DISQUS

Brett Horsley · 2 years ago

Looks like a final four team to me! Seriously though that line-up should be more than enough to beat out the likes of MSU in the Big Ten. Can't wait for midnight madness!

MajorBeef · 2 years ago

I think these five are pretty much locks for the starting 5. It is likely the best starting five we have had since the early 90's!

Just a quick comment - love the blog. I have been looking for an IU blog other than Terry's on the Star page. You guys do a fine job, will add to my blogroll ASAP.

~MB/Evansville, IN

hoosier81 · 2 years ago

I agree...these are the most likely starting 5. The only possible change I think might happen: I can see holman or thomas playing along side DJ in the middle so that DJ can play the 4 on offense (think about DJs play on the pan-am team). I still think, no matter what, dj will play the 5 on defense.

What does everyone else think?

nealE · 2 years ago

i think this will be the starting 5 at the start of the season. but i think as we move into big 10 season, you might see DJ play his more natural position at the 4, and then move either eli or DT into the center spot. DJ excelled in the PanAM games playing the 4. i think we would be pretty magnificent if we could get eli or DT to play the middle, allowing DJ to play to his strengths.

Tom · 2 years ago

IU will have a starting 4 with the 5th position rotating between the rest.Stemler will get the 5th spot or M.White early on, if Bassett stumbles it could become a starting 3.

Zach · 2 years ago

I agree with this starting lineup being the initial one, but one of the new guys (Thomas or Eli) will be the center in the lineup and DJ will be the 4 in place of Stemler by the new year.

McD · 2 years ago

Surprised to have not seen Jordon Crawford mentioned. Armon will start the season, but I believe he'll replece Armon or at least split time KS style by B10 season opener. He is much more of a true PG than Armon with more size and athleticism.

End of season lineup will be Crawford, Gordon, Ellis, Thomas, White.

Gary Crawford · 2 years ago

My early concerns are about Depth. With AJ out and unknown for the 2nd semester and with Holman's eligibility in question, we are pretty short of people.
Lack of depth makes us subject to injuries and academic fallout. Worst case has us with 9 scholarship players available. It is not likely we will get through 31 games without some injuries and sickness leaving us very short handed for some games. Mike White is a role player and will be productive in situations, but, will not get a ton of minutes. McGee is a true freshman and unless an emergency does occur, will not get minutes in competitive situations. The seven player rotation that remains for competitive games, will be pretty worn out by the time we reach games 34-40. (We all hope we might get to a game 40?) By the middle of January we will sure wish that AJ and Holman are available and that Holman has been integrated enough to be productive. Plus, new players like Ellis, Thomas and Crawford must live up to their hype and integrate completely by January. They are part of the 7 man rotation.

PostmanR · 2 years ago

Ahfeld will start over Gordon by the time Big Ten season starts.

What? I'm serious!

Big A · 2 years ago

I think if Crawford plays good defense, he's got a chance to take minutes from Bassett. That's a big if though. Sampson was really impressed with how Bassett improved defensively last season. My personal feeling is the point guard spot is Armon's to lose.

Tim · 2 years ago

I agree with the starting five to start the season, but I'm reserving the right to change my opinion until after HH and the exhibition games. As of right now though, I expect big things from DJ and EJ, of course, but also from Armon and Jamarcus.

I'm curious how often the Hoosiers might go to a four-guard lineup with Bassett, Gordon, Crawford/Ratliff, Ellis, and DJ White. That lineup would really be able to get up and down, shoot, and could provide some really nice mismatches in midgame situations. Of course, if Stemler gets his shot back you would have that style of lineup without giving up as much size.

I'm also excited to see how Stemler, Mike White, Holman, and Thomas battle each other out to get minutes. They all have their own strengths and weaknesses, and I see each one coming in during different in-game situations.

jaime gongora · 2 years ago

I agree as well but in the later part of the season I can See Eli Holman taking significant minutes away from Lance. It all depends who the hooshiers face because I would like to see D.J. White play the 4 or 5. DJ should always defend the best offensive 4 or 5 of any opposing team. I think Crawford is going to have significant minutes at the point, because the following year I can see Basset taking the shootoing guard spot if Ej leaves after one year ( of course it depends on the recruiting class we haul). It's going to be interesting to see what role A.J. is going to play, and if deandre thomas and mike white could provide signigicant minutes if and when our team gets in foul trouble. It is going to be an awesome season. Ej and DJ are going to be great and it depends how Sampson develops Ellis and basset to determine if we win a national championship.
jaime

On The Dot · 2 years ago

Big A,

Sounds good, but seems like a pretty small team.

Quickness wins many games and this team won't get outquicked too often, but rebounding might be a problem in some games, especially if the Hoosiers run into a team with a couple of 7 footers.

Holman would add some significant height and defensive shot-blocking, which Sampson, as a defensive oriented coach might want in the line-up (assuming, of course, that Holman qualifies).

Ben Allan's last minute departure makes the center position more problematic. Holman and DeAndre Thomas are the listed Centers at Scout.com. Thomas may weigh as much as some centers (although word is that he is doing a fantastic job of dropping some of that), but he would give up 5 or more inches in height.

And at some point, this team will need and hopefully have AJ Ratliff for his sharp-shooting, experience and maturity.

There are still some question marks in my mind.

On The Dot.