mtgrizrule
Well-known member
Beyond Pridgett and Manuel, I'm not sure who will be starting. I would definitely focus the offense around Pridgett and Manuel. If needed, Pridgett can average 20+ per game, and at times may be called on to do so. I see Manuel as a 14+ per game, with some huge games mixed in. Falls will see a lot of playing time. He will likely start. Rather Falls starts, or not, he will likely be expected to be the 3rd scorer. Those 3 will be doing a higher percentage of scoring to start the season. Depending on how Samuelson, and the young inexperienced guys develop, more will be added to their roles.
To start the season:
Falls
Manuel
Pridgett
Samuelson
Anderson
Rotation:
Vazquez
Egun
Yagi
Carter
Owens
Brown
DeCuire absolutely must develop the young players. If it were me, I would get them as much time as possible before conference play starts. From there, who knows what DeCuire's rotation will be. Like last season, it may be determined by opponent matchups, game to game. If DeCuire can fit Vazquez, Owens, and Carter into the rotation as True Freshman, that will be phenomenal for the long term welfare of the program and players. I've had multiple people, familiar with CA hoops, tell me all 3 of the CA Freshman are great. When I ask, which of the 3 will make the most impact as a Freshman, the answers have been pretty evenly split between the 3. That's a great sign as for the quality of players these 3 are.
With that said, it comes down to opportunity. Vazquez and Owens will find themselves battling for playing time at positions with more question marks. Vazquez will be battling for PG/1 minutes, with Falls and Egun (Pridgett may run the offense as a point forward from time to time too). Vazquez would give us tall (6'3") PG, which is a benefit for seeing the floor and DeCuire's traps. If he can grasp the offense quickly, I see him getting good minutes. Owens is likely the most complete 6'8" or taller player the GRIZ have. How quickly can he adjust? He certainly set the tone early, by being on campus a day after his HS graduation! That would make a huge statement to me as a coach. Owens is also capable of playing as a more traditional 6'8" SF/3. In my opinion, it will be difficult to keep him off the court, despite being a true Freshman.
Carter Hollinger, is very talented as well. Unfortunately, he is a true combo SG/SF (2/3). Pridgett and Manuel will be seeing minutes at those spots as well. Pridgett is our do it all players. Manuel has NBA+ shooting range and his presence opens the floor for the other players. IF Carter Hollinger can get rotational minutes, that will say a lot about his potential.
I won't be surprised, if Vazqez and Owens are each top 5 Freshman in the conference this season. The opportunity will be there for each to prove themselves. I have a feeling, they will have impact come the conference tournament.
I hear Brown has had a very good off season. Supposedly, he was working out with Zach LeVine. I am not sure how true that is, or not. Brown certainly can be utilized for his 3 pt shooting, in a role similar to Manuel, to spread the floor for his teammates. If he competes for playing time, DeCuire may go 10 or 11 deep some games.
Safe to say, "A lot will be determined by true Freshman through Sophomores."
To start the season:
Falls
Manuel
Pridgett
Samuelson
Anderson
Rotation:
Vazquez
Egun
Yagi
Carter
Owens
Brown
DeCuire absolutely must develop the young players. If it were me, I would get them as much time as possible before conference play starts. From there, who knows what DeCuire's rotation will be. Like last season, it may be determined by opponent matchups, game to game. If DeCuire can fit Vazquez, Owens, and Carter into the rotation as True Freshman, that will be phenomenal for the long term welfare of the program and players. I've had multiple people, familiar with CA hoops, tell me all 3 of the CA Freshman are great. When I ask, which of the 3 will make the most impact as a Freshman, the answers have been pretty evenly split between the 3. That's a great sign as for the quality of players these 3 are.
With that said, it comes down to opportunity. Vazquez and Owens will find themselves battling for playing time at positions with more question marks. Vazquez will be battling for PG/1 minutes, with Falls and Egun (Pridgett may run the offense as a point forward from time to time too). Vazquez would give us tall (6'3") PG, which is a benefit for seeing the floor and DeCuire's traps. If he can grasp the offense quickly, I see him getting good minutes. Owens is likely the most complete 6'8" or taller player the GRIZ have. How quickly can he adjust? He certainly set the tone early, by being on campus a day after his HS graduation! That would make a huge statement to me as a coach. Owens is also capable of playing as a more traditional 6'8" SF/3. In my opinion, it will be difficult to keep him off the court, despite being a true Freshman.
Carter Hollinger, is very talented as well. Unfortunately, he is a true combo SG/SF (2/3). Pridgett and Manuel will be seeing minutes at those spots as well. Pridgett is our do it all players. Manuel has NBA+ shooting range and his presence opens the floor for the other players. IF Carter Hollinger can get rotational minutes, that will say a lot about his potential.
I won't be surprised, if Vazqez and Owens are each top 5 Freshman in the conference this season. The opportunity will be there for each to prove themselves. I have a feeling, they will have impact come the conference tournament.
I hear Brown has had a very good off season. Supposedly, he was working out with Zach LeVine. I am not sure how true that is, or not. Brown certainly can be utilized for his 3 pt shooting, in a role similar to Manuel, to spread the floor for his teammates. If he competes for playing time, DeCuire may go 10 or 11 deep some games.
Safe to say, "A lot will be determined by true Freshman through Sophomores."
