Over the years, there have been few playing time decisions as curious as McCullum's obsession with Kael Combs, who wouldn't start at Drake this year. Maybe Connor McCaffery playing over superior guards like Isaiah Moss...but that could be explained by nepotism. Maybe a Brady Ellingson (came in highly touted but averaged just 2 pts per game in his 4th year at Iowa) or Josh Oglesby (the "sharp shooter" in practice who shot 28% from 3 his senior year and averaged 3 points per game).
But what's the deal with Combs playing more minutes than anyone else on the team not named Stirtz or Koch...while actual contributors like Folgueiras, Sage, Howard, and Hausen struggle to get minutes off the bench?
Combs is averaging a whopping 25 minutes per game (more than even stars like Banks). What Combs does when he's on the floor is a mystery. Sure, he's mastered the "catch and throw to Stirtz" like no other...but it's not like his passes are threading the needle leading to assists. They are just hot potato-ing the ball to Stirtz way behind the 3 point line and letting Stirtz fend for himself in a double team because they are sagging off of Combs. There are kids in the student section who could accomplish hot potato passes just as well.
Just look at the stats. This past week against NEB, Combs played 25 mins but had just 2 pts and 1 assist. Against Purdue? 0 points and 1 assist. Maryland? Shot 0-2 with 1 assist. Yet McCullum insists on starting the guy and playing him the vast majority of the game. Why?
Before I get a bunch of nonsense homer responses like "he's a nice kid" or "but he can dribble," just tell me how someone with his lack of production is starting and getting 25 minutes per game on an NCAA caliber team? That is roster mismanagement of the highest degree. There are clearly more talented players on the bench who aren't getting the minutes they should. Why is Hausen only playing a few minutes a game (if he plays at all) when he played 28 minutes per game at K State last year? Folgueiras isn't good enough to start, yet at 6'9 he averages more assists (and points and rebounds) than "point guard" Combs? Something's not right here.
I know everyone is in love with McCullum...but isn't anyone curious about the playing time decisions? Stirtz is a star, but playing him a full 40 minutes per game (not smart) is mismanagement. Hell, Caitlin Clark was national player of the year and didn't play 40 mins per game. We should all be able to objectively agree that Combs should not be playing the 3rd most minutes on the team when he fails to produce night in and night out.
But what's the deal with Combs playing more minutes than anyone else on the team not named Stirtz or Koch...while actual contributors like Folgueiras, Sage, Howard, and Hausen struggle to get minutes off the bench?
Combs is averaging a whopping 25 minutes per game (more than even stars like Banks). What Combs does when he's on the floor is a mystery. Sure, he's mastered the "catch and throw to Stirtz" like no other...but it's not like his passes are threading the needle leading to assists. They are just hot potato-ing the ball to Stirtz way behind the 3 point line and letting Stirtz fend for himself in a double team because they are sagging off of Combs. There are kids in the student section who could accomplish hot potato passes just as well.
Just look at the stats. This past week against NEB, Combs played 25 mins but had just 2 pts and 1 assist. Against Purdue? 0 points and 1 assist. Maryland? Shot 0-2 with 1 assist. Yet McCullum insists on starting the guy and playing him the vast majority of the game. Why?
Before I get a bunch of nonsense homer responses like "he's a nice kid" or "but he can dribble," just tell me how someone with his lack of production is starting and getting 25 minutes per game on an NCAA caliber team? That is roster mismanagement of the highest degree. There are clearly more talented players on the bench who aren't getting the minutes they should. Why is Hausen only playing a few minutes a game (if he plays at all) when he played 28 minutes per game at K State last year? Folgueiras isn't good enough to start, yet at 6'9 he averages more assists (and points and rebounds) than "point guard" Combs? Something's not right here.
I know everyone is in love with McCullum...but isn't anyone curious about the playing time decisions? Stirtz is a star, but playing him a full 40 minutes per game (not smart) is mismanagement. Hell, Caitlin Clark was national player of the year and didn't play 40 mins per game. We should all be able to objectively agree that Combs should not be playing the 3rd most minutes on the team when he fails to produce night in and night out.
