I agree with much of this. As I mentioned, BU has to be mindful of getting the newcomers and Hawkins time (if Hutch is all everything like many believe, he’ll get his time). It will likely be a balancing act and I expect at least some on here to not be happy with the distribution. And there may be a young player or two that isn’t happy and ends up transferring.I agree with the overall sentiment that BU should play the players that give the team the best chance of success this season. But I think you are missing a nuanced point. The freshmen (and even Hawkins and Hutch) may be able to offer the team things that no one else on the roster can. But if early in the season BU over-relies on the guys he knows and trusts, we may pick up a couple more wins early but lose some big games late in the season because the young guys never got the experience they needed to be ready to contribute in big games.
I’m glad Trent (and apparently Damonte) are returning, but I hope BU can get the minutes distribution right for optimal success in the 2021-2022 season.
I also agree with those saying that Trent’s and Damonte’s biggest contribution may be leadership. BU has established a great team culture. We need a couple of big personalities to ensure the team maintains it. With Ayo’s (expected) and Giorgi’s (unexpected) departures, I wasn’t sure where that was going to come from.
Trent will be starting all year barring injury. Not even a question.Totally agree with EyeOfTheIllini here: trust BU to get the minutes mix right. I am just interested in how the starting lineup changes throughout the season. Just like last year when we saw the emergence of Grandi-man into the line-up, I could see Plummer or Hutch or Goode starting as the 6th man, but then replacing a starter in the middle of the season.
Thus, you'd have something like a 1st game lineup of:
1. Belo
2. Trent
3. Damonte
4. Grandi
5. Kofi
Then a 21st game lineup of:
1. Belo
2. Plummer
3. Goode
4. Hutch
5. Kofi
Seems like lots of options!
The secret to building a strong program is stacking great seasons on top of one another. We’ll be much better next year with Trent & Damonte, than we would without them. Beyond that, sitting proven seniors to play unproven freshman for the hope that we’ll be better in the future is a losing proposition. Especially today. As there’s no guarantee the current income class of freshman will be around past their first year, even with starter minutes (like Adam Miller).
Torvik’s site has a pretty cool sausage maker feature, where you can add & subtract players & see your projected ranking heading into next year, given the current class of freshman you have arriving on campus. It’s certainly not perfect. But it’s a data point.
Our projected ranking next year, as our roster stands now:
Without Trent & Damonte: 74
With Trent but no Damonte: 46
With Trent & Damonte: 35
With Trent, Damonte, & Kofi: 10
Correct. I don't see any scenario where Plummer starts over Frazier. One, Plummer will better serve as a spark off the bench. Two, Frazier is a leader, i.e. Michigan game.Trent will be starting all year barring injury. Not even a question.
^ the majority of this board is in for quite a pleasant surprise. Love what Jake brings to the table, but for context Hutch ran laps around him in practice when he was on campus.If Hutch is healthy, those rankings are significantly low. He's a difference maker.
Hutch ran laps around a lot of guys, if reports were accurate.^ the majority of this board is in for quite a pleasant surprise. Love what Jake brings to the table, but for context Hutch ran laps around him in practice when he was on campus.
So you are saying we will be better than #2 in the AP poll and the #3 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament? Interesting.....With Trent, DaMonte and Kofi returning, we will be better than last season.
With Dre and maybe Coleman taking a sophomore leap, plus if Hutch is any kind of difference maker we certainly have the chance to be! Again, assuming Kofi returns.So you are saying we will be better than #2 in the AP poll and the #3 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament? Interesting.....
Hutch>Bill BraskyHutch ran laps around a lot of guys, if reports were accurate.
Sorry, nobody > Bill Brasky.Hutch>Bill Brasky
This was the last real game I was at, we were going crazy when Monte hit the 3’s.I had some "self reflection" as a fan, and I am not sure I ever shook my impression of Da'Monte as an underclassman. I went to the Illinois/Maryland game at SFC in 2020 (pretty hyped Friday night matchup for first place in the Big Ten at the time), and I remember the crowd going nuts when he hit TWO three-pointers. It really was such a shock, as his shot used to be awful, and I am not sure I ever shook the feeling that 'Monte would revert "back to normal" when it came to shooting. However, he remained a solid three-point shooter all year last year, he's obviously a great defender and I'm sure his leadership/example-setting is extremely valued by the team and staff. Having him back would be extremely underrated for our floor AND ceiling next year, IMO, especially given he could step into the 4 if needed. I would be ecstatic if he actually does come back!
Jake and Hutch both will be super valuable to next years team.Hutch ran laps around a lot of guys, if reports were accurate.
Yeah, that ain’t happening. Most kids nowadays think they’re one and done.View attachment 8841
This was a comment in a bpodz highlight video. Some kid at his school said that brandin is trying to be a 1 and done...
That is part of the problem tho... In recent years, there have been more kids leaving college early to enter the draft than the total number of players drafted.Yeah, that ain’t happening. Most kids nowadays think they’re one and done.
What people are saying is that we hope BU does not sit more talented but less proven freshmen for less talented but more trusted super seniors to win early season games that may not mean much.The secret to building a strong program is stacking great seasons on top of one another. We’ll be much better next year with Trent & Damonte, than we would without them. Beyond that, sitting proven seniors to play unproven freshman for the hope that we’ll be better in the future is a losing proposition. Especially today. As there’s no guarantee the current income class of freshman will be around past their first year, even with starter minutes (like Adam Miller).
Torvik’s site has a pretty cool sausage maker feature, where you can add & subtract players & see your projected ranking heading into next year, given the current class of freshman you have arriving on campus. It’s certainly not perfect. But it’s a data point.
Our projected ranking next year, as our roster stands now:
Without Trent & Damonte: 74
With Trent but no Damonte: 46
With Trent & Damonte: 35
With Trent, Damonte, & Kofi: 10