Jamal Branch

[guru]

Pg Jordan
2g Harrison
3 dom
4 Sampson
5 Sanchez
Obekpa, branch, gift, Greene, jones, hooper

 

[SJU1512]

IMHO, Jordan starts from day 1.. Regardless..

If what you say is correct, which in this era of one and done, a top 20 recruit is likely not going to want to wait for his chance. If that be the case, you could probably make a pretty good argument for Harrison coming off the bench for instant offense, as opposed to Branch, who would provide solid PG play but not as much firepower. I don't think having Harrison coming off the bench would be good for his ego, and would be a huge test for his new and improved attitude. Interesting call though on your part.

Beastie, how are you? Hard to believe Stout's get together was over 5 years ago.

Actually, I think Lavin has a few options.. Start Sampson, Sanchez, CO, Jordan, DLO or, Sampson, Sanchez, Jordan,DLO and Branch ..But, there's only 1 basketbaLL.. i was curious to see how other posters might react to the notion of DLO, not starting.

I agree that DLO starts unless Lavin wants to use not starting as a teaching point for a few games.. I think Jordan is the man with the ball and Branch comes off the bench, with lots of minutes, if he shows he's developed a jumper.. Jordan has to play himself out of the starting line up, in my opinion and, don't think that happens. Early on, Jordan will be on a short leash but, only so Steve can pull him for a teaching point during the game.. He'll be right back in, after that. Unless foul trouble dictates otherwise.

If Jordan wins the job from Day 1 that's great news for us because Jamal can play. He wasn't the same player when he came back from the knee injury, but for the first half of the conference schedule he really elevated the team's play with off-the-charts efficiency in particular. These two have a chance to give us 40 tremendous minutes from point most nights.

We'll see some three-guard sets as well. I know we anticipate seeing some Sampson/Sanchez at the 3 in addition to Pointer (who is the only player returning who has logged significant minutes at the position), but Lavin has shown a propensity to go small and if Jordan/Harrison/Branch/Greene perform how they're capable they'll push for more than 80 minutes split between them. Too much scoring ability between them not to.

 

[Andrew]

Pg Jordan
2g Harrison
3 dom
4 Sampson
5 Sanchez
Obekpa, branch, gift, Greene, jones, hooper

I like this lineup but might want to see more of Balamou then Jones if possible. I still think Hooper plays a bigger role than expected.

 

[usguard]

Pg Jordan
2g Harrison
3 dom
4 Sampson
5 Sanchez
Obekpa, branch, gift, Greene, jones, hooper

I like this lineup but might want to see more of Balamou then Jones if possible. I still think Hooper plays a bigger role than expected.

agree about Hooper feel he is going to be very important to this team

 

[beast of the east]

Pg Jordan
2g Harrison
3 dom
4 Sampson
5 Sanchez
Obekpa, branch, gift, Greene, jones, hooper

I don't see Obekpa as a bench player considering his development last season, but we will see.

 

[Marillac]

Pg Jordan
2g Harrison
3 dom
4 Sampson
5 Sanchez
Obekpa, branch, gift, Greene, jones, hooper

I don't see Obekpa as a bench player considering his development last season, but we will see.

I do. He actually likes coming off the bench and he can change the game. He should have been a 10-15 mpg player to start last season and a 15-20 mpg to end it IMO. We didn't have that luxury. Let us roll out Branch-Harrison-Dom-Sampson-Sanchez to start it off and establish the pace of the game. Then bring in Obekpa to throw them a huge curve ball and alter the game by forcing it to the perimeter. Then sprinkle in a little Hooper/Bourgault and Jordan for offense where needed.

 

[gonzalo]

Let us roll out Branch-Harrison-Dom-Sampson-Sanchez to start it off and establish the pace of the game. Then bring in Obekpa to throw them a huge curve ball and alter the game by forcing it to the perimeter. Then sprinkle in a little Hooper/Bourgault and Jordan for offense where needed.

And Greene? He started 32 games last year and averaged 33.0 minutes. As freshman he played less time and Branch, Bourgault and Balamou were not on the team.

 

[billyfa]

Pg Jordan
2g Harrison
3 dom
4 Sampson
5 Sanchez
Obekpa, branch, gift, Greene, jones, hooper

I don't see Obekpa as a bench player considering his development last season, but we will see.

I do. He actually likes coming off the bench and he can change the game. He should have been a 10-15 mpg player to start last season and a 15-20 mpg to end it IMO. We didn't have that luxury. Let us roll out Branch-Harrison-Dom-Sampson-Sanchez to start it off and establish the pace of the game.

Then bring in Obekpa to throw them a huge curve ball and alter the game by forcing it to the perimeter. Then sprinkle in a little Hooper/Bourgault and Jordan for offense where needed.

Sprinkle in Jordan? He is our highest rated recruit under Lavin. He is going to get major minutes.

 

[Marillac]

Pg Jordan
2g Harrison
3 dom
4 Sampson
5 Sanchez
Obekpa, branch, gift, Greene, jones, hooper

I don't see Obekpa as a bench player considering his development last season, but we will see.

I do. He actually likes coming off the bench and he can change the game. He should have been a 10-15 mpg player to start last season and a 15-20 mpg to end it IMO. We didn't have that luxury. Let us roll out Branch-Harrison-Dom-Sampson-Sanchez to start it off and establish the pace of the game.

Then bring in Obekpa to throw them a huge curve ball and alter the game by forcing it to the perimeter. Then sprinkle in a little Hooper/Bourgault and Jordan for offense where needed.

Sprinkle in Jordan? He is our highest rated recruit under Lavin. He is going to get major minutes.

I didn't say he wouldn't. I just don't think he'll start. I expect him to get about 20 mpg.

 

[billyfa]

Pg Jordan
2g Harrison
3 dom
4 Sampson
5 Sanchez
Obekpa, branch, gift, Greene, jones, hooper

I don't see Obekpa as a bench player considering his development last season, but we will see.

I do. He actually likes coming off the bench and he can change the game. He should have been a 10-15 mpg player to start last season and a 15-20 mpg to end it IMO. We didn't have that luxury. Let us roll out Branch-Harrison-Dom-Sampson-Sanchez to start it off and establish the pace of the game.

Then bring in Obekpa to throw them a huge curve ball and alter the game by forcing it to the perimeter. Then sprinkle in a little Hooper/Bourgault and Jordan for offense where needed.

Sprinkle in Jordan? He is our highest rated recruit under Lavin. He is going to get major minutes.

I didn't say he wouldn't. I just don't think he'll start. I expect him to get about 20 mpg.

ok. I think 25mpg. That being said, did everyone watch the pre-tour video on redstormsports. Lavin sounds VERY impressed with Branch's progress in the offseason. He uses words like "remarkable". If I heard it correctly, I think he mentioned Branch improving more than any other player in his career from one year to the next. Considering he was solid last year, this sounds very promising.

 

[redmannorth]

Well Coach was certainly correct today as Branch had a great game in leading the team to victory. 22 points, what we all have been waiting for. Keep it up Jamal.

 

[ras]

People forget he missed the first semester last year ,played a few games then got injured. It was hard to evaluate him based on last year. I have to hand it to him, we recruited Sheed, instead of complain, he worked his butt off and improved.