2023-2024 Starting Lineup

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

You guys need to post this crap somewhere else. Get a room.

Thank you for getting this thread back on point.

I am apprehensive about this coming season and would appreciate contrary thinking if available. The loss of seasoned leadership in Hunter and Free looms large to me. I'm unable to easily identify our "go to" guys in tough situations. I don't have a feel for how well all these new players will work together. Last year saw great teamwork but what will we see this year? What happens if we get off to a rocky start? How talented, relative to the rest of the Big East (with possible exception of Butler) is this team? I mean, really, how good are we? This board (including me) has historically over-rated the contribution first year recruits will make. I can make a case only two freshman are ready to contribute---Green and Nzeh and not sure how much they can add.

Yes, we have some upper-class talent that transferred in but just how good is it?

Miller has demonstrated his ability to get a team to play together but just not sure the level of talent he has to work with. Not saying our talent is bad but are we any better than middle of pack in B.E. this year?

[MHettel]

Thank you for getting this thread back on point.

I am apprehensive about this coming season and would appreciate contrary thinking if available. The loss of seasoned leadership in Hunter and Free looms large to me. I'm unable to easily identify our "go to" guys in tough situations. I don't have a feel for how well all these new players will work together. Last year saw great teamwork but what will we see this year? What happens if we get off to a rocky start? How talented, relative to the rest of the Big East (with possible exception of Butler) is this team? I mean, really, how good are we? This board (including me) has historically over-rated the contribution first year recruits will make. I can make a case only two freshman are ready to contribute---Green and Nzeh and not sure how much they can add.

Yes, we have some upper-class talent that transferred in but just how good is it?

Miller has demonstrated his ability to get a team to play together but just not sure the level of talent he has to work with. Not saying our talent is bad but are we any better than middle of pack in B.E. this year?

Last years team looking almost nothing like the prior year, with a largely overlapping roster. We led the country in assists and our 3 point shooting was disciplined.

The difference? Sean Miller.

I like the backcourt transfers and think a defense first center (can never remember his name) is going to really help and plug a hole we’ve had since Tyrique left. Think this will be underrated.

We’ve all been waiting for us to tap the Euro pipeline, and miller goes ahead and lands THREE of them. The Euro style is more ball movement friendly, and generally those dudes can shoot.

Miller has already had Euro success and I don’t think he just grabbed 3 warm bodies.

I saw flashes of Claude last year with his ability to slash, and think he could emerge as an All-BE caliber player.

Contributions from the freshmen is gravy to me.

A see a similar offense as last year, and an improved defense.

[X-band '01]

Abil (sp?) Ousmane is going to be the center - he was a North Texas transfer. Looking at the backcourt, Dayvion McKnight (Western KY) will be the top defender and Quincy Olivari (Rice) will try to fill the same role that Souley Boum did last year.

One of the freshmen (Nzei) did have a bit of a breakout performance during the Bahamas trip; hoping that will be a positive sign. Question now will be what kind of chemistry this group will provide.

[XUGRAD80]

I’m not sure that who starts is going to be as important as who plays the most minutes. I’m not to worried about how well the team will score, but I am worried about how well they will defend and how good a job they will do avoiding silly fouls. However, I do feel that while this might not be a team with super top end talent, it will be a team with very good depth. I also think that while the backcourt seems to be fairly well set, the starting lineup for the frontline will be fairly fluid.

[xukeith]

I read somewhere Miller was quoted in a preseason magazine saying he wants this X team to be extremely fast.
Last year's squad had a solid tempo and seemed to trade baskets often.
X looks to have maybe 1 starter (Olivari) to be a serious 3 point threat.
Claude isn't the best shooter but if he can come close to Colby Jones, I will be happy.
Frosh Trey Green seems to be instant offense, best shooter on the team after Olivari.
Craft knows the system despite his limited pt injury.

Unknowns: The 3 East Europeans. The senior may start at power forward.
The two hyped frosh (Lazar) will play off bench .
It will be very very unique seeing what seems like 11 new guys carving out roles and Miller getting peak March play.

BE will be top league with all the talent and experience.
Pitino will help recruiting for all BE teams.

It is exciting but early odds have X with 10-12 BE wins.

[UCGRAD4X]

I’m not sure that who starts is going to be as important as who plays the most minutes. I’m not to worried about how well the team will score, but I am worried about how well they will defend and how good a job they will do avoiding silly fouls. However, I do feel that while this might not be a team with super top end talent, it will be a team with very good depth. I also think that while the backcourt seems to be fairly well set, the starting lineup for the frontline will be fairly fluid.

Makes sense. I think when we say "start" we are going on the assumption that the starters play the most minutes.

Sales for game day programs should increase. "Can't tell the players without a program!"

[D-West & PO-Z]

Hope the team gels. Think Miller will get them too. He clearly has known for some time Freemantle would be a wild card (in terms of being available) and Hunter as soon as he had his cardiac issue, night not play. I agree in not thinking he just went for 3 warm bodies.

Claude I think will be an All BE caliber player this year. I think we are going to see a huge jump and given the circumstances of the roster, even as a soph, he is now the team leader.

[Final4]

You guys need to post this crap somewhere else. Get a room.

Well if they choose to move this discussion elsewhere I hope I can still find it. Watching Xville squirm is like watching a chimpanzee play with it's own feces.

[Xville]

Well if they choose to move this discussion elsewhere I hope I can still find it. Watching Xville squirm is like watching a chimpanzee play with it's own feces.

Yeah, What would this board do without your great contributions such as whining about Greg Christopher being a meanie butt.

Anyways, the team will be fine. The backcourt is going to be more athletic and frankly much better than it was last year especially on the defensive end. Boum and kunkel were good on the offensive side but traffic cones on d. Look for that to be much improved. I think Claude can fill jones’ role.

The frontcourt may be a bit of a work in progress—-who knows what the European contingent will bring. Everyone looks like an all American in highlight reels but again I think defensively x will be much improved. Free was another traffic cone out there, and I don’t think it will take much to match hunter and Nunge on the defensive side of the ball. Offensively may be a bit of an issue, but I think there is enough scoring 1-3 to make up for it.

[webxu]

I noticed on the roster that Quincy is wearing #8, and Lazar #17. Is this a new rule that college is allowing any # now, like the NBA? I dont ever recall seeing a player in college wear above 5 as the secondary #. Doenst matter just curious as I must have missed that change.