Theo has shown incredible flashes throughout the year and it's clear he has the most potential out of our 5's. I like Matt, but he sort of is what he is - a hard working, fundamentally sound player who doesn't possess the physical ability to be an impact player.
Theo has the ability to be an impact player on both ends of the floor and his offseason development is key. I am really hoping Theo takes the baton from Matt and runs with it to become our primary 5 all next year.
Fully recognizing Morrow may take some minutes at the 5 if we go small and that Matt will get minutes, I still believe we will need Theo's presence at the 5 for the majority of minutes next year if we are to reach our lofty goals of being in the top echelon of the Big East and comfortably making the tourney.
Bottom line, I believe his development and value are being overlooked and I view him as one of the most important pieces to our success next year.
Theo has a lot to work on, but he could/should be the starting 5 next fall.
Theo with 22-25 mpg
Heldt with 12-15 mpg
Eke with 3-5 mpg
If programs count on sophomore 5's that were not top 25 recruits then they are in trouble. Non top 100 5's take at leadt two years to truly be counted on. Thats why the pipeline needs to be built.
Theo improved during the year. If he improves as much over the next year, he is going to be tough. Like most, I am expecting Harry to leave. That means that Theo is going to be working against Matt, Ike, Morrow, Bailey, Joey. In 4-5 months Sam. He will be forced to improve his footwork. I am not worried about Theo.
I like Theo. I think he is the difference between us and other Beast teams. I lost count of the number of times our team would just get murdered by a meat and potatoes, 6'8"-6'9" guy that would just do the dirty work. Rebound, block shots, pick and roll hard, actually dunk the basketball, be nasty, foul hard, take up space, not get backed down. I am not sure you need another year before he can do that with his physique. If you want the dream shake in the post then by all means don't count on him for another two years.
Gonna take lotsa high intensity pressure ta produce a diamond outta Theo, hey?
One game doesn't make a season and he won't play like this every night, but I still stand by my original post - this team needs Theo to be impactful if it's going to reach its lofty goals.
Quote from: WindyCityGoldenEagle on November 06, 2018, 10:11:01 PM
One game doesn't make a season and he won't play like this every night, but I still stand by my original post - this team needs Theo to be impactful if it's going to reach its lofty goals.
He did what he needed to do - rebound, block shots, be physical, and take what comes to him offensively -- but not press the issue. He ate on offense via putbacks and dumpoffs.. struggled trying to make something happen posting up. Don't NEED him to score that many points - but just do what he did tonight when it's there.
Great performance. And held off on fouling until later in the game...
The barometer for Theo and his role in the Big East will be the Kansas game. The level of competition will be just abit different, but tonight he was very, very good, especially no foul problems like in past.