"JR was the most talented player on our team last year. So why did he come off the bench? The second team needed that elite scoring punch. With how his skill set fit with the team last year, it was better for him to come off the bench. Notice how he still finished games. Notice how he still played the third most minutes per game. He wasn’t on the bench because he didn’t deserve to start; rather, he was on the bench because that’s what the team needed. He embraced his role and was fantastic there."

JR was fantastic off the bench, but he would have been fantastic as a starter, too. I think we're comparing apples to oranges, though. Coach Young has said more than once that Dalin is a leader, a stabilizing force on a young roster. Dalin is a veteran whose leadership is critical for an otherwise young and inexperienced starting lineup. There's no way I'm bringing the emotional leader of my team off the freakin' bench unless someone else is heads and shoulders better. I don't think KY will, either.

"I would start Knell and maybe even Bosko later on as he comes along. That would move Saunders and Kanon up sports, but that’s not a bad thing. I agree Hall is better than Knell. But Knell, as a spot up shooter, fits better beside Demin. Again, this isn’t that I think Hall is bad. I think the way his strength fits in best with the team is off the bench."

There's no way I'd start Knell over Hall. Hall is a better player and a stronger leader. I just don't see that happening.

"I hate the idea that someone “deserves” to start. If you’re starting someone because they’ve been in the program longer or done whatever else that isn’t related to skill/matchups, you’ve lost me. If you have an 18 year old freshman who is better or fits better than a 5 year senior, start the freshman. There shouldn’t be any “deserves” crap."

I don't think I used the word "deserves". I believe I used the word "earned". Hall has proven to be a better, more versatile, more reliable player than either Knell or Baker at this point. There's no way I start either of those guys over Hall. Having a secondary ball handler who can score at all three levels would make this offense much better than just having a spot up shooter like Knell. Hall is also a better on-ball defender than Knell.

Fortunately, I don't think KY will even consider bringing Hall off the bench. Hall was running alongside Demin throughout practice leading up to his injury. I don't see that changing.

Edit: The only scenario that I can envision wherein Hall loses his starting spot, is if Boskovic forces his way into the starting lineup.