Welcome back, Bubu!

[nallen34]

With Bubu, it's interesting that Booker didn't see any playing time and Gibson only played 8 minutes.

This was my post 5 days ago about where Bubu's minutes would come from:

Originally Posted by gocubs2118 (return of Bubu)

Where are his minutes coming from? Who's going to play less in order for him to get 15 minutes a game? That's a lot of minutes to take away from other players who are contributing at a high level right now.

nallen34

8 minutes from Clyburn playing the PG. Clyburn then in turn will replace those minutes at the PF in place of Bookers/Percys/Niangs/Ejims minutes. I think we will play smaller now since we can more. Then the other 5-7 minutes will be taken collectively from Babb/McGee/Lucious. Maybe put Lucious at some off guard. Maybe not play Babb 33 mpg. They aren't going to come from just one person specifically.

[awd4cy]

I loved the contribution from Bubu. He clearly is going to help this team a lot.

[nallen34]

Bubu's minutes simply came from Booker and Percy today. It's kinda confusing minutes for a PG would come from 2 post players, but that's simply what happened today.

Bubu played 11 minutes. Lucious 29, Percy 8, Booker 0.

Instead of Clyburn playing those 11 minutes at PG he played them at PF. This led to Ejim and Niang playing more minutes at the C position, which in the end took 11 minutes from Percy and Booker.

Based on the way that Booker and Percy have been playing, I would much rather have Bubu playing their minutes, Clyburn at PF, and Niang/Ejim at C.

I think this lineup: PG-Bubu, SG-McGee, SF-Babb, PF-Clyburn, C-Ejim/Niang

is better than this lineup: PG-Clyburn, SG-McGee, SF-Babb, PF-Ejim/Niang, C-Percy/Booker

[mitten1975]

I was happy to see Bubu back. I am not worried about how Fred figures out minutes. We need whatever matches up and functions. You could tell Bubu loved being part of the team again. I was happy for him.

[Cyclonepride]

Just want to take a chance and recognize Bubu's contribution today. Great hustle, started with a nice rebound and great assist.

I love how Korie played today, and I love how Bubu complemented him.

Great work, Bubu! It's great to have you back.

I agree. For first action, he did well spelling Korie.

[pulse]

Bubu is really a great fit in how we play. He's quick so he can defend well, and the offensive side he can drive and kick. That play where he drove, drew 2 defenders and kicked it out to McGhee for 3 was great.

[CYme]

A backup for KL would have been quite helpful on Wednesday. It was obvious that we are a much better team with Bubu in to spell Korie. How much that could have helped in those earlier losses. Excited to look forward!

[nallen34]

This is how I think the minutes were distributed with and without Bubu in the lineup.

Before Bubu these were the averages of all of the players for 4 games vs Texas, WV, TCU, and Tech. It also shows where they played their minutes IMO.

Before Bubu

PG: Lucious 33.1, Clyburn 6.9
SG: McGee 22.2, Babb 17.8
SF: Clyburn 20.6, Babb 19.4
PF: Clyburn 3.5, Ejim 29.8, Niang 6.7
C: Niang 19.3, Percy 12.2, Booker 8.5

This shows the Kansas State game minutes for each player and where the player played those minutes IMO:

Game 1 with Bubu

PG: Lucious 29, Bubu 11
SG: McGee 18, Babb 22
SF: Babb 18, Clyburn 22
PF: Clyburn 14, Ejim 26
C: Ejim 2, Niang 30, Percy 8

As you can see Bubu took a couple of minutes from Lucious, and all of Clyburns minutes at the PG. This slides Clyburn to the PF which takes all of Niangs minutes at the PF and a few of Ejims minutes at PF. This then shifts all of Niangs minutes to the C position, in turn taking Percy's and Booker's minutes.

So more or less Bubu took the minutes from Percy and Booker. It also means that we are going to play smaller with Bubu in the lineup, with Clyburn playing the PF, and Niang playing most of the minutes at the C position in place of Percy and Booker.

[BigBake]

Bubu back definitely helps. Gives KL a chance to catch his breath every so often. He did burned by Angel a couple times.

[Sloup]

This team is better with Bubu, especially when he's in game shape. Glad to have him back.

[VeloClone]

Bubu back definitely helps. Gives KL a chance to catch his breath every so often. He did burned by Angel a couple times.

With that offense they run there isn't anyone in the league who is immune to getting burned by Angel.

[ISUFan22]

So the folks stating Bubu didn't have a place on the court have been quiet after his first game - especially since he played well against a ranked team.

I'm sure they are just lurking - waiting for the first mistake from Bubu so they can pounce - and make themselves feel better.

Lucious will be even better for us with him getting spelled by Bubu. As will Clyburn - not being forced to run the point.