STARTERS!

[GrizgradCatFan]

Why isn't Sprinkle starting Battle? Also why does he play #2 so much? What am I missing?

[MSU01]

Regarding Sprinkle's choice of a starting lineup, I'd say that given the 11-game win streak the team is on and 20-5 overall record with the current starting lineup - if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Anyway, who finishes is more important than who starts and Battle was on the floor to make big shots in the final minute of both games this weekend. Gazelas is out there for one reason and that's his shooting which has been quite good lately. He only played 7 minutes in each game this weekend and generally gets more time in blowouts like the ISU game last weekend, so he's purely a depth player who can come off the bench and hit a few 3's or make free throws down the stretch to protect a lead.

[BStinsMSU]

All rotation based. I made a post about it in another thread, but basketball rotations are more than finding the best 5 players and making them your starters. Gotta find how you can keep the best combination of 5 players out there at all times. Battle is able to come in for Adamu or Bishop and be the main scorer off the bench and still play “starter” minutes, and it’s worked quite well. As previous stated, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

[dwainegf]

Minutes played is the most important basketball stat. Why would a coach put his top 5 players out to start a game? what happens when you sub someone out? I believe having Mr Battle come in later gives the Cats a needed boost off the bench. What other team has this luxury? He is nearly impossible to stop in the paint with his jumper. He is fresh while the other teams' guys are not. His defense can be employed to whoever is hot on the other team.
Coach Sprinkle knows what he has and how to use him. As long as Rayquan gets his minutes, he'll be fine. Don't F#$% with success.
Go Cats!!!

[CelticCat]

Easy - having a 6th man like that is a major advantage if your starting 5 can handle their business, and ours can.

[BobcatDel]

Why isn't Sprinkle starting Battle? Also why does he play #2 so much? What am I missing?

I can’t add anything better on starters than what others have said.

On why #2 Nick Gazelas is playing….well he is almost a look alike for Tyler Patterson…so a good sub to give Tyler a break.

First, Nick is the 4th best 3-point shooter on the team…averaging 37% from the arc….(just comparing him to those who have taken at least 50 shots from the arc). He currently has the best free throw percentage on the team at 90% so you want him on the FT line at critical times. And in 24 games he has only turned the ball over 7 times, one of the lowest turnover rates on the team for those who have played any amount of time (interesting that Patterson only has 10 turnovers). So as a sub, you are putting a good shooter on the court who isn’t going to throw the ball away.

Then your question might be….well why isn’t he playing more? Two words…”defense - rebounding”. If there is one area Tyler Patterson has improved his game and earned more playing time this year is his defense. Still not the best defender on the court but he is clearly a step-up from his game last year. Gazelas needs to focus there if he wants more time on court. BTW….for all his offensive prowess, Battle needs to continue to work on his D…you can see improvement already from start of season.