Theo's Defense

[MuggsyB]

Have any of our coaches ever had a discussion with him about the potential issues when you try to literally block every shot?  I was just curious.

[Galway Eagle]

Yes they said "try harder to beat Jim McIlvaine's untouchable blocks record!

[MuggsyB]

Yes they said "try harder to beat Jim McIlvaine's untouchable blocks record!

Lol.  Touche Galway.  I guess I walked into that one.

[mug644]

His fifth foul came about because he needlessly tried to block a shot, only to give up the rebound to his own man, and then foul him as he went up.

[MarquetteFan94]

4 years and the dude still brings bud arms down on the offensive player around the rim.  Will leave here never having figured out how to not commit stupid fouls.

[OffTheGlass]

His tenacity and effort not to mention his toughness is second to none, but chasing his missed fee throw while pushing the opponent out of bounds is not thinking. That was his 3rd foul with about 2 minutes left in 1st half. Gotta be smarter than that!

[WarriorFan]

On offense he’s like a 6th defender as well.   Always in the way.

[AZMarqfan]

Two of his fouls appeared to barely brush the guy.  If this is a typical Big East physical game, he doesn't foul out so soon. 

I've wondered this as well.  Sometimes big guys just need to have their hands straight up and affect shots, not always try to block them.  Then again, several of the fouls tonight were phantom...so much for my thought

[MU82]

His tenacity and effort not to mention his toughness is second to none, but chasing his missed fee throw while pushing the opponent out of bounds is not thinking. That was his 3rd foul with about 2 minutes left in 1st half. Gotta be smarter than that!

He had just come back into the game with about 2 1/2 minutes left in the half after getting a little breather and I literally said to my wife: "Theo only has one foul. I'd love for him to get through the half without picking up the second one."

18 seconds later, he had not just 2 but effen THREE! And the latter one, after his FT miss, was terrible. He's smarter than that, darn it.

[panda]

He had just come back into the game with about 2 1/2 minutes left in the half after getting a little breather and I literally said to my wife: "Theo only has one foul. I'd love for him to get through the half without picking up the second one."

18 seconds later, he had not just 2 but effen THREE! And the latter one, after his FT miss, was terrible. He's smarter than that, darn it.

I love Theo’s effort but is he smarter than that? He’s been good for one or two of those fouls per game. Throughout his career.

[hairy worthen]

Have any of our coaches ever had a discussion with him about the potential issues when you try to literally block every shot?  I was just curious.

It's actually gotten better this year (not much) but that's 100% on the coaches.

[MuggsyB]

It's great to have tenacity but trying to block every shot isn't intelligent basketball.  It leads to all sorts of problems whether it be 2nd shots or fouls.  And a lot of the time he's late and the block shot attempt is wasted effort.   Once you plant and elevate it determines your body position defensively.  You can actually get to a spot quicker and contest the shot without fouling.  Once in awhile you can take a charge as well.  The bottom line is he would be a much better player if his primary concern was positioning and cleaning the glass.   I'm sorry but this is poor fundamental basketball and he's either not been taught or figured it out in 3.5 yrs.

[CTWarrior]

Have any of our coaches ever had a discussion with him about the potential issues when you try to literally block every shot?  I was just curious.

Two games ago, I wish I could record and embed, an SJU driver got a screen at the foul line and had a path to the basket.  Theo saw it, and instead of sliding over to block the path to the basket, he sorta ducked like he was trying to make himself invisible and let the guy drive to the hoop, springing out and leaping for the block at the last minute and allowing the lay in.  If the lay up missed his man was waiting to rebound and put it back in.  It was the perfect example of Theo selling out for a block.  That is not dumb basketball so much as it is selfish basketball that happens to be dumb.