Starters
- Thread starter zebnatto
- Start date
This is the first time in a while where I really can't be quite sure about our starting 5. I'd say Geo and Eugene are a lock but the other 3 spots could could any way.
I like it.
I like it.
I agree that Baker and Eugene are the only locks.
I'd be surprised if Doorson is a starter.
I'm guessing Eugene with either Doucoure or Carter down low and Baker with probably Thiam and either Kiss or Mathis, but who knows.
Carino seemed pretty confident that Mathis would start in the backcourt with Geo. I imagine Thiam is the odds on favorite to start at the 3 alongside EO at the 4. Center is a tough call with Carter and Johnson being relative unknowns.
Last edited:
People seem convinced Thiam is going to take that big stride forward, especially with Freeman and Sanders, who both supposedly intimidated him, both gone. Not so sure. Geo, Mathis, Eugene at the 3, Maybe Carter at the 4 and center up for grabs. Maybe even Johnson after it shakes out. Doorson is who he is and Mamadou is still raw and foul-prone. Or maybe Harper at the 3--people seem to be overlooking him--and Eugene at the 4. Yeah, well, young lineup that will get eaten alive in the B1G, but most of the posters don't see our record this year as improving markedly, even though the team will be far stronger. 2019-20 was always our focus. Wasn't it?
Or will we see some posters continue to claim the team is not improved, as we saw last season before the tournament? When we had no depth at guard and Geo had to play more minutes than any other BIG freshman and then he got injured?
Like the way this team is shaping up. If RU were to make the NIT by some twist of fate, would streak this floor of my Senior Citizen condo building. If they were to make the NCAA's, would streak all three floors, singing Loyal Sons fairly loudly. This season only.
TL
Or will we see some posters continue to claim the team is not improved, as we saw last season before the tournament? When we had no depth at guard and Geo had to play more minutes than any other BIG freshman and then he got injured?
Like the way this team is shaping up. If RU were to make the NIT by some twist of fate, would streak this floor of my Senior Citizen condo building. If they were to make the NCAA's, would streak all three floors, singing Loyal Sons fairly loudly. This season only.
TL
This is assuredly the safest place to be if you were going to guess.
Baker - 100% confidence
Mathis - 75% confidence (could be Kiss)
Thiam - 80% confidence (could be Kiss or Omoruyi)
Omoruyi - 95% confidence (might start at the 3, with Carter at the 4)
Doucoure - 30% confidence (this is just a guess - could easily be Johnson, Doorson, or even Carter)
Mathis - 75% confidence (could be Kiss)
Thiam - 80% confidence (could be Kiss or Omoruyi)
Omoruyi - 95% confidence (might start at the 3, with Carter at the 4)
Doucoure - 30% confidence (this is just a guess - could easily be Johnson, Doorson, or even Carter)
I hear ya. Starters don't always show who is the best at that position. If Doorson starts, it could just mean it is a traditional lineup versus the matchup of the other team.
I think this is the most excited I have been in a while for the season to start. I say that every year, though. Just a lot of versatile and high character players. I wonder who gets the majority of minutes.
I don't think starters are that important. In saying that, whoever comes out at that second guard spot is going to be battle tested.
Kiss was all Maac. If Mathis comes out starting over him, Mathis must be a player.Still think both see a lot of time.
Kiss was all Maac. If Mathis comes out starting over him, Mathis must be a player.Still think both see a lot of time.
I think you nailed it. Out of the gates against smaller lineups, I don't see Shaq starting and Pike did say at a CC that Issa would be a nice fit off the bench with a better team and Duke still has things to work out and Johnson gets the nod as he surpassed all the bigs in practice late last year. Mathis and Harper are four star players who can score with Issa and Kiss first off the bench
My pick also. I think it makes a lot more sense to to have MDcome in once game gets flow rather than opening tips where teams can more easily go at and eliminate him in three minutes.
I could definitely see more fast paced play. Still, that never means all out. You can't press on every play or it eliminates what it's meant for.
We have never had a good player like Harper Jr behind a starter. Same for Kiss and Mathis. I think because of that, play will be faster and we will see more fast transition play.
I could see Johnson beating out Doorson, but if he beats out Doucoure and Carter to start, it would be a very good sign for the future.
Not thinking all out 94 feet 40 minutes of hell type pace. More like some higher pressure, some trapping, some pressing...and on offense get the ball and go, don't give the defense as much time to setup.
That's the interesting thing, more depth means you can give guys more rest. And not to sound like a broken record, the only position we are limited in is at the point. McConnell is really a key for me. Can he give Geo enough rest to either sit or play off the ball each game.
I think we will see that.
I have been pondering what player on the roster has the highest ceiling right now. I think it is McConnell. You do not find a player of his height, wingspan, ability to create, and long shot that often.
I think he can.
I think I have a fair idea who will be leaned on at the 1-4 this year, with some wild cards in there (how much Harper will emerge as a freshman, for instance)... but I honestly have no idea how the minutes will be split at the 5. I think we have the personnel for Pike to get creative with different lineups, and we have multiple guys who could see time at that position in different scenarios against different opponents.
Going by class year:
5th Sr: Doorson is on his longest "healthy" streak of his college career, in probably the best shape he's been ever.
Jr: Carter is a well regarded Juco who is more of a PF, but could definitely fit in at the center position if we're looking to go smaller and more athletic, with both Omoruyi/Carter in the game at the same time.
So: Doucoure showed some flashes last year, but struggled with the speed of the game and body positioning/fouls. With that much game experience in Pike's system last year, and a year of S&C, he should be in a much better position this year.
RS Fr: Johnson was mentioned by Pike last year as someone who could have definitely contributed down the stretch, who he might not have redshirted if he'd known how fast his progression would be. Lots of positive comments in the off season, and lots of S&C, and he should be ready to make an impact.
The great thing is we're positioned well here for the future, as three will still be here next year after Doorson graduates, and two will still be here the following after Carter graduates.
Going by class year:
5th Sr: Doorson is on his longest "healthy" streak of his college career, in probably the best shape he's been ever.
Jr: Carter is a well regarded Juco who is more of a PF, but could definitely fit in at the center position if we're looking to go smaller and more athletic, with both Omoruyi/Carter in the game at the same time.
So: Doucoure showed some flashes last year, but struggled with the speed of the game and body positioning/fouls. With that much game experience in Pike's system last year, and a year of S&C, he should be in a much better position this year.
RS Fr: Johnson was mentioned by Pike last year as someone who could have definitely contributed down the stretch, who he might not have redshirted if he'd known how fast his progression would be. Lots of positive comments in the off season, and lots of S&C, and he should be ready to make an impact.
The great thing is we're positioned well here for the future, as three will still be here next year after Doorson graduates, and two will still be here the following after Carter graduates.
Those types of jumps are usually seen freshman to sophmore year. This would be doubling his current offensive production.
Who's on the floor the last 5 minutes? We have so many new faces this year, I think it's impossible to guess who starts or finishes games other than Geo and Eugene.
I believe it is too early to speculate who might start and personally I don't really care. I want all 11 scholarship players that will be suited up to play to contribute to the success of our team. Hopefully everyone buys in and we can see some real improvements. Hopefully the ball gets passed around to all 5 guys on the court and that we don't always look for only one guy to score like we usually did with Corey. I hope things are much more balanced and that when a sub comes in we don't lose much at that position. Better depth should really help us.
1) Geo
2/3) Mathis or Thiam...position doesn’t matter
4) Eugene
5) Shaq Doorson
That would be my guess!
Not necessarily. Posted earlier Frank Kaminsky's stats. Didn't start as a freshman or Soph--averaged 1 as a freshman, 4 as a Soph. Junior--14 PPG. Senior--19. His big jump was soph to junior. so it does happen. Have my doubts, but it could happen for Issa, and would be greatly pleased to be wrong.
TL
A player like Frank Kaminsky and his jumps are in the minority. I would love to be wrong about Issa Thiam offensive production. He is one of the nicest kids on the planet. I think he will do well.
I am just saying to average 14 points would be doubling his production. It is a lot. Especially considering the increased competition at his position. Thiam will probably see a little reduction in minutes, which could mean less shot attempts.
Yes, but Kaminsky also saw a dramatic increase in minutes between his soph (10.3) and junior (27.2) years. His points per 40 minutes increased from 16.2 to 20.5, which is still about a 25% bump. Thiam was already playing 29.0 min last year, and scoring 9.6 per 40 min.
I also think that Thiam will improve overall, but I don't see 14 ppg.
I can name dozens of college players who made HUGE jumps between Sophomore and Junior year. Just last year Mikal Bridges went from the Soph 6th man on Nova who averaged under 10 ppg, to a legit POY candidate as a Junior who became a top ten NBA pick averaging almost 18 ppg.
Last edited:
Opening tip to the season. Coach goes with experience.
Geo - 1
Kiss - 2
Thiam - 3
Eugene - 4
Doorson - 5
Of course, it doesn't really matter because Coach has a deep bench which he'll use effectively. I'm expecting an exciting year.
Geo - 1
Kiss - 2
Thiam - 3
Eugene - 4
Doorson - 5
Of course, it doesn't really matter because Coach has a deep bench which he'll use effectively. I'm expecting an exciting year.
