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Sunday, November 05, 2006
More from Lewisburg
Last night's post on Bucknell's exhibition win was compiled as sort of a running notebook during the game. Here is a little additional perspective based on postgame conversations with Bison coach Pat Flannery.



  • Expect that starting lineup -- Chris McNaughton, Darren Mastropaolo, Donald Brown, Abe Badmus and John Griffin to remain intact.

    "I'm pretty predictable. Once I go with a lineup, that is usually who I run out there," Flannery said.

    The preseason question was at the off guard, where Griffin and sophomore Jason Vegotsky were fighting for the job. Griffin got the nod due to his ballhandling.

    "John gives us that extra handler to get us started in the ballgame," Flannery said.

  • It could be premature to read too much into junior Andrew Morrison's appearance as the first frontcourt guy off the bench. It appeared in the exhibition that Morrison and freshman Patrick Behan might be competing for minutes backing up Darren Mastropaolo at the four.

    Both will likely get minutes at times, but the more likely first big man off the bench, especially early in the season, will probably be sophomore Josh Linthicum. Linthicum, at 6-11, gives the Bison the size they will need to match up defensively against bigger teams

    Flannery also plans to continue using Brown at the four at times, where he creates what the coach called "matchup nightmares" for opponents.

    Flannery also feels he can play Linthicum and McNaughton together at times, since McNaughton has the range to step away from the basket.

    Toss Morrison and Behan into the frontcourt mix and that makes six guys for two spots on the floor.

    Asked Flannery: "Where do you get the minutes from?"

    The most likely answer will be spot minutes for Morrison and Behan early in the season, especially against some of the bigger non-conference opponents, with the chance of their roles expanding in conference play.

    Adding to the minutes quandary is the emergence of junior Rob Thomas on the wing. Thomas-- a little bigger and more athletic than Vegotsky -- gives Flannery another option at the three when he moves Brown to the four.

    Thomas' practice performance has made it tough for him to get minutes in the past. But his showing in scrimmages and the exhibition is likely to earn him an expanded role.

    "Rob is a much better game player than he is in practice, which is something I've never been thrilled with. Athletically he can help us. He knows what is going on at both ends of the floor," Flannery said.

    With Badmus, Griffin, Vegotsky and Thomas in the backcourt; McNaughton, Mastropaolo and Linthicum up front; and Brown swinging back and forth, that is a solid eight-man rotation that leaves few minutes.

    Freshman wing Stephen Tyree will also be in the mix for the leftover minutes, thanks to his defensive skills. Flannery said Tyree has a chance to be the best defensive player he has had at Bucknell by the time he graduates. Given BU's defensive pedigree, that is high praise. It is also the kind of praise that will earn you minutes from Flannery long before the ability to score does.

  • A glaring problem with the box score from the Mansfield exhibition was Abe Badmus' failure to take, let alone make, a single shot.

    "I don't know what is going on. He is not looking to shoot the ball," Flannery said.

    Flannery said Badmus is looking to penetrate too much and needs to show a willingness to take the open jumpers in order to take some defensive pressure off himself and others inside.

    "He will be fine. He will shoot the ball when we need him to," Flannery said.

    While not thrilled with Badmus' lack of shooting, Flannery did like the way Badmus responded after picking up a third personal early in the second half. After sitting for about two minutes, Badmus returned and played over eight minutes more in the second half without picking up a fourth personal.
    • Published at 8:11 AM by Hoop Time.
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