Small Ball

[WhiskeyCat]

Go ahead and tell me why this won't work. These are the starters.

Wallace
Reeves
CJ
Toppin
Livingston

Yes I know there is no 5 but who really has a back to the basket 5 in the SEC, Tenn and Vandy come to mind. Why can't we run a double at them like everyone does to Oscar and rotate from there. I know that would require effort and brains ( which we lack on the defensive side) but at least we can spread the floor, fly up and down the court and try to generate more turnovers and easy baskets.

 

[CatPhight_rivals65113]

Small lineups can be a good thing...just ask Baylor...

 

[UK90]

So you want to bench the reigning National Player of the Year?

Well, that would certainly be a ballsy move.

 

[PreMadonna]

So you want to bench the reigning National Player of the Year?

Yes! He has become a massive liability this year. He should still get some PT, which can go up if he is having a good game, but just standing there on defense as guys blow right by, and constant confusion in PNR has to stop.

 

[WhiskeyCat]

So you want to bench the reigning National Player of the Year?

Well, that would certainly be a ballsy move.

Yes, he is currently playing like a bench player so why not. Oscar is still in the rotation but he no longer can be the focal point of our offense if he can not produce. Livingston and Toppin are both good rebounders and Wallace helps when needed.

 

[CatPhight_rivals65113]

So you want to bench the reigning National Player of the Year?

Well, that would certainly be a ballsy move.

If he's going to play like he did against arkansas then 100% should ride the pine until he gets his frame of mind back. Anyone who's seen him play can see somethings not right and the big guy is not the happy camper like he always was.

 

[Ash Williams]

Go ahead and tell me why this won't work. These are the starters.

Wallace
Reeves
CJ
Toppin
Livingston

Yes I know there is no 5 but who really has a back to the basket 5 in the SEC, Tenn and Vandy come to mind. Why can't we run a double at them like everyone does to Oscar and rotate from there. I know that would require effort and brains ( which we lack on the defensive side) but at least we can spread the floor, fly up and down the court and try to generate more turnovers and easy baskets.

3G/2F is a common lineup in the NCAA. Don't be shy about sharing your opinion.

 

[megablue]

Small ball only works if you are quick and athletic, it seems to me. You have to be hard to guard. We are not that ...

 

[Panthur]

It has a decent set of advantages. Only problems are:

—Toppin and Livingston both have consistency issues that seem to go a little beyond the typical not-consistent-because-he’s-shell-shocked-because-Cal-yanks-him-so-easily stuff.

—It’s real late in the season to start cementing a group like that even if they didn’t have those questions.

—The system you’d have to run to get the most out of a lineup like that? Either on offense or defense?Yeah Hell would freeze over before Cal would do anything but the opposite.

But in principle I agree it has a lot of interesting potential. And lately it seems like bringing the NPOY off the bench might be worth trying even entirely separate from that potential.

 

[megablue]

If he's going to play like he did against arkansas then 100% should ride the pine until he gets his frame of mind back. Anyone who's seen him play can see somethings not right and the big guy is not the happy camper like he always was.

He seems to be struggling to accept his limitations ... he has to face reality ... work harder and play smarter.

 

[SophiesDad]

Better hope they can knock down shots and or/get to the rim for high percentage looks because we’re going to get killed on the glass with very little, if any, second chance opportunities. This team is cooked either way. Tinkering with lineups and not having your definitive 5 in almost mid February is a sign of what this team is. Poorly constructed, coached, and developed.

 

[CatPhight_rivals65113]

He seems to be struggling to accept his limitations ... he has to face reality ... work harder and play smarter.

He doesn't even have the same demeanor...he looks out of sorts and it's clearly impacting his drive...the motors not hitting on all cylinders like it used to...CCC took his heart...

 

[megablue]

He doesn't even have the same demeanor...he looks out of sorts and it's clearly impacting his drive...the motors not hitting on all cylinders like it used to...CCC took his heart...

Last year, he said Cal was the "Father" he never had ... also, he said he came back because God told him to and to go after number 9 ... something has changed ???

 

[CatPhight_rivals65113]

Last year, he said Cal was the "Father" he never had ...

My best guess is he feels betrayed...promises of coming back and working on his perimeter game to get him to the next level have been pretty much a turd on a stick. He's probably figured out Cal has nothing more to teach him and he's disillusioned.

IMO his stock has slid considerably from last years peak...he is what he is. Problem for OT is Cal is a master of cramming a square piece in a round hole, so he's really done nothing in as far as next level development.

Does he come back for another year? Bet it's not going to be here, unless parts of next years class bails. Hard to develop on the bench.

 

[Cats_2010]

My best guess is he feels betrayed...promises of coming back and working on his perimeter game to get him to the next level have been pretty much a turd on a stick. He's probably figured out Cal has nothing more to teach him and he's disillusioned.

IMO his stock has slid considerably from last years peak...he is what he is. Problem for OT is Cal is a master of cramming a square piece in a round hole, so he's really done nothing in as far as next level development.

Does he come back for another year? Bet it's not going to be here, unless parts of next years class bails. Hard to develop on the bench.

Oscar never really had any stock in the NBA, if he did he would be there this year. His game in this day just doesn’t translate, in the late 80’s to mid 90’s game Oscar would be a great commodity.

 

[JimBR_rivals319758]

Go ahead and tell me why this won't work. These are the starters.

Wallace
Reeves
CJ
Toppin
Livingston

Yes I know there is no 5 but who really has a back to the basket 5 in the SEC, Tenn and Vandy come to mind. Why can't we run a double at them like everyone does to Oscar and rotate from there. I know that would require effort and brains ( which we lack on the defensive side) but at least we can spread the floor, fly up and down the court and try to generate more turnovers and easy baskets.

The problems the team has wouldn't change. Poor defense and this move would add poor rebounding to the mix. Better move would be to try and get Oscar righted.

 

[CatPhight_rivals65113]

Oscar never really had any stock in the NBA, if he did he would be there this year. His game in this day just doesn’t translate, in the late 80’s to mid 90’s game Oscar would be a great commodity.

Pretty sure some had him at the very end of second round...his best chance to showcase his player of the year skills on the biggest-brightest stage ended miserably at the hands of CCC and Savior Wheeler.

Regardless, Cal didn't deliver an ounce of development...as if he were capable of it... [laughing]

 

[WhiskeyCat]

The problems the team has wouldn't change. Poor defense and this move would add poor rebounding to the mix. Better move would be to try and get Oscar righted.

Absolutely agree with the poor defense, and I think the small group could generate a little more ball pressure since they would be able to switch everything and hopefully that would lead to more turnovers which would lead to easy baskets on the other end, hopefully. We have to try something because dumping it in to Oscar watching him get doubled and throw a terrible pass out someone is not working.

 

[akaukswoosh]

Go ahead and tell me why this won't work. These are the starters.

Wallace
Reeves
CJ
Toppin
Livingston

Yes I know there is no 5 but who really has a back to the basket 5 in the SEC, Tenn and Vandy come to mind. Why can't we run a double at them like everyone does to Oscar and rotate from there. I know that would require effort and brains ( which we lack on the defensive side) but at least we can spread the floor, fly up and down the court and try to generate more turnovers and easy baskets.

CJ wouldn't be a starter for me in any scenario. He's not ready for prime time.

 

[Rockfly78]

Go ahead and tell me why this won't work. These are the starters.

Wallace
Reeves
CJ
Toppin
Livingston

Yes I know there is no 5 but who really has a back to the basket 5 in the SEC, Tenn and Vandy come to mind. Why can't we run a double at them like everyone does to Oscar and rotate from there. I know that would require effort and brains ( which we lack on the defensive side) but at least we can spread the floor, fly up and down the court and try to generate more turnovers and easy baskets.

what has CJ done so far that makes you think he should be a starter?

 

[TriCountyCAT]

If CJ is in the lineup then it will be limited.

 

[ManitouDan_anon]

My best guess is he feels betrayed...promises of coming back and working on his perimeter game to get him to the next level have been pretty much a turd on a stick. He's probably figured out Cal has nothing more to teach him and he's disillusioned.

IMO his stock has slid considerably from last years peak...he is what he is. Problem for OT is Cal is a master of cramming a square piece in a round hole, so he's really done nothing in as far as next level development.

Does he come back for another year? Bet it's not going to be here, unless parts of next years class bails. Hard to develop on the bench.

Another excellent thread — people say “ the board is nothing but hate “ “ the board is nothing but ____” when downplaying how intelligent the users of this forum are - at least when it comes to hoops ! Very good post CP

 

[ManitouDan_anon]

And it certainly isn’t against the rules to bench anyone it might supply the motivation to get the POY actually playing like the POY , and not some confused women

 

[KFuqua]

If Cal is the coach, no line up will do very well.

 

[Johnfarrel]

The problems the team has wouldn't change. Poor defense and this move would add poor rebounding to the mix. Better move would be to try and get Oscar righted.

Right. Not going to win games with poor defense and poor rebounding.

 

[WhiskeyCat]

what has CJ done so far that makes you think he should be a starter?

I know CJ has not done anything as a Cat to warrant the start but he has history and a good stroke so he is still a threat. If he wasn't, then teams would be leaving him open more rather than chasing him off the three point line. If he continues to miss then I would love to swap out for Adou.

 

[Kybluedude]

Who would rebound in your lineup?

 

[Rockfly78]

I know CJ has not done anything as a Cat to warrant the start but he has history and a good stroke so he is still a threat. If he wasn't, then teams would be leaving him open more rather than chasing him off the three point line. If he continues to miss then I would love to swap out for Adou.

my response to that would be.................brads tatoo

 

[kennyskywalker34]

A lot of teams now start 4 guards with 1 Forward.
Nearly every team has 3 guards and a Forward who handles and shoots it like a Guard.
Very few teams have two bigs with no handles who can't shoot like Toppin and Oscar.

 

[ScottGreene22]

If we had a HC that lineup or something similar would get a lot of PT!!!

 

[Kattopper]

To play small you better be athletic, quick, tough and everyone has to be able to shoot well beyond the arc and then some.

Wallace and Reeves are the only two I see in that lineup that could do this.

CJ cant guard a PG, SG, SF etc. He shooting is sporadic and struggles to get shots off.

Toppin- soft soft soft. Cant shoot beyond the arc

Livingston- really cant shoot at all from what I have seen. I think he can be a very good defender at his position eventually.

Basically that lineup is small and has maybe 2-3 shooters at best. Rebounding we would get killed, CJ roasted on defense etc. I like the idea of going small or a 4 guard lineup but our roster has so many holes it isnt possible.