First thread of many - lineup for next year

[79Warrior]

No way with Fulce. He is at best a role player

If Fulce starts this team will certainly finish 12th. He is a role player, period. As far as Junior goes, who knows. He shoots bricks in his few attempts.

[CrazyEcho]

Fulce averages 10+ points a game and 6+ boards a game next year.  We'll bump this thread in 10 months. 

[GOMU1104]

Regarding Jamail Jones...We are going to have to replace the 3 point shooting of Acker/Cubillan/Hayward, and I think that is where Jones will contribute the most. He is solid from the 3 point line on the catch and shoot, but needs to improve when it comes to creating for himself.

[Eye]

Like someone else said above, I'm more of a who's in the rotation guy than a who's starting guy when it matters in March. So I'll go with the following ...

1: Cadougan
W - start beginning of year/6th in March - Buycks
W - 6th man beginning of year/starter in march - Blue
W - DJO
4 - Butler
5 - Otule

Big men off the bench - Fulce, Crowder.

I'd say that'll be MU's 8-man rotation by March of next year.

[RawdogDX]

If Fulce starts this team will certainly finish 12th. He is a role player, period. As far as Junior goes, who knows. He shoots bricks in his few attempts.

Am I supposed to think you wouldn't have said the same thing about cubillan this time last year?

[79Warrior]

Am I supposed to think you wouldn't have said the same thing about cubillan this time last year?

Joe is a decent player. He is not strong enough and fouls to much.He is fine coming off the bench, but I do not see him as a starter.

[Rockmic87]

Where do you think MU will place in the BE next year?

[Daniel]

I'd like to see Otule start and go the whole year, getting better and better.

And I hope we develop and use our bench - I mean, during the NC games, they gain experience and confidence, even in short bursts.  We really need a bench that plays.

GO MARQUETTE!!

[Aughnanure]

Joe is a decent player. He is not strong enough and fouls to much.He is fine coming off the bench, but I do not see him as a starter.

People take too much importance into the starting lineup. Fulce may start because of his jumping ability at tip-off but his role might actually be more of a bench/role player who can be a spark plug.....think minutes.

[Spaniel with a Short Tail]

I haven't seen ANY of the freshmen coming in, but I agree that NO WAY Fulce starts.  He's a fine role player off the bench.  I also believe Buzz prefers experience so while there are opportunities, the incoming class will have to earn their starting spots.  That being said, the only surefire starters I see for next year are Butler & DJO.  While we will need Junior & Blue, it's a little early to anoint them as starters. 

[77ncaachamps]

Lots of IFs...

IF Junior can run the point effectively, he may start. But he's going to have to work on his jumper and drives.

IF Blue holds his own in practices and proves that he can understand the offense early, he may start early in the season.

IF Buycks can show he can show more control with the ball and make better decisions while attacking the paint, he may start.

IF Fulce can dominate the practices, he'll earn a starting spot because he's long, active, experienced, and can hit his shots.

IF Otule can prove he can clean the glass and be a pivot who can pass, he may earn starts.

IF Crowder shows he can bang, crash, and stroke, he may start.

Butler's and DJO's spots are solid.
Jones may be a 6th man...but a valuable one as we've gotten little to no production from the bench this year.
Frustratingly (for him and me), EWill continues to be a role player from the bench. He needs to bulk up this off-season. REALLY CRITICAL for his development.
Mbao comes off the bench.

Those being said, I predict Buzz will adjust the starting rosters based on match-ups. This team will NOT see players get anywhere near 40 minutes (save Butler) but lots of players (other than Butler and DJO) averaging similar minutes.

[Spaniel with a Short Tail]

Spent some time watching Blue tonight.  I don't see him starting over Buycks.  Madison receiving a beat down tonight.

[GGGG]

Spent some time watching Blue tonight.  I don't see him starting over Buycks.  Madison receiving a beat down tonight.

Yep.  He was awful tonight.  I'm not entirely convinced that he can shoot real well.

[MarquetteDano]

Yep.  He was awful tonight.  I'm not entirely convinced that he can shoot real well.

Haven't seen him (Blue) a lot like the Wisconsinites here but I think we will be okay with Buycks getting major minutes and letting Blue get "up to speed".  Not worried about the 2-4 positions next year... worried about the 1 and 5 positions.

[wojosdojo]

any chance Vander has a DJO freshman season?

[GGGG]

any chance Vander has a DJO freshman season?

He's nowhere near the shooter that DJO is.

[willie warrior]

PG Cadougan
2G DJO
Center Otule
F Butler
F Crowder

[wojosdojo]

As much as not being able to watch MU sucks I managed to see a few clips of some of the new guys. What I saw is the small Reggie Smith can throw the ball down, for as big as Crowder is he cab really shoot from beyond the arc, and to be honest I didn't see much from Vander. I'm sure I must have missed some videos and I never seen him play, what does be bring that's going to help MU? I hear a ton, any specifics.

Sdenotes-
1. I hope Crowder cuts his hair.
2. I saw Tokoto (sp?) in some other videos and MAN he looked good. I know he's young but is there any chance Buzz gets the hometown kid over Wis., KU, Duke? For all I know, that would be awesome!

[SacWarrior]

Only guarantees are DJO and Jimmy. I would like to think Buycks wins a starting job based on being a senior but I'll be honest, he's the guy we got the least out of all year long. If he can get it in his head that he cannot shoot and work on his drive-and-dish game, where he's actually effective, then he should start. At point, I think right now it's Junior's job to lose, but obviously not a guarantee. It really wouldn't surprise me to see Buzz start Vander and DJO as guards next year if Junior isn't ready for the limelight. Vander can handle the ball but I definitely don't want to see him starting just yet. Otule should have the center job based on size and seniority over Yous, but obviously Fulce has the experience and talent of a starter so we may go small again next year.

We're going to miss Lazar a lot, but we're losing a lot less this year than last year. We had such a great year that next year should be an improvement, not a step back. We're going to be a much deeper squad next year so I really don't see why these starting lineup threads are so important. We may start a guy like Otule but have Fulce finish the game. Just because Manu Ginobili doesn't start doesn't mean he isn't in there in crunch time.

[bamamarquettefan]

I agree on the line-up.  I am happy to go into battle with Otule and Mbao giving us options at Center.  MU was 324th in blocked shots this year, which is the biggest reason opponents hit 50% of their two-point shots (one of the worst 90 defenses in the country in this regard).  I believe this is the biggest factor in not being able to stop game-winning shots against us.  i know it's a small sample size, but Otule blocked 5 shots in 25 minutes before the injury, and Mbao blocked 5 shots in 60 minutes.  If either one of them can alter shots, particularly at the end of games with a 1 point lead, I really like our team next year.  We don't need a dominant center to be really good, we need one that can alter shots and give us a line-up option, and I think Otule and Mbao will get the job done.

[HoopsMalone]

I agree on the line-up.  I am happy to go into battle with Otule and Mbao giving us options at Center.  MU was 324th in blocked shots this year, which is the biggest reason opponents hit 50% of their two-point shots (one of the worst 90 defenses in the country in this regard).  I believe this is the biggest factor in not being able to stop game-winning shots against us.  i know it's a small sample size, but Otule blocked 5 shots in 25 minutes before the injury, and Mbao blocked 5 shots in 60 minutes.  If either one of them can alter shots, particularly at the end of games with a 1 point lead, I really like our team next year.  We don't need a dominant center to be really good, we need one that can alter shots and give us a line-up option, and I think Otule and Mbao will get the job done.

And giving oponents someone that they have to get a body on when rebounding.  You are right.  Having a big man out there is crucial.  Fulce, Otule, and Yous have to play a big role for us next season.

[JBS12]

Starters / Subs
1 Jr. / Smith
2 DJO / Vander / Newbill
3 Buycks / Jones
4 Jimmy / EWill / Crowder
5 Fulce / Otule / Mbao

Jr. is the only true point guard so he will start at pg.  Jimmy is much better at the 4 spot, so Fulce and Otule will be in competition this summer for a starting spot at the 5.  I think Buzz will ultimately go with Fulce unless Otule improves. For the 2 and 3 spots DJO and Buycks will start.  Vander Blue won't start until the middle of the season.  As Maymon found out, Buzz doesn't give anyone a starting position just by signing with Marquette.  Vander Blue will have to earn a starting spot in practice just like DJO did this year.

[Ari Gold]

Game one starters:
C- Otule
F- Butler
G- DJO
G- Buycks
PG- Junior


First off the Bench (in some order):
Blue, Fulce/Crowder Ewill,then Smith Newbill Jones Mbao, pending whats needed on the court.

It's Otule's and Buycks' job to lose, which could be likely happen if Fulce/Crowder prove to be more athletic or if our freshman guards prove to be better decision makers. I think Crowder/Fulce and Blue start at some point next year. I'd love to see EWill Smith Newbill Jones and Mbao get more than garbage time. Maybe 12+ mins in the non-con games? I'd love to watch the non starters listed above, getting some real action.

Fulce will be a senior and showed some flashes of awesome towards the end of the year. A good off season and some leadership during could really help him gain game minutes.

[JPapi2525]

Lets face it... We have no idea who will step up next year, obviously DJO and Butler will be our top two, but look at the beginning of this season, none of us knew DJO would make this much of impact. Anyone of these new guys could do big things so lets not be so critical and lets trust Buzz.

[M@RQUETTEW@RRIORS]

Like someone else said above, I'm more of a who's in the rotation guy than a who's starting guy when it matters in March. So I'll go with the following ...

1: Cadougan
W - start beginning of year/6th in March - Buycks
W - 6th man beginning of year/starter in march - Blue
W - DJO
4 - Butler
5 - Otule

Big men off the bench - Fulce, Crowder.

I'd say that'll be MU's 8-man rotation by March of next year.

I agree with this.  However who else plays point other than Cadougan?  He cant possibly play 40 mpg.