Lydon at the 5 - prediction

[orangemass]

With the addition of White I expect to see a lot of Lydon at the 5... Lydon will play all 3 forward positions but Lydon at the 5 is our best offensive line-up and when push comes to shove JB will utilize it... I expect Coleman will start and get token minutes (unless there is vast improvement) and the 7'2" swatter will play early in the season, when we need a defensive stop or we put on the press... The rest of the minutes will go to Lydon... JB hates playing 4 vs 5 on the offensive end.. Just my hunch...

 

[Ragman2000]

Although last year it was out of necessity, I totally agree. We proved it can be quite effective against good teams when it mattered, and JB always goes to the well that he knows when tough times arise. I think we'll see this a lot more than people are predicting.

 

[jordoo]

I think a lot of it depends on how productive Coleman is offensively and how destructive Chukwu is defensively. If Chukwu is a huge difference maker as as shot blocker he will play 20+ minutes at the 5. If Coleman can score, draw fouls and make FT's then he will play more than token starter minutes.

 

[RF2044]

Agree in principle. Lydon could "close" a lot of games at center, especially if we need scoring.

But I think a lot will depend upon game situation / matchups. There might be games where we have a big lead and we milk the clock, and JB wants Chukwu in there to negate attempts. etc

The more I think about this upcoming squad, the more I think that we'll have less of a set lineup, and more fluidity in how the components are utilized--just like we did in 2012.

Obviously, there will be some principals [especially Battle, Lydon] who will garner big minutes.

 

[reedny]

Why leave Robey at PF and bring in Lydon at the 5 to add a shooter, when you can just have Lydon sub for Robey and put Chukwu in the middle? That accomplishes the same thing offensively (more scoring) and provides even better rebounding/defensive presence inside.

The other consideration would be FT's in end-game situations. Even there, although Robey was pretty good down the stretch in games last year, he's still shaky at the line (his FT percentagehas declined every year).

 

[Jack Hall]

With the addition of White I expect to see a lot of Lydon at the 5... Lydon will play all 3 forward positions but Lydon at the 5 is our best offensive line-up and when push comes to shove JB will utilize it... I expect Coleman will start and get token minutes (unless there is vast improvement) and the 7'2" swatter will play early in the season, when we need a defensive stop or we put on the press... The rest of the minutes will go to Lydon... JB hates playing 4 vs 5 on the offensive end.. Just my hunch...

JB has played 4 vs 5 for most of the last 4 years imo. Even if you go back to the days of Fab, he didnt score much and plays were not called for him very often. And that team had a better win % than the 2003 team. Imo Pascal is going to play A LOT. Defense has been huge in JBs last 2 FF runs...

Edit, speaking of 2003, how often did Forth or McNeil score, or a play called for them? Not too often

 

[Knicks411]

The more I think about this upcoming squad, the more I think that we'll have less of a set lineup, and more fluidity in how the components are utilized--just like we did in 2012.

Obviously, there will be some principals [especially Battle, Lydon] who will garner big minutes.

I really hope so. I think there will absolutely be times when we're playing a smallish team and we can play Lydon at the 5 and put a ton of shooting on the court and have a killer offensive lineup and not lose much on D. Consequently there will be times to play a bigger lineup (maybe something like Chukwu/Roberson/Lydon all together?)

Lot of options next year

 

[jordoo]

JB has played 4 vs 5 for most of the last 4 years imo. Even if you go back to the days of Fab, he didnt score much and plays were not called for him very often. And that team had a better win % than the 2003 team. Imo Pascal is going to play A LOT. Defense has been huge in JBs last 2 FF runs...

Its the 3 vs 5 offensively that has killed us more over the years than 4 vs 5. Having one player setting screens and not being a threat to score is fine at the NCAA level as long as the other 4 guys have to be guarded because you are still making the defense adjust. Its when one of the other 4 guys is not a real threat to score that you start to have big issues.

 

[RaleighSUfan]

I don't expect Lydon to play as much at Center this year. I think it will all depend upon how effective Chukwu becomes. I'm expecting Coleman to progress a little more, but I doubt he'll get more than 20 minutes tops. I really expect to see Lydon at the end of games when we need additional scoring and/or free throw shooting. I could also see him playing a bit in the middle if we become stagnant and go into a scoring drought or fall behind... hopefully, that won't happen too much!

 

[Jack Hall]

Its the 3 vs 5 offensively that has killed us more over the years than 4 vs 5. Having one player setting screens and not being a threat to score is fine at the NCAA level as long as the other 4 guys have to be guarded because you are still making the defense adjust. Its when one of the other 4 guys is not a real threat to score that you start to have big issues.

Couldnt agree more

Two of the best SU teams ever, 2003 and 2012. Forth averaged 3.8 pts per game and Fab averaged 7.8. The starting centers. Two 7 fters like Pascal. Obviously i dont know but i think DC and PC play a fair amount

 

[jordoo]

Couldnt agree more

Two of the best SU teams ever, 2003 and 2012. Forth averaged 3.8 pts per game and Fab averaged 7.8. The starting centers. Two 7 fters like Pascal. Obviously i dont know but i think DC and PC play a fair amount

Agreed and Roberson's PT will depend on how much of a liability he is offensively. If neither Coleman nor Chukwu present any sort of regular offensive threat then Roberson needs to be a threat to get big minutes with all the other options we have. Its a given that Roberson is in if Lydon is playing center its when the other centers play that it could be an issue.

 

[Alsacs]

Our Golden State death lineup offensively is
Battle, White, Gillon, Lydon and one of Roberson, Coleman, Chukwu, Moyer, Thompson, Howard

Lydon can play the 5 depending on who JB would want.

The point is we now will always have 3 legit scorers at all times and most of the time have 4. That is how you score.
Last year we had G, Mali and then one of Cooney/Lydon had to be hot.

 

[Knicks411]

I wouldn't classify Fab as a 0 on offense. Good screener, good on the offensive glass. He played half our minutes and we were #7 in offensive efficiency; how bad could he have been?

 

[NineOneSeven]

The point here... we have options.

 

[NineOneSeven]

I wouldn't classify Fab as a 0 on offense. Good screener, good on the offensive glass. He played half our minutes and we were #7 in offensive efficiency; how bad could he have been?

He was fine his soph year. Finished lobs too.

 

[Toga]

 

[LAOrange]

Chukwu's time at the end of the game will depend on his hands. If he can catch a ball in traffic, he'll stay in. He doesn't need to shoot it; he just needs to keep it high and find the open man.

 

[rrlbees]

Why leave Robey at PF and bring in Lydon at the 5 to add a shooter, when you can just have Lydon sub for Robey and put Chukwu in the middle? That accomplishes the same thing offensively (more scoring) and provides even better rebounding/defensive presence inside.

The other consideration would be FT's in end-game situations. Even there, although Robey was pretty good down the stretch in games last year, he's still shaky at the line (his FT percentage has declined every year).

Scoring: Lydon + Roberson > Lydon + Chukwu. Rebounding: Lydon + Roberson > Lydon + Chukwu. I'll give you defensive presence inside.

 

[RF2044]

Our Golden State death lineup offensively is
Battle, White, Gillon, Lydon and one of Roberson, Coleman, Chukwu, Moyer, Thompson, Howard

Lydon can play the 5 depending on who JB would want.

The point is we now will always have 3 legit scorers at all times and most of the time have 4. That is how you score.
Last year we had G, Mali and then one of Cooney/Lydon had to be hot.

Four shooters in that proposed lineup, too.

 

[Jack Hall]

One key may be, in terms of offense, which center can come out and screen and run pick and roll most effectively. DC, Lydon, PC? Should be interesting because thats a key part to JBs offense. In terms of defense i would guess JB is leaning toward PC and JBs quotes have backed that up

"Paschal," he proclaimed, "will be one of the premier shot-blockers in college basketball, probably."

Oh well the "probably" ruined it lol

 

[Knicks411]

One key may be, in terms of offense, which center can come out and screen and run pick and roll most effectively. DC, Lydon, PC? Should be interesting because thats a key part to JBs offense. In terms of defense i would guess JB is leaning toward PC and JBs quotes have backed that up

"Paschal," he proclaimed, "will be one of the premier shot-blockers in college basketball, probably."

Oh well the "probably" ruined it lol

I've never seen PC play. It can't possibly be Coleman. Lydon can/will be very effective with the pick and pop since you need to respect his shooting. I don't know how well Chukwu can handle the ball, so he may not be great in that kind of rolling scenario, but maybe more in the Fab/Tyson Chandler scenario where they roll to the rim and look for the lob and hopefully open up the perimeter

 

[Jack Hall]

I've never seen PC play. It can't possibly be Coleman. Lydon can/will be very effective with the pick and pop since you need to respect his shooting. I don't know how well Chukwu can handle the ball, so he may not be great in that kind of rolling scenario, but maybe more in the Fab/Tyson Chandler scenario where they roll to the rim and look for the lob and hopefully open up the perimeter

In terms of just screening, DC was pretty good at times, he is our widest body. But yes i agree, DC seems to struggle in PNR. Altho at times he cut decisively just noone would pass it to him

 

[Knicks411]

In terms of just screening, DC was pretty good at times, he is our widest body. But yes i agree, DC seems to struggle in PNR. Altho at times he cut decisively just noone would pass it to him

yeah he is a big body, so he can at least free a guy, which has value, but he can't really do anything else. He's not going to be a jump shooter, he won't be a lob man since he can't jump, and I don't think he's going to catch a pass as a roll g uy and put the ball on the floor and score. So he really only gives you the one dimension.

 

[reedny]

Scoring: Lydon + Roberson > Lydon + Chukwu. Rebounding: Lydon + Roberson > Lydon + Chukwu. I'll give you defensive presence inside.

On offense, you might be right. Robey scored 8.8 (overall/season) last year. I'm not sure Chukwu's going to score that much ... although 5 ppg isn't unrealistic with his ability to slam lobs and get put-backs.

Defensively ... Chukwu will be a major presence, obviously.

Rebounding: Robey's a talented offensive rebounder, no doubt. But overall rebounding numbers .. pretty hard to say he's a better rebounder than chukwu (my guess).

So this will probably come down to game situations .. like playing TL in the middle for extra scoring when we're behind.

 

[Jack Hall]

On offense, you might be right. Robey scored 8.8 (overall/season) last year. I'm not sure Chukwu's going to score that much ... although 5 ppg isn't unrealistic with his ability to slam lobs and get put-backs.

Defensively ... Chukwu will erase the glass.

So this will probably come down to game situations .. like playing TL in the middle for extra scoring when we're behind.

Thats exactly what worries me about Lydon at center...ie theres a good chance hes playing the 5 because we re behind and need scoring

Like with 9 mins to go against uva in second half of elite 8 lol