Nick is starting the distance if he is healthy.
No popularity about that -- a fact of life.
The team, and particularly the offense, is so much better with him on the floor.
line ups when the 4 players out come back
- Thread starter blood94
- Start date
Nick is starting the distance if he is healthy.
No popularity about that -- a fact of life.
The team, and particularly the offense, is so much better with him on the floor.
Yeah, this year, I see his value (assuming he doesn't redshirt) as a starter quality back up that allows Jacobson and Lard to go full tilt without worrying about foul trouble. Jacobson really seems to avoid it well, but Lard not so much. The ability to switch someone like him in when that happens can make the difference between winning and losing a key game.
You are now saying 33 minutes when before you said he wouldn't average 30 minutes? Which is it?
The reason he only was 33 minutes a game last year is mostly because of games where he had to sit because of foul trouble and then the first 5 games or so when he was still finding his way. Go find me a freshman guard from Iowa State that had a that good of season and then saw his minutes reduced the next by more than 3 per game....I will be waiting. Heck you can even go freshman overall that had that good of a Freshman season because we are talking about pretty rare company.
Anyway, this is also assuming he is completely healthy, which who knows if it will happen. But assuming he is I think there is no way he doesn't play 30 minutes or more a game. If he doesn't, I will gladly admit I was wrong.
Let me remind you what I said, which you quoted:
“Wigginton is going to need to improve to get all of his 30+ minutes back”
33 minutes is consistent with saying 30+. So to your question of “which is it”, I ask where are you confused?
Your mention of foul trouble limiting his minutes last year is a good point, although in the favor of my contention. Last year we couldn’t afford to sit guys in foul trouble and Prohm had to let guys play through it despite the matador defense. That’s not the case this year and the result of that will be less minutes played.
How good of season did he have? Raw points per game isn’t a great metric for that. He did average a lot of points on a bad team while being the highest usage player. I guess if you’re more of a simpleton mindset that’s a good thing.
Go find me a freshman guard that struggled to effectively and efficiently lead a team that was then joined by 4 good players, including 3 guards the following year. I’ll be waiting.
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That isn't far from where I am at. I think NWB should start though because he his our best "true" point guard for how this team has operated this year. At the same time we have 6 guys who could/should start so someone will have to slot into the 6th man role.
It'll be one of Jacobson / Lard. We aren't going away from the small-ball style now, THT and Shayok have proven they can guard the 4.
Best Lineup in my opinion vs Okie St to open conference play
G: NWB
G: Wigg
G: THT
G: Shayok
F: Lard
Against teams like KU with 2 bigs:
G: NWB
G: Wigg
G: Shayok
F: Jacobson
F: Lard
Bench players who get more than 5 min per game:
G - THT (big lineups)
F - Jacobson (small ball lineup)
F - Solo
G - Halliburton
G/F - Talley
G - Lewis (maybe)
Having 3 great bigs will be amazing for games when Lard gets into foul trouble or is throwing a tantrum
I also think it will only help THT become a better player if he plays off the bench and isn't asked to play hero ball and force the issue that has led to his 12 turnovers
G: NWB
G: Wigg
G: THT
G: Shayok
F: Lard
Against teams like KU with 2 bigs:
G: NWB
G: Wigg
G: Shayok
F: Jacobson
F: Lard
Bench players who get more than 5 min per game:
G - THT (big lineups)
F - Jacobson (small ball lineup)
F - Solo
G - Halliburton
G/F - Talley
G - Lewis (maybe)
Having 3 great bigs will be amazing for games when Lard gets into foul trouble or is throwing a tantrum
I also think it will only help THT become a better player if he plays off the bench and isn't asked to play hero ball and force the issue that has led to his 12 turnovers
This is a good summary of LW's strengths. Part of the problem last year is bullet point number four. The types of shots you are happy to get with 1 second on the shot clock were being taken with 15 on the clock. Not uncommon for a true freshman, especially when not surrounded by a ton of talent.
It's going to be interesting to see how it plays out. Personally I doubt that meaningful minutes without either NWB or Haliburton on the court are going to be common unless LW makes a huge leap in ball handling and passing. Granted, true freshman do tend to make a big jump, so deep in the conference season you may see that happen. LW made some major strides on the defensive end throughout the season last year, so that's a great sign.
Still, I think people saying NWB is going to come off the bench are crazy. People that think Haliburton's minutes are going to be cut to 10-12 minutes are nuts too. For those that have watched games in person, Haliburton jumps out as that coach's dream type player. Does what is needed on both ends, never tries to do to much, and flat out makes the team better.
Jacobsen is going to be the most valuable player for this team when it's at full strength. The way this team is constructed it needs to have the lane unclogged. This requires 4 players that can be threats from the perimeter. Can't do that with both Young and Lard playing at the same time. Jacobson can when matched with Young/Lard. He also has shown is capable of being the 5. So imo it's not question if Jacobson starts its who is out there when Jacobson is on the bench.
Actually, I would say the best lineup against KU would be the small ball lineup. You can pull Azubuike away from the basket and KU has struggled with defending that kind of team with Doke on the floor.
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I thought about that. However, Dedric Lawson being gaurded by Shayok would not go well for us, in my opinion. Jacobson is a pretty good spot up shooter so I didn't think spacing the floor would be an issue. Also, the speed of Lard would be a great advantage when Doke is guarding him. Lard could easily beat him down the floor
It is hard to deny the effectiveness of the four guard lineup so far, that is for sure. I think any combination of the 6 and you can't go that wrong ultimately. I think Lard should start but I also have a tough time putting anyone else on the bench too. I am just happy that we are in a situation where we have so much depth. Based on experience level there were some question marks to start the year but where we are at now I think it is legitimate to say this could be one of the deepest teams we have had in a long time. Halliburton killed it last night and everyone is assuming he moves to the bench (me included).
It will be interesting. Lawson isn’t a plus athlete and I think goes 225. That’s less than THT. I’m not sure what his reach is like, but THT has that great wingspan.
https://kuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=15548
Listed 6'9" @ 235 and a 7'2" wingspan
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Dedric-Lawson-7270/
I'll admit I have only watched them play once this year, against Michigan State when he went for 20/14/6. You could be right on the athlete thing, maybe someone smaller and quicker would excel. He appears to be a it of a ball hog as well
Isn’t THT 6’4” 239 and 7’1”? THT may be better able to stay in front of Lawson than Lard, Young, or Jacobson, while also being able to exploit Lawson on the other end.
Lawson is going to get his regardless imo, might as well make it tough for him to keep up when he’s defending.
I think we're better when we make teams match up with us. I'd rather see one of KUs bigs chase THT.
THT will be starting all year no matter the match up. Talen's ability to penetrate, make shots for himself and create for others makes him too important to the offense to worry about the opponent. Plus his size and speed allow him to match up 2-4 so there is always a way to have him in the lineup.
While we have been playing well and debating the lineups we really need to see all the players integrated to really debate/decide who and what lineups should be playing. Jacobson and Haliburton have exceeded expectations to the point where they have staked a valid claim to stay starters but, we don't know yet if the starting line-up could be even better when Lindell and Cam are inserted. It could very well end up both have improved (like MJ and TH) during the summer makes raises the ceiling of the team even farther. Having too many good players to find time for is a good problem to have for the staff IMO as opposed to last year when Prohm was just trying patch work a roster.
This exactly. I dont know how you keep THT off the court right now.
PG: Babb
SG: LW
SF: THT
SF: Shayok
PF: Lard
Bench: Jacobson, Talley, Halliburton, Young
It sucks seeing Young fall on the depth chart but makes sense with recruiting over him. He will still play plenty but not multidimensional enough to play in front of the others listed IMO.
