AJ staying!

I think Coach Barnes' position on this is pretty clear. Who played the point more last year on the rare occasion DJ needed a breather?
 
I'm not worried about J'Covan qualifying. It's going to be close in the sense it looks like he's going to be taking two summer school classes as recovery courses because he can, but in the end, I don't think it's going to be all that close.

I'm much less concerned about J'Covan qualifying than him adapting to the UT basketball staff, and I'm actually at least somewhat confident he'll be fine there, too. I just want to see it happen to feel completely confident.

It's like Dexter Pittman and his weight. I felt confident he could lose the weight because of some of the things he'd done before he got to campus --- when he was in the right setting --- but he had to actually lose the weight to make me feel 100% confident.

Same thing with J'Covan. I feel like he can do it, but until he's on campus for a while dealing with the staff, a part of me is going to be holding my breath.
 
I have to think with all the stuff he endured in high school, that he will do whatever it takes to make a successful transition to playing for his dream school. Even if it means enduring tough love from the coaching staff.
 
SLX, it might be old news to you, but Gerry Hamilton was on the radio today talking about how incredible Dexter (and others) looked in terms of conditioning this summer.
 
SL,

I know that I am reading too much into this, but it appears to me that you feel that we would be a better team with J'Coven getting more minutes next year. What do you feel he brings to the table that AJ and/or Mason can't?
 
SLX, do you think we can make up Augustin's lost points between Brown and Balbay? Because if we can do that (and get competent PG play) I think we'll be at least on the same level as last year, because James and Johnson are going to ******* explode next year.
 
First of all, I certainly glad that AJ is staying. He certainly could have decided to start his career in Europe or the NBA development league. But kudos to him for deciding to come back.

I think AJ will indeed get the opportunity at the beginning of the season. First of all, Balbay isn't cleared to play until January. So, AJ has until at least then to prove he can do it.
 
Even if Balbay is cleared to play earlier, I still expect that AJ will get the first crack at point guard. In my humble opinion, he deserves that right by his decision to come back.

As long as we are making predictions, I'm still bullish on Pittman cracking the starting line up as well. Maybe, it's wishful thinking, but I'd like to see us play 'up' in size:

#1 AJ / Balbay
#2 Mason / Brown
#3 James / Johnson
#4 Atchley / Hill
#5 Pittman / Wagmene / Chapman

And, before telling me I'm crazy, I'd ask that you don't take those position to literally. When Johnson's in the game, there will be times when he posts a smalller #3 up. Similarly, Atchley may spot up on the arch against a slower #4. Heck, they may even swap their defensive assignments.

The real key is that we use our depth at the forward and center positions to our advantage by using James and Johnson at the #3, instead of a 3 guard line up.
 
i dont think there is enough ball handling on the floor with johnson as the SF.

I think when James is on the bench (which won't be all that often,) we'll be in a 3 guard lineup out of Balbay/Mason/Abrams/Brown
 
Barnes is going to start his 5 best players combined with experience.

PG = Abrams/Balbay
SG = Mason/Brown/Ward
SF = James/Ward/Smith
Post = Johnson/Wangmene/Chapman
Post = Atchley/Pittman/Hill
 
Not quite sure I agree with the Barnes will start the best 5 players strategy. I believe Barnes will go with the starting line-up that gives up the best chance to win. With further development in the off season (remember Pittman was hobbled last off season), I assert that will be with Pittman at the #5. And, Johson coming off the bench to provide fresh energy.

And, I'll reiterate not to take the numbered positions too literally. My point is that I would like to see us going with a 2 guards and 3 forward/center line up. That would include Pittman starting and getting more time at the #5. Atchley getting time at the #4. And, Johnson getting time at #3.

The one thing that I will retract (or clarify) is that I listed the back ups at the #4 and #5 indiscrimentally - not meaning who was better or which literal position that they would play.
 
I will be pretty surprised if Hill isn't one of the 1st players off the bench. Dude was solid as a FR and should be much better after two years to mature. I will continue a "show me" approach to Pittman.
 
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