U of L's Lee, Lewis locking up starting roles

[Cardiotonic]

Jonathan Lintner

Rick Pitino has said it many times -- that starting on his basketball team doesn't matter.

Two incoming graduate transfers are far enough ahead of the rest, though, that Pitino on Thursday said they're guaranteed spots in Louisville's lineup this season.

Guards Damion Lee (from Drexel) and Trey Lewis (from Cleveland State) arrived this summer to great fanfare from the Hall of Fame coach, with Lee "much better" than Pitino anticipated.

"In a fast style of play, he's lethal because of how he scores," Pitino said Thursday, ahead of U of L's trip to Puerto Rico. "He's not selfish by any means, but he has the ability to put points on the board, and that's something that's so needed for this basketball team.

"Trey Lewis is also a young man that just gives incredible leadership -- tough physically, gets in the lane, shoots it, does a lot of good things as well."
Lewis will run the point and Lee likely slide to small forward, heading a group of newcomers that includes four-star freshmen Deng Adel, Donovan Mitchell and Raymond Spalding.

Pitino said that outside of two spots, he has no idea who will start where. That's why the Cardinals signed up to play nine games in six days against the Pitino-coached Puerto Rican national teams.

Competition hasn't created a negative culture among teammates.

"This is the best attitude I've seen since I've been a coach," Pitino said. "The closest thing was 1987 at Providence College," his first Final Four team.

 

[shadow force]

This was pretty much expected with Lee and Lewis starting. They didn't come in to sit their remaining year on the bench. They were brought in because they are proven to be talented players and because of the upper classmen leadership that they bring. Glad to hear both guys are showing that leadership quality off the court before the season even starts.

 

[Cardiotonic]

This was pretty much expected with Lee and Lewis starting. They didn't come in to sit their remaining year on the bench. They were brought in because they are proven to be talented players and because of the upper classmen leadership that they bring. Glad to hear both guys are showing that leadership quality off the court before the season even starts.

I hope that this is foretelling of the season ahead.

 

[Cardsmack29]

Very excited for this upcoming season. Those two guys are top notch students first and basketball players as well. I have great respect for both and they will be great leaders for our young team.

 

[beasleythecard]

Saved up to travel everywhere this team goes. Buckle up. Its going to be a great year.

 

[J-Rye_UL]

I'm surprised Lewis was handed the starting PG spot. I figured he'd be our starting 2 guard, with Snider at the point. Sounds like we might as well pencil in Donovan Mitchell as shooting guard since Lewis is the lead guy.

Pitino also said the other day on 93.9 that Mangok and Onuaku is best starting frount court right now. He said Mangok is spending most of his time at the 4 spot, and outplaying everyone else on the depth chart. Anas will spend time at the 4 and 5. So here's our lineup if the season started today.

PG - Lewis (Sr)
SG - Mitchell (Fr)
SF - Lee (Sr)
PF - Mathiang (Jr)
C - Onuaku (So)

That's a deep frontcourt, but we need 2 of them to set themselves apart from the rest. I'm not sure Mangok is the answer we're looking for at the PF spot. With such limited offensively ability up front, they're never going to draw a double team, which will make it difficult for our shooters to get open. I'm pulling for Johnson or Spalding to be the guy, with Mangok providing depth at either frontcourt spot.

 

[shadow force]

I'm surprised Lewis was handed the starting PG spot. I figured he'd be our starting 2 guard, with Snider at the point. Sounds like we might as well pencil in Donovan Mitchell as shooting guard since Lewis is the lead guy.

Pitino also said the other day on 93.9 that Mangok and Onuaku is best starting frount court right now. He said Mangok is spending most of his time at the 4 spot, and outplaying everyone else on the depth chart. Anas will spend time at the 4 and 5. So here's our lineup if the season started today.

PG - Lewis (Sr)
SG - Mitchell (Fr)
SF - Lee (Sr)
PF - Mathiang (Jr)
C - Onuaku (So)

That's a deep frontcourt, but we need 2 of them to set themselves apart from the rest. I'm not sure Mangok is the answer we're looking for at the PF spot. With such limited offensively ability up front, they're never going to draw a double team, which will make it difficult for our shooters to get open. I'm pulling for Johnson or Spalding to be the guy, with Mangok providing depth at either frontcourt spot.

We'll see what happens when the season actually starts. I also thought that it would be Snider and Lewis starting with both sort of taking up PG duties.

I also agree about Mangok at the PF. Unless his offense has really picked up then it doesn't seem like Nanu and Mangok together would provide enough of a scoring threat in the the front court. I had thought Johnson would start at PF.

 

[cardfaninmemphis]

How much of a test will Mangok, Nanu and other get in Puerto Rico? I don't know anything about the teams our guys will face, and I wonder if their bigs will be good competition for ours.

 

[CardVille]

Stay healthy, PUHLEEEEEZZZZZ!!!! PR trip scares the fire out of me for that reason alone.

 

[J-Rye_UL]

How much of a test will Mangok, Nanu and other get in Puerto Rico? I don't know anything about the teams our guys will face, and I wonder if their bigs will be good competition for ours.

They're playing against professional basketball players. One of the guards on that team (J.J. Barea) was getting 25 minutes a game during the NBA Finals in 2011. I'm not sure about their frontcourt, but UofL will be lucky to win a game against them. In short, yes, our players will definitely be tested.

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

This is going to be fluid. Pitino will play match ups and he has very little star power here, but a lot of team guys that want to play - practice will be crucial.

I guess Snider doesn't have the quickness Pitino wants, that's going to be a situation worth monitoring. He's so savvy, I just can't see his minutes being limited given this roster, but we'll see.

As for Mitchell, if Mitchell starts day one, he'll probably hold it down all year.

 

[beasleythecard]

Mango
Nanu
Lee
Mitchell
Lewis

Is going to be interesting to watch.

I believe that our best 5 is:
Mango
Johnson
Lee
Lewis
Snider

But I am not coach P.

If we are going to run and press, we need balanced units though. Excited to see what we look like.

 

[J-Rye_UL]

If we are going to run and press, we need balanced units though. Excited to see what we look like.

^^I think that is the key. The downside is that we don't have star power like hopgood said, but we have enough solid players that there will be little dropoff when the 2nd unit hits the floor. We won't be forced into playing guys 38 minutes per night - and I bet we'll get back to mad dog press because of that depth. That's where I love our freshmen - Mitchell, Adel, and Spalding. All 3 are long, athletic as hell, and love to defend from all the reports that have come out. Combine that with a 30 second shot clock and this could be a fun year.

I have a gut feeling that Donovan Mitchell is going to light it up. Mainly because Pitino hasn't said a word about him since practice started, yet he already has a spot with his name on it in the starting lineup. The dude plays like an 18 year old Russell Westbrook.

 

[Senore2006]

Pitino's solution to avoiding a "Bridge Year" while desperately 'coaching up' the new guys plus last year's freshmen is hugely alleviated by "coaches on the floor" like Lewis and Lee. While I personally grappled with the idea of 5th year transfers, I now see it as rather a genius move. Man, he moved on it quickly too.

 

[real2it]

Pitino's solution to avoiding a "Bridge Year" while desperately 'coaching up' the new guys plus last year's freshmen is hugely alleviated by "coaches on the floor" like Lewis and Lee. While I personally grappled with the idea of 5th year transfers, I now see it as rather a genius move. Man, he moved on it quickly too.

Taking a 5th year player seems to be the new norm and i'm okay with it! They have proven to be "Students" first by graduating and you have plenty of tape on them to know if they can compete on the highest level against other grown men type bodies. The two we brought in are straight ballers and like you alluded too they bring experience of how to play the game on the floor. So the team gets a shot in the arm of proven offense and the much needed leadership qualities of guys that have played well in COLLEGE!!! Smart move by CRP and I can't wait to see what the young Cards can do.

 

[Bardman]

Taking a 5th year player seems to be the new norm and i'm okay with it! They have proven to be "Students" first by graduating and you have plenty of tape on them to know if they can compete on the highest level against other grown men type bodies. The two we brought in are straight ballers and like you alluded too they bring experience of how to play the game on the floor. So the team gets a shot in the arm of proven offense and the much needed leadership qualities of guys that have played well in COLLEGE!!! Smart move by CRP and I can't wait to see what the young Cards can do.

CRP has mentioned he thinks the graduate rule is going to get changed. If not for this next year then the one after that.

 

[Stonewall12]

Those are the two best players.

 

[Cardiotonic]

Those are the two best players.

Only time will tell.