Rotation notes

[GGGG]

While I agree that Juan isn't a good on ball defender, he is a good rebounder and is the most active player on the team, which allows him opportunities to disrupt the opposing team's offense.  He also seems to be the most vocal player on the team most of the time and plays the quarterback of the defense sometimes.

Juan is a better perimeter defender than he is a post defender.  I think that is one of the reasons he was moved.  In fact I think his game fits Trent's position perfectly.

[wadesworld]

Juan is a better perimeter defender than he is a post defender.  I think that is one of the reasons he was moved.  In fact I think his game fits Trent's position perfectly.

I hope so.  I do agree that he is like Trent in that he will do all of the little things that don't show up in the box score.  But while I think they both had slightly slower feet than you'd like from a perimeter defender, I think Trent could make up for that because he was a strong dude and could just stick his chest out and let the offensive player bounce backwards off of him.  I'm not sure Juan is that strong and may end up getting beaten off the dribble.  Maybe I'm underestimating his athleticism or strength.

[Dr. Blackheart]

If defense is the Buzz mantra to starting, how does one explain Jake and Juan starting? Neither are very good defenders.

I didn't mention anything about defense...I said Buzz rewards seniors.  I doubt Jake starts by tOSU.

That said, I will respond.  Juan was tops on the team and 12th in the Big East in defensive rebounding...playing the three guard switchable in place of Lockett, that would seem like a better fit defensively than inside.  Jake too is a good rebounder, and while he has decent body positioning on defense, he lacks foot speed to be a good defender.  But neither did Junior.

[Brewtown Andy]

I didn't mention anything about defense...I said Buzz rewards seniors.  I doubt Jake starts by tOSU.

"Jake is the starter" may just be a feint by Buzz to light a fire under Mayo and Johnson.

Remember when Buzz rolled out a starting lineup of Reggie Smith, Vander, Erik Williams, Jimmy Butler, and Otule, leaving DJO, Jae, Buycks, and Junior on the bench in a season opener?

http://espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?gameId=303160269

[Dr. Blackheart]

"Jake is the starter" may just be a feint by Buzz to light a fire under Mayo and Johnson.

Remember when Buzz rolled out a starting lineup of Reggie Smith, Vander, Erik Williams, Jimmy Butler, and Otule, leaving DJO, Jae, Buycks, and Junior on the bench in a season opener?

http://espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?gameId=303160269

Yep...I said that in my earlier post...he has been all over Gardner, lighting a fire.

[jesmu84]

One thing I always appreciated from Jake is that he is one of the only players to ever ball-fake, either a shot or pass, before making a decision. He seems to be the least likely person to allow a turnover on a picked-off pass.

[jsglow]

If Jake is playing well enough in practice to justify starting during the initial non-con season the team would seem to be in pretty good shape.  You'll recall that he earned significant minutes last year subbing for Vander before Mayo rejoined the team.  I thought his D, rebounding, and ball handling were reasonably good.  Still, come conference time I'd again expect his prospective role to be as a zone busting sharpshooter.  I hope he's a bit more successful than last although his one shot against 'Cuse will go down in history.

[Brewtown Andy]

If Jake is playing well enough in practice to justify starting during the initial non-con season the team would seem to be in pretty good shape.  You'll recall that he earned significant minutes last year subbing for Vander before Mayo rejoined the team.  I thought his D, rebounding, and ball handling were reasonably good.  Still, come conference time I'd again expect his prospective role to be as a zone busting sharpshooter.  I hope he's a bit more successful than last although his one shot against 'Cuse will go down in history.

His seven minutes against Syracuse were the most he played after Mayo rejoined the team. The and-1 he hit was his only made bucket after Mayo rejoined the team.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

If defense is the Buzz mantra to starting, how does one explain Jake and Juan starting? Neither are very good defenders.

Jake is terrible at D but Juan is quality. Not our best for sure but he has energy, long arms and can defend in the post and on the perimeter. Not the great in any one area, but his versatility makes him useful.

I also agree with what Sultan and others have said, who starts means jack. It's all about the minutes.