Which starting lineup will it be?

[TheRealVille]

A

C - Scott
F - Hadley
F - Pryor
G - Brown
G - Conwell

B

C - Scott
F - Hadley
G - Wooley
G - Brown
G - Conwell

C

C - Scott
F - Rooths
F - Hadley
G - Brown
G - Wooley

D

C - Khalifa
F - Hadley
G - Wooley
G - Brown
G - Conwell

E

C - Khalifa
F - Pryor
F - Hadley
G - Brown
G - Conwell

F

C - Khalifa
F - Rooths
G - Hadley
G - Brown
G - Wooley

I could continue on with other possibilities but I believe everyone can agree that only two players are sure to start with any combination.

Hadley
Brown

I didn't have McNeely in any of the starting lineups but he could end up starting at some point. Same thing with Fru. If he's better than Rooths or Scott he may end up starting.

The point of this exercise is the absolute depth Kelsey will have and he still has two scholarships to fill. It's unlikely the Cards will have another year of multiple injuries, especially season ending ones. However, if they do there's plenty of depth.

If Kelsey doesn't add anymore players, this 11 man squad will not have bench scrubs as everyone can play. Rogers is the most perceived player to be that 11th man, but he had great numbers the last season he played.

Louisville is definitely worthy of a pre-season top 5 team.

 

[Slaz_Swag]

PG Mikel Brown
SG Isaac McNeely
SF Ryan Conwell
PF J’Vonn Hadley
C Sunny Fru

 

[cardrock]

A

C - Scott
F - Hadley
F - Pryor
G - Brown
G - Conwell

B

C - Scott
F - Hadley
G - Wooley
G - Brown
G - Conwell

C

C - Scott
F - Rooths
F - Hadley
G - Brown
G - Wooley

D

C - Khalifa
F - Hadley
G - Wooley
G - Brown
G - Conwell

E

C - Khalifa
F - Pryor
F - Hadley
G - Brown
G - Conwell

F

C - Khalifa
F - Rooths
G - Hadley
G - Brown
G - Wooley

I could continue on with other possibilities but I believe everyone can agree that only two players are sure to start with any combination.

Hadley
Brown

I didn't have McNeely in any of the starting lineups but he could end up starting at some point. Same thing with Fru. If he's better than Rooths or Scott he may end up starting.

The point of this exercise is the absolute depth Kelsey will have and he still has two scholarships to fill. It's unlikely the Cards will have another year of multiple injuries, especially season ending ones. However, if they do there's plenty of depth.

If Kelsey doesn't add anymore players, this 11 man squad will not have bench scrubs as everyone can play. Rogers is the most perceived player to be that 11th man, but he had great numbers the last season he played.

Louisville is definitely worthy of a pre-season top 5 team.

C - Khalifa /Scott / Fru
F - Pryor Rooths / Fru
F - Wooley or Hadley
G - McNeely or Conwell
G - Brown / Rodgers

 

[Louis III]

I will be disappointed if Hadley starts at the 4. If we are as good as people let on Hadley needs to be a 20ish mpg guy. If Johnson and Pryor wouldn't have been hurt this year he wouldn't have been much more this season. He will be a matchup play here and there and I like the guy, but when you go a legit 10 deep only a select few will play 25-28 mpg. Conwell is FOR SURE that guy, outside of that not sure!

 

[OldhamCard335]

Any of the above will be fine with me!!

 

[real2it]

PG Brown
SG Conwell
SF Hadley
PF Pryor
C Khalifa

 

[EKYCard643]

You've got multiple players with starters talent and starters seniority. I think people also forget that Pryor only started 3 of the 7 games he played last year so talent off the bench isn't a major problem with PK. Love it or hate it, James Scott started 31/35 games last year.

Brown
Hadley
McKneely
Conwell
Wooley
Scott
Pryor

Then you've got guys who've played a lot of minutes in previous seasons and been with the program for the past year.
Rooths
Aly
Kobe

Initially, I think you see a startling lineup of:
Scott
Pryor
Hadley
Conwell
Brown

By the middle of the season I think you'll see:
Fru
Pryor
Conwell
Wooley
Brown

One thing I would like to see, just for fun is a lineup of:
Pryor
Conwell
McKneely
Wooley
Brown

 

[bigloucards]

Brown (No Brainer)
McKneely (experience against tough competition, seems to be the perfect fit)
Wooley (flat out get buckets)
Hadley (experience, versatility, toughness)
Scott (didn’t realize he started 31/35)

 

[nccardfan]

Here's my list. I realize it is based on a little hope and unknown from the injured players and how Kelsey coached this past year.

Khalifa - He's hopefully more offensive minded and just as good as a defender as Scott.
Pryor - expectations are similar to what I had going into last season. Hopefully hes 100 percent.
Hadley - Hes a dog and is basically our most experienced player under Kelsey except maybe Scott. Hadley seems more of a leader though.
Brown - We had to replace Chucky. He's the closest one we got to being able to do that.
McNeely - We were good with Reyne giving us the outside threat and made other teams have to defend him. McNeely needs to do the same.

 

[cardsfan53]

Brown
Wooley
Conwell
Pryor
Fru/Khalifa/Scott

Hadley is very versitile but I don´t think he would have returned knowing he would be playing PF. I feel that Brown, Wooley, Conwell are the starters at 1-3. McKneely and Hadley are the subs depending on match ups and how the game is going.

We have Fru, Khalifa, Scott, Pryor, and Rooths for the 4-5 spots.

 

[nccardfan]

Brown
Wooley
Conwell
Pryor
Fru/Khalifa/Scott

Hadley is very versitile but I don´t think he would have returned knowing he would be playing PF. I feel that Brown, Wooley, Conwell are the starters at 1-3. McKneely and Hadley are the subs depending on match ups and how the game is going.

We have Fru, Khalifa, Scott, Pryor, and Rooths for the 4-5 spots.

On the same hand, I don't think Hadley returns if he's going to be coming off the bench.

 

[TheRealVille]

On the same hand, I don't think Hadley returns if he's going to be coming off the bench.

I read somewhere the other day Hadley was considering not playing at all next season. That he knows the NBA is not in his future. I don't know what his major is, but he may be realistic enough to know it's not pro ball?

He just wants to win a championship and he sees that possibility at Louisville and isn't concerned if it's as a starter or not. He likes it here, etc...

But just a theory. I don't think however, Kelsey guaranteed him a starting position.

 

[bigloucards]

I read somewhere the other day Hadley was considering not playing at all next season. That he knows the NBA is not in his future. I don't know what his major is, but he may be realistic enough to know it's not pro ball?

He just wants to win a championship and he sees that possibility at Louisville and isn't concerned if it's as a starter or not. He likes it here, etc...

But just a theory. I don't think however, Kelsey guaranteed him a starting position.

He’s getting paid here!

 

[Red Rager]

C Fru
PF Rooths
SF Conwell
SG McNeely
PG Brown

Substitutes (excluding rotations within above group)
C Scott/Khalifa
PF Hadley
SF Wooley
G Reyna Scott

LFG!

 

[cardsfan53]

With the 3 transfer guards and Brown I just cannot see a combination of the 3 not being on the floor. Last year our offense looked best when Chucky, Rayne, and Edwards were on the floor together. I also feel it will be hard to not have Fru starting as well. Maybe he sits to start the season but the guy is a baller. He is on the same pro team as Tre Mitchell and is playing better than him. Last game VS the top team in their league he had 13 and 9.

 

[coach1983]

C Fru
PF Rooths
SF Conwell
SG McNeely
PG Brown

Substitutes (excluding rotations within above group)
C Scott/Khalifa
PF Hadley
SF Wooley
G Reyna Scott

LFG!

Wooley is not coming off the bench.

 

[Red Rager]

Who would you take out of my starting lineup?

 

[nccardfan]

Who would you take out of my starting lineup?

Well for one, I think Khalifa will start. Even though he didn't play he's had a year under CPK and knows what he expects. I think while kids are talented when they come from Europe but it is a different game and its take a period of adjustment. I also have not seen enough of Rooths to say he's earn enough to be in the starting lineup. I'm not saying Hadley is a PF but I cannot see where's he's not in there either.

 

[2330859]

Who would you take out of my starting lineup?

Aside from Rooths, I have not seen any of your other projected players in a UL uniform. Honestly, if Pryor were to return, I would not be surprised to see Kasean, Hadley and Scott in the initial starting lineup, filling the 3,4 and 5 positions. It is possible that we might see a 3 guard lineup, but whether its the traditional 1 & 2 combination, or 3 guards ........... I think the combinations are infinite.

My last comment, is that with this level of depth, it will not matter who starts, as we might witness as many as a 10 deep rotation. One of the huge advatages with this level of depth, is the ability to avoid wearing out at tournament time like what I saw happen to Chucky and Edwards Jr.

 

[bigloucards]

Who would you take out of my starting lineup?

C J.Scott
PF. J.Hadley
Wing. Wooley
SG. McNeely
PG. M. Brown
First guard off the bench R.Conwell
First frontline off the bench K.Pryor/ Rooths if Pryor leaves

 

[earsky]

Depends on who's committed to the system over there. Who's willing to give something of themselves for the betterment of team?

Who's willing to go after every loose ball like it means everything, guard like that stop means winning or losing and make that shot the best shot?
I don't know if Kelsey can say that right now. And remember he's likely playing 9-10 guys. Whenever they're on the floor, the best ones will be there at the end of the game.

 

[Louis III]

I think Conwell will lead the team in scoring. He's really good. If Wooley is as good as people say, we are going to be hard to stop!

 

[shadow force]

Feels good to have the main roster solidified. I do wonder if PK will add any more depth pieces in case of injuries. I'd hate to be in a similar position as last season if one or two guys were to go down. Though hopefully that doesn't happen.

 

[nycardfan]

PG: Brown
SG: Conwell
SF: Wooley
PF: Fru
C: Khalifa

 

[Sound.Slave]

I don't see a scenario where Pryor is not a starter. Some of you seem pretty high on Khalifa; I don't see it.

 

[nccardfan]

I don't see a scenario where Pryor is not a starter. Some of you seem pretty high on Khalifa; I don't see it.

I'll play along. Since none of us has seen what Khalifa can do and given the lack of Scott being able to create his own shots while also noting that Chucky won't be throwing lob dunks to him and he really wasn't a defender at the rim, provide us with some reasons.

I agree that I think Pryor is a starter but that's only if hes 100% healthy.

 

[nccardfan]

Well, it won't be Scott in the lineup, he apparently entered the portal yesterday....

 

[davecmc]

Yea this is shaping up to be Mikel + 2 guards on court at most times (pick your 2) with Hadley and Pryor.

Khalifa/Fru/Rooths play as game style, fouls, injuries, rest, etc. dictate.

The 2 guard spots rotate McKneely/Woosley/Conwell/ hot hand and game style minutes with Mikel.

 

[bigloucards]

Well, it won't be Scott in the lineup, he apparently entered the portal yesterday....

I guess he didn’t want to compete for minutes. The timing pretty much solidified that

 

[Sound.Slave]

I'll play along. Since none of us has seen what Khalifa can do and given the lack of Scott being able to create his own shots while also noting that Chucky won't be throwing lob dunks to him and he really wasn't a defender at the rim, provide us with some reasons.

I agree that I think Pryor is a starter but that's only if hes 100% healthy.

I think Khalifa will be a contributor, but no way he gets minutes over Pryor. I just now saw that Scott entered the portal so the team will definitely need him(Khalifa).

 

[wreckcard#22]

No returning players will start.

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

Probably see a few different lineups and then if there are injuries they settle in on something. Guessing Brown is the only lock starter as of today.

 

[nccardfan]

I think Khalifa will be a contributor, but no way he gets minutes over Pryor. I just now saw that Scott entered the portal so the team will definitely need him(Khalifa).

I don't think they are competing for minutes. Khalifa is a 5 and Pryor plays the 4, although it seems like the 5 is becoming extinct.

 

[bigloucards]

I can definitely see this smaller lineup version, and talk about fast paced! It’d be a great challenge for anyone in the country to keep up with WOW
Brown
conwell
Wooley
Hadley
Pryor

 

[nycardfan]

I think Fru is going to start. We can debate the other 4-5 but Fru looks like the real deal and is the key to the Cards emerging as a Finsl Four threat.

 

[cardrock]

I think Fru is going to start. We can debate the other 4-5 but Fru looks like the real deal and is the key to the Cards emerging as a Finsl Four threat.

If he is good enough to start… then we are going to be really good. We’re going to be good regardless… I’m just not sure he’s ready to start. He’s got some learning to do…

 

[cardsfan53]

If he is good enough to start… then we are going to be really good. We’re going to be good regardless… I’m just not sure he’s ready to start. He’s got some learning to do…

Tre Mitchell was a very good college player, and Fru is outplaying him in the pro league in Europe. I believe he starts along with Pryor.

 

[cardrock]

Tre Mitchell was a very good college player, and Fru is outplaying him in the pro league in Europe. I believe he starts along with Pryor.

I’ve heard this point being made before and not to bust your bubble or anything… but it just doesn’t sit with me. Now if all things were the same then ok. But there are just to many variables for this point to be solid. Let’s use the Tre Mitchell examples and just reverse it… and say Fru was a good player over sea’s, and comes over here and is not quite the same.
As I’ve stated numerous times, I hope Fru is an absolute beast… but I’m not willing to bet the ranch on that being the case.

 

[TheRealVille]

It's really not that complicated. A player plays and coaches either like his game or not. It doesn't matter if he's a foreign player or not. If he's talented and has a good hoops IQ, he will most likely be successful.

Expectations for Fru are no different than a HS freshman or a transfer. There's pros and cons for both. There's always variables. I think Fru is more likely to be successful because of his experience playing professionally and his age.

We all expect freshman Brown to be a one and done all conference player because of his rating and the game footage that's out there, but he could be just another DJ Wagner who's still playing college hoops.

I'm pretty confident after watching film of Fru that he will be a major contributer for the Cards. Much more than Ibeh was last season, a 4 year transfer who hardly played anywhere in his career. Fru may not be a beast but he's going to be very valuable.

 

[nccardfan]

Is Fru on campus? Maybe Scott saw the handwriting on the wall? That would be a good reason but on the other hand if Scott believed all the hype you see from videos like a lot of our fans, then that tells me more about Scott than Fru....