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Message: [QUOTE="reedny, post: 1649785, member: 1423"] (page 131) [COLOR=#ff0000]I think it is much more likely that Howard starts at point, with Battle alongside him up top and a third guard [Mali] nominally playing 3[/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000](above page 132) [/COLOR][COLOR=#ff0000]So with all that in mind, here are my thoughts: [/COLOR] [LIST] [*][COLOR=#ff0000]The starting backcourt will probably be Richardson / Battle, unless Howard makes the proverbial "sophomore jump[/COLOR] [/LIST] [COLOR=#000000]Given these takes I'm not sure where you come out on this (whether Howard starts at point), but it's one of those "problems we like to have" discussions. Here are some issues I see at the 1,2 and 3 comparing Howard/Battle/Mali versus Battle/Mali/Lydon. 1. Howard's set-up abilities are substantial, but his offense is a WIP and his defense is not ready for prime time.. Unless (as you say) Howard takes a huge leap defensively and offensively, my instincts tell me that JB's going to start his two best players up top .. Battle and Mali .. as you predict in your more recent post; 2. Starting Howard with Battle at the 2 and Mali at SF (with Lydon coming off the bench at forward) will be fast and could be effective against many teams. Against bigger ACC front lines, with Mali at SF we take a size/rebounding hit ... at the very least we will face those lines aagainst UVA, LV and UNC. Even G-tech was boarding and dunking over Mali via White and Lammers, so that's a concern at the top of the conference; and 3. Why keep Lydon (and his rebounding and scoring) on the bench? We need his offense to help replace 30 points from G and TC, and we have someone off the bench (Moyer) who can contribute at forward. So, while I concede your point about the need for a set-up guy (a role neither Battle nor Mali is well suited for), there might also be an equal (or greater) benefit to having two athletic scorers like Battle and Mali up top, Lydon at the 3 and Robi at the 4 (Chukwu at the 5). That lineup is big, balanced and productive -- with 3 outside shooters/scorers and 2 rebounders, although it may not be the best 1-3 rotation for half court sets. I have a feeling with our defense next year vaulting up about 3 levels, we're going to be running and gunning so much it won't matter. [/COLOR] [/QUOTE]

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