Starting Lineup Announced
- Thread starter ScarletLongIsland
- Start date
It shouldn't be a surprise to anyone who attended the open practice. This was the squad that was running all the drills together. I didn't post it in my Observations post because I didn't want to give away what was private info. Now that this is out there, look for Johnson to be first off the bench at the 2 with time spent spelling Corey. I think we'll see long stretches where Thiam slides to the 3 with Corey and Nigel at the 1 & 2.
I think this means Mike Williams will see his minutes cut significantly as the 4th guard since Nigel Johnson will be the first guard off the bench
While I'm shocked and a little disappointed Nigel isn't starting I really like this because it means: 1. Thiam must be really impressing the coaching staff which bodes well for RU...2. RU has a player off the bench who can handle PG duties in Nigel and relieve Corey of some of that responsibility..and 3. Mike Williams will have a reduced role which I think benefits both him and the team..as I thought he was asked to play and do too much at times in the past for a limited guard
While I'm shocked and a little disappointed Nigel isn't starting I really like this because it means: 1. Thiam must be really impressing the coaching staff which bodes well for RU...2. RU has a player off the bench who can handle PG duties in Nigel and relieve Corey of some of that responsibility..and 3. Mike Williams will have a reduced role which I think benefits both him and the team..as I thought he was asked to play and do too much at times in the past for a limited guard
Agree that we will probably see a lineup of Corey and Nigel in the backcourt with Thiam at the 3 quite often.
There's been too much talk about the backcourt duo of Corey and Nigel for them play a ton of minutes together
Honestly guys...it shouldn't matter much who starts this game...
But if Thiam can pull off the guard thing on a consistent level...that's a revelation right there!
But if Thiam can pull off the guard thing on a consistent level...that's a revelation right there!
To me it's evidence of how important Pikiell feels it is to establish Thiam offensively and get him experience. Laurent may have more experience and have good athleticism but shooting is a weakness. He's going to need to rely on Thiam as a three point threat. My guess Laurent might fill the best defender designation and allow us to better defend the perimeter with his size. I'm sure that Johnson will be a quick sub and get as many minutes as Laurent and Thiam if not more. Not a great sign for Williams though.
This is just Molloy after all and we do have another game two games later so plenty of minutes to be divvied up Friday.
This is just Molloy after all and we do have another game two games later so plenty of minutes to be divvied up Friday.
Wow!
I assume his base D is man. If Coach thinks Thiam on Day one can stay in front of a 2 we may have something.
I assume his base D is man. If Coach thinks Thiam on Day one can stay in front of a 2 we may have something.
FIG.....Pikiell has raved that he is tireless and has a high motor. The thing I like about it is that he can play off his man at the 2 spot to prevent the drive and still has the length to recover and alter shots on the perimeter. We'll see how it works out.
Where is everybody getting it that Thiam is playing guard? By the order that Carino listed the starters or somewhere else because that doesn't seem to make sense.
Pikiell previously stated that Thiam can play all three perimeter spots.
Getty's is a center, Freeman is PF, Laurent is SF, Sanders is PG.....fill in the blank for SG.
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Coach P is still learning about this team so do not be surprised if the starting team changes as he sees them play at game speed against real competition. Hopefully this team suffered it's share if injuries last year and they get through the year reasonably injury free. Looking forward to watching a high energy team.
Wow. I closed my eyes after clicking on this thread and got 4 of 5. Had Nigel at the 2, Laurent off the bench. Like BK said, no big deal, but still interesting nontheless. Truth is we have no backup PG, so out of necessity perhaps Coach is thinking Nigel backs C at the 1, Mike backs Issa at the 2.
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P.S. If I recall correctly, Laurent was pretty good on the offensive glass last year drspite being undersized. He is somewhat blue collar, which Coach probably loves. Now he moves to his natural position at the 3, Freeman at the 4. Big boy in the middle. I dig.
i know how the names are in order by position, but i'd think laurent plays the 2 guard and thiam plays the 3, specifically on defense
And the length to contest perimeter shots on defense. On offense he also presents a matchup problem, especially if he moves into the lane and hits the shot jumper.
AND......Laurent is not a 2....his strength is his work in the lane and on the glass.
i'm more so referring to defense. I may be wrong but i'm guessing laurent is quicker than thiam to defend the 2
The lack of ball-handlers is one thing that we should be concerned about regarding this starting lineup obviously not so much against Molloy but moving forward if the lineup stays intact we could struggle against ball pressure considering this lineup really only has one true ball handler.
I sat through a full practice 2-3 weeks ago and there will definitely not be a reduced role for Nigel Johnson or Mike Williams at the 2....Thiam is a rare talent and has the range to shoot, but so does Nigel and Mike....This is about creating a matchup where you can find scoring options at the 2 position to start each half AND create opportunities to generate offense off the bench as the lineup gets sorted out during the OOC slate. There will be more minutes played where Corey and Nigel are on the court together with Thiam at the 3 than there will be with Corey and Thiam at the 2.
The ideal situation is to easily find 20-22 minutes a game for Thiam and that is between the 2 and the 3....He's interchangeable and allows his minutes to be spread across the 2, the 3 and it's much easier to keep a defensive player on the court at the 3 in Laurent and Omoroyi. It's an excellent "spreading" of minutes, vs pigeon-holing Thiam, Laurent and Eugene only at the 3.
The ideal situation is to easily find 20-22 minutes a game for Thiam and that is between the 2 and the 3....He's interchangeable and allows his minutes to be spread across the 2, the 3 and it's much easier to keep a defensive player on the court at the 3 in Laurent and Omoroyi. It's an excellent "spreading" of minutes, vs pigeon-holing Thiam, Laurent and Eugene only at the 3.
You ain't kiddin'. RU's inability to handle the rock has been a problem for a long, long time.
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If it is an isssue against a particular team, you play Johnson or Williams more at the 2.
That's a really tall lineup. Amazing from the days of Seagers and Mack
I thought we'd see Johnson in there. Guess coach likes the match up problem that Thiam creates at the 2 and plans to run Johnson at the 1 and 2.
My real surprise is Getty over Diallo. A lot of times, if it's close the 5th year transfer get short shrifted. It's already a tall line up w/o him.
My real surprise is Getty over Diallo. A lot of times, if it's close the 5th year transfer get short shrifted. It's already a tall line up w/o him.
I believe Doorson is our second center and Diallo third but I could be wrong.
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