Originally posted by boatcapt
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I think what your post clearly points out is that most coaches will always play folks that are clearly in the top group of players, regardless of their class, if the player can help them win.
Whether a true freshman can help them win depends on:
1) their skill and how quickly they can adapt to the college game in general, and the wlu style in particular
2) the skill and proven experience of the older players already on the roster.
3) Do they fill a gap or niche that helps the team win?
I think David Dennis Jr. was Division IV Player of the Year in high school and may have started as a freshman. He was so advanced as a point guard.
Beau Justice was a finalist for Ohio Mr. Basketball and averaged 33 points a game. He was a team player, but could take over a game in high school. As a freshman, he was often guarding the opponent's top guard. What a hard worker. He may have become the all-time leading scorer in Valdosta State history (not 100% sure).
Just to name a few.
Like you, I am not saying who will or won't redshirt.
I was looking at the advantages of a redshirt year from the player's perspective, trying to point out that it is not doom and gloom for them if they cannot earn significant playing time. IMHO, the challenge for freshman on this year's team is found in the current players that are on the list that you mentioned. So many were good enough to play as true freshman and now have the advantage of college experience.
This year's lineup is a hard lineup for anyone to crack as a freshman.
However, it can be hard for players with high accolades to be patient, when they may have had serious interest from D1 schools or other high performing D2 schools. They just need to think long-term and trust the process.
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