JUCO All-Star Lineup

[HoopsMalone]

Next year, our most product 5 might be the JUCOs.  Depending on how good Crowder really is and if Junior has a strong summer, the best line-up might be:

G- Buycks
G- DJO
F- Butler
F- Crowder
F- Fulce

That is not a bad lineup at all.  There are All-Big East players and a potential NBA shooter in that lineup in DJO.  If Fulce can keep up his shooting threat, all five are interchangeable on offense.  It is not a bad look.

So, can this be our starting lineup when we go to Kansas City over Thanksgiving?

And if so, will the announcers repeat the talking point about the JUCO lineup, and how annoying will that be?  (to be honest, I got sick of the close games talking points this year)

[wyzgy]

need to either fit jamal in the starting line-up or have him as your 6th man.  and then there's the problem every coach would like to have-finding some minutes for vander

[willie warrior]

There is no way that this flies as the starting line up. Who will play the point? Neither Bucyks or DJO will. In the BEast you need a capable ball handler Also, Fulce is at best a role player.
This will likely be the starting line up for most of the year:
PG Caddy (followed by Blue, then Smith)
2G DJO (followed by Bucyks, Blue, Newbill, with possibly JJones getting some time here)
SF Crowder (followed by Bucyks, JJones)
PF Butler (followed by Fulce, Williams and some Crowder)
C Otule (followed by Fulce, Mbao and Williams

Minute wise next year:
Caddy 25
DJO 35
Butler 35
Crowder 20 to 25
Otule 15 to 20
Fulce 15
Blue 15 to 20
Bucyks 20
Balance of time will be picked up byJJones Newbill/Smith with Mbao getting a few scattered minutes
The 5 best players will always be on the floor at crunch time in close games. That would be: Butler, DJO, Crowder,caddy/Blue andOtule, Bucyks, Fulce depending on game needs.

[OhioGoldenEagle]

I agree with Willie, Cadougan and Otule will be in the starting lineup (pending injury of course).  Depending on the matchups, I can also see Buzz going big by sliding Jimmy to the 3, Fulce at PF, and Otule at C.  Everyone here seems to be hailing Crowder as the next coming, but lets not get ahead of ourselves here.  Remember, Fulce was supposed to be a stud with Jimmy Butler essentially a throw in to the package.  Also, Buycks was expected to see more time than DJO.  We couldn't have been more wrong in both cases.  I know it's fun to speculate, but I think Buzz has showed us that he prefers experience the most, which leads me to believe that Crowder will be behind Fulce in the PF rotation.

[jesmu84]

There is no way that this flies as the starting line up. Who will play the point? Neither Bucyks or DJO will. In the BEast you need a capable ball handler Also, Fulce is at best a role player.
This will likely be the starting line up for most of the year:
PG Caddy (followed by Blue, then Smith)
2G DJO (followed by Bucyks, Blue, Newbill, with possibly JJones getting some time here)
SF Crowder (followed by Bucyks, JJones)
PF Butler (followed by Fulce, Williams and some Crowder)
C Otule (followed by Fulce, Mbao and Williams

Minute wise next year:
Caddy 25
DJO 35
Butler 35
Crowder 20 to 25
Otule 15 to 20
Fulce 15
Blue 15 to 20
Bucyks 20
Balance of time will be picked up byJJones Newbill/Smith with Mbao getting a few scattered minutes
The 5 best players will always be on the floor at crunch time in close games. That would be: Butler, DJO, Crowder,caddy/Blue andOtule, Bucyks, Fulce depending on game needs.

Wait, so the mystery "highly rated" 7'1" recruit that we're definitely getting (according to you) isn't going to see the floor at all? That seems weird...

[willie warrior]

No, somebody else posted that there was a mystery 6'9" recruit coming. I just updated that guy's info from other "rumor sources". Do not forget, he is the best big since Lew Alcindor!

[NersEllenson]

I agree with Willie, Cadougan and Otule will be in the starting lineup (pending injury of course).  Depending on the matchups, I can also see Buzz going big by sliding Jimmy to the 3, Fulce at PF, and Otule at C.  Everyone here seems to be hailing Crowder as the next coming, but lets not get ahead of ourselves here.  Remember, Fulce was supposed to be a stud with Jimmy Butler essentially a throw in to the package.  Also, Buycks was expected to see more time than DJO.  We couldn't have been more wrong in both cases.  I know it's fun to speculate, but I think Buzz has showed us that he prefers experience the most, which leads me to believe that Crowder will be behind Fulce in the PF rotation.

Fulce was highly regarded before his knees robbed him of virtually all of his explosion and athleticism.  I believe Crowder likely starts next year, if not immediately, by the time Big East play starts.  His strength, girth are much needed, he shoots it better than Fulce, and is more likely able to defend 4's and 5's better than Fulce due to having better strength/body type.

[GGGG]

need to either fit jamal in the starting line-up or have him as your 6th man.  and then there's the problem every coach would like to have-finding some minutes for vander

You mean Jamail?  He will have to play defense a hell of a lot better than what I saw on the television for him to log significant minutes next year.

[willie warrior]

Agreed. He looks great offensively, but I did not see much hustle on defense. If he wants PT, he will need to step up there quite a bit.

[HoopsMalone]

I think some of us are underestimating Fulce and Buycks.  Both players have talent. 

At the beginning of the season, I thought Buycks was better than DJO.  He has a great ability to create his own shot with the clock winding down.  He can also get past people on the dribble and was an adequate defender.  A strong offseason by him and he could be an important piece. 

Buycks rushes it, IMO, when he has an open three point look.  He is probably better right now off of the cross-over pull up than on the spot up three pointer.  This can change with some coaching and as he settles in.  He has talent and could spend some time at the one and two.  He crashed midway through the season and will hopefully be ready for next year.

Fulce's emergence as a credible threat was the difference in those 3 OT road wins.  He was knocking down shots and getting to loose balls.  If he rebounds and just knocks down open jumpers, he is a valuable piece.  The game can be very simple for him now that he has figured out what his role is on the team.  He only needs to do those two things really. 

I expect Buycks and Fulce to be leaders and contribute this coming season.  Buycks has freshman and sophmore guards to lead and Fulce has project big men to lead.  They are very important to the team, and could get the starting spots at the 1 and 5 to begin the season.

[Hards Alumni]

I completely agree with Willie's line up above.

on a side note, I believe that Dwight Buycks will be our most improved player.

[WISportsmaniac]

People consistently forget about Erik Williams when they talk about lineups, minutes, etc. Let's not forget that the main reason he didn't play was because coming out of HS he had no idea what defense even meant. I have a feeling a lot of you will owe him an apology at some point. He has the build and the offensive skills to be a great role player next year if he works on his D, and we all know he is. Just sayin...

[Nukem2]

People consistently forget about Erik Williams when they talk about lineups, minutes, etc. Let's not forget that the main reason he didn't play was because coming out of HS he had no idea what defense even meant. I have a feeling a lot of you will owe him an apology at some point. He has the build and the offensive skills to be a great role player next year if he works on his D, and we all know he is. Just sayin...

Agreed.  I suspect Erik may be the most improved player next year.  Also, Otule should contibute nicely if can can stay healthy as he was ready to step into the starting lineup last November when he broke his foot.

[bilsu]

Jamail does not have to play good defense. He just needs to play better defense than Fulce, Williams, etc.

[MarquetteDano]

Jamail does not have to play good defense. He just needs to play better defense than Fulce, Williams, etc.

I get the general point.  However, after watching Jamail just a bit, I don't think Jones will be competing for too much playing time with Fulce & Williams.  Jamail looks to be a 2/3 while Fulce/Williams are more like 4/3's.  We have better defenders at the 2/3 position than we do the 4.

I think Jones may get 5-10 mpg just because he can shoot so well.  Like has been posted, I would be surprised if he gets more than that unless is "D" really improves.  I also haven't seen enough of his ballhandling skills to know if that is a weakness or not.

I do agree with those that have posted that Buycks will be the most improved next year.  He will get serious minutes next season.

[77ncaachamps]

Buycks will get some serious minutes as he can drive and shoot.
But I think Buzz will quickly sit him down after TOs now that he has the depth (but inexperience) at the wings.

My shot at the starting lineup:

C- Otule (if he shows a strong summer; if not, hello 3 Gs and 2 Fs)
F - Butler
F - Fulce
G - DJO
G - Vander

If 3Gs 2Fs:

F - Butler
F - Fulce
G - DJO
G - Buycks
G - Vander

Buzz is going to be able to go deep into the lineup next year so hopefully we won't see 38 min games for Jimmy or DJO.

[Hards Alumni]

Buycks will get some serious minutes as he can drive and shoot.
But I think Buzz will quickly sit him down after TOs now that he has the depth (but inexperience) at the wings.

My shot at the starting lineup:

C- Otule (if he shows a strong summer; if not, hello 3 Gs and 2 Fs)
F - Butler
F - Fulce
G - DJO
G - Vander

If 3Gs 2Fs:

F - Butler
F - Fulce
G - DJO
G - Buycks
G - Vander

Buzz is going to be able to go deep into the lineup next year so hopefully we won't see 38 min games for Jimmy or DJO.

you really think that Buzz won't be starting Junior Cadougan?  I honestly don't see how Blue cracks the starting lineup unless Buycks or JC or DJO gets hurt or if they look terrible.