I think when people are asking about positions, what they’re really saying is who is gonna guard the 5 between Johns/Todd/Brown. I don’t think anybody is expecting one of these guys to be the one that plays exclusively with his back to the basket.
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The answer in a small lineup is probably neither guy or both. Depends on your viewpoint. There would just be a lot of mixing and matching.
Part of defense in a small lineup is that it can be very difficult for the opposition to guard a more perimeter oriented big.
The intrigue of being able to play multiple ways (i.e. with a massive lumbering big like Dickinson or a smaller more agile big) is intriguing.
I agree. And it is often difficult to predict which highly ranked recruit, of a particular class, will be more ready, if any. For example, although Zeb gets less press he might possibly end up being the one who is most ready. On the other hand it is entirely possible that one of our other super freshman finds himself significantly behind Junior Johns—who is slowly turning into one of our better players.
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Wouldn’t be my five, but can add to the speculation here.
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1-DDJ
2-Christopher
3-Livers
4-Todd
5-Dickinson
I know it doesn’t work like this, but having a second line of Brooks/Zeb/Franz/Johns/Davis is pretty damn good.
I find it interesting that an arm of the program like McCormick is already putting Todd as the starting C out there. I think it makes a lot of sense to me but I feel like a lot of that depends on ego management and Todd’s willingness.
I’d probably have the same rotation but swap Brooks and Dave (purely from a fit standpoint). That’s probably the core of next year’s rotation with cameo appearances from others.
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At this point I don’t see DDJ starting at point guard over Brooks if Christopher is in the picture. I think Brooks’ skill set would better complement the rest of the starting lineup. He can operate as a low-usage catch and shoot guard and, at this point, is way better as a defender.
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McCormick loves himself some Dejulius. I’d be pretty shocked if Brooks isn’t a starter next year, if for no other reason than he is the best defender on the team, which will be even more necessary if the starting lineup has a couple freshmen in it.
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Going against the grain here…
Brooks, Christopher, Wagner, Johns, Castleton
Bench: DDJ, Todd, Dickinson (Spot minutes for Bajema and Williams early in the season)
Livers’ profile as a “3 and D” wing gets enough positive feedback that he declares for the draft.
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I just don’t see any universe in which Castleton is a significant contributor next year, let alone a starter. What’s your rationale there?
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Baird is a junior, so Bajema has another year of grooming.
Castleton is also in a tough spot. I think he’s already behind Dickinson and Davis at the 5, and the 4 will be loaded with Livers/Johns/Todd. Colin needed to establish himself this year and it doesn’t look like it happened.
The McCormick, Sam Webb, Michael Spath, etc portion of Michigan media have some affinity for DeJulius over Brooks that shows either a personal connection or their lack of strong basketball knowledge.
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Maybe its the understanding that one of them is a PG and the other is not.
Which one stands out as a true point guard to you between Brooks and DDJ?
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I’ve heard a lot of talk about who may be more of a true PG between Brooks and DDJ… what do people think? For me I lean DDJ as our PG for next season, but that doesn’t seem to resonate with people consistently, and I tend to lean on experts for things like this. Could someone try and break it down?
I’m not sure it matters so much in this context because Christopher would be initiating the offense a majority of the time. Would make more sense to have Brooks in the lineup IMO because he’s less dependent on having the ball in his hands.
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That’s exactly what I’m getting at. Neither one fits the mold of a traditional point guard. But if you’re going to have a starting lineup that is featuring two or three freshman then give me the experience and defense of Brooks out there with them every time.
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Amen! People are way undervaluing Brooks defense!
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Both have nearly identical Ast%. Brooks is the better defender, by far. Certainly the more steady and overall better player this year. DDJ has a better handle. If I have to pick someone to be in a backcourt with Christopher it’s Brooks 100%. Provided DDJ doesn’t just blow up in the offseason. IDK maybe that’s what people that are picking him are assuming.
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Yeah thats a good point. A lot of this would have to do with whether or not JC comes to Michigan. Because JC is so ball-dominant and lots of the offense would run through him, Brooks is probably a better compliment, especially with his defensive ability (which I have been insanely impressed with lately).