Fullbacksympathy

Hard to say. I think it would’ve depended on matchups. Banton King Allen Thor Stevenson I’d call that a positionless, skilled, switch everything lineup who should be pretty darned good on both ends. I’m not sure who Mack or Webster knocks out. An in shape Cross would fit right in, so I agree with you there. Now if we’re not grooming DB to be a PG, all bets are off. It’s going to be a blast to watch.

Who was our other backup at the 5? Fred has publicly said he had no choice but to use him there and can't wait to see him at the 4 next season. Walker makes this inevitable. There was no plan to move Morrow to the 4. I think that's why he left.

Noted thanks. I mostly agree with this though I don't really think Fred mismanaged anyone like Tim did with Morrow playing the 5. No way Burke starts over Kobe King. Highly doubt Mack would've started over Banton. Maybe Webster, but Webster is a scorer.

Also Ah yes. Roby should've gotten MJ's minutes before MJ transferred. He was already better than MJ as a TFr. My problem was always playing Morrow at the 5. MJ would've been a much better backup at the 5 with Morrow starting at the 4. I never understood Morrow at the 5 sharing minutes with Jordy. My thing with Fred is it's very likely we'll be 2-deep at every spot next season with good-maybe-not-great players. We should be very competitive.

Well we just improved massively on the defensive end and off the court with our world beater 6'8" freakshow at point, Delano Banton. Also calling it now: Kobe Webster is a better all around player than Mack.

Really? In year 2 of his tenure? I think we'll have a more complete roster next season than any year under TM and wildly improved defensively. I suppose I don't remember enough about who we had waiting in the wings when Morrow and Jacobson left, but I thought Morrow leaving was an enormous disappointment. Jacobson's senior numbers were pretty much on par with his sophomore numbers. Morrow just got injured at Marquette, but he was a good player when healthy. Morrow should've been a double double guy for us at the 4 his junior year.

Yes please. Blocked shots and dunking ability = yay transition.

I'd have a hard time believing Fred plays that game given his complete willingness to recruit over current roster numbers, and I don't blame him. In other words, I don't think we'll have any teams hinging its next season's status on whether or not a player returns.

I finished better at the rim with my dominant hand, like most people. Teddy does too.

Wisky would've played their best ball if he had stayed, too. They have a good coaching staff and system that works essentially every year. I'm thrilled to have this kid. Our lineup with him and Allen is going to bring some beef to the B1G, which is exactly what we lacked with Burke and Cheatham (though both B and C were tough players). Mack is skinny as hell too. King is also a notable finisher at the rim, and he's going to get a lot opportunities at the rim with Fred's system. Burke missed basically every shot he took at the rim. I'll also go and a limb and say King shoots it above 30% from 3 next season with Fred's coaching.

It was always way easier for me to hit jumpers going left and shooting right. You have to turn more of your body to square up going in the direction of your dominant hand.

Interesting. We could definitely use Burke next season as a serious contributor. I don't want him or Cam to transfer. I love how Burke plays.

Why on earth would Cross leave? You implied in your prior post it would be because of a Sanogo commit. Sanogo is a straight up 5. If his commitment were to force anyone out, there’s no way it’s Cross before Arop. I’m not claiming you want anything to happen, to be clear. I just don’t know why people are speculating Cross wants out unless they know something I don’t.

This. Cross will be with Mayen at the 4 most likely, and I’m guessing he’ll get similar minutes to this season.

Cross isn’t playing the 5 next season, and who in their right mind would want Cross gone before Arop? Cross was a good true freshman playing out of position the entire season. He’s a talented young player.

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I’m not an overly optimistic person, but I actually think we start kicking some ass day 1 next season. I’m very impressed with how the roster is shaking out.

Not seeing this upside but he could become a Venson Hamilton type in terms of being a double double guy as an upperclassman. The only thing that concerns me is his free throws. Everything else has been pretty darned impressive. I’m still curious if Mayen can play the 5. He could create a lot of defensive problems for opponents if 5s have to guard him. He’s also a very good shooter and can legitimately switch on perimeter screens. I bet he rebounds as well as anyone we have to boot.

This is a very good addition. I’m still intrigued with a bully ball lineup of: Banton (6’8”) King (6’4”) Allen (6’5”) Mayen (6‘9”) Yvan (6’9) Free throw: Webster (80% ft) King (70% ft) Allen (90% ft) Stevenson (60% ft) Mayen (80% ft) 3pt: Webster (33%) Thor (37%) Allen (40%) Mayen (35%) Stevenson (35%) Small Ball/Ball Skills: Webster King Allen Benton Stevenson Webster makes our lineup WAY more diverse because we can move Banton around.

Hope we get Cam back, but I am also ready for this Banton dude to do that WORK at PG.

I don’t see Cross as the type to take his ball and go home. Even in his worst games, he was a fearless freshman, and that’s rare. I like Mayen a lot, but he may only be marginally better than Cross after an offseason, if at all. The real question mark will be what we end up doing with Stevenson. Can he play the 5 and create problems for opponents like Roby did? If so, it’s hard for me not to like a Banton, King, Allen, Cross, Stevenson lineup. Cross has the skillset to blend in quite nicely with better players around him because of his skills. He can work within the flow of fast play. If Stevenson plays the 4, all bets are off for Cross’ playing time UNLESS we can play Mayen at the 5. Dude is 6’9” and skilled. If that’s the case, Cross probably gets a similar number of minutes at the 4. It’ll be interesting to see how it shakes out but I sure as hell don’t want to lose Cross. I highly doubt the coaching staff sees him as expendable with that many flashes at such a young age. Also, if I’m betting, Cam is back along with Green.

Cross already gets a ton of good looks at the rim in one on one matchups. He just doesn’t have the body to finish yet. Remember he outplayed Yvan in a ton of games this year before Yvan’s switch flipped. Cross stays and becomes a good one at the 4 alongside Yvan, IMO. Banton, King, Allen, Cross, and Yvan is a strong and skilled lineup. They will bully some finesse teams next season.

I think King will be our best all around player next year. He was the best player Wiscy had this season. He’s an extremely good get. The fans will love him. He, Banton, Allen, and Mayen are huge offensive upgrades.

I keep thinking that only a slight increase in talent will result in way more points, especially at the rim and at the line. Defensively, more length and lateral quickness will make a huge difference as well. The off-season will be fascinating. Again, I’m not really seeing flawed game plans. It looks like basketball on both ends to me. But today’s lineup was basically a D2 roster. A lineup of Banton, King, Allen, Mayen, and Yvan probably beats Minnesota with the same gameplan. I cannot wait to see Fred and Doc with a real squad next season.

I haven’t even remotely given up on Cross as a solid future contributor to our program. I saw way too many good flashes at the 5 to not be curious about him at his natural spot next season. Remember, he also busted his ass to get in shape before the season started. He’s way more explosive than most realize. Another offseason and he could take a huge step next season. I realize he’s slumping now, but we’ve already seen what he’s capable of. So it’s not a talent issue, but a consistency one, and that comes with practice reps and weight room.