Ok now that the roster is set at least for the moment

[Trueblue25]

PG: Ennis
SG: Gbnijie
SF: Fair
PF: Xmas (token)
C: Coleman

Patterson (backup pg) will be forced into a pg role. However I'm glad. At the top of the zone with a strong bodied 7' arm spam...that's fantastic. He's also a capable 3 pt shooter and seems like he could be a fan favorite alongside BJ.

Roberson (Backup SF): Gets CJ's garbage minutes. Becomes the token starter if Xmas transfers. Hopefully takes over all of Rak's pt in the 2nd half of the year. I don't see Rak improving (that's just my opinion).

Johnson: (3rd SG and adds to depth as a possible ): Will shock a lot of people. Could possibly be our *spark plug*. I think if he puts on weight and muscle, which his dad is working on with him, there's no reason why if given the chance my an unimproved Cooney, BJ won't become the backup SG. He's got height, solid defensive abilities, and a beautiful jumper. Adds to our depth from the arc.

Cooney (Backup SG): Will get his minutes at the start of the season. If he improves, he gets closer to a 6th man role come January and February. If not, he sees no time, and falls into BJ's shadow.

Grant (backup PF with starter minutes): Self explanatory.

Keita (backup C)- splits time with Coleman, hopefully Coleman improves enough where he can build up his endurance and gives us 20-25 solid mins a game. Keita will be a practice, locker room and bench leader. If we need someone to come in and shut someone down defensively, or provide a defensive spark he's our man.

Obokoh: Redshirt.

 

[OttoMets]

yeah, i think you're right, but at the same time, it seemed like two years ago people were basing that off of just a couple good games at the end of the year - such as the Ohio State game, whereas this past year, it seemed like Baye sustained that higher level of play for over a month. if i'm remembering right, Baye started stepping up towards the end of the regular season and in the BET, and continued getting even better in the tournament. in any event, though it's far from a lock, it certainly bodes well.

He's got to be confident, that's for sure. And he started this season hitting something like 16 of his first 19 shots. If the physicality doesn't get out of hand when league play begins (as it has for each of Baye's first three years), maybe he'll be able to maintain the high level of play.

 

[IthacaMatt]

As for BMK, I'm actually pretty excited based on how well he stepped up in March. It seems like he finally took that big step forward that we've been waiting for since his freshman year. I expect him to continue playing at that high level all next year and commanding good minutes at C. I think it'll fire up the competition btwn DaJuan and Christmas as to who also gets over 15 minutes a game. Whoever doesn't step up will probably struggle to get meaningful minutes in big games.

At this point in time, Keita is our best center. If it weren't for the other 2 guys being "McDonald's All Americans", I'd start Baye at center next season. Seriously. He plays very active defense. He blocks shots just as well as Christmas, and frankly, he communicates the best of any of the 3 of them in the zone. He is a coach out there.

Christmas can play really well when he's all fired up, but his motor just isn't running too often, and he kind of makes boneheaded plays sometimes in picking up cheap fouls. It's like he doesn't get it far too often. Also, he sulks after a bad play, or after he's been yelled at. He doesn't keep his head in the game. He needs to talk much more to the other guys, calling out shooters and positioning, like Keita does.

Coleman was scared of how fast the game was for him last year. He got it packed by a bunch of 6-7 guys in preseason games who he should have just rolled over. That really affected his confidence on offense, and I'll bet he gets his shot blocked all the time in practice, too. Those other 2 guys are good. If he can finally get his low post offense going this season, a lot of it will be due to him practicing against those 2 guys every day. Time to NUT UP, brother. Don't be another Brandon Triche - *believe* you can be great. Don't settle for just being a good teammate.

And Coleman has to get a clue on the defensive end. He just looks so confused out there, with what his responsibilities are. Guys used to just run right by him down the lane to the basket, unimpeded. Can't let that happen, son. You won't stay on the floor that way.

 

[IthacaMatt]

G - Ennis
G - Gbinje
- Fair
- Rak
C - Coleman

3rd big - Keita
3rd wing - Grant
3rd guard - Cooney

Others will not get significant minutes in ACC play

No, Roberson or Johnson are going to crack that lineup, depending on what we need - either more offensive rebounding, or more 3 point shooting, respectively. I think we'll play 9 again next year, and probably all 11 up until mid-December. Gotta see who can really play among the 5 freshmen and the transfer. That's a lot of new guys.

 

[Czar]

Fearless prediction:

Rak will avg more minutes then Coleman.

If that happens, Keita is lucky to get 5 minutes a game.

 

[timkay99]

If that happens, Keita is lucky to get 5 minutes a game.

Not necessarily. I think Coleman is getting 10/15 minutes a game in conference.