I apologize for this, but JT is absolutely brutal

[wadesworld]

Big improvement in getting screens and kickouts for Jake.  Expecting him to score under the offense the way it was being run just wasn't doing.  He either isn't a part of the scheme or he is...in other words, he's a traditional, not a switchable and that needed to be an adjustment for him to have any success.

Agreed.  As a whole the spacing was much better tonight (at least in the 2nd half which is all I saw), and we were much more active off of the ball offensively tonight.  If you ask me, not having Mayo helped get the offense flowing tonight.

[chapman]

I think few on this board feel comfortable with the # of minutes Thomas is getting. If he is our starting 2 guard much longer, than we are in for a long season. Even if he hits some 3's, it doesn't make up for his defensive limitations

I think that's fair.  The truth most likely lies in the middle-he isn't a 30 mpg player, but there is a role for him in the rotation.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I think few on this board feel comfortable with the # of minutes Thomas is getting. If he is our starting 2 guard much longer, than we are in for a long season. Even if he hits some 3's, it doesn't make up for his defensive limitations

He's one of the better defenders on our squad....and he scored 16 points. What more do you want from him?

[MUfan12]

He's one of the better defenders on our squad....and he scored 16 points. What more do you want from him?

Have a problem with the first point. In the first half, he was brutal defensively. He looked like he'd never played in a zone before. He was better in the second half, but still got beat off the bounce a few times.

I'm thrilled he hit some shots, but he's not a great defender by any means.

[MUSF]

I'm thrilled he hit some shots, but he's not a great defender by any means.

I don't think Jake's a great defender either, but who is better behind him? The freshmen? Not right now. Mayo? He's a better on ball defender, but he has also shown a propensity for defensive lapses.

Jake deserves to start right now if he continues to knock down shots. I do genuinely hope that someone surpasses him at some point, but I don't think we are doomed if that doesn't happen.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Have a problem with the first point. In the first half, he was brutal defensively. He looked like he'd never played in a zone before. He was better in the second half, but still got beat off the bounce a few times.

I'm thrilled he hit some shots, but he's not a great defender by any means.

I saw one missed cue all game. One of the best we have at not guarding with his hands

[forgetful]

Have a problem with the first point. In the first half, he was brutal defensively. He looked like he'd never played in a zone before. He was better in the second half, but still got beat off the bounce a few times.

I'm thrilled he hit some shots, but he's not a great defender by any means.

Thomas is one of our best all around defenders.  Watch him when he is not on the ball too...  Everyone of our guys got beat off the bounce a few times.  That is part of basketball.  Overall he is an above average D1 defender. 

[MUfan12]

Overall he is an above average D1 defender. 

Simply not true.

At best, he is average. He looked awful in the first half when they played zone. He had no idea where he was supposed to be.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Simply not true.

At best, he is average. He looked awful in the first half when they played zone. He had no idea where he was supposed to be.

I'm with forgetful on this one. Not the best on the ball defender but great off the ball. And he's fearless. He rushed in to be weak side help on Bachynski multiple times, even when it was obvious that there was nothing he could do. Love seeing that aggression on D