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[RaginDave]

Depending on the status of Tirus Smith, there will not be enough minutes for the players on the team. My assumption is that we have 10 - 12 potential contributors.

Obviously we all think that the starting lineup (depending on injuries) will look like this:

PG -- Wilson
SG -- Russell
F --- Johnson
F--- Julien
C/F-- Gueye

Contributing Bench Players:
G -- Au
G -- Betts
C -- Akwuba
G -- Wesley
F -- Smith
G -- Cadwell
G -- Lowery

My assumption is that Smith/Lowery and Wesley could be the odd men out trying to get minutes. Now obviously injuries and other issues could change that. Smith is not going to be eligible until later if he comes back, Lowery is a question mark as he only played in 1 game, Cadwell is coming off of injury as is Kobe Julien. Wesley (who I really like as a spark and his defensive mentality) I would hope could be a lift off the bench, but depending on Au and Betts, he might not see the minutes he did in 2019/2020.

I do think that if everyone is healthy and back and available, this team has a really good chance to compete at the top of the SBC.

To me, the key is Julien, we know exactly what we get from Wilson/Russell, Johnson and Gueye. The missing component most of the year was Kobe, when he was in the lineup he was really good. Kobe only played in 8 games, but averaged 30 minutes a game, shot 43% from the field and 75% from the FT line. He averaged 12.8 points per game and 5.5 rebounds per game and shot a respectable 33.3% from 3 point range for a bigger guy. Julien only had 2 poor performances, vs TCU scored 4 points and vs Detroit scored 5 points. Ironically those were the only 2 games that he played less than 30 minutes.

[Hatch]

Depending on the status of Tirus Smith, there will not be enough minutes for the players on the team. My assumption is that we have 10 - 12 potential contributors.

Obviously we all think that the starting lineup (depending on injuries) will look like this:

PG -- Wilson
SG -- Russell
F --- Johnson
F--- Julien
C/F-- Gueye

Contributing Bench Players:
G -- Au
G -- Betts
C -- Akwuba
G -- Wesley
F -- Smith
G -- Cadwell
G -- Lowery

My assumption is that Smith/Lowery and Wesley could be the odd men out trying to get minutes. Now obviously injuries and other issues could change that. Smith is not going to be eligible until later if he comes back, Lowery is a question mark as he only played in 1 game, Cadwell is coming off of injury as is Kobe Julien. Wesley (who I really like as a spark and his defensive mentality) I would hope could be a lift off the bench, but depending on Au and Betts, he might not see the minutes he did in 2019/2020.

I do think that if everyone is healthy and back and available, this team has a really good chance to compete at the top of the SBC.

To me, the key is Julien, we know exactly what we get from Wilson/Russell, Johnson and Gueye. The missing component most of the year was Kobe, when he was in the lineup he was really good. Kobe only played in 8 games, but averaged 30 minutes a game, shot 43% from the field and 75% from the FT line. He averaged 12.8 points per game and 5.5 rebounds per game and shot a respectable 33.3% from 3 point range for a bigger guy. Julien only had 2 poor performances, vs TCU scored 4 points and vs Detroit scored 5 points. Ironically those were the only 2 games that he played less than 30 minutes.

The 2 scholarship guys you are leaving out there are Spenkuch and signee Michael Thomas. It still wouldn't surprise me to see Spenkuch end up in the portal but as long as he returns he could factor in especially if Smith doesn't return. If you think about the transition we have seen over the last 2 weeks the scholarships for Temple, Lafayette, and we are assuming Smith, have gone to Akwuba, Au, and Butts. That is 2 bigs and a guard that transitioned into 1 big and 2 guards making the overall roster even more guard heavy. As of now I would consider Akwuba the only true 5 on the roster and Gueye the only 4 (and a stretch 4 at that). One thing Spenkuch did show an ability to do when he played last year was scrap under the basket and grab some rebounds so if he stays he could factor in.

I think Thomas has the ability to play right away but with the depth at guard (especially if Butts can play) and the fact that the coaching staff has stated they hope to add some bulk to him, a Redshirt could possibly be on the table there.

I don't think Wesley will be an odd man out. He is the only true PG as well as a team captain. I think he is one of the first off the bench and still has a chance to start if they want to go with a small and quick lineup.

[RaginDave]

The 2 scholarship guys you are leaving out there are Spenkuch and signee Michael Thomas. It still wouldn't surprise me to see Spenkuch end up in the portal but as long as he returns he could factor in especially if Smith doesn't return. If you think about the transition we have seen over the last 2 weeks the scholarships for Temple, Lafayette, and we are assuming Smith, have gone to Akwuba, Au, and Butts. That is 2 bigs and a guard that transitioned into 1 big and 2 guards making the overall roster even more guard heavy. As of now I would consider Akwuba the only true 5 on the roster and Gueye the only 4 (and a stretch 4 at that). One thing Spenkuch did show an ability to do when he played last year was scrap under the basket and grab some rebounds so if he stays he could factor in.

I think Thomas has the ability to play right away but with the depth at guard (especially if Butts can play) and the fact that the coaching staff has stated they hope to add some bulk to him I a Redshirt could possibly be on the table there.

I don't think Wesley will be an odd man out. He is the only true PG as well as a team captain. I think he is one of the first off the bench and still has a chance to start if they want to go with a small and quick lineup.

Thanks, I forgot Michael Thomas and I hope you are correct about Wesley, he is fun to watch.

[Cajunsmike]

The 2 scholarship guys you are leaving out there are Spenkuch and signee Michael Thomas. It still wouldn't surprise me to see Spenkuch end up in the portal but as long as he returns he could factor in especially if Smith doesn't return. If you think about the transition we have seen over the last 2 weeks the scholarships for Temple, Lafayette, and we are assuming Smith, have gone to Akwuba, Au, and Butts. That is 2 bigs and a guard that transitioned into 1 big and 2 guards making the overall roster even more guard heavy. As of now I would consider Akwuba the only true 5 on the roster and Gueye the only 4 (and a stretch 4 at that). One thing Spenkuch did show an ability to do when he played last year was scrap under the basket and grab some rebounds so if he stays he could factor in.

I think Thomas has the ability to play right away but with the depth at guard (especially if Butts can play) and the fact that the coaching staff has stated they hope to add some bulk to him, a Redshirt could possibly be on the table there.

I don't think Wesley will be an odd man out. He is the only true PG as well as a team captain. I think he is one of the first off the bench and still has a chance to start if they want to go with a small and quick lineup.

Good analysis. Although Smith may not be a true 5 man, they plan to use him that way when he becomes available. Dou actually played the three in JUCO which may explain some of the problems he had last year.

[Rainman66]

Dou is probably the personification of the thing that bothers me the most of Marlin, as a coach. I do believe Marlin knows the game well, but goodness he seems to allow players to do things they aren't very good at, and keep letting them play/do it.

Dou, on multiple occasions last season, would get a rebound and attempt to go coast to coast with the ball. Although, he has the athleticism to probably do it, he sure doesn't have the ball handling capabilities to pull it off.

His is the just the latest, and freshest example in my head, of this.

[Cajunsmike]

Dou is probably the personification of the thing that bothers me the most of Marlin, as a coach. I do believe Marlin knows the game well, but goodness he seems to allow players to do things they aren't very good at, and keep letting them play/do it.

Dou, on multiple occasions last season, would get a rebound and attempt to go coast to coast with the ball. Although, he has the athleticism to probably do it, he sure doesn't have the ball handling capabilities to pull it off.

His is the just the latest, and freshest example in my head, of this.

Dou's tendency to over dribble was frustrating to many including the coaches. Towards the end of the season he improved greatly in that regard. Hopefully that improvement continues next season.

[Rainman66]

I understand that it probably frustrated coaches, and I still take issue with 'improved greatly' It is my opinion that successful coaches find a way to either improve the player (which Marlin has done on occasion) or make sure they stick to what they are good at (which I think Marlin has failed miserably in doing).

I think his teams the last few years have lacked discipline, both on the offensive and defensive ends. Part of that is knowing roles and understand where the most value is to the team. It is one of two issues, either Marlin doesn't recognize the undisciplined play (which I highly doubt) or two, he doesn't have the will/ability to enforce it with today's players. Neither is a good answer.

[SlickRick]

Dou's tendency to over dribble was frustrating to many including the coaches. Towards the end of the season he improved greatly in that regard. Hopefully that improvement continues next season.

He did improve in the later games....but he's not the only one with a bad handle. We had another forward that lost the ball many times heading into the paint.

[Cajun Monkee]

Good analysis. Although Smith may not be a true 5 man, they plan to use him that way when he becomes available. Dou actually played the three in JUCO which may explain some of the problems he had last year.

So, MIke, Smith will return for the spring of 2021?

[Cajunsmike]

So, MIke, Smith will return for the spring of 2021?

My guess is yes. In most situations like this you can play the day the first semester ends which is usually around December 10. That is assuming that the player is academically eligible after the fall semester. Generally they miss 6 to 8 games.

[zephyr]

Depending on the status of Tirus Smith, there will not be enough minutes for the players on the team. My assumption is that we have 10 - 12 potential contributors.

Obviously we all think that the starting lineup (depending on injuries) will look like this:

PG -- Wilson
SG -- Russell
F --- Johnson
F--- Julien
C/F-- Gueye

Contributing Bench Players:
G -- Au
G -- Betts
C -- Akwuba
G -- Wesley
F -- Smith
G -- Cadwell
G -- Lowery

My assumption is that Smith/Lowery and Wesley could be the odd men out trying to get minutes. Now obviously injuries and other issues could change that. Smith is not going to be eligible until later if he comes back, Lowery is a question mark as he only played in 1 game, Cadwell is coming off of injury as is Kobe Julien. Wesley (who I really like as a spark and his defensive mentality) I would hope could be a lift off the bench, but depending on Au and Betts, he might not see the minutes he did in 2019/2020.

I do think that if everyone is healthy and back and available, this team has a really good chance to compete at the top of the SBC.

To me, the key is Julien, we know exactly what we get from Wilson/Russell, Johnson and Gueye. The missing component most of the year was Kobe, when he was in the lineup he was really good. Kobe only played in 8 games, but averaged 30 minutes a game, shot 43% from the field and 75% from the FT line. He averaged 12.8 points per game and 5.5 rebounds per game and shot a respectable 33.3% from 3 point range for a bigger guy. Julien only had 2 poor performances, vs TCU scored 4 points and vs Detroit scored 5 points. Ironically those were the only 2 games that he played less than 30 minutes.

I do not see how Smith could be an odd man out. He's a rim protector, good defender and high energy guy who fills a critical role that not many on the team do. Wesley I kind of look at the same. He's a PG. We have few true point guards on the team and he's tough as nails and plays D. I just can't see him not playing unless a couple of these guys can cross over into other spots in the backcourt.

[Cajunsmike]

I do not see how Smith could be an odd man out. He's a rim protector, good defender and high energy guy who fills a critical role that not many on the team do. Wesley I kind of look at the same. He's a PG. We have few true point guards on the team and he's tough as nails and plays D. I just can't see him not playing unless a couple of these guys can cross over into other spots in the backcourt.

Agree with this opinion.