Redbirdwarrior said:Yeah, I'm with you. HCDM has to make tough choices from day one on who is going to eat the most minutes. We tried that "feel around" noise last year, but only got decent after setting our standard starting 5 and 3 players off the bench. Trying to find minutes for all of these guys is a fool's game and kills chemistry.
Keyshawn, Fayne, Milik and Boogie need to be on the floor as much as possible. I'm guessing the 5th man in that equation will be Copeland. Then you have Rey, JJ and I'm guessing Chastain until TB is ready to come back. You only dig out Hein and Gassman in a very rare situation and when TB gets back, probably put Chastain with them.
Find your honest rotation in practice and stick to it. Don't sub just to sub.
Very good point. Primary difference with this year vs last, we have a much more capable bench. Someone is going to get screwed for pt and it will likely be on a game by game basis. Muller has mentioned that he wants to shore up the rotation (8 he said, maybe 9) before Cayman, which is in 14 days, and he has 3 games to do it.
I think what we did learn from the exhibitions:
The starting four. The seniors will likely start every game barring injury/suspension.
Copeland and Jefferson will battle for the 2 guard spot. I think Muller is leaning towards Copeland. Whichever one does not start will be the first off the bench.
After that, Chastain seems to be the guy, despite just playing 15 min against Auggie, followed by Rey. Rey would probably sub for Phil before Chas subs for Boogie or Milik.
I'm thinking Ike got so much PT in the exhibitions because he will be toward the end of the bench. Hein will likely be a little higher than i'm projecting him since he is a guard and they may need Cope and Jefferson/Key out of the game for foul trouble or something of that nature. So there is your eight for right now (Key, Cope, Milik, Boog, Phil, Jefferson, Rey, Chas - followed by Hein and Ike). That could change in the next day. Anything could happen.
I think the Birds will be pumped up to play a real game, get off to a fast start, and keep it that way. I'm looking forward to seeing some actual offense. Also excited to see these Alt uniforms! We have had a few in past years and rarely wore them. A couple years ago we had a dark grey and a silver and I think only wore each once. I hope we utilize these more.