Projected Starters for Season Opener

[Pablo]

My projected starters for the season opener vs. Cornell are:

PG Marquise Moore
SG Patrick Holloway
SF Jalen Jenkins
PF Julian Royal
C Erik Copes

I believe that the Patriots need to find out right away whether Jalen can effectively transition to the "3", and Julian is the player Hewitt believes he is.

 

[gmujim92]

I agree with you, Pablo.

Other possibility is starting Gray at the 3 and picking one of JJ/Royal at the 4, but that would require Hewitt acknowledging Gray's existence on the planet. Let's say I'm a bit skeptical at this point.

Only if the season goes completely to hell would I entertain the thought of starting 1-2 of the freshmen, like we did last year with JJ and Marquise.

 

[GSII]

I like that group, if they can keep up on defense. But it's unlikely. Royal seems like a prince, so he will just shoot alot. Copes is Copes. PH cant really guard anyone. Never seen JJ guard a 3. Moore can hang with any guard, if his knees dont hurt. However, aIf JJ can guard a 3, Copes becomes a man, the other teams 4 and 2 will still torch us. Thats if we can get the ball past half court. Maybe the younger guys who arent suspended by ncaa, can give us something. Hopefully, we dont lose any scholarships after the investigation is complete.

 

[G M U]

Let's hope Royal lives up to the hype.

#41
http://www.si.com/college-basketball/2014/10/16/top-scoring-transfers-sheldon-mclellan-jalen-jones

 

[G M U]

Ditto for Holloway...
#46
http://www.si.com/college-basketbal...p-scorers-rebounders-assisters-season-preview

 

[gmulion]

For anyone who saw the scrimmage this weekend, any updates on projected starting line-up?

 

[psyclone]

I didn't see anything in the scrimmage to make me think anything different than the lineup Pablo suggested. Although neither Holloway or Jenkins were particularly impressive in the scrimmage, I'd be very surprised if they weren't starters.

Likewise for Royal who wasn't in the scrimmage. Although some of the first-years may be able to contribute, they will have to prove themselves (a la Luke Hancock) before breaking into the starting lineup.

Vaughn Gray may get some additional time if Patrick struggles from 3 and Marko may get more time if Marquis needs some help in ball movement. I'm not sure Jalen will be effective trying to make an interior pass while driving to the basket against someone who is defending him off of what I saw Saturday.

 

[mkaufman1]

If Royal is ready to go on the 14th I don't see it deviating from the first post. If Royal is limited or unavailable, I could see Jenkins starting as a 4, and putting Gray/Lockett/Mayimba at the 3.

To psyclone's point: I do think Jenkins is an effective passer, but I too am not sure if he will be able to pass and drive at the same time. I am hoping that the majority of times when he drives he goes for a shot, and that if he has to pass, hes a bit more "set".

 

[99 Patriot]

So are we pretty confident no one is going to redshirt? I like the look of Porter a lot, but with Copes/Thompson/Marko/Royal/Jenkins, I just don't see where the minutes are going to come for him.

 

[Washingtonian]

Did Porter bulk up a lot from his HS years?

 

[mkaufman1]

So are we pretty confident no one is going to redshirt? I like the look of Porter a lot, but with Copes/Thompson/Marko/Royal/Jenkins, I just don't see where the minutes are going to come for him.

I heard rumblings Thompson may red-shirt although I really like his presence on defense and on rebounding. He seemed like he was in the middle of everything during the scrimmage. His offense isn't too bad either.

Did Porter bulk up a lot from his HS years?

He looked like hes gained a few pounds. He probably would be ok if he played this year, but hard to tell.

 

[gmutom]

So are we pretty confident no one is going to redshirt? I like the look of Porter a lot, but with Copes/Thompson/Marko/Royal/Jenkins, I just don't see where the minutes are going to come for him.

I think Hewitt would definitely be thinking that way if his job wasn't in jeopardy. I'm sure he's only thinking about this year instead of a few years down the line, which probably isn't a good thing for our program.

 

[Junkees9]

Does anybody have a solid update on Mayimba and his status? Is he going to play or not?

 

[A.-Siegfried]

I'd do this because I'm not sold on Jenkins playing the 3:

Moore
Pat
VG
JJ
Copes

I'd redshirt Thompson to polish up his offense for a year. I've got minutes to give to the freshman out on the wing if you don't trust VG to play 22-25 a night. I've got plenty down low because Copes will be in foul trouble if he continues his past performance.

Off the bench:
Edwards
Jackson
Lockett
Marko/Royal
Parker/Royal

My minute breakdown (in a perfect world)
Moore: 30
Pat: 25
VG:25
JJ: 30
Copes: 18
Edwards: 10
Jackson: 15
Lockett:15
Marko:10
Royal: 12
Parker:10

Mix and match as needed. Want to go small? You can run Royal or Marko at the 5 with JJ at the 4. Go big? Royal and Copes together down low with JJ spending a couple of minutes at the 3 and Jackson or VG at the 2 with Moore running the 1.

Yes, I left off Mayimba at this point because I don't know if he will be available on November 14th. If he is...this changes. I've got to find out early if VG can give me 20+ minutes a night of solid offense and at least average defense. If by the end of the PR trip he can't, then unfortunately he is regulated to mop up duty as a senior. He's the best offensive player on the team, if he would only realize it. It's a shame he didn't show the last 3 years.

 

[gmutom]

Siegfried, do you really only see Royal getting 12 minutes a game? I ask not because I think he warrants more time but because Hewitt was raving about him at Brion's after the open practice this summer. Maybe I read too much into it, but I inferred he'd be starting and getting a ton of minutes.

 

[Pablo]

Siegfried, do you really only see Royal getting 12 minutes a game? I ask not because I think he warrants more time but because Hewitt was raving about him at Brion's after the open practice this summer. Maybe I read too much into it, but I inferred he'd be starting and getting a ton of minutes.

Tom,

I agree! Hopefully, Julian will be healthy for the opener. I also hope that Thompson doesn't redshirt. I enjoyed watching the twin towers (Thompson & Porter at the "5" and "4", respectively) playing together at the scrimmage on Saturday.

 

[gmutom]

Again, I'm not advocating for Royal to play more (haven't seen him enough), but just trying to figure out where he stands based on Hewitt's comments. Maybe 12 minutes is a lot for a redshirt sophomore.

In terms of redshirting a big man if we go that direction, wouldn't it make more sense to have Porter sit a year to gain some weight and experience rather than a JUCO transfer whose body already appears ready to bang around in the A10. I know Thompson is still raw offensively, but he still seems more polished than Porter.

 

[Pablo]

Again, I'm not advocating for Royal to play more (haven't seen him enough), but just trying to figure out where he stands based on Hewitt's comments. Maybe 12 minutes is a lot for a redshirt sophomore.

In terms of redshirting a big man if we go that direction, wouldn't it make more sense to have Porter sit a year to gain some weight and experience rather than a JUCO transfer whose body already appears ready to bang around in the A10. I know Thompson is still raw offensively, but he still seems more polished than Porter.

Julian Royal is actually a redshirt junior. I also believe it would be a mistake to redshirt Thompson, who IMO is the most viable backup for Copes at the "5".

 

[gmutom]

Julian Royal is actually a redshirt junior.

My mistake. I thought he played one year at GT, sat last year after transferring and had three years of eligibility left.

 

[Patriotfan49]

Siegfried, do you really only see Royal getting 12 minutes a game? I ask not because I think he warrants more time but because Hewitt was raving about him at Brion's after the open practice this summer. Maybe I read too much into it, but I inferred he'd be starting and getting a ton of minutes.

Didn't he rave about Okoloji too?

Any word on is Mayimba's status? IMO if we redshirt a big, I would prefer Porter. Save four years for him and if he could get on the Jenkins swole program he should be in prime shape to take over some major minutes next year.