Jamal Ferguson...

[NersEllenson]

Think Jamal oozes with talent...he's long and smooth.  Reminds me a lot of Josh Howard - former Wake Forest star and Dallas Maverick.

Excited to watch Jamal develop at MU - think he can become a big time player.

[GoldenZebra]

Once he learns how to use his length in the college setting, oh boy, look out! That kid has almost a 7' wingspan! Talk about a pesky defender. That length is also gonna help him crash the boards.

[Daniel]

You have to love what you see from Jamal.  Once he learns the system, where to be on offense and defense, he is going to be unstoppable.  With the little he has played so far, you already see improvement.  I like this kid - he will be awesome for MU

[bilsu]

I am anticipating a Juan anderson type leap for him next year.

[Skatastrophy]

I am anticipating a Juan anderson type leap for him next year.

Exactly.  Jamal looks a little lost out there just like Juan did last year.  I'm excited to see how Jamal uses his explosiveness when he knows where he's supposed to be!

Also, he seems to be running faster than he can dribble.  I'd be pretty excited, too, if I were out there.  Hopefully he figures out which gear he needs to be in when he's dribble-driving so he doesn't leave the ball behind too much more

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Jamal, Jamil, Steve, Juan and Vander give MU a good collection of "switchables" now, and they should be even better next year.

Defense and athletic ability will not be a problem. Just have to find enough offense from these guys.

[GGGG]

To me, there was a subtle difference between Eric Williams and Jamail Jones, when compared to last year's Juan Anderson and this year's Jamal Ferguson.  Williams and Jones never seemed to fully get what they were supposed to be doing out there and played tentatively as a result.  Juan and Jamal seem to understand what they are supposed to be doing, but it just is happening too fast for them.  Juan has adjusted nicely in his second year...I think Jamal will get there next year.

[chapman]

Always appears as if Jamal often finds himself in the right place or doing the right thing, even if he probably doesn't know why yet.  The instinct is definitely there, and it's the most important part because that's the part that you can't teach.  Should be exciting to see his progression.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

To me, there was a subtle difference between Eric Williams and Jamail Jones, when compared to last year's Juan Anderson and this year's Jamal Ferguson.  Williams and Jones never seemed to fully get what they were supposed to be doing out there and played tentatively as a result.  Juan and Jamal seem to understand what they are supposed to be doing, but it just is happening too fast for them.  Juan has adjusted nicely in his second year...I think Jamal will get there next year.

I agree. In my mind, there is nothing wrong with bringing in athletic players who progress slowly and steadily throughout their 4 years.

Year 1: Minor contributions and some flashes of talent.
Year 2: Role player and minor contributor
Year 3: Contributor and a team leader
Year 4: Major contributor, alpha dog.

Vander played a lot as a frosh, but is on this trajectory, so is Juan, and at this point, Jamal & Steve as well.   

Not every player needs to come in and be "the man" in his 1st couple of seasons. I'm happy with underclassman being role players.

I think Jamail and Erik could have been good players for MU as upperclassman, but for whatever reason, they decided to move on.

[jsglow]

Year 1: Minor contributions and some flashes of talent.
Year 2: Role player and minor contributor
Year 3: Contributor and a team leader
Year 4: Major contributor, alpha dog. 

Perfect.  And if a kid is a 'high 4 star', perhaps he comes in as a Year 2 type and plays 'alpha dog' for both of his upperclassman years.  Hoping to see that from some of our '13 Frosh next year.

[Skatastrophy]

Perfect.  And if a kid is a 'high 4 star', perhaps he comes in as a Year 2 type and plays 'alpha dog' for both of his upperclassman years.  Hoping to see that from some of our '13 Frosh next year.

When Deonte Burton is sitting behind the bench you can tell that he's just itching to get on the floor.  I wonder if watching this much MUBB in person is going to help him transition into being a part of the team more quickly?

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Perfect.  And if a kid is a 'high 4 star', perhaps he comes in as a Year 2 type and plays 'alpha dog' for both of his upperclassman years.  Hoping to see that from some of our '13 Frosh next year.

I can see that.

I just use that scale to temper my own expectations.

There are a lot of guys playing college hoops, a very small percentage are major contributors in their first 2 years.

I enjoy watching Juan play this year (and Vander last year), but part of that enjoyment comes from my expectations (or lack there of).

I expect uperclassmen to be consistent contributors and relatively well rounded players. 

Underclassmen are role players and usually specialize in a certain skill or area.

[AZWarrior]

I just use that scale to temper my own expectations.

I enjoy watching Juan play this year (and Vander last year), but part of that enjoyment comes from my expectations (or lack there of).

Good perspective.  The key to happiness is having realistic expectations.

[T-Bone]

Noted at the game last night how fast and smooth he is.  Like a gazelle.
Looking forward to watching his career progress.

[Dawson Rental]

I agree. In my mind, there is nothing wrong with bringing in athletic players who progress slowly and steadily throughout their 4 years.

Year 1: Minor contributions and some flashes of talent.
Year 2: Role player and minor contributor
Year 3: Contributor and a team leader
Year 4: Major contributor, alpha dog.

Vander played a lot as a frosh, but is on this trajectory, so is Juan, and at this point, Jamal & Steve as well.   

Not every player needs to come in and be "the man" in his 1st couple of seasons. I'm happy with underclassman being role players.

I think Jamail and Erik could have been good players for MU as upperclassman, but for whatever reason, they decided to move on.

Perhaps the reason was that they were more realistic about their chances at MU.  Think about where they transferred to.

[nyg]

Perhaps the reason was that they were more realistic about their chances at MU.  Think about where they transferred to.

Just checked the stats for Sam Houston State and Williams has not played one minute so far.  Whats up with that? 

[chapman]

Just checked the stats for Sam Houston State and Williams has not played one minute so far.  Whats up with that? 

A thread a week or two back wondering as well.  Best I can find is this: http://katfans.com/forum/index.php?topic=6775.0

Full of speculation without sources, basically amounting to him being "inactive" for either academic or disciplinary reasons.

[nyg]

A thread a week or two back wondering as well.  Best I can find is this: http://katfans.com/forum/index.php?topic=6775.0

Full of speculation without sources, basically amounting to him being "inactive" for either academic or disciplinary reasons.

Well guess what, he played against Texas tonight in his first game.

3 for 15 from the field, 2 for 11 from three point land.  8 points.  Texas was last up by like 30 and SHSU had 37 points total. 

[Afroman]

As long as he's having fun and happy with his decision, good for him.

[chapman]

Well guess what, he played against Texas tonight in his first game.

3 for 15 from the field, 2 for 11 from three point land.  8 points.  Texas was last up by like 30 and SHSU had 37 points total. 

Wow, that's one ugly line and score.  I guess a team has to be terrible for EWill to take 11 three's in a game.