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Yeah I disagree with Maine on the starting line-up. Jordan, Graves and Johnson will be starting because they are the 3 best players on the team. Period. No brainer. Whitesell preached at his introduction press conference that we would play the same up tempo style that Oats had. So why would we all of a sudden go 3 forwards and only 2 guards? Johnson is taking Massinburgs spot and should be good for at least 12pts per game. Just watch. He can ball.

Meh, honestly if he’s not considering us I’m glad he made a list. our coaching staff can move on to someone who is interested in playing at UB, rather than tying up resources on someone who isn’t coming

I agree with what @Jeseph said and add this...essentially we recruited 10 players this season. Got 10 commits to UB. That speaks volumes to where the program and brand name of the program is at. In comparing the two classes obviously there’s a drop off. But it isn’t that big. Which again speaks to us as a program. Now it’s time to win on the court which will continue the building of the program.

The Oats class was undoubtedly our best class ever and when all is said and done, stacked with P5ers - that being said. Whitesell and Co. have put together quite an impressive group that should have us all excited. If it weren't for seeing some of the previous names (and where they ended up) I think we'd still be calling this one of our best recruiting classes ever. A key difference is how many of this year's class will be eligible to play for 3+ years at UB.

You’re jumping to conclusions at this point. We gotta go with what we know. Antwain Johnson is probably going to be one of our best guards. As I’ve said, we would run 3 guards in the starting lineup BECAUSE they’re expected to provide rebounding numbers and because they play great defense. As I’ve said, guards today are expected to do more than just shoot and pass. Expect all 3 guards to be out there on the start, followed by David Nickelberry and potentially Brock Bertram, considering @961819 has been speaking highly of him. Then we have Williams, Segu, Hardnett, and potentially Mballa, and Skogman coming off the bench.

I do not dispute that Graves, Jordan and Johnson may be our best three players. I don't think this coaching staff will play that group together on a regular basis without a true center on the floor to rebound. As I said above I think this group starts the following 3 guard and 2 forwards (I consider Nickleberry a guard): 1. Jordan 2. Graves 3. Nickleberry 4. Williams (Mballa if he is granted waiver) 5. Hardnett I agree that it appears Johnson can play. As we saw over the last 4 years with Perkins, our best players do not always start. It is about putting the best lineup on the floor not the best players. This coaching staff appears to favor length and athleticism. I see Johnson as first player off the bench and providing instant offense.

Couldn’t agree more with you, it’s a no brainer in my eyes too as they are the 3 best players. We play in the Mac, Graves will likely guard the 3 position and he’s 6’3” and more than enough athletic and strong to hold his own. People making it like he’s gonna be guarding 6’8 guys. At best he’ll be guarding guys that are 2 or 3 inches taller and I think that won’t be an issue at all. We’ve always played this way also this whole stretch of winning so don’t see why we all of a sudden change it. Gonna we weird watching this team without massinburg and perk, and dontay caruthers coming off the bench was such a luxury, dude was a beast.

Nope no chance...

#5 Oxford Ohio https://www.ubbullrun.com/2019/7/22/20703672/ub-road-trips-2019-miami-at-oxford

Brock worked a lot on his shooting and actually can hit 3s pretty consistently now as well. Not sure if he’ll have the green light to shoot them like Perkins did but it’s still encouraging. Not even just Brock though. Segu is showing more confidence and actually showing off his shiftiness (hesi move he’s known for) and is making acrobatic contested layups. Davonta looks more explosive and his shooting has improved remarkably. Graves is very quiet personality-wise (think Kawhi Leonard) like usual, but looks ready to lead and his shot looks as spot on as I’ve ever seen it. Savion looks like he was severely underrated because he plays at a freshman Graves level. Grant is being completely overlooked by the media because he has Jeremy Harris scoring potential and shows it on a daily basis. Johnson reminds a lot of Wes Clark. Like a LOT. Hits shots with guys all over him like it’s nothing and is a very athletic rebounder. Williams has improved in every aspect honestly. His shot is falling, and his long arms make him a really difficult matchup to guard. Very athletic dunking on people. Skogman is very talented and has a very smooth 3 point touch but is just a step slow on some plays so he just needs to work on his lateral quickness and he could easily be a frequent double digit scorer. Hardnett is extremely athletic and a very good rim protector as well as showing good slashing sense. Could see a lot of pick and roll alley-oops to him. My biggest surprise along with Brock shining is Mballa. Online, Texas Tech fans said he was a project and needs work but that’s not the case because he looks very impressive. He’s strong, plays excellent perimeter defense (he’s been stealing the ball and poking the ball out even on Jordan and Johnson), and he can hit 3s. Long post I know but all of these players are showing a lot of promise, this is coming from someone who was expecting a severe drop off from last season. Haven’t even seen Nickelberry yet but he figures to also be one of our best players.