Obviously way too early, but go ahead and make your predictions for next years starters come November

I say

PG: Burgess/Goesling/Logan
SG: Eaves/Shabazz
SF: Babic/Clarke
PF: Kinney/Lawson/Kobani
C: Obacha/Kostic

Definitely see Burgess and Eaves starting, but other than that it could be interesting. Obacha will probably start too. But it's gonna be interesting to see who improves more in the offseason between Kinney and Lawson. Feel like Lawson offers more on D, but Kinney could potentially offer more on offense if he gets better with that jumper, he could be a bit of a stretch 4. I bet Babic starts, but if Shabazz looks good early maybe he could start at the 3. I definitely see Shabazz and Logan both getting considerable minutes next year. It'll be interesting to see who gets more burn between Goesling and Logan, I'm pretty high on Goesling. Smart decision maker for a freshman and he sure hustles.

I think we could easily see Babic playing some at the four. We have 3 legitimate big men coming back next season: Lawson, Obacha, & Kinney. Babic later in the season played the 4 down the stretch in games. He's lanky enough to do it.

In those situations you would have Burgess, Eaves, Shabazz/Clarke on the floor together would spread it out and allow our shooters space to operate.

I'm actually planning a post on this topic but I'll play now too.

PG - Burgess / Logan / Goesling
SG - Eaves / Shabazz
SF - Babic / Shabazz / Clarke
PF - Lawson / Kinney
C - Obacha / Kostic


This is just my take. I think 4/5 of lineup is locked for opening day. The power forward is debatable and Lawson and Kinney offer different things but I'm going to give the nod to the senior Lawson and that's really the only reason.

I think Clarke and Goesling stand to lose the most time. Logan and Shabazz are both going to be great for this team. All the film I've watched and everything I've heard from the coaches suggest these two can come in and compete to start from day one.

Let's be real, Burgess and Eaves aren't coming off the bench at all and I think how Babic played down the stretch secures him in the fold. But Logan and Shabazz can both really score and can do it in a wide variety of ways. I just think that they'll prove to be more multi dimensional that Goesling and Clarke and will supplant them in the rotation.

Watch for Kostic to really come on and play a larger role next season. Kobani and Gilbert will take scrap minutes in the post.


Great topic.

I think Shabazz is going to put someone on the bench watching. Not as familiar with Logan, but everything I've read and seen is pretty convincing.

I like the fact that Fox still has two grants to spend between now and April 15th. It's gonna be Christmas in April for App roundball. Can't wait to learn what cards he has up his sleeve.

I expect Shabazz to play a lot. Whether he takes a starting job from an incumbent, I don't know. But when you're 12-17 and the coach has his first true recruiting class coming in, I don't think incumbency guarantees you a starting job next year.

AppHoops wrote:I'm actually planning a post on this topic but I'll play now too.

PG - Burgess / Logan / Goesling
SG - Eaves / Shabazz
SF - Babic / Shabazz / Clarke
PF - Lawson / Kinney
C - Obacha / Kostic


This is just my take. I think 4/5 of lineup is locked for opening day. The power forward is debatable and Lawson and Kinney offer different things but I'm going to give the nod to the senior Lawson and that's really the only reason.

I think Clarke and Goesling stand to lose the most time. Logan and Shabazz are both going to be great for this team. All the film I've watched and everything I've heard from the coaches suggest these two can come in and compete to start from day one.

Let's be real, Burgess and Eaves aren't coming off the bench at all and I think how Babic played down the stretch secures him in the fold. But Logan and Shabazz can both really score and can do it in a wide variety of ways. I just think that they'll prove to be more multi dimensional that Goesling and Clarke and will supplant them in the rotation.

Watch for Kostic to really come on and play a larger role next season. Kobani and Gilbert will take scrap minutes in the post.


Great topic.

I agree I definitely see Clarke losing a lot of time. I actually think Goesling has a lot of potential as a ball mover and hustle guy, but you may be right. If Logan is as good as advertised he may not see many minutes next year. Lawson will probably be better by the beginning of the season, but I wonder if Fox will look to the future and give them similar minutes. Kinda like in football, Taylor Lamb wasn't really better than Kam Bryant, but he more than likely got the start because he was so much younger and more time now would lead to him being better in the future. Lawson was great defensively all season, but Kinney has a lot of potential on offense as a stretch guy. More time for Kinney = more space for all our shooters.

I thought a guy brought up an interesting idea of Babic playing some at the 4. It's definitely intriguing and would open a ton of space but I'm afraid we would get shredded defensively and on the boards. In stints it may could work but Babic is skinny as a rail. Hopefully he'll be in the weight room a lot this offseason.

Glad to see we're all super pumped about Shabazz and Logan, I think they both could be special players. Especially Shabazz, on paper he looks like a massive get. Hopefully Fox can add a few more bigs as recruiting comes to a close.

We need to spend those last two grants in the front court.

So, i take it Ran Gilbert, the tallest dude on the team, is just a complete bust at this point?

I think I just read where Taylor Lamb wasn't really better than Kam Bryant Back to basketball, no need to fret over minutes between Lawson and Kinney because both will be heavily relied on as Obacha is foul prone.
As to Goesling, I love his hustle but don't think he has the fire power to hold off the 2 new guards coming in.

I don't see Rant or Kobani getting in the rotation. They just don't fit in the system.

Right now, I think our starting lineup in the first game is Burgess, Eaves, Babic, Lawson and Obacha. Shabazz could be a 2/3 hybrid. Unless Goesling shows big improvement, Logan could come in an be backup PG right off the bat. Kinney is getting there but had a bad last month besides at home vs ULM. Kostic could improve the most but he's still a project.

Having a bunch of guys who can do good things is a nice problem to have, though.

Burgess
Eaves
Shabazz/Babic
Lawson/Obacha
a yet to be determined post player recruit who fits the system and can score/rebound/defend/pass

I hope Lawson gets comfy with the system and can develop into a consistent scoring/rebounding threat...he could easily be a double double guy if he works.

I feel like with our current personnel, lots will ride on us getting a late post player signee who can compete for a starting job.

Ah man! thought this thread was for football! Somebody in the know please project a way too early wild ass guess for the football starting lineup. Of course football is way too unpredictable considering redshirts coming off but still fun to read. Hope hoops continues to improve. Let's dance next year.