Starting lineup

[muhoosier260]

Assuming NO MATCHUP PROBLEMS, how long do people think it will be until Lott is taken out of the lineup? Who will the last guy be? Cubillan, Fitz, Hayward?

[SoCalstu09]

Fitz has earned the starting position thus far. Despite Fitz's low scoring as of late, he brings more to the table than Lott. Fitz will spread defenses, rebound both offensively and defensively, and hit a jumper. Can Lott say that?

I think Fitz might even start tomorrow. But you never know, Crean might be stickin with his Senior, but i doubt it.

[WashDCWarrior]

I think it will be Fitz soon and Lazar by the end of the year.  Starting Cubillan wouldn't make sense, since you wouldn't have any guards to bring off the bench.

[dwaderoy2004]

lott will start the whole season.  it makes even more sense for him to be in there when we start conference play: do you want fitz banging against gray and hibbert?  not sure why everyone is so quick to dismiss lott from the starting lineup.  with fitz and hayward on the bench, you get a lot more flexibility becasue they can play so many different positions.  a lot of people didn't like townsend starting in 03, and i think that worked out for us just fine...

[dwaderoy2004]

plus it's not like lott is playing starters minutes.  he's in there to defend and rebound against the other teams starting big men, and then when lineups get more fluid as the game goes on for both teams, he moves to the bench...i expect this to continue. 

[DoubleMU0609]

I think one of the reasons he's in there is to take the jump ball to start the game.

[WashDCWarrior]

Then why not start Blackledge - he's gotta be able to get higher than Lott.

[spiral97]

I think one of the reasons he's in there is to take the jump ball to start the game.

hmm.. makes me wonder if the lott cheerleaders will start wearing shirts that say "if you do get the tipoff you won't get it by a Lott!"

ugh.. I even disgust myself 

[bheitz]

I hope Lott stays as a starter.  If he is replaced I'm guessing it will be Hayward.  I can understand a case being made for Fitz, but I really like him coming off the bench because of the flexibility and match-up problems he brings.

[MikeyT42]

I agree that Lott isn't as productive as Fitz and Lazar, but starting him makes more sense for 3 reasons in my opinion

1. Balances out the rotation
2. Allows fitz to be more flexible and play different positions according to the flow of the game.
3. Gives a more physical presence to start the game.

[State]

Crean seems to like to not start the best 5...my memory is going but didn't Namaka come of the bench every game?? 

Pittino is another who loved to have a great '6th man' even if the '6th man' should have been starting.

Could also be one of Crean's mind games...

[HoopDreams]

I would like to see Lazar start at some point later in the season, but for now I would start Fitz..not really sure about Lott, whether its a seniority thing or if Crean really feels he fits the offense. I would like to see Lazar get some more minutes..I am waiting for a breakout game for him.

[muhoosier260]

I think one of the reasons he's in there is to take the jump ball to start the game.

when was the last time someone started so they could take the tip. i mean it happens, but it would seem pointless. that being said, i think a more confident/experience hayward will take Lott's spot, unless the opposing team has two big guys which would create matchup problems (someone like G'town).

[herboturbo]

If I remember correctly John Mueller used to start and do the tip but not play much after the first timeout.

[tower912]

Rod Grosse and Roman Mueller would jump center and then be taken out.  Leave Lott in the starting line-up.   Think Kurt Rambis and Marc Iavaroni.    Bring Fitz, Lazar, Burke, Blackledge in after Jamil softens them up a bit.   Plus, why mess with success?   If you bring Lott off of the bench, all you add to the line-up is strength.  Everybody else brings a different skill set that can change the tempo and rhythm of the game.   Lott doesn't.   So start him.

[mutpm]

The only reason I see not starting Lott is that he has gotten into early foul trouble the past 2 games.  Let him see how the game is being called and then bring him in.  Even though Fitz isn't starting, the rebounding he is bringing to the table is invaluable.  As soon as he starts getting open shots, his numbers will soar. 

P.S.  Tower912, it was great to meet you before the Valpo game and thanks again for the beer! 

[tower912]

mmmm, beer.   Good conversations, too.