Future BBall lineup and FSU thoughts

[icehole3]

My favorite lineup going forward

C-Toyloy
PF-Williams
SF-Gates
SG-Dixon
PG-Vaughn

Reason being is it's time to go big and stay big because its a big boy's league and if you wanna win with defense this is the best group. The Bishop experiment should end, Mitchell should sit if he isnt going drive to the bucket. My first guy off the bench would be biggie for Gates. Then I'd bring in Davis to give Vaughn a quick breather, Mitchell for Dixon if Mitchell is launching scary jumpers he sits for an extended period. Basically Toyloy and Williams, Biggie and Gates should stay out there until their tongues are on the floor, I dont care if those 4 are losing the game for us at this point in the season, by the years end they will have their sea legs and they will have seen everything, time for those boys to grow up over night. I still have tons of hope for my boys, but our small players were horrid last night and I think they should be sprinkled in until they guard the ball with their lives and not chucking up silly jumpers. Ive always felt that UC should just bang down low on offense and on defense just pack it in and if a team hits 3s take your hat off to them. If we had Reik I would go

Reik-C
Toyloy-PF
Gates-SF
Williams-SG
Vaughn-PG

I like to get crazy from time to time. FSU went most of the game last night with 7-1 Alabi, 6-11 Gibson, 6-9 Singleton and 6-8 Reid with Douglas handling the point and I think they scared the Bearcats from what I listened to. The only thing I heard going in was Williams hitting an occasional jumper at the free throw line. Gates, it sounded like he couldnt get a shot off in the few he did try to shoot, but it was mostly guards trying silly passes inside not giving the bigs a chance to do anything. FSU was able to get 2 and 3 rebounds per possession and eventually that will get you beat. I think the Cats will see they can do the same thing to other teams. Im suggesting that all the Bigs should be in there at the same time and play Gates or Williams at SF or SG and now the FSU game kinda proves my point that you can win playing big because the other team wont be able to score.

:p

[bearcatfanCJ]

Our biggest weakness was exposed greatly last night, we have no one to run the show. As great a player Deonta is, he is not a point guard.

[Thegreatone]

I dont mind your lineup but I just dont think Yancy could defend a 3. I am just not sure who Alvin Mitchell is yet, the verdict is still out. I do know I dont want Deonta passing the ball, just shoot. GOt to kill the turnovers.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

Gates at 5 and Williams at 4. Those 2 are locks.

Vaughn at 1 or 2 is another lock.

[jeffto]

Gates is not a lock at 5. Vaughn better not play much 1 - he's not equipped for the position.

[SLMadiCat]

Gates is not a lock at 5. Vaughn better not play much 1 - he's not equipped for the position.

There is no one else. Play Vaughn at the 1 and hope he learns.

[CroninCrazy]

There is no one else. Play Vaughn at the 1 and hope he learns.

Dixon or Mitchell at the 1 with Vaughn at the 2?

[icehole3]

Lets look further into the FSU game a minute, here's a team chuck full of freshman just like UC, theyre extremely tall just like UC and they have a pretty good ball handling guard just like UC. Im not saying Mic got out coached but I will say that FSU's coach stayed committed to his big guys and it payed off for them, he figured yeah we're vulnerable to a full court trap if a team can make a shot on us. Mitchell's missed 3s allowed him to stay big and bang and they had dagger in the heart put backs all second half. Sure some matchups will dictate going to a small lineup like against Pitt, but I'd take my chances with the bigs making buckets all year more than I would the small guys shooting 3s. There is 1 guy I'd like to see implemented more into the picture and thats Wilkes, he's big enough that he's hard to shoot over and athletic enough to run the floor and he can be used as a SG, not to shoot but to do other things.

[SLMadiCat]

Dixon or Mitchell at the 1 with Vaughn at the 2?

Dixon would be alright down the road, but no way right now does he do better than Vaughn. I think you have to leave Vaughn at it and let him learn the hard way. There may be some bumps but hopefully come Big East play he has mastered it. He has all the tools to do it.

Mitchell can barely dribble, and can't pass. That isn't a good combination for a PG.

[SLMadiCat]

Lets look further into the FSU game a minute, here's a team chuck full of freshman just like UC, theyre extremely tall just like UC and they have a pretty good ball handling guard just like UC. Im not saying Mic got out coached but I will say that FSU's coach stayed committed to his big guys and it payed off for them, he figured yeah we're vulnerable to a full court trap if a team can make a shot on us. Mitchell's missed 3s allowed him to stay big and bang and they had dagger in the heart put backs all second half. Sure some matchups will dictate going to a small lineup like against Pitt, but I'd take my chances with the bigs making buckets all year more than I would the small guys shooting 3s. There is 1 guy I'd like to see implemented more into the picture and thats Wilkes, he's big enough that he's hard to shoot over and athletic enough to run the floor and he can be used as a SG, not to shoot but to do other things.

Williams started and played well but got two early fouls. It affected the rotation quite a bit. Wilks got in and picked up a couple fouls too. These problems didn't happen early in the season against lesser teams. Hopefully they learn how to play without Williams and Vaughn in the lineup because those times will come.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

Gates is not a lock at 5. Vaughn better not play much 1 - he's not equipped for the position.

Gates at 5 is >>> than any other Bearcat at that position.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

Lets look further into the FSU game a minute, here's a team chuck full of freshman just like UC, theyre extremely tall just like UC and they have a pretty good ball handling guard just like UC. Im not saying Mic got out coached but I will say that FSU's coach stayed committed to his big guys and it payed off for them, he figured yeah we're vulnerable to a full court trap if a team can make a shot on us. Mitchell's missed 3s allowed him to stay big and bang and they had dagger in the heart put backs all second half. Sure some matchups will dictate going to a small lineup like against Pitt, but I'd take my chances with the bigs making buckets all year more than I would the small guys shooting 3s. There is 1 guy I'd like to see implemented more into the picture and thats Wilkes, he's big enough that he's hard to shoot over and athletic enough to run the floor and he can be used as a SG, not to shoot but to do other things.

Leonard Hamilton rarely outcoaches anyone. His career W-L record is about .500 or so.

He often outRECRUITS most coaches and has very talented teams.

[bearcat1518]

Lets look further into the FSU game a minute, here's a team chuck full of freshman just like UC, theyre extremely tall just like UC and they have a pretty good ball handling guard just like UC. Im not saying Mic got out coached but I will say that FSU's coach stayed committed to his big guys and it payed off for them, he figured yeah we're vulnerable to a full court trap if a team can make a shot on us. Mitchell's missed 3s allowed him to stay big and bang and they had dagger in the heart put backs all second half. Sure some matchups will dictate going to a small lineup like against Pitt, but I'd take my chances with the bigs making buckets all year more than I would the small guys shooting 3s. There is 1 guy I'd like to see implemented more into the picture and thats Wilkes, he's big enough that he's hard to shoot over and athletic enough to run the floor and he can be used as a SG, not to shoot but to do other things.

Agree on both of your posts. Well said.

[Mick's Da Man]

Mick shouldn't change the lineup.

He should keep on doing what they've been doing, and fix the mistakes. They didn't win all their games up 'til now for nothing, even if they were easier.

There is nothing wrong with this team that some better decision making and better taking care of the ball and better shooting won't fix.

It's probably better that they lost last night. Good wakeup call.

The '91-'92 team started out 8-1 with an easy schedule and then got thumped by 21 at the Shoe by Indiana on January 4th.

We're still in November, people.

[Bearcats_Rule]

Mick shouldn't change the lineup.

He should keep on doing what they've been doing, and fix the mistakes. They didn't win all their games up 'til now for nothing, even if they were easier.

There is nothing wrong with this team that some better decision making and better taking care of the ball and better shooting won't fix.

It's probably better that they lost last night. Good wakeup call.

The '91-'92 team started out 8-1 with an easy schedule and then got thumped by 21 at the Shoe by Indiana on January 4th.

We're still in November, people.

I agree with not changing much. To have a 10 man rotation will help everyone stay more fresh for the end of season and build chemistry for future. It was just one game.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

Mick shouldn't change the lineup.

He should keep on doing what they've been doing, and fix the mistakes. They didn't win all their games up 'til now for nothing, even if they were easier.

There is nothing wrong with this team that some better decision making and better taking care of the ball and better shooting won't fix.

It's probably better that they lost last night. Good wakeup call.

The '91-'92 team started out 8-1 with an easy schedule and then got thumped by 21 at the Shoe by Indiana on January 4th.

We're still in November, people.

I'd sure like to see a team like 1992 again. 29-5 and FF appearance. 2nd highest W total in past 45 years and only FF in that timeframe.

[jeffto]

I'd sure like to see a team like 1992 again. 29-5 and FF appearance. 2nd highest W total in past 45 years and only FF in that timeframe.That would be great! Only two things I'd change: #1 Win the championship, and #2 Have a coach who is respected and runs a respected program.

[Mick's Da Man]

I'd sure like to see a team like 1992 again. 29-5 and FF appearance. 2nd highest W total in past 45 years and only FF in that timeframe.


Actually, that season was kind of a cakewalk, and think their romp through the tournament was helped by some higher seeds losing, making it easier for their run.

But I still loved that season.

Eric Martin grabbed 10 rebounds against Michigan. He battled like crazy.

One of those rare overperforming underdogs that always entertained.

[Irishbearcat]

I'd rather see Dixon at PG than Vaughn.

[Mick's Da Man]

I'd rather see Dixon at PG than Vaughn.

I'd rather see a more restrained Larry Davis. If he'd knock of the crazy stuff, I think he has a good enough handle to play it.

[dp3113]

Mick has stated publicly numerous times that Wilks cannot handle the ball well enough to be a 3, so he is playing him at the 4 to create match up problems. I do not get how you think, based on that, that he can be a 2.

Also- no way Yancy can guard well enough to match up with a 3. Maybe you can put him there when playing zone, but I still don't see him sliding from 5 to the 3.

[icehole3]

FSU had 6-8 SIngleton and 6-8 Reid playing SG, Wilkes can play there and please post where Mic has stated that. It isnt that hard to run up and down the court, his strength will be on the defensive side of the ball.

[Ding Chavez]

It has nothing to do with his height, it has everything to do with his handles. If he can't dribble well enough to be a SF, why do you think he can play SG?

[dp3113]

Exactly, it has everything to do with Wilks handle, not his height. It is pretty common knowledge that Mick intends to play Wilks at PF because he cannot handle well enough to play the 3. Sorry I'm not going to waste my time looking up a quote from him about it, but it has been stated numerous times on radio, tv, and in print.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

Exactly, it has everything to do with Wilks handle, not his height. It is pretty common knowledge that Mick intends to play Wilks at PF because he cannot handle well enough to play the 3. Sorry I'm not going to waste my time looking up a quote from him about it, but it has been stated numerous times on radio, tv, and in print.

Wilks is pretty skinny for PF. Why was he recruited as WF if he couldn't play the position???

[milfordcats]

Wilks is pretty skinny for PF. Why was he recruited as WF if he couldn't play the position???

He is only a SO, there is plenty of time for him to develop...he is much better than he was last year and I see him only getting better.

[TmacGoCats]

Wilks is pretty skinny for PF. Why was he recruited as WF if he couldn't play the position???

Just because a player plays SF in high school doesn't mean he can do it in college. You know that! The game is totally different; its faster and more physical. That’s why players who aren't physically ready for the college game take longer to develop. Gates came in physically ready, and that’s why he's had success.

Plus when ur a 6'8 high school bball player, your going to be successful at any position.

[UCbball21]

Yea, but Wilks played PG for his team in HS. Granted it wasn't D-1 HS basketball thats gotta have some merit, I don't know why he doesn't have better handles. Hopefully he improves dramatically for next year.

[icehole3]

It has nothing to do with his height, it has everything to do with his handles. If he can't dribble well enough to be a SF, why do you think he can play SG?

He's not going to be the point guard, he's going to be a SG and SF, like Posey or Brandon Rush, big athletic defensive guard who will shoot 3s, so he wont need to be Drew Lavender.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

He is only a SO, there is plenty of time for him to develop...he is much better than he was last year and I see him only getting better.

I don't think he'll be PF anywhere.