Starters for Alcorn State

[SaveFerris]

Roberts, Flowers, Noah, Gueye, Jackson. Efe working way back on a minutes count (20).

I’m really curious to see Gueye but Roberts/Flowers is interesting as well. Then where Bamba, Jakimovski, and Rosario are at this point. I hope Rice gets some court time as well. I have a feeling he will at least show some flashes this year.

Early weekday game @ Noon is still strange.

 

[kougkurt]

Any TV?

 

[Coug1990]

Roberts, Flowers, Noah, Gueye, Jackson. Efe working way back on a minutes count (20).

I’m really curious to see Gueye but Roberts/Flowers is interesting as well. Then where Bamba, Jakimovski, and Rosario are at this point. I hope Rice gets some court time as well. I have a feeling he will at least show some flashes this year.

Early weekday game @ Noon is still strange.

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Jakimovski also didn't pick up a basketball for six months after his groin surgery. Both he, and Abogidi are behind. I think we are going to see a lot of substitutions in these first two games.

 

[Coug1990]

I thought this was interesting, from WSUCougars.com regarding Gueye's profile:

"Despite dealing with injuries that limited his play throughout his 2020-21 season Gueye put together solid numbers averaging 9.5 points and 11.5 rebounds per game as the team sported a 30-4 record prior to heading into the GEICO Nationals."

 

[mikalalas]

Smith said the battle between Roberts/Flowers/Koulibaly was, is ectremely tight, close, even.

It looks like Roberts, Flowers, have just barely beaten out Koulibaly.

But the only problem with Roberts, Flowers at the 1 and 2, is lack of height, with Roberts 5-11, and Flowers 6-1 at the 2 spot. Thats fine against smaller lineups like alcorn st, etc. But will be a problem against bigger guard lineups vs some of the Pac 12, etc.

Also Koulibaly in addition to Noah is tied for #1 as the best lock down defending guard.

Because of all that. I see it this way.

Small Line up:

1. Roberts 2. Flowers 3. Noah 4 Efe. 5. Jackson. Gueye is only temporary starter, and Efe only not starting because of injury recovery, health, minutes restriction. When Efe is back ro full health, EFe will be the permanent starter sans injury.

Big guard line up;

1. Flowers 6-1, 2. Koulibaly(6-3) 3. Noah 6-4.5 4 Efe, 5. Jackson.

Really big guard line up

1. Koulibaly. 2. Noah. 3 Bamba

Unlikely, rarely, if ever used

BIG Line up

1. Flowers, Koulibaly 2. Noah. 3. Rodman or Gueye 4. Efe. 5. Jackson.

CORE Line up

1. Flowers, Roberts. 2. Koulibaly, Noah 3. Noah, or Gueye or Rodman. Noah will start at either 3( most likely) or 2, but a guaranted permanent starter sans injury. 4. Efe. 5. Jackson

Co 6th men, first off bench:

Guard: Koulibaly(semi situational starter/6th man 1st off bench, instant lockdown defense hybrid)

Forward/center: Gueye

Rotation

1. Roberts, Flowers, Koulibaly 2. Flowers, Koulibaly, Noah, Bamba 3. Noah, Rodman, Bamba, Tony Miller, Gueye 4. Efe, Gueye, AJ, Tony Miller, Jackson, Matt 6-9, 5. Jackson, Gueye, Efe, AJ, Matt 6-9

Rotation 9, 10, 11 deep.

Guards: 1, 2, 3 spots:, Noah, Flowers, Roberts, Koulibaly, Bamba

Rosario and Rapp and Rice, battle it out to be the 6th guard and maybe get either some garbage time minutes, to a little bit of time to some time to a little bit of rotational time as semi part of bottom of rotation.

Forwards: 3,4,5 spots: Jackson, Efe, Gueye, AJ, Rodman, Tony Miller

Rosario and Rapp and Rice and Matt(6-9) are probably on the outside, not make the Rotation.

Also no way in hell is Rapp better then: Roberts, Flowers, Noah, Koulibaly, Bamba, Rodman, Miller, Jackson, Efe, Gueye, AJ

The only player on the roster that Rapp would have a chance at beating out to be a part of the rotation would be Bamba.

And if that happens, would be miracle.

So unless there is a injury to the guards ahead of him, or unless he miraculously beats out Bamba, Rapp is not gona make the main rotation.

That was to address the: "i cant believe you left Rapp out of the Rotation, Rapp got rotational minutes last season, and even started a game or played major minutes vs Remy, etc"

If WSU hadnt gotten Roberts and Flowers, etc, and if Koulibaly were still injured, and if Bamba hadnt improved, then yeah Rapp would be a main member of rotation just like last year.

But the Roster is just too good and deep, etc, for Rapp to be part of the rotation.

That, this is how I see it all shaking out rhis season.

Now anthing can happen, and Smith might do something else(Not Likely). but this is the most likely way that things shake out, end up.

 

[SaveFerris]

Any TV?

Pac 12 Network.

 

[SaveFerris]

Jakimovski also didn't pick up a basketball for six months after his groin surgery. Both he, and Abogidi are behind. I think we are going to see a lot of substitutions in these first two games.

I really wouldn’t be too surprised to see a long bench into December. We seem to be working towards a healthy roster.

I see Jakimovski being a lot more consistent shooting in whatever minutes he gets.

 

[mikalalas]

I really wouldn’t be too surprised to see a long bench into December. We seem to be working towards a healthy roster.

I see Jakimovski being a lot more consistent shooting in whatever minutes he gets.

Jakimovsky will get back up rotational minutes at the 3,4,5 spots, wherever Smith can squeeze him in, get him some minutes, for his shooting, height, rebounding, defense, leadership, experience, etc.

He may be rusty, recovering, behind others, but he will recover, catch up, and there will be a role, whatever that is, in the Rotation.

That Rotation will be at least 9, and 9, 10, 11 man rotation.

Even when Smith Tightens up Rotation, that Rotation, will be at least 9, even in Post Season Tourny play like Pac 12 tourny, NIT, NCAA, CBI, etc(CBI not likely, as WSU will either goto NCAA, or NIT)

And tho Efe is still recovering from injury, and behind, he will catch up, surpass, and will be a permanent starter eventually tbis season.

 

[mikalalas]

I thought this was interesting, from WSUCougars.com regarding Gueye's profile:

"Despite dealing with injuries that limited his play throughout his 2020-21 season Gueye put together solid numbers averaging 9.5 points and 11.5 rebounds per game as the team sported a 30-4 record prior to heading into the GEICO Nationals."

Also while some may think those are not world beater stats, etc, those stats are what he put up as a recovering semi injured player, that was injured during the last 1,2 seasons.

Not only that, but he was the BACK UP behind 1,2, 5, FIVE STAR FUTURE PRO(S), 1 of which went to Oregon, that was among the Top 7+ players, recruits in the entire nation.

Those stats of his is pretty world beating if, when looked at through those circumstances.

There is a reason why he was, is a 4, FOUR STAR, and why he was projected by NBADRAFTROOM.COM to be a future NBA draft LOTTERY pick PROSPECT.

he is so EXTREMELY NBA ESQUE FREAKISH ATHLETICISM.

No surprise that he is starting as a true freshman as a tempory replacement starter for EFE.

He is going to be a CO 6th man first off the bench, semi situational starter, lots of minutes, lots of production, stats, player this season.

And that isnt or shouldnt have been or be a surprise.

 

[Coug1990]

I really wouldn’t be too surprised to see a long bench into December. We seem to be working towards a healthy roster.

I see Jakimovski being a lot more consistent shooting in whatever minutes he gets.

I agree. There will be injuries, there always are. But, I think there will be a long bench until conference, then it will shorten to 7.5/8.5. What I think will help is this is the deepest team that I can ever remember. Miller, DeWolf, and Rosario may not get minutes, but they are going to make the players getting minutes better.

 

[mikalalas]

I agree. There will be injuries, there always are. But, I think there will be a long bench until conference, then it will shorten to 7.5/8.5. What I think will help is this is the deepest team that I can ever remember. Miller, DeWolf, and Rosario may not get minutes, but they are going to make the players getting minutes better.

Only time that Rotation MIGHT, and thats a very iffy might, shorten to only 8, is in the Pac 12 tourny, NCAA tourny, NIT tourny.

And in those times the Rotation will be at least 8 at extreme minimum.

Before then the Rotation will be at least 9 or more.

In conference the MINIMUM will be at least 9 or more.

Before conference, to start of to first 3 games of conference its going to be a 10 man rotation.

And before that, its going to be a 11 man rotation.

And the first 3 games of season, non con its going to be 12 man rotation.

Teams as deep and as good as this team dont use 7,8 man rotations, they use at least 9 in postseason tournys. They at least 10 in conference, and at least 11 in noncon.

Thats what Baylor, Gonzaga, Kentucky, Kansas, North Carolina, etc do.

And this team is as deep as those teams.

But saying WSU is as deep as those teams, does not mean WSU is as good as those teams.

So gona be more then 7,8 man rotation come conference, and tourny time.

This team has the talent, depth, athleticism to run some teams into the ground.

And thats why this team will have a 9, 10, 11 man rotation

 

[mikalalas]

I agree. There will be injuries, there always are. But, I think there will be a long bench until conference, then it will shorten to 7.5/8.5. What I think will help is this is the deepest team that I can ever remember. Miller, DeWolf, and Rosario may not get minutes, but they are going to make the players getting minutes better.

Add Rice and Rapp to that list of those that might not get minutes

Matt, Rosario, Rice, Miller, Rapp, all those 5 names might probably not be part of 10 man rotation, and may not get any minutes, except in either garbage time, or except for injuries, or unless Bamba, etc, regresses, hasnt improved as much, an except if one of these players miraculously beats out Bamba or 1 of the other players.

 

[Cougsocal]

I really wouldn’t be too surprised to see a long bench into December. We seem to be working towards a healthy roster.

I see Jakimovski being a lot more consistent shooting in whatever minutes he gets.

Coach Smith, in a presser and talking about his team vision, expressed the intent to get Jakimovski's distribution ability involved at the 3 this season, with the big 3 rotating at the 4-5, being more of a presence on the offensive boards and more productive possessions. I got the sense that it is Jakimovski's 3 position to lose. He is our only passing and ball handling "big," which is the ideal for a 3, in a two guard offense. But Coach Smith also mentioned "confidence," which as we know was holding Jakimovski back last year. So vision and reality are often two different things.

 

[SDCoug]

Pac 12 Network.

Why is this game at noon? Seems like an odd starting time for a weekday when not part of a tournament. Maybe it’s happened in the past and I’ve been oblivious.

 

[Cougsocal]

Why is this game at noon? Seems like an odd starting time for a weekday when not part of a tournament. Maybe it’s happened in the past and I’ve been oblivious.

All day BB kick off -- we have the smallest TV market and no track record of recent success. Hence, the complete crap TV slot. We starting winning, that will change

 

[kougkurt]

My recently retired self is loving it……..think I’ll set up a game thread.

 

[COUGinNCW]

My recently retired self is loving it……..think I’ll set up a game thread.

I’m going to “work remotely” this afternoon.

 

[Glad Cougar]

My recently retired self is loving it……..think I’ll set up a game thread.

Congratulations, Kurt! You'll love retirement.

Glad Cougar

 

[jourdand]

I was impressed with what I saw from Roberts, nobody else really stood out but everybody looked solid. I think Koulibay will continue to improve and be very solid back up if not a starter by PAC 12 season.
Surprised we didn’t see Rosario, Rice or Miller at all.

 

[SaveFerris]

To think when Roberts signed I was trying to figure out if he was walk-on. This staff knows how to evaluate talent. That is all.

 

[mikalalas]

I was impressed with what I saw from Roberts, nobody else really stood out but everybody looked solid. I think Koulibay will continue to improve and be very solid back up if not a starter by PAC 12 season.
Surprised we didn’t see Rosario, Rice or Miller at all.

Koulibaly ONLY had about 2,3,4 assist, almost no turnovers, got some rebounds, played ABSOLUTE LOCKDOWN DEFENSE, score about 12, 13,14,15 points, and made about 2, 3, 3 pointers.

Roberts was lights out from 3 with about 4,5,6 3 pointers. BUT thats all he did was hit 3 pointers, and 1,2 drives. and 1 of those scored. But his defense was not as good, and he didnt get assist, and didnt rebound. So really only his 3 pointers stood out.

If that is what he will contribute is 3 pointerss, and since Flowers, Koulibaly, others can hit 3 pointers, and since Roberts lacks height, and since Flowers can score, rebound(11), assist(2,3,4+), and since Koulibaly can score, defend, rebound, assist(1,2,3+), then by Pac 12 play, Flowers will start at 1. PG, he is the best DISTRIBUTOR. 2. Koulibaly is too good to not start at 2. 3. Noah at 3. Roberts will be co 6th man, INSTANT 3 POINT OFFENSE off bench, because that what Roberts does best, which is HIT 3's, and he just isnt a good enough Distributor, to play starting PG, and he doesnt play lockdown defense, and he is not tall enough to consistently score inside on drives, and he doesnt rebound, because of that if he starts at 1. PG, and flowers starts at 2, and Noah starts at 3, and Koulibaly comes off bench, then eventually, Roberts only shooting 3's, and not being as tall, etc, could eventually be a semi liability.

Thats why Roberts should eventually be a 1st off bench DEADLY accurate 3 pointers instant offense off bench.

And why Flowers should distribute as starting PG, and Koulibaly starts at 2, or comes off bench, if Noah starts at 2, and Noah starts at either 3 or 2.

Thats best at least based on this game, etc.

Basically at 5-11, Roberts is like Ex Sonic 5-10 3 point marksman Dana Barros, who ONLY shot 3 pointers and came off bench and had a 35 point game off the bench.

Roberts is also like 5-10 Tyrone Maxey, that came off bench, only shot 3's, that played for Kelvin Sampson at WSU.

Roberts should have the same role as Tyrone Maxey, and Dana Barros.

 

[mikalalas]

To think when Roberts signed I was trying to figure out if he was walk-on. This staff knows how to evaluate talent. That is all.

Roberts was a scholly transfer, and Smith got him, because the reason why Roberts scored about 45 at Div 2 level, and averaged 20+ a game, was because of his lights out, deadly accurate 3 point shooting.

People initially wondered if he could make the jump from Div 2 to Pac 12.

But Smith, and me, others knew he could, would, because deadly accurate 3 point shooting translates at even the highest levels, whether Div 2, Pac 12, Overseas, Semi Pro, G league, NBA, etc,(not saying he going to NBA. I do not think he would make it to the NBA, but he has NBA, steve kerr, etc, deadly accurate sharpshooting 3 point accuracy, and will probably shoot about 49% from 3, by the time he leaves, if he gets a little lucky, to go with his great 3 point shooting skill.)

 

[Glad Cougar]

I wouldn't even try to make judgments/predictions based on a single game against Alcorn State. There will be 8-9 players in the rotation and the starting lineup could be flexible depending on who the Cougs are playing. The stats for the upcoming Seattle game could look quite different than game 1. A different guy may get hot. Nonetheless, I was very impressed with Koulibally's game and pleasantly surprised at what Roberts was able to do. I actually thought Flowers had one of the best games yesterday even though he didn't score much or shoot well. The rebounds & assists were impressive.

Regarding Roberts' good outside shooting, I really enjoy watching D-2 basketball largely because the fundamentals seem to be more important at that level. That includes good shooting technique. Some of these D-2 guys are gifted outside shooters but simply lack athleticism or size or some other physical limitation that keeps them from playing D-1. Roberts lacks size but is athletic....and, of course, he can shoot. A good piece to have for the WSU puzzle.

Glad Cougar