Jake Thomas has RANGE

[RyanConroy]

I see this was briefly discussed in his initial topic, but I feel like this deserves to be brought to light in its own thread:

One of my good friends is involved with the basketball program here, and I was surprised hear how impressive Jake Thomas has looked during open gyms and the few early group workouts that have recently commenced. According to him, Jake Thomas has JIMMER range. Check out this video of a 40 point game he had if you haven't already:

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

Anyway, whether he is the complete package or not, let's hope he can step in next hear and pick up some of the offensive production that MU will miss with the loss of DJO and Crowder. Andy Rautins doesn't sound too bad to me, especially considering Thomas is only using a one year scholarship.

[MattyWarrior]

Chris Otule is a junior this year, so next year he can rebound his few misses.

[RyanConroy]

Whoops, all the better, haha. I saw him play at the BC against Syracuse before I was even a student here (and I'm a junior), so it was odd adjusting to the fact that he was still a Freshman/Sophomore the last couple of years.

[Stretchdeltsig]

Jake is a tremendous shooter.  Marquette is lucky to have him.  He will make a difference during his career at MU!

[Balrogs]

Maybe he can teach Blue something...

[rocky_warrior]

Maybe he can teach Blue something...

From the looks of it, in practice he'll be teaching everyone on the team how to defend a shooter with ridiculous range.

[mviale]

Dude has game.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4ISKrx8Mn0&feature=related

[nycwarrior]

he aint perfect but he's a warrior.

let it fly jake

[brewcity77]

His range is simply ridiculous. Having a player like that walk-on is a huge benefit.

[schubert33]

[especially considering Thomas is only using a one year scholarship.
[/quote]

All players are on 1 year scholarships... 

[GGGG]

He may have range, but his troubles will occur at the other end of the floor.  

[bilsu]

He may have range, but his troubles will occur at the other end of the floor.  

I am not so sure about that. He has good size for a guard and would be covering the 2 guard and not the quicker point. Of course in the video he was hitting everything in sight. That video reminded me of Ohio St's Diebler.

[Henry Sugar]

He may have range, but his troubles will occur at the other end of the floor.  

That would make him unique for Buzz's defense how?

(I'm just warming up for the season here)

[RubyWiscy]

Very nice range.  Incredible how bad the defense was on him in the video, though.  Even when a defender was standing right next to him, not even a hand was raised to disrupt the shot.  Almost comical.  Just sayin'.

[GGGG]

I am not so sure about that. He has good size for a guard and would be covering the 2 guard and not the quicker point.

Well....let me just say that reports are that "lateral quickness" is an issue, and while he has OK size for a two guard, strength is an issue.  He is going to have trouble keeping people out of the lane.

[RyanConroy]

[especially considering Thomas is only using a one year scholarship.


All players are on 1 year scholarships... 

He is only receiving a scholarship for THIS year. The plan is that he will be playing without scholarship for the rest of his playing career.

[NersEllenson]

That would make him unique for Buzz's defense how?

(I'm just warming up for the season here)

Part of my contention as to the issues some have with Buzz's defense is:

1) We played a better schedule last year than ever in school history - it stands to reason more talented teams are harder to stop.

2) Due to depth issues in 2009 and 2010 - MU couldn't risk a player to foul out - and as we know - 90% of fouls are picked up on the defensive end.

3) And probably a bigger factor than any is Buzzball 101 which says MU needs to MAKE more free throws than its opponent attempts.  MU almost always wins this battle, doesn't put teams in the bonus, as a result of fouling - and fouling is usually the outcome of over-agressive defense.  My feeling is MU players are coached to almost allow a basket down low - than being overly aggressive in contesting so as NOT to foul.

[GGGG]

I think the major issues were lack of size giving up too many offensive rebounds, and extending the defense too far out on the perimeter and getting caught out of place when the other team takes advantage of that.

I hope that this gets resolved as Buzz gets more of his type of players in here.  Long...rangy...athletic type players that can cover more of the floor in a shorter period of time. 

However, that does not describe Jake Thomas.

[Bocephys]

3) And probably a bigger factor than any is Buzzball 101 which says MU needs to MAKE more free throws than its opponent attempts.  MU almost always wins this battle, doesn't put teams in the bonus, as a result of fouling - and fouling is usually the outcome of over-agressive defense.  My feeling is MU players are coached to almost allow a basket down low - than being overly aggressive in contesting so as NOT to foul.

Except Jae Crowder of course, that guy was king of swatting at guys while going for a strip but giving up an easy "And 1".

[bilsu]

Thomas is a lot stronger than he was in high school and I would expect him to be stronger a year from now. They are not going to put him in to play man to man defense. They are going to put him in to stretch the floor on offense.

[GGGG]

bilsu, that is exactly what I am saying.  He will fill a role and hopefully excel in that role.

[humanlung]

Amazing range...but how is he in the wide post? 

Just askin'.   

[ATL MU Warrior]

Well....let me just say that reports are that "lateral quickness" is an issue, and while he has OK size for a two guard, strength is an issue.  He is going to have trouble keeping people out of the lane.

he'll fit right in...

[flash]

Tremendous video, but I don't expect this guy to make any contributions this year.  The defense he saw in that 40 point game was pathetic, and he doesn't appear to have the lateral quickness necessary to defend big east guards.  Maybe next season we will see him. 

[Nukem2]

Tremendous video, but I don't expect this guy to make any contributions this year.  The defense he saw in that 40 point game was pathetic, and he doesn't appear to have the lateral quickness necessary to defend big east guards.  Maybe next season we will see him. 

Umm, he is a redshirt transfer this season, so we won't see him until next year.