on the opponent and how the game is going. Currently he gets 27-28 mins a game.

[Xville]

Mt starting lineup would be:

Odom
Scruggs
Kunkel
Jones
Free

Kyky first off then bench, then Griffin then Carter.

While I think Carter deserves less playing time, I think he still deserves 10-15 mins/game depending on the opponent and how the game is going. Currently he gets 27-28 mins a game.

No Wilcher? He'd be my first or second off the bench, if not starting.

[MHettel]

I think there are 4 main ways to score.

1. Catch and Shoot
2. Attack / Drive to finish or get fouled (includes transition).
3. Old School Post Up / Scraps
4. Create your own jumper

Very few guys can do it all. Great players can do 3 of them. A lot of guys can do 2. Some guys are limited to 1. And of course, there are guys that really cant do much of anything offensively.

Think about our roster and these scoring methods. You need some balance on the roster and on the COURT TOGETHER.

Scrugs: 1,2,4
Free: 1,3
Odom: 2
Jones: 2
Kunkle: 1,4
Tandy: 1,4
Wilcher: 1
Carter: 3 (scraps only)
Griffin: 3

You need a little bit of everything, or defending it becomes too easy. If we insist on this 4 guard lineup, then Freemantle is the ONLY guy out there to score in the post or gets the scraps. If he's hanging out at the 3 point line, then we lose. It's that simple.

Best lineup in my mind (not necessarily the STARTING LINEUP, but the most POTENT lineup):
Scruggs, Tandy, Kunkle, Jones and Free.

You have 3 guys that can create their own shot. 4 guys that can catch and shoot (although I ask Free to stay near the bucket). 2 dudes that can slash. And 1 post / scrap player. Probably defensively challenged, so gotta push the tempo for sure.

Odom can fit in this lineup for Jones, but you just got smaller so it's gotta be faster.

The MHETTEL LINEUP MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES:
ALWAYS have 2 of these 3 players on the court: Scruggs, Kunkle, or Tandy
NEVER have JONES and ODOM on the court together, but ALWAYS have one.
Freemantle getting 75% of big man minutes, Griffin gets 25%
Wilcher is the shooter and size upgrade when needed for Kunkle or Tandy, but he's gotta be with Scruggs.
Carter has a role when: a) Protecting a lead (but need some offense around him) b) Big man foul trouble c) Need to stop an opposing run

Its not that complicated. 5 basic guidelines to managing the roster. Based on 4 offensive concepts.

A starting lineup with Odom, Jones and Carter means we lack catch and shoot options. So, the defense can sit down a little longer and hope we rotate the ball to anyone but Scruggs for a catch and shoot attempt. AND they are gonna give Jones and Odom the space to take a bad jumper and force them into a contested drive, and again you are hoping Scruggs gets the ball while open, but why leave Scruggs open when you can just ignore Carter and get him to launch? The defense just GAVE you a shot that you will either MISS or pass up so they can regroup. And, if you haven't noticed, Carter is certainly passing up shots that he used to take.

I think Johnson getting injured is a hurdle. And I REALLY wanted to see what Stanley could do against BE competition. But those options are off the table. But seeing an overflow of certain skillsets on the floor together is just bad coaching. If I can figure this shit out while watching, then how the HELL can this not be obvious to 4 dudes that do this for a living?

[xavierj]

I think there are 4 main ways to score.

1. Catch and Shoot
2. Attack / Drive to finish or get fouled (includes transition).
3. Old School Post Up / Scraps
4. Create your own jumper

Very few guys can do it all. Great players can do 3 of them. A lot of guys can do 2. Some guys are limited to 1. And of course, there are guys that really cant do much of anything offensively.

Think about our roster and these scoring methods. You need some balance on the roster and on the COURT TOGETHER.

Scrugs: 1,2,4
Free: 1,3
Odom: 2
Jones: 2
Kunkle: 1,4
Tandy: 1,4
Wilcher: 1
Carter: 3 (scraps only)
Griffin: 3

You need a little bit of everything, or defending it becomes too easy. If we insist on this 4 guard lineup, then Freemantle is the ONLY guy out there to score in the post or gets the scraps. If he's hanging out at the 3 point line, then we lose. It's that simple.

Best lineup in my mind (not necessarily the STARTING LINEUP, but the most POTENT lineup):
Scruggs, Tandy, Kunkle, Jones and Free.

You have 3 guys that can create their own shot. 4 guys that can catch and shoot (although I ask Free to stay near the bucket). 2 dudes that can slash. And 1 post / scrap player. Probably defensively challenged, so gotta push the tempo for sure.

Odom can fit in this lineup for Jones, but you just got smaller so it's gotta be faster.

The MHETTEL LINEUP MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES:
ALWAYS have 2 of these 3 players on the court: Scruggs, Kunkle, or Tandy
NEVER have JONES and ODOM on the court together, but ALWAYS have one.
Freemantle getting 75% of big man minutes, Griffin gets 25%
Wilcher is the shooter and size upgrade when needed for Kunkle or Tandy, but he's gotta be with Scruggs.
Carter has a role when: a) Protecting a lead (but need some offense around him) b) Big man foul trouble c) Need to stop an opposing run

Its not that complicated. 5 basic guidelines to managing the roster. Based on 4 offensive concepts.

A starting lineup with Odom, Jones and Carter means we lack catch and shoot options. So, the defense can sit down a little longer and hope we rotate the ball to anyone but Scruggs for a catch and shoot attempt. AND they are gonna give Jones and Odom the space to take a bad jumper and force them into a contested drive, and again you are hoping Scruggs gets the ball while open, but why leave Scruggs open when you can just ignore Carter and get him to launch? The defense just GAVE you a shot that you will either MISS or pass up so they can regroup. And, if you haven't noticed, Carter is certainly passing up shots that he used to take.

I think Johnson getting injured is a hurdle. And I REALLY wanted to see what Stanley could do against BE competition. But those options are off the table. But seeing an overflow of certain skillsets on the floor together is just bad coaching. If I can figure this shit out while watching, then how the HELL can this not be obvious to 4 dudes that do this for a living?

I think you are underestimating Jones. He is 50% from the floor, 33% from three (much higher than Kunkel) can create his own shot, can hit mid range shots and is a great passer, 3 assists per game. He is also third in offensive rebounds and total rebounds. He can still be on the floor with Odom. Kid needs to get stronger but he can do a bit of everything including playing defense.

[MHettel]

I think you are underestimating Jones. He is 50% from the floor, 33% from three (much higher than Kunkel) can create his own shot, can hit mid range shots and is a great passer, 3 assists per game. He is also third in offensive rebounds and total rebounds. He can still be on the floor with Odom. Kid needs to get stronger but he can do a bit of everything including playing defense.

Fair points. I see glimmers of Jones eventually becoming a guy that can score 3 ways and also run the offense and gets some dimes. He's good. And easy to see his potential. But right now, he's more of a put the ball on the floor and drive guy that is able to hit a catch and shoot 3 when the shot clock is running out. Have not yet seen the pull up / create a jumper skill.

Assume he will be gone after next year, honestly.

[D-West & PO-Z]

No Wilcher? He'd be my first or second off the bench, if not starting.

Yes Wilcher. I am just an idiot who forgot him. He'd be second off the bench for me.

[xuphan]

Mt starting lineup would be:

Odom
Scruggs
Kunkel
Jones
Free

Kyky first off then bench, then Griffin then Carter.

While I think Carter deserves less playing time, I think he still deserves 10-15 mins/game depending on the opponent and how the game is going. Currently he gets 27-28 mins a game.

Odom
Scruggs
Jones
Carter
Fremantle

No way Carter does not start the rest of the season unless he is hurt. Why would Steele change that now?

[MADXSTER]

It may be late in the season to shake things up but I think I'd go with

Odom
Scruggs
Jones
Witcher
Freemantle

Sorry MHett but don't agree with you on Odom and Jones not being on the court together at the same time.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Odom
Scruggs
Jones
Carter
Fremantle

No way Carter does not start the rest of the season unless he is hurt. Why would Steele change that now?

I am not saying what I think Steele would do, thats what I would do. I dont think Steele benches Carter but I hope he continues 2nd half the other night and plays him less mins.