Cain vs Bailey

[NCMUFan]

Ok, two cupcakes down.  Now a real test.  Though Bailey starts, IMHO Cain has been playing lights out over him.  Cain has been gathering rebounds, hitting three's blocking shots.  The guy is doing it.  A Jimmy Butler in the making.  People reach there upside over time.  With W & Ls on the line now, one has to go with who is getting it done on the court during game time.  That is Cain IMHO.

[WarriorFan]

We are lucky to have both.  Doesn't matter who starts.  It matters who plays best.

[1SE]

I've been big Cain and Theo fan all along. While I think Cain should have a bigger role, I do kind of like him as a sneaky 8 man in the rotation -keep him low profile, no one scouts him, then he comes in and drops a few with that silky sweet stroke from the corner. Million dollar move, million dollar shot.

[GGGG]

I'm pretty sure Cain is scouted just fine.

But having someone come in to provide offense and energy off the bench isn't unheard of.  Some players are better in limited roles.  Maybe that's how Wojo views him.  Maybe Wojo wanted to see more of Bailey and Joey v. cupcakes.

It will all play out.

[rocket surgeon]

  cain didn't take 2 years off to fulfill a promise he had with himself.  thurl jr. will be just fine as the year plays out

[MU82]

We are lucky to have both.  Doesn't matter who starts.  It matters who plays best.

This.

The kid who plays the best will get the majority of minutes, especially in crunch time.

I know that for some kids starting matters, but for the team it really doesn't. A good coach can articulate that to kids - can tell them about the value of McHale, Vinnie Johnson, Havlicek, Livingston, all the guys who willingly came off the bench and helped their teams win championships.

IMHO, managing egos is at least as big a part of coaching today as X's and O's. Maybe even bigger.

[tower912]

Joey hasn't played a ton since the summer before his senior year in high school.    Bailey hasn't played in two years.    Both are showing both rust and immense potential.     Right now, Bailey is quicker than Joey.    He is longer and thicker than Cain.  And right now, Cain and Joey are playing better offense.    So.   By starting Bailey next to Sam, Wojo is putting length and speed out there and someone who isn't really looking for his shot right now.   By playing Joey and Cain together, it makes easier to sit Sam for a few minutes by putting two forwards in who, combined, bring what he brings.   
In other words, balance.    Rolling a second unit out that has absolutely no drop off.      And, bringing the two freshman forwards off the bench may not work.     
And finally, with this team, starters don't matter.    Wait to see who is on the floor at crunch time. 

[MomofMUltiples]

Wojo has already said he has nine or ten guys of starting caliber. Great problem to have. When the subs bring as much as the starters, you've got fresh legs through most of the game.

[PGsHeroes32]

I'd like to keep seeing more Cain as the games get bigger


That said, starting Bailey and having Cain and Joey off the bench has made sense too

[brewcity77]

Right now, I think Cain has been the better of the two. His corner three is near automatic and he's a phenomenal rebounder. Both have good quickness and the ability to use that to make up for any defensive miscues, but I'll trust the guy with a year in the system over the one that just walked through the door.

That said, I love having both. Good problem to have.

[Jay Bee]

Love Bailey's length and getting hands out into shooters on d (Jamal too). At this point the big diff for me is Jamal's ability to board. Excellent bounce

[Floorslapper]

Personally don't like the move of starting Bailey over Cain. The incumbent in the program should get the benefit of the doubt.

Maybe Bailey is tearing it up in practice, yet, thus far it hasn't translated to games.

Both are great prospects, but Cain should be a 20+ minute player on this team regardless of Bailey.

[GoldenEagle323]

right now cain>bailey

[Marcus92]

Right now, Bailey is quicker than Joey. He is longer and thicker than Cain.

Agree with your post, except for the "thicker" part. Both Bailey and Cain are on the lean side. But Cain looks like the stronger of the two, which may give him an edge in rebounding and post-up defense. If you go by the roster, Cain (6-7/195) has 5 more pounds on a slightly shorter frame than Bailey (6-8/190). Last year, Cain was listed at 190.

As multiple posters have stated, I'm glad we have them both. Jamal and Brendan are two of our most athletic, talented and exciting players -- and they've only begun to tap their potential.

[tower912]

Glad to have them both.   Maybe it is the hair.    Cain still looks very thin to me. 

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I think Bailey earned his starting spot with defense. He's very good on that end. Cain looks improved from last season on that end and is definitely superior on offense so far. Nice to have them both.

[muwarrior69]

I've been big Cain and Theo fan all along. While I think Cain should have a bigger role, I do kind of like him as a sneaky 8 man in the rotation -keep him low profile, no one scouts him, then he comes in and drops a few with that silky sweet stroke from the corner. Million dollar move, million dollar shot.

Sacar seems to have found his shot as well.

[muwarrior69]

right now cain>bailey

Cain sophomore, Bailey freshman after 2 year mission. I think Wojo is smart giving Bailey playing time; Cain has a years experience under his belt and will be seeing plenty of playing time.

[KfBob]

Love Bailey's length and getting hands out into shooters on d (Jamal too). At this point the big diff for me is Jamal's ability to board. Excellent bounce

Cain has more athletism than Bailey.  Bailey is 6-8 with shorter arms and is not very quick.  He has good instincts and a high IQ, but athletic he is not.  I think most would rate his athleticism...jumping sprinting and lateral movement as about average D1.

[MU82]

The incumbent in the program should get the benefit of the doubt.

Which helps explain your unabashed support of Derrick over Dawson!

[Marcus92]

Cain has more athletism than Bailey.  Bailey is 6-8 with shorter arms and is not very quick.  He has good instincts and a high IQ, but athletic he is not.  I think most would rate his athleticism...jumping sprinting and lateral movement as about average D1.

Brendan hasn't shown it yet in a game. But he had several impressive blocks and dunks in scrimmages during the open practices. Kid has some hops. Being part of a regular strength and conditioning program will help, as well.

[GoldenEagle323]

Brendan hasn't shown it yet in a game. But he had several impressive blocks and dunks in scrimmages during the open practices. Kid has some hops. Being part of a regular strength and conditioning program will help, as well.

This is why i wouldn't be surprised if cain started tomorrow

[Tha Hound]

Cain has more athletism than Bailey.  Bailey is 6-8 with shorter arms and is not very quick.  He has good instincts and a high IQ, but athletic he is not.  I think most would rate his athleticism...jumping sprinting and lateral movement as about average D1.

Disagree. Bailey is very athletic (watch some of his highlight videos), although maybe just not as athletic as Cain.

[Silkk the Shaka]

Disagree. Bailey is very athletic (watch some of his highlight videos), although maybe just not as athletic as Cain.

Agreed, Bailey looks quite athletic, the block at the end of the UMBC game was one piece of evidence. However, he doesn't seem to have an overly-quick first step or explosive leaping ability, and his breakaway speed out on the break hasn't been overly impressive.

Granted, these are all very small sample sizes against below-par competition, so tough to draw a ton from anything to date.

[fjm]

Cain is scoring points. Bailey isn't. But we don't need the points early against Indiana. We need to set a defensive tone.

Start Bailey, start JoeC.