Pathetic time of year...

[RoyalShock]

That was written back in early April.

[Aargh]

If there's one thing we should have learned over the last year or two it's that a year of experience is a huge advantage over another player who doesn't have a year of D1 experience.

Here are the starters I see - I know it's boring.

5 - Durley
4 - Blair
3 - Hatch
2 - Murry
1 - Hannah

Blair and Ellis might be a toss-up on experience and Ellis does have 2 years in Marshall's system. I think Blair is more aggressive and more likely to make things happen, so I'm giving that nod to Blair.

Hatch had a ton of stuff to work on to adjust from being a role-playing SG to being an every day wing. That adjustment is mostly accomplished. I expect he will be able to concentrate a little more on shooting and his 3's will start falling again.

I think the bench players and on-court situation may start affecting some playing positions.

Going back to my original argument that experiecnce generally trumps talent, I think Stutz, Ellis, and Kyles are the first 3 off the bench. I've got to see something in games or controlled practices from the Fr before I'm going to give them a spot in a depth chart.

Not counting any Fr, that's not a bad 8-deep rotation. Put another year on the front 8 (except Hannah) and that's a team that could be competitive with the S16 team.

[RoyalShock]

Once Coy can play, Marshall is going to have so many options that his head will spin.

I have to think that Hamilton is a prime redshirt candidate. With Stutz, Ellis and eventually Coy on the bench, the post numbers are stacked for two years (add Orukpe next year).

And you have to figure that at least one of the incoming guards (Richardson or Williams) will also redshirt.

Depth at SF is the only question. Will Marshall put Murry there some? Can Coy and/or Ellis handle some time there? Can Richardson acclimate to D1 quick enough to warrant a spot?

My prediction is that Hamilton and Richardson are 90% likely to redshirt and Williams is 50% likely. Hopefully, all these guys will understand and accept the necessity and advantages of redshirting.

That said, here is my projected depth chart.

PG - Hannah, Manigault, Murry
SG - Murry, Kyles, Hannah
SF - Hatch, Murry, Ellis/Coy
PF - Blair, Ellis, Coy, Durley
C - Durley, Stutz

That's basically a 9-man rotation with Coy getting spot minutes.

As I look at that chart, remember the players not on it (Williams, Hamilton, Richardson, Orukpe), and realize there is only one senior, I'm getting chills.

[Overtime]

From what I have heard and seen about J Hamilton, He may be more ready for prime time than previously thought...So he may be hard to redshirt especially if AE does not progress...Three redshirts seems like alot

[Ashockalypse]

I think 11 players will get time regularly. We will look like KU in the number of players that play.

[SubGod22]

When first recruited I expected JH to be a definite redshirt. But after hearing what he's done in games this summer I'm starting to question that. It may come down to how AE compares during the fall. I still like what AE could bring, but if he's not showing it JH may be there to take his spot...

[Dan]

I really like what Ellis brings to the table. He's so freakin' long and lean and when his head in the game he can be a difference maker - both offense and defense. I really hope he's putting in the time this summer and ready to play this year. we need all the experience we can get.

[Txlen]

Wasn't the primary reason for AE's slow progress last year the result something like "turf toe"?

Hopefully he can go through the year completely healthy, because it does seem like when he is in a game rebounding and defense picks up. I may be wrong, but that is what it seemed like to me.

[RoyalShock]

Ellis needs to refrain from fouling and stay on the floor.

There were a few times last year where he pulled off post moves that left the defender thinking he disappeared and reappeared on a different spot on the court.

He has the ability to really sell a ball-fake.

[AG1219]

Ellis needs to refrain from fouling and stay on the floor.

There were a few times last year where he pulled off post moves that left the defender thinking he disappeared and reappeared on a different spot on the court.

He has the ability to really sell a ball-fake.

And the uncanny ability to knock down the foot on the 3 point line jumper.

[OKC Shocker]

Ellis needs to refrain from fouling and stay on the floor.

There were a few times last year where he pulled off post moves that left the defender thinking he disappeared and reappeared on a different spot on the court.

He has the ability to really sell a ball-fake.

Learn that Sam Young ball fake, lift almost all the way off the floor get the defender in the air and go.

[Calshockfan]

Based upon GM's comments today, it sounds as if he may be thinking the starting linup might look like this:

PG-Hannah
SG-Kyles
SF-Murry
PF-Blair
C -Durley

Reserves: Stutz, Ellis, Hatch, Coy, Mannigault, Williams

Possible redshirts: Hamilton, Richardson

It sounds as if he is inclined to go with experience unless one or more of the incoming freshman prove to be outstanding.

On several occassions he has mentioned the possibility of playing Murry at the three. I believe the more he thinks about it the more likely that it will happen. Kyles would seem to be the most likely candidate to play the 2 spot unless he decides to go with Mannigault at the one and Hannah at the 2. In any event, it all makes for some interesting speculation.

[The Mad Hatter]

Based upon GM's comments today, it sounds as if he may be thinking the starting linup might look like this:

PG-Hannah
SG-Kyles
SF-Murry
PF-Blair
C -Durley

Reserves: Stutz, Ellis, Hatch, Coy, Mannigault, Williams

Possible redshirts: Hamilton, Richardson

It sounds as if he is inclined to go with experience unless one or more of the incoming freshman prove to be outstanding.

On several occassions he has mentioned the possibility of playing Murry at the three. I believe the more he thinks about it the more likely that it will happen. Kyles would seem to be the most likely candidate to play the 2 spot unless he decides to go with Mannigault at the one and Hannah at the 2. In any event, it all makes for some interesting speculation.

The way Marshall has talked about TM at the 3, IMHO, has tended to sound more like having him slide over to the 3 from the 2 in certain lineups, not start at the 3.

I think you could very easily see a starting lineup of:

PG - Hannah
SG - Murry
SF - Hatch
PF - Blair
C - Durley

but have a lineup after substitution of:

PG - Manigault
SG - Kyles
SF - Murry
PF - Ellis/Blair
C - Durley/Stutz

Last year Murry played mostly the 2, but put some time in at the 1 as well (and usually Marshall paired him with Kyles when he wasn't at the 2). I think Toure playing the SF position will be much like playing the PG position last year.

[Dan]

We really stepped it up a notch on defense last year with Kyles, Murry and Ellis on the floor together. Throw in 7' reach with KM and watch out for the fast breaks.

[Snapshot9]

Mad Hatter ... I think you are pretty close, for starting out the season, but I think it will change some throughout the season. Hamilton is questionable for redshirting, and I don't think Williams redshirts. I think Richardson will.

I think we have a 10/11 man rotation, especially after Coy can play. 1 or 2 non-performers will probably sit later on in the season. (Ellis?, Hamilton?, Williams?)

Don't forget that Williams averaged something like 16.7 ppg, and possibly could give us an offensive boost at times. If Ellis doesn't show some improvement, and better offensive skills, it's possible that Hamilton could take his spot. I think that Hatch will have his shot back this year.

It's terrible to have all these options, isn't it? ..... :roll: :roll:

(I am having Basketball withdrawal pains, so I am up watching North Carolina and Gonzaga from last year's Big Dance at 3 in the morning)