With practice underway, there are some wide open battles to crack the starting lineup. I talked to a bunch of different people at Big Ten Media Days and got some thoughts on lineups.

I think the backcourt starters are pretty locked in. It's going to be Kylan Boswell and Kasparas Jakucionis, with Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn off the bench and Louisville transfer Tre White playing some guard. Most think of Boswell as a point guard, but KJ has been their best passer / playmaker. Those two are interchangeable, and Boswell can play off the ball.

Some have written off Ty Rodgers as a starter, but he started every game last year and the staff sees him as the leader of the team and the bridge to the newcomers. Right now, I see him starting at the 3 when the season opens. Freshman Will Riley is their best pure scorer at the 3.

There will be a battle to start in the front court. They love Ben Humrichous as a spot up 4 and 3-point shooter, and he's also shown some ability to put it on the floor. Morez Johnson can play the 4 or the 5 and he's their most aggressive front court player on the glass. He's still a bit raw offensively but is improving, and is somewhat foul prone right now. Carey Booth is a unique combination of length and athleticism, though he still needs strength / bulk. Tomislav Isivic is the most complete 5 and he's a legit 7-foot-1. Do you practice like he's going to be eligible when the season starts, or not count on it?

If Underwood only goes 9 deep, who is the odd man out? He basically only went 8 deep last year.

My best guess right now, assuming Isivic is good to go...

G Kylan Boswell
G Kasparas Jakucionis
F Ty Rodgers
F Ben Humrichous
C Tomislav Isivic

Bench:

Morez Johnson
Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn
Will Riley
Carey Booth
Tre White

Your thoughts?

This is the first time in a while that I don't have a favorite player in mind before the season starts. My favorites may not be your favorites (most people would pick Dee and Ayo every year, for example) Sometimes the season played out and I changed to someone else later (see the "oops" especially)

2025: ???
2024: TSJ
2023: TSJ
2022: Kofi
2021: Kofi
2020: Ayo
2019: Trent
2018: Da'Monte
2017: Hill
2016: Hill
2015: Hill
2014: Rice
2013: Paul
2012: Paul
2011: Richmond (oops)
2010: Tisdale
2009: McCamey
2008: McCamey
2007: Smith (oops)
2006: Dee
2005: Deron
2004: Dee
2003: Cook
2002: Frank
2001: Frank
2000: Bradford

My daughter wanted to look at the roster (she likes to pick out a favorite player. It had been Coleman Hawkins for a while.) and she asked who my favorite player was. I didn't really have an answer. I'm torn between a few different guys.

Ty is the heart of the team and the guy we know.
Will Riley has the explosive 5* shooting talent.
KJ has the most game and is probably the best draft prospect on the roster.
Morez has been committed forever and is the in-state star.
Boswell is the local guy and has the best college resume going into the season.

I'm leaning towards Riley just because I think he'll be the most fun to watch. I'm worried though that he'll be a liability on defense and that will be frustrating.

Ty and Boswell are the faces of the team at media day and that means something.

I think this season I'll have to stay open-minded and figure out how I see things by December.

Big man from Canada who is blowing up. He has only been playing basketball for five years.

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