Bored so here is my starting 5

[notquiteBWing]

Joe is almost certainly going to start.
EO likely wont get much time.

I predict:
C - JT starts with GS coming off the bench
PF - AE starts again with gabe and JT playing minutes there too.
SF - Graham start with Ben playing often, and AE in certain matchups as needed.
SG - Toure starts with DK following, Joe will likely get some minutes here in certain situations.
PG - Joe starting with DWill taking the rest of theminutes.
its unforunate for the talent left on the bench. but odds are there will be an injury here or there... their time will come.

its crazy how many options we have. I cant believe we only lost one player from last year (in essence). we've gained soo much.

[Kung Wu]

What do you all think about have having two distinct "fives"?

Garrett --- EO
Durley --- Ellis
Hatch --- Smith
Murry --- Kyles
DWill --- Rags

Each group plays 4 mintues. The group that is playing best begins and therefore ends the second half.

UNI worked this to perfection last year, and I would say without the talent on the second five.

Umm...Blair.

Garrett --- Blair
Durley --- Ellis
Hatch --- EO/Smith
Murry --- Kyles
DWill --- Rags

EO will not (probably ever) play the 3.

That wasn't a lineup by position -- just a likely rotating 5.

[Zardoz]

Okay my guesses.

C-Stutz starts and EO and Ellis fill in most of the remainder.

PF-JT starts, HCGM seemed to be playing Stutz and JT together more towards the end of last year so put JT at the PF. Blair gets most of the remaining minutes. Ellis may also see some time here.

SF-Hatch starts, Smith relieves him and maybe a little of TM and DK depending on the situation.

SG-Murry and then Kyles, though maybe Rags or DWill or even Hatch might catch a few minutes here.

PG-Looks to be a war between DWill and Rags. If both are in foul trouble TM might fill in.

Don't see a lot of minutes for the RS freshmen on the team unless on or both really step up.

[SB Shock]

I think the more important story is not who will be starting this year but whether there is an emegergence of players in the 6-10 that will be making claim for startings roles in the season thereafter. If this happens then it will bode well for this year and next.

[ShockTalk]

I think the more important story is not who will be starting this year but whether there is an emegergence of players in the 6-10 that will be making claim for startings roles in the season thereafter. If this happens then it will bode well for this year and next.

Who starts on this team is being overblown. We all know that it's who finishes in a close game. With this team's depth, there should never be a let up on D and any lack of hustle on either end will likely lead to a quick setting on the pine.

The question for HCGM may be: Do I start my 5 best (if it can even be determined) or do I balance my two sets of 5 for the best combination of players, matchups, and results?

[pinstripers]

PF & C-------80 min----JT, 25----GS, 25---Blair, 20----AO & Ham, 5 each
SF-----------Hatch, 25----DK, 10-----Tyler 5
PG----------TM 25,---------DK, 15
PG---------Rags, 22-------DW, 18

RS for Ellis, and maybe, Smith

[Kung Wu]

Who starts on this team is being overblown. We all know that it's who finishes in a close game. With this team's depth, there should never be a let up on D and any lack of hustle on either end will likely lead to a quick setting on the pine.

I don't think anybody is getting high strung over starting lineups. We're just killing time throwing some guesses out there while waiting for Lew Perkins to get blackmailed again or sumptin'.

[vbird53]

One thing I'd like to see on the floor is JT and Gabe on the floor together. Not necessarily starting--I'd like to see Stutz start.

I'm not sure that EO will average any more than 5 min.

If Toure can step up, and play consistent A+ ball, this team will be very good. I hope HCGM really challenges him to be the floor leader.

[SHOXAAC]

I can't see any scenerio AE redshirting. I understand that he is a quality young man off the court...but on the court we need his scholy as soon as possible; he provides no upside on offense or low block defense. The only thing he brings is the ability to defend a quick front-court opponent.

[ShockTalk]

Who starts on this team is being overblown. We all know that it's who finishes in a close game. With this team's depth, there should never be a let up on D and any lack of hustle on either end will likely lead to a quick setting on the pine.

I don't think anybody is getting high strung over starting lineups. We're just killing time throwing some guesses out there while waiting for Lew Perkins to get blackmailed again or sumptin'.

I know (and I agree on Perkins). Just bringing up another idea. With it being likely that a lot of players will be hottly going after playing time, I don't think (generally) you'll see a starting five + one or two getting all the minutes. If we have the depth we think we might have, do you go with a "best" five and then the rest or best combination of two "fives"?

[Dan]

we don't need any redshirts. Inevitably we will have some injuries just like we did with Kyles and Blair last year. We will need all the guys to ready to play. We also need everyone getting experience for next year since we are losing some serious horsepower down low. Hopefully EO and Hamilton will get a lot of PT against the patsies and show us what they can do.

[wsushox1]

I don't like the idea of Having two distinct 5 man rotations. The players need to know their roles otherwise you have players who don't know when to make the extra pass or shoot it themselves. The need to mix up the combinations until they find what works. Certain players may have idiosyncrasies with another player where they know what they are thinking and are on the same wavelength. It is all about chemistry.

[Aargh]

One thing I'd like to see on the floor is JT and Gabe on the floor together. Not necessarily starting--I'd like to see Stutz start.

I'm not sure that EO will average any more than 5 min.

If Toure can step up, and play consistent A+ ball, this team will be very good. I hope HCGM really challenges him to be the floor leader.

There's some interesting combos. Not necessarily the "best 5" on the court ay any one time. I think the "best 5" would include Stutz and Durley.

JT and Gabe on the floor at the same time seems like a great combination. I don't think many Valley front courts would want to see that facing them.

The other combination is Stutz and Ellis. I think Stutz will be a scoring threat this year. He averaged 7.8 ppg last year. I can see that bumping up into double digits this year. Ellis can defend the quick front court players, so that's another combination that could present challenges on both ends of the court. Both are decent rebounders. If Stutz can get his hands working a little better this year, he could be a better than decent rebounder.

This is a classic example for questioning putting the "best 5" on the floor or for setting up combinations that minimize the impact when substitutions are made.

[im4wsu]

Lat year weplayed 160 combinations. Only 11 averaged more than 1 minute per game; only 3 averaged more than 2 minutes per game (7.4, 3.3 and 2.7).

It is easy to think of "effective substitutions", but the fact of the matter is there aren't many "units" that actually play much, so it is always kind of a learning-your-role situation.

[BOBB]

I understand that it's a slow news period for Shocker hoops and that beyond pro baseball there's not much to fill the void AND that in the absence of anything real to talk about boys will wonder, "who would win in a fight between Mighty Mouse and Superman." BUT, I'll play the "Cold" role and link back to this thread in December when peple are clamoring for Marshall to show some of the players the door that right now some are expecting to be part of our 13-man rotation (who's on the checking line?). At least no one is talking about the walk-on's being steady contributors...yet.
:)

BTW - In the event I'm wrong and we really are 10-deep and playing line shifts I'll be happy to eat crow.