Center

[tower912]

After seeing Theo on Saturday and Matt last night, I think it is safe to assume that trying to project minutes is folly.  Match ups, foul trouble, defensive intensity, hot hand will dictate minutes.   I'm not going to bag on anybody, as today's goat is going to be a major contributor in the next game.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Add in Harry vs Nova and you can see the three headed monster forming.  One of Matt, Harry, and Theo needs to step up every game.  Ride the hot hand.  If any of them ever become consistent, they'll quickly get separation and become the primary C.

[Its DJOver]

This year they will all have hot nights and off nights, ride the hot hand.  Next year, I would love to see Harry spend more time at the 4.  I think it creates more match up problems, and it would allow Sam to play the 3.  Obviously you have to look at how they're playing defensively too, but I guess with how small we've been this year, it'd be nice to see more big line-ups

[DCHoopster]

This year they will all have hot nights and off nights, ride the hot hand.  Next year, I would love to see Harry spend more time at the 4.  I think it creates more match up problems, and it would allow Sam to play the 3.  Obviously you have to look at how they're playing defensively too, but I guess with how small we've been this year, it'd be nice to see more big line-ups

Next year you will have Morrow or Joey playing the 4.  Froling is to slow to play the 4.  Theo and Froling have now got there feet wet in the MU system, lets see if there
is improvement from those 2 next season.  Matt might be close to his peak as a player, does everything well as you saw last night, except 2 bunny lay-ups.  I hope the
other 2 pass him up.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I can see Harry playing the 4 on offense and 5 on defense in certain lineups.

[Its DJOver]

I can see Harry playing the 4 on offense and 5 on defense in certain lineups.

This. A potential line up of PG TBD, Markus, Sam, Harry, and Ed should be competent on D, and create all kinds of match up problems on O

[WayOfTheWarrior]

After seeing Theo on Saturday and Matt last night, I think it is safe to assume that trying to project minutes is folly.  Match ups, foul trouble, defensive intensity, hot hand will dictate minutes.   I'm not going to bag on anybody, as today's goat is going to be a major contributor in the next game.

Biggest factor IMO as evidence of last night compared to Providence game. Offensively I think we can be a little more sure of what we can get night in and night out from each guy but still yet to be played out overall.

[StillWarriors]

After seeing Theo on Saturday and Matt last night, I think it is safe to assume that trying to project minutes is folly.  Match ups, foul trouble, defensive intensity, hot hand will dictate minutes.   I'm not going to bag on anybody, as today's goat is going to be a major contributor in the next game.

That seems to be the case. Nice luxury to have as they continue to develop, especially since they bring different skills to the table. Seems to be working out pretty well for Xavier with O'Mara, Kanter and Jones.

[DCHoopster]

This. A potential line up of PG TBD, Markus, Sam, Harry, and Ed should be competent on D, and create all kinds of match up problems on O

Morrow came to MU to not play center.  Not saying that will not happen as I am a believer of playing the best 5.  Not sure having both Hausers in there at the same
time will be the best line-up.  Like to see Theo, Morrow and Sam with Marcus and PG TBD.  Elliott as this point.  See Joey being first off the bench, but seeing Sacar
showing improvement lately, he might be hard to keep out of the line-up.  Practice will be fun to watch next year to see who deserves playing time.  Deepest team
in years.  If Bailey comes in ready to play, even Eke, it will be interesting.  Cain might be a good choice to red-shirt, needs a couple of years to get stronger. He might
be odd man out.

[Its DJOver]

Morrow came to MU to not play center.  Not saying that will not happen as I am a believer of playing the best 5.  Not sure having both Hausers in there at the same
time will be the best line-up.  Like to see Theo, Morrow and Sam with Marcus and PG TBD.  Elliott as this point.  See Joey being first off the bench, but seeing Sacar
showing improvement lately, he might be hard to keep out of the line-up.  Practice will be fun to watch next year to see who deserves playing time.  Deepest team
in years.  If Bailey comes in ready to play, even Eke, it will be interesting.  Cain might be a good choice to red-shirt, needs a couple of years to get stronger. He might
be odd man out.

Nothing wrong with any of this.  I guess my point was that I think Sam being able to switch to the 3 full time with the frontcourt depth we will have could be the biggest influence on the team next year.  I think that will allow him to really explode and be an all BEast type of player.

[skianth16]

This. A potential line up of PG TBD, Markus, Sam, Harry, and Ed should be competent on D, and create all kinds of match up problems on O

Where would the matchup problems come from here? Sam and Markus are great shooters, and Markus is getting better at creating his own shot, but I'm not sure they create mismatches. From what I've seen from Morrow, he's an interior guy and doesn't like to get too far outside the paint. Harry does a nice job of getting past defenders by putting the ball on the floor here and there, but his offense has been at its best when he's a back to the basket kind of scorer.

I like this lineup, but I think it's pretty much what you'd expect at each position in terms of skillsets and scoring ability, with the obvious exception of Markus being one of the best shooters/scorers in the country. I think guy like Joey could shake things up with his size and athleticism playing the 4, and Jamal could create issues playing against smaller guards. That's where I think we'll see teams have match up problems.

[DCHoopster]

Nothing wrong with any of this.  I guess my point was that I think Sam being able to switch to the 3 full time with the frontcourt depth we will have could be the biggest influence on the team next year.  I think that will allow him to really explode and be an all BEast type of player.

Not sure Sam is that type of player, has taken steps this year to improve his overall game,  but lacks quickness and lateral speed, and can not jump real well.  But
has a teammate, great to play with.  Smart, does not make many mistakes.  Would love him as my teammate.  Does everything well, great complimentary player.

[skianth16]

Not sure Sam is that type of player, has taken steps this year to improve his overall game,  but lacks quickness and lateral speed, and can not jump real well.  But
has a teammate, great to play with.  Smart, does not make many mistakes.  Would love him as my teammate.  Does everything well, great complimentary player.

He seems like he can straddle the line between complimentary guy and go-to guy. Any time a guy shows that he can go off for 30, you know he's got a big offensive game. I'm excited to see how he'll play next year with Rowsey gone. I'm expecting a lot more offense coming from the front court, so hopefully Sam will benefit from some inside-out offensive sets.

[Its DJOver]

Where would the matchup problems come from here? Sam and Markus are great shooters, and Markus is getting better at creating his own shot, but I'm not sure they create mismatches. From what I've seen from Morrow, he's an interior guy and doesn't like to get too far outside the paint. Harry does a nice job of getting past defenders by putting the ball on the floor here and there, but his offense has been at its best when he's a back to the basket kind of scorer.

I like this lineup, but I think it's pretty much what you'd expect at each position in terms of skillsets and scoring ability, with the obvious exception of Markus being one of the best shooters/scorers in the country. I think guy like Joey could shake things up with his size and athleticism playing the 4, and Jamal could create issues playing against smaller guards. That's where I think we'll see teams have match up problems.

If his post game and mid range game improve at the same rate that they have been, being guarded by the other teams third biggest player would create a huge mismatch.  If someone guarding Sam is giving up 3 inches and 15-20 lbs, I'd be expecting the ball to go to him every single time down the court.

[skianth16]

If his post game and mid range game improve at the same rate that they have been, being guarded by the other teams third biggest player would create a huge mismatch.  If someone guarding Sam is giving up 3 inches and 15-20 lbs, I'd be expecting the ball to go to him every single time down the court.

Yeah, you're right, there's some potential for Sam to cause some issues at the 3. His post-up game seems to be something wing players have struggled to defend this year, so more of that would be a plus.

[T-Bone]

I think it is safe to assume that trying to project minutes is folly. 

I wonder why there is so much time spent arguing the number of minutes being projected.  A better way of looking at it would be High/Medium/Low/Specialist (or Kinsella) usage. 

High - Starter
Medium - Spot starter or in rotation
Low - out of conventional rotation
Specialist/Kinsella - Got to have a big guy jack up some threes or a midget whose exceptional at hitting FTs and dribbling at the end of a game. 

I'd look at all of our centers - as of today - as being Mediums.  They're all capable of starting, and are heavy in the rotation.  None of them are the reliable 10-10 guys.

[skianth16]

I wonder why there is so much time spent arguing the number of minutes being projected.  A better way of looking at it would be High/Medium/Low/Specialist (or Kinsella) usage. 

I think the projections are more about how our 3 bigs figure into the overall minutes allocation next year more than how we allocate 40 minutes to the 5 spot. We've had some success with 2 bigs in a rotation this year, but it seems like there will be some solid lineups that can be put together without any of the 3 current big guys. It's intriguing to try to figure out the best way to balance the depth we'll have everywhere from 2-5 next year.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Does anyone see any minutes for Ike over the next two seasons?

He's going to be stuck behind Heldt for another year, Morrow, Joey and Froling for two, and Theo for three. I just don't see any minutes for him until his RS Junior year.

[DCHoopster]

Does anyone see any minutes for Ike over the next two seasons?

He's going to be stuck behind Heldt for another year, Morrow, Joey and Froling for two, and Theo for three. I just don't see any minutes for him until his RS Junior year.

Having back surgery probably will delay his growth as a player.  He supposedly is very raw.  Looking at him, he has a great frame for hoops.  Tall, different type of
player that MU does not have.  Quick, and can jump.  Might get in to play some D next year.  Not sure if he is even practicing yet?  Does anybody know?  Like his
attitude on the bench.

[brewcity77]

Does anyone see any minutes for Ike over the next two seasons?

He's going to be stuck behind Heldt for another year, Morrow, Joey and Froling for two, and Theo for three. I just don't see any minutes for him until his RS Junior year.

With Haanif, Sam, Rowsey, Howard, Anim, and a fringe top-100 guy taking time at the 1-3 positions, I didn't see how Greg Elliott would get minutes this year. Now I can't imagine our fortunes without him.

I do see minutes for Eke. Yes, there are bodies ahead of him, but no one with his pure length. I could see him playing a defensive shot swatter. St John's always seems to have one of those guys that just make going inside a chore. Even if it's 5-15 minutes per night, having a guy who can give a different defensive look could be huge. I particularly like the idea of him at the back of a zone.

Between transfers, injuries, and other unexpected events, I can see almost anyone contributing. Guys like Anim, Sam, Traci, Cheatham, and Elliott have all exceeded expectations early on. No reason to think Ike couldn't surprise us as well.

[MU82]

Barring defections, Wojo will have an embarrassment of richest his disposal for the 3-4-5 positions (especially the bigs) the next couple of years.

He can go big, he can go small, he can go with lots of shooters, he can try to have more of a defensive slant, etc.

We will have our most depth at those spots in decades, and if Joey, Morrow and Bailey are as good as advertised, and if Theo keeps developing, we will have serious skill at those positions, too.

Wojo has given me absolutely no reason to doubt him here. As earlier posters have noted, he has done a very nice job this season at choosing/riding the hot hand.

[Marcus92]

Between transfers, injuries, and other unexpected events, I can see almost anyone contributing.

We've gotten somewhat used to losing players as transfers. But MU has been really fortunate in recent years to avoid losing anyone in the main rotation to a major injury. And it's a total wild card.

Anyone who remembers Travis Diener breaking his hand or Dominic James breaking his foot knows how dramatically that can change a season. Next year's expected depth should help Wojo better manage the unexpected.

[Galway Eagle]

We've gotten somewhat used to losing players as transfers. But MU has been really fortunate in recent years to avoid losing anyone in the main rotation to a major injury. And it's a total wild card.

Anyone who remembers Travis Diener breaking his hand or Dominic James breaking his foot knows how dramatically that can change a season. Next year's expected depth should help Wojo better manage the unexpected.

Speaking of Travis breaking his hand, why do we include that 04-05 season as a part of the "dark Crean years" like it sucked but wasn't that team ranked for most the year and start off 13-1? Doesn't seem like it should be considered a dark year just an unfortunate situation.

[MU82]

Between transfers, injuries, and other unexpected events, I can see almost anyone contributing. Guys like Anim, Sam, Traci, Cheatham, and Elliott have all exceeded expectations early on. No reason to think Ike couldn't surprise us as well.

Speaking of transfers, just read an article on Duke losing 8 transfers in 8 years - this in addition to the 9 one-and-dones over that span.

Most programs have significant transfer action. We're actually lower than the average, if I'm not mistaken.

[Silkk the Shaka]

He seems like he can straddle the line between complimentary guy and go-to guy. Any time a guy shows that he can go off for 30, you know he's got a big offensive game. I'm excited to see how he'll play next year with Rowsey gone. I'm expecting a lot more offense coming from the front court, so hopefully Sam will benefit from some inside-out offensive sets.

I've mentioned this before, but he's like Klay Thompson in that way. Great player to have on a team, especially with a Curry-like go-to guy in Markus. Maybe Joey adds a Durant-like presense next year??