Jamil Wilson

[Tugg Speedman]

Hopefully the analogy will be Wes ... Once Buzz figures out how to get the blanket off his head.

[Goose]

The kid has all the ability in the world and sure hope it shows itself on regular basis. As for Merritt comparison, Jamil is far more advanced as athlete and basketball player. I learned early on what to expect from SM and was seldom disappointed in him. Wilson is frustrating because he is a top level D1 talent and gets lost in shuffle too often.

[Knight Commission]

The best way I can sum up my feelings toward Jamil Wilson at this moment is to compare him to Scott Merritt.    All of the physical ability in the world, smart kid, somehow doesn't become all he should be on the floor. 

More like Ron Curry.....although Wilson has Lottery Pick potential....still

[Goose]

Knight

Great call on Ron Curry and lottery pick potential. Wilson has it all if he wants to use it. Would be very disappointed for him if he did not play long time and next level.

[Tony Two Times]

although Wilson has Lottery Pick potential....

One of the best school boys. One of the best schoolboys. Kid has all the potential to make the show!

[karavotsos]

I don't think negatively of JWil at all.  I definitely don't think that he lacks hustle, or needed to be motivated by coming off the bench or anything.  To me he has always appeared to be a communicator and a leader.  A positive attitude and influence on the team from those perspectives.

He just appeared to be one of our best potential scorers coming into the year and I expected that to play out.  I expected him to be one of Buzz's classic Jae/Zar types - top of the key and work down low.  Maybe that's not how he is most effective as a scorer.  Maybe he is more of a pure shooter.  For MU to win against better teams he has to score -- most likely.  The concern is that in both Florida and Butler he did not score and didn't look comfortable with his shots.  I don't even know that its necessarily that its anything that JWil is doing. 

It's just the team together figuring out where to get their scorers to score most effectively.  Having the will to get our guys to our spots.  If he has to operate from the outside to be effective, let him work from outside.   

[Lighthouse 84]

One of the best school boys. One of the best schoolboys. Kid has all the potential to make the show!

Tony, what gives?  In almost all of your posts, you say things twice.  What's the deal with that?

[MerrittsMustache]

Jamil reminds me of Jimmy Butler in his junior year. Sure, Jimmy had bigger numbers but he also played about 10 minutes more per game largely because that '09-'10 MU team only went about 6.5 deep.

Neither guy is the type of player who has the mindset of "give me the ball and let me take over." That's just not their game. They both play well within the offense, rarely force shots, shoot a high percentage and play larger than their size. The biggest difference is that Butler was better at drawing contact and getting to the FT line. There were many times on this board when posters (myself included) would comment on how Jimmy often would go up for a shot near the rim and seem preoccupied with trying to draw contact as opposed to simply trying to make the shot. Wilson, on the other hand, tries to make the shot as opposed to drawing contact. Considering Wilson shoots around 80% from the line, I have no doubt that this is something Buzz is working on with him.

[MU82]

Jamil has had a few bad games but lets be real here. He is shooting .506 from the floor and a fantastic .522 from 3. He is only turning it over 1.45 times a game which isn't bad.

Some players play better than their stats. Some play worse.

So far this season, in general, Jamil hasn't passed the smell test despite whatever stats he's had.

Maybe he's a victim of outsized expectations. Maybe he just hasn't found his stride. Here's hoping something clicks with more consistency.

Believe me, I'm not putting all blame (or even a majority of it) for our mediocre non-con on him. And I'm not giving up on him, either. Still a world of talent. We just need to see it displayed more often. That's not really asking too much, is it?

[4everwarriors]

Tony, what gives?  In almost all of your posts, you say things twice.  What's the deal with that?

I think that's called dyslexia or somethin'.

[Lennys Tap]

The play was very physical versus Butler and Florida and Jamil was nowhere to be found. He's extremely talented and experienced (redshirt junior). For us to have a chance against good teams he has to show up and shine.

[Lazer Sound]

Jamil reminds me of Jimmy Butler in his junior year. Sure, Jimmy had bigger numbers but he also played about 10 minutes more per game largely because that '09-'10 MU team only went about 6.5 deep.

Neither guy is the type of player who has the mindset of "give me the ball and let me take over." That's just not their game. They both play well within the offense, rarely force shots, shoot a high percentage and play larger than their size. The biggest difference is that Butler was better at drawing contact and getting to the FT line. There were many times on this board when posters (myself included) would comment on how Jimmy often would go up for a shot near the rim and seem preoccupied with trying to draw contact as opposed to simply trying to make the shot. Wilson, on the other hand, tries to make the shot as opposed to drawing contact. Considering Wilson shoots around 80% from the line, I have no doubt that this is something Buzz is working on with him.

This is what I was trying to get at too.  I agree with everything you said, but would add that Jimmy never had an outside shot that I trusted (he shot that flat ball) but made many timely 3s as a senior.  I think Jamil can add a post up game with a BE season and a summer still in front of him.  I think Jimmy is a more apt comparison than Wes, but maybe that won't be true.  Maybe Matthews is the guy he ends up looking the most like in the end, because I was actually surprised by a few times he brought the ball up against LSU.  He still has a long way to go as a ball handler though.

All of this is to say he is a raw product.  This may be his 3rd year with us, but its only his second year on the court.  He has a lot of growing to still do.  I asked a friend who is a pretty big Oregon fan recently about Jamil and he said, "Oh yeah that kid?  He could be nice if he puts it all together."  Made it seem like he a) had a somewhat forgettable year at OU (which we knew) and b) showed the same potential we are talking about.  I think he gets there.

[radome]

From what I've seen from this team so far, I think that Jamil can make or break our season.

[bilsu]

He has star player ability with a complementary player personality.

[Goose]

bilsu


You might be right. I think lot does stem from his personality. Maybe too nice of a person.

[MU82]

This is what I was trying to get at too.  I agree with everything you said, but would add that Jimmy never had an outside shot that I trusted (he shot that flat ball) but made many timely 3s as a senior.  I think Jamil can add a post up game with a BE season and a summer still in front of him.  I think Jimmy is a more apt comparison than Wes, but maybe that won't be true.  Maybe Matthews is the guy he ends up looking the most like in the end, because I was actually surprised by a few times he brought the ball up against LSU.  He still has a long way to go as a ball handler though.

All of this is to say he is a raw product.  This may be his 3rd year with us, but its only his second year on the court.  He has a lot of growing to still do.  I asked a friend who is a pretty big Oregon fan recently about Jamil and he said, "Oh yeah that kid?  He could be nice if he puts it all together."  Made it seem like he a) had a somewhat forgettable year at OU (which we knew) and b) showed the same potential we are talking about.  I think he gets there.

Shot or no shot, one thing Jimmy did pretty much every single day was "bring it."

Can anybody recall a single game after which anybody questioned Jimmy's effort and tenacity and toughness?

And let's not be guilty of revisionist history. By the time Jimmy was in his second year in the program (as a junior), he was a major contributor on both ends, averaging 15 pts and 6 rebounds. At least as important, he was a defensive stopper and a guy who left it on the floor every game.

One thing for sure: Buzz never needed to bench him and start an inferior player just to send a message.

So please, don't insult Butler by comparing Jamil to him.

Saddest thing is, in pure talent, Jamil very well might be better than Jimmy was.

[NersEllenson]

Jamil has the tools, but needs an opponent to thug him into playing with a ferocity.  Saw it at Green Bay - had a tie up with Sykes, neither would let go of ball, Sykes talked some crap...immediately thereafter Jamil goes on a run of 12-14 points.

Needs to develop a mean streak and some nasty.  Plays a little too upright as well - will never be great off the bounce, as his body lean isn't great.

[MUINGB]

    A shame about the game up here in GB but..Jamil did his part.   
    My feelings are the Warriors will not go far this year...unless.... Jamil gets it going and puts the team on his shoulders like Crowder did last year.      So far...no one seems to have the talent and the desire to lead the charge.    C'mon Jamil......get it going, it will be up to you.     

[ZiggysChestHair]

I can't remember being more frustrated with an MU player.

You must not have been contributing to the boards during Scott Merritt's tenure.