Considering they were starters last year I think it's safe to slot George, Reeves, and Ndongo starters. Based on last year, I'd be surprised if we started Ndongo at the 5 so I would guess one of the centers starts even if it's for smaller amounts of time. IMO Onwuchekwa is the most likely. If you go by what was said last year, than Terry would probably be the last starter. He was referred to as being a missing starter last year when he was out, although I'm not sure who he'd have been starting over. I could also very easily see him getting the "vet off the bench" role that Kyle got last year.
So I would guess something like George, Terry, Reeves, Ndongo, Onwucheckwa as the starters with McCollum and Mustaf being the primary guards off the bench. I would guess Obrien and Sutton will mostly be competing for the minutes at the 4 that Ndongo doesn't take (whether to sit or slide to the 5), and maybe spot duty for the other centers depending on match up.
Team has talent at most positions and good back court depth, and potential decent front court depth depending on the freshmen, including Souare, adjust.
Some other thoughts.
If we go to a line up of George + Mustaf/McCollum along with Baye and a center, are we going to be able to make enough 3s to get teams honest. George and McCollum were both good enough from three to keep defenders honest as a primary ball handler, but not good enough to really warrant being in the game alongside each other. With Baye only taking 12 3 pointers all last year and our centers likely not being big threats from three, that line up could see teams just pack the paint making things hard. That's one of the reasons I think Terry is likely going to play a lot.
Can we get away with a smaller line up with Baye at the 5 and either Sutton or Obrien at the 4. Offensively that would make a lot of sense, especially with Obrien, but in terms of rebounding and defense I'm not sold. One of the things that hurts is our back court doesn't seem particularly well suited to help that much rebounding. George was our worst rebounder last year by % and Reeves was probably the worst for the position. Losing Kelly in that spot hurts because last year he was a good rebounder for his position. Neither Terry nor McCollum are strong rebounders either. Possibly Mustaf can help in that regard, or maybe something like a like up of both Obrien and Sutton instead of Reeves.
Is someone going to step up and be what Kelly was expected to be last year? One of the reasons pointed to for our struggles at times last year was Kelly's individual struggles, but if we don't change how we approach things I'm not sure if we won't run into similar issues this year. We have a good bit of talent but I'm not seeing a first team all acc type of player that can just go out and beat his man consistently. If Reeves can maintain his improved efficiency with the volume he had at UF then he's probably our best bet. Depending on how Ndongo or George develop then maybe them. I think more realistically we're going to have to do a better job of generating better looks from the offense as a whole and be less reliant on individuals just making plays.
