ESPN said Mudiay and Frazier will be AAC's best backcourt

[Pony ^]

Nic will start

[Stallion]

ESPNU has a Signing Date Special on right now-Larry Brown should be on about 9:40

[sacklunch]

I think Keith is long enough to play small forward and have Nic and Mudiay at guard

[East Coast Mustang]

I think Keith is long enough to play small forward and have Nic and Mudiay at guard

That's what I was thinking. Three guard lineup with KF playing a hybird SG/SF role

[SMU 86]

I think Keith is long enough to play small forward and have Nic and Mudiay at guard

That's what I was thinking. Three guard lineup with KF playing a hybird SG/SF role

That is what they play now. They play a 3 guard lineup with Moore, Russell, and Manuel. They can play the same style next year.

[gostangs]

they play that style because they have no choice but nic at the point. when you have mudiay as point, you open up all kinds of options, and if you can get a reliable shooter at the 2 (frazier) - then you can't stack the interior and you have a freakishly tall team that moves really well. I just don't think you give up the length at the 2 with Nic if you have other great options as shooters….and we don't have to. Keith is not long enough to play small forward against any really top team. We will see, but i think i am right. I don't love that hoopmax disagrees with me.

[Stallion]

game maybe significantly changing due to the rule changes which favor attacking PGs and then you leave Frazier open to pop the 3. Seems like Guard play is increasing in importance and it always has been more important in College

[East Coast Mustang]

game maybe significantly changing due to the rule changes which favor attacking PGs and then you leave Frazier open to pop the 3. Seems like Guard play is increasing in importance and it always has been more important in College

Agreed...I dont know what our starting five will be next year, but I trust we will be in good hands with Larry Brown making the call

[hoopmanx]

they play that style because they have no choice but nic at the point. when you have mudiay as point, you open up all kinds of options, and if you can get a reliable shooter at the 2 (frazier) - then you can't stack the interior and you have a freakishly tall team that moves really well. I just don't think you give up the length at the 2 with Nic if you have other great options as shooters….and we don't have to. Keith is not long enough to play small forward against any really top team. We will see, but i think i am right. I don't love that hoopmax disagrees with me.

First off, if this was the NBA I'd agree w/you, but its not. Most SFs in college ball are really 3rd guards. There are very few that will be longer than 6'5, which roughly where Keith and Manuel check out height-wise.

As Gary Williams once told me at a Terp function, "match-ups go both ways.' JUst like we have to guard them, they have to guard us. Simplistic but true. The reality is that Nic can D up on the opposing PG, and Mudiay on the 2. If the opposing point Ds up on Nic, Mudiay is too fast, quick, handles to well for the opposing 2. If they decide to put the 2 on Nic, Nic will dust him. Just too much speed. Also, Nic's rebound #s are amazing at the point for a lil man. Mudiay is the best rebounding PG in America. You give up nothing on the glass, and put your best kids on the court.

The only question I have is whether or not Keith can wrestle the starting SF spot from Manuel. Manuels perimeter D matters, and his year at PG helped his floor game tremendously. Only thing Frazier truly does better is shoot/score

[LA_Mustang]

I have been amazed how well Nic rebounds in these first two games. Rather than leaking out he goes to the board. I love that.

As for who starts, I believe you have to get your best players on the court. So I'd say Nic, Mudiay and Frazier will all start. Once Frazier figures out what LB wants, and he will, he'll start. He just has too much talent.

[gostangs]

Hoop - i totally agree with everything you say - until we get to a Louisville, Memphis etc…at which point we hit guys jut as fast as us, and all we are doing is just giving up rebounds, shot disruption and D arm length if you have a 5-9 SG. Could very well be wrong - but it will be interesting to see how LB handles that next year - he may just wait until those games and the tournament to test out new lineups. Or he may go with Nic in the 2 as you suggest and let er rip. Fun to think about, and fun to see this year also. I think we have a pretty good team right in front of us right now. Cant believe we will have this problem in two years from nothing basically.

[hoopmanx]

Hoop - i totally agree with everything you say - until we get to a Louisville, Memphis etc…at which point we hit guys jut as fast as us, and all we are doing is just giving up rebounds, shot disruption and D arm length if you have a 5-9 SG. Could very well be wrong - but it will be interesting to see how LB handles that next year - he may just wait until those games and the tournament to test out new lineups. Or he may go with Nic in the 2 as you suggest and let er rip. Fun to think about, and fun to see this year also. I think we have a pretty good team right in front of us right now. Cant believe we will have this problem in two years from nothing basically.

Louisville's top 4 kids in their backcourt are 6, 6, 6-3 & 5-10. Hancock & Hazzell are two 6'6 guys in their frontcourt. There just isn't the size in college ball that you suggest, w/rare exception. We are very long, 1-5, starting Nic anywhere doesn't change that.

[Zman89]

Don't count Nic out yet. I've watched him play since 4th grade he's always been the shortest on the court. If he ends up coming off the bench next year I'd say he'll find a way to get into the starting lineup.

[GiddyUp]

welcome Zman

[Zman89]

Thanks Giddy