Who will be the starting 5 tonight
- Thread starter Simce91
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I thought Francis played fine (good AST/TO ratio), just didn’t hit his shots at his normal clip. If we’re in retention mode with Francis, sending him to the bench after one bad performance might rub him the wrong way.
I’d definitely bench DG though
I’d definitely bench DG though
Your Lino theory isn't bad. I could definitely see it. But Buchanon over Grant I'm not so sure about.
I noticed Sommerville was a scratch two games ago and only played 3 minutes against Maryland. I'm not sure if he's hurt or in the dog house but I'm looking forward to seeing him go against Manny if that matchup occurs.
For me, Sommerville's return to the RAC is a story. Now if he doesn't play, that's going to be a little disappointing.
I noticed Sommerville was a scratch two games ago and only played 3 minutes against Maryland. I'm not sure if he's hurt or in the dog house but I'm looking forward to seeing him go against Manny if that matchup occurs.
For me, Sommerville's return to the RAC is a story. Now if he doesn't play, that's going to be a little disappointing.
I feel like I’m crazy about Grant stinking. What do people see in him this year? Lino, Buchanan need to start period.
This game really threw a monkey wrench into what I was thinking. I was more or less resigned to the fact that Lino was not coming back and we'd roll with the other four guards (JMike, Hrno, Francis, Powers) while trying to bolster our center and other front court positions through the portal.
But last night, Lino was our best player. And he seems to be improving at an accelerated pace. I guess we'll have to see how the last 4 (maybe 5) games go and then Pike will have some thinking to do. I don't think it's realistic or even desirable to keep all 5 of these guys. He also has to factor defense into the equation. It's going to be a tough call.
One thing that is indisputable is that we need to add some really good defensive players to this team. While it was frustrating to botch so many offensive opportunities last night, it was even more frustrating that everytime we'd get to within 5 points, we couldn't get a defensive stop.
But last night, Lino was our best player. And he seems to be improving at an accelerated pace. I guess we'll have to see how the last 4 (maybe 5) games go and then Pike will have some thinking to do. I don't think it's realistic or even desirable to keep all 5 of these guys. He also has to factor defense into the equation. It's going to be a tough call.
One thing that is indisputable is that we need to add some really good defensive players to this team. While it was frustrating to botch so many offensive opportunities last night, it was even more frustrating that everytime we'd get to within 5 points, we couldn't get a defensive stop.
Been Pike’s problem all year . He cannot place the best guys on the court and leave them there. I earlier have said I thought bringing Francis off the bench in the microwave role still getting 30-32 minutes a game was working and was good. Others insisted he should start. His efficiency numbers since starting have been worse than when he was in the microwave role.
Now that Powersand Zrno give you legitimate shooting and scoring options , Francis can come off the bench with one of them and allow the other one to start. Lino Mark should get the start over JMike. Buchanan should get the start with Dylan and Ogbole or Dylan also comes off the bench and play with both Powers and Zrno starting and taking one out when Francis comes in . The playing of Badalau because Dylan’s defense is so bad is not the answer and the fact Pike thinks it is is beyond comical. The freshman are still freshman but they have grown up. Lino, Powers and Zrno can play at this level and contribute .
To think we lost by 7 and were down 13 and Pike thought keeping Powers and Zrno on the bench for almost the entire second half when he got outscored from 3 by 12 points as they hit 7 and we hit 3, was one of the differences in the game and Pike didn’t bother to correct iit. We also missed too many foul shots , and we have been very good there , but that cost a victory as well. Putting a lineup of Badalau and Dorsch on the floor together which guarantees 3 on5 offensively was also mind numbing. I have said this before in my last few posts that if I didn’t know better , Pike trying real hard looks like he is throwing games. That is what it looks like at times. He still doesn’t know his players after 26 games. He lacks talent yes but he has no clue how to optimize the existing talent and his rotations prove that.
It’s not like either of them (Powers or Zrno) were doing anything great. In 28 combined minutes of court time they went a combined 1 for 8.
Word is that Lino does not want to be here, so Pike will not have a say in the decision.
They didn’t play so you citing stats is silly and worse yet if you were trying to make a point. If Tarik missed his first 5 shots would you say he wouldn’t score again. Just silly you are.
It’s pretty different. Zrno, for instance, only takes one type of shot and Minn was pretty deliberate in denying those catch and shoot perimeter looks as part of their game plan. His second 3 point attempt was a kick out from an offensive rebound. I don’t remember how he got open for the one he made, but again, Minn was very intentional about playing him tight on the perimeter. He only has 14 two pointers of any kind on the season and he doesn’t shoot 3s off the dribble either so he really wasn’t serving much purpose on the court. It’s not like he was grabbing rebounds or doing other things.
You also can’t compare Powers (who has put up double figures in 4 games this season) going 1-5 in 13 minutes to player who has at least 8 twenty plus point games.
Pike has to pay him and sell him on staying. Kids have handlers. Good or great coaches sell the vision and overcome the handlers. Lino’s role has expanded the last 5 games so hopefully Lino can see where he will be in this offense on this team in the future