Starting Five?

[BUBalum05]

Is the starting 5 already locked up with returning talent in Brown and Kennell at guard with Henry, Childs, and Bar at forwards? Any chance it's Boya over Bar? Are any of the new guys ready to start from day 1 and who do they put on the bench? Lots of minutes to replace from DLO, Luuk, and Luqman...

[Da Coach]

I agree that 2 of the potential starters seem a given- Brown and Childs.
And, Kennell, who only started 11 of 35 games last season seems likely to me to start this season with van Bree, Lundy and DLO gone (as well as Pittman, Hodgson), but not a certainty.
And IMO, the other 2 starting spots are more up for grabs, though I think Danya Kingsby might be a starter, since he gives Coach Wardle more athleticism and defensive ability at the guard position.
Koch Bar will get plenty of playing time, but I don't think he is a guaranteed starter. Recall that Bar, who started the first 18 games last season, did not start the final 17 games. Then after Bradley started the MVC season 0-5, Bradley Head Coach Wardle went with the smaller, more mobile, better shooting lineup with Luuk van Bree at the "5". With Koch Bar coming off the bench, the team went on to finish the regular season 9-4, with all 4 losses coming to the 4 teams who finished ahead of Bradley. Then the Braves went 3-0 in the MVC Tournament and played in the NCAA with the smaller lineup.
So maybe the 5th starting spot is Bar, but could also be Henry, Gabriel, or Boya,

[Mikovio]

I expect Kingsby to start from day 1, Henry 6th man. Boya will be getting back up to speed in November.

[Dub]

...
Koch Bar will get plenty of playing time, but I don't think he is a guaranteed starter. Recall that Bar, who started the first 18 games last season, did not start the final 17 games. Then after Bradley started the MVC season 0-5, Bradley Head Coach Wardle went with the smaller, more mobile, better....

Good memory and key point about Bar. We all love his effort and passion, and it seems clear that last year coach Wardle had hoped/expected Bar to be a starter. He has earned playing time a’plenty, but so far has not earned a starting position in the estimation of this one fan... I hope he can turn that around his senior year.

The fact is that last year our 0-5 turnaround happened after several changes were made... the most notable of which was limiting Barr’s role and relying on Child’s in the 5 spot.

Let’s go Koch! Here’s to you having a monster senior year! Go get it.

[elmerb]

I like Nate coming off the bench. Always felt if my 6th man is better than yours, it's a big advantage. Bobby Knight once said, it's not the 5 who starts the game, it's the 5 who finishes the game.

[BUfan17]

Childs, Brown, Kennell, Kingsby, Bar. Henry will be the 6th man this year. After that it is pretty much a toss up now. Just have to see which freshman can step up and who all is healthy. I'm excited for Ville, I feel like he will have some decent playing time this season.

[Tommy]

Good memory and key point about Bar. We all love his effort and passion, and it seems clear that last year coach Wardle had hoped/expected Bar to be a starter. He has earned playing time a’plenty, but so far has not earned a starting position in the estimation of this one fan... I hope he can turn that around his senior year.

The fact is that last year our 0-5 turnaround happened after several changes were made... the most notable of which was limiting Barr’s role and relying on Child’s in the 5 spot.

Let’s go Koch! Here’s to you having a monster senior year! Go get it.

Brilliant analysis and spot on, Dub! Couldn't agree more, and Koch, we are all behind you, brother! You're going to blow up this year!

[Bradleyfan1]

Childs,Gabriel,Kingsby,Bar or Boya,Brown , I havnt seen Kingsby but Im lovin what I am hearing. Replacement for what Lundy did last yr? Henry and Nate would be quite the 6th 7th man combo!!!!!!! Battle for 6th man of the year award between teammates, what a story. I get hyped for every year. I have never been this hyped for a season. Go Braves.

[FortyTwo]

At the scrimmage Saturday, it appeared the starting 5 as it stands today made up the White team. This was Brown, Kingsby, Kennell, Henry, Childs. Bar and Gabriel both switched to the white team midway through (lots of variations as the scrimmage was primarily 2:00 sessions with varying rules).