Starting 5 and rotation

[Sigmapolis]

Speculation for 2026-27 here. I assume eligible returners do return.

PG -- Toure takes over for the dearly departed Lipsey. Gray might come in ready to be the backup, but I would imagine an experienced PG for depth might be on the shopping list next spring.

SG -- Batemon is the man here. Ready to take over the Big 12. Williams off the RS has some potential, but I hope Wiggins has a development path similar to Batemon where he is ready to play a significant role from the very start. Another depth/experienced SG in the vein of Nelson might be on the list.

F -- Momcilovic returning (obviously a big assumption...) simplifies things greatly. I don't know his intentions (big paycheck from another program? go pro to "start the clock" a year earlier? etc.), but assuming he returns he's the centerpiece. It would be *his* team and go as far as he can will them to go as a senior. Hopefully Mitchell has something to offer after at least one if not two all-Big 12 guys are set to depart.

Might want to go shopping here for another depth/experience guy.

C -- Hopefully Buchanan is back as that defensive Big Rob-type big man. Hopefully Pleta is back as the more offensive-first option though with a year of practice and seasoning in the Big 12 under him. Might want to get one more true center if only as a "break glass in case of emergency" guy on the bench and for practice.

Something like...

Toure
Batemon
Wiggins
Momcilovic
Buchanan

 

[Frak]

I would really like to see them play Toure, Batemon and Nelson as much as possible early on. They need to limit Tamins minutes and exposure to injury.

I do think that they start the season Lipsey, Heise, Momcilivic, Jefferson, Buchanan before Batemon eventually moves Heise to a 6th man role at the 2-3 and Nelson as the 7th man. But I also think that the lineup to close out games is going to be Lipsey, Nelson, Heise, Momcilivic, Jefferson. That’s a lineup that can D up and get to the FT line.

I do hope that Toure gets 5 mpg and maybe Nelson plays 5mpg at PG too. I think that they need to keep Lipsey under 30. And more like 20 in noncon patsy games.

 

[cayin]

Why do people think Toure is likely to be a primary ball handler behind Tamin? Heise, Nelson, and Bateman all seem significantly more likely to be primary ball handlers when Tamin is off the court. I'm excited about Toure and think he might be able to crack the rotation this year, but have I missed something that makes people think he's an on ball player (particularly as a freshman)?

In Williams and Blum latest podcast, they said Toure will be the back up point guard, he will be the primary ball handler when Tamin is not in.

 

[alexssdean12]

Speculation for 2026-27 here. I assume eligible returners do return.

PG -- Toure takes over for the dearly departed Lipsey. Gray might come in ready to be the backup, but I would imagine an experienced PG for depth might be on the shopping list next spring.

SG -- Batemon is the man here. Ready to take over the Big 12. Williams off the RS has some potential, but I hope Wiggins has a development path similar to Batemon where he is ready to play a significant role from the very start. Another depth/experienced SG in the vein of Nelson might be on the list.

F -- Momcilovic returning (obviously a big assumption...) simplifies things greatly. I don't know his intentions (big paycheck from another program? go pro to "start the clock" a year earlier? etc.), but assuming he returns he's the centerpiece. It would be *his* team and go as far as he can will them to go as a senior. Hopefully Mitchell has something to offer after at least one if not two all-Big 12 guys are set to depart.

Might want to go shopping here for another depth/experience guy.

C -- Hopefully Buchanan is back as that defensive Big Rob-type big man. Hopefully Pleta is back as the more offensive-first option though with a year of practice and seasoning in the Big 12 under him. Might want to get one more true center if only as a "break glass in case of emergency" guy on the bench and for practice.

Something like...

Toure
Batemon
Wiggins
Momcilovic
Buchanan

Don't forget about Mason Williams who is medically redshirting this year. The staff was high on him and I think he would play a lot.

 

[NoCreativity]

I would really like to see them play Toure, Batemon and Nelson as much as possible early on. They need to limit Tamins minutes and exposure to injury

Not happening, we try to wish this into existence every year and the starters still play 25+ against Sacred Heart while the guys who need developmental minutes play 4.

 

[CoachHines3]

Not happening, we try to wish this into existence every year and the starters still play 25+ against Sacred Heart while the guys who need developmental minutes play 4.

thats how we can manipulate the NET!!!

 

[Sigmapolis]

Don't forget about Mason Williams who is medically redshirting this year. The staff was high on him and I think he would play a lot.

I mentioned him.



I'm aware of him as an upside play. But he will be coming off a significant injury from the Big Sky to the Big 12. Gilbert (MWC) and Jones (MAC) came from much better initial conferences.

Of course, I hope he will be a guy who can add something. There are going to be a ton of guard minutes up for grabs. But Wiggins is going to have way more upside and hence the rest up there.

To modify a phase, I hope "Wiggins came in and took over the pride and killed all the others."

 

[MJ271]

Not happening, we try to wish this into existence every year and the starters still play 25+ against Sacred Heart while the guys who need developmental minutes play 4.

Just to compare non-conference minutes per game of some notable guards in college basketball last season, ordered by mpg:

• Braden Smith: 35.8 mpg
• RJ Davis: 33.9 mpg
• Mark Sears: 32 mpg
• Dajuan Harris: 30.4 mpg
• LJ Cryer: 30.1 mpg
• Caleb Love: 29.9 mpg
• Keshon Gilbert: 29.7 mpg
• Zeke Mayo: 28.5 mpg
• Curtis Jones: 28 mpg
• Tamin Lipsey: 26.9 mpg
• Milos Uzan: 26.5 mpg
• Emmanuel Sharp: 26.5 mpg

Even after this context, maybe you still want Lipsey and other starters to play less, and that's fine. But this context certainly does not tell the story that many on here seem to think about Otz's rotations in non-conference play. Most coaches still play their starters 25 or even 30+ minutes in non-conference play.

 

[Frak]

Just to compare non-conference minutes per game of some notable guards in college basketball last season, ordered by mpg:

• Braden Smith: 35.8 mpg
• RJ Davis: 33.9 mpg
• Mark Sears: 32 mpg
• Dajuan Harris: 30.4 mpg
• LJ Cryer: 30.1 mpg
• Caleb Love: 29.9 mpg
• Keshon Gilbert: 29.7 mpg
• Zeke Mayo: 28.5 mpg
• Curtis Jones: 28 mpg
• Tamin Lipsey: 26.9 mpg
• Milos Uzan: 26.5 mpg
• Emmanuel Sharp: 26.5 mpg

Even after this context, maybe you still want Lipsey and other starters to play less, and that's fine. But this context certainly does not tell the story that many on here seem to think about Otz's rotations in non-conference play. Most coaches still play their starters 25 or even 30+ minutes in non-conference play.

I’m sure you’re right with the stats, but the fact is that Lipsey has not made it through a season uninjured. I feel like he needs different rules. And we better be ready for when he has to miss a few games.

 

[CyberCy79]

Would be fairly surprised if this isn't the 8/9 man rotation.

Lipsey
Heise
Momcilovic
Jefferson
Buchanan

Nelson
Batemon
Mulder/Pleta

If Nelson and/or Batemon is the real deal I wouldn't at all be surprised if this team hangs around a top 10 ranking all year and right back in contention for a 2/3 seed in the tournament.

Williams and Blum are fairly confident that Batemon is a starter at the 2. Hitting his shots, playing with defensive intensity, and he just keeps getting better.

 

[MJ271]

I’m sure you’re right with the stats, but the fact is that Lipsey has not made it through a season uninjured. I feel like he needs different rules. And we better be ready for when he has to miss a few games.

Yeah, and that's fine. My post was more targeted at those who think that Otz plays all of the starters too much during non-con with the goal of running up scores, when the numbers really tell a pretty different story.

On Lipsey, the issue is whether playing less would actually help him stay healthy, and where is the right line for him. The only way to guarantee his health is to not play him in games where he's not needed. But I don't think anyone would suggest that, since then he might not be ready for other games and might not have the conditioning to stay healthy when he is needed for 35+ minutes in a really tight Big 12 game.

 

[GoodOleDays]

Williams and Blum are fairly confident that Batemon is a starter at the 2. Hitting his shots, playing with defensive intensity, and he just keeps getting better.

Yeah to summarize the podcast, the freshmen guards will both play, and are ahead of any freshman guards we've seen lately, including Tamin.

Batemon is the most consistent 2 guard in practice, and Toure is good enough to be trusted as back up point guard when Lipsey is out.

Unfortunately, Pleta's defense isn't there yet. Hopefully fall helps but who knows.

Milan is the best on the team in practice and it's not close (note: with JJ out).

Pretty confident all of these 9 are expected to play. Just Pleta TBD

1 - Lipsey
2 - Batemon
3 - Milan
4 - Jefferson
5 - Buchanan

Heise (2 and 3?)
Nelson (2)
Mulder (5, sometimes 4?)
Toure (1)

 

[FinalFourCy]

I mentioned him.

View attachment 153646

I'm aware of him as an upside play. But he will be coming off a significant injury from the Big Sky to the Big 12. Gilbert (MWC) and Jones (MAC) came from much better initial conferences.

The MAC isn’t a much better conference than the Big Sky- it’s not even better by several rating systems.

Williams has arguably a better profile than Jones as a transfer, and the upside high, as suggested by the staff’s willingness to take a known injury risk, then keep when it became clear he was unlikely to fill a hole this upcoming season.

Whether it’s better Williams or Wiggins plays more is wide open based on what we know right now, which is little for both imo. Arguably Wiggins playing a lot as a freshman would represent a lack of quality alternatives (for instance, Williams slowed by injury) as it does it being a higher upside case.

 

[VeloClone]

Yeah to summarize the podcast, the freshmen guards will both play, and are ahead of any freshman guards we've seen lately, including Tamin.

Batemon is the most consistent 2 guard in practice, and Toure is good enough to be trusted as back up point guard when Lipsey is out.

Unfortunately, Pleta's defense isn't there yet. Hopefully fall helps but who knows.

Milan is the best on the team in practice and it's not close (note: with JJ out).

Pretty confident all of these 9 are expected to play. Just Pleta TBD

1 - Lipsey
2 - Batemon
3 - Milan
4 - Jefferson
5 - Buchanan

Heise (2 and 3?)
Nelson (2)
Mulder (5, sometimes 4?)
Toure (1)

If Batemon is better than end of year Heise and Buchanan is as advertised this could be a very dangerous team.

I'm not sure which newcomer was talking about it, but the comments about the guards' collective goal being able to tag team defending up the opponents' best guards and frustrating/wearing them down is semi-erotic.

 

[GoodOleDays]

If Batemon is better than end of year Heise and Buchanan is as advertised this could be a very dangerous team.

I'm not sure which newcomer was talking about it, but the comments about the guards' collective goal being able to tag team defending up the opponents' best guards and frustrating/wearing them down is semi-erotic.

Batemon's interview. I'm really excited to see that in action vs Braden Smith. Same for BYU's backcourt

 

[GoodOleDays]

The MAC isn’t a much better conference than the Big Sky- it’s not even better by several rating systems.

Williams has arguably a better profile than Jones as a transfer, and the upside high, as suggested by the staff’s willingness to take a known injury risk, then keep when it became clear he was unlikely to fill a hole this upcoming season.

Whether it’s better Williams or Wiggins plays more is wide open based on what we know right now, which is little for both imo. Arguably Wiggins playing a lot as a freshman would represent a lack of quality alternatives (for instance, Williams slowed by injury) as it does it being a higher upside case.

Brent Blum's comments on the podcast after William's transferred in have sold me on his upside. The staff clearly chose and prioritized him as a Jone's-like archetype but with higher ceiling, and his shooting is very underrated when you consider he was playing injured last year.

Wiggins will come down to consistency. He had a rough patch over the summer and dropped a lot in rankings, but seems to be doing better again. Regardless, he'll be a freshman.

Williams in rotation next year seems like a safe bet. Wiggins TBD

 

[ForeverIowan]

If Batemon is better than end of year Heise and Buchanan is as advertised this could be a very dangerous team.

I'm not sure which newcomer was talking about it, but the comments about the guards' collective goal being able to tag team defending up the opponents' best guards and frustrating/wearing them down is semi-erotic.

Said it before but if Batemon can provide a similar type of impact as Pettiford from Auburn this past year this team has a chance to be really dang good.

Buchanan and Batemon are the two most crucial players entering the year IMO.

 

[FinalFourCy]

Brent Blum's comments on the podcast after William's transferred in have sold me on his upside. The staff clearly chose and prioritized him as a Jone's-like archetype but with higher ceiling, and his shooting is very underrated when you consider he was playing injured last year.

Wiggins will come down to consistency. He had a rough patch over the summer and dropped a lot in rankings, but seems to be doing better again. Regardless, he'll be a freshman.

Williams in rotation next year seems like a safe bet. Wiggins TBD

It is a bummer that he isn’t healthy this year. I agree, it seemed like the staff prioritized him.
(We wouldn’t have Nelson if he were healthy imo. I’m hoping Nelson surprises me)

My only material disagreement with Sig was that the MAC isn’t much better than Big Sky, which has notable implications on how we compare Williams as a transfer to Jones

But Jones was a special player. Probably moot to compare profiles, as that is unlikely for most low major transfers in Year 1 or freshman

 

[Sigmapolis]

The MAC isn’t a much better conference than the Big Sky- it’s not even better by several rating systems.

Williams has arguably a better profile than Jones as a transfer, and the upside high, as suggested by the staff’s willingness to take a known injury risk, then keep when it became clear he was unlikely to fill a hole this upcoming season.

Whether it’s better Williams or Wiggins plays more is wide open based on what we know right now, which is little for both imo. Arguably Wiggins playing a lot as a freshman would represent a lack of quality alternatives (for instance, Williams slowed by injury) as it does it being a higher upside case.

Color me surprised the MAC is such a weak basketball conference.



I would hope Wiggins having a large role is less "lack of better options" and more like what happened with freshman Momcilovic and what we hope happens with freshman Batemon.

They're just that good that early it's hard not to play 'em or even start 'em.

And yeah, Gilbert and Jones might mess with our expectations for guard transfers for a while. It's not often you're going to find two all-Big 12 level guys like those two on the scrap heap.

TJ and the staff are alchemists but even that ability has its limits.

 

[CloneFan65]

Starter/Sub

Lipsey/Toure
Batemon/Nelson
Momciliovic/Heise
Jefferson/Mulder
Buchanon/Pleta