Remember Fran has only started one player in the last 7 years as a freshman, Joe Wieskamp, and only one portal player, Philp Rebraca. Here's my prediction, OWEN FREEMAN, PAYTON SANDFORD, LADJI DEMBELE, JOSH DIX, and the diminutive BROCK HARDING.
Starting lineup predictions for the Exhibition game in 10 days and beyond.
- Thread starter IllQChawk
- Start date
You are probably correct.
But possibly the BEST lineup may be: Freeman, Tadjo, Payton S., Dix, and Harding. This is not a slight in any way to Dembele (whom Fran has said progressed greatly this off-season). But the clips from practice show plays that are AMAZING for a man of Tadjo's size. He is as tall as Dembele with a wider frame and even more athleticism (and Dembele is very athletic). He showed that he can dribble like a wing and lead the break. And he made multiple 3s in those clips and a fall away mid-range. Whenever that light goes on .... look out.
That, by the way, would be 4 guys with NBA potential on the court at once. (Salivating).
But possibly the BEST lineup may be: Freeman, Tadjo, Payton S., Dix, and Harding. This is not a slight in any way to Dembele (whom Fran has said progressed greatly this off-season). But the clips from practice show plays that are AMAZING for a man of Tadjo's size. He is as tall as Dembele with a wider frame and even more athleticism (and Dembele is very athletic). He showed that he can dribble like a wing and lead the break. And he made multiple 3s in those clips and a fall away mid-range. Whenever that light goes on .... look out.
That, by the way, would be 4 guys with NBA potential on the court at once. (Salivating).
Venciene from the Athletic has Iowa with 2 possible NBA picks. No other team has more than 2 except for Illinois (4): Jakucionis, Riley, Boswell, Humrichous.
On June 5th I wondered if what follows would be the rotations; I am going to stick with this. Hopefully Fran does not go much deeper than 10.
David Eickholt, a beat reporter for 24/7, reported on July 8 that he wouldn't be surprised to see Traore start at the 4.
Note that there are just 2 seniors in the top 10.
Starting 5:
6’3” PG Drew Thelwell (SR)
6'5" SG Josh Dix (JR)
6'7" F Payton Sandfort (SR)
6’7” PF Seydou Traore (SO)
6'10" C Owen Freeman (SO)
Next 5 off the bench:
6'0" PG Brock Harding (SO)
6'7" F Cooper Koch (FR)
6'7" F Pryce Sandfort (SO)
6'8" PF Ladji Dembele (SO)
6'8" PF Chris Tadjo (FR)
Other 3 scholarship players:
6'11" C Riley Mulvey (JR)
6'9" F/C Even Brauns (SR)
6'5" SG Carter Kingsbury (JR)
David Eickholt, a beat reporter for 24/7, reported on July 8 that he wouldn't be surprised to see Traore start at the 4.
Note that there are just 2 seniors in the top 10.
Starting 5:
6’3” PG Drew Thelwell (SR)
6'5" SG Josh Dix (JR)
6'7" F Payton Sandfort (SR)
6’7” PF Seydou Traore (SO)
6'10" C Owen Freeman (SO)
Next 5 off the bench:
6'0" PG Brock Harding (SO)
6'7" F Cooper Koch (FR)
6'7" F Pryce Sandfort (SO)
6'8" PF Ladji Dembele (SO)
6'8" PF Chris Tadjo (FR)
Other 3 scholarship players:
6'11" C Riley Mulvey (JR)
6'9" F/C Even Brauns (SR)
6'5" SG Carter Kingsbury (JR)
I think Thewell will start at the point guard.
Wow this roster is bereft of ball-handlers. Thelwell and Brock's health are going to be vital to our success this season
Fran mentioned he might, at times, play Dix at the 1 and Pryce at the 2 (Pryce has been shooting lights out).
This isn't a bad top 10. I don't know that anyone would be sad about any of those 10 starting at some point. I also think any of them could go off for double digits in points in any given game. Add in a little Riley Mulvey (when they need a little extra size and extra fouls).
Krikke started last year.
Rebraca and Krikke have been the only two decent players he's had from the portal prior to this year.
Of course he will. I called this 6 months ago.
Eventually Fran will find an excuse to play Dix, both Sandforts and Koch at the same time. Because they're all tall and can all shoot and those two things are what he values most.
Thank you for correcting me on my omission of Krikke, he was by far one of the worse defensive players, game after game, that started for Fran in Fan's 14 years. It was just one of the reasons that Desonte Bowen lost his starting position and eventually left Iowa,
