tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37698030.post4489696620620499505..comments2023-07-06T11:25:56.194-04:00Comments on Black and Green Irish Men's Basketball Report: First Guys Off the BenchBlackandGreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08973328610673633428noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37698030.post-87872305510199402502008-10-24T11:01:00.000-04:002008-10-24T11:01:00.000-04:00The nice thing with this team is that there are a ...The nice thing with this team is that there are a lot of possible combinations. Except for taking Harangody and Mac off the floor, the parts are pretty interchangeable without losing much effectiveness.<BR/><BR/>A very good point about how hungry this team is. While I have been cautious to anoint them anything better than Sweet 16-caliber, there is certainly the potential for a great run. In Chris Thomas' senior year, there was the same kind of talent but the mental toughness was not there. This year there are no predictions of a thirty win season. Instead the focus is playing to their great potential and competing with anyone in the country.<BR/><BR/>It's a special group of players, more talent-wise and with their positive mentality.BlackandGreenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08973328610673633428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37698030.post-41332028627950958512008-10-23T00:17:00.000-04:002008-10-23T00:17:00.000-04:00I wouldn't be surprised to see the occasional 3 gu...I wouldn't be surprised to see the occasional 3 guard lineup this season, which could lead to Peoples getting more minutes. Brey might also sub more frequently depending on the opposing lineup matchups and/or quality of play by the starters.<BR/><BR/>Brey stressed at the media day presser that after Ireland, because of Peoples play, he really feels he has 7 starters. I would expect his minutes to be upped as well.<BR/><BR/>This really is a stacked team - and the young guys will also contribute important minutes. It'll be interesting to see the moves he makes this year. In the past he's always stuck to the 8 man [when he could do it] with starters getting the prominent minutes. This year there is a legitimate 9 and possibly 10 man rotation with at least 7 [and maybe 8 depending on Scott's development] fighting for starting positions. [Well, I should concede Peoples will never start on this particular team, but he has developed into having that potential.]<BR/><BR/>I'm always skeptical - but I really think this team has the potential to be the real deal, barring catastrophic injury. And the best thing about it? Despite the accolades and the top 5 preseason rankings in some circles, they're still hungry as hell, and feel like they've proven nothing [which in the post-season is indeed true].Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com