Senior Seasons

[GoldenDieners32]

Personally I think JJJ will have a breakout season. IF Luke doesn't get into foul trouble he could have a great season. And Reinhardt had a solid season last year, hopefully he can have a even better season this year.

[GGGG]

Luke.  He'll play big minutes.  JJJ and Katin are going to get caught up in numbers.

[Loose Cannon]

Katin

[brewcity77]

Luke.  He'll play big minutes.  JJJ and Katin are going to get caught up in numbers.

This exactly. We know Luke will play 28+ minutes every night that he's not in foul trouble. Not sure you can say that about anyone else on the roster.

[real chili 83]

This exactly. We know Luke will play 28+ minutes every night that he's not in foul trouble. Not sure you can say that about anyone else on the roster.

Sacar.  No one will notice though.

[bilsu]

JJJ, Luke will miss Henry.

[wadesworld]

JJJ, Luke will miss Henry.

So you say Luke will miss Hank and in another thread you say Cheatham will miss Hank, but here you seem to suggest JJJ won't.  What makes JJJ better prepared to deal with the loss of Hank while Luke and Cheatham will suffer?

[KampusFoods]

So you say Luke will miss Hank and in another thread you say Cheatham will miss Hank, but here you seem to suggest JJJ won't.  What makes JJJ better prepared to deal with the loss of Hank while Luke and Cheatham will suffer?

Maybe he's wording it like a newspaper headline?

"JJJ, Luke will miss Henry" so as to say "JJJ and Luke will miss Henry."

I don't think that's what he is doing, but scoop is weird.

[brewcity77]

So you say Luke will miss Hank and in another thread you say Cheatham will miss Hank, but here you seem to suggest JJJ won't.  What makes JJJ better prepared to deal with the loss of Hank while Luke and Cheatham will suffer?

The one argument would be that JJ is the highest usage returning player on this list. While Luke relies on Henry's physical presence and Cheatham was maybe overshadowed as a freshman, might JJ benefit by getting more shot opportunities?

Not endorsing the thought process, but I understand the logic behind it.

[Dawson Rental]

Sacar.  No one will notice though.

I forgot that he picked up 60 credits this summer.

[bilsu]

So you say Luke will miss Hank and in another thread you say Cheatham will miss Hank, but here you seem to suggest JJJ won't.  What makes JJJ better prepared to deal with the loss of Hank while Luke and Cheatham will suffer?

Henry was able to pass the ball to Luke. Some of the best plays last year were Henry passing to Luke as he broke to the basket. Maybe having outside shooters on the floor will mitigate this, but that remains to be seen.  Also, Henry could cover the opposing center on defense to help protect Luke when he was in foul trouble. Will JJJ miss Hank? I would guess all of the players will miss Hank, but I do not think JJJ's game was effected as much by Hank as Cheatham's was as JJJ had more offensive skills. Cheatham only had two offensive options in that he could either take the three or drive all the way to the basket. Of course that is my opinion and you do not have to agree with it.

[real chili 83]

I forgot that he picked up 60 credits this summer.

He only took the easy credits.

[muwarrior69]

Henry was able to pass the ball to Luke. Some of the best plays last year were Henry passing to Luke as he broke to the basket. Maybe having outside shooters on the floor will mitigate this, but that remains to be seen.  Also, Henry could cover the opposing center on defense to help protect Luke when he was in foul trouble. Will JJJ miss Hank? I would guess all of the players will miss Hank, but I do not think JJJ's game was effected as much by Hank as Cheatham's was as JJJ had more offensive skills. Cheatham only had two offensive options in that he could either take the three or drive all the way to the basket. Of course that is my opinion and you do not have to agree with it.

Let's hope he worked on his inside the arc shooting. If he can do that it would make it so much easier for Luke inside.

[esotericmindguy]

Luke.  He'll play big minutes.  JJJ and Katin are going to get caught up in numbers.

I read this every year but ultimately 8 players play major minutes and the others play spot minutes. JJJ will play 25+, he's the best scorer on the team and plays solid defense. Its going to be Howard or Carter & Cohen or Hauser. All 4 of those guys will not see major minutes. Personally, I think it will be Hauser and Howard by the time conference starts.

[LloydsLegs]

Maybe he's wording it like a newspaper headline?

"JJJ, Luke will miss Henry" so as to say "JJJ and Luke will miss Henry."

I don't think that's what he is doing, but scoop is weird.

Eats, shoots, and leaves.

Eats shoots and leaves.

#Commas,matter.

[HoopsterBC]

I read this every year but ultimately 8 players play major minutes and the others play spot minutes. JJJ will play 25+, he's the best scorer on the team and plays solid defense. Its going to be Howard or Carter & Cohen or Hauser. All 4 of those guys will not see major minutes. Personally, I think it will be Hauser and Howard by the time conference starts.

Pre-season will tell Wojo who deserves time or not.  Hauser and Howard will be part of the 8.  Heldt will get PT time so maybe 9.  I see Cohen, Sacar as the buttom
2, not sure who 10th player will be.  Carter might play himself into that spot, if not, 10 will play.  Wojo will have a tough decision but it will be played out in practice.

[MuMark]

Luke's stats with Henry and without him are remarkably similar.

Oddly enough he rebounded  little better with Henry then the year before without him....could have been just because he got stronger. No way to know for sure.
http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/66611/luke-fischer

[Marcus92]

If Jajuan can build on what he did throughout the conference schedule last season, he could be the star of this team.

He's got a great inside-outside game — able to slash and either beat a defender or draw contact and finish, pull up from 10-15 feet, or shoot the open three. That versatility makes him very tough to defend. He also sees the court well and is a willing passer. On defense, he's already one of our team's best at disrupting passing lanes. Rebounding shows room for improvement with a little extra strength.

I wouldn't be surprised if JJJ doubles his SoG tally from a year ago.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I read this every year but ultimately 8 players play major minutes and the others play spot minutes.

I agree with this but I wonder if this year will be different. One of the best ways to overcome lack of size is high pressure defense and high octane offense built in transition. This requires either players with great stamina or deep benches. I agree with others when they say we don't have any "star" players on this team. But I do think we are the deepest team in the conference. Maybe running 10 or 11 deep would work for this team.

If you look at positions, Markus, Traci, Reinhardt, Hauser, Luke, and Heldt almost seemed guarenteed minutes due to the need for PGs, PFs, and Cs. That's six players right there. Are two of Duane, Haanif, Rowsey, Sandy, Sacar, and JJJ really going to be the only ones getting minutes?

[MerrittsMustache]

I agree with this but I wonder if this year will be different. One of the best ways to overcome lack of size is high pressure defense and high octane offense built in transition. This requires either players with great stamina or deep benches. I agree with others when they say we don't have any "star" players on this team. But I do think we are the deepest team in the conference. Maybe running 10 or 11 deep would work for this team.

If you look at positions, Markus, Traci, Reinhardt, Hauser, Luke, and Heldt almost seemed guarenteed minutes due to the need for PGs, PFs, and Cs. That's six players right there. Are two of Duane, Haanif, Rowsey, Sandy, Sacar, and JJJ really going to be the only ones getting minutes?

There's a difference between having depth and just having a bunch of guys at the same position.

I really don't see the minutes distribution being all that different than last season. Henry's 33+ minutes will need to be divvied out but Heldt will get about 10-12 of those. JJJ may see a few more minutes and Reinhardt with get 20-25, which likely cuts into Sandy's PT. Howard may end up taking some of Carter's time, but I don't seem major contributions this season from Hauser, Rowsey or Sacar.

[rocky_warrior]

I wouldn't be surprised if JJJ doubles his SoG tally from a year ago.

Well now that Henry won't be getting all the easy SoTG's - JJJ is virtually a lock.

[MU82]

I remember the good old days, when this thread was about seniors having good seasons.

I agree Luke and JJJ will, and I hope Katin will, too.

[wadesworld]

There's a difference between having depth and just having a bunch of guys at the same position.

I really don't see the minutes distribution being all that different than last season. Henry's 33+ minutes will need to be divvied out but Heldt will get about 10-12 of those. JJJ may see a few more minutes and Reinhardt with get 20-25, which likely cuts into Sandy's PT. Howard may end up taking some of Carter's time, but I don't seem major contributions this season from Hauser, Rowsey or Sacar.

I think Hauser gets 10-15 mpg and Rowsey gets over 20 mpg.

[BM1090]

I think Hauser gets 10-15 mpg and Rowsey gets over 20 mpg.

Yeah I agree, expect both to play a ton. Sam doesn't really have a weakness, and Rowsey looked like he could function as a PG (in the madness environment at least). Howard can play off the ball and is great catch and shoot. So I expect Rowsey/Traci to get a lot of minutes at PG.

[MerrittsMustache]

I think Hauser gets 10-15 mpg and Rowsey gets over 20 mpg.

Yeah I agree, expect both to play a ton. Sam doesn't really have a weakness, and Rowsey looked like he could function as a PG (in the madness environment at least). Howard can play off the ball and is great catch and shoot. So I expect Rowsey/Traci to get a lot of minutes at PG.

MU only loses 33.5 minutes/game. Heldt will get some as the only other big. Reinhardt wasn't brought in to sit on the bench and if JJJ's last half of the season was for real, his minutes will increase.

So whose minutes are going to decrease significantly from last season?

Cheatham 29.5
Wilson 28.5
Fischer 28.2
Carter 23.9
JJJ 23.7
Cohen 23.3
Heldt 5.1 (20 G)
Anim 4.9 (17 G)

[wadesworld]

MU only loses 33.5 minutes/game. Heldt will get some as the only other big. Reinhardt wasn't brought in to sit on the bench and if JJJ's last half of the season was for real, his minutes will increase.

So whose minutes are going to decrease significantly from last season?

Cheatham 29.5
Wilson 28.5
Fischer 28.2
Carter 23.9
JJJ 23.7
Cohen 23.3
Heldt 5.1 (20 G)
Anim 4.9 (17 G)

I think Cheatham's, Fischer's, Heldt's, Anim's, and JJJ's minutes stay relatively the same.  I think Duane's, Traci's, and Sandy's go down.

[MerrittsMustache]

I think Cheatham's, Fischer's, Heldt's, Anim's, and JJJ's minutes stay relatively the same.  I think Duane's, Traci's, and Sandy's go down.

Fair enough. 

I tend to believe that many on here are underrating Duane and overrating Rowsey. I guess we shall see.

[MuMark]

MU only loses 33.5 minutes/game. Heldt will get some as the only other big. Reinhardt wasn't brought in to sit on the bench and if JJJ's last half of the season was for real, his minutes will increase.

So whose minutes are going to decrease significantly from last season?

Cheatham 29.5
Wilson 28.5
Fischer 28.2
Carter 23.9
JJJ 23.7
Cohen 23.3
Heldt 5.1 (20 G)
Anim 4.9 (17 G)

MU loses 42.3 minutes from last year between Henry and Wally.

As in most seasons without lots of returning upperclassmen the minutes are up for grabs in many spots.

I don't see MU doing a lot of full court pressure......to do that effectively usually requires length, athleticism and quickness. Not a lot of that on this roster.

FWIW SI projects Rowsey will average 12 points per game. http://www.si.com/college-basketball/2016/10/13/marcus-foster-austin-nichols-top-100-transfers?xid=socialflow_twitter_si

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

I think C is pretty clear cut.  Fischer starts, Heldt off the bench.

PG, I think it is wide open but between Rowsey, Carter, and Howard there should be a solid starter and backup.

I project Cheatham, Johnson, and Reinhardt start in a positionless lineup with Wilson as 6th man.  One more switchable plays for a 9 man rotation.  MPG predictions:

Starting PG 25
Cheatham  28
Johnson  28
Reinhardt  28
Fischer 28

Bench
6.  Wilson  24
7.  Backup PG 15
8.  Heldt  12
9.  Cohen or Anim or Hauser 12

[MerrittsMustache]

MU loses 42.3 minutes from last year between Henry and Wally.

As in most seasons without lots of returning upperclassmen the minutes are up for grabs in many spots.

I don't see MU doing a lot of full court pressure......to do that effectively usually requires length, athleticism and quickness. Not a lot of that on this roster.

FWIW SI projects Rowsey will average 12 points per game. http://www.si.com/college-basketball/2016/10/13/marcus-foster-austin-nichols-top-100-transfers?xid=socialflow_twitter_si

Good call. Forgot about Wally.

Interesting that SI feels Rowsey will score more than Reinhardt.

[Marcus92]

So whose minutes are going to decrease significantly from last season?

Cheatham 29.5
Wilson 28.5

These are the 2 prime candidates, in my opinion. With so many other contributors at the 2 & 3 spots (Rowsey, Reinhardt, Howard, Johnson, Hauser, Cohen), my guess is that Cheatham and Wilson average somewhere between 20 and 25 minutes.

Who gets the minutes will depend on how each player defends, how many positions they can guard (how versatile they are within a switching man-to-man or matchup zone defense), how they're shooting and how they're protecting the ball. I predict far less patience for turnovers this season. Throw the ball away and you may be sitting out the next 5-10 minutes.

[GGGG]

I tend to believe that many on here are underrating Duane and overrating Rowsey. I guess we shall see.

I tend to think this as well.  But really until I see them actually play, this year seems hard for me to make projections.

I mean...Sam v. Sandy; Duane v. Rowsey; Traci v. Markus...  A lot of unkowns. 

[RJax55]

Fair enough. 

I tend to believe that many on here are underrating Duane and overrating Rowsey. I guess we shall see.

Perhaps, but maybe there's a chance we're overrating both. Their games seem similar and both are likely to be playing off the ball.

[Loose Cannon]

I remember the good old days, when this thread was about seniors having good seasons.

.

Yep

Seems like some posters are enamored with inserting Blah,  Blah,  Blah, rather than Yada, Yada, Yada.

[wadesworld]

From everything I've heard Rowsey was very good last year in the practice gym and has continued to impress in the offseason.  I was told second hand that after playing some pickup basketball (I know, that's much different from Big East basketball, but it's still with all the same players) at the Al that Riley LaChance said "the transfer from UNC Whatever was by far the best player on the court.  He's killing it."  It's one thing when I hear it second hand from a guy like Broeker (still worth more than the knowledge I have...which is seeing them at Madness and maybe some Pro Am games), but when another high major D1 player is saying something that strong I think there's some merit.

But as others have said, we really don't know right now.  It's just what I think will happen, but I've certainly been wrong.  (I thought Gabe Levine was going to be really good for us, so...)

[Lennys Tap]

I tend to think this as well.  But really until I see them actually play, this year seems hard for me to make projections.

I mean...Sam v. Sandy; Duane v. Rowsey; Traci v. Markus...  A lot of unkowns.

Scoop tendency is to overvalue the unknown.

[Silkk the Shaka]

Eats, shoots, and leaves.

Eats shoots and leaves.

#Commas,matter.

Who gives a f*ck about an Oxford comma?

I do, actually. They're quite practical.

[GGGG]

From everything I've heard Rowsey was very good last year in the practice gym and has continued to impress in the offseason.  I was told second hand that after playing some pickup basketball (I know, that's much different from Big East basketball, but it's still with all the same players) at the Al that Riley LaChance said "the transfer from UNC Whatever was by far the best player on the court.  He's killing it."  It's one thing when I hear it second hand from a guy like Broeker (still worth more than the knowledge I have...which is seeing them at Madness and maybe some Pro Am games), but when another high major D1 player is saying something that strong I think there's some merit.

I remember all the whispers about how Jay Zulauf (transfer from Bowling Green) was just killing it at the Rec. Center my senior year.  People were stoked.   That didn't turn out very well.

[MerrittsMustache]

I remember all the whispers about how Jay Zulauf (transfer from Bowling Green) was just killing it at the Rec. Center my senior year.  People were stoked.   That didn't turn out very well.

Pick-up basketball is the ultimate "guards game."

[HoopsterBC]

I remember all the whispers about how Jay Zulauf (transfer from Bowling Green) was just killing it at the Rec. Center my senior year.  People were stoked.   That didn't turn out very well.

Cam Marotti, a teammate, sees it everyday, and states he is best player offensively on the court, defense will define how much he plays

[Babybluejeans]

I tend to think this as well.  But really until I see them actually play, this year seems hard for me to make projections.

I mean...Sam v. Sandy; Duane v. Rowsey; Traci v. Markus...  A lot of unkowns.

So, is Markus a true PG like Carter? And Rowsey, he'd play the 2 even though he's 5'10?

I'm just trying to understand who MIGHT be our starting and hopefully reliable PG.

[Jay Bee]

So, is Markus a true PG like Carter? And Rowsey, he'd play the 2 even though he's 5'10?

I'm just trying to understand who MIGHT be our starting and hopefully reliable PG.

Markus: 2/1

[fjm]

Who gives a f*ck about an Oxford comma?

Underrated song. Great work my friend!

[GoldenDieners32]

I think Hauser will slowly work his way into the starting 5

[kryza]

You guys are sleeping on Katin. He's gonna be our stud this year. I have a feeling Wojo will unleash him much like Buzz did with Wes in his senior year. He wasn't used well at USC.

[Marcus92]

Markus: 2/1

Man, you have some cryptic posts. This could mean:

a) Markus is a 2 (SG) first, a 1 (PG) second
b) Markus gives you 2 for 1; he's both a SG and a PG
c) Markus is a 2 (2 divided by 1 = 2 = SG)
d) Markus will have a breakout game on Feb. 1 (@ SJU)
e) All of the above

[BM1090]

Man, you have some cryptic posts. This could mean:

a) Markus is a 2 (SG) first, a 1 (PG) second
b) Markus gives you 2 for 1; he's both a SG and a PG
c) Markus is a 2 (2 divided by 1 = 2 = SG)
d) Markus will have a breakout game on Feb. 1 (@ SJU)
e) All of the above

2/1 odds he is our starter.

[Marcus92]

2/1 odds he is our starter.

That would make sense, wouldn't it? That didn't even occur to me. But I'm not much of a gambler (or a statistician).

[MuMark]

I'm 90% sure he meant he is a combo guard capable of playing both but probably more polished as a 2 right now.

I'm sure JB will correct me if I read it wrong.

[wadesworld]

I'm 90% sure he meant he is a combo guard capable of playing both but probably more polished as a 2 right now.

I'm sure JB will correct me if I read it wrong.

I agree with this analysis.

[Stretchdeltsig]

JJJ.

[Jay Bee]

I'm 90% sure he meant he is a combo guard capable of playing both but probably more polished as a 2 right now.

I'm sure JB will correct me if I read it wrong.

Indeed. It'll be fascinating (upsetting?) to see what the staff does with the guards and their PT & pairings. Markus & Rowsey are both at their best scoring, a sharp contrast to Carter.

[Lennys Tap]

Indeed. It'll be fascinating (upsetting?) to see what the staff does with the guards and their PT & pairings. Markus & Rowsey are both at their best scoring, a sharp contrast to Carter.

Three of our better scorers seem to be most comfortable as undersized 2 guards - One of them (Duane) doesn't look like he can handle the point, but Markus and Rowsey should get a long look - I don't see Traci as a 30 mpg player there.

[PGsHeroes32]

I think C is pretty clear cut.  Fischer starts, Heldt off the bench.

PG, I think it is wide open but between Rowsey, Carter, and Howard there should be a solid starter and backup.

I project Cheatham, Johnson, and Reinhardt start in a positionless lineup with Wilson as 6th man.  One more switchable plays for a 9 man rotation.  MPG predictions:

Starting PG 25
Cheatham  28
Johnson  28
Reinhardt  28
Fischer 28

Bench
6.  Wilson  24
7.  Backup PG 15
8.  Heldt  12
9.  Cohen or Anim or Hauser 12

???

So the loser among Rowsey, Howard and Carter gets a grand total of 0 min per game?

Find it hard to believe you have 3 guys capable of getting that PG spot, yet 0 mins if they don't win true starter/first back up.

[Goose]

Wades world
I have heard the same thing about Rowsey from people I trust and know the game well. I am expecting a ton from him this season.

As for Jay Z., that was a personality issue with KO and KO was wrong IMO. The kid flat out play and KO made him his shipping boy. That wasted season lays on Kevin's shoulders IMO.

[fjm]

Carter starts at PG.
rowsey next man up.
Howard plays sparringly during BE but will get some play in noncon.

Howard and rowsey will also get some time at the 2.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

???

So the loser among Rowsey, Howard and Carter gets a grand total of 0 min per game?

Find it hard to believe you have 3 guys capable of getting that PG spot, yet 0 mins if they don't win true starter/first back up.

I should have prefaced it by saying that is the 9 man rotation for BE play.  My mistake.

So one of Cohen, Anim, or Hauser is in the rotation.

PG has a lot of unknowns: Can Rowsey make the jump to the BE?  Can he defend?  How much does Carter improve, especially shooting and reducing TO?  How ready is a 17 year old Howard?

I could honestly see it shaking out any number of ways.

[Disco Hippie]

My take from all of this is that we'll have a hell of a lot more options this season than we've had in the past four seasons combined.  As fun as it is to speculate on who's going to start at what position and get how many minutes, just knowing we have much more depth and experience this year is going to make it an exciting season!  Sacar will break through!

[GoldenDieners32]

My take from all of this is that we'll have a hell of a lot more options this season than we've had in the past four seasons combined.  As fun as it is to speculate on who's going to start at what position and get how many minutes, just knowing we have much more depth and experience this year is going to make it an exciting season!  Sacar will break through!

I heard Sacar can really defend, I couldn't really tell last year because he didn't get a lot of minutes

[GGGG]

I still don't think Sacar plays a lot this year.  Next year, with JJJ and Katin graduating, I think it really opens up for him to step forward. 

[GoldenDieners32]

I still don't think Sacar plays a lot this year.  Next year, with JJJ and Katin graduating, I think it really opens up for him to step forward.

Heldt will be getting huge minutes next year too