2022-2023 Lineup

[pdub]

Give me, come/after Feburary:
Harris - 35
McCullar - 29
Dick - 30
JWill - 36
Udeh - 22

KJ - 21
Rice - 16
Pettiford - 6

The rest of the scraps to Zuby/Clemence/Yes.

[randylahey]

Zuby reminds me a little of Silvio de Sousa. Minus all the bullshit

[pdub]

but we just went toe-to-toe with one of the biggest teams in the country and still came out on top.

We did but KJ played 19 minutes and had 4 fouls.
And was targeted a couple times in half court sets against bigger post up situations.
And Duke is really young - so often these early games can go to the team with experience.

As Bilas was saying, there are a plethora of talented bigs in CBB.
I don't know if KJ is the final answer at the 5 - but he deserves the clock somewhere.

[ousdahl]

Give me, come/after Feburary:
Harris - 35
McCullar - 29
Dick - 30
JWill - 36
Udeh - 22

KJ - 21
Rice - 16
Pettiford - 6

The rest of the scraps to Zuby/Clemence/Yes.

I can pretty much get on with this, except I think the Dajuan/Pettiford minutes should be closer to something like 25/15.

Or, maybe I'm wrong, and Dajuan turned a corner enough strength-and-conditioning wise that he won't look gassed by the end of games, and really is ready for BIFM minutes.

And, fingers crossed, maybe Bobby really is good enough to give the keys for 15 a game. Heck, maybe he's too good to NOT give the keys for 15 a game

[pdub]

I don't see Harris getting fewer minutes than he did per game last year.
Maybe the same but not fewer.

I think we're trying to see if Pettiford and Yes can step up and show something but Yes certainly isn't and Bobby is just fine.

[CrimsonNBlue]

I'm OK with keeping KJ as starting 5, unless/until we find ourselves constantly getting burned because of it otherwise.

but we just went toe-to-toe with one of the biggest teams in the country and still came out on top.

but yea, our ceiling is getting Udeh up to speed. Does Udeh have OAD potential? I mean, he's big...

And yea, not much was expected of Zuby coming in this year, but he's 6'9" with a body, and seems stronger and more comfortable than your average freshy. If we can't not give him minutes, that's not a bad problem to have.

I don't see Udeh as OAD at all. Maybe not even NBA potential. Just compare him to Dave, same type of physical specimen but Dave flashed more skill as a frosh.

But, Udeh could be great here. He and Zuby should be playing a minimum of 20 minutes in these scrub games at AFH. Our starting 4 guys seem to be set and look very comfortable. Getting the 5 spot right is crucial now. We need both KJ and one of the freshmen to play well there. I'd bet on Udeh, his ceiling just looks way higher but I'm pleasantly surprised that Zuby doesn't look overmatched yet.

[CrimsonNBlue]

Give me, come/after Feburary:
Harris - 35
McCullar - 29
Dick - 30
JWill - 36
Udeh - 22

KJ - 21
Rice - 16
Pettiford - 6

The rest of the scraps to Zuby/Clemence/Yes.

I can pretty much get on with this, except I think the Dajuan/Pettiford minutes should be closer to something like 25/15.

Or, maybe I'm wrong, and Dajuan turned a corner enough strength-and-conditioning wise that he won't look gassed by the end of games, and really is ready for BIFM minutes.

And, fingers crossed, maybe Bobby really is good enough to give the keys for 15 a game. Heck, maybe he's too good to NOT give the keys for 15 a game

I hear what you're saying, but 15 minutes of Bobby is too much for me. Harris in the low 30's is ideal if Pettiford can hold it down.

I'm higher on the team now than what I was two days ago, but I still think there are big warning signs with our offense and don't see this team having the total package to be a true contender for the title. Final Four would be wonderful, though.

[hasbeen]

Zuby needs to play. That bounce is nice.

Also, how many times did we drop the ball inside for a post up? I know Duke is bigger but do any of the bigs have any semblance of a post-up game? Gonna look a little different this year.

[ousdahl]

yea, I think this team will have ruts where we struggle to score.

But the way Jalen (and maybe even Gradey) kept offense going is a positive sign.

and I dunno if I like the Udeh/Dave comparison. Yea Dave was more skilled from day 1, but Udeh looks bigger and more athletic. Has already played above the rim more than Dave ever did.

[ousdahl]

I'm also concerned this team could get clowned by some bigger lineup, but last night was one of the biggest teams we'll see all year.

Contrast that with how that Perry Ellis and Jamilly Traylor team looked against UK's footers around this time like 8 years ago.

[KUTradition]

Udeh seems much more athletic than Dave

[CrimsonNBlue]

Zuby needs to play. That bounce is nice.

Also, how many times did we drop the ball inside for a post up? I know Duke is bigger but do any of the bigs have any semblance of a post-up game? Gonna look a little different this year.

None, and I'm not betting on it coming.

The saving grace here, and can't believe I'm saying this, really might by Dajuan. I made the short Rondo comparison, and he was about that last night. I don't think we've ever had that guy that could keep the dribble alive for a full shot clock and create a play just off the dribble (and Dajuan's shot is still garbage). Miles was probably closest. Dajuan can keep the play alive long enough to wear down/confuse defense and put the ball on the rim.

[randylahey]

I think pettiford could turn into a liability to some degree. I like a lot about his game but as we get into conference play his lack of shooting is gonna get exposed by the teams that know our players better

[hasbeen]

Yeah, Juan is rounding into a really good player on offense other than that dreadful jumper. I was hoping his little run in the tournament last year was a sign of better shooting days, but ehhhh. Still, really good defensively and commanded the offense otherwise.

[randylahey]

Udeh seems much more athletic than Dave

Yes. Much more.

[CrimsonNBlue]

and I dunno if I like the Udeh/Dave comparison. Yea Dave was more skilled from day 1, but Udeh looks bigger and more athletic. Has already played above the rim more than Dave ever did.

I'm probably forgetting what Dave looked like as a frosh, but Dave was 6'10" 250lb. and moved really well as an upperclassman. The athleticism he showed on the offensive boards was in Self's top tier of bigs.

Dave not playing above the rim was more upstairs than ability, so I do like that about Udeh. And yes, maybe Udeh is a tad bouncier off of the PnR.

[randylahey]

Yeah, Juan is rounding into a really good player on offense other than that dreadful jumper. I was hoping his little run in the tournament last year was a sign of better shooting days, but ehhhh. Still, really good defensively and commanded the offense otherwise.

Agreed. I think he will knock down a few threes here and there if left unguarded. But not a threat to shoot off then dribble

[pdub]

I think we're just going to have to get over the lack of shooting from our point this season.
There isn't an answer there.

[randylahey]

The unfortunate thing about working mj rice into the rotation is he is yet another perimeter player that isn't a shooter.

Maybe there still is a role for clemence. We need to get some shooting/spacing on the floor one way or another

[CrimsonNBlue]

Rice's HS days, shot form, and height make me think he can put up 30% from 3 this season. In other words, Yesufu's shot that we've seen thus far isn't going to keep Rice out of the rotation.

Absolutely think there's a role for Clemence. Would be almost a 5-out offense.