The idea of.."Get Bamba or we're gonna suck inside and on the boards" has been beaten into peoples heads so much they can't get past it. Maybe they're right. We'll see.
*Official Lineup Thread*
- Thread starter drcats2013
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The idea of.."Get Bamba or we're gonna suck inside and on the boards" has been beaten into peoples heads so much they can't get past it. Maybe they're right. We'll see.
I think we will see Vanderbilt backing up the PG spot some. He can handle and pass. Cal loves size. I think we will see Vanderbilt, Knox, Washington, Gabriel, and Killeya-Jones on the floor together before its all said and done. Not for long periods of time, but at some point.
Wenyen may start at the beginning of the season but fans are selling our incoming freshmen forwards short. Cal has only had similar versatility and depth at the 3/4 spots once before and this group could be better. Washington, Knox, Vanderbilt, and Wenyen is unreal.
I'll say this. Although Cal will never platoon, he will definitely mass substitute to keep guys fresh. I can't imagine the defensive pressure and length he can throw at opponents.
I'll say this. Although Cal will never platoon, he will definitely mass substitute to keep guys fresh. I can't imagine the defensive pressure and length he can throw at opponents.
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Depending on matchups Richards may not start. Because this roster gives Cal plenty of options, I truly expect to see a variety of positionless basketball. Wenyen and SKJ have some work to do if they want to log minutes. We are far better on the interior and wings than last season.
I like that team, but I'd start PJ or Vanderbilt over Wenyen. PJ might be the premier PF in the country this year. Great passer, good mid-range and decent 3-P shooter, and a great rebounder who is 6'8'' and plays even bigger. I think Vanderbilt's skill set is great too, but from the films I've seen (which do not always tell the whole story), I think PJ gets the nod. SGA and Vanderbilt will get a lot of minutes and may even start before season's end. Who knows? Baker might even play significant minutes before March rolls around band who knows whether SKJ develops into a big time player.
No idea who the starting five will be. However wouldn't it be fun to be able to sit in on the practice sessions and see the competition for those spots?
PG - Green 30 mins
SG - Diallo 30 mins
SF - Knox 30 mins
Vanderbilt subs for those three for the other 30 minutes.
PF - Washington/Gabriel 20/20 mins
C - SKJ/Richards 20/20 mins
SGA gets 5-10 minutes per game due to foul trouble.
Fine tune as needed.
SG - Diallo 30 mins
SF - Knox 30 mins
Vanderbilt subs for those three for the other 30 minutes.
PF - Washington/Gabriel 20/20 mins
C - SKJ/Richards 20/20 mins
SGA gets 5-10 minutes per game due to foul trouble.
Fine tune as needed.
The trend throughout basketball is smaller (at the top end), with more versatility and skill, and very few teams rely much on a post scorer. UNC last year was something of an anomaly, and even with them, their main 2 scoring options were the PG and a pure 3 who did a lot of his damage on the perimeter.
The UK roster next year will be perfect to test out how well a no big lineup might work. I'm sure Richards and SKJ will get a chance to make their marks, and I'll be surprised if one isn't a starter, but I want to see what a lineup of Green, Diallo, Vanderbilt, Knox, and Washington can do. Or sub in SGA for Green, and you have 5 guys all between 6'5" and 6'9", all exceptionally long, 4 of them stud athletes. Washington and Vanderbilt were superb rebounders in HS, and that's usually something that translates. The obvious question with that lineup is who would be able to guard a big guy, but as Draymond Green has shown, a smaller guy with some length, bulk, and the right mindset can handle much bigger guys. Washington has a similar build, and could possibly fill that role.
The UK roster next year will be perfect to test out how well a no big lineup might work. I'm sure Richards and SKJ will get a chance to make their marks, and I'll be surprised if one isn't a starter, but I want to see what a lineup of Green, Diallo, Vanderbilt, Knox, and Washington can do. Or sub in SGA for Green, and you have 5 guys all between 6'5" and 6'9", all exceptionally long, 4 of them stud athletes. Washington and Vanderbilt were superb rebounders in HS, and that's usually something that translates. The obvious question with that lineup is who would be able to guard a big guy, but as Draymond Green has shown, a smaller guy with some length, bulk, and the right mindset can handle much bigger guys. Washington has a similar build, and could possibly fill that role.
Nah, winning 6 straight games on a neutral court is the hardest thing to do in sports. I like how you set us up for "win it all" or it's a failure, though. I won't view it that way. I view it as several months of FUN.
I like this but would substitute Gabriel for Vanderbilt in the beginning only because Cal will reward Gabriel for his off season work and not want to lose him in the shuffle early, but believe Vanderbilt will force Cal to start him later on just because he's better and all he can do. That said I do think Gabriel comes out much better than last year and that the 4 spot could be real positive for us overall.
Look, I am a friend of BBN, but this roster Cal is assembling might be his most impressive yet IMO. Nearly the entire roster were McD's AAs and 5 stars. Shouldn't you expect a team of essentially all stars to win it all? I don't see more than 1 or 2 losses tops from this group. Now when those happen is anyone's best guess.
I know, and I am not sure why...we have a legit 3 this year in Knox, and probably even a legit back up 3 in Vanderbilt, If Richards gets in foul trouble or isn't developing as fast as hoped...would we really be in trouble with a two true PF set in Washington/Gabriel with Knox at the 3? or Washington/Knox/Vanderbilt.. 6'8, 6'8. 6'7? The mixes and matches are all over, toss in SKJ with Washington and Knox...you have 6'10, 6'8, 6'8..
Washington is 6'8 230-235lbs, with a 7'3 wingspan
Knox was measured at 6'9, 203 with a 6'11 wing span (team USA 2017)
Vanderbilt was measured 6'8.5, 203 with a 6'11.5 wingspan
Wenyen is 6'9, 205 with a 6'11 wingspan
SKJ is 6'10, 229lbs with a 7'3 wingspan
Richards is 6'11, 240..with a 7'4 wingspan
all these players have a standing reach of over 8'10
This team is TALL, and LONG... mix and match them anyway you like.
Yeah, other teams will want to set up this team as a "win it all or it's a failure" goaled team....guess what, EVERY TEAM that doesn't hang a banner FAILED, just because they don't have a team full of 5 stars doesn't mean they didn't fail, they FAILED to recruit well enough to win it all....sorry bout that. NO TEAM or it's FANS starts the season thinking "it's ok if we don't win it all... if we (INSERT COP OUT, WE ALREADY KNOW WE ARE A FAILURE GOAL HERE) I'll be satisfied" They might say it, but it's just a way for them to feel better about themselves or their team when they are playing in the NIT or exit in the first round, they can fake smile through their disappointment and claim "hey, I never expected us to win it all....I just stayed up late and watched every game this season for the hell of it, knowing we were going to suck".
But do you agree with my sentiment? Sure, y'all play some tough teams and the squad will be young, but the talent.. it should trump nearly everyone, especially late.
No I never set myself up for nothing less than a championship. The haters think we are miserable unless we win it all and it's not even close to true with me. It's all about winter entertainment and I'm being thoroughly entertained.
I just can't see keeping JV out of the starting line up with his versatility and skill set. Maybe he will be used as a spark off the bench to start the year, but he has to find his way in to the line up at some point, imo. He just does too much on the court, a la MKG.
This is one of the toughest years in recent memory to determine minutes/lineup imo. Here's how I would start the season. Then, let the players earn more/less minutes (i.e. Wenyon, SKJ, Green/Alexander, etc.). I hope that Wenyon and SKJ have improved enough to get more than 15 minutes per game. Not too keen on playing all freshmen.
PG: Green 25 mpg, Alexander 15 mpg
SG: Diallo 30 mpg, Knox 10 mpg
SF: Knox 20 mpg, Vanderbilt 20 mpg
PF: Washington 20 mpg, Wenyon 15 mpg, Vanderbilt 5 mpg
C: Richards 20 mpg, SKJ 15 mpg, Washington 5 mpg
If shooter needed: Baker
If bruiser needed: Wynyard
PG: Green 25 mpg, Alexander 15 mpg
SG: Diallo 30 mpg, Knox 10 mpg
SF: Knox 20 mpg, Vanderbilt 20 mpg
PF: Washington 20 mpg, Wenyon 15 mpg, Vanderbilt 5 mpg
C: Richards 20 mpg, SKJ 15 mpg, Washington 5 mpg
If shooter needed: Baker
If bruiser needed: Wynyard
Cal has mentioned how he would love to have a team where he can play five guys around 6'9 that can all handle the ball.
This may be the team that could do that at times:
PG Vanderbilt(6'9)
SG Knox(6'9)
SF Washington(6'8)
PF Gabriel(6'9)
C Killeya-Jones(6'10)
Defensively, that team could switch everything and be tough to shoot over.
Not sure we will ever see that lineup, but it is intriguing.
This may be the team that could do that at times:
PG Vanderbilt(6'9)
SG Knox(6'9)
SF Washington(6'8)
PF Gabriel(6'9)
C Killeya-Jones(6'10)
Defensively, that team could switch everything and be tough to shoot over.
Not sure we will ever see that lineup, but it is intriguing.
Bottom line, NO TEAM or coach in the entire history of the NCAA has ever lost five starters and 93% of it's scoring and even made the tournament the following year, let alone win it all.. I doubt there has ever been a team lose 93% of it's scoring and won the NIT the following year. That's what you rival fans don't get... y'all say the same garbage every year "with a roster like that, anything less than a championship is a failure", really? Guess what, at the end of the 2011 season, Kentucky lost 3 out of 5 starters, and 45% of it's scoring, came back the following year and won it all...y'all said "well KY was suppose to win with that roster"...but how many teams have ever lost 3 of 5 starters, 45% of it's scoring, and won it all the following year???
At the end of the 2012-2013 season UK lost 4 of 5 starters, 56% of its scoring... all they did was made it to the NCAA Championship game...opposing fans called it a failure, guess what, making the NCAA tourney after losing 4 of 5 starters and 56% your scoring..is unlikely, making the sweet 16 is nearly impossible, making the final four is stupid unreal, and the odds of making the championship game are astronomical...how many coaches in the history of the NCAA tourney have lost 4 of 5 starters, 56% of their offense, and made the championship game the following year? I am calling it ONE...Kentucky/John Calipari, show me another.
Calipari lost 78% of his scoring following the 2015-2016 season, came back last year and made the Elite 8, he was a basket away from the final four...ASTRONOMICAL...how many coaches have done that?? Find me another...until somebody shows me one, I am saying Calipari did what no other coach has ever done.
Now...with that all being said... if Kentucky wins the national championship next year, rival fans will say "well..Ky was supposed to win", but in reality...Calipari will have accomplished what no other coach in the history of the NCAA tourney has done, lost all five starters, 93% of his team's scoring...and won the NCAA championship the following year... infact, making the tourney would be something very few if any have ever done..sweet 16..unreal, final four...WOW..after losing 5 starters and 93% of his scoring???!! NO WAY!!! Championship...after losing 5 starters and 93% of his scoring????!!!! IMPOSSIBLE!!!!!! Well....IMPOSSIBLE for anybody else but Calipari....hell, Calipari is so damn good, he can lose 5 starters, 93% of his scoring, and rival fans will tell you anything less than a championship the following year is a failure... that man must be DAMN GOOD!!
Arizona might threaten 40-0. Let's jinx them now 40-0 for Arizona. As for our starters;
Green
Diallo
Knox-would of been the 2
Weynen or Washington
Richards
That's the 5 I feel cal will start us with
Green
Diallo
Knox-would of been the 2
Weynen or Washington
Richards
That's the 5 I feel cal will start us with
I didn't read all of this, but I agree Cal is a great coach. All I'm saying is, since this is his formula for winning, I believe this might be your most talented roster yet. And since y'all have won it all with this formula and played for another, I expect greatness from this group, whether you lost most of your scoring or not. The players coming in are usually just as good and are around the same age.
Guys please follow the link and let az fans know they will be going 40-0, much like duke last yr.
https://forums.rivals.com/threads/arizona-is-gonna-be-filthy-next-year.732356/
https://forums.rivals.com/threads/arizona-is-gonna-be-filthy-next-year.732356/
We're going to lose at least 4-5 games. Too young to run the regular season wire to wire, plus we always lose an SEC game or 2
Rival fans want us to fail, EVERY.SINGLE.ONE.OF.THEM. The one's that come here and say "aw shucks, I love BBN" are full of it. They are dying to beat us and don't want us getting players. When you call them out, they say "who, me"?
![[eyeroll]](http://l.yimg.com/j/assets/img/emoticons/rolleye/rolleye0011.r191677.gif "Eye roll [eyeroll]")
My prediction:
G Green(34)/Diallo(3)/Vanderbilt(3)
G Diallo(29)/Knox(11)
F Knox(16)/Vanderbilt(14)/Washington(10)
F Vanderbilt(9)/Gabriel(19)/Washington(12)
F Richards(19)/Killeya-Jones(19)/Gabriel(2)
Green- 34
Diallo- 32
Knox- 27
Vanderbilt- 26
Washington- 22
Gabriel- 21
Richards- 19
Killeya-Jones- 19
8-man rotation. All 5-star players.
I think this is our rotation by tourney time.
G Green(34)/Diallo(3)/Vanderbilt(3)
G Diallo(29)/Knox(11)
F Knox(16)/Vanderbilt(14)/Washington(10)
F Vanderbilt(9)/Gabriel(19)/Washington(12)
F Richards(19)/Killeya-Jones(19)/Gabriel(2)
Green- 34
Diallo- 32
Knox- 27
Vanderbilt- 26
Washington- 22
Gabriel- 21
Richards- 19
Killeya-Jones- 19
8-man rotation. All 5-star players.
I think this is our rotation by tourney time.
Just going to throw my .02 in.
PG - Green
SG - Diallo
SF - Knox
PF - Washington
C - Richards
Bench
Alexander - Backs up both guard positions
Vanderbilt - Energy guy off the bech like MKG during the title run.
Gabriel - Teaming with Vanderbilt to back up the 3/4.
SKJ - Major minutes backing up Richards (or it could be reversed if Jones has developed over the offseason)
I see that being the 9 man rotation with Baker getting some minutes for foul trouble or needing someone to knock down some outside jumpers.
PG - Green
SG - Diallo
SF - Knox
PF - Washington
C - Richards
Bench
Alexander - Backs up both guard positions
Vanderbilt - Energy guy off the bech like MKG during the title run.
Gabriel - Teaming with Vanderbilt to back up the 3/4.
SKJ - Major minutes backing up Richards (or it could be reversed if Jones has developed over the offseason)
I see that being the 9 man rotation with Baker getting some minutes for foul trouble or needing someone to knock down some outside jumpers.
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Bingo, to start the season anyway. I think Richards could win the starting spot down the road.
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