I like these offseason discussions.
Some thoughts:
It sounds like Pullen will get lots of minutes at PG, but that could shake out several ways. If someone steps up that can handle PG duties, I think Pullen could slide over to play SG more, but that is up in the air. Clearly, Frank has some options and we'll probably spend the OOC games (especially the "gimmees") seeing all kinds of different line-ups on the perimeter. Irving and Russell will get their share, but I won't be shocked to see some 20+ minute games from both Myles and Sprads to see what they can do (if/when they "earn" it of course). I also expect McGruder to get some minutes at the 2 b/c if he develops at all defensively, he should be our 2nd scoring option on the perimeter, and Frank will want to see him get 20 MPG (at least) splitting time at SG and SF (probably more at SF). We'll have to see though, clearly he dropped off offensively as last season progressed and I'm hoping that was just some freshman funk and not an indication of what he really will become. Southwell will likely be mixed there as well, he's really the wildcard of the group. I think Sprads comes in as this years Russell; it seems the staff expects quite a bit of him and we'll have to see how he handles it.
There is a lot of talk about Pullen and other "terrible" guards, but you've got to have some trust in Frank's pattern here. I think its highly likely at least one of the options we have shows tremendous development from his FR to SO years, most likely Russell or McGruder. I think Irving "is what he is" and will take on more of a Clent Stewart role, granted he's a different body-type/player. But its good he'll take that role as a reserve and not the feature PG like Stew had to over his career.
With McGruds/Sutton at the SF spot (hopefully Sutton matures a little more and we won't see quite the fluctuation in production), I think it will be tough to justify JamSam at the SF spot unless its a specific match-up situation.
Then you have the frontcourt which should be a major strenght. If Kelly steps forward, he could be one of the best PFs in the league. Wally Judge should be in that conversation as well, it will be interesting to see who becomes better, but both could be all-league types IMHO. JamSam should also become a solid undersized PF to split minutes there. I think there will be a transition period for Asprilla and his minutes will probably average under 20 on the year, but he'll vary based on match-ups. One night he may get 12 minutes, and the next 25. I also expect he'll struggle a bit with foul trouble at times to as he transitions to better competition. We also can't forget he'll be basically out one year from competitive basketball, I mean he's basically been a practice player at Cloud. Plus, he missed a good portion of his FR year with injury. So to expect him to be some 20+ MPG game player seems a bit much, but perhaps the Art comments are correct and he'll prove me wrong. Finally you have JHR, who I think will see minutes similar to this year as he continues to get his body into D1 condition. He'll be a major contributer and impact games at times, then it will be tough to get him on the floor, probably similar to Asprilla. But having a big body enforcer and a long athletic enforcer is never a bad thing, as long as both stay satisified with their roles.
