Do we have any shooters next year?

[Murffieus 1]

What hurts are shooting is that except for Crowder's spot shooting from the top of the circle MU isn't consistent both from where shots are taken and the type of shots taken.

Shooting the same type of shots from the same angles relative to the hoop is very important in FG %.

[brewcity77]

I'm going to be the first to predict it, but I'm going to put JC at 12 pts 6 assists per game next year.  I think next year we are one of those teams that have 5 guys average in double figures every game. In case people are wondering who, JC, Vander, Mayo, DG and Wilson.

I expect a big jump from Juan as well, and TJ Taylor could be a guy who comes in and has a massive, DJO-type impact. Let's not forget he was a top-100 player coming out of college and has been lighting it up (notably from beyond the arc) at Paris JC. We'll be fine next year, and very deep.

[TJ]

I was going to start a topic asking if anyone thought Buzz would consider recruiting a pure shooter going forward.  I think that is one area that our roster has been clearly lacking for the last two seasons because Buzz doesn't seem to focus on it in recruiting.

[axaguy]

We haven't had any real shooters since Novak left. Remember last year's team? Same streaky shooting as this year. We work very hard, especially on defense but didn't/don't have a real shooter. Some scorers who can and are streaky but no go to guy for a "shot."

Plain and simple....

Last year we destroyed ND at home by 30 on a night when blindfolded shots dropped. The rematch in South Bend saw us losing to a mediocre ND team because we went "cold!!"

Same style this year. Live by the sword, die by the sword.....

Year's prediction. Finish in the middle of the Big East 8-8 or so, and win one or two in the tournament, again, until our lack of height (inside game) and consistent shooting does us in, again...........

[Bocephys]

I was going to start a topic asking if anyone thought Buzz would consider recruiting a pure shooter going forward.  I think that is one area that our roster has been clearly lacking for the last two seasons because Buzz doesn't seem to focus on it in recruiting.

He already did, his name is Jake Thomas and he won't even cost us a scholarship.

[TJ]

He already did, his name is Jake Thomas and he won't even cost us a scholarship.

To be fair, my statement was a bit misleading as I don't really follow recruiting and Buzz might be going after shooters already.  So I'll say it's obvious that he didn't focus on it the last few years.  I hope that Jake Thomas works out and provides us with a much needed skill that's missing from this team.  Moreover, I hope that Buzz continues to attempt to land shooters in the future (though not overcompensating and having 6 of them on the roster).

[Golden Avalanche]

He already did, his name is Jake Thomas and he won't even cost us a scholarship.

I just don't see how Thomas gets minutes on a team that already struggles with defense.

[brewcity77]

Year's prediction. Finish in the middle of the Big East 8-8 or so, and win one or two in the tournament, again, until our lack of height (inside game) and consistent shooting does us in, again...........

I will bet you anything you choose that we won't FINISH 8-8 in Big East play this year or next year.

[Stretchdeltsig]

Agree that we need more height and shooters.  Jake Thomas will be an important player for MU next year.  We could use him now.  Just because Thomas is a great shooter doesn't mean that he's a bad defender.  What good does it do, if we steal a ball take it to the hoop and blow the layups?  We need shooters!!!

[MuMark]

 Jones was supposed to be a shooter. He has a great looking jump shot....it just doesn't go in enough.

Sometimes you miss.

Sometimes shooters develope at different rates. McNeal couldn't shoot at all when he got to mU...when he left he was a very good 3 point shooter. Wes was very inconsistent at MU but now can hit the NBA 3 at a high rate.

Every school goes through the same thing when they have roster turnover due to graduation.

Steve Taylor and TJ taylor have great looking jump shots. I would expect them to be able to make 3's. Will they? Only time will tell.

[g0lden3agle]

I will bet you anything you choose that we won't FINISH 8-8 in Big East play this year or next year.

Because we play 18 games a year, or because you honestly think there's no way we are a .500 BEast team this year of the next?

[mileskishnish72]

I think he gave it away with the word "finish" all in caps.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

I just don't see how Thomas gets minutes on a team that already struggles with defense.

Who gets more minutes? A marginal defender who can't shoot or a below average defender who can shoot?

Probably depends upon match-ups. They both will get a chance to play.

[mubb34]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3wcnX4nqYA


Heres a nice display of Jake Thomas....

Jimmer?

[Golden Avalanche]

Who gets more minutes? A marginal defender who can't shoot or a below average defender who can shoot?

Probably depends upon match-ups. They both will get a chance to play.

If we are to take Buzz at his word (and some believe him to be the most honest coach in the history of the profession) then the marginal defender will always win out.

[leever]

I will bet you anything you choose that we won't FINISH 8-8 in Big East play this year or next year.

Because we play 18 games a year, or because you honestly think there's no way we are a .500 BEast team this year of the next?

Oh, I think I see what he did there!

[Stretchdeltsig]

Watching Jake shoot in that video made me drool.  We could really, really use him on this team.  It would be great to have a great shooter without question.

[Lennys Tap]

If we are to take Buzz at his word (and some believe him to be the most honest coach in the history of the profession) then the marginal defender will always win out.

If this is supposed to be funny, not so much. If meant to be an unfair distortion and a cheap shot at our coach and all the people you see as morons who are naive enough to support him, mission accomplished.

[Lennys Tap]

Who gets more minutes? A marginal defender who can't shoot or a below average defender who can shoot?

Probably depends upon match-ups. They both will get a chance to play.

Imperfect players make for imperfect solutions. Go offense/defense as much as possible. Ride a hot shooter, pull him when he cools or is abused on D.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Imperfect players make for imperfect solutions. Go offense/defense as much as possible. Ride a hot shooter, pull him when he cools or is abused on D.

Yep, which is why I think Jake will play next year.

It's a bit like Gardner, when used correctly, he can be effective offensively and adequate defensively.

[mubb34]

Watching Jake shoot in that video made me drool.  We could really, really use him on this team.  It would be great to have a great shooter without question.

It reminds me of Jimmer from where and how he pulls up on the floor....I cant wait for this kid to be sitting in the corner when the drive is going down the lane....then the kick to Thomas for 3....Im lovin it!

[Golden Avalanche]

If this is supposed to be funny, not so much. If meant to be an unfair distortion and a cheap shot at our coach and all the people you see as morons who are naive enough to support him, mission accomplished.

It wasn't any of the dream scenarios you imagined. I don't have the energy to create crap like that for this audience like you do.

Buzz has said consistently that defense gets you on the court. Buzz has been praised by many here for being brutally honest. Thus, in answering the question posed to me, Buzz at his word would play the marginal defender ahead of the below average defender.

Can't argue that.

[brewcity77]

Yep, which is why I think Jake will play next year.

It's a bit like Gardner, when used correctly, he can be effective offensively and adequate defensively.

Initially, I was thinking Jake would get somewhere in the 5-8 mpg range. More than Frozena, but just enough to maybe put up a few points. Watching this team now, I'm starting to think he'll get more time. Yes, he has some defensive inadequacies, but he also has an entire year to work primarily on his defense against high-major competition in practice. With Buzz's substitution policy, I could see him getting 10-15 mpg. With his shooting, he's a valuable weapon. And with Blue, Mayo, DW, Jamil, and Otule likely to all see more minutes next year, Thomas' defensive inadequacies can be hidden by simply putting him on the least effective opposing offensive player.