Starters and depth?

[Jssanto]

PG: Phinisee, Franklin
SG: Green, Durham
SF: Smith, Hunter, Anderson
PF: TJD, Thompson
C: Davis, Brunk

That is 11 guys who may be able to contribute. Seems like sometimes teams have 7 or 8 that play meaningful minutes. I am not overly optimistic for results but maybe last year was chemistry, shooting, and injuries.

 

[dbmhoosier]

Smith isn't starting.

 

[h20pls]

PG: Phinisee, Franklin
SG: Green, Durham
SF: Smith, Hunter, Anderson
PF: TJD, Thompson
C: Davis, Brunk

That is 11 guys who may be able to contribute. Seems like sometimes teams have 7 or 8 that play meaningful minutes. I am not overly optimistic for results but maybe last year was chemistry, shooting, and injuries.

My guess is that Phinisee, Green and Durham are the primary guards...I hope (hope!) that Franklin is in the rotation.

 

[ufo33]

My guess is that Phinisee, Green and Durham are the primary guards...I hope (hope!) that Franklin is in the rotation.

Franklin is very athletic!

 

[kkott]

Smith isn't starting.

Unless he's improved his handle, decision making and shooting, I hope not. I could see Durham starting there, but that leaves us thin at guard and I assume most would hope Hunter could start, which would be awesome if he can. Gives us even more size. He's the player I'm most interested to see this year.

 

[ufo33]

Unless he's improved his handle, decision making and shooting, I hope not. I could see Durham starting there, but that leaves us thin at guard and I assume most would hope Hunter could start, which would be awesome if he can. Gives us even more size. He's the player I'm most interested to see this year.

And effort. If Smith gives high energy effort he can be productive without scoring.

 

[iubud]

Smith isn't starting.

It's his job to lose. We want Hunter to be ready, but it might take time. Anderson has a lot to improve on to pass Smith.

Starters should be the 5 that can get the team out to a good start and play the best as a unit. They can't turn the ball over and they either need to score or set up others to score. This is why McRoberts was good as a starter. He wasn't a 25+ minutes guy, but he didn't screw things up and was looking to get others involved while being a good defender.

Starters don't need to be your best 5 players. Someone needs to be able to come off the bench and continue a good start. You don't want to give back initial gains.

Durham and Green will back up the PG position with Durham being the second option most of the time. Franklin will play. Franklin won't be the lead or point guard unless Phinisee, Durham and Green are out of the game. He might bring the ball up the court if Green is in the game.

This can change as Archie gains confidence in Franklin. At this point, we don't know if Franklin will be a better point guard or 2.

 

[T.M.P.]

PG: Phinisee, Franklin
SG: Green, Durham
SF: Smith, Hunter, Anderson
PF: TJD, Thompson
C: Davis, Brunk

That is 11 guys who may be able to contribute. Seems like sometimes teams have 7 or 8 that play meaningful minutes. I am not overly optimistic for results but maybe last year was chemistry, shooting, and injuries.

Miller has already stated that Durham is the backup PG.

 

[bsmitty08]

Smith isn't starting.

Bet he does

 

[Hatchets7times]

Davis...Until he proves he can get up and down the court just a little..
I'd say Brunk starts..

 

[ericrossiu]

The way I see it to start the season

RP/AD
DG/AF
JS/JH/DA
TJD/RT
DD/JB

 

[Aloha Hoosier]

The noteworthy thing is that there probably isn't a scholarship player that can't contribute. IU has good depth.

 

[ufo33]

The way I see it to start the season

RP/AD
DG/AF
JS/JH/DA
TJD/RT
DD/JB

Brunk/DeRon
TJD/Race
Hunter or Durham/Smith/Anderson
Green/Franklin
Phinisee/Durham

 

[Jssanto]

Miller has already stated that Durham is the backup PG.

I saw that also. What if Durham is in the game in a three guard line up?

 

[DC2345]

I saw that also. What if Durham is in the game in a three guard line up?

He just switches to on the ball when another wing comes into the game.

 

[iubud]

The noteworthy thing is that there probably isn't a scholarship player that can't contribute. IU has good depth.

Anderson and Franklin aren't locks to contribute. I feel good about our 9 person rotation. I like what little I have seen from Franklin. Anderson has so much improvement needed that it will be a pleasant surprise if he is a regular contributor.

 

[TR32]

I think IU will need to utilize at least 4 guards. I don't think they can get by playing only 3, and they may play all 5, though 11 players leaves little pt for #11.

 

[Wall2Boogie]

Davis and tjd down low will be lethal. I really like phinisee will be a damn good pg with the bigs down low

 

[Aloha Hoosier]

Anderson and Franklin aren't locks to contribute. I feel good about our 9 person rotation. I like what little I have seen from Franklin. Anderson has so much improvement needed that it will be a pleasant surprise if he is a regular contributor.

True, Anderson needs to improve quite a bit from what he showed last year. Franklin seems solid, but has to prove it. They all have much to prove as a team actually, but I’m optimistic.

 

[iubud]

True, Anderson needs to improve quite a bit from what he showed last year. Franklin seems solid, but has to prove it. They all have much to prove as a team actually, but I’m optimistic.

I'm optimistic. There are questions every year. I have fewer questions about the players this year than in past years. Two of our new players, TJD and Brunk, will play and I expect to be solid if not very good for us. The rest of the players we generally know about. I believe Green is in the role he has wanted to be in since he came to IU.

 

[.Gerdis]

I'm optimistic. There are questions every year. I have fewer questions about the players this year .........I believe Green is in the role he has wanted to be in since he came to IU.

I can agree with that.

I expect big breakout seasons from 2 of our veteran players, Green and Smith. I expect both to be in the top 3 or 4 MPG. Green will have an expanded role and I expect him to be one of the top scorers in the league.

I expect Smith to be our best defender, and a contender for big ten all defensive POY. I will go out on a limb and say that Smith will be vastly improved in basketball intelligence, awareness and playing to his strengths.

From an intangibles standpoint this team could really shine. Last year we pretty much went into the tank, were a big disappointment and basically quit for a dozen conference games. I expect that this left a pretty sour taste in the mouths of the players, and coaches. This year we have a lot to prove. Everyone has a lot to prove. The players have to show that the are united and that they have a fire in their belly. Miller has to show that he is ready for coaching in a conference like the B10, that he learned something from last year, and that this team looks like they are being coached. Last year I wondered.

Speaking of which, I loved that video that TommyCracker posted of Miller in Evansville. It sounds to me like Miller has taken this challenge upon himself, personally. If that is the case and there is a new found emphasis on movement, motion, screening I fully expect this to help our players be utilized in a manner that will emphasize their strengths and mask their weaknesses. That didn’t happen last year.

I’m sticking with 5th or higher in the conference and a six seed or better. I wouldn’t be shocked with third in the league, the B10 doesn’t scare me this year.

I would be pretty bummed if we fall short of that (barring catastrophic injuries)

 

[ufo33]

I can agree with that.

I expect big breakout seasons from 2 of our veteran players, Green and Smith. I expect both to be in the top 3 or 4 MPG. Green will have an expanded role and I expect him to be one of the top scorers in the league.

I expect Smith to be our best defender, and a contender for big ten all defensive POY. I will go out on a limb and say that Smith will be vastly improved in basketball intelligence, awareness and playing to his strengths.

From an intangibles standpoint this team could really shine. Last year we pretty much went into the tank, were a big disappointment and basically quit for a dozen conference games. I expect that this left a pretty sour taste in the mouths of the players, and coaches. This year we have a lot to prove. Everyone has a lot to prove. The players have to show that the are united and that they have a fire in their belly. Miller has to show that he is ready for coaching in a conference like the B10, that he learned something from last year, and that this team looks like they are being coached. Last year I wondered.

Speaking of which, I loved that video that TommyCracker posted of Miller in Evansville. It sounds to me like Miller has taken this challenge upon himself, personally. If that is the case and there is a new found emphasis on movement, motion, screening I fully expect this to help our players be utilized in a manner that will emphasize their strengths and mask their weaknesses. That didn’t happen last year.

I’m sticking with 5th or higher in the conference and a six seed or better. I wouldn’t be shocked with third in the league, the B10 doesn’t scare me this year.

I would be pretty bummed if we fall short of that (barring catastrophic injuries)

I hope that you are right on Smith. If Smith plays to his strengths and adapts to his defensive stopper and rebounder role. He just seems very unhappy in facial expression and body language and lack of hustle at times. Contrast that with the upbeat smile of Hunter, TJD, Franklin, Race and their positive body language and hustle. Even DeRon seems to be enjoying himself and happy when he is healthy enough to play. Smith is an intelligent guy, he needs to focus on his strengths and play with confidence.

 

[Eurocyldon]

I'm in the hopeful group but need to see it on the court. There are too many question marks and "if" statements as of today. If Hunter and DD are healthy; If Smith does this and this; If TJD can come in and ...; If Brunk can be ...; If Durham and Green can make threes... All of this is great IF it all goes the way we want it to, but it could be rough if it does not.

I'm hanging my hat on better depth inside, a better/older RP running the offense, and an improved defense that can lock down the other team's best scorer and rebound the ball. If this team cannot be a lock down defense it's going to be a struggle.

The offense, although it could be good, could also be poor. A healthy DD inside gives them a scoring option and TJD could be special, but there is no guarantee right now. We hope Green, Al, Hunter, RP, Demezi and Franklin can shoot the three at a high enough level to keep the other teams honest but nobody knows if that's realistic.

I want to be rah rah and say this is the team to get them back on track, but we need to see the defense at the highest possible level and at the level we expected when Archie was hired.

 

[iubud]

I can agree with that.

I expect big breakout seasons from 2 of our veteran players, Green and Smith. I expect both to be in the top 3 or 4 MPG. Green will have an expanded role and I expect him to be one of the top scorers in the league.

I expect Smith to be our best defender, and a contender for big ten all defensive POY. I will go out on a limb and say that Smith will be vastly improved in basketball intelligence, awareness and playing to his strengths.

From an intangibles standpoint this team could really shine. Last year we pretty much went into the tank, were a big disappointment and basically quit for a dozen conference games. I expect that this left a pretty sour taste in the mouths of the players, and coaches. This year we have a lot to prove. Everyone has a lot to prove. The players have to show that the are united and that they have a fire in their belly. Miller has to show that he is ready for coaching in a conference like the B10, that he learned something from last year, and that this team looks like they are being coached. Last year I wondered.

Speaking of which, I loved that video that TommyCracker posted of Miller in Evansville. It sounds to me like Miller has taken this challenge upon himself, personally. If that is the case and there is a new found emphasis on movement, motion, screening I fully expect this to help our players be utilized in a manner that will emphasize their strengths and mask their weaknesses. That didn’t happen last year.

I’m sticking with 5th or higher in the conference and a six seed or better. I wouldn’t be shocked with third in the league, the B10 doesn’t scare me this year.

I would be pretty bummed if we fall short of that (barring catastrophic injuries)

I was watching in Evansville. I was a few feet from Anthony Thompson. That was the most free and unguarded I had seen Archie. He spoke without choosing his words carefully.

Smith will be good if the effort is there. I want to wait and see how responds to having competition for the first time.

Last years team looked miserable on the court. There was little talking. Romeo and Juwan are quiet people and the team seemed to follow the leaders. I am hoping this team is more vocal. Without a little excitement, we played flat and without energy. It was worse after something bad happened on the court. Brunk has been mentioned as someone that will raise the energy of the team. We need it.

 

[travlinhoosier]

I want to be raw raw

Rah rah