There is no question that Steve Pikiell and his hard working coaching staff have brought some good players to the program and upgraded the overall talent level. Like everyone, I am looking forward to seeing them in action in the upcoming season. However, I find myself thinking about the roster, and where we are overstocked, where we are thin, and how the playing time will be distributed. As we know, there are no less than 6 backcourt players on this team, while we are dangerously thin at the 4 and 5 positions. Allowing for multi-position overlap, RU has 4 guys who can play the point, 5--count 'em--5 players at the 2 guard, and at least two who can play a 2-3 swing position.
Now that's not necessarily a bad thing. It forces a more mobile, small-ball style, blurring the distinction between the 1, 2 and 3 positions. Three guard sets will predominate and players will frequently rotate between positions. However, it does raise concerns about finding enough playing time for everyone. For example, if Jacob Young proves to be a major offensive asset, will he start ahead of Montez Mathis, who started almost 3/4 of the time last year? But then throw Geo Baker into the mix. Maybe he leaves the point, with Mulcahy, McConnell and Young capable of ball handling, to return to his more natural position at SG. How do you find time for all 3 of them? Do you play McConnell a lot as a 2-3 swing man, where his length and versatility might indicate alternating with Ron Harper? Where do you squeeze in a few minutes for Peter Kiss? In any event, i am sure that readers get my point: there is a log jam, particularly at the 2 guard position.
Now that brings me to the front court. I said that we are too thin there and I am disappointed that we couldn't land at least one big man, especially a grad transfer. Those who say that the loss of Eugene Omoruyi isn't a big deal are just plain wrong. Excellent rebounder, improved defender and enough of a scorer at the rim to lead the team in ppg. Shaq Doorson also added defensive presence in the paint and grabbed some rebounds. Comments in other threads that the advent of the promising Akwasi Yeboah will offset Eugene'e loss(Yeboah is really a 3-4 type forward who shoots a lot from the outside), or that Yeboah and Mulcahy will counterbalance the departure of Omoruyi and Doorson, are way off base. Different players, different roles. As for our bigs: Myles Johnson shows great promise but fouls way too much. Shaq Carter will put up a few rebounds and points, but is a defensive liability. And that's it. No backup. If injuries strike, the front court will be in trouble.
We might improve with a guard-dominated team; the talent is there, but the devil is very much in the details. I am interested in fans' perceptions about playing times and rotations among our well-stocked backcourt. Please be as specific as you can in terms of the personnel, playing times and position rotations. Thanks in advance.
Now that's not necessarily a bad thing. It forces a more mobile, small-ball style, blurring the distinction between the 1, 2 and 3 positions. Three guard sets will predominate and players will frequently rotate between positions. However, it does raise concerns about finding enough playing time for everyone. For example, if Jacob Young proves to be a major offensive asset, will he start ahead of Montez Mathis, who started almost 3/4 of the time last year? But then throw Geo Baker into the mix. Maybe he leaves the point, with Mulcahy, McConnell and Young capable of ball handling, to return to his more natural position at SG. How do you find time for all 3 of them? Do you play McConnell a lot as a 2-3 swing man, where his length and versatility might indicate alternating with Ron Harper? Where do you squeeze in a few minutes for Peter Kiss? In any event, i am sure that readers get my point: there is a log jam, particularly at the 2 guard position.
Now that brings me to the front court. I said that we are too thin there and I am disappointed that we couldn't land at least one big man, especially a grad transfer. Those who say that the loss of Eugene Omoruyi isn't a big deal are just plain wrong. Excellent rebounder, improved defender and enough of a scorer at the rim to lead the team in ppg. Shaq Doorson also added defensive presence in the paint and grabbed some rebounds. Comments in other threads that the advent of the promising Akwasi Yeboah will offset Eugene'e loss(Yeboah is really a 3-4 type forward who shoots a lot from the outside), or that Yeboah and Mulcahy will counterbalance the departure of Omoruyi and Doorson, are way off base. Different players, different roles. As for our bigs: Myles Johnson shows great promise but fouls way too much. Shaq Carter will put up a few rebounds and points, but is a defensive liability. And that's it. No backup. If injuries strike, the front court will be in trouble.
We might improve with a guard-dominated team; the talent is there, but the devil is very much in the details. I am interested in fans' perceptions about playing times and rotations among our well-stocked backcourt. Please be as specific as you can in terms of the personnel, playing times and position rotations. Thanks in advance.
