Hayward's Role Next Season

[HoopsMalone]

Since there is a week between games, I figured I would as a question about next year.

Lazar is obviously going to take a Novak in '06 type of leadership role with the solid recruiting class coming in next year, but I am curious about how people think he will be used.  For upping his chances to get drafted Buzz should play him at the three spot, but being on the leader of a winning team will help his stock tremedously even if he plays a four.

So, it looks like Coudagan/Acker will play the point.  I am guessing Otule, McMorrow, and Roseboro will have a three headed monster type of role at the center, leaving three spots.  Lazar will be the captain and start, but does anyone know how Erik Williams and Maymon play as far as whether they could play the four spot or the three or two?  Would Buzz definately move Lazar to the three and play Fulce as a rebounder?  Is Butler going to play the two?

Just curious what people think.  I would love to see Lazar get the chance to stand out and make the NBA.  I figure if Roger Powell form Illinois a few years ago could make a roster, so can Lazar.

[dsfire]

We'll have a lot of flexibility for players to shift up or down a position depending upon who is in the game.  I wouldn't be surprised to see a large number of different starting lineups next year (especially in non-conf as things get felt out).

I believe E. Williams has been cited as a 2/3 and Maymon as a 3/4.

[CTWarrior]

Lazar just isn't quick or athletic enough to play the 3 in the NBA, nor is he tall or strong enough to play the 4.  Hopefully we will take the route of maximizing MU's win potential rather than trying to figure out how to best showcase Lazar for the NBA.  Regardless of his use with MU, the NBA guys will have a good idea of what he can and can't do.  

Whenever I see him get an offensive rebound and not be able to get the ball to the rim like happened a few times against Providence, I am reminded how his best position is probably the 3, so hopefully he'll get to play there next year.

[HoopsMalone]

It will also be nice to have 3 guys over 6'10 so that we don't need to play people out of position.  That's 15 fouls around the basket.  Nice to have that kind of depth and flexibility so that someone like Hazel and Hayward don't have to play center.

[Rockmic87]

What do you guys think the starting line up will be? And in what order will the other players come off the bench?

[Big Papi]

Maymon and Lazar will play the 3/4 positions extensively next year.  Williams has a lot of potential but I really don't see him getting extended minutes next year.  Buycks will start at the 2 guard and JC and Mo will man the point.  Otule will start at the 5 position and McMorrow will provide backup minutes.  

Out of all the newcomers Buycks, JC and Maymon will have the biggest impacts with Williams and Roseboro getting minimal minutes here and there.  Butler and Fulce will fill in the gaps.  Cube will chip in at the 2 position if he is around as I think he can regain his shooting touch that he displayed his freshmen year.

[Marquette_g]

My guess:

Starters:

PG - Junior by conference season
2 - E. Williams
3 - Maymon
4 - Lazar
5 - O'tule

6th man - Fulce

Others getting "real" minutes:
Aker
Butler

Hope to get something:
McMorrow
Roseboro
Buyks
Hazel

[Big Papi]

I think you are underestimating Buycks and overestimating Williams for next year.  Buycks is the real deal.  He will step in and start right away for us.  Williams has huge potential and will be a great player down the road but he won't be a starter next year.

[🏀]

Conference Starters:

1 - Junior
2 - Bucyks
3 - Maymon
4 - Lazar
5 - O'Tule

Off Bench (In Order):
Fulce
Acker
Butler
McMorrow
Williams
Roseboro
Hazel

Absent:
Cubillionaire

[muwarrior87]

Conference Starters:

1 - Junior
2 - Bucyks
3 - Maymon
4 - Lazar
5 - O'Tule

Off Bench (In Order):
Fulce
Acker
McMorrow
Williams
Roseboro
Hazel

Absent:
Cubillionaire

Where's Jimmy fitting in there?

[🏀]

Where's Jimmy fitting in there?

Where he belongs.

[Marquette_g]

It was totally unintentional, but I forgot to even put Cubillan in my lineup.

I hope you guys are right about Buycks.  I could be guilty of playing into the hype of recruits.  

From the other posts it sounds like we are still looking to over-recruit and the names we remain "in" on are also people who could play right away.  Most of the +1s are impact type guys.

[rocky_warrior]

Out of all the newcomers Buycks, JC and Maymon will have the biggest impacts with Williams and Roseboro getting minimal minutes here and there.  

When's the last time MU had a top 100 player coming in that was largely relegated to bench duty?  I've got a bad memory, but it seems Diener his Frosh year would be the most recent "off the bench" top 100 guy - but he played quite a few minutes (23.7 according to the WIKI). 

If this is indeed the case, we will certainly be young next year, but we have a lot to look forward to in terms of talent.

EDIT:  Looking back, Novak came off the bench too (no starts) with about 15 min per game.  So I think he's the most recent - but still not "minimal" minutes.

[bma725]

It was totally unintentional, but I forgot to even put Cubillan in my lineup.

I hope you guys are right about Buycks.  I could be guilty of playing into the hype of recruits. 

From the other posts it sounds like we are still looking to over-recruit and the names we remain "in" on are also people who could play right away.  Most of the +1s are impact type guys.

If you're buying into the recruiting hype then you need to check out ESPN's rankings for these guys.  They have Buycks as the best one of the bunch.  He's been called the best junior college guard in America, maybe even the best JUCO guard in several years.  He will contribute a lot more than people think.

[Marquette_g]

If you're buying into the recruiting hype then you need to check out ESPN's rankings for these guys.  They have Buycks as the best one of the bunch.  He's been called the best junior college guard in America, maybe even the best JUCO guard in several years.  He will contribute a lot more than people think.

Glad to hear it.  Thanks for the information.

[MUSF]

Hayward's role?

Score the basketball, period.

[nyg]

Hayward will fill the leadership void and play the SF position where he should thrive.  If Maymon is the beast he is projected to be, he moves to PF.


SG - Bucyks
C - Otule
SF - Hayward
PF - Maymon

Subs (First off)

PG - Acker
SG - Williams/Butler
PF - Fulce
C - McMorrow

Rest

Boseboro
Hazel

Then there is:

Riley or Wilson to really stir the pot

I agree, for some reason Cubillian is not going to be part of the team.

[mosarsour]

Conference Starters:

1 - Junior
2 - Bucyks
3 - Maymon
4 - Lazar
5 - O'Tule

Off Bench (In Order):
Fulce
Acker
Butler
McMorrow
Williams
Roseboro
Hazel

Absent:
Cubillionaire

+1...except that I'd have Lazar at the 3 and Maymon at the 4.

[nyg]

Edit my post, Junior at PG

[Big Papi]

When's the last time MU had a top 100 player coming in that was largely relegated to bench duty?  I've got a bad memory, but it seems Diener his Frosh year would be the most recent "off the bench" top 100 guy - but he played quite a few minutes (23.7 according to the WIKI). 

If this is indeed the case, we will certainly be young next year, but we have a lot to look forward to in terms of talent.

EDIT:  Looking back, Novak came off the bench too (no starts) with about 15 min per game.  So I think he's the most recent - but still not "minimal" minutes.

At MU, I don't know.  The problem with Wiliams is that he is probably a 3 and I see Hayward and Maymon as better players.  Than you add Fulce into the mix who is also a 3 and playing time for the 3 starts to dwindle rapidly next year when you give Butler a few minutes at the 2/3.  Its not that Williams is a bad player.  He has a ton of talent, its just that I don't see him getting more than spot duty here and there.  At the 2 position, Buycks will start and play a whole lot of minutes.  The kid is real good as I do buy into the hype.  There will be a drop off from McNeal to Buycks but I don't think it will be severe.  So that leaves Williams with little playing time next year but he should get 20 plus minutes a game his soph year as he takes over for Hayward.   

[chapman]

I wouldn't be at all surprised if the starters aren't what we think.  Just too far off and too many variables.  I would think Cadougan is a lock to start at the point, and Hayward/Maymon at the 3/4, perhaps not in that order.  After that you have freshmen, a junior college transfer (yes, he may be the best Juco player in the country, but Juco players are always question marks and usually take time to adjust), a redshirt who was also injured, and three guys, only one who has played significant minutes thus far. 

While you would think Buycks or even Williams would be the favorite to start at the 2, don't be surprised if Buycks/Williams don't catch on fast, are injured, or get a late start because of Clearinghouse issues and we see Butler or even Cubillan starting (maybe not getting the most minutes, but starting nonetheless).  We would also think Otule is the leading candidate for the 5 spot, but again, don't be surprised to see someone like Hazel starting.

I guess I'm just trying to say that any predictions are nothing more than guesses.  Matthews was injured his freshman year, and Joe Chapman started the rest of the year.  Hayward had Clearinghouse issues, and it obviously had a significant impact on his freshman season.  A year or two ago, many would have assumed that 2 spot was reserved for sharp shooting Scott Christopherson.  Six months ago, that 5 spot was Mbakwe's. 

[Daniel]

It will also be nice to have 3 guys over 6'10 so that we don't need to play people out of position.  That's 15 fouls around the basket.  Nice to have that kind of depth and flexibility so that someone like Hazel and Hayward don't have to play center.

Imagine, 15 fould for the center postion, and what if we cold get 10 points out of that postion consistently?  OMG - that would be amazing.....

[Markusquette]

i wouldn't be surprised if we kind of have 2 lineups like

cadougan/butler/lazar/maymon/otule

acker/buycks/williams/fulce/mcmorrow

mix them around and we can always get some production from Roseboro, Cubillan and Hazel in spot minutes

[DaCoach]

Let me go out on a limb. I can see Maymon, Hayward and Williams at the 3-4-5 spots. In a motion offense, it makes little difference where they begin because of the movement in half court. All three are scorers and one of them is certain to have some good mismatches with their size. Junior is a lock at PG and probably Bucyks at SG. We'll be going from a 3 guard offense to a 3 forward offense. I am worried about our backcourt. Acker and Cubes seem our only true guard bench and that may make for some serious problems. It will be interesting if Buzz adopts 1-4 Georgetown set or even Kansas 1-2-2. In any case, next year's offense won't resemble what is MU 08-09.

[reinko]

i wouldn't be surprised if we kind of have 2 lineups like

cadougan/butler/lazar/maymon/otule

acker/buycks/williams/fulce/mcmorrow

mix them around and we can always get some production from Roseboro, Cubillan and Hazel in spot minutes

Think you nailed it on the head