I think Bond starts over Batemon to have the starters be the best defensive 5 to establish our will at the outset. Batemon is used to coming off the bench and providing a spark with defense and scoring.
2026-27 Starting Lineup and rotation predictions
- Thread starter ScottyP
- Start date
Singleton looks to be as good of a fast break starter as JJeff. He gets the ball to the other end fast. Looks to be a good distributor as well, though JJeff was exceptional.
But the Mr. Basketball of Wisconsin did....
They both were highly skilled offensive players in high school. They both are slow footed on defense. Takes TJ some time to develop that quickness.
demoncore1031
Well-Known Member
Toure/Johnson
Batemon/Wiggins
Bond/Prather
Singleton/Mitchell
Pleta/Buchanan
Limited minutes: Manning, Rinaldo-Komlan, Gray, Kiss.
I think Pleta gets the start at center. Buchanan would provide energy and athleticism off the bench.
I'm not sold on Manning and think Mitchell will beat him out for the backup PF spot.
Batemon/Wiggins
Bond/Prather
Singleton/Mitchell
Pleta/Buchanan
Limited minutes: Manning, Rinaldo-Komlan, Gray, Kiss.
I think Pleta gets the start at center. Buchanan would provide energy and athleticism off the bench.
I'm not sold on Manning and think Mitchell will beat him out for the backup PF spot.
Batemon, people. There is one “a” in his last name.
Can't agree at this point, not enough data on Mitchell. He is still a freshman experience wise, coming off an injury, a totally unknown commodity. Manning has much more experience and a track record of being a an excellent rebounder. Not that it couldn't happen, just not enough information to put him ahead of an experienced, productive player with Big 12 experience.
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Agree re: Johnson's/Bond's defense. They'll be playing against stiffer competition but being on the MVC all-defense teams says a lot about their effort and ability.
A few thoughts:
1.) Ryan Prather Jr. led the entire country in assist:turnover ratio last year while still scoring nearly 16 ppg. He will be a 22 year old senior. This was a really under the radar transfer signing. That type of steady presence will be huge while we break in Toure as a primary ball handler. Anyone who doesn't have Prather penciled in as a starter might want to reevaluate IMO.
2.) 15-20 more pounds of muscle on Pleta and an entire offseason with the program I wouldnt be at all surprised to see him become a household name next year. The situation reminds me so much of Hason Ward getting to campus late his first year and struggling to adjust as compared to his second season by the end of the year he was an absolute force we couldn't keep him off the floor.
3.) As you continue to look to the future here I can't help but think our four players with the highest ceilings are Toure, Batemon, Singleton and Pleta. All of those guys are making the freshman to Sophomore jump. Josiah Harrington our 2027 commit has been called the best state of Iowa recruit since Harrison Barnes. 2027-2028 we could be looking at a starting lineup of Toure, Batemon, Harrington, Singleton, Pleta. Bully Johnson as a senior. A big time scorer in Christian Wiggins Minnesota POY. We are one of the favorites for top 40 2027 recruit Donovan Davis. TJ has this thing absolutely rolling and I think 2027/2028 and 2028/2029 has a chance to be a historical run.
1.) Ryan Prather Jr. led the entire country in assist:turnover ratio last year while still scoring nearly 16 ppg. He will be a 22 year old senior. This was a really under the radar transfer signing. That type of steady presence will be huge while we break in Toure as a primary ball handler. Anyone who doesn't have Prather penciled in as a starter might want to reevaluate IMO.
2.) 15-20 more pounds of muscle on Pleta and an entire offseason with the program I wouldnt be at all surprised to see him become a household name next year. The situation reminds me so much of Hason Ward getting to campus late his first year and struggling to adjust as compared to his second season by the end of the year he was an absolute force we couldn't keep him off the floor.
3.) As you continue to look to the future here I can't help but think our four players with the highest ceilings are Toure, Batemon, Singleton and Pleta. All of those guys are making the freshman to Sophomore jump. Josiah Harrington our 2027 commit has been called the best state of Iowa recruit since Harrison Barnes. 2027-2028 we could be looking at a starting lineup of Toure, Batemon, Harrington, Singleton, Pleta. Bully Johnson as a senior. A big time scorer in Christian Wiggins Minnesota POY. We are one of the favorites for top 40 2027 recruit Donovan Davis. TJ has this thing absolutely rolling and I think 2027/2028 and 2028/2029 has a chance to be a historical run.
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Mitchell is a wing. Meaning a big 2 or a 3. Shoots well from deep and played with the ball in his hands around the perimeter in hs
Starters:
G: Toure
G: Batemon
G: Bond
F: Singleton
C: Buchanan
Rotational Players:
G: Johnson
G: Prather
W: Wiggins
F: Manning
C: Pleta
G: Toure
G: Batemon
G: Bond
F: Singleton
C: Buchanan
Rotational Players:
G: Johnson
G: Prather
W: Wiggins
F: Manning
C: Pleta
I wouldn’t call next a year a rebuild but more of a retool year. They can be a top 10-15 team but just figure out who the top dogs are for 27/28 and 28/29.
Like you said, what sophomores take that leap? How legit are Johnson and Singleton? Can Wiggins, Kiss, or DRK contribute as freshman? Then add in a talented 2027 class with Harrington and potentially Davis and Baboucarr Ann things are looking bright.
Kiss has a better chance of making the rotation at the 4 spot than Mitchell.
Kiss is raw but has more size/strength/physicality for rebounding for immediate impact as a role player and his IQ/feel gives him limitless potential. His profile is really more similar to Jefferson than Singleton is just in terms of mental processing.
Kiss has only been playing basketball 4 years and is already killing it at prep school. Usually guys who start late are freak athletes who hit a ceiling but the fact that compliments are on his feel for the game this early is crazy.
It'll be hard for anyone behind Singleton and Manning though
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