Way too early starting lineup talk for the 23-24 season

[LLCoolCY]

I don't want to start a separate thread for "way too early top 25" projections, so putting it here, seems to be the most appropriate place. I've reviewed several rankings, CBS Sports only one I've seen so far projection ISU in the mix.

College basketball rankings: UConn is No. 1 over Purdue in never-too-early 2023-24 preseason Top 25 And 1

After winning this year's NCAA Tournament, the Huskies look like they have a good chance to do it again

www.cbssports.com

Obviously it is too early for these lists to be put out. I will say Parrish updates his daily and does have a feel for each team so it will be the best attempt you'll see from the national media.

 

[clone52]

Honestly, with the size and talent coming in, Id be curious to see how we would fair with a KU type lineup. I think you need a transfer big man, like Ike from Wyoming, but that wont happen. I know that isnt the normal Otzelball style, but KU seemed to make it work this year. They did struggle against teams that had a true big man, and it didnt take much to outmatch KJ Adams, so run a 4 guard/forward lineup, and one big. Then, BRE's minutes are limited and we have less liabilities on offense. The only way this works is if all 4 guys can shoot, and so far we have not had that luxury, but it would be interesting to see

They don't need another big man. They have plenty of options there (like the one you describe). They need guards. We had 4 guards this year and things went off the rails when one got hurt. Right now we have Lipsey, Williams coming off an injury and true freshman Hamilton. We need at least 2 more and in my opinion, all 3.

Depending on whether you go with Jones/Ward at the 5 or go small ball, there are a ton of options at the 3-5 positions.

3's: a guard, Watson, Momcilovich, Biliew
4's: Biliew, King, Momcilovic, Watson
5's: King, Jones, Ward, Biliew

Thats 39 potential lineup combinations at the 3 through 5. And thats assuming Fish doesn't not get in the rotation at all, which isn't a sure thing.

Compare that to the guard positions.

PG: Lipsey, Williams
SG: Lipsey, Williams and Hamilton

Thats 4 potential lineup combos. If you add 2 more guards (one of which that can play PG), its only 12 lineup combos. If you add 3 more guards (one of which can play PG), you have 15 lineup combinations.

There are far more options at 3-5 already than their are at the guard spots, so I think you need to do everything possible to maximize the possible guard combinations. If it were me, I'd would absolutely take 3 guards.

Just look at last year, what did that team need? Shooting. Not another post player. I'd expect Momcilovich to give you similar production to Jaz and Biliew should probably produce at least as much as Osun (fewer blocked shots maybe), so our 3-5 positions aren't taking at hit at all.

 

[cyclones500]

Obviously it is too early for these lists to be put out. I will say Parrish updates his daily and does have a feel for each team so it will be the best attempt you'll see from the national media.

Yeah, if nothing else, Parrish does updates frequently enough (in-season and off-season) that he has to pay close attention.

I stand partly corrected, 247 has a top 25, has ISU as "others to watch."

College basketball's way-too-early top 25 for 2024

Taking aim at college basketball's best and brightest for the 2023-24 season.

247sports.com

 

[Cyclones125]

I don't want to start a separate thread for "way too early top 25" projections, so putting it here, seems to be the most appropriate place. I've reviewed several rankings, CBS Sports only one I've seen so far projection ISU in the mix.

College basketball rankings: UConn is No. 1 over Purdue in never-too-early 2023-24 preseason Top 25 And 1

After winning this year's NCAA Tournament, the Huskies look like they have a good chance to do it again

www.cbssports.com

I also saw KU listed at the sportsbook with 2nd best odds to win the Natty next year. Apart from Jalen and Gradey I thought the rest of their roster was very underwhelming. With both of those guys gone, and no superstar incoming freshman, they're gonna need to hit BIG on the transfer market to reach those expectations next season.

 

[allfourcy]

I also saw KU listed at the sportsbook with 2nd best odds to win the Natty next year. Apart from Jalen and Gradey I thought the rest of their roster was very underwhelming. With both of those guys gone, and no superstar incoming freshman, they're gonna need to hit BIG on the transfer market to reach those expectations next season.

Having Harris leading the charge again, with McCullers and Adams, those are 3 pretty nice pieces to build around. They'll hit big enough w/transfers I would imagine.

 

[CyPunch]

Having Harris leading the charge again, with McCullers and Adams, those are 3 pretty nice pieces to build around. They'll hit big enough w/transfers I would imagine.

McCullar likely moving on.

 

[Cyclones125]

Having Harris leading the charge again, with McCullers and Adams, those are 3 pretty nice pieces to build around. They'll hit big enough w/transfers I would imagine.

Jalen Wilson absolutely carried them offensively this season, especially against ISU, and we still blew them out one of the games. I don't see any of those 3 stepping up their games enough to lead them in scoring. I'm thinking a huge transfer haul like when they got the Lawson brothers may be necessary for them to be a potential 1 seed next season.

I'm also sure Bill Self will make me eat my words.

 

[allfourcy]

Jalen Wilson absolutely carried them offensively this season, especially against ISU, and we still blew them out one of the games. I don't see any of those 3 stepping up their games enough to lead them in scoring. I'm thinking a huge transfer haul like when they got the Lawson brothers may be necessary for them to be a potential 1 seed next season.

I'm also sure Bill Self will make me eat my words.

Seeing they are very involved with Hunter Dickenson , TImberlake, and a couple experienced guards, I think they will at least have you chewing.

 

[SoleCyclone]

Obviously this all depends on health and preseason/early season performance, but basically what I'm saying is our roster is very versatile with what seems to be good depth. Offense and defense. Just a little afraid if we get in foul trouble up at the 5 early we may be in trouble. However, if TJ is committed to going mostly a smaller defensive-switch lineup then that really won't matter. J. Williams being a slow ramp up is why I have him buried a bit.

Big:
PG- Lipsey 6'1/Paveletzke 6'3
G- K.Gilbert6'4/J.Williams6'5/Hamilton6'6
G/F- Biliew 6'8/C. Jones 6'5/Watson 6'6
F- King 6'7/Momcilovic 6'8/Fish 6'6
F- Jones 6'10/Ward 6'9

Small:
PG- Lipsey 6'1/Paveletzke 6'3
G- K.Gilbert6'4/J.Williams6'5/Hamilton6'6
G/F- C. Jones 6'5/Watson 6'6
F- Biliew 6'8/Momcilovic 6'8/Fish 6'6
F- King 6'7/Jones 6'10/Ward 6'9

 

[alexssdean12]

Obviously this all depends on health and preseason/early season performance, but basically what I'm saying is our roster is very versatile with what seems to be good depth. Offense and defense. Just a little afraid if we get in foul trouble up at the 5 early we may be in trouble. However, if TJ is committed to going mostly a smaller defensive-switch lineup then that really won't matter. J. Williams being a slow ramp up is why I have him buried a bit.

Big:
PG- Lipsey 6'1/Paveletzke 6'3
G- K.Gilbert6'4/J.Williams6'5/Hamilton6'6
G/F- Biliew 6'8/C. Jones 6'5/Watson 6'6
F- King 6'7/Momcilovic 6'8/Fish 6'6
F- Jones 6'10/Ward 6'9

Small:
PG- Lipsey 6'1/Paveletzke 6'3
G- K.Gilbert6'4/J.Williams6'5/Hamilton6'6
G/F- C. Jones 6'5/Watson 6'6
F- Biliew 6'8/Momcilovic 6'8/Fish 6'6
F- King 6'7/Jones 6'10/Ward 6'9

I think our small ball lineup will be more like:

Lipsey
Pav
Gilbert
Biliew
King

 

[cyfan92]

I think our small ball lineup will be more like:

Lipsey
Pav
Gilbert
Biliew
King

Lipsey, Biliew, and Tre should start IMO. Then you can flip any of the three new guards into the other two guard spots. It'll be AWESOME to have 4 starting quality guards that are all experienced in D1 basketball. 3 ball handlers and 4/5 players can stretch the floor.

With how awful our non-con will be at Hilton.. I REALLY want to see a lineup with Momcilovic and Biliew as your forwards with the three new guards. Welcome back to Hoiball!!

 

[Clone5]

If Omaha's shooting translates to this level we will have a lot of flexibility with our lineups. If not, he will need to play the 4/5 most of the time. Having Lipsey, King, and R. Jones as major rotational pieces as well as Ward and Watson factoring in means we need as much shooting as we can get out of the other spots. Hopefully Lipsey and Watson develop some consistency and confidence with their shooting.
1- Lipsey- 32 MPG
2- Gilbert- 26 MPG
3. C. Jones- 26 MPG
4- Biliew- 26 MPG
5- R. Jones- 20 MPG
6- King- 26 MPG
7- Watson- 16 MPG
8- Pav- 14 MPG
9- Momcilovic- 14 MPG
10- Williams- rotational
11- Ward- rotational

 

[CoachHines3]

If Omaha's shooting translates to this level we will have a lot of flexibility with our lineups. If not, he will need to play the 4/5 most of the time. Having Lipsey, King, and R. Jones as major rotational pieces as well as Ward and Watson factoring in means we need as much shooting as we can get out of the other spots. Hopefully Lipsey and Watson develop some consistency and confidence with their shooting.
1- Lipsey- 32 MPG
2- Gilbert- 26 MPG
3. C. Jones- 26 MPG
4- Biliew- 26 MPG
5- R. Jones- 20 MPG
6- King- 26 MPG
7- Watson- 16 MPG
8- Pav- 14 MPG
9- Momcilovic- 14 MPG
10- Williams- rotational
11- Ward- rotational

will all due respect-

youre bat sh*t crazy if you think pav is going to play 14 minutes a game

 

[bawbie]

Here's my thoughts on starting lineups now that we know the roster (hopefully):

PG: Clearly Lipsey. Williams and Gilbert as the backup minutes
SG: Gilbert or C Jones. Pav and hopefully Hamilton off the bench here too.
SF: Biggest tossup. Could be C Jones, Milan or even Omaha.
PF: Omaha or Tre King. Depending if R Jones starts or not.
C: Tre King or R Jones

I'm a big proponent of King at the 5 so we have better spacing, but I think the coaching staff loves Rob's leadership and energy and he'll probably start - at least at the beginning of the season. I also think Milan is going to be a star on day 1 and that Curtis Jones is going to be more "ready" Day 1 than Gilbert.

So my preferred starting lineup is:
Lipsey
C Jones
Milan
Omaha
Tre

But I think the most likely starting line-up is:
Lipsey
Gilbert
C Jones
Omaha
Rob Jones

this would leave a crazy good bench of Milan, Tre and Pav playing "starters minutes" and Williams (when healthy), Watson and Ward playing "spot" minutes

 

[cyfan92]

If Omaha's shooting translates to this level we will have a lot of flexibility with our lineups. If not, he will need to play the 4/5 most of the time. Having Lipsey, King, and R. Jones as major rotational pieces as well as Ward and Watson factoring in means we need as much shooting as we can get out of the other spots. Hopefully Lipsey and Watson develop some consistency and confidence with their shooting.
1- Lipsey- 32 MPG
2- Gilbert- 26 MPG
3. C. Jones- 26 MPG
4- Biliew- 26 MPG
5- R. Jones- 20 MPG
6- King- 26 MPG
7- Watson- 16 MPG
8- Pav- 14 MPG
9- Momcilovic- 14 MPG
10- Williams- rotational
11- Ward- rotational

I pray every night before bed that BRE plays 15 minutes MAX. Ideally 10-12 for BRE, 8-10 for Ward. Tre King can play 18-20 minutes with Biliew and Momcilovic filling in at the end of a game if all three are fouled out

 

[bawbie]

will all due respect-

youre bat sh*t crazy if you think pav is going to play 14 minutes a game

I bet Milan plays more minutes than Pav. It will be fascinating to see how it plays out, there definitely doesn't seem to be enough minutes to go around.

 

[CyLyte2]

All these bodies, I bet we can play defense harder than we ever have.

 

[CoachHines3]

I bet Milan plays more minutes than Pav. It will be fascinating to see how it plays out, there definitely doesn't seem to be enough minutes to go around.

Obviously a good problem to have and we'll be able to do so much with lineups/minutes.

I think Pav was brought in on the idea of him being a starter. If not, then def the 6th man.

 

[Cyforce]

Milan is the key to settling the rotation. If he's able to defend he's going to get 25 minutes at the 4 meaning King plays more at the 5 and Biliew gets more minutes at the 3.

 

[bawbie]

Obviously a good problem to have and we'll be able to do so much with lineups/minutes.

I think Pav was brought in on the idea of him being a starter. If not, then def the 6th man.

Is that based on anything the coaches said or just speculation? Coming from a much lower level of competition and given his smaller size, I think he's going to have the biggest challenge in adjusting to the physicality of the game, whereas Gilbert and Jones come in better equipped in that regard. I mean, Pav is just one year removed from having no P5 interest out of HS. I think he'll be offensive firepower off the bench, but struggle a bit defensively and be more of a role player this year and then a bigger star the next year