Starting Lineup with DP?

[CoffeeCan]

Obviously, when DP is ready to go he will start. So will Scootchie. So will KP. Probably KD will as well. Will Stevie Mc start some of time and come off the bench? Or will Cooke come off the bench if there is a matchup that AM likes?

I am glad DP will be back on the court soon, wondering your thoughts on whether AM will use a steady every game lineup or perhaps changes lineups from time to time.

[Flyer 86]

Cooke is not playing well the last 3 games. (aside from rebounding).
Theres' an argument too for either Kyle (not the best offensively) or even Kendall Pollard. Not sure which way this will go.

I'm thinking of late it's either Pollard or Cooke, probably KP off the bench. This way we have small ball with 4 guys, Big Mac in the Center.


Pollard brings some energy at the 15 minute mark, and saves him from wracking up fouls. And we are a little tougher up front.

Also DP dishing the ball thru the foul line to CC, Darrell Davis, Kyle, Mikesell to up our 3 game and outside shooting sounds VERY appealing to me - esp since DD is starting to get it together. It would even take pressure off of Scoochie with another ball handler in there , such as DP.

[ClaytonFlyerFan]

Despite what I witnessed tonight at the arena, my money is still on DP being the A-10 6th man of the year.

He may very well be close to leading the team in minutes during A-10 play, but he does not start as long as we continue to win. (even 1 point games we deserved to lose)

[LI Flyer]

Looking at his play tonight and his hot and cold season so far, KP needs to sit and come in as a sixth man much like he did during his freshman season.

[UDFlyer23]

Originally Posted by ClaytonFlyerFan Despite what I witnessed tonight at the arena, my money is still on DP being the A-10 6th man of the year. He may very well be close to leading the team in minutes during A-10 play, but he does not start as long as we continue to win. (even 1 point games we deserved to lose)

Pierre is going to start. Probably not for a few games, but at some point he'll be starting regardless of minutes. He's our best player. Big Steve and DD off the bench.

Pollard NEEDS Pierre. Pollard is still having trouble with his game trying to adjust with Big Steve in the middle. Pollard/Pierre on the court together is one of the best 1-2 punches in the country down low with their quickness and versatility.

[Sea Bass]

Cooke is too good of a defender to sit. Kendall quit forcing the offense tonight until the late charge but he still makes a lot of mistakes on defense ... like leaving Mills wide open twice. Charles and Kyle are best defenders. Hard to see how the offense would work by replacing Cook with Pierre.

[Sea Bass]

the ORtg for the Flyer starters (KenPom)
- Scooch 117.4
- Steve 109.4
- Charles 109.1
- Kyle 107.9
- Kendall 97.4 (actually raised it a bit tonight)

[UDDoug]

With the back side defense and offensive rebounding he provides, I see no way Steve sits. My guess is Pierre at 4 and Pollard off the bench. Pierres solves a major problem by adding a shooter to space the floor.

The other option is KD as spark plug off the bench and Pierre at 3. That also helps space the floor. But KD is too good a defended.

It's a good problem to have.
Posted via Mobile Device

[T-Bone 84]

Just a few thoughts, here. I think Steve stays in the starting rotation, in part because of the "size" factor and in part because he seems to gain a sense of flow the longer he's in. Scoochie stays in because we see what happens when he's not out there. And I think Cooke stays because he has the most complete skill set of the rest of the guys who've seen the floor so far this season. That leaves DP, KP, and KD for 2 starting slots.

I think when DP is back in game-ready form, he starts. That leaves a tough choice between KP and KD. Right now, Pollard seems like a fish out of water. He was at his best last year when he was working himself free to receive passes, posting up outside the lane (a la Adrian Dantley, Charles Barkley, et al), and crashing the boards. Don't see a lot of that out of him this year, maybe in part because of the absence of DP. So you can make a case that KP is best suited to play the 5, despite being only 6'6". That leaves KD, who is more of a "known" commodity in that you know you'll get great defense, spotty outside shooting, decent ball handling, and a couple of jet-assisted drives to the hoop every game.

I made a case to a friend last night that KD would make a great 6th man, watching the other team's best outside player from the bench for a few minutes, and then coming in to slam his door shut. But if Pollard can't get himself in a rhythm any time soon, he may be the one who's on the outside looking in at the opening tip. Hard to say. Good thing I'm not the one who has to make that decision.
Posted via Mobile Device

[jack72]

I have no idea, but Pollard has been a major disappointment this year. If he cannot drive to the basket, he has no role. Last night he rarely tried until near the end when he bowled into two defenders for a charge. Pollard has got to start rebounding more. Too many times we have only Steve or no one under the basket. He is a huge man who can jump, so get in position. Last night was an embarrassment to get out rebounded by smaller team with lesser players.

[redscareRAM]

Just playing devil's advocate here but why is everyone so down on Pollard? He's averaging 12 points per game, 5 rebounds and is shooting 51% from the floor. These numbers are basically the same compared to last season. Why in one season are these incredible numbers and the next he's playing poorly? Almost all his stats are identical to last year.

[Don]

It looks to me like we will likely be seeing nothing but zones this season, unless DP causes some changes in what our opponents are seeing. And I think its these zones that are why Pollard seems to be having problems "fitting in" this year as well as he did last season. They are reducing the effectiveness of his ability to drive to the basket and neutralizing the mismatch he has with 1-on-1 defenders at the 4 position. So, I think it will be Pollard's spot that Dyshaun takes and Kendall will be first man off the bench.

[jack72]

Originally Posted by redscareRAM Just playing devil's advocate here but why is everyone so down on Pollard? He's averaging 12 points per game, 5 rebounds and is shooting 51% from the floor. These numbers are basically the same compared to last season. Why in one season are these incredible numbers and the next he's playing poorly? Almost all his stats are identical to last year.

Not sure those were incredible numbers last year, and Pollard is down just slightly in all those categories. He has a year more experience. Nothing wrong with 12 points a game. 5 rebounds a game for a guy that has his leaps and strength is not great.

[Gazoo]

Originally Posted by redscareRAM Just playing devil's advocate here but why is everyone so down on Pollard? He's averaging 12 points per game, 5 rebounds and is shooting 51% from the floor. These numbers are basically the same compared to last season. Why in one season are these incredible numbers and the next he's playing poorly? Almost all his stats are identical to last year.

At the start of the year he was not playing major minutes in a number of games, those numbers all averaged up as the defections piled up over the year.

[springborofan]

My take is that Big Steve goes back to the bench. He'll still get his minutes but the 4 Jr's and DP get the start. Steve and D. Davis are the first two,off the bench.

I also think AM will begin to cut his rotation. JC will get minutes to spell Scoochie and XW will get some minutes. Sam Miller and Ryan Mikesell will see the least minutes going forward.

[jack72]

Not sure about the starting lineup, which is a bit meaningless, but we know that seven guys will get the bulk of the minutes. The losers will be Mikesell, Miller and maybe Williams.

[Widget]

"What they should do is have a 12 man rotation, and substitute players every 45 seconds. What's the worst that could happen?"

--BG

[longtimefan]

Maybe we could just play six like GW does.

[BRob2Perryman3]

Originally Posted by Widget "What they should do is have a 12 man rotation, and substitute players every 45 seconds. What's the worst that could happen?" --BG

Widget wins the internet today!!

[T-Bone 84]

Originally Posted by Widget "What they should do is have a 12 man rotation, and substitute players every 45 seconds. What's the worst that could happen?" --BG

Don't forget, the substitutions need to be done 3 or 4 at a time!
Posted via Mobile Device

[Gilchrist's Autograph 2]

McElvene - 27, Pollard- 6, Miller - 5, Williams - 2
Pollard - 24, Pierre - 11, Williams - 5
Pierre - 19, Cooke - 18, Mikesell - 3
Cooke - 12, K Davis - 20, D Davis - 8
Smith - 32, Crosby - 7, D Davis - 1
Posted via Mobile Device

[longtimefan]

Originally Posted by Gilchrist's Autograph 2 McElvene - 27, Pollard- 6, Miller - 5, Williams - 2 Pollard - 24, Pierre - 11, Williams - 5 Pierre - 19, Cooke - 18, Mikesell - 3 Cooke - 12, K Davis - 20, D Davis - 8 Smith - 32, Crosby - 7, D Davis - 2 Posted via Mobile Device

You might want to check your math at the point guard spot.

[Gazoo]

Originally Posted by longtimefan You might want to check your math at the point guard spot.

Sudden death overtime--new rule in college. Didn't you hear about it?

[bigred]

Remember last year's lineup? We didn't do so bad. With Pierre back, sub Cooke in for Jordan Siebert. McElvene off the bench.

I think that lineup will help us get back to more of our easy fast break baskets. Half court has not been good for us.

[shocka43]

Way to many variables to go off on Pollard's game this year.

Our guard play hasn't been good and hasn't been feeding the post well. Our zone offense is non-existent and turns into some ball movement and chucking up a shot. Pollard has been the only one showing effort in a few games.

Pollard has a different role this year. He doesn't need to be the man in the paint at the 5. He needs to be actively involved in the zone offense at the top of the key...ala Charles Little. He has the handling to do well, but he needs to be incorporated into the offense by the guards and the others have to be in the places they need to be. We rarely utilize the baseline and dead spots in the zone...which is where Pollard comes into play.

Miller will have his time on the floor cut significantly. Mikesell is a very smart player which sucks to see him sit the pine. Williams will get his. DDavis will be a role player and KD needs to be a spark off the bench. Pierre can play the 3 with Pollard and Steve in the paint. Have Cooke at the 2 and you have a solid lineup that is interchangeable based on who is hot or in foul trouble.

[Gazoo]

Originally Posted by shocka43 Our zone offense is non-existent and turns into some ball movement and chucking up a shot.

That's what I feared would be our downfall with DP gone. I can't believe more teams didn't zone us. I would have zoned UD to death without DP.

With him back, our zone offense will hum again.

[UDFlyer23]

Originally Posted by bigred remember last year's lineup? We didn't do so bad. With pierre back, sub cooke in for jordan siebert. Mcelvene off the bench. I think that lineup will help us get back to more of our easy fast break baskets. Half court has not been good for us.

this ^

[hankj22]

Originally Posted by UDFlyer23 this ^

Pollard will come off the bench
Posted via Mobile Device

[THirt]

Archie might have dropped a hint on tonight's radio show. He talked about how Pierre is probably going to play the "wing" for us this year as opposed to a forward spot. Talked about how he creates more versatility for the team in practice and in possible combinations on the floor. He specifically said something about seeing how a lineup with Charles, Dyshawn, Kendall, and Big Steve would look.

I'd assume you add Scoochie in to that mix and that is probably your starting 5 once things get rolling (few games at least). I'm Vice President of the Kyle Davis fan club (my wife is the President) but I can see him moving to the bench to accommodate Pierre. I think the staff really likes the dimension that Steve brings (I think he has the best +/- on the team) and they are wanting him to see the court as much as possible. I know they love the defense that KD brings, and he will surely see lots of minutes no matter what, but man, a lineup of Scoochie, Charles, Dyshawn, Kendall, and Steve would be pretty darn good.
Posted via Mobile Device

[rollo]

Originally Posted by THirt Archie might have dropped a hint on tonight's radio show.

Archie also said tonite that Pierre needs to get used to a new role, implying he's coming off the bench, for now.

[Sea Bass]

I can't see Archie inserting Pierre in the starting lineup anytime soon. Pierre is going to be taking minutes and IMO the players losing minutes are Miller, Williams and Davis.

[Sea Bass]

However the PT issues work out by far the biggest issue is what happens when Scoochie leaves the floor.

[Archie MillerLite]

Originally Posted by rollo Archie also said tonite that Pierre needs to get used to a new role, implying he's coming off the bench, for now.

Just like Mr. MillerLite stated weeks ago

[jack72]

Sounds like the new role is playing the wing.

[DGO67]

DPs time on the floor will be performance based. If he appears fatigued, out of synch, etc., he will be seated quickly. Here's how it could go: DP enters the game 5 minutes after tip to the roar of the crowd; he plays for five minutes and is seated for debriefing. He plays in the second half to fine-tune his skill set and for coaches to evaluate progress and the effect of the debriefing.
DDN front page hails DPs' return to the court and dedicates half the sports section to his performance and the outlook of Flyers' season.
Or maybe not!

[Gilchrist's Autograph 2]

I'm guessing there is not much ramp-up or evaluation needed. He is a 4-year starter who missed beginning of season. But unlike someone who missed due to injury he is in shape and has been training. He has played with these guys for years. No kid gloves. He starts and plays normal rotation.
Posted via Mobile Device

[DGO67]

Originally Posted by Gilchrist's Autograph 2 I'm guessing there is not much ramp-up or evaluation needed. He is a 4-year starter who missed beginning of season. But unlike someone who missed due to injury he is in shape and has been training. He has played with these guys for years. No kid gloves. He starts and plays normal rotation. Posted via Mobile Device

As we all know, coaching involves recruiting, floor management and motivation.
Even if, as you say, DP is fit as a fiddle and already synched with the team, what message does that send to a team that posted a 9-2 record, is 31st in the nation and sits on an RPI of 15...without him? Normal rotation (whatever that means) seems to be a coin flip at best.
Of course if DP starts, gets a triple double and the bench resembles Monmouth's, discard my post.

[Gilchrist's Autograph 2]

It would be a weird message to not start your best player when he is available. I'm not sure any message is sent by starting your best player when he is ready - no matter what your record is. That is why Tom Brady took over for Matt Cassell.
Posted via Mobile Device

[DGO67]

Originally Posted by Gilchrist's Autograph 2 It would be a weird message to not start your best player when he is available. I'm not sure any message is sent by starting your best player when he is ready - no matter what your record is. That is why Tom Brady took over for Matt Cassell. Posted via Mobile Device

What in the world is "weird" about some deference for the group that got you where you are?!?!?
If the current team had to carry on w/o DP, that would be hunky dory (ala winning w/o dumb and dumber), but (according to you) with DP in the mix, "please take your seat on the bench and be grateful for the star's return.
Sorry, but AM doesn't seem to be that cold-blooded! "There will never be a team to make me prouder than this one." That quote after surviving the departure of the big men to get a bid and win 2 games in the NCAA tournament.
IMHO DP needs to be gently eased back into rotation and graciously meld with the team eager for his return.

[Avid Flyer]

Originally Posted by Widget "What they should do is have a 12 man rotation, and substitute players every 45 seconds. What's the worst that could happen?" --BG

Ever hear of JOB!

[Avid Flyer]

Originally Posted by hankj22 Pollard will come off the bench Posted via Mobile Device

Well technically they all come off the bench, especially the starters as they wait their intro

Not sure how important it is to be a starter. For some it may be an ego thing but what is important is make the most of the time and opportunity you are given.

I personally was not a starter type. Just couldn't get the juices going, but coming in off the bench after seeing the first few minutes was another matter. Another reason I didn't start was being an 80% in practice and 120% game time, but coached still chose his starters from the 100% practice guys.

Coaches couldn't figure me out, but I couldn't figure them out either. When I felt I was having a good to great game they would take me out, when I felt I sucked, they kept me in, go figure.

[CE80]

Originally Posted by Avid Flyer Well technically they all come off the bench, especially the starters as they wait their intro Not sure how important it is to be a starter. For some it may be an ego thing but what is important is make the most of the time and opportunity you are given. I personally was not a starter type. Just couldn't get the juices going, but coming in off the bench after seeing the first few minutes was another matter. Another reason I didn't start was being an 80% in practice and 120% game time, but coached still chose his starters from the 100% practice guys. Coaches couldn't figure me out, but I couldn't figure them out either. When I felt I was having a good to great game they would take me out, when I felt I sucked, they kept me in, go figure.

Might have had something to do with the ability to get the ball out of the peach basket after the made shot.

[Flyer 86]

Originally Posted by DGO67 What in the world is "weird" about some deference for the group that got you where you are?!?!? If the current team had to carry on w/o DP, that would be hunky dory (ala winning w/o dumb and dumber), but (according to you) with DP in the mix, "please take your seat on the bench and be grateful for the star's return. Sorry, but AM doesn't seem to be that cold-blooded! "There will never be a team to make me prouder than this one." That quote after surviving the departure of the big men to get a bid and win 2 games in the NCAA tournament. IMHO DP needs to be gently eased back into rotation and graciously meld with the team eager for his return.

If you watched the last three games, this has been a team going backwards. He may not start tomorrow - but he will be in the following three games.

be grateful we should have some effective b all movement, and someone who can move people on offense or defense in the lane. So happy he is back.

Mad love for the Canadian!

[DGO67]

Originally Posted by CE80 Might have had something to do with the ability to get the ball out of the peach basket after the made shot.

That is hilarious!!!

[Figgie123]

Originally Posted by Avid Flyer Well technically they all come off the bench, especially the starters as they wait their intro

Technically, no. Since the "true team" and certain off-the-court shenigans dating back 3-4 years ago, they don't come off the bench for the intro.

At least this year, the player who is announced at least moves in to the center of the circle....at least a little bit.

But, that's a title of a different thread...