Incoming freshmen

[Afroman]

Not counting Clark, who is expecting to redshirt, but would anyone care to take a guess on the minutes per game for the other freshmen? Either one have a chance to start?

[MUbiz]

Shaka has shown that freshman do not start and there is a progression each year. If I had to guess - 6-8 min a game for each Parham and Owens based upon history.

[The Sultan]

I would guess Owens plays more than Parham. This sounds painfully obvious, but it really depends on how good they are and how much other players progress.

[MUbiz]

I would guess Owens plays more than Parham. This sounds painfully obvious, but it really depends on how good they are and how much other players progress.

In one of Shaka's radio shows last year, he mentioned that both Owens and Parham have a long way to go on the defensive end before they can earn playing time. That is what will hold them back from seeing the court as Shaka is extremely high on the offensive game they both have and even went as far to call Parham "A scoring savant".

[El Guerrero 2]

I'm worried it has less to do with defensive ability and just Shaka's disinclination to play freshman a lot. Lowery was our second best defender last year and Shaka still played him less than he deserved.

[The Sultan]

I'm worried it has less to do with defensive ability and just Shaka's disinclination to play freshman a lot. Lowery was our second best defender last year and Shaka still played him less than he deserved.

He was a good on-ball defender at times, but he got lost a lot. Calling him the "second best defender" is a pretty big stretch IMO. I think Stevie and Chase were clearly better, and Joplin was probably better in rotations as well.

[wadesworld]

The freshman didn't play a lot last year because we returned all but 1 contributor from a 2 seed.

I think both freshman get 10-15 mpg this year.

[The Sultan]

Yeah, Chase Ross played 16 mpg as a freshman. Let's not go too deep into the "Shaka doesn't like to play freshman" rabbit hole.

[PGsHeroes32]

Kam and Stevie also had very defined roles as freshman even if in the case of Stevie it wasn't a ton of minutes

Owens and Parham both can get minutes if they are good enough.

We know our top 5. Anything after that can be earned

[Stretchdeltsig]

We have depth. Shaka can play many different line ups and ask them to Olay aggressively, because of the talent and depth. It'll be fun to watch.

[barfolomew]

Shaka can play many different line ups and ask them to Olay aggressively

Useful if we play South Florida.

[The Sultan]

Useful if we play South Florida.

I thought Olay-ing aggressively meant that they would have well moisturized skin.

[tower912]

Shaka said similar about Parham and Owens a couple of months ago.   Called them offensive savant.  Said they needed to go to work on defense as soon as they get to campus.    So, IMO, their playing time, just as it was under Buzz, will be dictated by how quickly they learn to play defense to Shaka's standards.   Also, IMO, Owens gets there first.

[Uncle Rico]

More impotently, what nicknames will Willie derisively call them and then say you're the bad fan for supporting them?

[The Thing]

If we are talking about impotently then maybe some play on Viagra or Cialis?

[Uncle Rico]

If we are talking about impotently then maybe some play on Viagra or Cialis?

Willie loves talking penis and anus

[ATL MU Warrior]

Sub-Parham
Demesstrious

Not up to Willie's standards I'm sure

[#UnleashNigel]

I'm worried it has less to do with defensive ability and just Shaka's disinclination to play freshman a lot. Lowery was our second best defender last year and Shaka still played him less than he deserved.

Were we watching the same game?

[tower912]

I think Hamilton probably gets consistent minutes.  10-12. 

[El Guerrero 2]

Were we watching the same game?

I don't know. Maybe you weren't paying attention?

https://painttouches.com/2024/01/19/amid-injuries-zaide-lowery-carves-out-defensive-role/

[The Sultan]

I don't know. Maybe you weren't paying attention?

https://painttouches.com/2024/01/19/amid-injuries-zaide-lowery-carves-out-defensive-role/

That was from mid-January.

As I said, he had some really good moments when he had to straight up guard somebody. But he wasn't their second best defender.

[tower912]

I sense a scoop argument splitting hairs into multiple splices in the offing.

[El Guerrero 2]

That was from mid-January.

As I said, he had some really good moments when he had to straight up guard somebody. But he wasn't their second best defender.

Chase / Lowery is a matter of taste. Oso is in the discussion. Then maybe Ben or Tre.

But suggesting Joplin was better defensively than Lowery is downright ignorant.

[tower912]

Who did that?

[The Sultan]

Who did that?

Right. I said he was "better in rotations."  Team defense.