'You're the coach': Starting lineup vs. WVU

[FinalFourCy]

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My God. It's full of stars.

And just think, we lose DJ next year.

We’ll need to become more of the WVU/Cincinnati type that wins with defense, rebounding, etc.

 

[Sigmapolis]

And just think, we lose DJ next year.

We’ll need to become more of the WVU/Cincinnati type that wins with defense, rebounding, etc.

Or we just play a million miles an hour and avoid the half-court.

Who knows. Maybe Wigginton keeps it up, Shayok can knock it down, Lewis unfreezes, and at least one of the freshman fills it up from distance.

We'd be a decent shooting team under those circumstances.

 

[Cyclonepride]

Clark doesn't belong on that list. Grayer does but if I'm bringing Hogue if the thugs are coming to town.

If we're going by opponent:

Tinsley
Horton
Hogue
Fizer
Homan

6th man: Elmer Robinson

 

[cyclones500]

Or we just play a million miles an hour and avoid the half-court.

This gets my vote.

 

[bozclone]

Woke up with a clear mind and the obvious choice at PG is Kyle Kempt.

 

[scottwv]

I think t WVU: lard better offensive, but turns the ball over more. Young better post defender and has played against WVU's pressure.

I can't put my finger on why this team can't gel. Too much backlog on the forwards, not enough (any) point guards to run the show. So with Babb out, let's just mix it up. We need to make shots. To quote John Madden, if you have the most points at the end of the game, you win.

PG: Wigginton, big boy points on, show time
SG: DJ. He is just not a PG, he cannot do what Naz and Monte could do and be combo guards and swap
SF: Talley
SF: Lewis
PF: Lard

Off Bench will be Young. Long for guard backups. Beverly is the backup to Solomon if it goes that far. Not sure what to do with Brase. I do not want to see Young or Beverly shot another 3 the rest of the year. The game plan will be attack with Wigginton and make a ton of FT's, dish out to DJ for three. Work the SF's for shots and have Lard be the garbage man cleaning up all day.

If ISU goes small, I think Young gets the start over Lard against WVU: Lard better offensively, but turns the ball over more. Young better post defender and has played against WVU's pressure.

So, Who starts if Lard is still in the "Doghouse" and coming off the bench?

 

[ImJustKCClone]

Georges, Naz, Monte, Melvin, Royce.

Oh...you meant CURRENT players...

 

[isu2014]

Joel Lanning
Peavy
Cotton-Moya
J.D. Waggoner
Harvey

Maybe add some wrestlers for depth. If they want to play rough, lets play rough. Then after WE physically "wear" THEM out, we can put our normal players back in and actually play basketball.

We have proven in the past that we don't need football players to play physical.

 

[Sigmapolis]

We have proven in the past that we don't need football players to play physical.

I like how the announcers are talking about Ron Artest and the Malice at the Palace just as Hogue kicks a guy and a WVU player punches Monté in the head.

 

[Cyinthenorth]

I think you go small, we may not see a TON of Young, Brase, Beverly. Should see a lot of Talley, Lewis, Long. Young will get the most action out of the first group, obvi.

I'd start:
C Lard
PF Talley Jr.
SF Lewis
SG Wiggi
PG Donny J

Donny J and Wiggi could easily be flopped, they'll both do plenty of handling. This lineup only based on offensive potential and ball handling capability.

Wiggi and Donny J are good, if not great, ballhandlers, and quick, explosive etc. They are short and I cringe just about everytime they get into the lane, but they can handle the ball and make moves at the very least.

Now I know starting Lewis in a game like this is beyond crazy. But if not now, when? Maybe he's ready for this stage. You have to figure that they've all known that Babb could face some time off for awhile now, and that Prohm has been getting them mentally prepared for that. It is time for Lewis to spread those wings and fly. Wednesday night is the night. Without truly knowing his full capabilities, it's hard to justify this. But they say he has a nice stroke. They say he can take a defender off the dribble. He's got the body you want a 3 to have. He's who i'd throw out there.

Talley Jr. gets the nod at the 4 over Solo. Sorry Solo, you'll still get your shot in this one, but Talley has been playing well, he can handle the rock, plays really solid defense, and is (much) quicker on his feet. Not a knock down shooter or huge offensive threat, but as of late has looked better in that regard. Essentially I put him in over Young simply based on, if you get in a jam against that press, Talley is someone who can effectively help break it if need be. You aren't giving Solo the ball in the backcourt or at midcourt and seeing him do anything with it besides try to get rid of it right away.

Lard at the 5, pretty much a no brainer at this point. Doesn't stretch the floor much with his shot, but will hold the defense accountable as a ball handler and with his presence inside. You'll need someone down there to swat old man Carter's layup attempts.

Minute Distribution would look something like this:

5 - Lard 32, Solo 8
4 - Talley Jr. 30, Solo 8, Brase 2
3 - Lewis 25, Talley Jr. 8, J. Long 5, Beverly 2
2 - Wigginton 30. J. Long 10
1 - Jackson 35, Wigginton 5

Totals - Talley Jr. 38, Wigginton 35, Jackson 35, Lard 32, Lewis 25, Solomon Young 16, J. Long 15, Beverly 2, Brase 2

If I had to pick 2 keys for the game for this lineup it would be:
1) Can Lewis step into the spotlight and play a big role for this team?
2) Can the small ball lineup hold its own against Press Virginia, with Talley carrying a much heavier load on both offense and defense?

It's a long shot, and I'm probably wrong. For all I know, Solo will play a lot to counter WVU's bigs in the paint, which he is good at doing. Talley probably ends up starting and playing at the 3 and Lewis and Long both sit unless fouls become an issue.

But this is the pipe dream I'd throw out there

Shows what I know!

Thought Talley was excellent tonight. Solo way exceeded the way I thought he might be used, even despite foul trouble. Long looked solid in an extended backup role. Lewis struggled. Wigginton and Jackson grew up in front of our eyes.