2019 6’8 F Tristan Enaruna (KU transfer, Iowa State commit)

[hilltopalum]

not really sure there is a precedence for the Mintz situation. Did Zierden take a bench role? Hegner? Dingman? We recruited over all three of those players. I remember thinking really successful teams have solid experienced players coming off the bench. The good coaches can convince those players to own that role and stay within the program.


- MZ is better PG. He starts
- TSA is a better SG. He starts
- If the question is between Ballock (Jr) v. Mintz (Sr) I cant see the staff just giving Mintz the over a guy like Ballock because he's a "senior"

Ballock is tied for mpg on the roster with TSA. Not sure either take a step back in terms of mpg. I guess real question is if we are going to stick with the 4 guard lineup. I think one of the reasons Ballock has struggled is because he's commonly asked to play the "4" which is not a big deal in our offense, but has caused him problems on defense. I'd much rather have a guy like MK, Mahoney or Enaruna at the 4. No way they are introducing one of those three to the position to lessen the mpg that Ballock is getting. I think it would come at Mintz expense.

[LJay]

Doug McDermott 6’8
Col Huff 6’8
Toby Hegner 6’10
This year? A bunch of 6’4 guys in a four guard offense.

Which of these things is not like the other? Where do you think CU wants to go with an open ride? I think a 6’9 kid with skills would see the light although many here don’t.

[jayball]

no way Jefferson goes over Ballock. I just don't see how or why that would happen.

I think there are enough minutes for MZ, DM, TA, MB at the 1-3 to keep them happy. 120 minutes could leave them each around 30 MPG. It would be about how Jefferson/Mahoney compete to cut into that. I think TSA and MB need to scale back from the 33+mpg this year.

With minutes for TE, its really all about MKs return and JE health. If both are back and healthy....we have ability to experiment with bigger lineups. If you can play MK and JE at the same time then there less minutes to go to any newcomer, but with 80 MPG at the 4-5 ... You could run Martin and Jacob 25 each and then leave 30 mins left to split with Bishop, Froling, Enaruna, and maybe Mahoney/Jefferson.

If either one of MK or JE isn't available, there are plenty of minutes to go around IMO.

[Jet915]

I agree about Mac liking Mitch but he's turned into a strictly spot up 3 shooter, he's made some really bad decisions with the ball of late, not sure he deserves to start. Preferably i think the best starting lineup if what he hear about Mahoney is true (that he isnone of the better players on the team) is:

PG: Zegarowski, Mitchell
SG: Alexander, Mintz
SF: Jefferson (if completely healthy), Ballock
PF: Mahoney, Enaruna, Bishop
C: Krampelj, Epperson, Froling

This starting lineup has a nice mix of shooters, rebounders and defensive toughness imo.

Even if Mahoney is as good as some say, I don't like the idea of playing another 6'4/6'5 guy at the 4, when/if we land a guy like Enaruna to play that spot.

Mahoney isnt a typical 6'5 guy, he's built like a tank and is supposedly an immovable object in the post.

[hilltopalum]

an immovable object in the post in the OVC? in practice vs. our 4 men? Mahoney averaged 5 3PA at SEMO his first two seasons. I have not watched a ton of his old video but I don't get the impression he lives down in the paint. He will be a boost to the roster for sure, just don't think he's the ideal '4 man' in Mac's line-up.

[cujaysfan]

a lot of this sort of highlights the problem we have with froling, CB, and JE all being in the same class. Part of it's bad luck with how redshirts have/haven't worked out - but i'll be surprised if all three finish their careers here - only so many minutes - and with no balance - hard to bring in someone new when it looks like PT be next to impossible to get for awhile.

this is why coaches make the big bucks i guess.

[CU4LIFE]

After seeing all the possibilities of lineups for next year, if healthy, could be the deepest bench I've ever seen at Creighton. Hope the young core continues to grow this season by playing thru adversity and carry some confidence/momentum into next year.

[hilltopalum]

Enaruna dominos:

Kansas forward target Precious Achiuwa won't decide until April.

https://247sports.com/college/north-carolina/Article/Five-star-forward-Precious-Achiuwa-schedules-two-official-visits-129353290/

[bluejayfan00]

Enaruna dominos:

Kansas forward target Precious Achiuwa won't decide until April.

https://247sports.com/college/north-carolina/Article/Five-star-forward-Precious-Achiuwa-schedules-two-official-visits-129353290/

If they're going this hard after Hurt and Achiuwa. there's not really much there for Enaruna.

[JayPak]

Maybe I'm drawing an unfair blank -- but I can't recall a situation where somebody was a starter as a sophomore and/or junior (consistently) and then asked to take a back seat as a senior.

Kenny Lawson. And both he and Mac handled their part of that situation well. (In exchange for Kenny coming off the bench, I suspect Mac offered him all the open 3’s he wanted to take on the perimeter.)