When the question of LU’s 2013-14 starting lineup was raised, a different question came into my mind that we couldn’t ask for the last 2 seasons.
Why don’t we have 2 lines, instead of just thinking of one starting lineup (especially in non-conference games).
The reason we couldn’t ask the question for the last 2 years is that we didn’t have 10 scholarship players because of our redshirts, medical or otherwise.
For the last 14 games of last season, LU never had more than 2 or 3 scholarship players on the bench.
One can think of 2 problems that arise in this situation:
(1) Players get tired out, push too hard, and get injured.
(2) Players wear out as the game progresses and you lose close games with weak endings.
Another bonus of 2 lines (especially in non-conference games) is that our many talented new comers get playing time which increases the pace of their developement & the coach gets to see how players react in game conditions.
Possible LU lines:
White (So), Turk (So), Thomas (Jr), O’Leary (So), C. Johnson (So).
Pickett (Fr), Doyle (Fr), T. Williams (So), Osborne (So), King (Fr).
Sub at point: walk-on Dokubo (Jr); Sub for any other position: Crisman (Jr) - shifting the taller players around if needed, making sure King has some strong rebounders to help him on the boards. I never want to see any LU center playing without having some height & muscle to back him up in the middle, especially with the big body combos our MVC opponents have.
I feel comfortable with the starting 10 players’ talent & Crisman & Dokubo, although, until I can see him play, I am not counting on Tanner Williams coming back from his injuries. But on the 2nd line, only Osborne is a proven player, with Tanner the other 3 new players having to adjust to each other, to Divison I ball & the coach's system in game situations.
Nothing against Tanner, as last year I considered him as a possible starter with Payne, Turk, Hicks, & Averkamp, after the Italian exhibition games. Thomas though surely proved beyond a doubt that he was the man for the job and then some, after T. Williams got hurt.
For my peace of mind, I am really looking forward in the future to a time we have all 13 scholarship spots filled.