Starting lineup and minutes played

[Dominicfrank]

Should be some real depth with kids finally playing back up minutes instead of starter minutes. This is my first guess at starting lineups and overall minutes played. They might not all add up but you get the idea.

PG: Sterling Gibbs (Adams)
SG: Rodney Purvis (Calhoun,Cassell)
SF: Daniel Hamilton
PF: Shonn MIller (Facey)
C: Amida Brimah (Nolan, Enoch)

Minutes played in this order:

Gibbs
Hamilton
Miller
Purvis
Adams
Brimah
Face
Nolan
Calhoun
Cassell
Enoch

I think Enoch can contribute and I might be way off but he is a freshman and a lower ranked one. Ollie went with Nolan so much last year mainly out of necessity but for some reason he likes him.

 

[the Blades]

I think Enoch can contribute and I might be way off but he is a freshman and a lower ranked one. Ollie went with Nolan so much last year mainly out of necessity but for some reason he likes him.

Yeah he'll only be 17 years old his first semester, too....even though he's a 4 star and been moving up the rankings( Scout just moved him to #42)....he's the mystery man......but Nolan can't be as bad as he was all last year (he got worse) because KO's got options now.

Here's last years MPG:

Up or down ???

Hamilton, Daniel... 31.4... up
Purvis, Rodney..... 28.7....same
Brimah, Amida...... 26.3....up if he can stay out of foul trouble
Facey, Kentan....... 21.5.....down with Miller an option now
Calhoun, Omar...... 17.3 ....down, no handle and expect to see plenty of Gibbs and Adams
Nolan, Phillip...........15.2......Enoch will be the factor
Cassell Jr., Sam... 15.1.....down

 

[KhalidShockedTheWorld]

At the very end of last year Nolan played a little bit better, especially on defense, but when 4 rebound games are cause for excitement, it's a little bit concerning. Fortunately this year Nolan can play out of his freaking mind and still only snare 4 boards, because Miller and D-Ham are going to be cleaning some glass.

Regarding Enoch, I see him taking Facey's minutes at the 4 more than Nolan's at the 5. Nolan will play, if only because Brimah has trouble staying on the floor.

I also predict Adams will force himself into the starting lineup within the first 5-7 games, and Purvis will slide into a 6th man role. Winners do not stay on the bench, this is a long and time honored rule in basketball. Adams is a winner with a capital W and he will not be kept down. I think Purvis has the game to be a very effective 6th man who will spark the team with scoring off the bench.

 

[the Blades]

At the very end of last year Nolan played a little bit better, especially on defense, but when 4 rebound games are cause for excitement, it's a little bit concerning. Fortunately this year Nolan can play out of his freaking mind and still only snare 4 boards, because Miller and D-Ham are going to be cleaning some glass.

Regarding Enoch, I see him taking Facey's minutes at the 4 more than Nolan's at the 5. Nolan will play, if only because Brimah has trouble staying on the floor.

Yeah, in the Arizona St. loss Phil somewhat resembled a real BB player with a season high 8 points...but it's mind boggling how bad his numbers (missed layups, etc) and less active offensively ( he actually scored in double figures 3 times the year before) Phil got in slightly more time.. and FT's..yuck from a comfortable looking shot and 77% to 28.6 ......Phillip Nolan stats

I see Miller taking Facey's minutes...but Enoch does have the look of a stretch 4 in some of his tape ? (or maybe even Facey/Miller at the 4/5)...but real games.... real games.....
time will tell.

 

[the Blades]

I also predict Adams will force himself into the starting lineup within the first 5-7 games, and Purvis will slide into a 6th man role. Winners do not stay on the bench, this is a long and time honored rule in basketball. Adams is a winner with a capital W and he will not be kept down. I think Purvis has the game to be a very effective 6th man who will spark the team with scoring off the bench.

If Purvis doesn't cut down on the bad TO's, the off balance shots and start hitting his FT's that could be easy...but I want to see Adams play smart and see how he transitions
( what's he like as foul shooter ? ) before I crown him... either way it's more about MPG and crunch time than what happens at the start. ( See Olander vs. Butler, NC game)

 

[KhalidShockedTheWorld]

I see Miller taking Facey's minutes...but Enoch does have the look of a stretch 4 in some of his tape ? (or maybe even Facey/Miller at the 4/5)...but real games.... real games.....
time will tell.

It's a given that Miller will start. I meant that Enoch will take Facey's backup minutes at the 4 for the reasons you already stated, plus he seems like a good rebounder. Facey's offensive game has not really developed, except for an occasional athletic-looking alley oop dunk. You need more in your offensive repertoire than to be able to jump up and throw down a good lob pass.

Regarding Adams, he is a winner, and winners find out ways to get it done. My prediction that he becomes a starter inside 7 games stands.

 

[Dominicfrank]

The issue with Purvis is the TO effect, if he's not happy he can derail this teams chemistry. That is my biggest worry with us getting Gibbs, who is a 2 naturally. Adams is elite as well and needs to be the point. I see Purvis and Gibbs being the big ???? How will those two 2's comingle.

 

[Dominicfrank]

As far as Calhoun and Cassell, not bad double back up options but to me having those two enigmas down the depth chart comforts me. They only get minutes because of foul trouble and blow outs....

I actually like both kids a lot just barring a major break out they are both role players who aren't that great at any role. Both should be three point shooters but neither have proven they can handle the UCONN/Ollie pressure.

 

[KhalidShockedTheWorld]

One of Cassell or Calhoun (hopefully both) will emerge as a 3 point specialist off the bench to supplement whatever UConn gets from the starting guards and Adams as far as 3 point production. I have to think the 3 point shooting will be better than last year's very average output, which seemed worse than average because you guys were spoiled by the 3 Amigos (Napier, Daniels Giffey), all shooting over 40% on the 3 ball in 2013-14, which I don't think ever happened before to have 3 starters shooting 3s at that clip.

 

[Dominicfrank]

KSTW- Just re-watched that groups tourney run and man we were spoiled. What a team.

 

[KhalidShockedTheWorld]

I don't think UConn will have 3 guys who are starters shoot over 40% for the season on 3s again, but there are candidates on this team to shoot close to 40%. Gibbs has already shot 40% for the season, I think Purvis and Hamilton can both shoot high 30s and Cassell and Calhoun off the bench have the potential to shoot close to 40%, plus Adams we don't know but he appears to be a good shooter. There is reasonable hope that led by Gibbs there will be good 3 point shooting by committee, maybe not as good as in 2013-2014 but better than last year.