What will we look like in 2018-2019?

[Slapthefloor93]

^ He is gone Eldon, which is another part of the reason I’m optimistic. I guess I’m just trying to keep myself grounded in terms of expectations by thinking about potential obstacles. I have a chronic illness of thinking UMass teams will be better than they are. I know there will be redshirts and transfers, but seeing 13 scholarship players on the roster (and rising?) made me wonder a little about that. A good problem to have, but it still made me wonder.

[eldonabe]

Playing time will not be a problem next year - in short MM has made it clear that he will play guys who have earned it, and will be transparent (to the players) as to why and what they need to do to get more time if they are not satisfied.

[69MG]

^ If he was willing to bench guys this year for "not doing things the right way" with such a limited roster you can be sure that he will sit guys next year if they aren't on the same page. My thought is that since players will know they will lose minutes it will motivate them to do things MM's way.

[minutefanjsf]

^ If he was willing to bench guys this year for "not doing things the right way" with such a limited roster you can be sure that he will sit guys next year if they aren't on the same page. My thought is that since players will know they will lose minutes it will motivate them to do things MM's way.

I completely agree. Just playing devil’s advocate here. What happens is they all do it MM’s way? What if they are all on the same page? Minutes will be lost. What I’m saying is, it may be difficult to stay on the same page as your minutes fall, especially if you’re doing all that’s asked, and even more so if the team isn’t winning. I assume MM will have a good talk with guys like Rayshawn, etc. and for the most part, I believe the guys who are here now and stay are bought in. I just hope the talk of him losing the locker room at his last job are not for similar reasons. I am a bit gun shy here. I love what MM is doing this year, and wear some of the biggest maroon glasses of anyone. Different expectations next year. Virtually a completely different team as well. Just nerves I guess.

[eldonabe]

^ If he was willing to bench guys this year for "not doing things the right way" with such a limited roster you can be sure that he will sit guys next year if they aren't on the same page. My thought is that since players will know they will lose minutes it will motivate them to do things MM's way.

I completely agree. Just playing devil’s advocate here. What happens is they all do it MM’s way? What if they are all on the same page? Minutes will be lost. What I’m saying is, it may be difficult to stay on the same page as your minutes fall, especially if you’re doing all that’s asked, and even more so if the team isn’t winning. I assume MM will have a good talk with guys like Rayshawn, etc. and for the most part, I believe the guys who are here now and stay are bought in. I just hope the talk of him losing the locker room at his last job are not for similar reasons. I am a bit gun shy here. I love what MM is doing this year, and wear some of the biggest maroon glasses of anyone. Different expectations next year. Virtually a completely different team as well. Just nerves I guess.

There are at least 3 guys on the current active roster who are taking a hit in time no matter what (McLean, Miller - and West of course) and CJ is graduating - don't worry - there are plenty of minutes to go around......

[NilesGold]

^ If he was willing to bench guys this year for "not doing things the right way" with such a limited roster you can be sure that he will sit guys next year if they aren't on the same page. My thought is that since players will know they will lose minutes it will motivate them to do things MM's way.

I completely agree. Just playing devil’s advocate here. What happens is they all do it MM’s way? What if they are all on the same page? Minutes will be lost. What I’m saying is, it may be difficult to stay on the same page as your minutes fall, especially if you’re doing all that’s asked, and even more so if the team isn’t winning. I assume MM will have a good talk with guys like Rayshawn, etc. and for the most part, I believe the guys who are here now and stay are bought in. I just hope the talk of him losing the locker room at his last job are not for similar reasons. I am a bit gun shy here. I love what MM is doing this year, and wear some of the biggest maroon glasses of anyone. Different expectations next year. Virtually a completely different team as well. Just nerves I guess.

You're not wrong. If we have 11 or more healthy/eligible/active players not everyone is going to get the minutes they think they should. The guys who give the team the best chance to win will get more minutes and the others won't. You hope those guys who aren't getting the minutes will still be team players and won't become a distraction/headache... you can never fully predict how that plays out, but I think there's as good a chance as we've had in many years that it won't be a major issue.

[MJatUM]

Also - I assume the Freshmen coming in won't be expecting major minutes, unless that is something they were promised by McCall. I think the biggest "problem" would be whoever is the odd man out of the transfers - thinking maybe Cobb but based on literally nothing. Here is a way too early S5 and bench in order

Clergeot
Pipkins
Pierre
Laurent
Hines

6 - Wood
7 - Hayward
8 - Holloway/KTM/Baldwin (In that order if all stay - I think only 1 gets significant minutes with exception to foul trouble)
9 - Cobb
10 - Diallo (possible red shit depending how his knee heals)

<5 mpg - McLean, Miller

Only used in blowouts - Jaylen Franklin, Mike Gillespie - I don't expect West to be with the team next year.

This of course doesn't take into account a potential for a 3rd guy in the 2018 class and/or grad transfer.

[minutefanjsf]

^ If he was willing to bench guys this year for "not doing things the right way" with such a limited roster you can be sure that he will sit guys next year if they aren't on the same page. My thought is that since players will know they will lose minutes it will motivate them to do things MM's way.

I completely agree. Just playing devil’s advocate here. What happens is they all do it MM’s way? What if they are all on the same page? Minutes will be lost. What I’m saying is, it may be difficult to stay on the same page as your minutes fall, especially if you’re doing all that’s asked, and even more so if the team isn’t winning. I assume MM will have a good talk with guys like Rayshawn, etc. and for the most part, I believe the guys who are here now and stay are bought in. I just hope the talk of him losing the locker room at his last job are not for similar reasons. I am a bit gun shy here. I love what MM is doing this year, and wear some of the biggest maroon glasses of anyone. Different expectations next year. Virtually a completely different team as well. Just nerves I guess.

There are at least 3 guys on the current active roster who are taking a hit in time no matter what (McLean, Miller - and West of course) and CJ is graduating - don't worry - there are plenty of minutes to go around......

If it all works out, everyone loses minutes. That’s my point. We have Pierre and Pip logging 33+ minutes a game, they will fall back as well as McLean and Miller who will drop off to garbage time. You’ve pointed out the guys who will take a “real hit”. It’s the guys who don’t expect a hit that concern me.

[natwam2547]

Also - I assume the Freshmen coming in won't be expecting major minutes, unless that is something they were promised by McCall. I think the biggest "problem" would be whoever is the odd man out of the transfers - thinking maybe Cobb but based on literally nothing. Here is a way too early S5 and bench in order

Clergeot
Pipkins
Pierre
Laurent
Hines

6 - Wood
7 - Hayward
8 - Holloway/KTM/Baldwin (In that order if all stay - I think only 1 gets significant minutes with exception to foul trouble)
9 - Cobb
10 - Diallo (possible red shit depending how his knee heals)

<5 mpg - McLean, Miller

Only used in blowouts - Jaylen Franklin, Mike Gillespie - I don't expect West to be with the team next year.

This of course doesn't take into account a potential for a 3rd guy in the 2018 class and/or grad transfer.

Side effect from the medication for the knee?

[MJatUM]

^^ Haha - im giggling like a teenage girl at a sleepover right now. Gonna go ahead and let that typo stay, well done natwam.

[69MG]

^^^ Nice catch. Time for a colonoscopy, I guess.

[Marty Peretz]

Also - I assume the Freshmen coming in won't be expecting major minutes, unless that is something they were promised by McCall. I think the biggest "problem" would be whoever is the odd man out of the transfers - thinking maybe Cobb but based on literally nothing. Here is a way too early S5 and bench in order

Clergeot
Pipkins
Pierre
Laurent
Hines

6 - Wood
7 - Hayward
8 - Holloway/KTM/Baldwin (In that order if all stay - I think only 1 gets significant minutes with exception to foul trouble)
9 - Cobb
10 - Diallo (possible red shit depending how his knee heals)

<5 mpg - McLean, Miller

Only used in blowouts - Jaylen Franklin, Mike Gillespie - I don't expect West to be with the team next year.

This of course doesn't take into account a potential for a 3rd guy in the 2018 class and/or grad transfer.

Cobb will play a ton. Might even start. If not, then definitely 6th man. I don't see Hayward playing much as a sophomore after a sit out year because Cobb is a more proven shooter, plus you have Pip and Pierre. I doubt Holloway or Baldwin are here but could be wrong. Diallo will play a lot of if he heals. Wood will play some.

[69MG]

Here's a link to last night's radio show. MM talks about the 4 transfers and what he has seen starting at about the 28 minute mark.
http://www.umassathletics.com/watch/?Ar ... &type=Live

[Jackson96]

At this early stage, I tend to think in groupings more than in players.

Bigs (4-5): 30-35 mpg -- Hines/Holloway/Turner Morris/Baldwin (I think two of Hines/Holloway/Baldwin won't be here)
Bigger wings/forwards (3-4): 40-45 mpg -- Laurent/Diallo/possible other 2018 recruit
Smaller wings (2-3): 70-75 mpg -- Pierre/Heyward/Cobb/McLean/possible other 2018 recruit
Guards (1-2): 50-55 mpg -- Pip/Clergeot/Wood/Miller/possible other 2018 recruit

I think Pip and Pierre will get about 30 mpg each. No idea how anything else turns out minutes-wise due to uncertainty (who is leaving) and unfamiliarity (guys I've never seen play). I do like hearing MM talk about Laurent's improved shooting -- having him be able to step outside and shoot really would help with potential lineup versatility, allowing you to play big or small. I think the biggest ? mark I have is how ready is Wood (or any other 2018 pg recruit they may still bring in) to give some minutes at the 1. I would think eventually McCall will find the 8-9 guys that he likes and those will be the ones getting the most minutes (very obvious I know)...

[Roadtrip]

^^That Rich Loehn guy knows how to ask a question. Roadie makes the radio. Wooooooo!