I know it's been mentioned a bit in threads elsewhere, but are teams figuring out how to scheme Kam or is he just in a funk? Is it that BE teams already know him to some extent and are better able to D him? If so, I ask the knowers of ball, what are they doing and what kind of adjustments can he/Shaka make to get his groove back?
To my untrained eye it looks like his usage is way up - so even though his assist numbers are up he's actually not distributing as much? From an "eye test" pov, it does feel to me like he's kicking out less from the drives compared to earlier in the season, even when he doesn't necessarily have a good angle or hasn't beat his man.
Quote from: 1SE on January 08, 2025, 06:38:53 AMI know it's been mentioned a bit in threads elsewhere, but are teams figuring out how to scheme Kam or is he just in a funk? Is it that BE teams already know him to some extent and are better able to D him? If so, I ask the knowers of ball, what are they doing and what kind of adjustments can he/Shaka make to get his groove back?
To my untrained eye it looks like his usage is way up - so even though his assist numbers are up he's actually not distributing as much? From an "eye test" pov, it does feel to me like he's kicking out less from the drives compared to earlier in the season, even when he doesn't necessarily have a good angle or hasn't beat his man.
His efficiency is way down in league play but his assist rate is still 38% in league play, 41% overall
Quote from: Uncle Rico on January 08, 2025, 06:42:02 AMHis efficiency is way down in league play but his assist rate is still 38% in league play, 41% overall
Right, his assist numbers are there - but he's also shooting way more (and making less%) - so is he 1) shooting on more drive he "should"/was kicking out? or 2) Taking the same shot selection, but just getting defended better/in a bit of a funk with his touch?
Quote from: 1SE on January 08, 2025, 06:51:22 AMRight, his assist numbers are there - but he's also shooting way more (and making less%) - so is he 1) shooting on more drive he "should"/was kicking out? or 2) Taking the same shot selection, but just getting defended better/in a bit of a funk with his touch?
Eye test says poorer shot selection but I'm sure it's a combination. Can't be 7-30 from 3 if you're Kam in league play
To my eye, Peavy was the best on ball defender I have seen all year last night. He was phenomenal. He did a great job on Kam, but Kam will be just fine
Kam is now the hunted. Top of the opponent's scout. Time to make the next adjustment.
So far in big east play it looks like some defenders are forcing him away from the hoop - so more shots initiated further out. Also more are just bodying him vs trying to block his shot.
Last night the G-Town defender did a great job but also face guarded him half to 3/4 court.
I think he needs to adjust. This happened to TK too.
Good news is it has hampered his scoring but not the ability to initiate and run a good offense. It should open up opptys too - Chase took advantage last night.
Quote from: tower912 on January 08, 2025, 07:35:13 AMKam is now the hunted. Top of the opponent's scout. Time to make the next adjustment.
Uh yeah as opposed to last year yeah
Quote from: Johnny B on January 08, 2025, 07:40:06 AMUh yeah as opposed to last year yeah
Uh yeah as opposed to last year when Kolek was the all American and the man and Kam played off the ball yeah
Defenses are collapsing on him when he drives. Making the shooters shoot.
Feel like teams have finally figured out that he'll always come back to his left and are playing him that way. The one drive that he spun right, he still tried to finish with his left, and it got blocked out of bounds. Hit enough with the right to keep the D honest and you'll be fine. Peavy is also a very good defender.
The other thing to keep in mind is the quality of 2P defense Kam has faced in league play.
Xavier: 52nd best 2P defense, 7th best in BE
Providence: 43rd best, 6th best in BE
Butler: 37th best, 5th best in BE
Creighton: 31st best, 4th best in BE
Georgetown: 5th best, best in BE
Kams shooting is at its best when he can keep the defense off balance with his 2P attack. Hes faced a series of teams that are good to elite at defending the paint. I think we see "bounceback" (in quotes because he still has three KP MVPs in this 5 game stretch) games against DePaul, X at home, Seton Hall, and Nova at home
Kam is a dominant player who, if guarded normally, can easily score 30 points without forcing a shot. As pointed out by several he is being bodied, face guarded etc same thing that happened 2 years ago to TK. So getting into the paint with spin moves becomes a less attractive option.
The good news is other players on the team are taking advantage of the opportunities the over focus on Kam presents. Last night the game came to Chase . Also Kam is not forcing things. An 11 4 and 5 stat line with only 1 turn over is Excellent point guard production.
Kam is a winner .
Quote from: Frenns Liquor Depot on January 08, 2025, 07:35:52 AMGood news is it has hampered his scoring but not the ability to initiate and run a good offense. It should open up opptys too - Chase took advantage last night.
To me, this is the observation. If we plan to make a deep run, Kam may not be the leading scorer or otherwise on any given night. He will get his, but now in order to do that, someone else will have to get theirs. Kam opens things up for Chase, Chase then starts to open things up for Kam. What an exciting time
Iowa State and GT have defended him best and they did it not only with excellent on-ball defense but also by helping with a big on the left side and predicting the spin move. What that does is leaves an opening either for a cutter through the lane (Stevie Mitchell bucket late in the game) or someone in the dunker spot (not currently part of Shaka's scheme) because there's no help on the right side which would be the strong side for Stevie/Jop/Ben.
I think the adjustment here is for Shaka (not criticizing him - love him!) to build a couple of sets that include the cut or the dunker as a reaction to the left side help. The kick out for 3 will be there, but it can be a long/easier to defend pass and better if it's not the only option.
Personally, the idea of Chase occasionally occupying or cutting to the dunker slot is compelling.
I saw Ed Cooley talk about how it was a point of emphasis where they schemed for Kim and tried to be ready for his spin moves. That said Peavey was best on-ball defender I have seen this year.
Quote from: WarriorFan on January 08, 2025, 12:10:09 PMI think the adjustment here is for Shaka (not criticizing him - love him!) to build a couple of sets that include the cut or the dunker as a reaction to the left side help. The kick out for 3 will be there, but it can be a long/easier to defend pass and better if it's not the only option.
Personally, the idea of Chase occasionally occupying or cutting to the dunker slot is compelling.
Yeah I've been complaining about that to my buddies at the games. Especially against a zone, get someone in behind it. They had so many chances to slip baseline against Creighton when Kalkbrenner was out at the elbow.
Quote from: Carl on January 08, 2025, 07:32:20 AMTo my eye, Peavy was the best on ball defender I have seen all year last night. He was phenomenal. He did a great job on Kam, but Kam will be just fine
Peavy is a pretty damn good defender.
Still, almost every time Kam shoots, I think it's going in. He's forced a few, but not many.
Just saw a Yahoo Sports article about how Kam, Flagg and Broome are "headlining" the midseason Wooden list.
We're lucky to have another great player! (And no one here is saying otherwise.)
Scouts and analysts are so concerned about Kam that they are projecting him to be a first-round pick, just on the border of being a lottery pick.
In his latest mock draft, The Athletic's Sam Vecenie raves about Kam while projecting he goes #19 to Utah:
Kam Jones | 6-5 wing | 22 years old | Marquette
Jones has stepped wonderfully into the role vacated by Tyler Kolek, running Marquette's offense gloriously. He is averaging 20 points, five rebounds and nearly seven assists per game, but more importantly, he's also doing it while limiting his mistakes. The guard basically only takes good shots, and he turns it over just 1.6 times per game, giving him more than a 4-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. He's also an elite finisher, with pristine gathers and footwork blended with perfect touch in the painted area. He's making 53.5 percent of his shots in total but also a sparkling 70 percent of his shots at the rim. There will always be some defensive concerns with Jones, but he's answered big questions this year in terms of his ability to run an offense, which gives NBA teams a bit more confidence that he can play next to star players as a point guard who can play both on and off the ball. Jones is also only hitting 34 percent from 3 so far, but don't fret, as that won't last. He's a career 38 percent 3-point shooter on over six attempts per game. There are no worries about his jumper long term.
Other projections of interest:
8. Liam McNeeley, UConn
9. Kon Knueppel, Duke
15. Derik Queen, Maryland
17. Thomas Sorber, Georgetown
24. Alex Karaban, UConn
30. Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton
No Chase Ross sighting ... yet.
I went to the Illinois-Washington game a few days ago and was very impressed with Illini guard Kasparas Jakucionis. You could tell instantly that he was gifted, and he played wonderfully (including the making of the game-winning basket) ... but I don't follow recruiting very closely (especially if it doesn't involve MU) so I didn't realize he was such a highly regarded stud. Vecenie has him going #4 overall, right behind Flagg and the two Rutgers players.
No Chase Ross sighting ... yet.
[/quote]
Not surprising. If he strings together games like Georgetown, that may change. Right now, he is a 6'5 SG whose best attribute is defense and athleticism, from an NBA perspective. MU fans view him differently.
So, at the NBA level, who can he guard, can he get his own shot, can he create for others? Hopefully, over the next 1.5 seasons, his offensive game catches up to his defense and athleticism. That would be good for him and good for MU.
I think he's taking too many when he hasn't gotten close enough to the hoop or created enough of an advantage. I trust him to find his takeover spots more judiciously and efficiently as the season goes on tbh.
Quote from: tower912 on January 10, 2025, 10:30:00 AMNo Chase Ross sighting ... yet.
Not surprising. If he strings together games like Georgetown, that may change. Right now, he is a 6'5 SG whose best attribute is defense and athleticism, from an NBA perspective. MU fans view him differently.
So, at the NBA level, who can he guard, can he get his own shot, can he create for others? Hopefully, over the next 1.5 seasons, his offensive game catches up to his defense and athleticism. That would be good for him and good for MU.
NBA types will believe Ross can defend most perimeter players. What will make him draftable is if GMs become convinced he has NBA 3-point range. He has a nice-looking shot at the college level, and he's upped his percentage to 40%.
Selfishly, I want him to stay, and I believe he could improve his stock by being "the man" on next season's team (as Kam has this season). But the draft is all about potential, so we'll see if Chase plays himself into it the second half of the season.
There is enough tape on Kam in the lead dog role for coaches to be scheming solely to slow down Kam, with some who will put greater emphasis on stopping him and taking their chances that someone else steps up on offense. It makes me think back to how SLU used to design their defensive game plans to stop Wade - he was held to single digits in three of the four games against the Billikens but thanks to others like Blankson in 2002 and Travis and RJax in 2003, all of those games were MU victories.
Jay Bilas lists his Top 3 National POY candidates of Broome, Flagg, and Kam.
https://x.com/JayBilas/status/1877752444525973767?t=DRWitbT_jz6j9lZ8Nkq4-w&s=19
Quote from: MU82 on January 10, 2025, 10:47:03 AMNBA types will believe Ross can defend most perimeter players. What will make him draftable is if GMs become convinced he has NBA 3-point range. He has a nice-looking shot at the college level, and he's upped his percentage to 40%.
Selfishly, I want him to stay, and I believe he could improve his stock by being "the man" on next season's team (as Kam has this season). But the draft is all about potential, so we'll see if Chase plays himself into it the second half of the season.
Unless Chase explodes to the point where he is a no-doubt 1st round pick this summer (very unlikely), he'll be back. Him seeing what Kam has done with more responsibility and likely playing himself into the 1st round is a great example for what Chase can work towards his senior season.
Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on January 10, 2025, 02:20:37 PMUnless Chase explodes to the point where he is a no-doubt 1st round pick this summer (very unlikely), he'll be back. Him seeing what Kam has done with more responsibility and likely playing himself into the 1st round is a great example for what Chase can work towards his senior season.
That would make the most sense, but I never assume that a college athlete will automatically make the choice that folks on a fanboard believe would make the most sense.
Pretty much every Scooper alive back in 2013 was stunned when Vander went pro. And there were more than a few misguided Scoopers who thought Kolek should have come back after last season.
Quote from: MU82 on January 10, 2025, 02:30:26 PMThat would make the most sense, but I never assume that a college athlete will automatically make the choice that folks on a fanboard believe would make the most sense.
Pretty much every Scooper alive back in 2013 was stunned when Vander went pro. And there were more than a few misguided Scoopers who thought Kolek should have come back after last season.
I could be very wrong about the scenario I described, obviously. I'm not a gambler but if I had to bet on what scenario ends up playing out that's the one I'd go with.
The Georgetown game especially, Kam had 5 or 6 decent shots near the rim he normally makes ... he hits 3 or 4 of those and maybe this conversation never happens.
Funk. But he will figure it out
Yes teams are trying to take away his driving but he's been rushing a lot. And his 3 pt shot is off even on open looks right now(same thing happened last year on his 3 shot then he went bonkers deeper into BE play)
Quote from: PGsHeroes32 on January 10, 2025, 07:07:48 PMFunk. But he will figure it out
Yes teams are trying to take away his driving but he's been rushing a lot. And his 3 pt shot is off even on open looks right now(same thing happened last year on his 3 shot then he went bonkers deeper into BE play)
That's the way I see it too. Keep grinding out wins and they will get easier when AA Kam finds his groove again. Rather have it now and have him peaking in February and March.
Quote from: WearGold on January 10, 2025, 04:30:55 PMThe Georgetown game especially, Kam had 5 or 6 decent shots near the rim he normally makes ... he hits 3 or 4 of those and maybe this conversation never happens.
This. Kam missed several shots I was glad he took.
Kam is just playing possum so that he'll revert back to the mean right before they do the NPOY voting. He's going to ride a wave of recency bias.
Quote from: StillAWarrior on January 11, 2025, 06:56:00 AMKam is just playing possum so that he'll revert back to the mean right before they do the NPOY voting. He's going to ride a wave of recency bias.
Worked for Kolek. Slumped in late December into January, tore it up until he got injured, became more legendary while sitting.
If a bottled up Kam continues to open up Chase Ross, then teams will have to pick their poison.
Georgetown is big and able to alter shots. Sometimes that half-a-thought put into the driving player's head is enough.
It's a long season and it has ups and downs. Kam will be fine.
Per MUs fall semester update
Kam funk may be classroom related. Must get his reading lessons from TK
Quote from: PGsHeroes32 on January 13, 2025, 09:05:11 AMPer MUs fall semester update
Kam funk may be classroom related. Must get his reading lessons from TK
Senioritis.
Quote from: PGsHeroes32 on January 13, 2025, 09:05:11 AMPer MUs fall semester update
Kam funk may be classroom related. Must get his reading lessons from TK
Dragging team's GPA down like an anchor, bench him.
Quote from: Billy Hoyle on January 10, 2025, 12:06:09 PMThere is enough tape on Kam in the lead dog role for coaches to be scheming solely to slow down Kam, with some who will put greater emphasis on stopping him and taking their chances that someone else steps up on offense. It makes me think back to how SLU used to design their defensive game plans to stop Wade - he was held to single digits in three of the four games against the Billikens but thanks to others like Blankson in 2002 and Travis and RJax in 2003, all of those games were MU victories.
I noticed several times that the Hoyas were giving Kam the right side and he wouldn't take it. The help defense was always to Kam's left.
Quote from: Badgerhater on January 13, 2025, 10:27:26 AMI noticed several times that the Hoyas were giving Kam the right side and he wouldn't take it. The help defense was always to Kam's left.
So Kam is the new Haanif?
Haven't heard much chatter on here about the Broome injury in relation to Kam's POY chances. Certainly seems like a Cooper Flagg parade right now but according to Vegas it's a 3 man race and one guy just tripped
Quote from: Carl on January 13, 2025, 02:56:49 PMHaven't heard much chatter on here about the Broome injury in relation to Kam's POY chances. Certainly seems like a Cooper Flagg parade right now but according to Vegas it's a 3 man race and one guy just tripped
Kam dropping a 30 ball tomorrow
Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on January 13, 2025, 03:46:49 PMKam dropping a 30 ball tomorrow
That doesn't count against DePaul
Quote from: Carl on January 13, 2025, 02:56:49 PMHaven't heard much chatter on here about the Broome injury in relation to Kam's POY chances. Certainly seems like a Cooper Flagg parade right now but according to Vegas it's a 3 man race and one guy just tripped
If Broome is out for a month or more, it's hard to imagine anybody but Flagg winning it (assuming he continues to play well). The hype is Zion-level (or maybe even greater), and he certainly has delivered on it so far. Kam might just have to "settle" for being a first-team All-American.
Quote from: MU82 on January 13, 2025, 03:49:54 PMIf Broome is out for a month or more, it's hard to imagine anybody but Flagg winning it (assuming he continues to play well). The hype is Zion-level (or maybe even greater), and he certainly has delivered on it so far. Kam might just have to "settle" for being a first-team All-American.
I don't think the hype is even close to Zion level. And Flagg hasn't been as good of a college player as Zion was. He should be a better pro.
I hope Broome comes back soon. He might pick up enough votes to keep it from being a clean sweep. If enough people push him.
Quote from: tower912 on January 13, 2025, 04:00:23 PMI hope Broom comes back soon. He might pick up enough votes to keep it from being a clean sweep. If enough people push him.
(https://media1.tenor.com/m/veoNy8bkTLMAAAAd/blink-kid.gif)
Quote from: barfolomew on January 13, 2025, 04:23:41 PM(https://media1.tenor.com/m/veoNy8bkTLMAAAAd/blink-kid.gif)
Says the guy whose name is a pun.
Is not.
My parents thought of it at Arby's.
;D
See you guys in a week or so.
Quote from: tower912 on January 13, 2025, 03:48:05 PMThat doesn't count against DePaul
It should count as double on a Tuesday evening. If they let us have Saturday games in Chicago then fine don't count it. Absolutely counts on a Tuesday night.
Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on January 13, 2025, 04:51:51 PMIt should count as double on a Tuesday evening. If they let us have Saturday games in Chicago then fine don't count it. Absolutely counts on a Tuesday night.
?
Based on history, if Kam goes for 30, it means he is not passing it to Joplin and Gold enough.
Quote from: tower912 on January 13, 2025, 05:10:32 PMBased on history, if Kam goes for 30, it means he is not passing it to Joplin and Gold enough.
Markus like?
Quote from: wadesworld on January 13, 2025, 05:02:31 PM?
Essentially, the statement emphasizes the importance of double counting on Tuesday nights, but it acknowledges an exception if Saturday games are permitted in Chicago.
Quote from: rocky_warrior on January 13, 2025, 06:25:41 PMEssentially, the statement emphasizes the importance of double counting on Tuesday nights, but it acknowledges an exception if Saturday games are permitted in Chicago.
Ah. It makes sense now...
Quote from: wadesworld on January 13, 2025, 03:54:52 PMI don't think the hype is even close to Zion level. And Flagg hasn't been as good of a college player as Zion was. He should be a better pro.
I suppose it's possible that I'm guilty of recency bias. But the hype on Flagg ever since he worked with the Olympic team has been pretty intense, I think we can agree on that. And that hype - especially when the hypee delivers on the court - can go a long way when it comes to awards.
Plus, it would be hard to argue that Kam has played better than Flagg recently.
Apparently it is a two man race.
https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/insider/story/_/id/43389349/men-college-basketball-awards-midseason-contenders-ncaa
But they both have him 1st team AA and Medcalf has Shaka for COY so I guess we'll cope.
More Kam love, but likely due to tonight's game being on a CBS network.
https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/college-basketball-rankings-marquettes-kam-jones-makes-case-for-joining-race-for-player-of-the-year/
Quote from: wadesworld on January 13, 2025, 03:54:52 PMI don't think the hype is even close to Zion level.
Headline on this morning's Yahoo Sports e-newsletter:
COOPER FLAGG: BEST FRESHMAN EVER?Goes on to say:
The hype is building around Cooper Flagg, which is saying something because he was already one of the most-hyped prospects ever when he arrived at Duke this summer.
The Maine Event: Flagg made local news in Maine back in 2021 when he received a D1 scholarship offer from Bryant College as an eighth-grader. Less than four years later (he skipped a grade), the 6-foot-9 forward is being mentioned in the same breath as some of basketball's all-time greats.
Following his 42-point outburst on Friday, Dick Vitale said Flagg is "right there" with the three best players he's ever seen in-person at a young age: LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson.
Draft analysts are comparing Flagg, who only just turned 18, to Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett, citing his versatility, shot-blocking prowess and playmaking ability.
By the numbers: The freshman sensation is averaging 23.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists in ACC play (six games) on 59/55/88 shooting splits... all while playing elite defense for the red-hot Blue Devils, who haven't lost since November.
Player of the Year? Flagg is the current favorite to win the Wooden Award, which is something only three freshmen have ever accomplished: Kevin Durant (2007), Anthony Davis (2012) and Zion Williamson (2019).
"This kid is the best thing happening in the sport. What he just did against Notre Dame was utterly insane. ... I would pick him right now to win National Player of the Year ... The last time that was done [by a freshman], we were talking about Zion every morning. Start talking about Cooper Flagg's greatness every morning." — John Fanta, Fox Sports (via The Field of 68)
Flagg does almost everything well, which is what makes him such a special all-around talent. But the biggest takeaway for me so far has been his motor. The kid plays hard all the time, something ESPN draft analyst Jonathan Givony commented on last year:
"It's hard to remember another player universally considered the No. 1 prospect in high school basketball who legitimately plays harder than any player in the country."So ... MORE hyped than Zion? Maybe, maybe not. The season is still young, and he's still white.
Quote from: Hallmarq on January 14, 2025, 10:22:53 AMMore Kam love, but likely due to tonight's game being on a CBS network.
https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/college-basketball-rankings-marquettes-kam-jones-makes-case-for-joining-race-for-player-of-the-year/
The "Eye on CBB" podcast with Parrish and Norlander described it as a two horse race (Flagg and Broome), then a line, then Kam, then another line, then everyone else. I think that's a fair description of the race. Kam needs a 40-burger or another triple-double to elevate himself and even then he'd need Flagg to bust and for Broome's injury to linger.
In other words, I don't think it's happening.
Kam would have to go full Markus to get them to lower the Flagg to half mast.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/college-basketball-rankings-marquette-s-kam-jones-makes-case-for-joining-race-for-player-of-the-year/ar-BB1rrE66?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531&cvid=a7f13bb1423c460885337dbdae2e812e&ei=12
Quote from: SaveOD238 on January 14, 2025, 10:42:55 AMThe "Eye on CBB" podcast with Parrish and Norlander described it as a two horse race (Flagg and Broome), then a line, then Kam, then another line, then everyone else. I think that's a fair description of the race. Kam needs a 40-burger or another triple-double to elevate himself and even then he'd need Flagg to bust and for Broome's injury to linger.
In other words, I don't think it's happening.
Won't be easy, but not out of the question
I think Kam will get another triple double, and Shaka thinks so as well.
He just needs to start cooking again, from both inside the paint at the rim and from beyond the 3P line, and he's capable.
People are still talking about him, despite his recent "funk," and the Broome injury can help. Broomes numbers haven't been elite of late either.
Flagg is obviously a major hill to climb, but again, Kam is capable.
If nothing else, I'd like for him to stay in the conversation and in the race, that would lock him as a First Team AA, and lock Marquette as having a successful regular season since his success and the teams go hand in hand
It starts tonight.
Quote from: tower912 on January 14, 2025, 10:46:57 AMKam would have to go full Markus to get them to lower the Flagg to half mast.
Kam will go so full Markus that he will make Cooper look like a JV player in comparison, and Duke will be forced to waive the white Flagg.
MU needs their all American candidate to go full Grand Kam-yon. And amaze us with the width and breadth of his majestic game.
Quote from: Jay Bee on January 14, 2025, 10:53:38 AMHe dropped the 3.0 ball. :(
Grades don't matter when you're fluent in buckets.
Quote from: barfolomew on January 14, 2025, 11:35:17 AMKam will go so full Markus that he will make Cooper look like a JV player in comparison, and Duke will be forced to waive the white Flagg.
And he will sweep away Broome.
To be honest, for Kam to do what it might take for him to win Player of the Year would likely hurt the overall team success. I'm glad that he seems to have a team first mentality, as I love the potential for a long lasting season.
Quote from: tower912 on January 14, 2025, 10:46:57 AMKam would have to go full Markus to get them to lower the Flagg to half mast.
Maybe he can just get them to think about baseball.
Funk?
Yeah. He is missing shots he historical makes and not taking g shots he should. Only way out is through.
At some point hes gotta find the 3 pt shot.
Play maker Kam launches bricks.
Quote from: PGsHeroes32 on January 14, 2025, 09:15:58 PMAt some point hes gotta find the 3 pt shot.
Play maker Kam launches bricks.
Briiick Kam
Kam Jones 3P shooting in the first 6 conference games of 24-25: 8/40 (20%)
Kam Jones 3P shooting in the first 6 conference games of 23-24: 10/46 (21.7%)
Kam Jones 3P shooting over 20 conference games of 24-25: ???
Kam Jones 3P shooting over 20 conference games of 23-24: 49/124 (39.5%)
Keep the faith.
18-11-6 is a helluva funk.
The Athletic's CJ Moore made some midseason picks, including best team (Auburn) and under-the-radar teams (UC Irvine and UC San Diego).
And his "favorite player to watch" is ...
Kam Jones, Marquette guard. He is a magician with the basketball, from his ball-handling to his passing to his below-the-rim finishes at the basket. He's played off the ball next to Tyler Kolek the last three seasons and moved to the point guard spot this year, and along with Broome and Cooper Flagg, I'd say he's one of three locks to be a first-team All-American. He'll do something two or three times a game that'll make your jaw drop.
500 practice shots a day
I wish I was that funky.
Quote from: Carl on January 08, 2025, 07:32:20 AMTo my eye, Peavy was the best on ball defender I have seen all year last night. He was phenomenal. He did a great job on Kam, but Kam will be just fine
Not to nitpick but Iowa State's Lipsey was the best I've seen. Peavy certainly was amazing on the ball as well
Funk
Guy is just WAYY off. Not even just the 3 ball. His drives floaters and lay ups seem off as well. Not good
Quote from: Johnny B on January 18, 2025, 03:39:41 PMGuy is just WAYY off. Not even just the 3 ball. His drives floaters and lay ups seem off as well. Not good
Good thing it is still mid January with 13 league games to go.
Quote from: tower912 on January 18, 2025, 03:47:48 PMGood thing it is still mid January with 13 league games to go.
Is it? League has him figured out
Get the Funk Out sounds Extreme
We need him to get to being smoother than a fresh jar of Skippy.
Quick thought on Kam's misses. Shooting is a lot about your legs, and I think his are exhausted. He's playing amazing D, but also playing point guard, dribbling and running all over hell. Maybe Stevie should play point, and we let Kam go back to playing with spacing, catching an occasional breather on the perimeter then chucking on rested legs, and slashing opportunistically Right now, he's trying to do both his job and Kolek's at the same time. Difficult to sustain given the level of competition.
Maybe it's just me but these are 18-22 year old kids playing 1-2 times a week. I just have a hard time thinking it's fatigue.
Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on January 18, 2025, 08:32:24 PMMaybe it's just me but these are 18-22 year old kids playing 1-2 times a week. I just have a hard time thinking it's fatigue.
Tired legs
Quote from: TheBlackJerryWest on January 18, 2025, 07:59:41 PMQuick thought on Kam's misses. Shooting is a lot about your legs, and I think his are exhausted. He's playing amazing D, but also playing point guard, dribbling and running all over hell. Maybe Stevie should play point, and we let Kam go back to playing with spacing, catching an occasional breather on the perimeter then chucking on rested legs, and slashing opportunistically Right now, he's trying to do both his job and Kolek's at the same time. Difficult to sustain given the level of competition.
Good thoughts. They tried Chase at point a couple times with mixed results.
Quote from: The Sultan on January 18, 2025, 09:12:24 PMGood thoughts. They tried Chase at point a couple times with mixed results.
Yes I thought Ross could the answer, but if Kam can't make 3s won't make a difference
Quote from: TheBlackJerryWest on January 18, 2025, 07:59:41 PMQuick thought on Kam's misses. Shooting is a lot about your legs, and I think his are exhausted. He's playing amazing D, but also playing point guard, dribbling and running all over hell. Maybe Stevie should play point, and we let Kam go back to playing with spacing, catching an occasional breather on the perimeter then chucking on rested legs, and slashing opportunistically Right now, he's trying to do both his job and Kolek's at the same time. Difficult to sustain given the level of competition.
Good post, I agree.
It was easy for him to do against softer competition, but he's hit some tough sledding and he doesn't have the flow/glide/smoothness or efficiency that he had, plus the outside shot doesn't look the same as it did, hence the misses.
Shaka might have to try to do what he did with Kolek last year, where he took him off the ball for a while by design.
Maybe he's been trying that by forcing Tre, not working so far, but I think he needs to figure something out to keep Kam more fresh and "disguised" off the ball instead of always in the heart of the action
Quote from: DoctorV on January 18, 2025, 10:31:33 PMGood post, I agree.
It was easy for him to do against softer competition, but he's hit some tough sledding and he doesn't have the flow/glide/smoothness or efficiency that he had, plus the outside shot doesn't look the same as it did, hence the misses.
Shaka might have to try to do what he did with Kolek last year, where he took him off the ball for a while by design.
Maybe he's been trying that by forcing Tre, not working so far, but I think he needs to figure something out to keep Kam more fresh and "disguised" off the ball instead of always in the heart of the action
I don't agree with this at all. This team is rudderless if Kam isn't in the heart of the action.
Quote from: DoctorV on January 18, 2025, 10:31:33 PMGood post, I agree.
It was easy for him to do against softer competition, but he's hit some tough sledding and he doesn't have the flow/glide/smoothness or efficiency that he had, plus the outside shot doesn't look the same as it did, hence the misses.
Shaka might have to try to do what he did with Kolek last year, where he took him off the ball for a while by design.
Maybe he's been trying that by forcing Tre, not working so far, but I think he needs to figure something out to keep Kam more fresh and "disguised" off the ball instead of always in the heart of the action
Kolek hated being taken off the ball and was in a slump of his own. When Sean got hurt and Kolek had the ball in his hands all the time, he came out of his slump. Until he got hurt.
Like Markus, too much emphasis of Kam on offense seems to result in decreased effectiveness.
Quote from: TheBlackJerryWest on January 18, 2025, 07:59:41 PMQuick thought on Kam's misses. Shooting is a lot about your legs, and I think his are exhausted. He's playing amazing D, but also playing point guard, dribbling and running all over hell. Maybe Stevie should play point, and we let Kam go back to playing with spacing, catching an occasional breather on the perimeter then chucking on rested legs, and slashing opportunistically Right now, he's trying to do both his job and Kolek's at the same time. Difficult to sustain given the level of competition.
This is where Sean Jones would've helped, alas.
Quote from: DoctorV on January 18, 2025, 10:31:33 PMGood post, I agree.
It was easy for him to do against softer competition, but he's hit some tough sledding and he doesn't have the flow/glide/smoothness or efficiency that he had, plus the outside shot doesn't look the same as it did, hence the misses.
Shaka might have to try to do what he did with Kolek last year, where he took him off the ball for a while by design.
Maybe he's been trying that by forcing Tre, not working so far, but I think he needs to figure something out to keep Kam more fresh and "disguised" off the ball instead of always in the heart of the action
WI, Maryland, Purdue, Iowa St are "soft" competition?
The team just played 3 games in 2 weeks - plenty of time for rest/recover.
And if Kam had in-game fatigue problems, it would have been seen in non-con as well.
Tldr - I don't buy kams struggles as anything related to fatigue
Kam has torched most of these BE teams the past 2 years (averaging 28 against Xavier in the past 3 meetings prior to yesterday for example). Their pride is being challenged ("how many more times are we going to let him spin left?") and they are making the necessary adjustments, so hat tip to them. Just hope there's not too much more hat tipping the rest of the way.
One thing I'm curious about is what is the average time on the shot clock when Kam shoots this year? I'm guessing it's much later this year than in past years. I'd like to see us find ways to get him in attack mode earlier in the possession.
SH - the cure
Quote from: jesmu84 on January 19, 2025, 08:22:31 AMWI, Maryland, Purdue, Iowa St are "soft" competition?
The team just played 3 games in 2 weeks - plenty of time for rest/recover.
And if Kam had in-game fatigue problems, it would have been seen in non-con as well.
Tldr - I don't buy kams struggles as anything related to fatigue
I appreciate you recognizing that my attention span can barely handle three short-to-medium sentences. I wish more posters would be as considerate.
TL,DR - look, a balloon!
Quote from: barfolomew on January 23, 2025, 01:24:01 PMI appreciate you recognizing that my attention span can barely handle three short-to-medium sentences. I wish more posters would be as considerate.
TL,DR - look, a balloon!
Stephen King?