When McKay comes in....who's out?

[jburke]

100% Naz right away, but I do see this as a matchup level decision.... Even though I think Hogue has been playing out of position most of his career, I would like to see him D-UP on a perimeter player, I see him have skills there that have not yet been seen.....

 

[bozclone]

I don't see Fred having both Naz and Matt on the bench. They are too similar in skill set. It makes for an odd rotation.

I see rotation of Niang, McKay, Houge in the two post spots. I think McKay will come off the bench, just for continuity.

I see Bryce, Matt, Naz rotating in the two wing spots.

I see Monte running the point 95% of the time and Naz giving a rare break.

I think Nader will get a few minutes at both the wing and the post spots, but not many unless he shows he is equal or better than the other guys or we are in foul trouble.

Edozie has played well, but I don't see him getting many minutes with the other posts we have.

With the talent we have, guys better play well or they could easily lose minutes.

 

[rholtgraves]

I don't think anyone comes out of tr starting lineup if they continue to play well. He will get plenty of minutes regardless

 

[swarthmoreCY]

Hogue is at his best as a paint oriented SF/wing. Situationally he can be good as a post, but if we need more perimeter play and at the same time size in the post, he will lose minutes. It happened last year from time to time, but not having a sub for Ejim or Georges hid it to a degree.

On the other hand, he can also be just as much the match-up problem for other teams as Ejim if he can be any type of threat to shoot. As we saw against UConn, many bigs cannot stay with him. Towards the end of last year we also posted him up on teams that used 3 guards. I am somewhat surprised we have not isolated him more.

The great news is no coach is better at this than Fred.

 

[tim_redd]

I think Fred will want a dead eye spot up 3 point shooter in the starting lineup at one of the guard positions. He's always used one since he got here to help create spacing. My guess is that Naz will continue to start and either McKay or Hogue will start depending on how we match up with an opponent's post players.

It really is a great problem for Freddy to have.

Who was the dead eye 3 point shooter between Monte, Kane, Hogue, Ejim and Niang? They all shot a good 3 pt percentage, but I wouldn't consider any of them to be a true sharpshooter.

 

[Dingus]

Having BDJ rebound like he has been provides a lot of flexibility for lineups. IMO you always need at least 2 good rebounders on the floor at a time.

 

[CycloneWarrior]

I think Naz goes out and we have the same kind of lineup as last year, with 3 post players.

1 kane------morris
2 thomas--------- bdj
3 hogue--------hogue
4 ejim-------niang
5 niang-------mcKat, mcCoy and McKay

Hogue's rebound numbers will shoot up again, because he will take bdj's spot. That would allow him to be the "freelance" rebounder. The 4 and 5 box out, while the 3 uses his speed to chase down rebounds.

 

[Cycopath]

Starting 5 will be

Morris
Dejean-Jones
Niang
McKay
Hogue

First 3 off the bench

Long
Thomas
Nader


will be deep.

 

[AMarner32]

Naz is starting. I didn't think he would, but he's gonna be starting all year. He's more than just a 3 point shooter now. He's earned a starting role.

 

[acgclone]

I feel like Naz is one of the primary leaders on the team now so that's worth consideration.

Not that Hogue isn't, but Naz is a vocal leader who has been here with Fred for 3 years.

Leadership is probably the only thing this years team still has to prove compared with last year.

That's why I see Naz continuing to start.

If McKay gets into the starting line up, I think it's Hogue that sits. But it wouldn't surprise me if McKay comes off the bench.

 

[AMarner32]

McKay will likely come off the bench... But if he does start, it will be in place of Hogue. Naz has earned his spot.

 

[andymhallman]

I predict McKay comes off the bench for at least the first three games he plays, because the other guys are just too valuable. We've seen Thomas and Nader play four games this year, and they are both quality contributors but will probably come off the bench, too.

If McKay does move into the starting lineup, I think he'll take Hogue's place since Naz has become a great all-around ball player with his defense and ball-handling.

 

[CloneIce]

Neither. Mckay comes off the bench.

 

[jim4]

I think Naz will come off the bench. BDJ at the two and Hogue at the three will make for an excellent set of defensive matchups. That said, Naz will get his share of minutes and it will be a very fluid situation. We will need McKays size and defense in the post in most Big 12 games. Should be interesting to see what Hoiberg does.

 

[AMarner32]

Actually, knowing Hoiberg, we may see a system where the lineup is slightly different every game depending on matchups. Playing against Texas? Probably need McKay and Hogue both in there. Playing against a smaller team? Let Naz and Hogue/Mckay start.

 

[madcityCY]

I'm not sure if McKay starts immediately. For one, it could take him (like Nader) some time to get up to game speed, find his role, develop the chemistry with team, etc. But maybe not. He's being touted for rebounding and as a rim-protector - which is an instinctive skill. My guess is that it will depending on the other team's post-players.

At this point, you'd have to think maybe Hogue sits, as he's in a serious rebounding funk. But who knows - by the time Dec 20 rolls around, he could be playing like a man possessed again, and Naz could be trending down. Either way, it will be great to have McKay available, and I think it's easy to see there will be an 8 or 9 man rotation most nights - Edozie being the 9th guy.

 

[CyHawk7]

I'm not sure if McKay starts immediately. For one, it could take him (like Nader) some time to get up to game speed, find his role, develop the chemistry with team, etc. But maybe not. He's being touted for rebounding and as a rim-protector - which is an instinctive skill. My guess is that it will depending on the other team's post-players.

At this point, you'd have to think maybe Hogue sits, as he's in a serious rebounding funk. But who knows - by the time Dec 20 rolls around, he could be playing like a man possessed again, and Naz could be trending down. Either way, it will be great to have McKay available, and I think it's easy to see there will be an 8 or 9 man rotation most nights - Edozie being the 9th guy.

I think hogue struggling with rebounding has a lot to do with him playing primarily the 4 instead of the 3.

 

[Gunnerclone]

Actually, knowing Hoiberg, we may see a system where the lineup is slightly different every game depending on matchups. Playing against Texas? Probably need McKay and Hogue both in there. Playing against a smaller team? Let Naz and Hogue/Mckay start.

That doesn't really have anything to do with it. We want to dictate match ups not let the match ups dictate what we do.

 

[Cycsk]

Why do people think Hogue isn't playing well?

He is shooting over 60% from the floor, playing really good defense and has only had 1 bad game (Ya know, the one everyone played in.)

I don't think you can take Hogue from the starting lineup, too much to offer. Not saying Naz doesn't, but remember a 6th man by the family name of McGee? Naz is like that, but a more complete player. Nazareth of the bench for three.

Hogue has not looked like his usual beast self . . . with arms and legs flying around. Plus, he has had some struggles getting into the flow of the game, missed layups, not been able to handle a few passes he typically grabs, and has lost the ball while trying to make plays. Nothing huge. He probably had some of these struggles last year, but we just remember because the beast play made us forget about all else as he made lots of pretty incredible plays.

 

[Dingus]

I dunno, if I envision a team that would give ISU trouble, the first thing I think of is one with tall, athletic bigs. McKay likely helps with that weakness better than anyone on the team. Doesn't necessarily mean he starts, but still think he does for that reason.