PG - Who Starts?
- Thread starter 7th Cir. Cat
- Start date
Spencer, for sure. I like the intangibles he brings and the tangibles are solid, too. Will give some room for the others to continue developing.
Interesting choice! Spencer's got the least basketball experience, but he's probably the least likely to get rattled by the "pressure" of playing in a big game. If nothing else, it makes a nice story.
I'm not saying he's going to be all league. But he will definitely turn some heads and keep the ship upright. I actually think people are sleeping on Northwestern this season. Probably won't make the postseason this year, but I would not be the one to rule that out either.
As fun as that would be, no. Need to get the young guys some experience, ready or not. I’d much rather it be Buie or Greer.
Spencer. Intangibles. Ridiculous leadership and presence. The guy is also super athletic and has extraordinary vision that translates on the court.
IMO, Spencer didn't show enough ball control, not nearly enough of a handle, to start at lead guard.
I think at the start of the season its Greer, and later it may be Bouie.
Off guard is Gaines and Spencer.
The handle criticism...based on video which illustrates bball hasn't been his top sport for four years.
I think at the start of the season its Greer, and later it may be Bouie.
Off guard is Gaines and Spencer.
The handle criticism...based on video which illustrates bball hasn't been his top sport for four years.
I wouldn't say Turner is the best returning player. I'd vote for Gaines
I really don't like Turner nearly as much as many on this board. I think a rotational bench guy is an appropriate position for him ... if things are going right.
His inconsistency is what kills me. He's not a "hit or miss" guy from game to game. He's a miss, miss, miss and hit guy.
Also, I think we've seen Turner's ceiling, or something incredibly close to it.
As for the lead guard, I really hope Buie is able to separate himself from the group. I'd like to say the same thing about Greer, but I'm not sure he can guard at this level. OTOH, it was obvious he very young last year.
The one thing I do know about the lead guard is that if the Cats need to rely on Turner again, they are in awfully big trouble.
I really don't like Turner nearly as much as many on this board. I think a rotational bench guy is an appropriate position for him ... if things are going right.
His inconsistency is what kills me. He's not a "hit or miss" guy from game to game. He's a miss, miss, miss and hit guy.
Also, I think we've seen Turner's ceiling, or something incredibly close to it.
As for the lead guard, I really hope Buie is able to separate himself from the group. I'd like to say the same thing about Greer, but I'm not sure he can guard at this level. OTOH, it was obvious he very young last year.
The one thing I do know about the lead guard is that if the Cats need to rely on Turner again, they are in awfully big trouble.
Gaines is the best returning player easily. Kopp and Turner are next. Than its a bunch of unproven players who have little (Nance or Greer) or no experience (remainder of roster). I still believe that if Pete Nance can come out and hit some shots in game conditions, his confidence will improve and he will instantly become a 10 and 5 type guy who provides a mismatch on defense. I would expect 15, 13 and 10 from Gaines, Kopp and Turner in some order. Overall, its a development year and I am watching for individual development moreso than overall record. Nance, Kopp and Beran have to prove capable scorers for the future of the program.
I actually think this team will be surprising. I think we will lose some games we should win and win some games against much better teams. Kind of like Indiana last year when Falzon went off, and Nebraska 4 years ago when Pardon went off, I think that some of these guys are going to go off and blow a game wide open. I think it will be streaky, not consistent, but will be better than most expect.
Next year should be mid-Big 10
Next year should be mid-Big 10
No question that Gaines is the best defender on the team. On offense, his handle is average at best, his assists to TO is ok, acceptable. He's not a threat from distance until he shows he's a threat from distance (all in his head). He can attack the rim and is a decent finisher.
I thought Turner was decent on defense. He was asked to play out of position all year so I really don't see how some of the criticism here is justified. Shot ok...equivalent/slightly better than Kopp who was not playing out of position. More of a threat off the dribble. I think we need a few games of Turner playing his natural position.
I think Collins wants a steely-eyed three point shooter on the floor to stretch the defense. I think the top candidate on the roster for that is Kopp so I'll concede that if he knocks them down early, he's starting.
I think the top threat to penetrate and score is Bouie, based on a pretty small video sample. Will he protect the ball...I don't know.
I thought Turner was decent on defense. He was asked to play out of position all year so I really don't see how some of the criticism here is justified. Shot ok...equivalent/slightly better than Kopp who was not playing out of position. More of a threat off the dribble. I think we need a few games of Turner playing his natural position.
I think Collins wants a steely-eyed three point shooter on the floor to stretch the defense. I think the top candidate on the roster for that is Kopp so I'll concede that if he knocks them down early, he's starting.
I think the top threat to penetrate and score is Bouie, based on a pretty small video sample. Will he protect the ball...I don't know.
Back to the original question, I am guessing that Boo will start (that was even before Haywood said the same) with Spencer playing a decent amount.
Starters:
LG - Buie
Wing - Gaines
Wing - Kopp
Wing - Nance
Big - Jones
First off bench:
Turner, Beran, Young, Spencer, Greer
Agreed with this assessment. Not expecting more than a handful of conference wins. But if Kopp can meaningfully improve and Nance can show potential then we should be competitive in the conference the following year.
I actually think the team's ceiling really depends on Nance. We've had players like Kopp before. But we've never had a player with Nance's potential skill set. He's a power forward who has 3 point range. Yes, we've had Shurna and Vedran, but Nance is bigger than both of them. If he develops into a reliable 12-15ppg guy . . . .
I think you swap Nance and Turner, at least in the beginning. Though that is a small line-up. I just don't see how your senior leader is not starting.
I was thinking the same thing, but like you said, that's a small lineup if Turner starts over Nance, which also has its own merits I suppose.
Buie 6-2 165
Gaines 6-4 205
Kopp 6-7 210
Turner 6-7 200 (Nance 6-10 210)
Jones 6-10 240
I just don't see Turner coming off the bench. He's a senior and he was picked to do all the interviews (with Gaines) for the Big 10 Network and the Big 10 media day. I know this sounds silly, but do you really pick a bench guy to do that?
My choices for starting 5:
LG - Spencer
Wing - Gaines
Wing - Kopp
Wing - Nance
Big - Young
First off bench:
Turner, Beran, and Buie, with Greer and Jones picking up minutes as needed.
If Spencer's handles don't hold up, maybe Buie slides into that spot situationally.
LG - Spencer
Wing - Gaines
Wing - Kopp
Wing - Nance
Big - Young
First off bench:
Turner, Beran, and Buie, with Greer and Jones picking up minutes as needed.
If Spencer's handles don't hold up, maybe Buie slides into that spot situationally.
Turner is a critical player as he has the skills to be solid. Last year he was inconsistent but had a lot of good stretches. He Gaines and Kopp can hold down the Wing positions and even play all 3 at times. Add weight on Nance and the team can at least compete. Next year will be better.
Pass the ball around the perimeter and jack up a contested three......yes, I think they can do it.
Haywood's made it clear that Turner is the sixth man to start the season.
In regards to Turner, may be more meaningful to talk minutes.
Will he start? No.
Will he play starter's minutes? Absolutely.
He may be top three in minutes.
He'll be on the floor at the end of the game.
In regards to Turner, may be more meaningful to talk minutes.
Will he start? No.
Will he play starter's minutes? Absolutely.
He may be top three in minutes.
He'll be on the floor at the end of the game.
I’ll play and add expect mpg for the season.
1- Buie (15) -low time as frosh limitations in stamina and fouls
2- Gaines (20) - low time as CCC develops the youth of tomorrow
3- Kopp (30) - development time
4- Nance (30) - split in 4 and 5
5- Young (20) - limited by first year foul blues
I’m starting to think CCC might be reverting back to traditional positions.
G - Greer (20 - given every opportunity to show he belongs)
W - Turner (15 - senior respect time) then Beran (25 - frosh blues) then Spencer (25 - surprise success commands more than garbage time)
Big - Nance backs this up and Jones redshirts
I expect at least one major injury, Greer won’t be very good. Young will be underwhelming. Nance will leave us continuing to debate his potential while Beran will establish as one two option w Kopp.
1- Buie (15) -low time as frosh limitations in stamina and fouls
2- Gaines (20) - low time as CCC develops the youth of tomorrow
3- Kopp (30) - development time
4- Nance (30) - split in 4 and 5
5- Young (20) - limited by first year foul blues
I’m starting to think CCC might be reverting back to traditional positions.
G - Greer (20 - given every opportunity to show he belongs)
W - Turner (15 - senior respect time) then Beran (25 - frosh blues) then Spencer (25 - surprise success commands more than garbage time)
Big - Nance backs this up and Jones redshirts
I expect at least one major injury, Greer won’t be very good. Young will be underwhelming. Nance will leave us continuing to debate his potential while Beran will establish as one two option w Kopp.