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Message: [QUOTE="reedny, post: 2218803, member: 1423"] I agree. There are too many uncertainties to make predictions. The OP declares that the roster is "set". Unfortunately, the offensive and defensive rotations are anything but. Guard play is a big predictor of team success, especially late in the year. I think we COULD be better than last year. Certainly, TB will be our leading scorer. But at PG -- a critical position -- again we have an underperforming guy (Howard) and someone new to the system. The difference is, Thorpe. To me (sorry for the old-guy metaphor), he's like a rolaids. My acid's much better with him on the team -- because he adds depth, scoring, size and game experience. Like Gillon, he's new to the zone and there will be a learning curve. But I'm cautiously optimistic about the 4 guards we have coming in, even if Howard is only marginally better. I want 15 points out of the PG position and hopefully Thorpe/Howard/Washington can deliver. On the front line -- total crap shoot. We don't know who will be playing SF (Brissett/Dolezaj?). And I'm guessing Moyer will be starting at PF. But both of those positions are wide open with THREE new guys. In the middle, TT will obviously play 25+ minutes there. He will score and stretch the floor but rebounding will suffer b/c he'll be away from the basket. So I would love it if he could play some PF for us, especially against the big boys of the ACC. At PF, his defensive liabilities will be less damaging and he won't pick up as many fouls. But that all depends on our true centers performing. I might be in the minority onthis, but now that he can actually see in stereo, I expect Chukwu to be better. I'm expecting him to start fulfilling his potential as a glass-cleaner and shot-blocker who can give us 8-10 mpg and 4 ppg. Sidibe can also defend the rim. If he can contribute 6-8 minutes and 2-4 points (many reasons to think he can) AND we get enough offensive production from positions 1-4 to allow JB to play Chukwu/Sidibe 12-15 minutes per game, we'd have enough balance for this team to be top 5 ACC. If we're playing a stretch 4 at center 30+ mpg because we're desperate for points, I think we wind up like last year. [/QUOTE]

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