Is it time to put Fulk back in the starting lineup?

[NighthawkVol]

When Nkamhoua went down, there wasn’t much discussion of just inserting Fulky back in at the 4 and leaving Plavcic at the 5. But it would seem to make sense.

Fulkerson closed the game well last night and has always been better suited for the 4 than the 5.

 

[Lankykong]

When Nkamhoua went down, there wasn’t much discussion of just inserting Fulky back in at the 4 and leaving Plavcic at the 5. But it would seem to make sense.

Fulkerson closed the game well last night and has always been better suited for the 4 than the 5.

From what I’ve read, Plavsic and Fulkerson is a really bad pairing in the Synergy on/off in that they both perform better with other players. I think it’s because they remove each other’s spacing. I like Barnes’ idea of young with old anyway when we play 2 bigs as it keeps BHH and Aidoo honest.

I do agree with the premise that we need Fulk to play more though.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

When Nkamhoua went down, there wasn’t much discussion of just inserting Fulky back in at the 4 and leaving Plavcic at the 5. But it would seem to make sense.

Fulkerson closed the game well last night and has always been better suited for the 4 than the 5.

Statistically the Uros/Fulky lineup is one of our worst lineups by far. It would not be advised.

I'd prefer we insert Fulky back in place of Uros and then Powell in place of BHH.

I know Barnes is trying to limit minutes until March hits, so I'm fine if he doesn't want to do that yet, but once the calendar turns to March I'd make that the starting lineup in a heartbeat.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Fulky closed the game at the 5, not the 4.

 

[Cartervol]

He's a role player and he's streaky. Barnes has to know when to play him and when to not play him. I think you just rotate him along with the rest of them and if he's having a good night give him minutes. I don't think you can depend on him every game.

 

[walkenvol]

He's a role player and he's streaky. Barnes has to know when to play him and when to not play him. I think you just rotate him along with the rest of them and if he's having a good night give him minutes. I don't think you can depend on him every game.

He’s fat and away the closest post player we have to being dependable

 

[TheMookieMonster]

He’s fat

 

[Dallasbowlin]

No. He’s perfect in his role right now IMO.

 

[wmcovol]

No.

The great Red Auerbach always had a great 6th man. He was asked once why he started a player over Havichek who was clearly better. He replied “I want for my team to get better with the first substitution while my opponent usually is getting weaker.” You may not agree but you can’t argue with Red’s record.

I think Fulky is getting better & he helps when he comes in off the bench.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

It will be interesting to see who will be the 5th starter on Saturday night. I kind of hope that it is BHH again to let him know in no uncertain terms that he’s being given an opportunity to work himself into a more important role. I have a feeling that Aidoo will be playing more minutes than BHH by the post season, but maybe BHH will surprise the TN fans that are souring on him right now.

I agree that I like pairing the experienced posts (Fulk and Uros) with the freshmen (BHH and Aidoo) when JJJ isn’t at the power forward spot. Statistically it might not be highly productive, but that happens with freshmen without a couple hundred minutes of playing time. I look for the double post lineups more to burn off minutes rather than to expand leads.

 

[NighthawkVol]

All of this would be so much easier if BHH would play like the top 10-15 talent he was supposed to be. I know, I know, that’s not fair and he’s not to blame for being a 5*. I get that. But man, if he could just be a threat down low, not asking for dominance, that would help so much.

 

[VolDaddy61]

When Nkamhoua went down, there wasn’t much discussion of just inserting Fulky back in at the 4 and leaving Plavcic at the 5. But it would seem to make sense.

Fulkerson closed the game well last night and has always been better suited for the 4 than the 5.

Starting line up ?! No. Finishing line up ?! Absolutely.

 

[jackaro]

It would be a mistake to start fiddling with the lineup after the success they have had the past few games. Don't try to fix what is not broken.

 

[Hank Bukowski]

When Nkamhoua went down, there wasn’t much discussion of just inserting Fulky back in at the 4 and leaving Plavcic at the 5. But it would seem to make sense.

Fulkerson closed the game well last night and has always been better suited for the 4 than the 5.

Nope.

 

[Special Ed]

Flukey Fulk has obviously lost most of the mojo he had prior to his bout with Covid, so I no longer expect much production from him, no matter what position he's playing. I keep hoping -Hatfield and/or Aidoo will take up the slack. The remainder of this season is going to be a rough ride.

 

[Hallie]

Leave BHH in starting role or Aidoo

 

[Kicker82]

I like zz and Fulk coming off the bench. Both guys bring the energy for 20-25 minutes and finish the game so it doesn’t really matter if they start or not imo.

 

[birdie74]

No.

 

[Pmarav23]

No way. I believe Barnes does not want the two freshmen big men out their at the same time. I think he feels more comfortable with Plavsic or Fulkerson out their with one of them because he probably believes their would be to many defensive breakdowns or missed assignments. It looks like Aidoo in the limited time we have seen him is a good defensive player...I am not as confident in Hatfeild, he seems to me like more of a scorer who really is not physical enough on defense.

 

[rdk4121]

Leave BHH in starting role or Aidoo

No way we should play Aidoo and Plavic together. We tried that against state and I'm pretty sure we didn't score on a single possession that the were in together. BHH can start, then they get subbed out for Fulky and Aidoo.

 

[SN-A-C Orange]

I like UP as a starter. He brings a swagger, an energy that I do not see when he comes off the bench.
Uros has that Detroit dog in him, that says this is not a finesse game. When he finally figures it out (next year) - he is going to be a force.
Some people are better off the bench, BF is better off the bench ... right now. That may change in the future. wmcovol is right on target!

Observationally, UP and JF on the floor at the same time does not work ... I have not seen the numbers, but the chemistry is 'off'.
There is a very good reason that BF finishes the game. When we are going for the win I want UP on the BENCH (this year). I do not think Uros plays well under pressure, AT THIS TIME.
I do not think JF can play EFFECTIVELY more than 25 mpg. (Not physically there, yet. I think that is abundantly clear.)
I will be watching to see if Aidoo and BHH acclimate and continue to advance their produce more over the next 7 games.

I used to think that JF would end up back as a starter by tournament time. Now, I am not so sure ... that is the best decision FOR THIS TEAM.
I will be watching to see what RB decides to do.

 

[PEPPERJAX]

All of this would be so much easier if BHH would play like the top 10-15 talent he was supposed to be. I know, I know, that’s not fair and he’s not to blame for being a 5*. I get that. But man, if he could just be a threat down low, not asking for dominance, that would help so much.

BHH should drink the courage elixir that Uros chugs before the games. BHH has the size and athleticism but needs to be more aggressive.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

It’s not broke, we should definitely try and fix it!

 

[VolArmy74]

BHH scored the first 4 points for us vs Miss State and we had a quick 14-0 run after they scored the opening basket. So at least in the first game post Olivier injury, the starting line up seemed to work pretty well at the actual start of the game.

 

[i2amavol]

Don't change a thing, and let everyone earn their playing time. Competition should bring the cream to the top by tourney time.