MBB lineups now

**CyCy** · 07-20-2007, 07:51 AM

As long as we are making predictions, I'll predict.

1. Petersen will be the starting point guard in game 1 of the season.
2. CJ will play more minutes than Thompson.
3. Clark's scoring will return to more like it was when he was a soph.

**psycln11** · 07-20-2007, 08:06 AM

For everyone saying Clark won't start...you're crazy!!

As much as we need offense with Mike gone, we need Clark's defense to shut down the opponents best player in order to stay close in games!

Clark will start!!!

I see this line-up at the beginning of the season:

PG Garrett
SG Johnson
SF Clark
PF Brackins
C Hubalek

with these players first off the bench:

PG Brister or Petersen
SG Haluska or Staiger
SF Staiger
PF C. Johnson
C Thompson

Others receiving minutes:

Boozer, Vette

I don't think GMAC redshirts a player just because he's not going to get significant minutes this year. Let him play his 4 years and move on. Although it would be nice to balance out the classes a little.

**cybsball20** · 07-20-2007, 08:17 AM

Originally Posted by psycln11

For everyone saying Clark won't start...you're crazy!!

As much as we need offense with Mike gone, we need Clark's defense to shut down the opponents best player in order to stay close in games!

Clark will start!!!

I see this line-up at the beginning of the season:

PG Garrett
SG Johnson
SF Clark
PF Brackins
C Hubalek

That sure puts a LOT of pressure on a freshman against the press... Especially since everyone can agree he needs to get stronger... You can't have a lineup with only one ball handler... We all know Clark can't handle the ball and Wes isn't a whole lot better...

**psycln11** · 07-20-2007, 08:24 AM

Originally Posted by cybsball20

That sure puts a LOT of pressure on a freshman against the press... Especially since everyone can agree he needs to get stronger... You can't have a lineup with only one ball handler... We all know Clark can't handle the ball and Wes isn't a whole lot better...

The best way to beat a press is with good spacing and quick ball movement, not dribbling. I have faith that GMAC will have the team prepared to face presses. I remember Juri bringing the ball across center court last year against teams that denied the ball to Taylor and McIntosh. Juri is an excellent ball handler for a big man. That being said, I wouldn't expect GMAC to utilize that strategy very often.

**cybsball20** · 07-20-2007, 08:26 AM

Originally Posted by psycln11

The best way to beat a press is with good spacing and quick ball movement, not dribbling. I have faith that GMAC will have the team prepared to face presses. I remember Juri bringing the ball across center court last year against teams that denied the ball to Taylor and McIntosh. Juri is an excellent ball handler for a big man. That being said, I wouldn't expect GMAC to utilize that strategy very often.

Yes, but 90% of the time they just cleared out and had Mike beat the press by himself...

Wow, thats kind of a scary thought that Jiri would be the second best ball handler in that lineup...

**psycln11** · 07-20-2007, 08:31 AM

Originally Posted by cybsball20

Yes, but 90% of the time they just cleared out and had Mike beat the press by himself...

Wow, thats kind of a scary thought that Jiri would be the second best ball handler in that lineup...

Does that 7-1 Russian PG, Ivan Chiriaev, have any eligibility left?

**ISUonthemove** · 07-20-2007, 08:45 AM

PG
I think Brister and Garrett will be a close call. Since they're freshmen, I think both will have a tough time scoring. So you have to look at their ball handling and leadership. Both are slashers but Brister has the body.

SG
I'm not sure who else you can play there except Staiger, Huluska and Boozer. And I would probably play them in that order. Staiger and Huluska may be the best shooters by far but Boozer will come in and give you great energy and defense.

SF
This is a tough call. Go with the guy who is 6'6" and can jump out of the gym or go with the guy who is 6"7" and can jump out of the gym. A lot depends on Rashon's confidence, he has to be a threat offensively. I give the edge to Wesley.

PF
One of the most highly rated recruits ISU has ever picked up plays this position. He can score inside and out, rebound, and is very athletic. It's too bad he's a freshman, that's the only reason he is coming off the bench. You only start 3 freshmen if you REALLY have to, and we don't have to. Alex will get the start, at least for a while. You'll probably see Vette here a little too.

C
Stay healthy Jiri.

Bench
We'll see Cory, Craig and Clayton come in at the 4 and 5 positon quite a bit. And it sounds like all are capable to more than help the team.

**tigershoops31** · 07-20-2007, 09:02 AM

Originally Posted by peachy

Having experience counts, as it should. Thompson will play. He has played 2 full seasons in the Big 10, a power conference. By the end of the year maybe Brackins is all that he is cracked up to be, and he takes over the starting spot, but AT will start the beginning of the year.

PG - Garrett
SG - Staiger (Haluska will get his chances)
SF - Clark
PF - WJ
C - Hubalek

Brackins & CJ will spell both the big spots. Boozer and Brister will spell both the guard spots. Maybe WJ is not a true PF, but to say he will play as a shooting guard is laughable. Think about it.....if he was on another team as their SG, do you actually think he could guard someone as quick as Mike Taylor? He would foul out in the first half.

Huh? You call Thompson a starter right off the bat, then don't have him start and don't mention him as even getting minutes...did you just forget him in your starting lineup?

**tigershoops31** · 07-20-2007, 09:05 AM

Originally Posted by cybsball20

Yes, but 90% of the time they just cleared out and had Mike beat the press by himself...

Wow, thats kind of a scary thought that Jiri would be the second best ball handler in that lineup...

I don't think he's saying Jiri is the second best ball handler, just that he can handle the ball for his position, meaning he should be able to bring it up against the other team's ogre if we have to. It's much the same as everybody thinking Wesley is a great ball handler. Last year he seemed to handle it fairly well, but that was also because he was mainly being guarded by the other team's PF. He's a great player and very athletic, but I seriously doubt his ability to take another teams SG off the dribble.

**dinger** · 07-20-2007, 09:27 AM

Originally Posted by CyCy

As long as we are making predictions, I'll predict.

1. Petersen will be the starting point guard in game 1 of the season.
2. CJ will play more minutes than Thompson.
3. Clark's scoring will return to more like it was when he was a soph.

i hope youre right on #3. i would agree with the first two. 3 is stretching it but i hope so.

any way you look at it, there is depth and there are going to be multiple lineup options. i mean we have a guy we are mentioning anywhere from a SG to a PF. GMac said it, he's going to be able to hold kids accountable this year. if someone isnt playing well, he will be sitting.

**CYdTracked** · 07-20-2007, 09:29 AM

I see a lineup of Garrett, Staiger, Johnson, probably Clark, and Jiri to start the season. AT may start with Jiri against bigger teams but based on what I saw of Brackins in the Cap City league he has potential but not a Big 12 body yet to man up against some of the big boys in the conference. He has a nice frame to fill out but he really got pushed around in the paint at times by some of our big guys. We have depth in the post to develop him and bring him along if we have to.

Knowing GMac he'll play the matchups and we have the versatility to do that. Wesley might play some SG at times, Clark some PF. Losing Taylor really hurts because he's the 1 guy we had last year that could create his own shot off the dribble. Someone on this team is going to have to step up and fill that void. We know Clark can't dribble so he's either a fast break or spot-up shooter usually. Wesley is a decent ball handler but he still isn't good enough ball handler to be breaking down a defense off the dribble. Staiger had a quick first step but his best assets seemed to be 3 point shooting and great court vision to pass it. Garrett is quick but he's also thin as a rail so not sure he'll be able to drive to the hoop against bigger gaurds.

Lots of questions going into this season...

**IP Guy** · 07-20-2007, 01:31 PM

I think we will have numerous starting lineups and much variation of playing time based on effort, success and improvement in both practice and games. I also think only Johnson and Jiri are going to consistently play 30+ minutes. That being said:

Likely Starting Lineup at the beginning of the season:

PG: Garrett
SG: Staiger
SF: Clark
PF: Johnson
C: Jiri

Eventually, the Best Offensive Lineup:

PG: Garrett
SG: Staiger
SF: Johnson
PF: Brackins
C: Jiri

Eventually, the Best Defensive Lineup:

PG: Garrett
SG: Johnson
SF: Clark
PF: Brackins
C: Jiri

Can you imagine having Jiri along with three guys that are uniquely-gifted shot blockers and rebounders?

**dbronco7sc** · 07-20-2007, 01:54 PM

IP Guy... what I picture the in my mind is the same as what you just wrote.

But I decided that I'm going to predict a new style that only GMac (and myself) would ever think of. The new lineup will be called the Five-For... short for Five Forwards:

Starting at forward will be Wesley Johnson. Also starting at forward will be Rahshon Clark. And then at the forward position Craig Brackins will crack the lineup as a freshman. Jiri will move out of role last year as center back into his favorite spot as a forward. And Thompson and Cory Johnson will switch in and out at final forward spot. Clayton Vette will give guys a breather now and then as well.

The team will be coached to shoot the ball any time they are facing the basket and at the three point line or closer. As soon as the ball is shot. All forwards must crash the hoop for a putback dunk should the shot not fall.

**pulse** · 07-20-2007, 02:21 PM

Does anyone want to bet that Clark does not start? I would like to take your money. He is the best defender on the team and often guards the other team's best player.

**trevn** · 07-20-2007, 02:32 PM

Originally Posted by pulse

Does anyone want to bet that Clark does not start? I would like to take your money. He is the best defender on the team and often guards the other team's best player.

I'm with you on that one. Clark will start. My 5 looks a lot like everyone else's

PG - Garrett (Brister, Peterson)
SG - W. Johnson (Staiger, Haluska, Boozer)
SF - Clark (W. Johnson, Thompson, C. Johnson)
PF - Brackins (Thompson, C. Johnson, Vette)
C - Hubalek (Brackins, Vette)