[Rosiak's Blog] The courting of J.P. Tokoto

[ToddRosiakSays]

The courting of J.P. Tokoto
               




               

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/108083904.html
               

[Ellenson Guerrero]

The quote about wanting to be assured playing time makes me second guess my assumption that he's a lock for UNC. Seems odd coming from a recruit of his caliber. I get wanting to be sure you will get exposure for the NBA but I'm not sure that would be my PR message.

[ToddRosiakSays]

The courting of J.P. Tokoto
               





               

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/108083904.html
               

[willie warrior]

Stay at home and play with the Warriors, JP. Forget Ky., Calipari is dirty.

[chren21]

If he wants Buzz to promise him playing time then we are probably out....  Right?

[bilsu]

He is going to play agianst both MU and UW players enough to know how he stacks up against them. Bo and Buzz will both tell them it is up to him (hard hard he works in practice) how much he plays. North Carolina, Duke, Kentucky and Kansas can and will be bring in very high level recruits who could impact his playing time.

[PBRme]

Stay at home and play with the Warriors, JP. Forget Ky., Calipari is dirty.

No need to worry about Calipari at K-Y they will have lost scholarships and tournament games by NCAA action by the time JP is ready to make a decision.

[brewcity77]

Well, Kentucky would probably be the most profitable in terms of pre-NBA earnings.

I have to admit, I'm a bit disappointed to read the main JS article and see no mention of Marquette. It's only in the condensed version that we even hear our name mentioned. Sad to see from our hometown paper.

That being said, I do think we have a decent shot at Tokoto, and if he stays in-state, I think Marquette is more likely than Wisconsin based largely on playing style and our past pedigree with his type of player, the swing guard-forward (see Wes Matthews, Lazar Hayward, Jimmy Butler), and our placement of that type of player into the NBA.

[martyconlonontherun]

If he wants Buzz to promise him playing time then we are probably out....  Right?

Is this sarcastic? At UNC and Duke, he would be competing against top 10 recruits. At MU, he would be competing against Top 75 recruits. Even if Buzz doesn't assure him time, he has pretty close to being assured time if he's close to being as good as advertised.

[Benny B]

Is this sarcastic? At UNC and Duke, he would be competing against top 10 recruits. At MU, he would be competing against Top 75 recruits. Even if Buzz doesn't assure him time, he has pretty close to being assured time if he's close to being as good as advertised.

Marquette has a great system for determining PT: the players decide who plays.

Even top 400 recruits can get PT as freshman at MU... if JP plays to his own expectations, he'll need new sneakers every other week.

[martyconlonontherun]

Marquette has a great system for determining PT: the players decide who plays.

Even top 400 recruits can get PT as freshman at MU... if JP plays to his own expectations, he'll need new sneakers every other week.

So did you agree with me?
My point is playing time may be a factor at UNC, but he probably doesn't factor it in for his decision at MU. Yeah, Buzz will tell him, and it is probably true, that he needs to earn it, but if he comes to MU he would probably assume he would have great PT by looking at the roster.

Just look at it this way. We had a great class for this year, and UNC has 3 players ranked above our best player in the class. Even if JP plays his best, he isn't guaranteed PT at UNC. He would have to dog it to not hit the floor at Bradley Center.

[texaswarrior74]

Playing time will be more of an issue with Duke than UNC.

Carolina's secondary break offense requires lots of depth and frequent player rotations....often 10-11 deep...and playing time of the first and second five is often very close to equal once their rotation is set.

On the other hand K is known to play his top 3-5 players 35-38 minutes a night and this has resulted in lots of transfers after one or two years of riding the pine.

[jfmu]

saw this video if anyone is interested

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rz6D6MIg93s

[cheebs09]

saw this video if anyone is interested

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rz6D6MIg93s

Cool video. Thanks for posting. He looks silky smooth out there.

[GoldenWarrior]

I think we are out of the running... I can't see Buzz gauranteeing playing time to a recruit before being able to test his toughness and abilities.  Buzz wants to play the toughest athletes he has.

[Brewtown Andy]

I think we are out of the running... I can't see Buzz gauranteeing playing time to a recruit before being able to test his toughness and abilities.  Buzz wants to play the toughest athletes he has.

"I'll tell any coach, and we make it no secret – he wants to play, and he's putting in the time to where he should expect to play,"

I don't think he's looking for a guarantee, but more a situation where the minutes are going to be available.

[TallTitan34]

Agreed.  I think JP is well aware of the talent above or below him at each of the schools he's considering.  He knows where he can get the most minutes.

[Stretchdeltsig]

JP would make a great Warrior!  He will probably grow to 6'8" this year. He could help MU win the Big East and NCAA!

[Brewtown Andy]

Agreed.  I think JP is well aware of the talent above or below him at each of the schools he's considering.  He knows where he can get the most minutes.

And you could make a pretty solid argument that Buzz's switchables concept makes a lot of available minutes for a guy willing and able to defend anywhere on the floor.

[Ari Gold]

Last night JP logged 2 fouls in the first 3 1/2 minutes of the game.
Bo Ryan was at the game, got to watch JP's bench sitting abilities for the first half
MFHS lost to MU 58-53 (higher scoring than some B11 games and they don't have a shot clock)


http://www.jsonline.com/sports/preps/111307869.html

[Sir Lawrence]

Last night JP logged 2 fouls in the first 3 1/2 minutes of the game.
Bo Ryan was at the game, got to watch JP's bench sitting abilities for the first half
MFHS lost to MU 58-53 (higher scoring than some B11 games and they don't have a shot clock)


http://www.jsonline.com/sports/preps/111307869.html

I wonder what Bo thought of Johnny Kopriva, the kid from MUHS.  I guess he's going to Vermont, but he seems like he'd be a Bo kind of player.  (Except that he doesn't look like a farm boy.)

[4everwarriors]

I wonder what Bo thought of Johnny Kopriva, the kid from MUHS.  I guess he's going to Vermont, but he seems like he'd be a Bo kind of player.  (Except that he doesn't look like a farm boy.)

So, he's a traditional player?

[augoman]

From what I saw on the tape, Kopriva would be a great addition to any team..., including MU.  Solid fundamentals and seemed to have 'court savvy'.

[GGGG]

From what I saw on the tape, Kopriva would be a great addition to any team..., including MU.  Solid fundamentals and seemed to have 'court savvy'.

He was offered by Vermont, Bucknell, Monmouth, New Hampshire, Sienna and Wagner.  No thanks.