Have we reached a consensus?

[Ellenson Guerrero]

In terms of everyone's playing time? What were the looks from MM? Here's what I've been anticipating:

C: Otule starts (15mpg); Gardner off the bench (about 20mpg)
PF: Wilson (30mpg); Taylor (10mpg); Juan (5mpg); Swanson (doesn't play)
SF/SG: Lockett starts (25mpg); Blue starts (30mpg); Mayo off the bench (20mpg); Ferguson (less than 5mpg); Thomas (less than 5 mpg)
PG: Jr starts (30 mpg); DWill (10mpg).

[brewcity77]

C: Mostly agree, I think Otule probably gets closer to 17-18 with Jamil playing a few minutes here and there when we go small.

PF: I'm remaining cautious on Taylor, but him and Juan will be the likely backups. Would love to see DG here a bit as well with CO at center.

SF/SG: Looks about right, I could see a few less minutes for Blue and see Wilson and Juan also getting some time here.

PG: Agreed, Junior could get 32-34 even.

[StillWarriors]

Mostly agree. Junior staying healthy is the biggest factor in the success of our season for sure.

[Hards Alumni]

In terms of everyone's playing time? What were the looks from MM? Here's what I've been anticipating:

C: Otule starts (15mpg); Gardner off the bench (about 20mpg)
PF: Wilson (30mpg); Taylor (10mpg); Juan (5mpg); Swanson (doesn't play)
SF/SG: Lockett starts (25mpg); Blue starts (30mpg); Mayo off the bench (20mpg); Ferguson (less than 5mpg); Thomas (less than 5 mpg)
PG: Jr starts (30 mpg); DWill (10mpg).

looks about right.

[Dawson Rental]

C: Mostly agree, I think Otule probably gets closer to 17-18 with Jamil playing a few minutes here and there when we go small.

PF: I'm remaining cautious on Taylor, but him and Juan will be the likely backups. Would love to see DG here a bit as well with CO at center.

SF/SG: Looks about right, I could see a few less minutes for Blue and see Wilson and Juan also getting some time here.

PG: Agreed, Junior could get 32-34 even.

I am very skittish about Otule and Gardner being together on the floor.  I'm worrying about Andre Drummond and Alex Oriakhi chemistry type issues.  When Gardner drives on the hoop, where does Otule go?

[real chili 83]

I am very skittish about Otule and Gardner being together on the floor.  I'm worrying about Andre Drummond and Alex Oriakhi chemistry type issues.  When Gardner drives on the hoop, where does Otule go?

He boxes out, and puts it back in.

[brewcity77]

He boxes out, and puts it back in.

+1

It'd have to be situational and based on match-ups, but I could see it for a few minutes at a time.

[karavotsos]

I am very skittish about Otule and Gardner being together on the floor.  I'm worrying about Andre Drummond and Alex Oriakhi chemistry type issues.  When Gardner drives on the hoop, where does Otule go?

1.  Neither Oriakhi nor Drummond were offensive forces; I don't know which of the 2 you are implying drove consistently on the basket.
2.  UConn's offense is very guard based, so the issues are not between big men.  It is the issue of Calhoun getting a competent offensive big man touches.
3.  No one drives on the hoop.  People drive to the hoop.  People drive on josh gasser.
4.  Gardner does not drive to the hoop; he catches the ball in the post.
5.  Davante gets buckets.
6.  If Gardner and Otule could do it offensively, it would be fun to watch a little high-low post game.  I think more likely they will not play a lot together, more because of defensive reasons than offensive reasons.
7.  You could play 2 bigs on the floor in a dominant way.  Rick Jackson and Arinze Onuaku could have won a national championship if Onuaku stayed healthy.  So you could have 2 bigs on the floor if you wanted to if Buzz figured it out right.  But he's not likely to pack in a zone so its not likely to happen.
8.  Davante gets buckets; Otule is a defender/shot blocker/rebounder.  I don't think they really step on each others toes at all.
 

[Dawson Rental]

1.  Neither Oriakhi nor Drummond were offensive forces; I don't know which of the 2 you are implying drove consistently on the basket.
2.  UConn's offense is very guard based, so the issues are not between big men.  It is the issue of Calhoun getting a competent offensive big man touches.
3.  No one drives on the hoop.  People drive to the hoop.  People drive on josh gasser.
4.  Gardner does not drive to the hoop; he catches the ball in the post.
5.  Davante gets buckets.
6.  If Gardner and Otule could do it offensively, it would be fun to watch a little high-low post game.  I think more likely they will not play a lot together, more because of defensive reasons than offensive reasons.
7.  You could play 2 bigs on the floor in a dominant way.  Rick Jackson and Arinze Onuaku could have won a national championship if Onuaku stayed healthy.  So you could have 2 bigs on the floor if you wanted to if Buzz figured it out right.  But he's not likely to pack in a zone so its not likely to happen.
8.  Davante gets buckets; Otule is a defender/shot blocker/rebounder.  I don't think they really step on each others toes at all.
 

No one drives on the hoop.  People drive to the hoop.  People drive on josh gasser.

If we agree on the precise use of prepositions, could we also agree on the precise use of capitalization?

Gardner does not drive to the hoop; he catches the ball in the post.

True enough.  And at that point - when Gardner is catching the ball in the post - where will Otule be?  Crowding the post area, giving Davante less room to maneuver in?

If Gardner and Otule could do it offensively, it would be fun to watch a little high-low post game.

As you say, Gardner catches the ball in the post, so it seems that you think that Otule would be the one to handle the high post offensively.  I don't think that we've seen any evidence to date to indicate that that would be a strength of Otule's.

I think more likely they will not play a lot together, more because of defensive reasons than offensive reasons.

I agree with this statement.  I don't think that anyone on MUScoop gets excited about the defensive possibilities of Otule and Gardner playing together.  That is why when it gets mentioned, I focus on what I think the offensive limitations would be.

So you could have 2 bigs on the floor if you wanted to if Buzz figured it out right.  But he's not likely to pack in a zone so its not likely to happen.

Yes, you could, but what would be the motivation?  As you say, it would not provide the personnel for how Buzz wants to play defensively.  Where would the quick transition game go with both Otule and Gardner on the floor? 

Davante gets buckets; Otule is a defender/shot blocker/rebounder.  I don't think they really step on each others toes at all.

Otule's game is to score close to the basket.  Gardner's game is to score close to the basket.  So, I'd foresee some stepping on each others toes on the offensive end.  Even if they could both find room under the basket,  how does Buzz run his motion offense with three guys moving and two guys on the block?

[GGGG]

To LittleMurs point, I do think that there could be spacing issues with both Gardner and Otule on the floor at the same time.  I mean, if you are going to do the high-low game, you should do it with someone who can hit the shot from the "high" position.  I would rather see a Jamil...a Taylor...or even Juan in that role before Otule. 

And you brought up Jackson and Onuaku.  Did they see the floor at the same time?  Because I don't recall seeing that very often...if ever.

[bilsu]

I wonder if Lockett will play some power forward? Wilson will start there and I think Taylor gets significant back up minutes, but I could see Blue, Lockett and Mayo on the floor together at times. Maybe even with Wilson at center, which would result in a very quick team.