If I'm Tim Miles... Re: starting lineup

[basketballjones]

I'm making Rey Gallegos and Dev Biggs earn that PT back..... And David Rivers is starting and playing a ton for me.

Do you guys realize how much that guy has developed in a couple years? He gives us an element of versatility (offensively and defensively) that I really enjoy.

Sorry, watching the game against FGCU again and he's really impressing me. That shot fake, drive, shot fake, pivot and finish he had in the first half sold me on this kids game and development.

[Shuttlesworth]

I'd be inclined to agree with you if we had more depth in the front court. In order to balance out the rotation I think we're better off with Ray in the starting lineup.

[basketballjones]

However, I will add, this line up right here:

1. Biggs

2. Webster

3. Petteway

4. Shields

5. Pritchford

Is really, really, scary-good. Then with Gallegos, Rivers, Smith, and Parker in your rotation... Ugh it's very scary to think how good we could be.

[basketballjones]

I'd be inclined to agree with you if we had more depth in the front court. In order to balance out the rotation I think we're better off with Ray in the starting lineup.

Just an opinion, but I think a lot of people here on this board really over value "the rotation," but that's just my opinion. You put your best 5 on the court that give you a chance to win... I think you're over thinking it if you're worried about depth, foul trouble, etc...

[uneblinstu]

Gallegos earned time last season.  He's better than Rivers unless he's gone backwards from last year, which I doubt.

[Concrete]

Rivers is going to have to adapt to the new defensive rules before he can truly compete to start when we're healthy, unfortunately.  I love his physical style of play but it's tough to get away with that now.

[basketballjones]

Gallegos earned time last season. He's better than Rivers unless he's gone backwards from last year, which I doubt.

I don't like his game. He's a high-volume shooter on a team that has multiple weapons and no need for a guy who needs 25 shots to score 25.

So unless his game has changed, I'd rather have a role player in there (Rivers), or a drive and dish guy (Biggs), than Gallegos. And I'd rather have Shields, Pritch, and Webster getting buckets, with Petteway just making plays like he does. You can bring Gallegos off the bench when some of those scorers are on the bench and give him free range to chuck up shots.

Also... I know there's more to this story about him being suspended and Tyrance leaving also. It really makes me question his character, leadership, and intelligence.

[uneblinstu]

With guys like Webster, Shields, Petteway and Biggs who can get into the lane and kick it out to Gallegos, he'll serve a pretty big role on this team.  That should help his percentage, too. He's a very good free throw shooter and is a superior defender.  Possibly the best defender on the team. It's possible he finds himself coming off the bench eventually, though his spot won't be going to Rivers, but he'll be getting starters minutes, without question.

[tcp]

 

Gallegos earned time last season. He's better than Rivers unless he's gone backwards from last year, which I doubt.

I don't like his game. He's a high-volume shooter on a team that has multiple weapons and no need for a guy who needs 25 shots to score 25.

So unless his game has changed, I'd rather have a role player in there (Rivers), or a drive and dish guy (Biggs), than Gallegos. And I'd rather have Shields, Pritch, and Webster getting buckets, with Petteway just making plays like he does. You can bring Gallegos off the bench when some of those scorers are on the bench and give him free range to chuck up shots.

Also... I know there's more to this story about him being suspended and Tyrance leaving also. It really makes me question his character, leadership, and intelligence.

 

 

None of us have any idea how Gallegos is going to play with this kind of team. He was a high volume shooter because he *had* to be last season, and I'd prefer we thank him for that effort instead of criticizing him. He was doing what he was told to do.

 

He's still the most experienced shooting guard we have by far, and though streaky, a quality player who's earned his spurs. Every team we played last season planned around Gallegos, and that should be a clue as to his real value. Let's just let the coaching staff shake this one out.

[tcp]

It's only one game, but the 3 people who probably need to see the court the most right now are shavon, terran, and tai.

I'd add to that probably Pitchford/Smith (in some combo, depending on what we need from the big for a particular matchup) and then one other player depending on if we go small or a bit bigger. so probably between David or Rey.

 

what a nice problem to have!

[Norm Peterson]

I'm hopeful Gallegos will be a more accurate and reliable shooter when he doesn't have to carry the load he did last year.  He gets such terrific elevation on his jump shot, they could measure it in "hang time."  The shot itself is unstoppable.  It's a question of whether he is getting it to drop or not.  If he is, he's a weapon.  But, so far in his career, that's been a rather big if.  I'd also like to see him at least able to drive around a screen to the elbow for a jumper.  Even if he can't penetrate all the way to the hoop, if he could at least use a screen and drive to the elbow it would be nice.  Yet to be seen if he's added that to his game.

 

Not sure about starting Rivers vs. Smith or Gallegos.  Each brings something and each would add something coming off the bench.  But you have to admit the lineup of Webster, Petteway, Shields, Rivers and Pitchford was pretty effective against FGCU.  And, while injuries aren't supposed to cause you to lose your starting job, a suspension might be a different thing.  

 

Petteway is good in any number of spots.  But we have some guys who are strictly backcourt players.  More, in fact, than we can really allow to have contributing minutes.  You have Webster, Parker, Gallegos and Biggs.  And then sometimes Peltz.  Gallegos and Biggs will have to earn whatever minutes they get regardless.

[Norm Peterson]

It's only one game, but the 3 people who probably need to see the court the most right now are shavon, terran, and tai.

I'd add to that probably Pitchford/Smith (in some combo, depending on what we need from the big for a particular matchup) and then one other player depending on if we go small or a bit bigger. so probably between David or Rey.

 

what a nice problem to have!

Pitchford got 20 minutes the other night; Smith 16.  That's a total of 36, which means someone not named Pitchford or Smith got some minutes in the post.  Was that Vucetic?  I could see Smith and Pitchford playing some together.  I would have expected combined slightly more than 40 minutes.  We'll see what happens in a closer game where Vooch doesn't come in.

[Huskerpapa]

In Miles I trust.  I am fine with whatever lineup he deems appropriate.

[basketballjones]

I should add; I'm hoping to be proved wrong and Gallegos is just a stud for us.

I'm just huge on character, leadership, attitude, and energy.... And from a 5th year senior, this suspension is beyond disappointing. Hope he learns his lesson and has a great year.

[jdostal]

If you're huge on character, etc., you should see the fact that his teammates voted him a captain because he's one of the hardest workers on the team instead of letting your mind wander on why he got suspended.

[HB]

However, I will add, this line up right here:

1. Biggs

2. Webster

3. Petteway

4. Shields

5. Pritchford

Is really, really, scary-good. Then with Gallegos, Rivers, Smith, and Parker in your rotation... Ugh it's very scary to think how good we could be.

 

Interesting that Biggs is being annointed as a starter sight unseen (at this level).    I'm going to take a wait and see approach to this.  I don't know that it is a given that he is a major minutes guy.  Will be interesting to watch it unfold. 

[throwback]

Pitchford got 20 minutes the other night; Smith 16.  That's a total of 36, which means someone not named Pitchford or Smith got some minutes in the post.  Was that Vucetic?  I could see Smith and Pitchford playing some together.  I would have expected combined slightly more than 40 minutes.  We'll see what happens in a closer game where Vooch doesn't come in.

 

I could remember incorrectly, but it seems like NU used Rivers and Shields together in the front court a couple of times in the first half & played "small." ... although with Petteway & Webster out on the perimeter, maybe we're not all that small. I think using Rivers as the 5 works well for short bursts, especially when they want to crack up defensive pressure.

[hhcmatt]

Miles' starting rosters will depend on the other team at points.

 

WIU has one dude who is 6-8 260 and everyone else is under 215 or 6-8.  

"Big Mike" doesn't play over 20 minutes per game and sometimes doesn't hit 10.  If he started and/or played more you would see Smith starting instead of Rivers.

 

Pitchford and Shields are the surest things in terms of starters.  

Petteway, Webster, and Gallegos should be locked in most games.

Smith is going to bump out someone if we need his size.