Starting 5 Talk

[BGCATFAN2012]

Where we at on the lineup talk going into the season? Has injuries pushed anyone or we still looking like August?

 

[Uk2k4]

I love the roster as a whole, but if I’m being perfectly honest, wheeler has to be a backup for this team to reach its peak potential. So gimme:

cason
Antonio
Livingston
Jake
Oscar

6th man Collins

 

[kyjeff1]

It’s wide open. Cal can go with about 10 combinations and they would all work against just about anybody.

I've been hard on Cal, mostly about his offense, his hard headedness and his priorities, but he has built one hell of a roster this year.

If it was me, based on what I've read, I would go with.
Oscar
Toppin
Collins
Wallace
Wheeler

But part of me really feels like going with

Oscar
Toppin
Livingston
Reeves
Wallace

Either way, It sounds like Collins, Reeves and Wallace have to get big minutes and I don't want to forget about Ado, that guy makes things happen.

Then there's Frederick… ugh.

I don't know how Cal is going to manage this. All these guys deserve to play big minutes.

 

[Drcats2025]

Wallace
Reeves
Thiero
Toppin
Oscar

From what little I have seen, this is my 5, with Collins and Wheeler playing big minutes off the bench. Obviously get Livingston some good minutes as well. That said, we all know wheeler will start early on, and this is my prediction for who actually starts:

Wheeler
Wallace
Reeves
Toppin
Oscar

 

[BBallin23]

Wheeler
Wallace
Reeves
Toppin
Oscar

 

[BlueWorldOrder74]

Wheeler
Wallace
Reeves
Toppin
Oscar

 

[J-Ryan]

It could be anybody on any night…

 

[nickhorvathsuxazz]

I love the roster as a whole, but if I’m being perfectly honest, wheeler has to be a backup for this team to reach its peak potential. So gimme:

cason
Antonio
Livingston
Jake
Oscar

6th man Collins

I like that 5...beauty of that line-up is that the only thing we need to do to go small ball is put wheeler in for Oscar and drop everybody else down a slot. Huge amount of versatility on this roster.

 

[BGCATFAN2012]

These guys are gonna battle each other like Cal never experienced before. Our practices will be tougher then half our games leading up to SEC.

 

[CELTICAT]

Toppin
Ware
Oscar
Collins
Kingsley

Cal is going big

 

[Uk2k4]

Toppin
Ware
Oscar
Collins
Kingsley

Cal is going big

Bad thing is you know we will actually see a lot of lineups with Collins Toppin and Oscar lol

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

I love the roster as a whole, but if I’m being perfectly honest, wheeler has to be a backup for this team to reach its peak potential. So gimme:

cason
Antonio
Livingston
Jake
Oscar

6th man Collins

I like this one. Four guys who can shoot the ball surrounding Oscar. Reeves is the only defensive liability in the starting five.

 

[bucsrule8872]

Most likely:

Wheeler
Wallace
Livingston
Toppin
Tshiebwe

What I fear:

Wheeler
Wallace
Toppin
Collins
Tshiebwe

What I would like:

Wallace
Reeves
Livingston
Toppin
Tshiebwe

 

[track42]

Wallace needs to be the starting point guard to open up the offense.

 

[LeadBellyofTheBeast]

If anyone watched the Bahamas games, the offense moves much faster and fluid with Wheeler running the point. For this team to reach its goals, he is going to have to be the primary pg. The experience factor really pushes him over the top.

 

[track42]

If anyone watched the Bahamas games, the offense moves much faster and fluid with Wheeler running the point. For this team to reach its goals, he is going to have to be the primary pg. The experience factor really pushes him over the top.

He sure led the team far last season.

 

[LeadBellyofTheBeast]

He sure led the team far last season.

Looking at his stat line he did pretty well. I seem to recall some pretty good games from him, one being against KU. He also rated as one of the best pg last season. I know you're probably still pouty over not getting the result that, as a fan, you felt entitled to, but there really isn't much evidence to support he isn't a top-rated pg.

 

[HerrosHeroes]

Wheeler
Wallace
Livingston
Toppin
Oscar

 

[ganner918_rivals60369]

Most likely:

Wheeler
Wallace
Livingston
Toppin
Tshiebwe

What I fear:

Wheeler
Wallace
Toppin
Collins
Tshiebwe

What I would like:

Wallace
Reeves
Livingston
Toppin
Tshiebwe

Spot on, though I also thing a possibility is Wheeler, Wallace, Reeves, Toppin, Oscar

 

[kyjeff1]

Most likely:

Wheeler
Wallace
Livingston
Toppin
Tshiebwe

What I fear:

Wheeler
Wallace
Toppin
Collins
Tshiebwe

What I would like:

Wallace
Reeves
Livingston
Toppin
Tshiebwe

Your fear lineup is the most likely one Cal will go with.

Against uNC, that’s a good lineup to go with. Wheeler is a star in an up and down game.

Problem is, if we played Virginia, Cal will still go with that lineup and it'll be a rock fight to the very end.

That’s one of several things Cal needs to change.

 

[kyjeff1]

If anyone watched the Bahamas games, the offense moves much faster and fluid with Wheeler running the point. For this team to reach its goals, he is going to have to be the primary pg. The experience factor really pushes him over the top.

None of those Bahamas opponents slowed the game down. Wheeler is taylor made for that kind of game and I love it when a team wants to run with UK, especially when Wheeler is running the show.

But in a low possession game, Wheeler is a big liability.

Wallace will need some time to adjust, but when he does, he has to be the guy in the NCAAT when we run into a team that plays stall ball.

 

[MethodUK]

I don't care who they start. Just play DEFENSE CONSISTENTLY!!

It all starts with D... 2012 was a great defensive team. I may be the only one but feel like the past 2 years teams would just penatrate our man D every rip with no answer.

 

[kl40504_rivals]

Bad thing is you know we will actually see a lot of lineups with Collins Toppin and Oscar lol

Not

 

[jameslee32]

Good problem to have no doubt.

Let's go with Oscar, Toppin, Livingston, Wallace and Wheeler and fill it up.
Or Oscar, Collins, Reeves, Fred and Wallace and watch defense. Although I think Thiero is really really good on that end too.

 

[bucsrule8872]

Your fear lineup is the most likely one Cal will go with.

Against uNC, that’s a good lineup to go with. Wheeler is a star in an up and down game.

Problem is, if we played Virginia, Cal will still go with that lineup and it'll be a rock fight to the very end.

That’s one of several things Cal needs to change.

Agreed.

Cal has a roster he could use to matchup against anyone, if he is just willing to play different combos for different situations.

Unfortunately, that is not his philosophy. Flexibility has not been Cal’s strong suit in a very long time.

 

[Uk2k4]

If anyone watched the Bahamas games, the offense moves much faster and fluid with Wheeler running the point. For this team to reach its goals, he is going to have to be the primary pg. The experience factor really pushes him over the top.

Looking at his stat line he did pretty well. I seem to recall some pretty good games from him, one being against KU. He also rated as one of the best pg last season. I know you're probably still pouty over not getting the result that, as a fan, you felt entitled to, but there really isn't much evidence to support he isn't a top-rated pg.

Except the part where St Peters didn’t even guard him.

 

[LeadBellyofTheBeast]

None of those Bahamas opponents slowed the game down. Wheeler is taylor made for that kind of game and I love it when a team wants to run with UK, especially when Wheeler is running the show.

But in a low possession game, Wheeler is a big liability.

Wallace will need some time to adjust, but when he does, he has to be the guy in the NCAAT when we run into a team that plays stall ball.

I disagree on him not being adequate in half court. We got forced into playing a lot in the half court last season and he still ranked as one of the best pg's in the country. He is a solid 2pt shooter and a really good driver and finisher at the rim. He is a great FT shooter, solid defender and really good floor general. The offense just clicks when he is at the pg with the right mix of players around him. He also has loads of experience that Wallace can't match in a few short months.

Teams also won't be able to slow us down as easily and often this year. We are really fast and long, plus we have a deep bench. We can force the tempo in a lot of games if we choose. And I think we will have more consistent shooters in Wallace, Reeves, Livingston, CJ and Toppin this season to really limit Wheeler from being depended on hitting many.

I do think Wallace will play a good amount at the 1 as well, but Wheeler should start. I hope Thiero gets some minutes at the 1 as well. His size, speed and athleticism will give team fits. Plus he has a nice shot.

 

[Wildcats1st]

If anyone watched the Bahamas games, the offense moves much faster and fluid with Wheeler running the point. For this team to reach its goals, he is going to have to be the primary pg. The experience factor really pushes him over the top.

What you saw in the Bahamas is not the college game. What you saw in the Bahamas was no ncaat level teams. If we could run up and down yeah wheeler can’t push it. The fact is that college bb is a halfcourt game especially come March. I’ve seen Cason blow by wheeler in a scrimmage. He’s more athletic, taller, much better shooter. This dude really could be a top 5 pick as a pg. wheeler. It will be a disappointing ending if cal rides him like last year.

 

[Wildcats1st]

I disagree on him not being adequate in half court. We got forced into playing a lot in the half court last season and he still ranked as one of the best pg's in the country. He is a solid 2pt shooter and a really good driver and finisher at the rim. He is a great FT shooter, solid defender and really good floor general. The offense just clicks when he is at the pg with the right mix of players around him. He also has loads of experience that Wallace can't match in a few short months.

Teams also won't be able to slow us down as easily and often this year. We are really fast and long, plus we have a deep bench. We can force the tempo in a lot of games if we choose. And I think we will have more consistent shooters in Wallace, Reeves, Livingston, CJ and Toppin this season to really limit Wheeler from being depended on hitting many.

I do think Wallace will play a good amount at the 1 as well, but Wheeler should start. I hope Thiero gets some minutes at the 1 as well. His size, speed and athleticism will give team fits. Plus he has a nice shot.

Dude leadbelly it’s this simple with wheeler when you start spouting “wheeeler one of the best blah blah blah”. “ he lead the sec in assists the last two years blah blah blah”. The bottom line is wheeler doesn’t win. He hasn’t won an ncaa tournament game in 2 years of leading the sec and being one of the best pgs in the country as you say.

 

[LeadBellyofTheBeast]

Dude leadbelly it’s this simple with wheeler when you start spouting “wheeeler one of the best blah blah blah”. “ he lead the sec in assists the last two years blah blah blah”. The bottom line is wheeler doesn’t win. He hasn’t won an ncaa tournament game in 2 years of leading the sec and being one of the best pgs in the country as you say.

He's only been once. And it wasn't exactly with a healthy team. I can assure you, absent an unexpected issue, Wheeler will be the starting pg and playing the brunt of the minutes there for UK this season, as he should. And I fully expect he helps lead us to a F4, while also contending for the Bob Cousey award for himself.

 

[KDCats11]

Dude leadbelly it’s this simple with wheeler when you start spouting “wheeeler one of the best blah blah blah”. “ he lead the sec in assists the last two years blah blah blah”. The bottom line is wheeler doesn’t win. He hasn’t won an ncaa tournament game in 2 years of leading the sec and being one of the best pgs in the country as you say.

Because as we all know, basketball is only played with one player.

 

[revcort]

It will likely be...

Wheeler
Wallace
Livingston
Toppin
Oscar

With heavy doses of Reeves as instant offense off the bench, unless he starts at the 3, which wouldn't upset me at all. And we will see Collins early and often, along with Fredrick and Thiero, and some Ware thrown in to give Oscar a breather.

 

[Whatsup]

Good problem to have no doubt.

Let's go with Oscar, Toppin, Livingston, Wallace and Wheeler and fill it up.
Or Oscar, Collins, Reeves, Fred and Wallace and watch defense. Although I think Thiero is really really good on that end too.

Fred who?

 

[BBNinSC_rivals62411]

He's only been once. And it wasn't exactly with a healthy team. I can assure you, absent an unexpected issue, Wheeler will be the starting pg and playing the brunt of the minutes there for UK this season, as he should. And I fully expect he helps lead us to a F4, while also contending for the Bob Cousey award for himself.

This. Wheeler and Oscar are the 2 guaranteed starters, the rest are plug and play. Wheeler just needs 5 minutes rest a half to be an All-American PG.

 

[chroix]

Wheeler
Reeves
Livingston
Toppin
Oscar

 

[Uk2k4]

People love to ignore the fact that St Peters did not even guard Wheeler and that’s the reason we lost.

What leads those people to believe that won’t happen again?

 

[storm1507]

I don't care who starts. I just hope Cal will adjust who is getting PT according to each game situation. I also hope with this loaded team PT doesn't become a problem for team chemistry.

 

[sefus12]

Your fear lineup is the most likely one Cal will go with.

Against uNC, that’s a good lineup to go with. Wheeler is a star in an up and down game.

Problem is, if we played Virginia, Cal will still go with that lineup and it'll be a rock fight to the very end.

That’s one of several things Cal needs to change.

Not many top teams out there changing their starting line up based on opponent.

 

[sefus12]

People love to ignore the fact that St Peters did not even guard Wheeler and that’s the reason we lost.

What leads those people to believe that won’t happen again?

Grady: 1-9
TyTy: 2-10
Brooks: 2-7
Wheeler: 4-8 (1-2 from 3)

Wheeler didn’t win us the game but saying he’s the reason we lost is revisionist history made to fit a narrative you have. Odd that we have one of the best, most experienced PGs in the country with scorers all around him and people want him on the bench.

 

[LeadBellyofTheBeast]

This. Wheeler and Oscar are the 2 guaranteed starters, the rest are plug and play. Wheeler just needs 5 minutes rest a half to be an All-American PG.

I think Toppin is guaranteed a starting spot as well. Very likely that Wallace does start at the 2. I personally think the only position for debate right now is the 3. Reeves seems like the best option to start because of his shooting and scoring, but Livingston is also a solid option, nor would it be a shock to see Call start Collins at the 3.