Lineup next year

[GoHornsGo90]

I think we can all agree that this year has been an extreme disappointment for Texas basketball, especially coming off of such a miraculous football season. I, for one, am having a less than stellar second semester freshman year at Mizzou due to the incessant struggles of UT (especially of late). I literally spend 1/3 of my time here thinking about next year and the great promise that it brings. Hope is such a necessity nowadays and I am able to get by the low points knowing that next year our team is going to be absolutely sickly loaded.

That all having been said, I am going to attempt to spell out our starters and backups here. Also, I am going under the assumption that Damion will return, though I know many people disagree with this and think he's already gone. I think he will stay for two reasons:

1. He loves playing in college and is a guy that meshes with the competitive spirit of NCAA hoops.

2. He hasn't really improved any from last year, and he didn't go then so I see no reason for him to go now.

Also, I will further my assumptions by not employing J'Covan in these lineups. I just don't see how we have room for him.

Starters:

PG: Jai Lucas
SG: Avery Bradley
SF: Jordan Hamilton
SF/PF: Damion James
C: Dexter Pittman

Here is a lineup that is one of the more athletic in the country, employing Damion where he belongs in a combo forward capacity where he can score both inside and out, as well as utilize his capacity for rebounding and blocking shots (and not having to play perimeter defense). The whole perimeter is new, and thank God. The talent there is completely off the charts

Second String:

PG: Dogus Balbay
SG: Justin Mason
SF: Shawn Williams
PF: Gary Johnson
C: Alexi Wangmene

Gary coming off the bench is easily the top 6th man in the nation if he improves the same amount over the summer as he did last off season. Lex was playing balls out this year until he got injured, I'm looking forward to having his never quit attitude back next year.

Reserves:

SG: Harrison Smith
SG: Varez Ward
PF: Clint Chapman
C: Matt Hill

Not a lot of production here, though Hill and Chap provide an unlimited supply of big bodies inside to bang on any potential big men that we may come up again. This is great because our starting lineup wouldn't be especially conducive to taking on the bigs, other than Sexy.

Thoughts?

 

[bierce]

Yeah, that's 14 players on scholarship. You can't do that. Somebody doesn't get a scholarship if James sticks around.

 

[Horns11]

I'm going under the assumption that James is gone, because he probably could have gone last year in the first round. NBA coaches don't have to fall under the umbrella of dumb rules like NCAA coaches do, so he can develop year round with pros on his side. He's as good as gone, especially with the poor year we're having.

Opening the non-conference schedule:
1. Lucas
2. Mason
3. Hamilton
4. Johnson
5. Pittman

Barnes usually favors the veterans over younger guys. Bradley will eventually take over, probably within a few games if Mason continues to produce the way he has in the 2008-09 season.

First guys off the bench will be Balbay, Wangmene, and whoever isn't starting between Mason/Bradley. And we'll probably stick with this as an 8-man lineup for the majority of our games.

I can see how Chapman would get a few minutes against a team with a dominant forward presence, or a big man who we need to foul, but that will be rare. Williams might get some time, but he'll be so far behind Johnson/Hamilton that it would be useless.

Ward showed yesterday that he has a ways to go before he can handle more than a minute/night. Hill is a project who can continue to hang with the best of them in practice. I'm guessing Smith is still here for the free education.

 

[Bob in Houston]

I don't think Lucas is going to be eligible for the first semester.

 

[GoHornsGo90]

Horns11, I have to admit I absolutely love how you keep it real. Too many people around here seem to think that "everybody on the team has a purpose." Some people simply are NOT going to contribute...