Starting five
- Thread starter 7ICoug
- Start date
Past Flynn it is pretty hard to project although I am very high on Franks. Chidum looks like he could have similar upside. I am hoping Daniels Acquaah, Gittens and Hinson all meld in to a nice rotation. Pollard and Cooper should both be situational contributors although I could see either getting starters minutes. I actually like Pollard off the bench to bring energy when there is a let down.
Bottom line I see a pretty decent 9 man rotation. Contributions from Ergas and Langston would be a pleasant surprise
Bottom line I see a pretty decent 9 man rotation. Contributions from Ergas and Langston would be a pleasant surprise
As I see it
Flynn
Acquaah
Daniels
Franks
Pollard
By PAC 12 I could see Chidom taking Franks spot and Gittens taking Daniels spot. Either way those are my seven potential starters and I think Hinson is in the regular rotation but I don't see him starting. I think the rest struggle for minutes but I am interested in seeing what Ergas can bring to the table with all his athletism and a little less but still interested to see what Cooper brings to the game with his size
Flynn
Acquaah
Daniels
Franks
Pollard
By PAC 12 I could see Chidom taking Franks spot and Gittens taking Daniels spot. Either way those are my seven potential starters and I think Hinson is in the regular rotation but I don't see him starting. I think the rest struggle for minutes but I am interested in seeing what Ergas can bring to the table with all his athletism and a little less but still interested to see what Cooper brings to the game with his size
My starters and rotation as of now:
Flynn
Acquaah
Hinson
Franks
Cooper
Rotation: Acquaah (PG), Daniels, Gittens, Chidom, Pollard
Should be interesting however it shakes out.
Flynn
Acquaah
Hinson
Franks
Cooper
Rotation: Acquaah (PG), Daniels, Gittens, Chidom, Pollard
Should be interesting however it shakes out.
It will be an interesting rotation when it is finally set. i see Gittens starting as he has excellent size .hops and skill set. At 6'5 205 ,he can ride some of the thinner types around the court on his hip. Chidom may become a defensive stopper ,believe it or not. Cooper will be a valuable backup and will give the cougs basket protection which has been lacking. If the team gells,they may surprise some people.
I think at the beginning of the season the starting 5 will be:
Pollard
Franks
Hinson
Flynn
Acquaah
I see Gittens possible taking over for Hinson later in the season with Hinson still seeing quality minutes. Cooper may start or beat out Pollard, but at this point I think they are of similar quality. Daniel's could see more minutes at the beginning of the season, but there are so many options at guard position I think its going to be difficult for him to see time as the season progresses, especially is Ergas shows some ability. Chidom reports have been good and he seems to have some good skill sets, but he doesn't have that much starting experience at any level so its hard to project where he will be next year.
Pollard
Franks
Hinson
Flynn
Acquaah
I see Gittens possible taking over for Hinson later in the season with Hinson still seeing quality minutes. Cooper may start or beat out Pollard, but at this point I think they are of similar quality. Daniel's could see more minutes at the beginning of the season, but there are so many options at guard position I think its going to be difficult for him to see time as the season progresses, especially is Ergas shows some ability. Chidom reports have been good and he seems to have some good skill sets, but he doesn't have that much starting experience at any level so its hard to project where he will be next year.
Pollard, Franks, Hinson, Flynn, Acquaah, Chidom, Cooper, Ergas, Daniels, Gittens, Langston--------
looks like a defensive/rebounding nightmare. This bunch will struggle gelling in preseason and could very well be dominated by the Pac-12 in league play. Coug front court is a disaster on paper.
looks like a defensive/rebounding nightmare. This bunch will struggle gelling in preseason and could very well be dominated by the Pac-12 in league play. Coug front court is a disaster on paper.
If this looks like a defensive nightmare what was last year. Interior D will be significantly better regardless of the rotation. This will help our perimeter defenders a lot. Also it is not like we lost any real defensive stoppers from last year. More athleticism means better defensive potential.
As for rebounding Franks is no Hawkinson, but he is better than many people think. Despite Hawks double doubles our team rebounding was not good last year. We could be better this year with even a couple of guys averaging 7 per game.
As for rebounding Franks is no Hawkinson, but he is better than many people think. Despite Hawks double doubles our team rebounding was not good last year. We could be better this year with even a couple of guys averaging 7 per game.
Let's hope Pollard and Franks step up on the boards, but I can't really see those two averaging 7 ribs per game. EK's run and gun will suffer greatly if he has to keep 4 back to rebound. EK's defensive coaching prowess isn't exactly his strength. Maybe with Bennie back???? Sure wish WSU could have brought in a graduate big.
I think that your forecast for doom is way off. The front court .at least,will be far better on defense.I like the coug s chances,actually far more than last year.
I think we could start the season looking poorly, but will still be able to handle the lesser teams that we didn't beat last season. By second half of conference we could be pretty good.
We have more talent 1through 9 than in several years, but I understand that most other conference teams still have more. Its always been that way with a few rare exceptions
We have more talent 1through 9 than in several years, but I understand that most other conference teams still have more. Its always been that way with a few rare exceptions
How do we know the front court will be far better on defense? We have Pollard and Franks back from last year and then a skinny 6-9 kid that hopefully can hold his own against much bigger and stronger players. Another big JC transfer who didn't have very good JC numbers or d1 numbers at his first time testing the waters. People talk about Cooper's block numbers but in reality Hawkinson's sophomore year he only had a few less blocks and that was against PAC 12/ D1 competition. I think our biggest improvement will be in the back court which follows coach Kents philosophy of guards first. That is why I still think we might be a year away from seeing real improvement as far as win and losses.
Say what you will about being more athletic, but don't underestimate the loss of the core of upperclassmen. I remember a couple of years ago everyone expecting a better team after Devonte Lacy graduated (not because he graduated) and his experience, leadership, and clutch play was sorely missed. I'm not predicting gloom and doom, but there will be plenty of nights when we will wish Hawkinson or even Ike or Callison were around. Each of those guys had a game or two last year where they single handedly got us a victory. Their experience will be missed even if the defense wasn't always good. The new group will eventually be much better, but not necessarily this first year.
Glad Cougar
Glad Cougar
We are going to miss the experience but the talent we have coming back next season should provide a lot of hope with Flynn, Acquaah, Gittens, Hinson, Chidom, and even a developing Ergas as it comes together. As Ava indicated other programs have more but if we can keep this group mostly intact it will payoff moving forward.
We really could obviously use another front court player but it's obviously a name we haven't heard yet.
We really could obviously use another front court player but it's obviously a name we haven't heard yet.
The new kids will be inconsistent, but I think we have something we didn't have when Lacy left. I thought the group of juniors returning on that team would give the experience and leadership necessary to mold all the newcomers in. It didnt work out that way. Lacy was a real gamer who wanted the ball in crunch time. I think we have that type of kid on this team in Flynn. Not so much a question of talent as leadership.
That team also had a center who could protect the basket. Hawkinson and Connor can score and rebound but are really bad defensive players.Cooper ,sight unseen,has to be a better defensive player. Pollard was called by Kent their best interior defensive player. So the team lost them but may gain in better defensive play and maybe even better rebounding That is saying a lot but .the proof will come next season.I may eat crow but the team may be capable of making the NIT next year.
No it does not hurt to be optimistic If i am wrong ,i am wrong, but i like the young talent on the team..
I for one am excited to see what this team can bring to the floor. An NIT appearance would great but I would settle for beating the teams we should and a few we maybe shouldn't and the young players performing at a level that we are all excited about the future of Cougar basketball
The lack of athleticism has been painful to watch. The newcomers, by most accounts, are an improvement, but they're going to have to get it together quickly.
There will be nights when it won't be pretty, and I dont expect a steady progression during the season.
Things I am anxious to see: Can Franks start to realize his full potential. Looking forward to seeing Acquaah. Chidums skills intrigue for a 6-9 kid. Gittens excites me simply based on his star ranking.
Things I expect to see: continued progression from Flynn as a player and floor leader. Solid minutes from Daniels as a defender and shooter. High energy contributions from Pollard as a role player.
Things I am anxious to see: Can Franks start to realize his full potential. Looking forward to seeing Acquaah. Chidums skills intrigue for a 6-9 kid. Gittens excites me simply based on his star ranking.
Things I expect to see: continued progression from Flynn as a player and floor leader. Solid minutes from Daniels as a defender and shooter. High energy contributions from Pollard as a role player.
I would be surprised if Ergas is ahead of Acquaah in the rotation. Also, I know nothing about Hinson other than reportedly being a good shooter and leading scorer on a good JC team. I would expect him to be a starter or early off the bench for some instant offense.
A lot depends on how quickly new guys figure things out
A lot depends on how quickly new guys figure things out
There will be a lot of competitor for starting slots and playing time. i actually expect a couple of players like Daniels and the other juco to be left behind. I expect a transfer or two over lack of playing time next year
if Bernstein comes,look for him to be an immediate contributor. I do not think that the cougs have anyone currently capable of putting 20 points and 15 rebounds on the board against a team like Arizona. His junior year saw averages of 9.1 pts and 9.7 rbs a game. In high school his coach called him" a guard in a 6'6 body". However he does no appear to be able to shoot from the 3 pt line. I think that he is primarily an inside player with good hops and very good athletic ability.
From what I have read about Hinson is that he was a 3 star player out of high school that transfered to a new school his SR year and that might have affected his recruiting. He was known as a high motor guy with crazy rebounding skills, nice slasher, good defender with solid skills overall. At Tyler he was a starter he second half of his freshman year lead scorer his sophmore year.
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