Projected depth chart/player mpg

[MakeItRain]

All we need the other guard to do is not turn the ball over and defend the other team's best guard. I don't think we can ask Pullen to run the point, score points and guard the other team's best guy if we want to him to stay healthy all season.

It's exactly what he did last year.  Again you all have an incorrect sense of "running the point"

[Cartierfor3]

Any HBBIQ guys have a good idea of how Pullen's minutes were split last year between the 1 and 2 spots? 

IMO this season is totally dependent upon finding the right person to run the point with Jake off the ball

It really didn't go down like "okay you are the one here, you are the one there," so no.  What people keep forgetting is that Frank likes to have more than one ball handler on the court, an option 1A 1B.  People who are looking for a point guard or a shooting guard really need to be looking for a guy who Frank trusts with the ball and who will defend.  Who that is, who Tue hell knows, none of us have been at practice?  Rumblings of 'Tay coming on doesn't surprise me, we don't need points from that other guard position, we already know Frank will sacrifice scoring for players who are doing what he wants them to do.

This helps me understand Frank's system a little, but I still feel like Jake was most effective offensively last year OFF the ball when Clemente could run the show.  I get that with Jake and Dennis it was a 1A and 1B sort of thing, but it seems that Dennis was pretty consistant at being the 1A and making the offense go.  I'm a LBBIQ so take that for what's its worth

[Kaiser Soze]

Any HBBIQ guys have a good idea of how Pullen's minutes were split last year between the 1 and 2 spots? 

IMO this season is totally dependent upon finding the right person to run the point with Jake off the ball

It really didn't go down like "okay you are the one here, you are the one there," so no.  What people keep forgetting is that Frank likes to have more than one ball handler on the court, an option 1A 1B.  People who are looking for a point guard or a shooting guard really need to be looking for a guy who Frank trusts with the ball and who will defend.  Who that is, who Tue hell knows, none of us have been at practice?  Rumblings of 'Tay coming on doesn't surprise me, we don't need points from that other guard position, we already know Frank will sacrifice scoring for players who are doing what he wants them to do.

This is all true for the half court offense.  But, we did have a defined PG role in transition.  Meaning, Denny was responsible for being the outlet for whoever got the defensive rebound and pushing the ball in transition.  This role is important in Frank’s system and it will be interesting to see who plays this role.  My guess is Jake will play this role when he’s in the game. 

[MakeItRain]

Any HBBIQ guys have a good idea of how Pullen's minutes were split last year between the 1 and 2 spots? 

IMO this season is totally dependent upon finding the right person to run the point with Jake off the ball

It really didn't go down like "okay you are the one here, you are the one there," so no.  What people keep forgetting is that Frank likes to have more than one ball handler on the court, an option 1A 1B.  People who are looking for a point guard or a shooting guard really need to be looking for a guy who Frank trusts with the ball and who will defend.  Who that is, who Tue hell knows, none of us have been at practice?  Rumblings of 'Tay coming on doesn't surprise me, we don't need points from that other guard position, we already know Frank will sacrifice scoring for players who are doing what he wants them to do.

This is all true for the half court offense.  But, we did have a defined PG role in transition.  Meaning, Denny was responsible for being the outlet for whoever got the defensive rebound and pushing the ball in transition.  This role is important in Frank’s system and it will be interesting to see who plays this role.  My guess is Jake will play this role when he’s in the game. 

This was because Denis' speed put crazy pressure on the defense.  We obviously don't have anyone with that speed, but an effective up tempo attack can put the same pressure on the d without an insanely fast ball handler.

[sys]

pullen was fantastic at hitting 3s coming off screens.  you can call that at 2 if you want,  but they ran clemente off picks all the time too.


i'd be surprised if any of the other guards can hit a j off a pick, though.  so that's 1 instead of 2 with that skill.

[Underdog Wildcat]

This is probably cheating throwing this on here AFTER practice has started and media day was held but I think I should be granted a reprieve due to the late addition of DPete.

Starters:
1- Pullen         33 MPG         
75-80% of those mins will be at the 1. I've always maintained that the most underrated part of Jake's game is his passing/court vision(Quick who's the only player to have 2 double digit assist games in the Huggins/Martin era?) and with the improved finishing ability and depth in our frontcourt, I look for his assist #'s to jump considerably this year. BUT as has been correctly addressed numerous times, Jake is still our best and most proven shotmaker and I do think there will be times he's played off the ball and run off screens to create open looks for him from deep. I also look for us to run more pick and rolls with the ball in his hands at the top of the key. And of yeah, he might be the best backcourt defender in the nation.
2 - Irving         13             
If Frank is going to err, it's going to be on the side of physicality and athleticism, and with Tay being our most physical and athletic guard, he gets the starting nod(to start the year at least). And really who am I to disagree with K-statriots?
3 - McGruder   20
I look for McOreb to be much more confident and aggressive when he has the ball this year. I don't necessarily mean as a playmaker, but reduce the TO's and close calls when pressure is applied and ATTACK when there's an opening because as nice as his spot up jumper is, he's at his best slashing and scoring from mid-range or finishing at the rim.
4 - Kelly           26
Our best finisher and defender in the paint last year, I expect that to continue this year. Hopefully, he's knocking down that 17 foot face up jumper with regularity like he was at the end of last year.
5 - Judge         21
Hope Wally can harness his ridiculous athleticism and play stronger and smarter in the paint, particularly on D. Really hope he's developed at least 1 reliable post up move, that could really do wonders for his confidence and our team as a whole.

Bench:
Samuels          21     
1st guy off the bench, bringing expected energy and athleticism. Just hope to see more consistency from JamSam, I know that's tough to be consistent coming off the bench every night but without being a clearly defined 3 or 4, 6th man appears to be his effective role for us and it's one he should be used to.

Russell              5     
With what little I've seen of Nick, I've been impressed with his handle and passing ability, I'm just not sure he's the greatest "fit"(yeah, I hate that word too) for what Frank wants to put on the floor. Prove my ass wrong Nick, prove me wrong.

Peterson         12       
Probably the toughest to call here due to obvious reasons, but the kid's got game, but maybe more importantly he's got Frank's type of game. I believe my projection of 12 MPG is skewed because he will see increased minutes thoughout the year with him possibly being the 2nd or 3rd guy off the bench by the end of the year. Varez Ward but with more offensive game?

Myles                2     
Based on what I know about this kid, not sure how he's going to separate himself from the rest of our backcourt to earn minutes.

Sprads              5     
Could very well be our PG of the future but has he developed enough physically to see major minutes for us this year?

Asprilla             17     
Really looking forward to seeing Freddy's vaunted post moves in action and if he wants to throw his weight around a little, that's fine with me too.

JO                   10     
2 objectives for JO this year, 1. Alter, not necessarily block, but alter every shot in his area and 2. Knock down some timely OPEN spot up 3's. He can do it!           

Southwell         10      Have to like the promising reports we've been hearing about Shane since he basically arrived in Manhattan.  On a lesser team, I think he'd get more PT but I still him see him getting some valuable experience.

Ojeleye             1      Hard working brute who doesn't complain. Great guy to have around, especially for practice.

Williams            4      Great athlete with very good jumpshot but we've quite a logjam at that 2/3 spot and I don't think his handling and passing skill have developed enough for him to see a lot of PT this year.

#5                   Wildcard!

[skycat]

Only one left is Potuzak. 1 MPG?

[Kat Kid]

Haven't done this yet either  fff wanted me to go probably no one else cares.

Starters:

Pulls- 32-by conference-35 minutes (this will be Frank's best coaching job.  We need Pullen for MAJOR minutes and Pullen can NOT break down over the course of the season.  It does not make nearly as much sense to sub out Pullen on defensive possessions before timeouts/end of half etc, but Frank will have to devise strategies to have Pullen get time off in the early going, because down the stretch he will not rest.)
Tay- 15 (this will seem like 20 minutes to Clemente aficionados.  The thing is, there are so many hungry players playing behind here, that I'm not sure Tay will hold this down all year.)   
Grudes-  20  (Clearly talented and earned Frank's trust, but I think that he, Jamar and the new guys are going to be Frank's foils so that the playing time can get split up.  So he will unfairly be in the doghouse for his defense, and Jamar, Southwell, Russell, ojeleye will benefit)
Kelly- 27  (He is going to hold this down and be our rock with Pullen, but the fouls could keep him off the court.  Until I see different, I have to bump his minutes, and expect Jamar to find his way to the 3 for some minutes)
Asprilla- 15 (I think he will start the game until the first break in action and then be subbed for Wally and be Lou 2.0.  Obviously an upgrade, do not want to further the smear too much, but our front court loves fouls.  LOVES THEM!  And it will be a circus in the early going to 1. evaluate 2. juggle fouls Frank is going to really earn it this year.)

BENCH (holy crap!)

Jamar-  25 minutes (remember last year?  Yeah, more of that.  Will not make a great leap forward and will be just as intriguing and frustrating in that "we care about you so much, Jamar!" way.  If Jamar can pull it all together, this team could be better than last year.)

Wally-  22 minutes  (HUGE leap forward.  HUGE.  He will get tons of buzz and at some point should replace Asprilla at the latest by conference unless Frank wants to manage this with mental games)

JHR-  10 minutes  (defensive/tall guy specialist.  Will probably play big minutes and look ok early on or after figgs has broken down some tape on some stupid looking slow white dookie that JHR will be trailing on the box+1.  Will score awkward/adorable points and play decent D and we will think "hey he should get some more minutes."  Then Kelly will rattle of three straight baskets and we'll forget it ever happened."

Peterson 10 minutes (this guy is much better than the weird leftovers at the back of the fridge right?  Yes, mom I know you're making salsa and it isn't ready yet.)

Sprads/Russell/Ojeleye/Southwell/Peterson  25  minutes (unless something dramatic happens Russell is probably transferring imo.  He could possibly eat in to Peterson's minutes early on and take on the lion's share of platooning in Tay's spot.  Really put up or stfu time here.  Southwell?  Sprads?  Oj )

Not sure if this added up.

[sys]

hopefully williams redshirts, but he probably won't.


between myles, russell & samuels, will 2 of the 3 leave following this year?  almost seems likely.

[sys]

oh, and increase asprilla's minutes from everyone's guesses.  he's good.  and decrease samuels'.  he couldn't play the 3 last year, and there's no reason to think he can this year.  judge and asprilla's emergence will get squeeze him out of minutes at the 4.

[Kat Kid]

hopefully williams redshirts, but he probably won't.


between myles, russell & samuels, will 2 of the 3 leave following this year?  almost seems likely.

williams is a non-factor.  myles is a non-factor.  These dudes are non-factors.

[Kat Kid]

as for Samuels transferring?  Seems grumbly, but I have a hard time seeing it.  Even if Sprilla is as good as advertised, it will just motivate Frank/Jam to work on his game at the 3.  Could see this as a "frustrating transition year" with Jamar emerging as a legit 3/4 swingman that can post up his 3 and pull out his 4.  Very Oklahoma Statey player.  But I think he is too much of a pussy to transfer and I am struggling to believe that Frank would rather run him off instead of Russell (just obvious) or even JHR to ease the logjam.

[sys]

here's the thing with having a 3 (or a 2 or a 1) post up.  you have to pull your bigs out for it to work.  martin isn't going to do that.

[steve dave]

good news is that our scholarship math is becoming clearer

[yosh]

Samuels can't transfer to d1.  I'm not sure what the point of transferring to d2 would be. 

[Trim]

Samuels can't transfer to d1.  I'm not sure what the point of transferring to d2 would be. 

He "really just wants to be back in North Carolina around his family"?

[Kat Kid]

here's the thing with having a 3 (or a 2 or a 1) post up.  you have to pull your bigs out for it to work.  martin isn't going to do that.

Or pull them to the other side?  I mean Jam's playing on the wing, Spri could run a high pick for Pullen and then Kelly just needs to be on the other side of the lane, for a dish if the double comes.  NCAA is like child's play in this regard for a team with as many decent passing bigs as we have.  If Frank doesn't occasionally go big and do this, then it will be a missed oppy imo considering all the transition points we are losing.

[EMAWzified]

Only way Myles gets minutes is if he can be the push-it-up transition guy. Haven't seen enough of him to know.
I've thought since last spring Irving starts with McGruds at the SF. Unlike a lot on here, I like Irving. He's a gym rat and physical defender. He hit 3s before last season before drying up in conference when a miss meant he was out of the game.
I do think Sams will get minutes at SF, because for all the 2/3 guys on the team, I think Williams is the only true 3 other than Rodney.
A lot of questions yet. The two proven commodities are Jake and Curtis. What does Asprilla and Peterson bring? How much has Wally or JHR improved?
Any surprises from the new faces or major steps from the sophomores (and Samuels) and there's no limit on what the team can achieve.
Lets face it, Ojeleye is going to get Frank's hustle-example minutes this year. So everybody needs to give him like 2 or 3 minutes of PT in their estimates. Frank will probably ID someone else for that role, too, just to raise my blood pressure. Just who is another unanswered question.

[mcmwcat]

here's the thing with having a 3 (or a 2 or a 1) post up.  you have to pull your bigs out for it to work.  martin isn't going to do that.

he's done it occasionally w/ Sutton