Second thoughts?

[big10best]

• A couple weeks I posted a thread that basically said that the Starting job is Haas's to lose. It seemed that a lot of people disagreed. I wondered if anyone had changed their minds yet? I am just curious. It seemed that people thought AJ was much better defensively than Haas, and that he would be starting soon.

 

[Mandeville LA]

• A couple weeks I posted a thread that basically said that the Starting job is Haas's to lose. It seemed that a lot of people disagreed. I wondered if anyone had changed their minds yet? I am just curious. It seemed that people thought AJ was much better defensively than Haas, and that he would be starting soon.

AJ will regain his starting status in time. As the games get more meaningful against better competition experience will win out. You cannot replace experience and AJ = experience plus top performer come BIG season.

 

[CRBoiler]

On the other hand, you have to respect what Haas has accomplished in a single offseason. The guy, as of today, is 5th in the NATION and the TOP performer from the B1G in points per 40 minutes. Ahead of Valentine, Yogi, Lavert, Trimble, and the rest. Oh yeah, and Isaac's 75.6% FG% is the BEST in Div 1.

And Isaac's D is much improved, though not as good as AJ, and so far he turns the ball over significantly less that AJ.

Do I think the starting job is Isaac's to lose? How can anyone not think so? Guy, statistically at least, is playing like an All-American. I think we might be so close to it that we're not seeing it. It might just be true that Isaac has passed AJ and become our best center, if you look at both offense and defense. Some tougher games are coming up; let's see how these guys do.

I am glad the two of them seem to just be glad the team is winning. And AJ sincerely seems to be happy for Isaac. I was a little worried AJ might be feeling threatened by Isaac's amazing success so far this season, but when I saw them smiling & laughing together after the Lehigh game I realized it's not the case. We have a special pair of centers folks.

 

[punaj]

On the other hand, you have to respect what Haas has accomplished in a single offseason. The guy, as of today, is 5th in the NATION and the TOP performer from the B1G in points per 40 minutes. Ahead of Valentine, Yogi, Lavert, Trimble, and the rest. Oh yeah, and Isaac's 75.6% FG% is the BEST in Div 1.

And Isaac's D is much improved, though not as good as AJ, and so far he turns the ball over significantly less that AJ.

Do I think the starting job is Isaac's to lose? How can anyone not think so? Guy, statistically at least, is playing like an All-American. I think we might be so close to it that we're not seeing it. It might just be true that Isaac has passed AJ and become our best center, if you look at both offense and defense. Some tougher games are coming up; let's see how these guys do.

I am glad the two of them seem to just be glad the team is winning. And AJ sincerely seems to be happy for Isaac. I was a little worried AJ might be feeling threatened by Isaac's amazing success so far this season, but when I saw them smiling & laughing together after the Lehigh game I realized it's not the case. We have a special pair of centers folks.

Well said.

AJ even gave Issac a hug as he left the floor to an ovation from the crowd as AJ was entering the game to finish out garbage time. Class act all the way.

 

[since1980]

I still agree it's Haas' job to lose. He has been pretty dominant and really puts teams in a tough position defensively. Refs seems to be paying more attention to not letting defenders shove him just because he is big, and defenders are picking up a lot of quick fouls.

Having said that, I think Painter will just ride the hot hand during games regardless of who starts. If Haas is dominating, then he will get more minutes. If Hammons comes in and plays well, then I think Painter will ride him as well. Same with other positions.

 

[lbodel]

• A couple weeks I posted a thread that basically said that the Starting job is Haas's to lose. It seemed that a lot of people disagreed. I wondered if anyone had changed their minds yet? I am just curious. It seemed that people thought AJ was much better defensively than Haas, and that he would be starting soon.

I think as many people indicated before, who starts isn't terribly meaningful. AJ wasn't the starter all of last year either as Painter liked bringing Hammons off the bench.

It's who finishes the game, not who starts it.