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The best 5

B

Bhad Rhabies

All-Conference
Mar 12, 2022
834
2,103
0
Right now I’d start Wheeler, Wallace, Livingston, Toppin, and Tshiebwe with Reeves and Collins coming off the bench and playing virtually the same amount of minutes as the starters.

So Reeves relieving the 1-3 giving each player a break and changing positions as each exits and re-enters, same for Collins and the 4-5.

Then I’d have Frederick and Ware playing spot minutes to give Reeves and Collins a break, also situational minutes for foul trouble, injuries, and off nights.

I was a naysayer all off season, I’m happy to eat crow, I LOVE this team.
 
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C

CardBallStinker

Junior
Aug 11, 2022
102
252
0
Bhad Rhabies said:
Right now I’d start Wheeler, Wallace, Livingston, Toppin, and Tshiebwe with Reeves and Collins coming off the bench and playing virtually the same amount of minutes as the starters.

So Reeves relieving the 1-3 giving each player a break and changing positions as each exits and re-enters, same for Collins and the 4-5.

Then I’d have Frederick and Ware playing spot minutes to give Reeves and Collins a break, also situational minutes for foul trouble, injuries, and off nights.

I was a naysayer all off season, I’m happy to eat crow, I LOVE this team.
Click to expand...

100% the correct answer so far.
 
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B

bucsrule8872

Heisman
May 30, 2005
24,397
29,352
0
Bhad Rhabies said:
Right now I’d start Wheeler, Wallace, Livingston, Toppin, and Tshiebwe with Reeves and Collins coming off the bench and playing virtually the same amount of minutes as the starters.

So Reeves relieving the 1-3 giving each player a break and changing positions as each exits and re-enters, same for Collins and the 4-5.

Then I’d have Frederick and Ware playing spot minutes to give Reeves and Collins a break, also situational minutes for foul trouble, injuries, and off nights.

I was a naysayer all off season, I’m happy to eat crow, I LOVE this team.
Click to expand...
I think that will end up being the starting five by season’s end.
 
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H

HerrosHeroes

Heisman
Aug 16, 2018
27,234
38,039
0
BigCat241 said:
Wheeler
Wallace
Reeves
Toppin
Oscar
Click to expand...
This is it right now and its not close.
In fact Id probably take those 5 over any other D1 S5 in America. 4 transfers and a 5 star Freshman.
This S5 has it all: size, speed, makers, distributor, rebounding, shot blocking, defensive stoppers, experience and youthful exuberance.
 
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B

bucsrule8872

Heisman
May 30, 2005
24,397
29,352
0
I wouldn’t mind seeing this:

Start the Seniors.

PG Wheeler
SG Fredrick
SF Reeves
PF Toppin
C Tshiebwe

These are the guys with at least 3 years of college under their belt. They are all 20+ years old. They are grown men.

Also, this is a good combination. You have a penetrator/playmaker (Wheeler), 3 shooter/scorers on the wings (Fredrick, Reeves, Toppin) and a beast down low (Tshiebwe).

I would play that team until the first tv timeout, then play the underclassmen.

PG Wallace
SG Thiero
SF Livingston
PF Collins
C Ware (or Onyenso)

Play them until the second tv timeout, then play the five that are playing the best for that game and rotate the best 7-8 the rest of the game.

Just a thought.
 
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A

Aike

Heisman
Mar 17, 2002
75,427
46,317
90
Reeves played great, especially the last couple games. I still say Livingston starts and Reeves comes off the bench.

I think one of the above posters had the lineup right with Wheeler/Wallace/Livingston/Toppin/Oscar.

Lineup I would enjoy the most? Probably Wallace/CJ/Reeves/Toppin/Oscar.

But that could change on a given night. I’ve been impressed with Livingston, and am looking forward to seeing his progress over the course of the season.
 
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J

JC CATS

Heisman
Jun 18, 2009
23,517
12,221
0
CardBallStinker said:
People can hem and haw all they want, but Wheeler will be the straw that stirs the drink. I would love to see him take 2 or less threes a game, though. Love what I see from Livvy and R33v3s.
Click to expand...
We still hate Wheeler right? I mean he was only 2nd team all SEC last year
 
W

westerncat

Heisman
Feb 19, 2012
15,923
20,891
0
Wheeler/Wallace/Livingston/Toppin/Oscar. I think these right now are your best starters.
 
Crums Bald Spot

Crums Bald Spot

Heisman
Aug 22, 2001
9,848
13,791
113
It's close but Wheeler, Reeves, Wallace, Toppin, and Oscar as of now. You could make a case for Collins at the 4 moving Toppin to the 3 and Livingston instead of one of the wings but this is how I see it right now. Regardless, I think we have 9 guys (add in Collins, Frederick, Livingston and Adou) who should all get meaningful PT and Cal should ride whatever guy is hot regardless.

My guess - Cal will start Wheeler, Wallace, Toppin, Collins, and Oscar. Collins has improved a ton and I think Cal wants to show critics that he develops and plays top recruits who need a year or so to figure it out.
 
W

Wildcats1st

Heisman
Sep 16, 2017
18,949
28,911
0
Wallace reeves Livingston toppin oscar

it’s a no brainer. Wheeler is a role player. When I saw him in Lexington he still looks heavy and I think injury and fitness will be his Achilles heal. It’s obvious his shooting issues are a product of size. Also idk who went to the open practice but the first play Wallace blew by wheeler and they had to stop it and talk to Wallace. I think wheeler will be improved as a back up but Wallace is too good.

fredrick will be this years odd man out. I think he is another player that will have to be managed due to fitness and injury. I expect 15 min a game from him. If he wasn’t 100% by the Bahamas he’s not getting back to 100%.

Collins will be first guy off the bench

kingsley will provide spot minutes along with Thiero the same. Ware idk maybe he’s a good candidate for redshirt
 
C

caneintally

Heisman
Oct 1, 2002
27,455
17,056
0
Wheeler , Oscar and Toppin will start every game if they are healthy and be in at the end as all 3 make free throws and play D . Wheeler is the best pg in america and Oscar the best 5. Toppin is too important in every facet. So really the question is who are the other 2 i'd most want in the game . While those first 3 can't be argued with any real logic I dont think there is a right answer for the other 2 beyond a game by game basis . If I had to choose 2 it would be Reeves and Collins . But we literally have 8 guys who are all great and Theiro ain't shabby either.
 
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K_TIME

K_TIME

Heisman
Jan 2, 2003
18,393
25,700
113
How you have a starting lineup without Reeves is sort of mind boggling after these 4 games.

1. The guy hit on 56% of his threes....pretty dang awesome stroke
2. He ran some point at times
3. He is the most explosive scorer on the roster.
4. He's 6'6...so perfect size at the SG or SF

I get Collins for the jump tip...but I don't see a world where Reeves can't start at the SF or the SG spots...
 
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true-blue1

true-blue1

Heisman
May 15, 2007
12,597
10,972
93
Wheeler
Reeves
Oscar
Jacob
Collins

I think Toppin has improved enough to play the 3. Kid is Smooth.
 
W

Wildcats1st

Heisman
Sep 16, 2017
18,949
28,911
0
true blue1 said:
Wheeler
Reeves
Oscar
Jacob
Collins

I think Toppin has improved enough to play the 3. Kid is Smooth.
Click to expand...
There is no world where our only sure fire top ten pick does not start so you guys need to start figuring out how cal will utiliz Wallace
 
D

dickieVIII

All-Conference
Feb 5, 2022
833
1,154
0
As a former (small time) basketball coach I used to tell my players, its not who starts the game, but who finishes. For the first time in a long time we have the team to match up with anything thrown at us, and the ability to cause match up problems for opposing teams. This team has me excited, but as we learned last year, it only takes 1 poor performance to derail high hopes and dreams. GO CATS
 
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K

kl40504_rivals

Heisman
Oct 5, 2018
15,258
11,184
0
UkMccurdy said:
What combo do you like best coming out of the Bahamas?

I was pleased with what I saw albeit not against top flight competition.

My favorite 5 are Wallace, Reeves, Livingston, Toppin, Oscar

I’m excited about the versatility of the team!
Click to expand...
Wheeler was our best point guard.
 
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G

GLR5555

All-American
Apr 2, 2012
17,382
5,237
113
Wheeler, Wallace, Frederick. Reeves, Toppin, Livingston, Collins and Oscar all will get minutes this season. Fouls will determine the number. Thats the top 8. That's what Cal does. Ugonna may change that, but that would be a welcome change.
 
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S

sa_hunt

All-Conference
Sep 2, 2009
3,042
2,822
0
GLR5555 said:
Wheeler, Wallace, Frederick. Reeves, Toppin, Livingston, Collins and Oscar all will get minutes this season. Fouls will determine the number. Thats the top 8. That's what Cal does. Ugonna may change that, but that would be a welcome change.
Click to expand...
Replace Fredrick with Adou and I agree. I don't think CJ can stay healthy long enough to stay in the lineup. Hope I'm wrong.
 
I

IUfanBorden

Heisman
Dec 11, 2011
53,775
52,300
0
UkMccurdy said:
What combo do you like best coming out of the Bahamas?

I was pleased with what I saw albeit not against top flight competition.

My favorite 5 are Wallace, Reeves, Livingston, Toppin, Oscar

I’m excited about the versatility of the team!
Click to expand...
TBH, not sure it really matters----lot of interchangeable parts, with what so far seems to have no drop-off. With that being said, until proven otherwise, Wheeler is and should be the starting PG.
 
I

IUfanBorden

Heisman
Dec 11, 2011
53,775
52,300
0
true blue1 said:
It’s possible he will start, but as of now Reeves is ahead of him.
Click to expand...
Love Reeves----absolute monster pick-up. Shot release is a little low---maybe could be an issue vs long, athletic guards? I dunno. But I do know kid is a 3 level scorer, who just finds the basket.
 
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*Fox2Monk*

*Fox2Monk*

Heisman
Jun 10, 2009
45,982
83,687
113
bucsrule8872 said:
I wouldn’t mind seeing this:

Start the Seniors.

PG Wheeler
SG Fredrick
SF Reeves
PF Toppin
C Tshiebwe

These are the guys with at least 3 years of college under their belt. They are all 20+ years old. They are grown men.

Also, this is a good combination. You have a penetrator/playmaker (Wheeler), 3 shooter/scorers on the wings (Fredrick, Reeves, Toppin) and a beast down low (Tshiebwe).

I would play that team until the first tv timeout, then play the underclassmen.

PG Wallace
SG Thiero
SF Livingston
PF Collins
C Ware (or Onyenso)

Play them until the second tv timeout, then play the five that are playing the best for that game and rotate the best 7-8 the rest of the game.

Just a thought.
Click to expand...
That would be cool to see, I think the young guys would play very well together. From the rotations this week it seems like whatever lineup is out there is always some kinda starter level player somewhere. Wether it be Toppin and Oscar with the young guys, or Wheeler and Reeves with the others.
 
*Fox2Monk*

*Fox2Monk*

Heisman
Jun 10, 2009
45,982
83,687
113
IUfanBorden said:
Love Reeves----absolute monster pick-up. Shot release is a little low---maybe could be an issue vs long, athletic guards? I dunno. But I do know kid is a 3 level scorer, who just finds the basket.
Click to expand...
Yeah he’s a stud, makes you wonder how many guys are rolling around at small schools that need a shot or how much they improve in college.
 
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