So who plays the power forward position on opening night

[it's boogie time]

I'm just as pissed as everyone else and I'm trying to forget about Sunday's game against Platteville. To me, the position in most doubt is the power forward spot. BU has a bunch of candidates, however nobody has stepped up yet.

Sam Singh hasn't played much in the two exhibitions games, but I don't think he is the long-term answer. Sam does well for a while, but the opposition tends to figure him out after a few possessions and take advantage of him.

Neither Anthony Thompson or Will Egolf have played much either. Both look a little lost on both ends. Both have potential, but Bradley needs production if they are going to have a good non-conference record.

Taylor Brown certainly has been one of the few bright spots so far. The guy has a nose for the ball. I'm not big on freshman playing big minutes, but he might be the guy. I haven't watched him too much on defense, so I'm unsure about him.

Theron Wilson probably is the best at playing the four position, but the overall team will be better with him playing the three. If TW is playing the three, BU has three rebounders instead of two.

Bradley's next four guys (Wilkins, Prosser, Knezevic & Harris) to arrive on campus should have the ability to be a power forward, so it's not too much of a surprise that they are struggling with it right now.

I'm just curious what other posters think about this position?

[thefish7]

I agree with your analysis. For me, right now, I'd like to have Taylor Brown getting minutes there, with Theron playing the 3.

[Double D]

IMO Theron Wilson is the best suited to be our 4. I know people want to see a bigger lineup, but I beleive Theron to be a better rebounder than he is a ball handler or jump shooter. When TW is around the basket he is at his best, if he were at the 3 he would spend more time on the perimeter. We are a better team when he is near the basket.

Now, who sub's for TW or plays the 4 when he is at the 3 (will happen quite a bit).

The player most suited for this role isn't where he needs to be at this point. That player is Will Egolf. To me WE still looks a bit lost. He plays "straight legged" and loses track of the ball on defense and is certainly a "reactor" rather than an "anticipator." We need WE to step up his game. IMO a lot of the front court combinations depend on him.

If not WE, then who. Last night Taylor Brown made a huge impression on me. His, energy was awesome. He wasn't afraid to mix it up around the basket. When he got an open look at the hoop he didn't hesitate. He was ready for the ball and shot it in.

Coaches will tell you that they give players opportunities to make an impression on them in these exhibition games. If that were the case last night Taylor Brown took full advantage of his opportunity.

[Dubl R 1]

Look, I'm about 100% sure Theron will start at the 4. I also would like to see Theron at the 3, but I think Jim has shown he's committed to having Theron play the 4, along with 3 guards, and a center. I would be shocked if anyone other than Theron started at the 4.

[Da Coach]

From a reliable source, it will be Theron at the 4.
That means it will likely be DC at the 5, and SM, AW, and one other guard, unless AW isn't ready to go.

[Beninator]

I would have to think that the other guard would be Dodie... Hopefully AW is ready to go.....

[Rusty 54]

Does AW start friday, or does he get worked in off the bench? He looked a step slow, and that is completely understandable because of the injury. I think that has a lot to do with who starts at the 4 as well. (My $ is on Theron Wilson)

[OrangeandBlack74]

Look, I'm about 100% sure Theron will start at the 4. I also would like to see Theron at the 3, but I think Jim has shown he's committed to having Theron play the 4, along with 3 guards, and a center. I would be shocked if anyone other than Theron started at the 4.

Agreed...TW will start at the 4 on Friday night.

[ph]

I'd almost be inclined to bring TW off the bench. If only to make it through the first 3 minutes without TW getting 2 quick fouls. Perhaps TW needs to settle down a little more? Overall he is still our best 4 option, which is why we need him to stay in the game.

[amckillip]

I would have to think that the other guard would be Dodie... Hopefully AW is ready to go.....

Agreed on both statements here. I think TW plays the 4 just because I feel like our depth at big man is so shallow (I never would have guessed I'd say that this season...) DC is really the only guy to show he is ready for the season. SS was OK at best, WE and AT just are not ready yet. If TB and TW both start, then we have about no one to go in for them. I think we may see them on court at the same time, but I don't think they should both start. If WE and AT were ready to go I'd love to see 1-SM, 2-AW, 3/4-TW, 3/4-TB, 5-DC. Look at how much different that team would be, DD, Norris, Edge, and CR coming off the bench, and WE, AT, and SS ready to contribute? Nice... However, we're not there, so I think we need need TB to be ready to relieve TW...

[BradleyBrave]

With the way Jim wants to play, I would envision TW being the 'power forward' all season. If we wanted to play big, I supposed we could slide TW down to the 3 and insert either WE or TB there. However, I don't see Jim doing that anytime soon.

[it's boogie time]

Thanks for the input. TW is kinda what I thought too.

I guess I am hoping for somebody to take over the power forward position from TW since BU doesn't seem to have the three point shooters it has had the past two seasons. More of a balanced attack. It seems a little odd to me that neither of the two new juco guys are outside shooters given the system that Coach Les uses.

[Majik45]

I think it's pretty obvious that Wilson will play the 4 for 25-30 minutes a game, and Taylor Brown will pick up the other minutes at that position. Les has been playing a smaller guy at the 4 who can go outside and hit 3's for a couple of years now, and will continue to do so.

By the way, I love Taylor Brown. I feel like we are getting a guy with Theron's potential for 4 years. They both have simlar builds and a similar game from what I've seen. Brown just needs a year or two to put on some more muscle.

[romar]

This is pure speculation, but I'm guessing TW will fill the 4 spot all season unless...

If JW is able to get through the clearinghouse and eligible to start play in December and has the talent that we've all heard he possesses, I could see him filling the 4 with TW at the 3 possibly as early as the 2nd 1/2 of the season.

I really like TB's game and the tenacity he's shown so far! I have a feeling this board will be singing the praises of TB, EM & DN over the next few years.

BTW- does anyone else's mind go to Toni Bennett when you see TB used for Taylor Brown? Or am I the only one making that Pavlovian error?

[Dubl R 1]

I like Taylor Brown, but I wouldn't start him yet. I like his energy off the bench to spell the 3 or 4 spot. I would probably guess the starters to be:

SM
DD
AW
Theron
DC

It wouldn't surprise me greatly to see E McCain in the starting line up though. He was solid in 34 minutes against UWP. But if I had to guess, the above lineup is what I'd say.