What Will Brad Underwood’s Rotations Look Like In 2016-17?

Oklahoma State hoops kicks off their regular season on Friday against the Campbell Fighting Camels (yes, you heard that right).

The starting five should look fairly similar to the starting five at the beginning of last season (Mitch-Leyton-Carroll-Forte-Jawun), but the bench will be completely revamped and light years better than last year’s squad.

There are five freshman that weren’t on the roster last year, several of which will get significant minutes. There is also a wing (Davon Dillard) that has a chance to make a huge splash and force his way into the starting five at some point this season.

Brad Underwood will lack height in the paint, but that doesn’t mean he is completely limited in the types of lineups he can roll out. There is a glut of athletic, lengthy wings on the roster, with unique skill sets.

• Jeffrey Carroll, F. 6’6, 215 lbs.
• Lindy Waters, G/F. 6’6, 200 lbs.
• Leyton Hammonds, F. 6’8, 215 lbs.
• Davon Dillard, F, 6’5, 215 lbs.
• Tavarius Shine, F. 6’6, 200 lbs.
• Cameron McGriff, F. 6’7 215 lbs.

All of these dudes are able to play multiple positions and more importantly, guard multiple positions on the defensive end. Several can shoot the 3 ball (Lindy, Clip, Shine) and several can take it to the rack (Hammonds, Dillard, McGriff, Lindy).

If Underwood wants to play big and use disrupt a smaller team with some length, he can go with this lineup.

• C Mitch Solomon, 6’9
• PF Leyton Hammonds, 6’8
• SF Cameron McGriff, 6’7
• SG Jeff Carroll, 6’6
• PG Jawun Evans, 6’1

Another option Underwood can roll with is to play like Golden State, and surround Jawun with shooters, without playing too small. This could be a lethal line-up to play in stretches, one that could stretch the floor and give serious problems to a bigger, slower team. A lineup of shooters could look like this.

• F Leyton Hammonds, 6’8
• F Jeff Carroll, 6’6
• G Lindy Waters, 6’6
• G Phil Forte, 5’11
• G Jawun Evans, 6’1

Davon Dillard is a sophomore forward that doesn’t appear in either of these two line-ups, but could also slide in and play multiple positions. I wrote a bit about Davon in a positional preview here, but he is an athletic freak who can jump out of the gym and never seemed to find his way with Coach Ford as a freshman last year. Look for him to provide a big spark off the bench.

I anticipate the starting five to look fairly similar to the beginning of last season, going Mitch/Leyton/Clip/Phil/Jawun most of the time.

Look for Brandon Averette to spell Jawun at the point guard spot. In rare occasions freshman Thomas Dziagwa could see the floor as well. Lindy Waters, Tavarius Shine, and Davon Dillard should see a lot of minutes at the two and three.

In the paint, I expect Cam McGriff to get big minutes, and freshman 7-footer Lucas N’Guessan will see the floor in case of emergency foul trouble.

Predicted Starting five

• C Mitch Solomon, 6’9 245. Jr.
• PF Leyton Hammonds, 6’8, 215 lbs. Sr.
• SF Jeffrey Carroll 6’6, 215 lbs. Jr.
• SG Phil Forte III 5’11, 195 lbs. Sr.
• PG Jawun Evans 6’1, 185 lbs. So.

Bench (In the Rotation)

• PG Brandon Averette 5’11, 175. Fr.
• SG Lindy Waters III 6’6, 200 lbs. Fr.
• SF Tavarius Shine 6’6, 200 lbs. Jr.
• SF/PF Cameron McGriff 6’7, 215 lbs. Fr.
• SG/SF Davon Dillard 6’5, 215 lbs. So.

Could Play Way Into Rotation

• C Lucas N’Guessan 7’0, 215 lbs. Fr.
• G Thomas Dziagwa 6’4, 180 lbs. Fr.

Rest of Bench

• F Will Lienhard 6’7, 255 lbs. So.
• F Trey Reeves, 6’4, 215 lbs. Fr.
• G Tyler Underwood, 6’2, 160 lbs. Fr.

Is it Friday yet?