I was promoted to a D-2 team this season at Grand Canyon. Here is the dilemna.

Eventually, I would like to run the fastbreak/FCP combo here, which all current rostered players are low in IQ. I recruited 6 freshman and one adequate sophomore. The juniors on the team are very very weak, even though they have good defensive ratings, it's not a necessity of our team. So there are the options.

1. Start and play the freshman 30 minutes per game and give no playing time to the juniors in hope they will leave at the end of the season where I can pick up another 4 freshman as they'll quit the team. I will then have a mostly fresh/soph team. Reputation isn't a concern here. In the meantime, practicing the FB/FCP, but running a slow down version of another offense during the season. This option is for no hope for this season, total loss, but primary concern is that my prestige will be kept low and won't be able to get any good recruits the following season.

or

2. Use all my players, give everyone significant PT while using the FB/FCP and practicing it during the season. However, I don't like the idea of the way the class would be spread out 5sr/1jr/6so, I would rather to keep the classes close. The only advantage here is to maybe suffice a .500 season, that's pushing it and possibly a half a grade letter in prestige.

Right now, I'm leaning towards option #1 assuming the juniors will leave after the season.

A S RB DF BK LP PE BH P WE ST DU FT OA

First, you definitely can not assume that the juniors will leave. The vast majority of time, guys who complain about PT still end up staying.

You have no holdovers at pf/c, so your big men will be all freshmen anyway. I would at least play your best rotation for non-con and see where you're at. Woods is pretty decent, obviously the other guys aren't so hot.

If you're in a position to make the postseason and improve your prestige (which would be very tough with seven new recruits and the sim-recruited holdovers), I'd continue to play your best lineup. If not, then I'd likely go to the freshmen. I just don't think you really lose anything by at least giving this a go.

But you absolutely can not assume the juniors will leave, because they probably won't.

Dalter, do you know if this is different from breaking promises to freshman and sophomores, because I know my prior teams they've when you kept them unhappy during the season. If it's a fact they will leave do you still stand by your opinion? Not trying to start an argument, but just asking.

I had 2 juniors complain about PT last year. I changed nothing, they kept complaining and they still didn't leave.

I agree with dalter.

Don't have a lot of experience, but last year i had a jr. average about 3mpg and complain. Didn't leave early.

Quote: Originally Posted By thewizard2 on 11/28/2009Dalter, do you know if this is different from breaking promises to freshman and sophomores, because I know my prior teams they've when you kept them unhappy during the season. If it's a fact they will leave do you still stand by your opinion? Not trying to start an argument, but just asking

Totally, completely different than breaking a recruiting promise.

I have actually never had a player leave because they didn't get enough time-- either as a FR with a broken promise or an underclassman that just wasn't getting enough time to meet their needs.