Hamidou Diallo to Test Waters (UPDATE: DIALLO TO RETURN TO UK)

[UK8STL11]

So, now that Diallo is returning what are we thinking for starting lineup/depth chart?

[George]

So, now that Diallo is returning what are we thinking for starting lineup/depth chart?

PG: Quade Green
SG: Hamidou Diallo
SF: Kevin Knox
PF: P.J. Washington
C: Sacha Killeya-Jones

The five (and to some extent, the four) is the biggest question mark. It all depends on how much SKJ has developed.

[Blue Heaven]

PG: Quade Green
SG: Hamidou Diallo
SF: Kevin Knox
PF: P.J. Washington
C: Sacha Killeya-Jones

The five (and to some extent, the four) is the biggest question mark. It all depends on how much SKJ has developed.

That's my "starters" as well, but we never know with Cal. I have more confidence in Washington than I do SKJ. SKJ started strong last season but his defense was TERRIBLE, which is why he didn't play. If he can give us anything at the 5 it's a bonus. My gut has been telling me for some time that Washington is gonna be a terror. I remember when I first saw him on tape and it just stuck with me for some reason. Seems to have a good feel for the game. Time could prove me wrong but I am a big "eye test" guy.

[Catsrock]

PG Diallo
SG Diallo
SF Diallo
PF Diallo
C Kanter

[George]

That's my "starters" as well, but we never know with Cal. I have more confidence in Washington than I do SKJ. SKJ started strong last season but his defense was TERRIBLE, which is why he didn't play. If he can give us anything at the 5 it's a bonus. My gut has been telling me for some time that Washington is gonna be a terror. I remember when I first saw him on tape and it just stuck with me for some reason. Seems to have a good feel for the game. Time could prove me wrong but I am a big "eye test" guy.

I, too, think Washington will be a player - just not at the five (if that's what you meant). Don't think Cal will try to pull a Bam again.

I think Richards would get SKJ's time at the five before anyone else. If that happens, we may be in some trouble.

[Blue Heaven]

I, too, think Washington will be a player - just not at the five (if that's what you meant). Don't think Cal will try to pull a Bam again.

I think Richards would get SKJ's time at the five before anyone else. If that happens, we may be in some trouble.

Nah, I wasn't implying that. I just had to throw my PJ Washington Shameless Plug in there. No doubt PJ is a 4.

[Joneslab]

Washington is the son of a coach and will be beloved here. Plays insanely hard and I think will be the most polished of the freshmen. Going to be a different sort of game with him and one we're not really used to seeing with these kids. Highly unusual player.

I believe there's a chance we see an all-freshmen starting lineup this season. Wenyen is a guy that should have a leg up at the 4 but it's going to be a stone-cold battle at that position.

Would love to see Killeya-Jones win the 5 spot but I have no idea if he has it in him. He would have to come back a completely different player, and that's been rare with Cal's players going into their sophomore year.

[Joneslab]

Also think this is one of the first years where the traditional positions--1 2 3 4 5--are going to be thrown out.

This will be the closest to "positionless" Cal has had. Gives him some space to do some odd things with the rotation that we haven't seen before. I think we'll go huge at times. If they buy in defensively I think we could see a lot of grinding, low-scoring games as we just squeeze other teams out with our length.

[Blue Heaven]

Also think this is one of the first years where the traditional positions--1 2 3 4 5--are going to be thrown out.

This will be the closest to "positionless" Cal has had. Gives him some space to do some odd things with the rotation that we haven't seen before. I think we'll go huge at times. If they buy in defensively I think we could see a lot of grinding, low-scoring games as we just squeeze other teams out with our length.

This post is why I said that this is the most excited I have been since Cal has been here. All kinds of options.

[UK8STL11]

Cal has said he will never platoon again but I think he is going to have trouble managing minutes for this year's team.

On paper all of the following guys "should" play this year.

Green
Alexander
Diallo
Knox
Washington
Richards
SKJ
Wenyen
Vanderbilt

That's 9 guys for sure and that's not counting Baker and Wynard

[Joneslab]

I can see him going with nine. That wouldn't be too much of a stretch. Don't think Alexander plays a ton, and I also think somebody will step forward to take the reins at the 4 at some point.

Because there will be virtually no experience returning and because most of these guys will be interchangeable, I think there'll be way more mixing and matching through the first two months than we've seen as he tries to figure out what he has.

[George]

Washington is the son of a coach and will be beloved here. Plays insanely hard and I think will be the most polished of the freshmen. Going to be a different sort of game with him and one we're not really used to seeing with these kids. Highly unusual player.

I believe there's a chance we see an all-freshmen starting lineup this season. Wenyen is a guy that should have a leg up at the 4 but it's going to be a stone-cold battle at that position.

Would love to see Killeya-Jones win the 5 spot but I have no idea if he has it in him. He would have to come back a completely different player, and that's been rare with Cal's players going into their sophomore year.

Unusual in what way?

[Joneslab]

Unusual in what way?

Very polished for his age.

[Lighthouse]

In 5th grade it was common to transpose the first letters in "Dirty Word" to "Wirty Dord" pronounced (Wordy derd)

OK, It's been so long since I was in 5th grade, I guess I forgot.

[abroo588]

The only thing I have to compare this to is the day I spent watching a door.

I was out of town and had other things occupying my time than following this but reading this thread reminds me of following Randolph Morris' update thread here on WCN in the spring of 2005 prior to the deadline. That one turned out less favorably than this has.