My starting 5 would half to be hagans ,maxey,juzang ,sestina and montgomery ....what's your starting 5?
Starting 5
- Thread starter Chaisey
- Start date
I forgot we was in our English class ,you don't understand? Is Dick your name, or you just act like one?
I think our starters to begin the year, to end the year, our best five players, and our best lineup are all different things.
It'll be Cal's biggest challenge he faces this season to play the right guys at the right moment.
It'll be Cal's biggest challenge he faces this season to play the right guys at the right moment.
Dont we always say this, that our lineup to begin the year will always be completely different by March, but its always the same, except for about 1?
It will be Maxey, Hagans, Richards, Mongomery and Brooks. Richards will have the team's shortest leash and will be pulled in a second to get Sestina on the floor with Montgomery sliding over to the "5". I suspect we'll hear the same thing we hear every year about every 'shooter', in that Juzang has to be a dawg on the defensive end if he wants to play.
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Sestina
Montgomery
Maxey
Quickley
Hagans
Brooks, Richards, Juzang, Whitney, Allen
From what you're hearing in the offseason, these are your best 5. 3 sophomores and a senior. 1 freshman who is our most talented player. Having an experienced 5 early will be great...play the freshman and Richards in spurts to see their strengths and not kill their confidence for not being ready game 1.
Sestina starting early is what may be needed. He has a mature body and has been on this level a lot longer. He knows when/where to be on the floor. And we play easy non-conference foes...so the level of competition won't matter and it will get him adjusted to playing with our guys. The leadership he can provide will be invaluable.
The bench has ...Brooks who can play multiple spots in multiple roles, Richards a junior rim protector who statistically was one of the best subs in the nation last year, dead-eye shooter in Juzang, and instant energy in Whitney.
All summer I thought IQ would be an elite 6th-man...but it's appearing more and more that he needs to start. Can shoot, defend, ball-handle, and even play off the ball. And? He has a year of experience.
Montgomery
Maxey
Quickley
Hagans
Brooks, Richards, Juzang, Whitney, Allen
From what you're hearing in the offseason, these are your best 5. 3 sophomores and a senior. 1 freshman who is our most talented player. Having an experienced 5 early will be great...play the freshman and Richards in spurts to see their strengths and not kill their confidence for not being ready game 1.
Sestina starting early is what may be needed. He has a mature body and has been on this level a lot longer. He knows when/where to be on the floor. And we play easy non-conference foes...so the level of competition won't matter and it will get him adjusted to playing with our guys. The leadership he can provide will be invaluable.
The bench has ...Brooks who can play multiple spots in multiple roles, Richards a junior rim protector who statistically was one of the best subs in the nation last year, dead-eye shooter in Juzang, and instant energy in Whitney.
All summer I thought IQ would be an elite 6th-man...but it's appearing more and more that he needs to start. Can shoot, defend, ball-handle, and even play off the ball. And? He has a year of experience.
What would our batting average be for recruiting bigs the last few seasons? Not very encouraging I suspect.
I hope my disbelief that "small ball" was our plan from the beginning is not so. If it is then Heaven help us from now on out. It sounds like an excuse.
The positive side of this is I only played high school basketball so my knowledge of recruiting and coaching basketball is pretty poor. Good chance I worry too much.
I hope my disbelief that "small ball" was our plan from the beginning is not so. If it is then Heaven help us from now on out. It sounds like an excuse.
The positive side of this is I only played high school basketball so my knowledge of recruiting and coaching basketball is pretty poor. Good chance I worry too much.
Hagans
Quickley
Sestina
Brooks
Montgomery
Calipari will use multiple line ups in the beginning to try and figure out who plays the best together. The line up in January/February will look different as players emerge and begin to pick up the college game. Watch out for Juzang and Whitney. They could crack the line up and I do expect Maxey to start after the first month. His shooting is going to be crucial. Jmo
Quickley
Sestina
Brooks
Montgomery
Calipari will use multiple line ups in the beginning to try and figure out who plays the best together. The line up in January/February will look different as players emerge and begin to pick up the college game. Watch out for Juzang and Whitney. They could crack the line up and I do expect Maxey to start after the first month. His shooting is going to be crucial. Jmo
Nick’s starting. Jr. Cal said he’s really pulling for him to explode so he’s going to give him every chance. Hope it happens. We need him
G Hagans
G Maxey
F Whitney
F Montgomery
F Richards
Foul trouble will mean Sestina off the bench for Richards early, though.
G Maxey
F Whitney
F Montgomery
F Richards
Foul trouble will mean Sestina off the bench for Richards early, though.
Hagans
Maxey
Whitney
Sestina
Montgomery
Quickley will be best 6th man in all the nation
Richards to spell the bigs and provide rim protection
Brooks to cover multiple spots
Juzang for shooting
Allen when he's healthy will be the best #10 man in America.
Starting five can keep the floor spread for Hagans, Maxey, and Whitney to drive and score or dish.
EJ and Sestina will thrive hitting mid range jumpers all year. Someone's not hitting or the D wants to slack off? Plug in IQ or JJ.
The pressure on guards by Hagans and Maxey will be crazy. IQ as well when he is in
Whitney will be a matchup nightmare for most opposing SF.
Maxey
Whitney
Sestina
Montgomery
Quickley will be best 6th man in all the nation
Richards to spell the bigs and provide rim protection
Brooks to cover multiple spots
Juzang for shooting
Allen when he's healthy will be the best #10 man in America.
Starting five can keep the floor spread for Hagans, Maxey, and Whitney to drive and score or dish.
EJ and Sestina will thrive hitting mid range jumpers all year. Someone's not hitting or the D wants to slack off? Plug in IQ or JJ.
The pressure on guards by Hagans and Maxey will be crazy. IQ as well when he is in
Whitney will be a matchup nightmare for most opposing SF.
The thing I'm still seeing is Whitney is assumed to start...but I still haven't heard a lot about him wowing people in practices. I just get the feeling he's going to be an athletic wing....raw offensively that plays hard...but won't be the elite defender starting out because of the adjustment in guarding boys in high school and having to guard men in college.
And if he's a non-threat to shoot...and it doesn't seem like he has guard skills where he can get to the rim at will...I just see him as an energy guy off the bench starting out.
And if he's a non-threat to shoot...and it doesn't seem like he has guard skills where he can get to the rim at will...I just see him as an energy guy off the bench starting out.
Kind of an awesome luxury to have nine high level guys who will realistically compete for starting spots.
Cal will start Richards and Hagans but our best 5 to win games in my opinion would be
Maxey
Quickley
Juzang
EJ
Sestina
Maxey
Quickley
Juzang
EJ
Sestina
Don't think it'll happen as a starting 5, but I'm intrigued by a "small ball" lineup including:
Hagans
Maxey
Quickley
Whitney
Montgomery
I think this would require Montgomery to have made quite a big leap from last year, but I have faith in our staff.
Hagans
Maxey
Quickley
Whitney
Montgomery
I think this would require Montgomery to have made quite a big leap from last year, but I have faith in our staff.
I think 4 are locked.
Hagans
Maxey
Whitney
EJ
I thought Richards would start But seeing Sestina get up like he did and knock down 3's with such ease--I won't be surprised if Cal starts him.
Hagans
Maxey
Whitney
EJ
I thought Richards would start But seeing Sestina get up like he did and knock down 3's with such ease--I won't be surprised if Cal starts him.
Have to see them play, but I love what Johnny Juzang showed at Pro Day. That release is quick and pretty. Other takes from the Pro Day:
Whitney has to make sure he does what he can do and not try to showcase a jumper that isn't there yet. He seems to shoot he corners well, and love his athleticism, but do what you do well, not what you think everyone wants to see.
Brooks is going to be a great player for Cats. He just gets it. Swiss Army Knife on frontline
Montgomery's got 1 red flag for me--Cal seems hesitant to embrace that he's grown up. Seeing PJ Washington's growth last year turn into a great story is one thing, but doing the work and most of all producing on the court is something I've got to see. Cal always uses "maturity" and "need to see it on court" when addressing him.
Richards has to be Bahamas Nick and I'd heard good things about his approach to offseason, etc....then I see where Cal tells him to run in a drill and not jog and the guy proceeds to jog. That won't get it done. Can be nicest guy in world but if you can't listen/communicate, it's never going to happen.
Sestina is better then Reid Travis IMO. Can shoot/space court, so it opens lanes for guards to attack/kick.
Quickley looks stronger but really struggled bringing ball up against Hagans/Maxey-which is a sign of what it'll be like for opponents too. I like that Quickley had a lot of positives in NCAA's last year and think that will help as well.
Maxey and Hagans is going to be a great backcourt and excited to see them against opponents.
Whitney has to make sure he does what he can do and not try to showcase a jumper that isn't there yet. He seems to shoot he corners well, and love his athleticism, but do what you do well, not what you think everyone wants to see.
Brooks is going to be a great player for Cats. He just gets it. Swiss Army Knife on frontline
Montgomery's got 1 red flag for me--Cal seems hesitant to embrace that he's grown up. Seeing PJ Washington's growth last year turn into a great story is one thing, but doing the work and most of all producing on the court is something I've got to see. Cal always uses "maturity" and "need to see it on court" when addressing him.
Richards has to be Bahamas Nick and I'd heard good things about his approach to offseason, etc....then I see where Cal tells him to run in a drill and not jog and the guy proceeds to jog. That won't get it done. Can be nicest guy in world but if you can't listen/communicate, it's never going to happen.
Sestina is better then Reid Travis IMO. Can shoot/space court, so it opens lanes for guards to attack/kick.
Quickley looks stronger but really struggled bringing ball up against Hagans/Maxey-which is a sign of what it'll be like for opponents too. I like that Quickley had a lot of positives in NCAA's last year and think that will help as well.
Maxey and Hagans is going to be a great backcourt and excited to see them against opponents.
Hagans, Maxey, Whitney, and Montgomery seem like locks for me. Hagans is a returning starter. Montgomery is our most talented big man. Maxey and Whitney are our top Freshmen.
Now, I would like to see Sestina as the fifth starter. I think he really complements the other four guys with his shooting and rebounding.
With Hagans and Whitney being suspect shooters at the 1 and 3, we need a stretch 4 out there. I see him playing the role Willis played with Fox and Briscoe.
Plus he brings some experience to the table.
I think Cal will start Richards to start the season and might even keep him starting, but I think we will be at our best when Sestina is in there instead of Richards.
Now, I would like to see Sestina as the fifth starter. I think he really complements the other four guys with his shooting and rebounding.
With Hagans and Whitney being suspect shooters at the 1 and 3, we need a stretch 4 out there. I see him playing the role Willis played with Fox and Briscoe.
Plus he brings some experience to the table.
I think Cal will start Richards to start the season and might even keep him starting, but I think we will be at our best when Sestina is in there instead of Richards.
Crazy to think about our depth right now.
Also seems crazy to have so many starting lineups without one of our two best shooters (sestina and juzang) included.
Seems like you want to get a shooter in there right away to open up the inside a little.
Spreading out the defense is going to open up so many pick and rolls, lobs, offensive rebounds, dribble drive getting the ball high off the backboard for rebound putbacks.
If Whitney and Brooks have space, and paths to the rim they will be twice as productive.
Hagans
Maxey
Whitney
Sestina
Montgomery
I know It's really early but Juzang reminds me of Booker. Gonna be hard not to get him 25 mins a game with his ability to put the ball in the basket.
Also seems crazy to have so many starting lineups without one of our two best shooters (sestina and juzang) included.
Seems like you want to get a shooter in there right away to open up the inside a little.
Spreading out the defense is going to open up so many pick and rolls, lobs, offensive rebounds, dribble drive getting the ball high off the backboard for rebound putbacks.
If Whitney and Brooks have space, and paths to the rim they will be twice as productive.
Hagans
Maxey
Whitney
Sestina
Montgomery
I know It's really early but Juzang reminds me of Booker. Gonna be hard not to get him 25 mins a game with his ability to put the ball in the basket.
Hagans will start at the 1. Maxey will start because he is the best player on the team. Montgomery will start because he is the best big. After that it is a mix and match. Richards may start like he did as a freshman and get less than 15 minutes a game. Brooks will get minutes because of his versatility. Whitney has to prove he will d it up and play within himself. He reminds me of Diallo in my expectations. Juzang could be another Herro with his skill set. Is he physically ready to play against the big boys or will he get lost in the shuffle. Sestina has to show he can defend SEC uber athletes. If you can't defend Cal's leash is very short. Allen is starting behind and will find it very hard to catch up with as many guys who can play in front of him. Most of these guys have the ability to make a big jump. It will be interesting to see who is the next Herro or SGA. Brooks or Whitney could either one make that leap.