Is Faulkner walking on?

[TheRealVille]

I count 14 players for 13 scholarships if Faulkner joins the team. Is someone walking on?

This would have to be the deepest team in a long while for the Cards. Looking at the starting lineup and thinking who the subs would be, a guy like Dre Davis would be player number 10 to get on the court. Highly touted freshman Mike James number 11.

If this roster can gel and think team over individual results, a final 4 run is very possible. Everything has to work out though. Something that hasn't happened for the Cards since 2013 championship team. I've often joked how this is the price to pay for winning it all. The sports gods hate us so.

 

[Deebo_8988]

No Malik doesn't count towards the scholarship count.

 

[2330859]

Not sure RealVille how anyone at this point in time can project who gets on the court before others. Until practice starts, and the staff gets a chance to evaluate this roster, it would be impossible to know who contributes.

From all indications, the staff changes from last year were intentional, and the fast paced offensive style designed to mirror the international game will determine who plays. Fans should be prepared to see speed, passing and perimeter shooting as priorities.

 

[TheRealVille]

Not really. I think it's likely we know who's starting except the PG position.

Williamson
Williams
Withers
Locke

Cross backs up Williamson, Traynor backs up Withers, Davis backs up Locke.

That's 7 players that everyone would agree that will be part of the rotation. I think its very easy to project this. It's the other newcomers that's questionable to project but by a process of elimination, a idea of who's in the rotation is again easy to project.

I would think transfers Faulkner and West are probably ahead of freshman so a rookie like Mike James being the 10th or 12th option is practical. Now if he's the next big thing he could move up but today it would appear he may not even average 10 minutes a game.

 

[LeFors4Ever]

Faulkner has played 4 plus a red-shirt year of 5. I think this is his extra year and his scholarship won't count.

 

[2330859]

Real: if you are correct, it would suggest that Mack’s decision to change his coaching staff and pursue specific transfers into his program who match the international style; was without following his stated purpose in making those changes in style of play.

I believe this 2021 Fall practice will be an opportunity for Mack’s new staff to find those individuals who can run the court, executing the “hurry up” offense that is key to the international style game, passing the ball to open teammates and having success shooting the perimeter shots at every open opportunity.

The initial starting lineup that we see in pre-season, and prior to ACC play will be less indicative of what we look like by mid-season when this experiment is either successful or not. These mature transfer kids did not come to UL to sit on the bench.

 

[gocds]

Actually as much as I love basketball I’m more interested in our football program since it comes before the round ball guys take over the spotlight. 😂😂😂😎😎😎👍. Let us get to the funny bouncing ball. 😀😀😀😎😎😎. And may the ball bounce our way! 😎

GO CARDS!!!

 

[TheRealVille]

Real: if you are correct, it would suggest that Mack’s decision to change his coaching staff and pursue specific transfers into his program who match the international style; was without following his stated purpose in making those changes in style of play.

I believe this 2021 Fall practice will be an opportunity for Mack’s new staff to find those individuals who can run the court, executing the “hurry up” offense that is key to the international style game, passing the ball to open teammates and having success shooting the perimeter shots at every open opportunity.

The initial starting lineup that we see in pre-season, and prior to ACC play will be less indicative of what we look like by mid-season when this experiment is either successful or not. These mature transfer kids did not come to UL to sit on the bench.

I believe a large majority of fans believe that Malik Williams, Sam Williamson, Jaelyn Withers and Noah Locke will be starting. It's the PG position that's up for grabs and JJ Traynor and Dre Davis are the first off the bench because they played quite a bit last season as rookies.

Of course if someone comes in and plays great, they may move up in the rotation. But until then, it's quite alright to assume what the rotation will be.

Let's say Ellis is the bomb and he starts at PG. West and Faulkner would battle to back him up. Traynor will back up Withers unless he outplays him which could happen. Davis would back up Locke and Cross would back up Williamson.

Seems pretty clear to me.

 

[2330859]

One thing we can agree on Real, is that 90% of the fans will agree with you on who starts this 2021 season. Those same 90+% of our fans are just like you and me; specifically they have little if any witness to these incoming freshmen or transfers playing basketball. If history is any indication, your projections would be highly likely. However, this 2021 UL Basketball season is shaping up like no other one before it. The shocking changes in Mack’s staff was intentional, as was the change in our roster. Never before has a UL team experienced this inclusion of transfers. Is it a coincidence? We will see, but I think not.

 

[TheRealVille]

Well there's a whole bunch of other schools experiencing large amount of transfers. It's the times were in.

I think you may be putting a bit too much emphasis on the assistant coaching changes. No doubt there's a change of strategy on offense, but I don't think the transfers will necessarily represent a change with the starting lineup.

 

[2330859]

It is true, I perceive the termination of Gaudio and Murray as the preliminary step to hiring McMains, something Mack initiated intentionally as the beginning of a fresh restart for both UL and his own career. I could be wrong, but I think Mack had the insight to see that what he lost from 2020, and what he had returning was not going to satisfy the higher expectations that Vince, the UL fans or himself.

I have not been a fan of the Tokyo Olympics, but I watched Australia in their Bronze victory, and I saw why McMains was hired here. In order to compete with UVA, and return to National prominence, UL needed to change the model, and that requires an overhaul. The international game requires experience and maturity in addition to specific skill sets, that do not depend entirely on super athleticism.