Why Southerland MUST start

[Sgt Cuse]

I believe Rak and DC2 will be two of the starters. In that case. I think Dirty would be a better fit to help space the floor. It seems like CJ, DC2, and Rak, along with BT and MCW would be too many around the basket types and no premiere outside shooters.

If CJ and Whitehot are available off the bench it would give JB a lot of options for bad days out of just about any of the starters.

 

[OttoMets]

I don't think we (the board) have ever watched the same game! But it is better than being on pins and needles waiting for the next recruit to commit!

For sure. As long as we're discussing hoops, it's nice to see statements I don't agree with. (To a certain extent.)

 

[OttoMets]

I believe Rak and DC2 will be two of the starters. In that case. I think Dirty would be a better fit to help space the floor. It seems like CJ, DC2, and Rak, along with BT and MCW would be too many around the basket types and no premiere outside shooters.

If CJ and Whitehot are available off the bench it would give JB a lot of options for bad days out of just about any of the starters.

Agreed. Fair would be good as an instant-offense type off the bench. He's just yet to demonstrate he can shoot (and make. with consistency).

Even if he does start, I'm very excited to see Fair. We're likely to see some very different production out of the 3 than we did last year, and I mean that in a good way. I'm convinced that Southerland is going to have an all-Big East season, and if Fair has improved just one of his two offensive weaknesses (inability to go right, limited jumpshooting ability), he's going to be great.

 

[Sgt Cuse]

Agreed. Fair would be good as an instant-offense type off the bench. He's just yet to demonstrate he can shoot (and make. with consistency).

Even if he does start, I'm very excited to see Fair. We're likely to see some very different production out of the 3 than we did last year, and I mean that in a good way. I'm convinced that Southerland is going to have an all-Big East season, and if Fair has improved just one of his two offensive weaknesses (inability to go right, limited jumpshooting ability), he's going to be great.

Actually I think it is Whitehot that will be instant offense. The well oiled 3 point specialist type. I think a big part of CJs game is too much what I think Rak's should be, cleaning up misses.

I think the top two best looking 3 point strokes are Whitehot and Dirty and having them both on the bench at the same time to start the games isn't ideal.

On the other hand, if Dirty is off - Whitehot could come in. If Rak or DC2 pick up an early foul it would make for a better fit on the floor for CJ. If things are going well and you just want to give people some rest subbing in CJ and Whitehot at the same time would keep some balance.

But like moqui mentions above I, too, am getting the vibe that Dirty is not going to start. I do not know why.

 

[OttoMets]

Actually I think it is Whitehot that will be instant offense. The well oiled 3 point specialist type. I think a big part of CJs game is too much what I think Rak's should be, cleaning up misses.

I think the top two best looking 3 point strokes are Whitehot and Dirty and having them both on the bench at the same time to start the games isn't ideal.

On the other hand, if Dirty is off - Whitehot could come in. If Rak or DC2 pick up an early foul it would make for a better fit on the floor for CJ. If things are going well and you just want to give people some rest subbing in CJ and Whitehot at the same time would keep some balance.

But like moqui mentions above I, too, am getting the vibe that Dirty is not going to start. I do not know why.

Agree on all of the above.

Dunno about the vibe - the only vibe I'm getting comes from this thread. But it wouldn't surprise me at all if Fair gets to start. He's a darn smart ballplayer. That certainly matters to Boeheim.

 

[moqui]

except if he starts, we stink. He plays great against the NorthSouthEasterly Western Idaho State A&Ts of the world. Not so great otherwise. I have never been sold that he has the mental make up to be a big time player. Give him CJ's head and heart and he is a SU ATG.

SU probably loses the first game at Louisville without Dirty's first half defense while Joseph was on the bench with foul trouble; they probably lose to UConn in the BET without his clutch scoring, and they get knocked out of the NCAA tourney in the first round without his huge game against UNC Asheville . . . you will pooh pooh the UNCA game, but that is a big time game even if it isn't a big name opponent.

 

[stuckinbig11]

I wonder if we all watch the same games. But it's nice to have some activity on this board again.

This is a good point. Indeed, we all watch the same games, but we all see something different while watching--witness the posters who never understood the good thing that Craig Forth did because they either were not watching that part of the game or did not know anything about that part of the game.

 

[OttoMets]

SU probably loses the first game at Louisville without Dirty's first half defense while Joseph was on the bench with foul trouble; they probably lose to UConn in the BET without his clutch scoring, and they get knocked out of the NCAA tourney in the first round without his huge game against UNC Asheville . . . you will pooh pooh the UNCA game, but that is a big time game even if it isn't a big name opponent.

Kansas State, too - 15 points on 5-of-6 shooting, six boards, three blocks.

And the Notre Dame game. Who cares that we lost? We lose by 30 without Southerland out there. He's the only guy who showed up for us.

 

[OttoMets]

This is a good point. Indeed, we all watch the same games, but we all see something different while watching--witness the posters who never understood the good thing that Craig Forth did because they either were not watching that part of the game or did not know anything about that part of the game.

Back screens!

 

[realorange]

Fair and Southerland. If you were picking one to be on your team, it would be CJ. Just a better all around basketball player.
Why do people expect Southerland to have as much or more time on the court as CJ? Is he really making that big a leap in ability? CJ averaged 10 minutes/game more than him last year. If they both improve equally, I don't know where all the extra court time for James comes from.

 

[Cuse4]

this sort of turned into a CJ vs JS post... However, I was talking about starting Southerland over Coleman. I think defensively, without a doubt, we are better with JS. And during our recent reign as one of the very top tier teams in the country, it has all started on the defensive end. JB, like many, may think we need the size that Coleman will bring, over that of CJ. But will his size really matter if he isn't in the middle? And is he definitely a better rebounder than CJ?

 

[moqui]

Fair and Southerland. If you were picking one to be on your team, it would be CJ. Just a better all around basketball player.
Why do people expect Southerland to have as much or more time on the court as CJ? Is he really making that big a leap in ability? CJ averaged 10 minutes/game more than him last year. If they both improve equally, I don't know where all the extra court time for James comes from.

CJ is a competent, all around player, but on a team with multiple players who cannot score outside of 10 feet, Dirty is by far the better offensive fit. Add to that, he is a potential difference maker at the defensive end and, by the end of the year, was even a better rebounder at the defensive end.

CJ is a nice player and a valuable contributor . . . but James has freakish talent that, when it comes together, is explosive and game changing at both ends of the court.

I have said this before: James' ceiling is much, much higher than CJ's, but CJ is much, much closer to reaching his ceiling than James is. We should all be hoping that every player maximizes their potential, and if James finally puts it all together, like he began to in the post season last year, then we would see a very special season.

 

[cusetown1]

CJ is a competent, all around player, but on a team with multiple players who cannot score outside of 10 feet, Dirty is by far the better offensive fit. Add to that, he is a potential difference maker at the defensive end and, by the end of the year, was even a better rebounder at the defensive end.

CJ is a nice player and a valuable contributor . . . but James has freakish talent that, when it comes together, is explosive and game changing at both ends of the court.

I have said this before: James' ceiling is much, much higher than CJ's, but CJ is much, much closer to reaching his ceiling than James is. We should all be hoping that every player maximizes their potential, and if James finally puts it all together, like he began to in the post season last year, then we would see a very special season.

I agree, if James puts it all together this team will be scary good. He's the X factor.

 

[thebigeast44]

CJ is a better basketball player than Dirty and is the glue guy for our team. DC2 is the best rebounder on the team and will be one of the best JB has ever had.

 

[cuseinseattle]

I'm for starting James he is a rhythm player who probably had more plays per minute ran for him than any other player last so let get his rhythm early. Not only that but if he simple stands at the 3pt line teams will defend him, which is huge when feeding the post. CJ has 7 made 3s for his career! Who wouldn't double down off of him.

Are you arguing for Southerland starting over CJ? That will never happen. I was thinking Southerland could start over either DC2 or Xmas. Whichever one doesn't start would be the first big off the bench. CJ, Triche and MCW are all 100% locks to start in my opinion.

 

[Cuse4]

Are you arguing for Southerland starting over CJ? That will never happen. I was thinking Southerland could start over either DC2 or Xmas. Whichever one doesn't start would be the first big off the bench. CJ, Triche and MCW are all 100% locks to start in my opinion.

ROC a lock as well, need the shotblocking

 

[jordoo]

I also feel that if we start Roc & DC2 then James is a better fit as a starter with that group of guys. Thta being said I'd be very surprised if CJ wasn't the starter simply because JB went with CJ as the starter over James both last season and the season before when we has Fab and Kris out respectively.

I think in the end they will both play more minutes at the forward spots than anyone else although one will come off the bench. I feel like ROC will play both the 4 and the 5.

 

[ORRange]

CJ, DC and James will start. James will get every opportunity to get the job done because he is a senior. Let's just hope he doesn't lay another egg. Last year for a long stretch in BE play he couldn't hit the broad side of a barn from deep (with the exception of ND). If he doesn't make shots then he sits, because JB has better options. As for DC not starting, well I just think that's not at all probable. His rebounding and outlet passes are needed too much. Rak will get plenty of time backing up 2 positions.

 

[General20]

Fair and Southerland. If you were picking one to be on your team, it would be CJ. Just a better all around basketball player.
Why do people expect Southerland to have as much or more time on the court as CJ? Is he really making that big a leap in ability? CJ averaged 10 minutes/game more than him last year. If they both improve equally, I don't know where all the extra court time for James comes from.

You question whether Southerland is going to make a big leap in ability, I think he is, and here is why.

Southerland has always been a lights out shooter, but he has in the past tended to go on prolonged cold streaks from deep. I think the reason for this comes down to defense. For Southerland to play the kind of defense necissary to see playing time he had to get a lot stronger. When you are working hard on your D, and especially when you are working hard in the gym to put on weight your shooting can suffer.

By the end of last year we saw a Southerland who could hold his own on defense and on the boards. Because of that he will not have to work overtime to put on muscle this year, and thus will not throw his shot off as the year progresses.

I expect Southerland to have a very good year shooting the ball, and as many have mentioned this team is going to need that to open things up for other guys to do their thing inside.

 

[Gabjon]

For me its not about who is the better basketball player its about who is the better small forward. CJ played more than James last year but CJ played 99% of his minutes at power forward with Kris eating up most of the small forward minutes. If Rak and DC2 are playing the center and power forward than we should play the best small forward with them. I believe that is James.

 

[jekelish]

I'll sit on a chainsaw if Southerland starts this year.

Well not really, I just want to make it clear that the starting five will be MCW, Brandon, CJ, Rak and DC. I'll be absolutely floored if anyone else cracks the starting five (without injury).

 

[Cuse4]

CJ, DC and James will start. James will get every opportunity to get the job done because he is a senior. Let's just hope he doesn't lay another egg. Last year for a long stretch in BE play he couldn't hit the broad side of a barn from deep (with the exception of ND). If he doesn't make shots then he sits, because JB has better options. As for DC not starting, well I just think that's not at all probable. His rebounding and outlet passes are needed too much. Rak will get plenty of time backing up 2 positions.

there is a 0% chance that Rak is on the bench

 

[thebigeast44]

Depth Chart:

PG Starter - MCW - backup - Brandon
SG Starter - Brandon - backups - Trevor, MCW and maybe Dirty
SF Starter - CJ - backup - Dirty
PF Starter - Rak - backups - DC2, CJ and Dirty
C Starter - DC2 - backups - Rak and Baye

I left Grant off the depth charts at SF and PF because it's tough to envision him getting more than 5 minutes a game at this point. All the other guys save for possibly Baye should see significant time this year. People have talked about Baye redshirting - I'd love to see Grant redshirt - very unlikely to happen though.

Let's Go Orange!

 

[orangefan13]

JB is going to make the most of it. This isn't one of those topics he sleeps on.
MCW, DC2, and to a lesser extent CJ, Triche and Rak are our leading isolation canidates, and our starting lineup. Icould see MCW, DC2 and Fair settling in to overcome slow starts. Especially if they get pulled and taught by JB for a few minutes.

If Southerland and Cooney have some isolation/dribble drive/shoot off the dribble and not just jumpshots when not covered we probably wouldn't even notice.

Dion got drafted off the bench last year. It won't hurt James chances at the NBA if he has any.

 

[AlaskaSU]

silly thread. We are not going to start a SF that cannot drive. The next time South drives to the basket will be his first time.