Question for the MBB guru's. 2 or 3 guards next year?

[snowcraig2.0]

Do we go with a three guard lineup next season? Or a more traditional 2 guard lineup?

(listing the players by anticipated minutes played)

In the 3 guard set it would break down like this

Point- McGee, Bubu, Sledge, Odunsi
Wing- Allen, Scotty, Babb
Forwards- Royce, Ejim, Booker, Godfrey, Railey, McKnight

A more traditional 2 guard set

PG- McGee, Bubu, Sledge, Odunsi
SG- Allen, Scotty
SF- Ejim, Babb
PF- White, Godfrey
C- Booker, Railey, McKnight


What do the experts here think? I am on the fence. I do think they will have to go mostly one way or the other, so a guy like Ejim can adjust to the wing full time if needed.

[Rickybaby]

The best way to answer this is that Allen, SC, and Babb all play essentially the same position. And they are ALL very good at it. So I think 2 of these 3 will be playing at all times.

In addition, we don't have a true center other than Railey. So most the time we will play with 2 forwards. Like the SG position, we have several players mostly around the same size who have similiar skills/game. I'm referring to White, Booker, Godfrey and to a lesser extent Ejim.

So with a mix of 2 SG and 2 Forwards, that leaves the PG. Coach Hoiberg has said publicly that McGee is his favorite at this point for the PG spot. The others all have a legitimate chance as the backup and if McGee gets injured or falters for any reason then they'd be next in line. This includes Sledge, Bubu, and Odunsi.

So in this long winded explanation, my opinion would be a 3 guard lineup with McGee, Allen, Babb/Scotty, Ejim, White/Booker/Godfrey. Today's game and several others have shown that SC at times struggles to get his shot off and Babb is a couple of inches taller and has long arms so it could turn out that SC is brought off the bench and Babb starts. Given that, with McGee, Allen, Babb, White/Booker its possible that we have 4 new starters next year; with Ejim being the only carry over. So to answer the question, I think we do play with 3 guards next year.

[gocubs2118]

I would say 3 guards with Ejim and White as the forwards. As of right now, my lineup would be:

McGee
Allen
Babb
Ejim
White

Scotty as the 6th man still getting 25 minutes a night.

[hawkeyefan21]

I would say 3 guards with Ejim and White as the forwards. As of right now, my lineup would be:

McGee
Allen
Babb
Ejim
White

Scotty as the 6th man still getting 25 minutes a night.

I think you're pretty dead on there. Only thing I might change is that Scotty would get a few less minutes, maybe 15 or so. I think he's going to have some trouble getting shots off once Diante and Jake leave. Diante's quickness and Jake's rebounding often lead to kick outs to Scotty; which I think is where he's best. I think he has some trouble creating shots off the dribble, which I could see him being forced to do more next year.

[Rhoadhoused]

I think you're pretty dead on there. Only thing I might change is that Scotty would get a few less minutes, maybe 15 or so. I think he's going to have some trouble getting shots off once Diante and Jake leave. Diante's quickness and Jake's rebounding often lead to kick outs to Scotty; which I think is where he's best. I think he has some trouble creating shots off the dribble, which I could see him being forced to do more next year.

I think next year it will be tough to focus defense on Scotty with all the offensive talent we will have on the court.

[hawkeyefan21]

I think next year it will be tough to focus defense on Scotty with all the offensive talent we will have on the court.

I don't think you have to focus a defense around him, you just have to tell the guy guarding him to guard him tight. It's not like he's going to blow by you if you're playing him too tight.

[AlleyAddict]

Scott will start. It's ridiculous that people say he won't start over Babb.

I think Babb is being lumped in with Allen and White as being a very good talent coming in. Not saying that Babb isn't good, but Babb<Scottie

[Rhoadhoused]

Scott will start. It's ridiculous that people say he won't start over Babb.

I think Babb is being lumped in with Allen and White as being a very good talent coming in. Not saying that Babb isn't good, but Babb<Scottie

Not saying I disagree, but how? Look at his strengths and weaknesses compared to Babb and what we will already have in the lineup.

[Rhoadhoused]

I don't think you have to focus a defense around him, you just have to tell the guy guarding him to guard him tight. It's not like he's going to blow by you if you're playing him too tight.

Well then couldn't players just do that this year even with Garrett getting him the ball?

[snowcraig2.0]

I don't think you have to focus a defense around him, you just have to tell the guy guarding him to guard him tight. It's not like he's going to blow by you if you're playing him too tight.

I saw him blow by plenty of Iowa players. Just sayin.

[isuno1fan]

Babb isn't a creator either...he is a shooter. Scott will start over Babb I believe as well.

[Rhoadhoused]

Babb isn't a creator either...he is a shooter. Scott will start over Babb I believe as well.

But he rebounds and plays defense better along with shooting very well.

[bosco]

The best way to answer this is that Allen, SC, and Babb all play essentially the same position. And they are ALL very good at it. So I think 2 of these 3 will be playing at all times.<br> <br>
In addition, we don't have a true center other than Railey. So most the time we will play with 2 forwards. Like the SG position, we have several players mostly around the same size who have similiar skills/game. I'm referring to White, Booker, Godfrey and to a lesser extent Ejim. <br> <br>
So with a mix of 2 SG and 2 Forwards, that leaves the PG. Coach Hoiberg has said publicly that McGee is his favorite at this point for the PG spot. The others all have a legitimate chance as the backup and if McGee gets injured or falters for any reason then they'd be next in line. This includes Sledge, Bubu, and Odunsi.<br> <br>
So in this long winded explanation, my opinion would be a 3 guard lineup with McGee, Allen, Babb/Scotty, Ejim, White/Booker/Godfrey. Today's game and several others have shown that SC at times struggles to get his shot off and Babb is a couple of inches taller and has long arms so it could turn out that SC is brought off the bench and Babb starts. Given that, with McGee, Allen, Babb, White/Booker its possible that we have 4 new starters next year; with Ejim being the only carry over. So to answer the question, I think we do
play with 3 guards next year.

That's the long answer. The short answer is yes and yes.

[Cyforce]

I think the best answer is both.
Ejim is the only SF on the team and personally
I think he'll split time between the 3 and 4.

[Wesley]

I think the best answer is both.
Ejim is the only SF on the team and personally
I think he'll split time between the 3 and 4.

He needs to become a better shooter this summer.