2024/2025 Lineup

[DeletedUser]

How many minutes did we really expect Elmarko to play this year? 15-20mpg? Maybe less?

[pdub]

15-20 sounds right.
That’s a hit.

[DeletedUser]

15-20 sounds right.
That’s a hit.

Absolutely a hit. Plus now we have no insurance for Zeke not being capable of running PG for the 6-8mpg DH is out. Unless this Mississippi State transfer is capable of being the backup PG. Philon probably kicking himself. Ran away from the DH and Zeke competition and then the Bama PG withdrew from the draft and he has competition for his positions minutes at Bama now too.

In a way it should take some pressure off of Zeke to be perfect. And Zeke's skill set fits better with what we need this year which is outside shooting. Even if Elmarko improved a ton, and I am sure he was on track to, I don't think his outside shooting was going to be a strong point yet. Hopefully during the rehab portion of this injury where he is non contact that he can really focus on improving that aspect of his game, and he'll be ready to step in next year when DH is gone.

[ousdahl]

We need outside shooting for sure.

We could also use a dood who can break defenses down off the dribble.

More so than outside shooting, I was hoping Elmarko would be that dood

[DeletedUser]

We need outside shooting for sure.

We could also use a dood who can break defenses down off the dribble.

More so than outside shooting, I was hoping Elmarko would be that dood

Did you not notice last year that Elmarko isn't a very good dribbler or passer? I did.

When you say break defenses down off the dribble, do you only mean break them down to score? Because DH is fantastic at breaking defenses down off the dribble, he just does it as a facilitator and not a scorer.

Can someone who breaks defenses down off the dribble ONLY be the smallest guy on the floor? Because AJ Storr is pretty good at scoring off the dribble. You thought "maybe" it'd be Elmarko and not him? Weird. One of then averaged 16pts per game last year in CBB and the other didn't.


Sure feels like we've said all this before. Why do you have to repeat yourself again? We get it (your stance on what the team "needs").

[ousdahl]

I was hoping Elmarko would develop as a whole, and develop skills like dribbling and passing - both to score, and to distribute. He had the physical ability, it seems

I wouldn’t agree that Dajuan is “fantastic” at breaking defenses down off the dribble. I’ll give you serviceable, maybe. And for the sake of optimism, maybe his ability to break down defenses to facilitate will look better - maybe even fantastic! - with better shooters and scorers surrounding him.

Glad AJ can apparently get his off the dribble tho. That’ll be good to have.

[DeletedUser]

How does he get all of those assists? How do you think KJ gets all those lobs? It's not because of his shooting and scoring. It's because of his dribbling and passing.

[twocoach]

We need outside shooting for sure.

We could also use a dood who can break defenses down off the dribble.

More so than outside shooting, I was hoping Elmarko would be that dood

Storr, Griffen and Mayo may all have that ability and at a better level than Elmarko. I doubt Jackson went from "get this fucker out of the game he is killing us" to "he is the best guard off the bench we have" in one offseason. Odds are that we already have guys on the team that can do what you're looking for.

[ousdahl]

“The best part about freshmen is they become sophomores.”

But yea, I think our portal pieces wil be good

[randylahey]

We still have a deep team. Elmarko had a chance to be a big dynamic combo guard, the loss sucks

But on paper our transfer class is elite. Shakeel moore we need to be good. He has a lot of experience and is a shooter than elmarko. Smaller, but might be a better fit for next season.

Between moore, Griffen, and zeke, 2 will come off the bench. That's good depth

[DeletedUser]

Storr, Griffen and Mayo may all have that ability and at a better level than Elmarko.

As does KJ.

And KJ has improved every single offnseason so I think he can continue to develop that portion of his game especially (driving and scoring), in addition to potentially adding some sort of perimeter shot (less likely, but still possible).

[DeletedUser]

Between moore, Griffen, and zeke, 2 will come off the bench. That's good depth

Plus, we might (key word might) also see some KJ at the 3 if we try to play a huge lineup with Bidunga at the 4. A big, non shooting, defensive specialist lineup. Maybe in a zone? Now I am probably drifting too far into fantasy land.

[randylahey]

Between moore, Griffen, and zeke, 2 will come off the bench. That's good depth

Plus, we might (key word might) also see some KJ at the 3 if we try to play a huge lineup with Bidunga at the 4. A big, non shooting, defensive specialist lineup. Maybe in a zone? Now I am probably drifting too far into fantasy land.

We will not see one single second of KJ at the 3 lol

[DeletedUser]

Between moore, Griffen, and zeke, 2 will come off the bench. That's good depth

Plus, we might (key word might) also see some KJ at the 3 if we try to play a huge lineup with Bidunga at the 4. A big, non shooting, defensive specialist lineup. Maybe in a zone? Now I am probably drifting too far into fantasy land.

We will not see one single second of KJ at the 3 lol

He has played the 3 a few times in the past iirc.

If Bidunga and Clemence are going to play more than 20min or so combined, then I could see KJ occasionally spending a few minutes at the 3. He's certainly capable defensively, and if they find ways to utilize him inside against the smaller mismatch of the typical college 3 (strength wise, not height wise) then it may actually make some sense.

[randylahey]

Am I the only one that thinks shakeel moore could be a better back up point than anyone we had on the roster? He looks crafty and athletic, is a tenacious defender and decent 3pt shooter.

Elmarko is a bigger guard and has more upside no doubt, but for just next season, moore could be a good fit and a lot better pick up than we think. 5th year guard with tons of experience

[randylahey]

Plus, we might (key word might) also see some KJ at the 3 if we try to play a huge lineup with Bidunga at the 4. A big, non shooting, defensive specialist lineup. Maybe in a zone? Now I am probably drifting too far into fantasy land.

We will not see one single second of KJ at the 3 lol

He has played the 3 a few times in the past iirc.

If Bidunga and Clemence are going to play more than 20min or so combined, then I could see KJ occasionally spending a few minutes at the 3. He's certainly capable defensively, and if they find ways to utilize him inside against the smaller mismatch of the typical college 3 (strength wise, not height wise) then it may actually make some sense.

I'm not ruling anything out. Whatever makes the team better. But essentially those guys would have to be beating out the likes of storr, Griffen, and zeke for minutes on the perimeter or KJ to slide to the 3 at times. Seems far fetched

[DeletedUser]

We will not see one single second of KJ at the 3 lol

He has played the 3 a few times in the past iirc.

If Bidunga and Clemence are going to play more than 20min or so combined, then I could see KJ occasionally spending a few minutes at the 3. He's certainly capable defensively, and if they find ways to utilize him inside against the smaller mismatch of the typical college 3 (strength wise, not height wise) then it may actually make some sense.

I'm not ruling anything out. Whatever makes the team better. But essentially those guys would have to be beating out the likes of storr, Griffen, and zeke for minutes on the perimeter or KJ to slide to the 3 at times. Seems far fetched

Yes, that fantasy scenario would havw to mean that our best bench player is Bidunga and we are trying to squeeze in extra minutes for him.

I expect the starters to be:

DH
Griffen
Storr
KJ
HD

Bench:
Bidunga
Zeke
Clemence

McDowell (could maybe move him into the top bench group?)
ShakMo (not feeling it gutter)
Passmore

HD DH KJ and Storr will play all the minutes they can handle (I think).

[AlOerter]

I think sometimes match-ups can dictate bench minutes to some extent. If we need more size - Clemence, if we need more quickness - Zeke, if we need more athleticism - Bidunga. I still think Passmore could be a sleeper, especially if we get another injury.

[DeletedUser]

I think sometimes match-ups can dictate bench minutes to some extent. If we need more size - Clemence, if we need more quickness - Zeke, if we need more athleticism - Bidunga. I still think Passmore could be a sleeper, especially if we get another injury.

Agree about Passmore, but I don't see any scenario where he and McDowell both play rotational minutes. Have to give the returnee an edge in that battle for minutes.

[AlOerter]

I think sometimes match-ups can dictate bench minutes to some extent. If we need more size - Clemence, if we need more quickness - Zeke, if we need more athleticism - Bidunga. I still think Passmore could be a sleeper, especially if we get another injury.

Agree about Passmore, but I don't see any scenario where he and McDowell both play rotational minutes. Have to give the returnee an edge in that battle for minutes.

True. I think McDowell could turn into a pretty solid defender.