2026-27 Starting Lineup and rotation predictions

[ScottyP]

Now that the roster is finalized for the most part, who do you think will be the starters?

G: Toure
G: Johnson
G: Batemon
F: Singleton
F: Buchanan

Rotational Players:
G: Bond
G: Prather
F: Manning
F: Pleta

Bench (limited Minutes):
Mitchell
Rinaldo-Komlan
Wiggins
Kiss

Possible Redshirt (due to injury):
Gray

I think Bond is a starting candidate, but not sure who that pushes to the bench.

 

[KennyPratt42]

The 9 guys you listed in your first two categories definitively seem like the pool that significant minutes will come from.

It will be surprising if Toure and Batemon aren't starters/playing significant minutes.

Buchanan and Pleta likely won't be on the floor together much at all, like last year. I wouldn't be shocked if Pleta is pushing for a lot more minutes than he got this year. I think Buchanan stays the starter as a senior, but it wouldn't surprise me if they are both playing around 20 minutes a game.

Either Manning or Singleton will likely start as the other front court player, I really like Singleton's upside and hope he is one of our best 3 players next year, but can see a world where it takes him a little while to integrate into TJs system. Manning from everything I've seen and hear will play hard, rebound, and defend. I think people are sleeping a little on how much he might play given what TJ likes to do. Manning is the guy I think there is the widest range of how many minutes he plays of anyone on the roster, could be spot minutes or could be one of our main rotation guys.

Johnson, Bond, and Prather feel about impossible to know how minutes will shake out. They are all coming up a level and have somewhat different physical tools and skillsets. Feels like there is going to be about 60 minutes per game to go around for those 3. The third guard spot + when Toure/Batemon aren't on the court + any four guard lineup we play.

 

[mgordon]

Toure, Bateman, Bond, Singleton, and Buchanan is my prediction- With Johnson, Prather, Pleta, Manning off the bench. Wiggins, Kiss, or DKR possibly carving out a role and replacing someone in the rotation.

 

[bawbie]

I view it this way:

Guards (2 positions): Toure / Batemon / Johnson (Gray and Wiggins on bench)
Wing: Bond / Prather (Mitchell on bench)
Forward: Singleton / Manning (Kiss on bench)
Center: Buchanan / Pleta (DKR on bench)

Starters in bold.
The guards will have the 3 players with an even 27-29 minute split between them
The wing, forward, center positions will be close to 50/50, with both players between 15-25 minutes and a lot of matchup dependencies.

 

[enisthemenace]

Johnson
Toure
Bond
Singleton
Buchanan

Batemon
Pleta
Prather
Manning

Wiggins

I can see a case for either Bond or Batemon starting. Johnson will start, and play a lot, I think.

 

[Cyclonepride]

Now that the roster is finalized for the most part, who do you think will be the starters?

G: Toure
G: Johnson
G: Batemon
F: Singleton
F: Buchanan

Rotational Players:
G: Bond
G: Prather
F: Manning
F: Pleta

Bench (limited Minutes):
Mitchell
Rinaldo-Komlan
Wiggins
Kiss

Possible Redshirt (due to injury):
Gray

I think Bond is a starting candidate, but not sure who that pushes to the bench.

I agree on the starting lineup (though it may change as the dust settles and everyone gets more comfortable). I think Wiggins might find a way to break into the rotation though. Maybe Kiss too.

 

[MartyFine]

I do not believe the Minnesota player of the year is coming to Ames to sit on the bench.

 

[Clone5]

These lineups are going to be very interesting to monitor from a spacing/shooting standpoint. We might see some more 4 guard lineups in certain situations to get some semblance of spacing on the floor considering none of our four bigs can step out and shoot.
If Toure finds some consistency shooting the ball which I think he will this is not as big of a deal.

 

[WastedTalent]

Johnson
Toure
Bond
Singleton
Buchanan

Batemon
Pleta
Prather
Manning

Wiggins

I can see a case for either Bond or Batemon starting. Johnson will start, and play a lot, I think.

This is what I'm kind of hoping for. I think if Johnson and Bond are starting, that means their defense is good enough for TJ. And this allows Batemon to be instant offense off the bench, the Curtis Jones role.

 

[Jkclone15]

I do not believe the Minnesota player of the year is coming to Ames to sit on the bench.

Xzavion Mitchell was the Wisconsin Player of the Year coming in. It happens.

 

[Cyhig]

Lots of options on paper. I would expect 1 or 2 of the freshmen to break into the rotation at some point next year. But I also think Pleta may push Buchanan for the starting role. Pleta was late arriving to campus last summer due to his Visa. Having a full summer with the coaches will do wonders for his game. He's the player I think has the potential to improve the most from last year

 

[SoleCyclone]

Still early but would like seeing Bateman coming off the bench in a Cujo role. Provides points off the bench. Doesn't mean minutes will be low, just helps not having an offensive drop off in a 2nd unit.
Also, can see Prather/Bond equally splitting minutes based on matchups. Same thing with Buchanan/Pleta. Manning will get 10-15 depending on the game Singleton foul trouble etc

G- Johnson
G- Toure
W- Prather
F- Singleton
C- Buchanan

G- Bateman
W- Bond
F- Manning
C- Pleta

 

[Letterkenny]

I do not believe the Minnesota player of the year is coming to Ames to sit on the bench.

Wouldn't shock me if Wiggins beats out some of the transfers for playing time. Nothing is guaranteed to any of these guys though.

 

[bawbie]

Lots of options on paper. I would expect 1 or 2 of the freshmen to break into the rotation at some point next year. But I also think Pleta may push Buchanan for the starting role. Pleta was late arriving to campus last summer due to his Visa. Having a full summer with the coaches will do wonders for his game. He's the player I think has the potential to improve the most from last year

Blake is going to be a senior coming off of a great year so I don't see him coming off the bench. I could see them splitting minutes closer to 20/20 than the 25/12 it ended up last year. The biggest question in terms of Pleta's playing time is whether he gets minutes on the court with Buchanan - and that will depend on expanding his skillset a bit in terms of generating offense outside of the lane. Especially if we play a team that plays two bigs (like Tennessee last year)

I expect that the staff believes in Singleton's shot. He took almost 2 per game last year, although he didn't shot a great percentage, it's clearly something he's comfortable with.

 

[mgordon]

I view it this way:

Guards (2 positions): Toure / Batemon / Johnson (Gray and Wiggins on bench)
Wing: Bond / Prather (Mitchell on bench)
Forward: Singleton / Manning (Kiss on bench)
Center: Buchanan / Pleta (DKR on bench)

Starters in bold.
The guards will have the 3 players with an even 27-29 minute split between them
The wing, forward, center positions will be close to 50/50, with both players between 15-25 minutes and a lot of matchup dependencies.

The thing is, both Prather and Bond are versatile enough to play the 2 guard. I can easlily see a line up where they are both in with Toure or Johnson at the point.

 

[mgordon]

Still early but would like seeing Bateman coming off the bench in a Cujo role. Provides points off the bench. Doesn't mean minutes will be low, just helps not having an offensive drop off in a 2nd unit.
Also, can see Prather/Bond equally splitting minutes based on matchups. Same thing with Buchanan/Pleta. Manning will get 10-15 depending on the game Singleton foul trouble etc

G- Johnson
G- Toure
W- Prather
F- Singleton
C- Buchanan

G- Bateman
W- Bond
F- Manning
C- Pleta

I could be wrong, but I don't see Batemon not starting- My prediction is he will be our leading scorer. A line up of Johnson, Toure, and Batemon while it could work will be small. Also, Bond is more athletic, longer, and according to analytics a better defender than Prather. If history is any indication, he will be someone TJ loves to have. That's why I think he is our starter at the wing.

 

[dahliaclone]

Manning will play. Quite a bit.

 

[SoleCyclone]

Manning will play. Quite a bit.

Yeah, I can actually see a rotation where he and Singleton are on the court at the same time

 

[brokenloginagain]

a lot of options, a lot of time to let it play out in games/practice, a lot of time to debate on CF.

In year 6, might be the first time we have serious talent and depth across ALL three categories: returnees, transfers, and freshman.

 

[nrg4isu]

I could be wrong, but I don't see Batemon not starting- My prediction is he will be our leading scorer. A line up of Johnson, Toure, and Batemon while it could work will be small. Also, Bond is more athletic, longer, and according to analytics a better defender than Prather. If history is any indication, he will be someone TJ loves to have. That's why I think he is our starter at the wing.

CuJo was our leading scorer and came off the bench just last year. I see no issue with Batemon being that CuJo role.

@bawbie above nailed it. Bond gets the start over Prather due to defense. And all of the above is subject to change based on injuries, discipline, and chemistry. It's also subject to any of the above making a showing of summer/fall improvements.