Colton Crowdis committed.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

If they're relying on Caedin for 10ish minutes a game, then yeah, pretty good chance they've already misevaluated.
Maybe this is the year the long-promised big leap from Hamilton actually happens, but fool me thrice?

I think the only way (assuming Fru/Royce stay healthy which is an assumption) Caedin gets 10 minutes a game is if he actually does make the long-promised leap. After Christmas break, Caedin averaged 8.9 minutes a game. Which included a game that Ben missed due to injury and a game where Ben's minutes were limited due to injury. This season we have a better and healthier starting 5, a more experienced version of Royce, and more and better options at the 4 than we had last season. Caedin shouldn't get minutes out of necessity, he'll get them because he's earned them...or because there's injuries.

[Jay Bee]

I think the only way (assuming Fru/Royce stay healthy which is an assumption) Caedin gets 10 minutes a game is if he actually does make the long-promised leap. After Christmas break, Caedin averaged 8.9 minutes a game. Which included a game that Ben missed due to injury and a game where Ben's minutes were limited due to injury. This season we have a better and healthier starting 5, a more experienced version of Royce, and more and better options at the 4 than we had last season. Caedin shouldn't get minutes out of necessity, he'll get them because he's earned them...or because there's injuries.

Two/kind of three questions:
(1) Assuming he doesn't get minutes out of necessity or 'because he's earned them', how many minutes per game do you believe he'll get? (Related question: will he be regularly put into the game in the first half of games?)

(2) How does he earn minutes? (Last year it was a twinkle in his eye - is that a good reason this year as well?)

[Tha Hound]

I think the only way (assuming Fru/Royce stay healthy which is an assumption) Caedin gets 10 minutes a game is if he actually does make the long-promised leap. After Christmas break, Caedin averaged 8.9 minutes a game. Which included a game that Ben missed due to injury and a game where Ben's minutes were limited due to injury. This season we have a better and healthier starting 5, a more experienced version of Royce, and more and better options at the 4 than we had last season. Caedin shouldn't get minutes out of necessity, he'll get them because he's earned them...or because there's injuries.

Just the fact that we have to game this out is crazy to me. I don't understand how the staff can watch Caedin play the last 2 years and not do everything in their power to improve that backup 5 spot. Why even take the chance that a negative BPR guy might be forced to play meaningful minutes? No ones ever been able to give me an actual reason.

Fru averaged 22 minutes at Louisville by the way.

[tower912]

That's a 180, basketball strategy wise (down to your core, you know a back up ballhandler/playmaker was needed.  You said so 1000 times).  But not a 180 from an oh well, we did what we could do.  I'm sure Shaka did everything he could wise. 

I absolutely wanted two guards and a big.  Tell me how you force them to MU for back up minutes at a back up price.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Two/kind of three questions:
(1) Assuming he doesn't get minutes out of necessity or 'because he's earned them', how many minutes per game do you believe he'll get? (Related question: will he be regularly put into the game in the first half of games?)

(2) How does he earn minutes? (Last year it was a twinkle in his eye - is that a good reason this year as well?)

1. I'm not nearly as passionate as you about when in a game his minutes come. If the long-promised leap never comes, I think there is one specific situation where Caedin is effective. He is a competent, maybe even good, defender when matched up with big back to the basket bigs. For example, against UConn at home, he got 18 minutes and actually looked like he belonged because he could matchup with Reed and Reibe. There is a value to having a 6'9" 250 lb dude on the bench even if he's hopeless on offense.

All that to say, I think if he's the same Caedin as last season, I don't see him getting consistent minutes (without injuries). I think most games will either be DNP-CD or only a handful of minutes, but there may be some nights where the matchup is more favorable that he gets into double digits.

2. I'm not sure what "twinkle in his eyes" means. I think Caedin is one of those unfortunate players that can perform in practice but self-immolates once the bright lights are on. I think Shaka tried to force feed Caedin minutes to get him past it but eventually cried uncle.  I don't think they try that again. I think Caedin will have to show he's effective in the minutes he gets against cupcakes if he's going to get significant minutes in real games.

Here's hoping the long-promised leap finally comes.

[wadesworld]

Just the fact that we have to game this out is crazy to me. I don't understand how the staff can watch Caedin play the last 2 years and not do everything in their power to improve that backup 5 spot. Why even take the chance that a negative BPR guy might be forced to play meaningful minutes? No ones ever been able to give me an actual reason.

Fru averaged 22 minutes at Louisville by the way.

The staff watched Caedin play last year and significantly dropped his minutes.  Going into the offseason, they made getting a starting 5 in the portal their biggest priority, and brought in one of the best players in the portal to do that.  They anticipated having Sheek as the backup 5, and they even had an agreement from Sheek to return until SLU made him an offer he couldn't refuse.  They didn't watch and think, "We're good at the 5!"

We want Shaka to play the portal game.  We can't complain about Shaka not playing the portal game, and then complain when the portal game bights us in the a$$.  That's part of the game.

Fru will play plenty more than 22 mpg.  Louisville had players behind him that were good enough to play high major minutes at the 5.  Marquette doesn't.  He'll play 30+ just like Oso did his junior and senior seasons.