Who will start?

[Oh8ch]

Time to start stirring up some interest in the Hoop squad. I can't recall a time when the starting five was so much up in the air.

Who will be the first five to step on the court in the first game?

I am going with:
Dials
Billings
Harris
Stockman
Fuss-Cheatham

I really do believe there is a lot of talent on this team. This could be a surprisingly good season.

[OilerBuck]

A lot of it depends on Sullinger's status. I'm assuiming he's okay to play for the purposes of this post.

C - Dials
F - Harris
G - Sullinger
G - Billings
G - Stockman

Butler may get a look. Sylvester could also replace Sullinger, but he needs to get consistent and learn good shot selection.

If Fuss-Cheatham starts, I may just jump the ledge I've been looking over all football season.

[vrbryant]

Dials is for certain. Stockman (from what I hear) is becoming much more of a team player - in fact, that seems to be the new M.O. for Matta & Co. I'm biased, but my starting five would be:

G - Brandon Fuss-Cheatham (final year - I think he steps up. 9-10ppg, 5-6apg, 3:1 A/TO)

G - Tony Stockman (he's the one that needs to work on shot selection, and I figure he already has. 13-15ppg, 4-5apg, 1-2spg)

G - Ric Billings (tore [censored] up in Worthington over the summer - might lead the team in scoring. 16-18ppg, 4-5rpg, 2-3apg)

F - Matt Sylvester (has always had the scoring touch. With some more minutes and an injury-free season, he'll be real, real good. 12-14ppg, 5-6rpg, 1-2spg)

C - Terence Dials (no [censored], Sherlock. 12-14ppg, 8-9rpg, 2-3bpg)

Whatever the starting five, I see minutes being spread around pretty well. I don't figure anyone will average more than 26-28 mpg. Harris, Sullinger, Butler, et al all still need to see the floor.

[Moebuck]

I'm really excited about the season as well. I think Matta's coaching style will really work well with the athleticism on this team. Here is my tentative starting five without seeing any practice yet this year.

G Ricardo Billings
G Tony Stockman
F Matt Sylvester
F JJ Sullinger
C Terence Dials

I agree there has to be minutes for Harris, Butler, Jekel Foster and I really hope Fuss-Cheatam puts it together.

[Oh8ch]

Oiler - I left Sullinger off my starting five because of the potential discipline issue.

Syl is a sleeper. Will he stay healthy?

The big question mark is PG. Somehow I don't see Stockman or Billings in that role in the Matta O. Maybe Butler later, but I think Fuss early.

I notice over on BN Ant is singing the praises of Foster and thinks he will start. I can't see that out of a Frosh, but if he is a player we could have some serious depth.

[jimotis4heisman]

keep in mind at X thad ran guys on and off the bench playin 8 guys pretty equal excpet for his DOGS

[gobucksBC]

G - Butler
G - Stockman
G - Ric Bills
F - IH
C - TD

[flybuckeye]

Originally Posted by Oh8ch

Oiler -I notice over on BN Ant is singing the praises of Foster and thinks he will start. I can't see that out of a Frosh, but if he is a player we could have some serious depth.

Foster is a Junior, he's a JC transfer.

[Oh8ch]

Duh.

[blufftonbuck]

Also don't forget about Wilson at PF. I have watched a lot of X games with Matta and he just sounds like a player he would love. Good rebounder and real nice defense possibilities if I remember his recruiting story...

[Oh8ch]

FWIW the starting lineup in the exhibition game was:

Foster
Stockman
Dials
Sullinger
Harris

If Fus had been available Matta's coments indicate he would have started. Not sure for who - maybe Harris?

[Lima JOck]

Dials 6'9" [5] No question
Harris 6'8" [4] I was at last Ill. game. Put kid on the floor!!!!!!!
Sullinger 6'5" [3] By default. Tallest of those I would consider starting.
Foster 6'3" [2] Defends. Tough!
Butler 6'2" Ten games in he could be earning Freshman of yr honors in Big Ten if given chance.

[sears3820]

Originally Posted by Oh8ch

FWIW the starting lineup in the exhibition game was:

Foster
Stockman
Dials
Sullinger
Harris

If Fus had been available Matta's coments indicate he would have started. Not sure for who - maybe Harris?

Very interesting dilemma had BFC been available.

BFC for Harris would have left us with only one post player on the floor but would have improved our quickness and perhaps got us to play more uptempo. And also going up against a D2 like Northern Kentucky, a smaller lineup would have matched up alot better with them.

It'll be interesting to see how the lineup shakes out once we start playing teams with some size.