Playing Time

[n.ogdencat]

It is never too early to discuss playing time, right? :kisswink:

To me, and this is really early, I think we will see the following five starting this Fall.

PG: Senglin 30+
SG: Gittens 25
SF: Richardson 25
PF: Bolomboy 35
C : Braxton 20+

That would leave around "roughly" 65 - 70 mins for the other 8 guys.

Coach should use a 9 or 10 man rotation, but we all know he probably won't. That means that the top three guys on the bench will get whatever is left and that three other guys will probably red shirt. If that is the case, two guys will be the odd men out and will end up sitting virtually the entire game. I'm really hoping that three red shirt and that Coach plays a 10 man rotation.

No matter, I think the first guys off the bench will be:
CG/PG: Cannon or John (one of these two will Red Shirt) 10 - 15
PF: Hill 15 - 20 (Joel will mostly be playing the 5 during this time)
C/PF: Kiko or Dallas 5 - 10
Wings: Jefferson, Baker, and Williams (Williams will most likely red shirt) 20 - 25 (10 or 12.5 a piece).

10 man rotation. Might happen...who knows? Normally, I get a chance to watch the team a couple times in June, but I only got to watch for a total of 15min. From what I saw, sans two players in Kiko and John, was a team full of fight. It wasn't exactly pretty, but it was tough. A team that was fighting for its identity. I like seeing that. I want to see a team push itself, not expect to be the champions without working hard and building chemistry and unity.

 

[oldrunner]

Sounds reasonable to me. You may be right about the potential red shirt situation. However, I'm not sure about having 3 guys out and only 10 bodies available for action. One injury and you would be pulling the red shirt on someone. We are deep in guards, so two guards sitting out is realistic. As long as all the big men stay healthy, one of them could save a year of eligibility as well. Whoever turns out to be the 5th big man will probably dress for every game, but not play unless there is a season ending injury to one of the starters. If we were to be fortunate enough to go through the season with no injuries, then the player's year will have been preserved.

In the past, starter minutes have ranged from 25 to 35, on average. I think that your assumption of Senglin and Bolomboy getting the most minutes is right on the money. They are our two best players. They should get the most minutes as long as they stay out of foul trouble. My feeling is that minutes will be more earned this year than last. Last year, some guys were getting minutes because we didn't have any good alternatives. Not so, this year.

 

[baller]

In my view whether we are a bad team are a better than average good team pivots on two issues. First, on one player, "Zach Braxton". If he isn't as capable as advertised we are sunk because we have no one else who can fill the Center role. If we have to play Bolomboy there and Hill at the 4 a break-even record seems like a challenge.

Secondly, how good (or bad) we are pivots on "depth". We don't have proven depth at center, point, shooting guard and wing. If one of the backup points isn't good enough yet, if the backup wing and shooting guard aren't as good as we think and if Jordan Dallas isn't good enough to be a contributor this year as a backup center our depth will be abysmal.

We only have one player projected to be a backup with any game experience at all i.e, Hill. Our starters, I assume, unless some player with no game experience steps up to this level, will be Braxton, Bolomboy, Senglin, Gittens & Richardson. That leaves only Hill with game experience projected in a back-u role. That is a bit scary to have all our depth dependent on guys who have never played a Div I game...

Lets hope that most of them are as good or better than advertised. If not, get ready for a challenging, and maybe even embarrassing season.

 

[WSUfan4ever]

In my view whether we are a bad team are a better than average good team pivots on two issues. First, on one player, "Zach Braxton". If he isn't as capable as advertised we are sunk because we have no one else who can fill the Center role. If we have to play Bolomboy there and Hill at the 4 a break-even record seems like a challenge.

Secondly, how good (or bad) we are pivots on "depth". We don't have proven depth at center, point, shooting guard and wing. If one of the backup points isn't good enough yet, if the backup wing and shooting guard aren't as good as we think and if Jordan Dallas isn't good enough to be a contributor this year as a backup center our depth will be abysmal.

We only have one player projected to be a backup with any game experience at all i.e, Hill. Our starters, I assume, unless some player with no game experience steps up to this level, will be Braxton, Bolomboy, Senglin, Gittens & Richardson. That leaves only Hill with game experience projected in a back-u role. That is a bit scary to have all our depth dependent on guys who have never played a Div I game...

Lets hope that most of them are as good or better than advertised. If not, get ready for a challenging, and maybe even embarrassing season.

Great post. A lot of very good points, and not much margin for injuries. Should be an interesting year.

 

[n.ogdencat]

Definitely a fair and, reasonable assessment. We don't know much about our new additions. We have an idea about Braxton and Jefferson because they were on the team but not a whole lot.

It is safe to talk about what we do know first. Senglin is very good. He is a work in progress though. He took over the PG slot last season and it was a bit bumpy for him. Yet, there was development in the fact that he knows he is good but has a ways to go to be great. Bolomboy is not a guy who can play at center full-time and our wings need to be better shooters and far more active on defense.

Question is...has the team gotten better with the talent it kept and with the newbs it has added? Conference attrition will automatically assist the Cats. Also Weber has talent but does that spell depth and chemistry?

 

[oldrunner]

Baller makes some good points. We will have a lot of new players who are unproven to go along with a handful of proven contributors returning. We will be counting on one or more freshmen to come in and contribute right away. That alone is always a bit frightening. I'm sure that there will be a few growing pains along the way.

From a starting lineup perspective, we look improved to me. Joel in his natural position, Richardson replacing Golden, and the addition of Braxton at center. Even if Braxton has some ups and downs, and he will, he is a true center who can pass and score the ball. If he defends and rebounds it will be a huge plus.

Like you said, the backups are young and inexperienced. Last years were the same. This years newcomers seem to be a little higher rated than last years. That doesn't always mean anything. I'm looking forward to seeing what they can do. I'm hopeful that there is some true D1 talent there. :twocents: