Anyone wanna play the minutes game?

[ricko654321]

Since tipoff is approaching and people seem to be engaging more, how bout an updated preseason version of the 200 minutes game...

BMac 35 - he was at 36 last year, would love to get him to 33 but that may be too optimistic
Law 28 - think he'll go more in B1G season but suspect CC will ease him in OOC, also more replacement players here
Falzon 25 - he was 25 mpg last year, think he plays similar role but hopefully more active
Lindsey 22 - prob starts at the 2, but splits lots of time, was 19 mpg last year
Pardon 20 - splits time at the 5 with BB
Benson 15 - see above, with some minutes for Skelly and or bad foul situations
Sanjay 15 - less than last year (24), but still needed as D specialist, moreso vs certain teams
Skelly 13 - this is basically the same as he played last year, prob will mostly be at the 4
Brown 11 - mix of backup at 1 and 2 guard
Taphorn 10 - mixes in at 2/3/4 hybrid role as an offensive specialist
Ash 6 - same amount he played last year

The most surprising thing when going through this exercise for me, was the logjam we have at the 3 and 4 slots, and with some carryover into the 2 depending on who you classify where. It stinks that Rap got hurt, but we certainly have no shortage of solid B1G ready players that can play there. And, it seems every year there for us there is the appearance of depth, and variable lineup options (fast vs slow, defense vs offense). Hopefully we have enough players stay healthy and play well to make that actually materialize this year.

One thing I think CC will def do - Sanjay's minutes I expect will vary by opponent. The ones that he wants to play man against that have a dynamic wing scorer (e.g. Hayes / Wisconsin, and Denzel / MSU last year) I bet he plays Sanjay more and tells him to go out there and be a stopper. Games where the best player is a wing or a big, or CC likes zone more, I bet Sanjay gets much less time, maybe Tap and Falzon pick up more. Teams that have two quality bigs (eg Maryland last year) Skelly should see more minutes. We have tons of flexibility at F, but much less so at G. And at C we have the 2 obvious options.

Others' thoughts? Who do I have too high / too low?

 

[backdoorpass]

Others' thoughts? Who do I have too high / too low?

I appreciate the thoughtful post. I cannot replicate the depth of your post at the moment, but I can say that I am anticipating a big season for Gavin Skelly. I would expect his minutes to significantly exceed the 13 minutes per game you have predicted. Especially if Law can legitimately contribute at the 2-spot, Skelly has a great opportunity as part of a strong BMac/Law/Falzon/Skelly/Pardon lineup. I just like Skelly's energy, his movement on defense, his nose for the ball, his passing, his rebounding, his ability to run the floor and his ever improving scoring skills. I think Skelly is poised for a big jump. Coach Collins called him out during the B1G Media Day press conference as one of the five guys that would make or break this team.

Of course, Skelly's minutes will also depend on Lumpkin and Lindsey. Even though they don't all play the same position, I believe that Skelly, Lumpkin and Lindsey will ultimately be fighting for some of the same minutes. And Skelly will get a few extra minutes here and there as a change-up 3rd center (probably when the younger bigs are in foul trouble).

 

[NJCat]

I appreciate the thoughtful post. I cannot replicate the depth of your post at the moment, but I can say that I am anticipating a big season for Gavin Skelly. I would expect his minutes to significantly exceed the 13 minutes per game you have predicted. Especially if Law can legitimately contribute at the 2-spot, Skelly has a great opportunity as part of a strong BMac/Law/Falzon/Skelly/Pardon lineup. I just like Skelly's energy, his movement on defense, his nose for the ball, his passing, his rebounding, his ability to run the floor and his ever improving scoring skills. I think Skelly is poised for a big jump. Coach Collins called him out during the B1G Media Day press conference as one of the five guys that would make or break this team.

Of course, Skelly's minutes will also depend on Lumpkin and Lindsey. Even though they don't all play the same position, I believe that Skelly, Lumpkin and Lindsey will ultimately be fighting for some of the same minutes. And Skelly will get a few extra minutes here and there as a change-up 3rd center (probably when the younger bigs are in foul trouble).

I too am becoming a Skelly fan. Great energy and maybe the best passer on the team. His third full season should be a good one!

 

[NUCat320]

This is listed by position, with presumptive starter listed first. Obviously, there's lots of quibbling with position labels here. I anticipate Lumpkin to come off the bench but to get the most minutes at the 4 because he's a known quantity and more consisten than the others.

Mc: 36
Brown: 4

Lindsey: 9
Law: 16
Brown: 12
Ash: 3

Law: 12
Falzon: 16
Tap: 10
Lindsey: 2

Falzon: 11
Lumpkin: 21
Skelly: 8

Pardon: 22
Benson: 15
Skelly: 3

By individual:
Mc: 36
Law: 28
Falzon: 27
Pardon: 22
Lumpkin: 21
Brown: 16
Benson: 15
Lindsey: 11
Skelly: 11
Taphorn: 10
Ash: 3

in writing this up, it makes me even less optimistic about the possibility of a tournament berth. Mac is literally the only guy on this roster who has had a productive (which is to say, NCAA Tourney level) B1G season, start to finish. 2, 3, 4 are wide open.

I love Lumpkin, but he's a known quantity. Tap is the same, though maybe he has a 20-point explosion in him somewhere.

Besides:
Lindsey has had two years of flashes, Falzon one.
Law played a nice back half of a season.
Pardon had two huge games and lots of foul trouble.
Ash and Skelly have had undistinguished starts, though Skelly less so.
We have no idea what we might get from Benson and Brown, though we can hope.

 

[HawkCat]

I too am becoming a Skelly fan. Great energy and maybe the best passer on the team. His third full season should be a good one!

I completely agree. I doubt Skelly will start, but I love him coming off the bench. He is the guy who can single-handedly change the energy of the game in a positive way simply by being inserted. I would favor significantly increased minutes for him.

 

[Medill90]

Mac is literally the only guy on this roster who has had a productive (which is to say, NCAA Tourney level) B1G season, start to finish.

As a freshmen Law finished the year with the fifth best 3 pt shooting percentage in the conference.

He averaged just under 5 rebounds a game, within one of 7 foot junior Alex Olah.

And he was the team's best perimeter defender.

What productivity was he missing in conference play?

 

[NJCat]

As a freshmen Law finished the year with the fifth best 3 pt shooting percentage in the conference.

He averaged just under 5 rebounds a game, within one of 7 foot junior Alex Olah.

And he was the team's best perimeter defender.

What productivity was he missing in conference play?

Never let the facts get in the way of a good opinion!

 

[NUCat320]

As a freshmen Law finished the year with the fifth best 3 pt shooting percentage in the conference.

He averaged just under 5 rebounds a game, within one of 7 foot junior Alex Olah.

And he was the team's best perimeter defender.

What productivity was he missing in conference play?

I love Law, for the reasons you state. 21 months ago, I was making Shurna-as-a-freshman comparisons. But to argue he's a known quantity is insanity.

His game log shows 0 or 1 field goals in six of his first eight B1G games. Memory shows that NU blew a chance at a huge upset at Maryland in part because he couldn't dribble with his left.

I think Law will be the #2 scorer and #2 player on the roster - but it takes a lot of optimism to say that he's also the #2 player on an NCAA tournament team.

I stand by my evaluation that he had a nice back half of a season. You probably need 12-14 and 5-7 from him.

http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/vic-law-1/gamelog/

 

[NUCat320]

Never let the facts get in the way of a good opinion!

This is a stupid post. I want NJ back.

Saying that Law has put together a full, NCAA worthy Big Ten season is absurd. He had a nice freshman year, but received no postseason recognition.

He was the #4 player on a bad team, and the record shows he was 2.1 rebounds per game behind Olah. Said another way, on a per-game basis, he was as close to Olah as a rebounder as Demps was to him. Interpret that how you will.

Yeesh, I love Law. I want Falzon and Tap and Lindsey to join Mac in a Mac-and-four-Laws starting five. But he had a good but inconsistent freshman year, and I think he'll get better.

http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/northwestern/2015.html

 

[Medill90]

I love Law, for the reasons you state. 21 months ago, I was making Shurna-as-a-freshman comparisons. But to argue he's a known quantity is insanity.

His game log shows 0 or 1 field goals in six of his first eight B1G games. Memory shows that NU blew a chance at a huge upset at Maryland in part because he couldn't dribble with his left.

I think Law will be the #2 scorer and #2 player on the roster - but it takes a lot of optimism to say that he's also the #2 player on an NCAA tournament team.

I stand by my evaluation that he had a nice back half of a season. You probably need 12-14 and 5-7 from him.

http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/vic-law-1/gamelog/

Appreciate your response 320. I'm enthusiastic about the fact that he finished up conference play so strong. I'd rather see that than killing it in pre con and then tailing off.

If memory serves, last year pre season the other Big Ten players voted law as one of the top impact players. And then he dented his wing.

 

[ricko654321]

I appreciate the thoughtful post. I cannot replicate the depth of your post at the moment, but I can say that I am anticipating a big season for Gavin Skelly. I would expect his minutes to significantly exceed the 13 minutes per game you have predicted. Especially if Law can legitimately contribute at the 2-spot, Skelly has a great opportunity as part of a strong BMac/Law/Falzon/Skelly/Pardon lineup. I just like Skelly's energy, his movement on defense, his nose for the ball, his passing, his rebounding, his ability to run the floor and his ever improving scoring skills. I think Skelly is poised for a big jump. Coach Collins called him out during the B1G Media Day press conference as one of the five guys that would make or break this team.

Of course, Skelly's minutes will also depend on Lumpkin and Lindsey. Even though they don't all play the same position, I believe that Skelly, Lumpkin and Lindsey will ultimately be fighting for some of the same minutes. And Skelly will get a few extra minutes here and there as a change-up 3rd center (probably when the younger bigs are in foul trouble).

Yeah- I like Skelly a lot too. You make good points. I guess maybe he takes minutes from Lindsey above w Vic playing more at the 2. I don't think Sanjay will go much lower, think CC really values his defensive contributions, especially when we are in man. Skelly wasn't bad from 3 last year on small sample size- if he can keep that up it would be huge and he should def play more, cause he has many other strengths.

 

[DaCat]

Appreciate your response 320. I'm enthusiastic about the fact that he finished up conference play so strong. I'd rather see that than killing it in pre con and then tailing off.

If memory serves, last year pre season the other Big Ten players voted law as one of the top impact players. And then he dented his wing.

I don't think it takes much of a leap of faith to extrapolate Law's 2nd half performance of his freshman season and expect big things of him this year. The only question is how much "rust" he has work off, and how much improvement beyond his freshman year we'll see.

 

[NUCat320]

. Smelly wasn't bad from 3 last year on small sample size- if

The autocorrect that keeps on giving...

 

[hdhntr1]

I don't think it takes much of a leap of faith to extrapolate Law's 2nd half performance of his freshman season and expect big things of him this year. The only question is how much "rust" he has work off, and how much improvement beyond his freshman year we'll see.

He is also two years more mature and stronger. Any rust he has will likely be taken care of in the preseason.

 

[Walker Fan]

NUCat320 needs some clarification. NU has never been to the NCAA tourney. That means that every one of their players has not put together a full NCAA tourney worthy season and that includes McIntosh.

In McIntosh's two seasons, he ran out of steam at the end of the Big 10 season. Last season, that occurred in part on his playing too many minutes and also because opponents designed their game plans to stop him or deny him the ball. I think he will adjust and improve and have a NCAA tourney worthy season this season and next season, but if we focus on his freshman and sophomore season, he did not do enough at the end of the season to be considered to having a NCAA tourney worth season particularly for all of Big 10 play or in Big 10 tournament play. I will preface that opinion by saying that his performance in beating UW in the regular season was NCAA tourney worthy and was amazing when he singlehandedly put his team on his shoulders and beat the Badgers which was NU's best victory of the season.

As for Law, he is projected and has the talent to put together a NCAA tourney worthy season. He will have to put up 12-15 ppg, 5-7 rpg, 2-3 steals/game, if NU wants to sniff the NCAA tourney or at a minimum make the NIT tournament. Also, Falzon will have to score in the 10-15 ppg. Lindsey will have to play productive minutes as the start shooting guard position and Pardon will have to continue the promise he flashed last season.

Tap has never been a player that Collins plays extended minutes and gives more than 5 minute stretches, so don't put him in the same group as the starters or the top men off the bench. The starting lineup should be McIntosh, Lindsey, Law, Falzon and Pardon with the top bench players being Skelly, Brown and Benson. IMHO, Lumpkin's minutes should go down and be used more of a defensive specialist, but Collins like to start him. I don't agree with that.

Why does Taphorn not get consistent minutes you ask because you might think he has a smooth shot? The answer is that he gets abused on defense because he does not have the athleticism to be a two-way player. Same with Lumpkin, he is not a two-way player because his offensive skills are limited. Recruiting players who have the athleticism to play on offense and defense is what Collins has done unlike the one-dimensional players from the prior regime. If Collin's players continue to develop then that will be the reason, why NU will have a breakout season this year or in 2017.

247sports has a player that NU is recruiting in PF/C Kent as having a 100% certainty of going to NU. He is a 6'9"/6'10" who has drawn comparisons to Kaminsky. I have my fingers crossed on that one. Hopefully, that is the case.

 

[NUCat320]

I agree with your point, Walker, re: Mc. He's had two 'February fades', that I've referenced often...

I was just holding my relative (to the board) pessimism in check.

I don't think Lindsey winds up a significant actor this season, but a lot of that is contingent on how Brown plays (the grass is always greener) and whether Law has the handle to play the 2. I hope Lindsey blocks some shots when he's in there.

 

[Walker Fan]

Lindsey is a mystery to me. Agree with you. He has ability. Want to see more. Brown will get 15-20'mins as backup PG and some instant offense at SG when teams try to take McIntosh out of the game. Might see 5 mins. or more of the 2 PG attack. Will be interesting to see if Law has improved his handle to play in the backcourt. All up in the air right now.

 

[Wrestlerneverdiesasacatfan]

Ash and Taphorn will play more than projected here

 

[IGNORE2]

247sports has a player that NU is recruiting in PF/C Kent as having a 100% certainty of going to NU. He is a 6'9"/6'10" who has drawn comparisons to Kaminsky. I have my fingers crossed on that one. Hopefully, that is the case.

Where is my friend gcg or Corbi? Cmon, this guy is genius, pure genius.

 

[willycat]

Where is my friend gcg or Corbi? Cmon, this guy is genius, pure genius.

Think your on the wrong board.

 

[IGNORE2]

Think your on the wrong board.

Well, gcg wanders over here on occasion to pot shot me and a few others. But yes, I don't think Corbi is a basketball guy. Still, he was the one that made the genius comment recently, so all is fair...

 

[IGNORE2]

NUCat320 needs some clarification.

247sports has a player that NU is recruiting in PF/C Kent as having a 100% certainty of going to NU. He is a 6'9"/6'10" who has drawn comparisons to Kaminsky. I have my fingers crossed on that one. Hopefully, that is the case.

Hey Walker, any more clarifications?

 

[ricko654321]

The autocorrect that keeps on giving...

haha whoops was focused on football over the weekend, just noticed this, my bad fixed now!

 

[ricko654321]

NUCat320 needs some clarification. NU has never been to the NCAA tourney. That means that every one of their players has not put together a full NCAA tourney worthy season and that includes McIntosh.

In McIntosh's two seasons, he ran out of steam at the end of the Big 10 season. Last season, that occurred in part on his playing too many minutes and also because opponents designed their game plans to stop him or deny him the ball. I think he will adjust and improve and have a NCAA tourney worthy season this season and next season, but if we focus on his freshman and sophomore season, he did not do enough at the end of the season to be considered to having a NCAA tourney worth season particularly for all of Big 10 play or in Big 10 tournament play. I will preface that opinion by saying that his performance in beating UW in the regular season was NCAA tourney worthy and was amazing when he singlehandedly put his team on his shoulders and beat the Badgers which was NU's best victory of the season.

As for Law, he is projected and has the talent to put together a NCAA tourney worthy season. He will have to put up 12-15 ppg, 5-7 rpg, 2-3 steals/game, if NU wants to sniff the NCAA tourney or at a minimum make the NIT tournament. Also, Falzon will have to score in the 10-15 ppg. Lindsey will have to play productive minutes as the start shooting guard position and Pardon will have to continue the promise he flashed last season.

Tap has never been a player that Collins plays extended minutes and gives more than 5 minute stretches, so don't put him in the same group as the starters or the top men off the bench. The starting lineup should be McIntosh, Lindsey, Law, Falzon and Pardon with the top bench players being Skelly, Brown and Benson. IMHO, Lumpkin's minutes should go down and be used more of a defensive specialist, but Collins like to start him. I don't agree with that.

Why does Taphorn not get consistent minutes you ask because you might think he has a smooth shot? The answer is that he gets abused on defense because he does not have the athleticism to be a two-way player. Same with Lumpkin, he is not a two-way player because his offensive skills are limited. Recruiting players who have the athleticism to play on offense and defense is what Collins has done unlike the one-dimensional players from the prior regime. If Collin's players continue to develop then that will be the reason, why NU will have a breakout season this year or in 2017.

247sports has a player that NU is recruiting in PF/C Kent as having a 100% certainty of going to NU. He is a 6'9"/6'10" who has drawn comparisons to Kaminsky. I have my fingers crossed on that one. Hopefully, that is the case.

I agree with your proposed starting lineup (BMac, Lindsey, Law, Falzon, Pardon), and it's also my impression that that's what Collins intends this year. He likes Lumpkin, but I think he is coming off the bench this year with Vic back in action. Also, I think that we do need to maintain decent use of Sanjay- he's to the point where he can make an open 3 now, so he's not a huge liability on offense. And on defense, there were a couple games where he almost took over that side of the ball (I mentioned Wiscy last year above, also his spot work in the Illinois win was huge), and even though that's a rarity, he brings a certain energy, leadership, and toughness to the floor that I think can be contagious and fire up the rest of the team.

Brown is probably the largest source of variability in this, none of us has seen him play yet and even Chris won't know what he's got until he gets on the floor against tougher competition. If he plays well, he could get significant minutes off the bench, or maybe even start in a tail scenario. But if he's tentative, shows weakness on defense, and or makes freshman mistakes, it's much more likely that he sees spot minutes in sort of a Taphorn like offense oriented role at the guard position.

 

[Walker Fan]

He can hardly contain himself that a 18-year-old student/athlete makes a choice using his future job prospects as a criterion that Knoxville is a better place to be than Evanston/Chicago. It was down to two schools and he chose the financial hotbed of Knoxville over Chicago. Well, on to the next one.

But premature Bobby can not contain his glee in a student/athlete making a choice and not choosing NU. He is giddy when NU football or basketball teams do not succeed. That's clarification of Premature Bobby.

Further clarification is that Collins and his staff will continue to recruit and find that diamond with the 12th scholarship because Collins and his staff will always have a backup plan which you need to have when you are dealing with the whims of a 18-year-old. You can not fault a high school senior from making a choice on his future job prospects when competing with Knoxville, TN.

 

[IGNORE2]

He can hardly contain himself that a 18-year-old student/athlete makes a choice using his future job prospects as a criterion that Knoxville is a better place to be than Evanston/Chicago. It was down to two schools and he chose the financial hotbed of Knoxville over Chicago. Well, on to the next one.

But premature Bobby can not contain his glee in a student/athlete making a choice and not choosing NU. He is giddy when NU football or basketball teams do not succeed. That's clarification of Premature Bobby.

Further clarification is that Collins and his staff will continue to recruit and find that diamond with the 12th scholarship because Collins and his staff will always have a backup plan which you need to have when you are dealing with the whims of a 18-year-old. You can not fault a high school senior from making a choice on his future job prospects when competing with Knoxville, TN.

You should run for President. So smoothly twisting assumptions and lies and stating as old facts. Truth is I'm giddy to identify each time you are simply wrong. And it will be a fun year as you have made many strong statements. So I will leave the name calling to you as I sit back and wait for your next humiliation point. Cheers :]

 

[Walker Fan]

Yes, that statement that Brown was the backup PG was way off base. Or that your sky is falling posing after the 0-2 start was premature is really way off base. I posted and stated that a recruiting website had Kent going to NU. I brought something to the table, you did not.

I will point out that NU is improved athletically and be improved in basketball this season and focus on the positive and you will focus on any tidbit that is negative. My prediction is that there will be more positive occurring than negative. Everyone on this board knows your perspective. And we will be laughing at it.

 

[ricko654321]

You should run for President. So smoothly twisting assumptions and lies and stating as old facts. Truth is I'm giddy to identify each time you are simply wrong. And it will be a fun year as you have made many strong statements. So I will leave the name calling to you as I sit back and wait for your next humiliation point. Cheers :]

I lost track of what you guys are arguing about like 5 messages ago. For both of you, I may be wrong, but I think it is possible to disagree with someone without taking shots at them....

Go Cats

 

[NJCat]

I lost track of what you guys are arguing about like 5 messages ago. For both of you, I may be wrong, but I think it is possible to disagree with someone without taking shots at them....

Go Cats

Amen. Shades of VA-DCF. Agree to disagree and move on without acting like 6 year olds.

 

[NUCat320]

I KEEP RETURNING TO THIS THREAD HOPING SOMEONE ELSE WANTS TO PLAY THE MINUTES GAME. It's fun!

 

[ricko654321]

I KEEP RETURNING TO THIS THREAD HOPING SOMEONE ELSE WANTS TO PLAY THE MINUTES GAME. It's fun!

Haha!!! I tried to encourage people to play and I'm glad you did

 

[Medill90]

I KEEP RETURNING TO THIS THREAD HOPING SOMEONE ELSE WANTS TO PLAY THE MINUTES GAME. It's fun!

I think...
* Collins goes with a fairly long rotation;
* You guys and gals that think Collins doesn't start the loyal and selfless Sanjay are smoking dope. But I agree his minutes are down a tad;
* BMac plays a minute or three less than last year;
* Law plays about the same minutes as BMac minus two or three;
* Falzon plays about the same minutes as last year plus two or three;
* Lindsey's minutes will be up a little from last year;
* Skelly and Tap will play about the same minutes as last year;
* Dererk plays Olah's minutes almost equally;
* Benson plays, but not huge minutes;
* Brown is the X factor. When it's going in he plays. When it's not, Ash plays.

On that last point, I think it's the same for Lindsey, Skelly, Benson, Brown and Ash. They might not average huge minutes, but they'll have a lot of games in which they play large minutes because they are playing well and/or situation.

 

[IGNORE2]

I lost track of what you guys are arguing about like 5 messages ago. For both of you, I may be wrong, but I think it is possible to disagree with someone without taking shots at them....

Go Cats

Should be, often is, but walker is one of them name callers, so he gets special treatment.

 

[Walker Fan]

McIntosh 33
Law 30
Falzon 28
Pardon 24
Lindsey 23
Skelly 20
Lumpkin 15
Benson 15
Brown 14
Tap 7-10
Ash 3-6

 

[NUThump]

I posted mine in another thread a couple of months ago, but since that was before the Rap injury, here is my updated prediction:
BMac - 30 minutes
Lindsey - 25
Ash - 10
Brown - 8
Law - 28
Lumpkin - 17
Falzon - 20
Skelly - 14
Tap - 8
Pardon - 25
Benson - 15

 

[IGNORE2]

Since tipoff is approaching and people seem to be engaging more, how bout an updated preseason version of the 200 minutes game...

BMac 35 - he was at 36 last year, would love to get him to 33 but that may be too optimistic
Law 28 - think he'll go more in B1G season but suspect CC will ease him in OOC, also more replacement players here
Falzon 25 - he was 25 mpg last year, think he plays similar role but hopefully more active
Lindsey 22 - prob starts at the 2, but splits lots of time, was 19 mpg last year
Pardon 20 - splits time at the 5 with BB
Benson 15 - see above, with some minutes for Skelly and or bad foul situations
Sanjay 15 - less than last year (24), but still needed as D specialist, moreso vs certain teams
Skelly 13 - this is basically the same as he played last year, prob will mostly be at the 4
Brown 11 - mix of backup at 1 and 2 guard
Taphorn 10 - mixes in at 2/3/4 hybrid role as an offensive specialist
Ash 6 - same amount he played last year

The most surprising thing when going through this exercise for me, was the logjam we have at the 3 and 4 slots, and with some carryover into the 2 depending on who you classify where. It stinks that Rap got hurt, but we certainly have no shortage of solid B1G ready players that can play there. And, it seems every year there for us there is the appearance of depth, and variable lineup options (fast vs slow, defense vs offense). Hopefully we have enough players stay healthy and play well to make that actually materialize this year.

One thing I think CC will def do - Sanjay's minutes I expect will vary by opponent. The ones that he wants to play man against that have a dynamic wing scorer (e.g. Hayes / Wisconsin, and Denzel / MSU last year) I bet he plays Sanjay more and tells him to go out there and be a stopper. Games where the best player is a wing or a big, or CC likes zone more, I bet Sanjay gets much less time, maybe Tap and Falzon pick up more. Teams that have two quality bigs (eg Maryland last year) Skelly should see more minutes. We have tons of flexibility at F, but much less so at G. And at C we have the 2 obvious options.

Others' thoughts? Who do I have too high / too low?

Doesn't look like this poster respects the heart and soul.

 

[IGNORE2]

I appreciate the thoughtful post. I cannot replicate the depth of your post at the moment, but I can say that I am anticipating a big season for Gavin Skelly. I would expect his minutes to significantly exceed the 13 minutes per game you have predicted. Especially if Law can legitimately contribute at the 2-spot, Skelly has a great opportunity as part of a strong BMac/Law/Falzon/Skelly/Pardon lineup. I just like Skelly's energy, his movement on defense, his nose for the ball, his passing, his rebounding, his ability to run the floor and his ever improving scoring skills. I think Skelly is poised for a big jump. Coach Collins called him out during the B1G Media Day press conference as one of the five guys that would make or break this team.

Of course, Skelly's minutes will also depend on Lumpkin and Lindsey. Even though they don't all play the same position, I believe that Skelly, Lumpkin and Lindsey will ultimately be fighting for some of the same minutes. And Skelly will get a few extra minutes here and there as a change-up 3rd center (probably when the younger bigs are in foul trouble).

Another heart and soul dish.

 

[IGNORE2]

This is listed by position, with presumptive starter listed first. Obviously, there's lots of quibbling with position labels here. I anticipate Lumpkin to come off the bench but to get the most minutes at the 4 because he's a known quantity and more consisten than the others.

Mc: 36
Brown: 4

Lindsey: 9
Law: 16
Brown: 12
Ash: 3

Law: 12
Falzon: 16
Tap: 10
Lindsey: 2

Falzon: 11
Lumpkin: 21
Skelly: 8

Pardon: 22
Benson: 15
Skelly: 3

By individual:
Mc: 36
Law: 28
Falzon: 27
Pardon: 22
Lumpkin: 21
Brown: 16
Benson: 15
Lindsey: 11
Skelly: 11
Taphorn: 10
Ash: 3

in writing this up, it makes me even less optimistic about the possibility of a tournament berth. Mac is literally the only guy on this roster who has had a productive (which is to say, NCAA Tourney level) B1G season, start to finish. 2, 3, 4 are wide open.

I love Lumpkin, but he's a known quantity. Tap is the same, though maybe he has a 20-point explosion in him somewhere.

Besides:
Lindsey has had two years of flashes, Falzon one.
Law played a nice back half of a season.
Pardon had two huge games and lots of foul trouble.
Ash and Skelly have had undistinguished starts, though Skelly less so.
We have no idea what we might get from Benson and Brown, though we can hope.

320 doesn't have him starting, but shows enough respect for the heart and soul to opine 21 minutes.

 

[IGNORE2]

NUCat320 needs some clarification. NU has never been to the NCAA tourney. That means that every one of their players has not put together a full NCAA tourney worthy season and that includes McIntosh.

In McIntosh's two seasons, he ran out of steam at the end of the Big 10 season. Last season, that occurred in part on his playing too many minutes and also because opponents designed their game plans to stop him or deny him the ball. I think he will adjust and improve and have a NCAA tourney worthy season this season and next season, but if we focus on his freshman and sophomore season, he did not do enough at the end of the season to be considered to having a NCAA tourney worth season particularly for all of Big 10 play or in Big 10 tournament play. I will preface that opinion by saying that his performance in beating UW in the regular season was NCAA tourney worthy and was amazing when he singlehandedly put his team on his shoulders and beat the Badgers which was NU's best victory of the season.

As for Law, he is projected and has the talent to put together a NCAA tourney worthy season. He will have to put up 12-15 ppg, 5-7 rpg, 2-3 steals/game, if NU wants to sniff the NCAA tourney or at a minimum make the NIT tournament. Also, Falzon will have to score in the 10-15 ppg. Lindsey will have to play productive minutes as the start shooting guard position and Pardon will have to continue the promise he flashed last season.

Tap has never been a player that Collins plays extended minutes and gives more than 5 minute stretches, so don't put him in the same group as the starters or the top men off the bench. The starting lineup should be McIntosh, Lindsey, Law, Falzon and Pardon with the top bench players being Skelly, Brown and Benson. IMHO, Lumpkin's minutes should go down and be used more of a defensive specialist, but Collins like to start him. I don't agree with that.

Why does Taphorn not get consistent minutes you ask because you might think he has a smooth shot? The answer is that he gets abused on defense because he does not have the athleticism to be a two-way player. Same with Lumpkin, he is not a two-way player because his offensive skills are limited. Recruiting players who have the athleticism to play on offense and defense is what Collins has done unlike the one-dimensional players from the prior regime. If Collin's players continue to develop then that will be the reason, why NU will have a breakout season this year or in 2017.

247sports has a player that NU is recruiting in PF/C Kent as having a 100% certainty of going to NU. He is a 6'9"/6'10" who has drawn comparisons to Kaminsky. I have my fingers crossed on that one. Hopefully, that is the case.

Even the constant nuisance walker disrespects the heart and soul - not in his top 8!

 

[IGNORE2]

I agree with your proposed starting lineup (BMac, Lindsey, Law, Falzon, Pardon), and it's also my impression that that's what Collins intends this year. He likes Lumpkin, but I think he is coming off the bench this year with Vic back in action. Also, I think that we do need to maintain decent use of Sanjay- he's to the point where he can make an open 3 now, so he's not a huge liability on offense. And on defense, there were a couple games where he almost took over that side of the ball (I mentioned Wiscy last year above, also his spot work in the Illinois win was huge), and even though that's a rarity, he brings a certain energy, leadership, and toughness to the floor that I think can be contagious and fire up the rest of the team.

Brown is probably the largest source of variability in this, none of us has seen him play yet and even Chris won't know what he's got until he gets on the floor against tougher competition. If he plays well, he could get significant minutes off the bench, or maybe even start in a tail scenario. But if he's tentative, shows weakness on defense, and or makes freshman mistakes, it's much more likely that he sees spot minutes in sort of a Taphorn like offense oriented role at the guard position.

Here, Rick doubles down against the heart and the soul.