Individual Workouts

[The Mad Hatter]

Hatch will play 3 (probably start here) and Murry will be backup, IMO. Murry will start at 2 with DK as backup. Hannah will start at 1 with KM as backup. Ellis will fill in a little at the 3 and 4.

There had also been talk (IIRC from Marshall himself) that Clevin might see some time at the 2 when not playing the 1. This could mean even more 3 guard lineup possibilities, but it is hard to know.

I would guess that, at a minimum, either TR or DW will redshirt and maybe both of them.

Last season here were the players that got regular playing time:

Player GP GS MinutesPG
Hannah, Clevin 34 33 28.5
Murry, Toure' 34 34 28.2
Durley, J.T. 34 22 23.5
Clemente, Ramon 34 32 26.6
Hawkins, A.J. 34 29 24.6
Stutz, Garrett 34 12 12.5
Hatch, Graham 34 5 16.1
Chamberlain, Reggie 33 0 11.8
Ellis, Aaron 33 1 14.9
Kyles, David 29 0 10.4
Griskenas, Mantas 19 2 7.9

returning players are in yellow

The breakdown of this rotation is:

11 players
5 post players
6 guards/small forwards

Loses and new players projected to take that roster spot:
Clemente -- Blair
Hawkins
Chamberlain -- Manigault
Griskenas -- Hamilton

If we keep the same type of rotation, one would expect that Richardson would not redshirt, since he is the most natural person to replace Hawkins.

However, last year we were thin at point guard, so on that basis one could argue that Williams is unlikely to redshirt to bolster depth there, especially since we ran a rotation with Hawkins seeing diminishing minutes as the season went on.

A third argument is that both redshirt because of the following factors:

1. Kyles will take many more minutes than he did last year (averaged only 10.4 per game) as will Hatch (16.1 per game). Since Kyles' and Hatch's increase in minutes coincided with a decrease in Hawkins' minutes, it is reasonable to assert that we could cover Hawkins minutes with returning players rather than adding a new player. If Ellis can play at the 3 at all, this further bolsters this claim.

2. Our lack of point guard depth probably had more to do with effectiveness than numbers. Chamberlain was only able to give us 11.8 minutes per game last year. If Manigault can give us over 20 minutes per game his freshman year, like Murry did last year, we still only have 2 true point guards, but have more depth of minutes.

3. Marshall's confidence in Murry to play anything from the 1 to the 3 and general willingness to have guys play several positions allows us to adjust our lineup for foul trouble at any of the guard spots.

[Maggie]

Pretty good breakdown, TMH.

What is your take, or anyone for that matter, on Manigault? I assume you think he is more advanced than the other young guards.

Notwithstanding, an expectation of 20 minutes per game might be tall order for a freshmen PG, no? Murry starting and playing at SG during his first year is little different in my judgment, although he did play some spot minutes at PG last year. I have not given this a lot of thought; however, I anticipate Murry sliding in to relieve Hannah – at least early on in the year – leaving the team, at times, with no true PG on the floor - unless, of course, one of the young PGs really stands out.

[The Mad Hatter]

Pretty good breakdown, TMH.

What is your take, or anyone for that matter, on Manigault? I assume you think he is more advanced than the other young guards.

Notwithstanding, an expectation of 20 minutes per game might be tall order for a freshmen PG, no? Murry starting and playing at SG during his first year is little different in my judgment, although he did play some spot minutes at PG last year. I have not given this a lot of thought; however, I anticipate Murry sliding in to relieve Hannah – at least early on in the year – leaving the team, at times, with no true PG on the floor - unless, of course, one of the young PGs really stands out.

Having not had a chance to see the new players first hand, I don't have a personal opinion. Those that have reported on Manigault have tended to suggest that he is the most ready to contribute and he came in as the most highly touted. The impression I have gotten from the coaching staff when I have heard them is that Kenny will get plenty of action at the point.

You are definitely right to have questions about how many minutes Kenny can give us. The point guard has a lot of responsibility and it isn't as easy to step right into that role. As a point of comparison, Matty B. averaged 14.3 minutes per game as a freshman point guard, and he was a high impact freshman point guard.

On the other hand, Kenny has physical tools that neither Matt nor Reggie had. Being as long and quick as he is may allow him to overcome his inexperience.

I think how many minutes Kenny is ready to take plays a big role in who redshirts, but I think that the quality of those minutes may be more important than the number of minutes. Matt's freshman year, the point guard minutes were split pretty much entirely between him and Adam Liberty. Adam got all the starts and more minutes, but we didn't need a third point guard because Matt put in really effective minutes and because Randy Burns could move over to the 1 if we really needed it. I think we potentially have a similar situation here with Clevin, Kenny, and Toure.

I threw out the 20 minutes per game, but that was mostly just a number off the top of my head as an example of Kenny being a more viable backup that what we had last year. As I thought about it, unless Clevin puts in a lot of minutes at the 2, it is unlikely that Kenny will get 20 mpg, but I think he can put in more than Reggie and be more effective.

[Dan]

I can see Hannah playing more than 28 min per game this year. He's a senior and we're going to need him to lead this team at the point to reach our potential for success this year.

[Maggie]

Having not had a chance to see the new players first hand, I don't have a personal opinion. Those that have reported on Manigault have tended to suggest that he is the most ready to contribute and he came in as the most highly touted. The impression I have gotten from the coaching staff when I have heard them is that Kenny will get plenty of action at the point.

You are definitely right to have questions about how many minutes Kenny can give us. The point guard has a lot of responsibility and it isn't as easy to step right into that role. As a point of comparison, Matty B. averaged 14.3 minutes per game as a freshman point guard, and he was a high impact freshman point guard.

On the other hand, Kenny has physical tools that neither Matt nor Reggie had. Being as long and quick as he is may allow him to overcome his inexperience.

I think how many minutes Kenny is ready to take plays a big role in who redshirts, but I think that the quality of those minutes may be more important than the number of minutes. Matt's freshman year, the point guard minutes were split pretty much entirely between him and Adam Liberty. Adam got all the starts and more minutes, but we didn't need a third point guard because Matt put in really effective minutes and because Randy Burns could move over to the 1 if we really needed it. I think we potentially have a similar situation here with Clevin, Kenny, and Toure.

I threw out the 20 minutes per game, but that was mostly just a number off the top of my head as an example of Kenny being a more viable backup that what we had last year. As I thought about it, unless Clevin puts in a lot of minutes at the 2, it is unlikely that Kenny will get 20 mpg, but I think he can put in more than Reggie and be more effective.

Sounds reasonable, THM.

From what I have read about KM, I think his PT will be influenced, in part (aside from mastering the offense, etc.), on his ability to take care of the basketball. If he can give the team 10-15 solid minutes per game, I will be very pleased. Anything more is simply a bonus.

I think you are correct that a rotation of Hannah, Murry, and probably KM at PG seems likely at this point. Furthermore, I agree that the speed of KM’s development will have an impact on the redshirt situation.

[wu_shizzle]

I'm excited to see which guards step up to demand PT, but no matter who plays, we are going to wear people out.

Depth and Size at the guard position is a good problem to have.

[Ricardo del Rio]

Call me crazy as folks often do, but do not be surprised, if we have four guards on the floor sometimes.

This team will be very exciting, especially if Garrett ups his game quite a bit.

In the last 10 minutes, the opponents will have their hands on their hips, pulling down on their shorts at the free throw line and their tongues hanging out.

[wufan]

Hatch will play 3 (probably start here) and Murry will be backup, IMO. Murry will start at 2 with DK as backup. Hannah will start at 1 with KM as backup. Ellis will fill in a little at the 3 and 4.

Agreed but I don't think that allows for more than one red-shirt. If Hatch were to get hurt? That leaves Hannah, KM, Kyles, and Murry. Not a bad line up but four guys for thee positions (30 minutes per game for all four players) isn't going to cut it. On the other hand, if Hamilton red shirts (I don't think he will) we have Blair, Durley, Ellis, and Stutz. If Blair were to get hurt you still have three forwards for 2 positions. 27 minutes per game for all three forwards is too many minutes. I think TR or DW red-shirt and someone is just going to be disappointed with their minutes if everyone stays healthy.

[pinstripers]

Of course, a redshirt can be pulled at the drop of a hat, in case of injury, etc; or for no reason whatsoever.