The mirage that is the 10 man rotation

[VaBeachOrFan]

Well, then, call it a "Smoke and Mirrors" bench. Where in days of old the 9-10 guys used to ride the bench the whole game, JB is getting mileage out of Rak by starting him, much as he did with Melo and Triche as frosh. They get game experience and confidence, it keeps the better players fresher and foul-free for the end of the game, and it keeps everyone's head in the game -- what's not to like?

Note the interesting way the last Providence game played out: (a) Toward the end of a blowout, BB protocol says a coach should sub his bench as a courtesy but, Great Googlymoogly, it was SU's bench that was blowing out the Friars (so SU subbed its starters to give the Friars a break!), and (b) The Orange's 11th man, Mookie, scored in double figures! Well, we tried to be nice! Loved every minute of it.-VBOF

 

[Garbs]

it's not a mathematical operand, so don't get hung up too much on it. the ".5" term came about in 2003 specifically referring to #5 in your programs, Josh Pace, who seemed to be in the rotation, but would then log DNPs or just get spot minutes in the first half of certain games. It's just a way to note that JB usually has 7 guys who play every game, then an eighth man who sometimes plays double digit minutes, sometimes plays token minutes, sometimes doesn't play at all, but still seems to be a quasi-rotation player

I just think it is silly, just call it an 8 man

 

[LennX6]

agree with the spreading of the minutes...in fact; I am concerned that it appears JB is trying to split minutes evenly...especially when one of the 7 is playing so well there is no reason to take that player out. Specifically our 3 guards are playing equal minutes...but whether its Scoop, Waiters or Triche..the best two that night should play the most and I do not feel JB is doing that...am I wrong?

He did against Pitt, Scoop played 37.

 

[ForeverOrange]

I won't begin to think I know JB's thought process, but there is something different about his approach this year. I don't think it's a mirage, it's almost as if he is trying to get as many wins as possible, but at the same time seeing the big picture down the road. Our teams have suffered some severe injuries at the worst time, or have been gassed at times down the stretch when it's winning time in recent years. I think what he is doing right now will pay dividends in March, some of these players that are not getting a lot of minutes will get huge minutes when we need a boost the most, just like Josh Pace did. I've even been impressed with his use of the press this year when the game is not in jeopardy, out of nowhere we just launched, the whole thing has been refreshing to me. I know only one team can win it all, but I believe that he believes that this year we are are one of those teams that are capable, and he is approaching it as such, giving guys a chance to get in there get their feet wet to see what their mindset has to be like to be effective in a tough game, just enough that they dont jeopardize our winning. His substitutions aren't perfect, but he's doing a pretty good 20-0 job so far.