Batemon at the 3 is a small line-up. Might see it in spurts but he's really more of a 2-guard
2026-27 Starting Lineup and rotation predictions
- Thread starter ScottyP
- Start date
Cyclonepride
Thought Police
That appears to be how TJ tries to set it up. Good experience at every position to establish a strong floor for the team, and if a young player or two breaks through, the ceiling just keeps rising.
I have faith Singleton will find his shot enough to be respected. Might be streaky next year still but he has a history of shooting and there's a reason they let him have over 50 attempts last season.
An offseason with "the shot doctor" and crawford should help. Also it'll be his second year in a P4 conference for confidence and Northwestern being bad probably didn't help with his rhythm
This is pretty much what I envision, but hope Wiggins can steal minutes and maybe even Kiss. Wonder if Wiggins could slot in at the 3 sometimes too.
Also think singleton/manning might start 50/50 but be more like 75/25 by end of year.
Also Bond at the 2 sometimes could put more length around Johnson running point when Toure rests
Feel like Johnson starts over Batemon because he's a prototypical PG. Batemon will still play 25+mpg. TJ has done that with CUJO & Heise as 6th man.
And seems like Bonds length/athleticism is something TJ will fall in love with. And IMO he can make around 40% of 3's. Albeit much lower volume than Momcilovic.
IMO, we need at least one of Manning, Mitchell, or either of the 2 freshmen bigs to step up and play significant minutes. Without any of them the lineups are pretty small, and rebounding will be an issue.
Cyclonepride
Thought Police
I think everyone is underrating Manning. TJ saw him in person and wanted him, enough said. IMO, we should feel really, really good about our front court next year with Singleton/Manning, Buchanan/Pleta and others guys only breaking through if they hit the court ready to play as freshmen.
Id guess Johnson comes off the bench sow e have 40 minutes with a POA defender w/ Prather or Bond starting instead
I for one am not underestimating Manning. I think he is a critical piece. I’m not sure how much he plays, minute wise, but I do think he’ll be in the rotation.
Cyclonepride
Thought Police
We may not be as talented at the 4 as we were with Jefferson (unless Singleton really makes a jump), but we're deeper for sure. Last year, it was basically Jefferson or play small ball at that position.
I just remember in November thinking, well this Pleta guy for being what 21 or 22 years old, sure doesn't look like he's ready for Big 12 basketball. But then by March he is rebounding like an animal and scoring pretty well around the basket. Huge development over 4 months.
So, I feel like now we have 9 new guys coming in. We just have to wait and see who will surprise us by upping his game a couple notches. It could be anyone. It could be several of them. Very exciting to see what happens.
So, I feel like now we have 9 new guys coming in. We just have to wait and see who will surprise us by upping his game a couple notches. It could be anyone. It could be several of them. Very exciting to see what happens.
IMO this will be starting lineup:
Toure
Johnson
Prather
Singleton
Buchanan
Toure
Johnson
Prather
Singleton
Buchanan
Buchanan, Pleta, Singleton and Manning are all proven B12 or B1G rebounders. Bond and Prather rebound well at the 3 too. I really don't understand the concern at all
I would have to think Johnson starts as I don't know how you have a guy that was DPOY in his conference on the bench. Batemon could easily play the Curtis Jones role sort of like he did this season where he's instant offense off the bench and still gets a significant amount of playing time.
It will all shake out 1 way or another by the time the Big 12 schedule hits. It's a nice problem to have this kind of depth as the early TJ years we had a big drop off after our top 7 and this roster may push the issue about possibly going at least 9 maybe 10 deep regularly.
It will all shake out 1 way or another by the time the Big 12 schedule hits. It's a nice problem to have this kind of depth as the early TJ years we had a big drop off after our top 7 and this roster may push the issue about possibly going at least 9 maybe 10 deep regularly.
I don't care what the starting 5 is as long as we have FIVE (5) players on the court during crucial points at the end of games!!
Buchanan and Pleta don't play together.
Singleton's rebounding this year likely won't be as good as Jefferson's last year.
Prather and Bond are both plus rebounders for their position and size, but they are still 6'5 guards.
I did say Manning, or one of the others, would have to see significant minutes. Someone has to be a decent upgrade from Mulder.
Nebraska did try the 4 man defense last year without success.
I've heard Otz built this roster with a premium on rebounding, athleticism and depth after not being happy with how it looked when Jefferson went down. This team was built to be better at rebounding than last year (and will need it to compensate for less efficient first-shot scoring). To your point, Manning is definitely key there.
Singleton won't be Jefferson but he'll be good. He did have a game with 18 rebounds (Penn St tbf), and looks like he did pretty well vs Michigan, Purdue and Illinois for a freshman. He'll put on more muscle and with experience hopefully takes a leap, and if not Otz trusts Manning.
Pleta should be stronger and Buchanan as good or better than last year.
Really though, biggest difference I see is Milan was bad at rebounding for a wing and Bond is a great rebounder, and Prather seems to be plus for that position as well. Even if they're not grabbing a ton, them boxing out with more athleticism and strength will make our 4 and 5 men's lives easier
