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?
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?
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