STARTING LINEUP FOR THE PILOTS?

I figured since practice has just started and before we know it the first exhibition game , and the Washington game will be here it might it be a good topic. (Since other team message boards are offering up opinions on their teams at this time too.)

I believe only about three of the guys have a pretty strong chance of being in the starting lineup with other interchangeble players due to need, injury..... I think Nic, Stohl, and Kramer are good bets at the SF, SG, and PF/C. From what it sounds like it is pretty close between Ito (if he can shoot), and TJ Campbell. It sounds like the freshman PG is a pleasent surprise but then i forget he did a yr in prep school like Big John so their basically the same age as our Soph class. The interesting part for me in the equation is where Jasonn and Big John fit in . Do they start or come in to relieve Kramer (Foul Trouble) and or Robin(rest) or Luke(rest). Wow it's nice to have some experience and depth this year. Athletically these guys are not the greatest, but I feel with the team unity and a good start to the season they may do well.

Heres mine: PG-TJ sub-Ito , Freshman too
SG-Stohl sub TJ, Nem, along with others
SF-Nic sub Niediemier, others
PF-Kramer sub Sikma...who will probably start when healed up. Robin possible
C-Jasonn Sub Big John, Kramer if Robin or Sikma start at PF
Robin is a very KEY 6th man off the bench I believe
Well I guess we have many players who can step right in and start. The main thing I find interesting will be when the substitution pattern gets fairly set who gets the minutes.

If you can make sense of my jibberish what do you guys think?


MesaPilot1

I'm thinking this is how it will shake down at the start of the season:

PG - Ito
SG - Raivio
SF - Niedermeyer
PF - Sikma
C- Knutson

That's assuming Sikma is healthy, of course.

But honestly, this wouldn't surprise me either:

PG - Ito
SG - Stohl
SF - Raivio
PF - Sikma
C - Knutson

I know they have entertained the idea of Nik playing SF, though I have heard that Niedermeyer has looked pretty good in practice so far. But at the same time, I've heard that Stohl has been basically automatic from behind the arc as well... I think we saw last year that scoring is a problem for this team, so if we can have Nik and Jared on the court at the same time with a point guard to distribute to them, that would be terrific.

As for Campbell, I think he could definitely play his well into the starting line-up as well, but I think it's Ito's to lose for the time being. If Ito struggles at the start of the year, it's nice to know that we have a very capable player in Campbell and I would expect to see him get plenty of minutes.

At this point, sentimentality needs to be put aside... we need our best players out on the court, and if guys aren't getting it done, then there are other people on the bench that hopefully can. We didn't have that luxury last year, but I'm excited that it's looking like we do this year.

If Sikma is still banged up, I'm sure we'll see plenty of Smeulders.

Your Probably right Stonehouse, I imagine Rev will most likely start his established experienced veterans at first. Then work in some of the new guys through the season.

I don't want to get anybody's hopes up but I think the Huskies might be surprised when they come to Chiles Center this year. If only Kramer can hold Brockman to 5 pts. 10 rebounds (before Brockman fouled out) like last yr.I think the Pilots can keep the game close with TJ and Ito pressuring their supposed Freshman Phenom PG.

The UW game is going to be interesting indeed; we are going to be a much different team this year... remember that we didnt have Ito last year up there, either.

This would be a huge kick-off to the season, and not to mention a "marquee" win.

This would be a huge kick-off to the season, and not to mention a "marquee" win.

A win would be great, but they will have a bunch of upperclassmen, and I'm sure Lorenzo will remind them about last year.

I still think we have to think in terms of being ready for the WCC.

Can't wait, can't wait!!! Lineup PG TJ SG Stohl SW Raivio PF Sikma or Smuelders C Knutson . This gives us speed and shooting ability.

I want to go big.

Ito
Ravio
Smeulders
Knutson
Hannibal

I think we have the bigs to dominate the paint and want to create mis-matches.

Ooooh... that would be interesting for sure. I've always wondered if Smeulders could handle the three. I think the main concern is his quickness and defensive ability... I think he might have a tough time keeping up with some of the other wings in the WCC. Then again, it really would give us a nice rebounding advantage and Robin has good enough skills in the paint that he could really use that mismatch. I don't know... would definitely be supportive of the idea if they gave it a go.

I like the TJ vs. Isaiah Thomas matchup in the game vs. UW. Two shorter PGs who can play... That's going to be sweet.

That big lineup sounds intriguing too...I looked up Robins 3 pt shooting percentage from the Dutch JR. Team-40% (granted its not D-1 ,mid-major competition but not bad for a 6'10" guy). Maybe he would create some mismatch's at SF from 10-15 foot in. Hopefully he and Nic won't have to force their offense so much if Stohl,Sikma and the other guys can produce more offense this year. Stohl needs to get more than the 2 shot attempts like he got in the last 2 games at the end of last year. Heck , thats how many shots he should take in the first 4-5 minutes of the game when he's in.


16 days and counting......

From what i've seen in the couple practices i've seen is that Big John is a lot more offensively skilled compared to Jasonn. Jasonn sometimes doesn't know what to do with the ball and i've noticed he gets flustered if he is double or tripled teamed. With Jasonn in the game, the offense will revolve more around the other guys i believe. John though gets tired real fast so obviously he can't be in all the time, and especially against teams like gonzaga and san diego, where their big men can run a little bit, we may be better with kramer out there. but just from my initial viewings of the team, i'd say john is a little bit ahead of jasonn, but thats just an opinion

That's good to hear. It would be great if Big John could develop into a good pick and roll player with one of the guards... It sounds like it might take him a while to get into the kind of shape where he can run the floor...
The sooner he matures, the better off we'll be.

Hope the guys are ready to run the floor. An article in the paper says that UW is looking at four guards and Brockman to do a little running at times.

At least it sounds like the Pilots are looking to move up court quickly this year.

Maybe not the most knowledgeable of the system, but, I'd love to see these guys play together in sort of a 3 guard system with Big John throwing some outlet passes:

TJ
Ravio
BJ Porter
Sikma
Big John