Next year's lineup.

[orangepassion]

I will weigh in.

Mcw
Triche
Southerland
Noel
Xmas

Fair
Cooney
Coleman
Mookie
Grant
Keira-redshirt

Would love that lineup-The length on the backline would be amazing. I also think is Coleman wants to be a contributor next year, he going to need some serious weight loss. Mookie?

 

[longislandcuse]

I will weigh in.

Mcw
Triche
Southerland
Noel
Xmas

Fair
Cooney
Coleman
Mookie
Grant
Keira-redshirt

There are discussions all the time on who the better player is, Southerland or Fair. For next year though, our lineup just makes more sense with James starting. Cooney is the shooter off the bench and Fair is the 3/4 backup. No sense in bringing two shooter off the bench when your starting lineup has one shooter and one who might be able to shoot and three guys who will crowd the paint.

 

[SWC75]

Coleman looked pretty defined in the HS playoff game I watched. I thinki he'll b e the PF, similar to Rick Jackson, an inside, rebound and score guy rather than a guard the wings guy. And Rak, who is a defesnive center, will start there.

If Noel comes, he will be a forward.

 

[CaptainJ]

Maybe I am the lone dissenter here, but this thread makes me recall the reporters asking Roy Williams if he was taking the UNC job and his reply about the bunch of heartbroken kids who had just barely lost the championship game that he had to go talk to. I'd hate to see your guys' behavior if one of your wives was to die. I'm just kidding...I think. How about the lineup 2 years from now while we are at it? Hell, will JB be here then or next year? And while I am letting my anger out, screw the ACC and their fanboys!

 

[OburgCuse]

I will weigh in.

Mcw
Triche
Southerland
Noel
Xmas

Fair
Cooney
Coleman
Mookie
Grant
Keira-redshirt

This would be ideal IMO. Lots of minutes for all parties (except Grant who will prob have to wait a yr for decent contribution and Keita). If we were to get Noel our frontcourt would be insanely versatile and deep.

I do wonder what Keita would think about redshirting if asked...seems like a great kid who would do anything for the team, but I'd imagine he'd be a little dissappointed considering how he played in the last couple of games. He really stepped up and helped when we needed him even though he does have his limitations.

 

[Jasoncuse]

I'm going to miss this year's team, because next year is going to be a rough one. As much as we struggled to score this year, next year is going to be worse.

 

[mantonio]

First of all, you are assuming Dion's departure is a foregone conclusion. He might stick around for another season. Although more unlikely, Fab might be back too.

This team will not struggle to score, they will still be the best team in the Big East. Uconn is finished as a viable program, Louisville will be rebuilding with not as much talent as we have, & everyone else is in the same spot.

Syracuse is the only team that is reloading, & we will be SCARY again...

I am bullish on MCW. I can see some serious dominance over other guards, & he will hit the rack with a vengeance !!!

This team will be stronger around the rim than this season., with the same skill at the guard spot. We won't be as deep, but the skill will still be there. I can see us winning 27 games minimum in the regular season, & having a really good shot at a title. Anyone who believes Calipari can keep his talent together next year is dreaming. They will be weaker next season, & only Syracuse will have the guns to get it done...

 

[MikeSU02]

I will weigh in.

Mcw
Triche
Southerland
Noel
Xmas

Fair
Cooney
Coleman
Mookie
Grant
Keira-redshirt

This is what I want.

There is some serious size top to bottom with that lineup.

 

[SWC75]

I'm going to miss this year's team, because next year is going to be a rough one. As much as we struggled to score this year, next year is going to be worse.

Really? Coleman would give us the inside scorer and rebounder we lacked this year. CJ Fair is going to be a star. Southerland will start and give us a strong jump shooter at forward but he's not nearly the gunner Cooney will be. Triche can score and MCW will be one of our best point guards ever. I think we will be better offensively.

 

[wallacecuse]

I will weigh in.

Mcw
Triche
Southerland
Noel
Xmas

Fair
Cooney
Coleman
Mookie
Grant
Keira-redshirt

My only question should Noel come here, is how agreeable would DC2 be with coming off the bench...since 9th grade this kid has pretty much expected to come here and start Day 1

 

[orangenirvana]

Baye was a beast tonight. However, you have to think he redshirts if Narlens Noel decides to come. Otherwise it's just a waste.

Dirty comes off the bench, might be the best 6th man in the country. I hope Rak is okay with coming off the bench also. Cooney will spell MCW and Triche to complete the 3-man guard rotation.

I like this team's potential. What I'm concerned about is leadership.

 

[RF2044]

I will weigh in.

Mcw
Triche
Southerland
Noel
Xmas

Fair
Cooney
Coleman
Mookie
Grant
Keira-redshirt

That would be great on several fronts. First, Noel wears orange.

Second, Keita--who played great this postseason--would benefit physically from a developmental redshirt year. If we could make that happen, it would maximize his value as a long term strategic asset. Get in the weight room, Keita!

Third, you have Mookie back. Hmm...

I'd flip / flop Southerland and Fair in that starting lineup, but we'd have some nice firepower. I'm a little nervous about ball handling / playmaking from the guards, but that could be a preseason top 5-10 type of team.

LGO!!!

 

[Halfmooncuse]

1.)Carter-Williams
2.)Triche
3.)Fair
4.)Christmas
5.)Coleman

If Noel decides to come here, even after UK wins the title, I'll sh@t my pants.

Get that Diaper on.

 

[cap2nine]

“Starting” lineup-

PG- Carter-Williams
SG- Triche
SF- Fair
PF- Christmas
C- Coleman

I’m not even going to go into the “what-ifs” of NN. This list is based on the team that we KNOW will be here.

MCW and Triche may be interchangeable but I think Carter-Williams is better suited as a PG. I guess it depends on whether or not he earns JB’s trust by next season.

I see a lot of people slipping Christmas into the Center position. JB’s plan all along has been and will continue to be to develop him as a PF. He played very well at Cinci during Melo’s mid-season absence and even better against KSU but in the last 2 games, BK nearly doubled Rak’s minutes and was the more effective of the 2 at anchoring the zone. I think it’s a no-brainer that Keita adds a little bulk and does a lot of strength and coordination training during the off-season to be our best option at center next year.

On that same note, Coleman will be the starter at center just as Fab was his freshman year and Christmas was at the 4, most of this year. I guess it depends upon what kind of shape he is in when he gets here but I’d plan on, again, Kieta taking the bulk of the work as Coleman is brought up to speed.

There you have it. Cooney and Southerland get quality time off the bench and Grant will be tucked deep in the bench with a few minutes here and there. And, I’d like to put JS’s name in the hat for BE 6th Man of the Year contention.

 

[OrangeBlood]

PG - Triche
SG - MCW
SF - Fair
PF - Noel (if he comes) otherwise Christmas
C - Coleman

You really think that Coleman starts over Christmas at the 5 (if we land Noel)? I do not see that. I think it will be Rak with DC spelling him.

 

[BlueCurtain]

It's a fantastic problem to have if the First Noel comes, but then we essentially have 3 natural centers - and 2 of them would have to play on the wing if DC2 is forced to man the middle.

 

[Shrmdougluvr]

1.)Carter-Williams
2.)Triche
3.)Fair
4.)Christmas
5.)Coleman

If Noel decides to come here, even after UK wins the title, I'll sh@t my pants.

In the words of Marsh, "I'm all in!"

 

[OttoForLife]

I will weigh in.

Mcw
Triche
Southerland
Noel
Xmas

Fair
Cooney
Coleman
Mookie
Grant
Keira-redshirt

From what we have seen from this group in significant college games, this team won't be an offensive juggernaut. That said, I think it would be scary good on the defensive side and a great team on the glass. The latter would hopefully help on the offensive side.

Of course, anyone can have a big off season and come back a different player ala Fab.

 

[Jasoncuse]

Really? Coleman would give us the inside scorer and rebounder we lacked this eyar. CJ Fair is going to be a star. Southelrand will start and give us a strong jump shooter at forward but he's not nearly the gunner Cooney will be. Triche can score and MCW will be one of our best point guards ever. I think we will be better offesnively.

I really hope Coleman is that guy, but he hasn't even graduated HS. Will he be in good enough shape next year to get a ton of minutes? Will he be skilled enough already? Will he play defense well enough to actually get those minutes?

I don't think Fair will be a star next year. Good player, yes, but he really needs to clean up and improve his game if he is going to become a star. He had his struggles on the interior this year, hasn't shown the ability to go right at all and get outmuscled often. If he can add some strength, aggressiveness and really, really, really work on the jumper, he can be an effective scorer next year. I'm not ready to proclaim him a future star. I think he's in the Damone Brown mold, and that isn't a bad thing.

Southerland and Triche have to prove they are capable mentally of having strong seasons. They have to play each game with confidence and become consistent with their shooting. I really hope those guys can be 40% 3 point shooters next year.

I haven't seen Cooney play, so my expectations aren't that high. He's going to be a freshman in game experience and will have freshman mistakes. I hope he can come in and right away be a bigtime shooting threat. That would be huge.

Hope you are right on MCW, but will he have the scoring threats around him to be the great distributor? He really needs to work on improving his handle and getting his own shot this summer. I think he can be a good one, that's for sure.

 

[SWC75]

I really hope Coleman is that guy, but he hasn't even graduated HS. Will he be in good enough shape next year to get a ton of minutes? Will he be skilled enough already? Will he play defense well enough to actually get those minutes?

I don't think Fair will be a star next year. Good player, yes, but he really needs to clean up and improve his game if he is going to become a star. He had his struggles on the interior this year, hasn't shown the ability to go right at all and get outmuscled often. If he can add some strength, aggressiveness and really, really, really work on the jumper, he can be an effective scorer next year. I'm not ready to proclaim him a future star. I think he's in the Damone Brown mold, and that isn't a bad thing.

Southerland and Triche have to prove they are capable mentally of having strong seasons. They have to play each game with confidence and become consistent with their shooting. I really hope those guys can be 40% 3 point shooters next year.

I haven't seen Cooney play, so my expectations aren't that high. He's going to be a freshman in game experience and will have freshman mistakes. I hope he can come in and right away be a bigtime shooting threat. That would be huge.

Hope you are right on MCW, but will he have the scoring threats around him to be the great distributor? He really needs to work on improving his handle and getting his own shot this summer. I think he can be a good one, that's for sure.

I agree that if Coleman isn't ready and Fair doesn't have the game and Southerland and Triche aren't mentally capable and Cooney isn't much good and MCW doesn't have a handle or a shot we are int rouble. If the Carrier Dome roof collapses, that would be bad, too.

 

[repos]

First of all, you are assuming Dion's departure is a foregone conclusion. He might stick around for another season. Although more unlikely, Fab might be back too.

This team will not struggle to score, they will still be the best team in the Big East. Uconn is finished as a viable program, Louisville will be rebuilding with not as much talent as we have, & everyone else is in the same spot.

Syracuse is the only team that is reloading, & we will be SCARY again...

I am bullish on MCW. I can see some serious dominance over other guards, & he will hit the rack with a vengeance !!!

This team will be stronger around the rim than this season., with the same skill at the guard spot. We won't be as deep, but the skill will still be there. I can see us winning 27 games minimum in the regular season, & having a really good shot at a title. Anyone who believes Calipari can keep his talent together next year is dreaming. They will be weaker next season, & only Syracuse will have the guns to get it done...

FAB IS GONE!!!! lol. He over school everyone knows this

 

[cuseincincy]

FAB IS GONE!!!! lol. He over school everyone knows this

dat you Fab???? Me over school too, you know!

 

[GHLF]

As I've said for 3 years, I think Cooney will be the most valuable player this team has had since Carmelo.

What makes you say this, does anyone know how he truly fared in practice this season, what do the coaches and players say about the young man.

 

[longislandcuse]

You will your pants if Noel comes here after Kentucky wins the title? Hes already expressed he does not want to be "the next so and so". If UK wins it all with Davis, he would be the ultimate "next so and so" at Kentucky.

 

[cuseincincy]

What makes you say this, does anyone know how he truly fared in practice this season, what do the coaches and players say about the young man.

I can only pass on what others have said coaches and players have said, but...GMac supposedly stated that Cooney is a better shooter now than he ever was. It's also been reported that he workks harder than anyone else during practice (but of course someone had to shoot that down by saying practicve is all Cooney has so he tries harder in practice than the other players)...and a general statement fromplayer is "he can flat out shoot."
The only thing I can personally pass on is what I witnessed during pregame at Cincy. Cooney was shooting 3's with a team manager rebounding...he hit 7 in a row without moving the net...missed one...then hit 5 more in a row.
He's not completely inexperienced either. He was on the 2010 USA U18 team and was the designated 3 pt shooter and 5th leading scorer. That team also had; Kyrie Irving, Austin Rivers, Quincy Miller, Josh Hairston, Vander Blue, Lebryan Nash, Amir Williams and Patrick Young among others. Cooney will be a player.