IUBB 2021-22 Starting Lineup

[Stuhoo]

Based on the Coach Yas video posted yesterday, the red team appears to be the starting lineup. If so, that means the rejuvenated Rob Phinisee may have beaten out Xavier Johnson for the starting point guard slot. As well as X played in the Bahamas, if that is true it means that Rob has been convinced to pro-actively play offense. 

Therefore, my take on the likely starting lineup for Eastern Michigan?

1. PG: Rob Phinisee, sr., 6'2"
2. SG: Parker Stewart, sr., 6'5"
3. SF: Miller Kopp, sr., 6'8"
4. PF: Race Thompson, sr., 6'8"
5. C Trayce Jackson-Davis, jr., 6'9"

That's an experienced, physical lineup. Putting Rob in there instead of X gives us better distance shooting than last year. With Kopp and Stewart starting .. MUCH better distance shooting. 

Full rotation bench players: PG: Xavier Johnson,  sr., PF/SF: Jordan Geronimo, so., SG/SF: Tamar Bates, fr., either C: Michael Durr, sr. (when healthy) or C: Logan Duncomb, fr. 

Fighting for minutes: PG: Khristian Lander, so., SG/SF: Anthony Leal, so., SG/SF: Trey Galloway, so., C: Logan Duncomb, fr.

 

[ap2345]

9 minutes ago, Stuhoo said:

Based on the Coach Yas video posted yesterday, the red team appears to be the starting lineup. If so, that means the rejuvenated Rob Phinisee may have beaten out Xavier Johnson for the starting point guard slot. As well as X played in the Bahamas, if that is true it means that Rob has been convinced to pro-actively play offense. 

Therefore, my take on the likely starting lineup for Eastern Michigan?

1. PG: Rob Phinisee, sr., 6'2"
2. SG: Parker Stewart, sr., 6'5"
3. SF: Miller Kopp, sr., 6'8"
4. PF: Race Thompson, sr., 6'8"
5. C Trayce Jackson-Davis, jr., 6'9"

That's an experienced, physical lineup. Putting Rob in there instead of X gives us better distance shooting than last year. With Kopp and Stewart starting .. MUCH better distance shooting. 

Full rotation bench players: PG: Xavier Johnson,  sr., PF/SF: Jordan Geronimo, so., SG/SF: Tamar Bates, fr., either C: Michael Durr, sr. (when healthy) or C: Logan Duncomb, fr. 

Fighting for minutes: PG: Khristian Lander, so., SG/SF: Anthony Leal, so., SG/SF: Trey Galloway, so., C: Logan Duncomb, fr.

 

It was likely just for a segment of practice. I'm sure they are both getting reps with the other starters but Johnson is going to start from what I've heard baring a last minute change. 

[IUc2016]

My take is it will be the same as the Bahamas.

1. X. Johnson

2. Parker Stewart

3. Miller Kopp

4. Race Thompson

5. TJD

I am not as high on Xavier as some so I could see the starting PG minutes up for grabs for part of the season. Ideally he sets himself apart or KL figures it out and plays to his potential. I think rob is a serviceable backup and could be really good if he is not relied upon to run the show. I don't think this team will be as good if Rob is getting starter minutes as the guy. 

Could also see Geronimo and Bates cracking the starting lineup as they have the highest upside, but these 5 are my bet to start the Woody era. 

[Demo]

I’m fine with any starting lineup, but the group I really want to see on the floor together  is Trayce/Geronimo/Bates/Stewart/Johnson. It’s a little bit niche-y, but you’ve got multiple creators, spacing, guys who can really push pace and perimeter defensive pressure. Love it.

[Hoosierfan2017]

 

[IUc2016]

Just now, Hoosierfan2017 said:

 

well this thread was short lived lol

[Hovadipo]

After Woody read the board and decided to answer our question for us, I vote we change this thread to “IUBB 2021-22 Crunch Time Lineup”, which is really what matters more. 

[Stuhoo]

6 minutes ago, Hoosierfan2017 said:

 

 

That lineup feels so much less offensively challenged than last year's lineup of Rob, Al, Armaan, Race, and Trayce, but maybe that's in good part because of who's on the sideline.

It also feels like a stronger defensive lineup! (takes giant swig of pre-season Kool Aid)

 

[Hoosierfan2017]

5 minutes ago, Hovadipo said:

After Woody read the board and decided to answer our question for us, I vote we change this thread to “IUBB 2021-22 Crunch Time Lineup”, which is really what matters more. 

We’re going to put games out of reach before crunch time so Duncomb and Nathan Childress will be leading those lineups.

But really, I have a feeling Bates will be playing in a lot of those lineups. I also think it’s a matter of when and not if as far as him replacing someone in the starting lineup.

[Brass Cannon]

11 minutes ago, IUc2016 said:

well this thread was short lived lol

Let’s rename it to sixth man then and keep the magic going lol

[Hoosierfan2017]

7 minutes ago, Stuhoo said:

 

That lineup feels so much less offensively challenged than last year's lineup of Rob, Al, Armaan, Race, and Trayce, but maybe that's in good part because of who's on the sideline.

It also feels like a stronger defensive lineup! (takes giant swig of pre-season Kool Aid)

 

Could we break 100 tomorrow night? Our lineup actually has several guys who can create their own offense. Archie did it two times in four seasons. For comparison, Crean did it 5 times in his last season alone. I’d love to see us start out the Woodson era with a dominating offensive performance.

[IUc2016]

4 minutes ago, Brass Cannon said:

Let’s rename it to sixth man then and keep the magic going lol

SURE!

I'll go with JG. I think Tamar Bates could be it, but I think he ends up in the starting lineup. I really want Geronimo to fill that OG role from the 15-16 season. 

[Stuhoo]

1 minute ago, Hoosierfan2017 said:

Could we break 100 tomorrow night? Archie did it two times in four seasons. For comparison, Crean did it 5 times in his last season alone. I’d love to see us start out the Woodson era with a dominating offensive performance.

Eastern Michigan was a horrible defensive team last year, so yes, we could score a whole bunch of a lot.

[Demo]

The thing about this lineup is, though they haven’t played together, they’ve played a lot of basketball. We’ll see how good this team is, but it feels to me some like the last couple of Rutgers teams where they aren’t always gonna be good enough to win, but the moment’s never gonna be too big.

[Honkyman]

44 minutes ago, Stuhoo said:

That lineup feels so much less offensively challenged than last year's lineup of Rob, Al, Armaan, Race, and Trayce, but maybe that's in good part because of who's on the sideline.

 

Two of the starters--Race (9.1 points per game) & TJD (19.9 points per game)--started last year. Armaan Franklin (11.4 points) was a decent offensive player and Al Durham (11.3 points) was to a lesser extent. Rob Phinisee was unreliable as a shooter (7.1 per game shooting just 34.7% from the field). None were great free-throw shooters--Durham had the highest average at 78% with Rob at just 63%.  Armaan shot 42% from 3-point range and Al shot 38%. Rob was a woeful 26% and Race was worse at 20% although he put up way fewer shots. Xavier should be an improvement at point guard and hopefully Parker, Tamar, and Miller are improvements at the 2 & 3. Hopefully there are improvements from Race & TJD. As you say, who is on the sidelines will likely make a difference, hopefully a big difference.  It will be interesting.

[IUc2016]

Unless there is some ongoing investigation i would think the fact that he is starting confirms that Miller Kopp is not in trouble.