Part of the disappointment with last year's OOC was that we weren't able to pull away from schools like Maryland Eastern Shore and Alcorn State in December. That would have been the time to play more guys and instead we were sweating games out with the starters. Granted by mid February, injuries and youth probably allowed CC to just throw everyone who was available out there as by that time the season got away a bit from GW.

So far, it seems like most of the home games again will be against pretty weak opponents so the hope is we can go deeper during OOC play but I'd expect things to tighten up as usual once A10 season begins.

I personally think playing the best players gives the team the best chance to win unless we become VCU under Shaka and develop an actual identity on defense which includes playing with great intensity.

Last year, we didn't have the ability to play guys with even a little experience at many positions. As much as I like what Ty can bring, if he's playing a lot of minutes it will probably mean the team is a disappointment (unless he is a transcendent talent right away).

Playing time this season is hopefully earned based on defense. I'm not expecting a massive year from the team this season but I am looking to see significant improvement on that side of the ball. If this team finishes close to the bottom in the league on defense again, it will be disappointing. Again, not expecting us to become UVA on that side of the ball but at least average in the league this year.

As for player breakdown, I'd want Jacoi and Jun to be among the minute leaders.

At PG, Jacoi gets the bulk of the minutes, and I guess Christian as his backup? Either of the Treys could play some here as well and probably will for a bit during conference play.

At SG, I guess Autry probably starts as the incumbent with Moss backing him up? Not projecting anything from Kenner to the regular season, but Autry seems to have continued to make strides shooting the ball. If he can continue to diversify his shot selection I am hopeful of a breakout in year 2. Moss doesn't have much experience playing with winning teams but I think he can turn into a useful piece with his penetrating ability that was lost from JB's departure.

At SF is where I start to have some concerns as mentioned a couple times this offseason. I think Drumgoole plays the most minutes here, but Dayan will be a factor if he can stay healthy. I am not very confident in that over the course of a full season right now but would love to be wrong. Without Dayan, we will be sacrificing height (probably will anyways) which would hurt the defense although I'm fine with playing smaller for stretches. This is where not having Garrett hurts. I guess those who are confident we can go super big with like Jun/Hansen/Castro or Zam/Hansen/Castro probably feel differently but I don't know that I see Jun or Zam playing the 3 a whole lot.

PF will mostly be occupied by Jun, with Zam backing him up. I am hoping Zam can handle a backup role and be a bit better with defensive awareness this year. It would also be helpful if Jun can develop a somewhat consistent three point shot so that the lane doesn't get clogged consistently.

At C will be Castro/Hansen. If Hansen can co-exist with Castro, that could make things more interesting. Keegan probably retains his deeper role off the bench.

By conference play, I see a primary rotation of Jacoi, Trey (x2), Gerald, Jun, Rafael, and Sean along with a rotational role for Dayan and maybe a few minutes from Zam.
 

Free Quebec wrote:

dmvpiranha wrote:

Part of the disappointment with last year's OOC was that we weren't able to pull away from schools like Maryland Eastern Shore and Alcorn State in December. That would have been the time to play more guys and instead we were sweating games out with the starters. Granted by mid February, injuries and youth probably allowed CC to just throw everyone who was available out there as by that time the season got away a bit from GW.

So far, it seems like most of the home games again will be against pretty weak opponents so the hope is we can go deeper during OOC play but I'd expect things to tighten up as usual once A10 season begins.

I personally think playing the best players gives the team the best chance to win unless we become VCU under Shaka and develop an actual identity on defense which includes playing with great intensity.

Last year, we didn't have the ability to play guys with even a little experience at many positions. As much as I like what Ty can bring, if he's playing a lot of minutes it will probably mean the team is a disappointment (unless he is a transcendent talent right away).

Playing time this season is hopefully earned based on defense. I'm not expecting a massive year from the team this season but I am looking to see significant improvement on that side of the ball. If this team finishes close to the bottom in the league on defense again, it will be disappointing. Again, not expecting us to become UVA on that side of the ball but at least average in the league this year.

As for player breakdown, I'd want Jacoi and Jun to be among the minute leaders.

At PG, Jacoi gets the bulk of the minutes, and I guess Christian as his backup? Either of the Treys could play some here as well and probably will for a bit during conference play.

At SG, I guess Autry probably starts as the incumbent with Moss backing him up? Not projecting anything from Kenner to the regular season, but Autry seems to have continued to make strides shooting the ball. If he can continue to diversify his shot selection I am hopeful of a breakout in year 2. Moss doesn't have much experience playing with winning teams but I think he can turn into a useful piece with his penetrating ability that was lost from JB's departure.

At SF is where I start to have some concerns as mentioned a couple times this offseason. I think Drumgoole plays the most minutes here, but Dayan will be a factor if he can stay healthy. I am not very confident in that over the course of a full season right now but would love to be wrong. Without Dayan, we will be sacrificing height (probably will anyways) which would hurt the defense although I'm fine with playing smaller for stretches. This is where not having Garrett hurts. I guess those who are confident we can go super big with like Jun/Hansen/Castro or Zam/Hansen/Castro probably feel differently but I don't know that I see Jun or Zam playing the 3 a whole lot.

PF will mostly be occupied by Jun, with Zam backing him up. I am hoping Zam can handle a backup role and be a bit better with defensive awareness this year. It would also be helpful if Jun can develop a somewhat consistent three point shot so that the lane doesn't get clogged consistently.

At C will be Castro/Hansen. If Hansen can co-exist with Castro, that could make things more interesting. Keegan probably retains his deeper role off the bench.

By conference play, I see a primary rotation of Jacoi, Trey (x2), Gerald, Jun, Rafael, and Sean along with a rotational role for Dayan and maybe a few minutes from Zam.
 

I think it all depends on whether Dayan is ready for a starting role. If so, you could see him and Drumgoole as the starting wings, with Treys and Bevins backing them up.

Yes, I would slow our roll on Dayan. Not sure he is ready Day 1 to contribute. We will see.  Expect the 4 transfers to get plenty of minutes along with Jun, Jacoi and Trey. After that, it is anyone's guess as to how the minutes will shake out but don't expect CC to go more than 8-9 deep on a regular basis. Losing Garrett really took a huge bite from the expected rotation but I do think Zam has a shot to fill his role because of length. I think it will be fight between Christian, Dayan and Ty for one spot with the other two getting limited minutes. Don't see Keegan playing meaningful minutes. But of course, as we have already seen, injuries could play a role.