Lineups speculation

[Hoop Fan]

I'm guessing the starting lineup will be Hopkins, Isham, Pearson, Simpson and Castro. I suppose Miller is a veteran who could sneak in there, but I think we need Ishams quickness and Pearsons rebounding ability in there. From there it gets interesting. I think Ike and Roberts are newcomers that can help alot. If we go "big", I could easily see a lineup of Hopkins, Isham, Simpson, Ike and Castro. Simpson has alot of small forward in him and Ike is a guy who shot over 40% from 3 point range last year in Junior college.

If we go "small" at times, a quick lineup that could create alot of turnovers would be Hopkins, Roberts, Isham/Pearson, Simpson and Ike. This lineup could also run and dunk on people.

Looks like our backup point guard will be a true freshman, Jon Killen. Isham has played some point, but it doesn't really fit. Also, I think we have only one true small forward/3 man in Devon Pearson. Isham is really a 2 and Simpson has played like a 4.

This team has lots of possibilities and pretty good depth overall. If Rack pushes for playing time, the frontcourt could be fairly deep.

[LA_Mustang]

If were not playing against a true center I like the lineup of Hop, Isham, Pearson, Simpson and Ike. If we are, I like Hop, Isham, Simpson, Ike and Castro. The thing I'm really optimistic about is we should be pretty deep. With Coach Tubbs aggressive, get after you style of play that will be key. Another important question will be if Killen can be a serviceable backup for Hop at point this year. We can't expect Hop to play 38-40 minutes a game all year.

[OldPony]

Are you guys going to practices? I thought Rack would catch Castro this year. Ike is an unknown to me and so is Roberts although all reports are that Roberts can shoot. If he can, he will play an awful lot at 2 & 3. It will be interesting to see the starters and who ithe first 3 off the bench are. That will tell us as much as anything what tempo of ball we will play this year. OP is getting excited.

[LA_Mustang]

I'm getting excited too, OP. I believe Coach Tubbs will try and use Ike at the center when we are playing teams without a true big man. He's athletic and very active. Roberts and Killen will be a wait and see situation, depending on how they adjust to the college game. Hopefully, Killen will be able to come in and give Hop a breather.
Rack remains a mystery to me??

[Pony4Life]

Remember when he was recruited last year and we were reading about how skinny Killen is?

Not any more. I stopped by practice a couple of days ago, and he looks like a linebacker. He's seriously muscled up. Looks like a decent player. And Derrick Roberts was running (some) with the starters. I don't suppose that means he'll unseat Justin Isham - I expect Coach Tubbs was just playing with different combinations. But he sure looked comfortable running with the first group.

[jtstang]

Remember when he was recruited last year and we were reading about how skinny Killen is?

Not any more. I stopped by practice a couple of days ago, and he looks like a linebacker. He's seriously muscled up. Looks like a decent player. And Derrick Roberts was running (some) with the starters. I don't suppose that means he'll unseat Justin Isham - I expect Coach Tubbs was just playing with different combinations. But he sure looked comfortable running with the first group.

Well if Roberts can shoot the ball as advertised and play some good D, then he ought to cut into Isham's PT. Justin simply has not developed, particularly on the offensive end of the floor.