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Rotation moving forward

Degaz-RU

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Dec 19, 2002
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We can’t overreact to one game or even a couple of games. It’s about trends.

Moving forward IN THE SHORT TERM, assuming Paul is healthy enough to start, here’s how I see the rotation:

1 - Paul
2 - Cam
3 - Caleb
4 - Mag
5- Cliff

First guard/wing off the bench - Simpson
First “4” off the bench - Hyatt
First “5” off the bench - Reiber OR Woolfolk (depending on matchups)
Defensive specialist at guard/wing (only as needed) - Miller

It’s basically an 8-man rotation, with the eighth man being the Reiber/Woolf two-headed backup center, so really a 9-man rotation.

I’m not willing to give up on Cam as a starter yet. He’s getting pretty good looks, so, for now, I’m attributing his difficulties to a shooting slump rather than lack of ability against tougher competition.

But, with Simpson’s coming out party, Cam should be on a shorter leash. If he’s hitting shots like we think he can, he gets more playing time. If he continues to struggle, we’ll then I’m considering inserting Simpson into the starting lineup.

At the 4, we have a large enough sample size from Mag and Hyatt to realize that they should basically split time and then we go with whoever is playing better in individual games to dictate who gets more playing time in the 2nd half.

There will also be bigger opponents where we will need to play Reiber or Woolf together with Cliff.
 
We can’t overreact to one game or even a couple of games. It’s about trends.

Moving forward IN THE SHORT TERM, assuming Paul is healthy enough to start, here’s how I see the rotation:

1 - Paul
2 - Cam
3 - Caleb
4 - Mag
5- Cliff

First guard/wing off the bench - Simpson
First “4” off the bench - Hyatt
First “5” off the bench - Reiber OR Woolfolk (depending on matchups)
Defensive specialist at guard/wing (only as needed) - Miller

It’s basically an 8-man rotation, with the eighth man being the Reiber/Woolf two-headed backup center, so really a 9-man rotation.

I’m not willing to give up on Cam as a starter yet. He’s getting pretty good looks, so, for now, I’m attributing his difficulties to a shooting slump rather than lack of ability against tougher competition.

But, with Simpson’s coming out party, Cam should be on a shorter leash. If he’s hitting shots like we think he can, he gets more playing time. If he continues to struggle, we’ll then I’m considering inserting Simpson into the starting lineup.

At the 4, we have a large enough sample size from Mag and Hyatt to realize that they should basically split time and then we go with whoever is playing better in individual games to dictate who gets more playing time in the 2nd half.

There will also be bigger opponents where we will need to play Reiber or Woolf together with Cliff.
Good analysis. I also wouldn't mind seeing Paul, Caleb, Mag, Hyatt, and Cliff as starters, with Cam coming off the bench. It might give a reset to Cam. Regardless, Pike has a lot of options now with those six, Derek, Dean, and Wolf.
 
I still want Cam starting for the next 3 and monitor how he is handling things

I think games vs Bucknell and Coppin St might be opportunities to plug Derek in as starter assuming he continues to progress in the next 3
 
I too am not ready to give up on Cam, hopefully he shoots through this slump and comes out on top.
If it is truly an issue with the comp level, I would like to see a mid game line up of Cliff, Caleb, Paul, Derek and Cam.

Paul distributing and Simpson and Cliff drawing the defense. Allow Cam more space and then make them pay. Caleb crashing the boards.
 
Not giving up on Cam; he’s a gamer who’ll get it figured out… but you can’t deny Simpson playing time…not anymore. If he was progressing slowly then yeah, agree on limiting minutes. But playing the SG against IU and eventually getting it going the way he did? He’s earned the PT.
 
Short term:

Cam
Simpson
Caleb
Cliff
Hyatt

First Off:

Paul

Long term:

Paul
Simpson
Caleb
Cliff
Mag

First Off:

Cam

GO RU
 
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