Villanova Starting Lineup

[Eddyman11]

Well if we're being serious then what I've said from the beginning:

Jordan/Harrison
Sampson/Sanchez/Pointer

IMHO it's just a no-brainer, yet we haven't seen it once.

Yes that is one of our best line ups. Espesially with Pointers Defense/rebounding. But personally I would like to see

Jordan/Harrison
Greene/Sampson/Sanchez

I think Greene playing off the ball gives us that added dimension.

 

[NYCRedmen]

Prediction for Saturday's starting lineup

Greene
Balamou
Harrison
Sampson
Sanchez

You're crazy to think he'd go with Balamou. Lipscomb is the obvious choice.

That may have been one of the funniest replies I've seen in a long time.

 

[TRabinowitz]

Here, by popular demand (or no demand at all), are the 8 different starting lineups that have been put on the floor so far this season and I will note the 5 different lineups in the last 6 games:

Branch, Jordan, Harrison, Sampson, Sanchez
Greene, Harrison, Sampson, Sanchez, Obekpa
Greene, Harrison, Hooper, Sampson, Obekpa

5 different lineups in last 6 games:

Jordan, Greene, Harrison, Sampson, Obekpa (VS. SYRACUSE)
Jordan, Greene, Harrison, Sampson, Sanchez (VS. SAN FRANCISCO and VS. COLUMBIA)
Greene, Harrison, Balamou, Sampson, Sanchez (VS. YOUNGSTOWN ST)
Greene, Harrison, Sampson, Sanchez, God's Gift (VS. XAVIER)
Pointer, Harrison, Balamou, Sanchez, NDiaye (VS. GEORGETOWN)

I would love to know how many other Division 1 teams have started 8 or more different starting lineups at this point in the season.

 

[SJUISBACK]

Here, by popular demand (or no demand at all), are the 8 different starting lineups that have been put on the floor so far this season and I will note the 5 different lineups in the last 6 games:

Branch, Jordan, Harrison, Sampson, Sanchez
Greene, Harrison, Sampson, Sanchez, Obekpa
Greene, Harrison, Hooper, Sampson, Obekpa

5 different lineups in last 6 games:

Jordan, Greene, Harrison, Sampson, Obekpa (VS. SYRACUSE)
Jordan, Greene, Harrison, Sampson, Sanchez (VS. SAN FRANCISCO and VS. COLUMBIA)
Greene, Harrison, Balamou, Sampson, Sanchez (VS. YOUNGSTOWN ST)
Greene, Harrison, Sampson, Sanchez, God's Gift (VS. XAVIER)
Pointer, Harrison, Balamou, Sanchez, NDiaye (VS. GEORGETOWN)

I would love to know how many other Division 1 teams have started 8 or more different starting lineups at this point in the season.

For some reason that song from the Wizard Of Ozz" comes to mind, maybe sung by the scarecrow?
"IF I ONLY HAD A BRAIN".
It`s two months in and yet there`s no set lineup.

The fans on here sees what the obvious starting lineup should be, but the coach still doesn`t have a clue? It just doesn`t make much sense. Hey what do we know, we`re only fans. He`s the coach for a reason right?
I`m not wanting him fired. Hopefully on Saturday he stops with these lineups that makes no sense, and starts the guys that should.

I know he`s not playing, the kids are, but he could atleast put in lineups that make sense.

 

[usguard]

Here, by popular demand (or no demand at all), are the 8 different starting lineups that have been put on the floor so far this season and I will note the 5 different lineups in the last 6 games:

Branch, Jordan, Harrison, Sampson, Sanchez
Greene, Harrison, Sampson, Sanchez, Obekpa
Greene, Harrison, Hooper, Sampson, Obekpa

5 different lineups in last 6 games:

Jordan, Greene, Harrison, Sampson, Obekpa (VS. SYRACUSE)
Jordan, Greene, Harrison, Sampson, Sanchez (VS. SAN FRANCISCO and VS. COLUMBIA)
Greene, Harrison, Balamou, Sampson, Sanchez (VS. YOUNGSTOWN ST)
Greene, Harrison, Sampson, Sanchez, God's Gift (VS. XAVIER)
Pointer, Harrison, Balamou, Sanchez, NDiaye (VS. GEORGETOWN)

I would love to know how many other Division 1 teams have started 8 or more different starting lineups at this point in the season.

For some reason that song from the Wizard Of Ozz" comes to mind, maybe sung by the scarecrow?
"IF I ONLY HAD A BRAIN".
It`s two months in and yet there`s no set lineup.

The fans on here sees what the obvious starting lineup should be, but the coach still doesn`t have a clue? It just doesn`t make much sense. Hey what do we know, we`re only fans. He`s the coach for a reason right?
I`m not wanting him fired. Hopefully on Saturday he stops with these lineups that makes no sense, and starts the guys that should.

I know he`s not playing, the kids are, but he could atleast put in lineups that make sense.

No matter what the line up the players have to perform up to their talent level Now perhaps they are??That is what has to be determined

 

[SJUISBACK]

Here, by popular demand (or no demand at all), are the 8 different starting lineups that have been put on the floor so far this season and I will note the 5 different lineups in the last 6 games:

Branch, Jordan, Harrison, Sampson, Sanchez
Greene, Harrison, Sampson, Sanchez, Obekpa
Greene, Harrison, Hooper, Sampson, Obekpa

5 different lineups in last 6 games:

Jordan, Greene, Harrison, Sampson, Obekpa (VS. SYRACUSE)
Jordan, Greene, Harrison, Sampson, Sanchez (VS. SAN FRANCISCO and VS. COLUMBIA)
Greene, Harrison, Balamou, Sampson, Sanchez (VS. YOUNGSTOWN ST)
Greene, Harrison, Sampson, Sanchez, God's Gift (VS. XAVIER)
Pointer, Harrison, Balamou, Sanchez, NDiaye (VS. GEORGETOWN)

I would love to know how many other Division 1 teams have started 8 or more different starting lineups at this point in the season.

For some reason that song from the Wizard Of Ozz" comes to mind, maybe sung by the scarecrow?
"IF I ONLY HAD A BRAIN".
It`s two months in and yet there`s no set lineup.

The fans on here sees what the obvious starting lineup should be, but the coach still doesn`t have a clue? It just doesn`t make much sense. Hey what do we know, we`re only fans. He`s the coach for a reason right?
I`m not wanting him fired. Hopefully on Saturday he stops with these lineups that makes no sense, and starts the guys that should.

I know he`s not playing, the kids are, but he could atleast put in lineups that make sense.

No matter what the line up the players have to perform up to their talent level Now perhaps they are??That is what has to be determined

Yeah of course no doubt, BUT
Wouldn`t you have more confidence with Jordan and Sampson over Felix and the Walkon, that we`d start the game better then starting a game like last week down 11-2????? Give me the best chance to win, that`s all I`m asking. Nothing more, nothing less

 

[dee]

Well if we're being serious then what I've said from the beginning:

Jordan/Harrison
Sampson/Sanchez/Pointer

IMHO it's just a no-brainer, yet we haven't seen it once.

Yes that is one of our best line ups. Espesially with Pointers Defense/rebounding. But personally I would like to see

Jordan/Harrison
Greene/Sampson/Sanchez

I think Greene playing off the ball gives us that added dimension.

Yes and Sir Dominic is better coming off the bench-- he could be our sixth man like a John Havlicek (did I spell that right? its been a long time but it shows my age sigh)

 

[Marillac]

I'd like to see Jordan-Harrison-Branch-Sampson-Obekpa.

I'm tired of Branch and Obekpa hiding. We need them to be aggressive from the jump ball. Sanchez is certainly going to foul out, so they might as well preserve his time on the floor with a late start. I'd be fine with Pointer starting for the same reasons as the two above.

I suspect we'll see GG to start against Pinkston, but that is playing into their game. The best chance to slow down (because they aren't going to stop) Pinkston would be to have Obekpa/Sampson thrown his first few shots back in his face.

 

[beast of the east]

Well if we're being serious then what I've said from the beginning:

Jordan/Harrison
Sampson/Sanchez/Pointer

IMHO it's just a no-brainer, yet we haven't seen it once.

Yes that is one of our best line ups. Espesially with Pointers Defense/rebounding. But personally I would like to see

Jordan/Harrison
Greene/Sampson/Sanchez

I think Greene playing off the ball gives us that added dimension.

Yes and Sir Dominic is better coming off the bench-- he could be our sixth man like a John Havlicek (did I spell that right? its been a long time but it shows my age sigh)

If you use the Celtics strategy, or the Knicks for that matter (Bill Bradley started over the more prolific scorer, Cazzie Russell), you'd have perhaps your best offensive player coming off the bench to provide instant offense. Pointer offer almost none of that.

 

[ccnobz]

I'd like to see Jordan-Harrison-Branch-Sampson-Obekpa.

I'm tired of Branch and Obekpa hiding. We need them to be aggressive from the jump ball. Sanchez is certainly going to foul out, so they might as well preserve his time on the floor with a late start. I'd be fine with Pointer starting for the same reasons as the two above.

I suspect we'll see GG to start against Pinkston, but that is playing into their game. The best chance to slow down (because they aren't going to stop) Pinkston would be to have Obekpa/Sampson thrown his first few shots back in his face.

I agree about Obekpa being over looked. Not everyone on the court needs to be an offensive force. He needs to get more minutes I think he has played well.

 

[beast of the east]

I'd like to see Jordan-Harrison-Branch-Sampson-Obekpa.

I'm tired of Branch and Obekpa hiding. We need them to be aggressive from the jump ball. Sanchez is certainly going to foul out, so they might as well preserve his time on the floor with a late start. I'd be fine with Pointer starting for the same reasons as the two above.

I suspect we'll see GG to start against Pinkston, but that is playing into their game. The best chance to slow down (because they aren't going to stop) Pinkston would be to have Obekpa/Sampson thrown his first few shots back in his face.

I agree about Obekpa being over looked. Not everyone on the court needs to be an offensive force. He needs to get more minutes I think he has played well.

If you started Obekpa AND Pointer, you'd have to plan on getting consistent points from the other three starters. Other than Harrison, and even he is suspect, there is no one you can pencil in for 12-15 points to make up for the anticipated scoring deficiency from Pointer and Obekpa. Minimum you would need 45 points from the other three starters, and even that may not be enough in many games.

 

[SJU1512]

I'd like to see Jordan-Harrison-Branch-Sampson-Obekpa.

I'm tired of Branch and Obekpa hiding. We need them to be aggressive from the jump ball. Sanchez is certainly going to foul out, so they might as well preserve his time on the floor with a late start. I'd be fine with Pointer starting for the same reasons as the two above.

I suspect we'll see GG to start against Pinkston, but that is playing into their game. The best chance to slow down (because they aren't going to stop) Pinkston would be to have Obekpa/Sampson thrown his first few shots back in his face.

I agree about Obekpa being over looked. Not everyone on the court needs to be an offensive force. He needs to get more minutes I think he has played well.

Great points in both comments. Too much focus sometimes on which players don't bring enough on offense for us. We haven't been a good half-court offensive team even with our best offensive lineup on the floor. We have been at our best offensively in transition, and transition offense starts on defense. At the current juncture there is at least as strong of an argument to have a defense-first team out there as much as an offense-first lineup.

I'm not advocating for Balamou, Pointer, and Obekpa to be out there together. You have to have balance and can't be asking "who is going to score" as we were forced to multiple times in both the Xavier and GTown games. But Obekpa in particular should be close to beyond reproach when it comes to what he does or doesn't do offensviely, because frankly anything he does on offense is just a bonus. We don't give soft stuff at the rim when he's on the court and I don't know if there is anything that energizes our group as much as him blocking shots. We need to commit to him for 25 minutes per game at a minimum.

 

[ccnobz]

I'd like to see Jordan-Harrison-Branch-Sampson-Obekpa.

I'm tired of Branch and Obekpa hiding. We need them to be aggressive from the jump ball. Sanchez is certainly going to foul out, so they might as well preserve his time on the floor with a late start. I'd be fine with Pointer starting for the same reasons as the two above.

I suspect we'll see GG to start against Pinkston, but that is playing into their game. The best chance to slow down (because they aren't going to stop) Pinkston would be to have Obekpa/Sampson thrown his first few shots back in his face.

I agree about Obekpa being over looked. Not everyone on the court needs to be an offensive force. He needs to get more minutes I think he has played well.

If you started Obekpa AND Pointer, you'd have to plan on getting consistent points from the other three starters. Other than Harrison, and even he is suspect, there is no one you can pencil in for 12-15 points to make up for the anticipated scoring deficiency from Pointer and Obekpa. Minimum you would need 45 points from the other three starters, and even that may not be enough in many games.

In my line up you have Sampson Harrison and Jordan , along with Dom and Opekpa. The first three guys listed can score the ball, as can Dom off his D.

 

[ccnobz]

I'd like to see Jordan-Harrison-Branch-Sampson-Obekpa.

I'm tired of Branch and Obekpa hiding. We need them to be aggressive from the jump ball. Sanchez is certainly going to foul out, so they might as well preserve his time on the floor with a late start. I'd be fine with Pointer starting for the same reasons as the two above.

I suspect we'll see GG to start against Pinkston, but that is playing into their game. The best chance to slow down (because they aren't going to stop) Pinkston would be to have Obekpa/Sampson thrown his first few shots back in his face.

I agree about Obekpa being over looked. Not everyone on the court needs to be an offensive force. He needs to get more minutes I think he has played well.

Great points in both comments. Too much focus sometimes on which players don't bring enough on offense for us. We haven't been a good half-court offensive team even with our best offensive lineup on the floor. We have been at our best offensively in transition, and transition offense starts on defense. At the current juncture there is at least as strong of an argument to have a defense-first team out there as much as an offense-first lineup.

I'm not advocating for Balamou, Pointer, and Obekpa to be out there together. You have to have balance and can't be asking "who is going to score" as we were forced to multiple times in both the Xavier and GTown games. But Obekpa in particular should be close to beyond reproach when it comes to what he does or doesn't do offensviely, because frankly anything he does on offense is just a bonus. We don't give soft stuff at the rim when he's on the court and I don't know if there is anything that energizes our group as much as him blocking shots. We need to commit to him for 25 minutes per game at a minimum.

Well put , and I agree 100% on Obekpa.

 

[logen]

I'd like to see Jordan-Harrison-Branch-Sampson-Obekpa.

I'm tired of Branch and Obekpa hiding. We need them to be aggressive from the jump ball. Sanchez is certainly going to foul out, so they might as well preserve his time on the floor with a late start. I'd be fine with Pointer starting for the same reasons as the two above.

I suspect we'll see GG to start against Pinkston, but that is playing into their game. The best chance to slow down (because they aren't going to stop) Pinkston would be to have Obekpa/Sampson thrown his first few shots back in his face.

I agree about Obekpa being over looked. Not everyone on the court needs to be an offensive force. He needs to get more minutes I think he has played well.

Great points in both comments. Too much focus sometimes on which players don't bring enough on offense for us. We haven't been a good half-court offensive team even with our best offensive lineup on the floor. We have been at our best offensively in transition, and transition offense starts on defense. At the current juncture there is at least as strong of an argument to have a defense-first team out there as much as an offense-first lineup.

I'm not advocating for Balamou, Pointer, and Obekpa to be out there together. You have to have balance and can't be asking "who is going to score" as we were forced to multiple times in both the Xavier and GTown games. But Obekpa in particular should be close to beyond reproach when it comes to what he does or doesn't do offensviely, because frankly anything he does on offense is just a bonus. We don't give soft stuff at the rim when he's on the court and I don't know if there is anything that energizes our group as much as him blocking shots. We need to commit to him for 25 minutes per game at a minimum.

I am not knocking Obekpa but this idea that we don't give up easy baskets because of his blocks is a huge myth. No team we have played has shied away from going down low because of his ability to block shots. They realize we don't rotate or rebound hard so put backs are a good possibility even when he blocks or alters shots.

 

[ccnobz]

I'd like to see Jordan-Harrison-Branch-Sampson-Obekpa.

I'm tired of Branch and Obekpa hiding. We need them to be aggressive from the jump ball. Sanchez is certainly going to foul out, so they might as well preserve his time on the floor with a late start. I'd be fine with Pointer starting for the same reasons as the two above.

I suspect we'll see GG to start against Pinkston, but that is playing into their game. The best chance to slow down (because they aren't going to stop) Pinkston would be to have Obekpa/Sampson thrown his first few shots back in his face.

I agree about Obekpa being over looked. Not everyone on the court needs to be an offensive force. He needs to get more minutes I think he has played well.

Great points in both comments. Too much focus sometimes on which players don't bring enough on offense for us. We haven't been a good half-court offensive team even with our best offensive lineup on the floor. We have been at our best offensively in transition, and transition offense starts on defense. At the current juncture there is at least as strong of an argument to have a defense-first team out there as much as an offense-first lineup.

I'm not advocating for Balamou, Pointer, and Obekpa to be out there together. You have to have balance and can't be asking "who is going to score" as we were forced to multiple times in both the Xavier and GTown games. But Obekpa in particular should be close to beyond reproach when it comes to what he does or doesn't do offensviely, because frankly anything he does on offense is just a bonus. We don't give soft stuff at the rim when he's on the court and I don't know if there is anything that energizes our group as much as him blocking shots. We need to commit to him for 25 minutes per game at a minimum.

I am not knocking Obekpa but this idea that we don't give up easy baskets because of his blocks is a huge myth. No team we have played has shied away from going down low because of his ability to block shots. They realize we don't rotate or rebound hard so put backs are a good possibility even when he blocks or alters shots.

If you look back at the games we lost, we are not getting beat up inside. Wisc killed us from deep, Penn St's guards ate us up, Cuse beat us w/ Cj's mid range game, and we saw what Simth-Rivera did from deep vs Gtown.

 

[beast of the east]

I'd like to see Jordan-Harrison-Branch-Sampson-Obekpa.

I'm tired of Branch and Obekpa hiding. We need them to be aggressive from the jump ball. Sanchez is certainly going to foul out, so they might as well preserve his time on the floor with a late start. I'd be fine with Pointer starting for the same reasons as the two above.

I suspect we'll see GG to start against Pinkston, but that is playing into their game. The best chance to slow down (because they aren't going to stop) Pinkston would be to have Obekpa/Sampson thrown his first few shots back in his face.

I agree about Obekpa being over looked. Not everyone on the court needs to be an offensive force. He needs to get more minutes I think he has played well.

If you started Obekpa AND Pointer, you'd have to plan on getting consistent points from the other three starters. Other than Harrison, and even he is suspect, there is no one you can pencil in for 12-15 points to make up for the anticipated scoring deficiency from Pointer and Obekpa. Minimum you would need 45 points from the other three starters, and even that may not be enough in many games.

In my line up you have Sampson Harrison and Jordan , along with Dom and Opekpa. The first three guys listed can score the ball, as can Dom off his D.

think of this, and it's not meant as a caustic response in any way. In Obekpa, you have a guy with very limited offensive ability vs. top notch big men. He also is a fair to poor offensive rebounder. Do you have him stay down low, where he gets in the way of guys going to the basket? Or do you have him in the high post, where no defender with any common sense would follow him out there? It's a problem, and its why he sits. If he were a monster rebounder as well as a monster shot blocker, then even without offensive skills he belong on the court for big time minutes - he doesn't and that's why he is sitting.

 

[ccnobz]

I'd like to see Jordan-Harrison-Branch-Sampson-Obekpa.

I'm tired of Branch and Obekpa hiding. We need them to be aggressive from the jump ball. Sanchez is certainly going to foul out, so they might as well preserve his time on the floor with a late start. I'd be fine with Pointer starting for the same reasons as the two above.

I suspect we'll see GG to start against Pinkston, but that is playing into their game. The best chance to slow down (because they aren't going to stop) Pinkston would be to have Obekpa/Sampson thrown his first few shots back in his face.

I agree about Obekpa being over looked. Not everyone on the court needs to be an offensive force. He needs to get more minutes I think he has played well.

If you started Obekpa AND Pointer, you'd have to plan on getting consistent points from the other three starters. Other than Harrison, and even he is suspect, there is no one you can pencil in for 12-15 points to make up for the anticipated scoring deficiency from Pointer and Obekpa. Minimum you would need 45 points from the other three starters, and even that may not be enough in many games.

In my line up you have Sampson Harrison and Jordan , along with Dom and Opekpa. The first three guys listed can score the ball, as can Dom off his D.

think of this, and it's not meant as a caustic response in any way. In Obekpa, you have a guy with very limited offensive ability vs. top notch big men. He also is a fair to poor offensive rebounder. Do you have him stay down low, where he gets in the way of guys going to the basket? Or do you have him in the high post, where no defender with any common sense would follow him out there? It's a problem, and its why he sits. If he were a monster rebounder as well as a monster shot blocker, then even without offensive skills he belong on the court for big time minutes - he doesn't and that's why he is sitting.

I agree his offensive skills are below average, although I see improvement from last year and he has made a handful of nice passes this season that we didn't see last year. He actually leads the team with 31 offensive rebounds and is second in total rebounds to Sampson who has played more minutes. A poster mentioned that sometimes his demonstrative blocks energize the team I think that it's true. There were games earlier this season that Greene and Opekpa were our best players. I just think we are a better team with him on the court.

 

[Mean Gene]

Lavin likes Dom coming off the bench as 6th man to bring that added energy as the game starts to settle in. I bet he starts Hooper at the 3 based on his performance against Georgetown. You know Lavin will have throw at least a little wrinkle into the starting line up. I'm betting it will be Hooper.

 

[logen]

I'd like to see Jordan-Harrison-Branch-Sampson-Obekpa.

I'm tired of Branch and Obekpa hiding. We need them to be aggressive from the jump ball. Sanchez is certainly going to foul out, so they might as well preserve his time on the floor with a late start. I'd be fine with Pointer starting for the same reasons as the two above.

I suspect we'll see GG to start against Pinkston, but that is playing into their game. The best chance to slow down (because they aren't going to stop) Pinkston would be to have Obekpa/Sampson thrown his first few shots back in his face.

I agree about Obekpa being over looked. Not everyone on the court needs to be an offensive force. He needs to get more minutes I think he has played well.

Great points in both comments. Too much focus sometimes on which players don't bring enough on offense for us. We haven't been a good half-court offensive team even with our best offensive lineup on the floor. We have been at our best offensively in transition, and transition offense starts on defense. At the current juncture there is at least as strong of an argument to have a defense-first team out there as much as an offense-first lineup.

I'm not advocating for Balamou, Pointer, and Obekpa to be out there together. You have to have balance and can't be asking "who is going to score" as we were forced to multiple times in both the Xavier and GTown games. But Obekpa in particular should be close to beyond reproach when it comes to what he does or doesn't do offensviely, because frankly anything he does on offense is just a bonus. We don't give soft stuff at the rim when he's on the court and I don't know if there is anything that energizes our group as much as him blocking shots. We need to commit to him for 25 minutes per game at a minimum.

I am not knocking Obekpa but this idea that we don't give up easy baskets because of his blocks is a huge myth. No team we have played has shied away from going down low because of his ability to block shots. They realize we don't rotate or rebound hard so put backs are a good possibility even when he blocks or alters shots.

If you look back at the games we lost, we are not getting beat up inside. Wisc killed us from deep, Penn St's guards ate us up, Cuse beat us w/ Cj's mid range game, and we saw what Simth-Rivera did from deep vs Gtown.[/quote)

Sorry, we have gotten beaten up underneath all season, people are going to make shots and score at this level; that is part of the game. Second shots and multiple opportunities have hurt us all season.