Depth Chart

[mexicobufan]

Here is my thoughts on the depth chart for this year by position. I did not put players into multiple positions as I know they will be but wanted to just look at the guys we have and their strongest position. Barnes is an issue as I know everyone thinks he will start when able at the SF-PF, but I am not so sure.

PG- Sutherland - Bell - Fields
SG- Jones - Grier - Amerson (if here)
SF- Cunningham - Thomas
PF- Shaw - Barnes
C - Morgan - Taylor - Wells

[tornado]

I can see Barnes playing some at the SF position as well as Bell at the SG - and I think Josh Cunningham will give us mostly minutes at the 4 or 5 as I don't think he will be in the mix for minutes on the perimeter.....and none of our big men are accomplished scorers
(think Chris Blake/Jordan Prosser/Anthony Thompson/Sam Singh/David Collins)
..so we might go smaller to get more scoring on the floor and use 3 guards, a small forward and Mike Shaw

We certainly knew the past few years with Walt Lemon, Tyshon, Dyricus, Taylor Brown, where a large part of our scoring was going to come from
but this year - we are gonna have to wait a few games to find that out.........
I am also already a bit worried about what changes the injuries/suspensions are going to force...

[Da Coach]

Good topic for discussion.
Amerson is still a question mark because of eligibility issues.
I do not think the staff sees Bell as a PG except in emergencies.
And I think the staff sees Cunningham as a 4 because of his limited offensive game away from the basket.
Grier has shot the ball well.
My picks:
PG- Sutherland-Fields
SG- Grier-Jones-Amerson if here-Bell
SF- Barnes-Thomas-Amerson could play some 3 if here
PF- Shaw-Cunningham
C- Morgan-Taylor-Wells

Some of the new bugs like Morgan, Thomas, Cunningham, and Shaw will swing between 2 or more positions.

[wufan]

Isn't Cunningham a bit light to play center, especially with Morgan, Shaw, and Taylor all in the mix?

[tornado]

Xzavier Taylor started most of last year at center - and was listed at 225, but I suspect was really ~10 lbs less...
Cunningham is solid and even listed at 216 might still be more active and a better scorer around the basket
despite the hype about our depth last year - once all the suspensions, foul proneness, etc. was in full swing - we were pretty thin in the front court and used Auston Barnes at times in the "5" position

[Da Coach]

Isn't Cunningham a bit light to play center, especially with Morgan, Shaw, and Taylor all in the mix?

Cunningham is a "4", and not a center.

[basketball nut]

Cunningham is a "4", and not a center.

Fully agree and would say he could easily be used at the 3 also. The one thing w/ JC that I seen from him in HS was the fact that he is a complete team player. Haven't had the privilege of seeing him in practice yet (and do to a previously scheduled event will miss Wednesday night's practice) but from reports I have heard we will be pleasantly surprised by him and all of the new players.
I would expect to see a lot more team ball and much less individual ball then we seen last year. More leaders on and off the court this year.