Who starts at center?

[ibahawkeye]

This is an interesting spot for the hawks next year. Woody is a big time recruit and you cant teach height. Gabe has made strides and has more athletism. Ive read where some said they wouldnt be suprised if he earned the spot after his play in the PTL. Ill go with the starter from last year McCabe. He doesnt have either the height or athletism the other two offer but he can create matchup issues of his own with his ability to draw the taller defenders outside the arc and make 3s or put the ball on the floor depending on how he is guarded. He rebounds well and brings an attitude to the team.

Who do you think will start at this spot?

 

[BasketballMan]

Gabe. Hands down.

 

[Hawkfnntn]

We'll see we might play alot of small ball too depending on matchups of who we're playing. Not too worried about that position because regardless I don't think we'll be leaning on it to produce a ton this year

 

[Smarthawk]

I think Woody will start eventually, if not initially. It's nice to have options.

 

[ssckelley]

I think McCabe starts the year at center.

 

[MoseSchrute]

Olaseni, without a doubt.

 

[VAHawkFan]

Olaseni, without a doubt.

Put a check for me in that column as well. However, I think both he and Woodbury see significant minutes.

 

[atomicblue224]

Good problems to have, something we didnt have for last few years..

 

[TheOracle]

I've been away for a while. what did Gave do in PTL to be getting all this fanfare

 

[Tmoney12]

I've been away for a while. what did Gave do in PTL to be getting all this fanfare

Gave didn't play

 

[Tmoney12]

I've been away for a while. what did Gave do in PTL to be getting all this fanfare

Gave didn't play

 

[MisterLucky]

Gabe's a soph. Woody's a frosh. Gabe will start but fouls will determine playing time.

 

[hawkjunkie]

Coach will either stick Woody in right away, throwing him to the wolves. Or McCabe will start at the beginning of the season. I do not think Zach starts the whole season tho, Gabe & Woody will have that position by the B1G start. Who gets it then will be the best player.

 

[TheOracle]

I've been away for a while. what did Gave do in PTL to be getting all this fanfare

Gave didn't play

So funny you had to post it twice.

 

[GoHawks24]

I've been away for a while. what did Gave do in PTL to be getting all this fanfare

Gave didn't play

Half of your posts must be you correcting Duff's turrible spelling, right?

 

[Foval21]

i would go with mccabe if it hadnt been for comments that fran has made. he has made comments about mccabe primarily being a pf and white playing more time at the wing (3 spot). this makes me believe that minutes in the center position will primarily be woodbury and olaseni. i believe the mccabe is really a calming type presence for everyone else and will do the dirty work that others wont and will start at pf to give them that and calm and lead the inexperience at pg and center. meaning basabe comes off the bench. i think center and pf will be paired to compliment each other. mccabe isnt very athletic and olaseni is and should bring a shot blocking presence to pick up for mccabe. so i will go with olaseni starting (if mccabe is at the pf). if basabe is at pf then i think he will be paired with woodbury as woody isnt as athletic and basabe brings the shot blocking.

olaseni - brings athleticism and shot blocking
woodbury - brings passing and rebounding

i think minutes at the center will look like this (probably a little high for the young guys but i will go on the optimistic side). woodbury and olaseni 15 minutes each & basabe and mccabe 5 minutes each.

the more important thing is who will play at the end of the game. my money is on a combo of basabe and mccabe at the end of the game because inexperience tends to struggle at the end of games.

 

[sportstalent]

So White doesn't start?

 

[DFaceHawkeye]

So White doesn't start?

He'll start at the 3. Ogelsby will come off the bench behind Marble at the 2. Even though I don't think Marble fits the two as well, I think you put your best 5 on the floor.

 

[Foval21]

So White doesn't start?

He'll start at the 3. Ogelsby will come off the bench behind Marble at the 2. Even though I don't think Marble fits the two as well, I think you put your best 5 on the floor.

i believe that is how fran is leaning. i prefer white not be on the wing but i think he is trying to maximize minutes for his best players and with a log jam in the 2 post positions white and marble at the wing spots (2 & 3) looks like the way to get them in as much as possible. i think white is a defensive liability at the wing but if basabe and olaseni can block shots and woodbury can alter them than that can make up for it.

 

[ssckelley]

I've been away for a while. what did Gave do in PTL to be getting all this fanfare

Duff, did you get an alt?

Do not be surprised if our starting lineup looks similar to what it did last year at the begining of the season with Oglesby or May replacing Gatens at the 2. I think the freshmen will see significant minutes but I doubt Fran will throw them at the wolves. Playing time will be determined by who is playing well.