Potential Starting Lineup:
Center – Chris Vogt – Knows the system has a year at UC under his belt, senior leader.
Power Forward – Rapolas Ivanauskas – Another senior who can plug right in and pick up the production missed with the departure of Tre Scott.
Small Forward – Keith Williams – Assuming he is back, Williams will look to be the go to guy for this Bearcats team, senior leader who can lead the team in scoring on any given night. (if Williams leaves I’d slide Harvey in here)
Shooting Guard – Mika Adams-Woods – Mika was brought here as a combo guard, but spent just about all of last season playing off the ball, a role he blossomed in and a role Brannen and the staff would like him to remain in. Became a knockdown spot up shooter who should only continue to get better.
Point Guard – TBD – I honestly think this spot has yet to be filled by the staff I think they add a veteran point guard in the coming weeks who will take over the point duties with the loss of Cumberland. (Adams-Woods or Saunders could slide here as well as a transfer)
Whats that leave on the bench?
Diarra, Eason, and Davenport when fully healthy will look to play minutes down low for the Bearcats. Harvey and the Madsen brothers will work themselves into the rotation for shooting guard and small forward minutes and Saunders will be the backup point guard. Although the bench is very young (4 freshman, 3 sophomores and 2 juniors) it is a very talent deep group that allows Brannen a wide array of lineup possibilities. I would look for guys to get an opportunity sooner than UC fans might be used to under the Cronin days and I think the roster is finally coming together in a such a way that we may no longer have to worry about where will the offense come from when our star player has to sit for a couple minutes.
Here is to hoping we get to see this Bearcats team without delay later this year.
Note: They added point guard David DeJulius as a transfer from Michigan.
