The coaches need to figure out

[shaquilvaine]

a way to get Jake Thomas open.  Given our lack of outside shooting, why not run some set plays for JT, double screens, etc.  if we get behind, our lack of outside shooting is going to make it difficult to catch up. 

[MattyWarrior]

I have my doubts about him, looks like hes trying to play to fast,and even his form was off last nite.

[79Warrior]

I have my doubts about him, looks like hes trying to play to fast,and even his form was off last nite.

And that was against two cupcakes. This will be a very interesting week in Maui.

[unforgiven]

If BE success this season rests on Thomas getting open we are in deep excrement. With corn.

[IrwinFletcher]

I just don't understand the Jake Thomas love.  A great story and all, but his 3 point shots have missed badly so far and he doesn't attack the rim.

I would much rather see Ferguson take his minutes and let him attack the rim and lets see what kind of outside shot he has.  A better option at this point I think.

[RJax55]

I have my doubts about him, looks like hes trying to play to fast,and even his form was off last nite.

Agree.

And, while everybody is making a big deal about outside shooting, last night's offensive woes were caused more by missed lay-ups than anything else. I counted at least 6 blown lay-ups. Make those and MU wins going away. I'm more concerned about our lack of finishing. Especially from guys like Junior and Trent.

[RJax55]

I just don't understand the Jake Thomas love.

He's a traditional.

[Jay Bee]

Yes. Why aren't we game planning more around our walk-ons? C'mon coaches, figure it out!

[Earl Tatum]

Maybe missed it---- I know Mayo is ineligible, but is he still in school or has he left.

[Nukem2]

Maybe missed it---- I know Mayo is ineligible, but is he still in school or has he left.

Still in school.

[brewcity77]

I just don't understand the Jake Thomas love.  A great story and all, but his 3 point shots have missed badly so far and he doesn't attack the rim.

I would much rather see Ferguson take his minutes and let him attack the rim and lets see what kind of outside shot he has.  A better option at this point I think.

Jake is also a fourth-year junior who has been in the system two years, has a higher ppg average than Trent Lockett and prior to this year had scored double digits every time he played in the state of Wisconsin (12.7 ppg in 3 games, 1 at UW and 2 at MU).

Ferguson is longer and may have a bit more spring to his step, but outside of one breakaway dunk hasn't really shown us all that much to get excited about either. Right now, I'll take Thomas strictly on the basis that he knows the defense better.

[tower912]

Thanks to Mayo, MU has 5 guys who have played extensive minutes in the system.    Juan and DWilson had a few minutes last year and it shows on the floor as both are playing with new confidence.    Lockett, Jake, Taylor, and Ferguson are ALL finding their way on the floor and trying to figure out in game situations how they fit and where to be on offense and defense.    I think Jake wins us a couple of games this year.    Right now, he is just another new guy at MU.      This is why, even though we have a great class coming in, I am genuinely concerned about next year.   

[Marqevans]

Without Mayo the coaches need to figure out how to play "bigger".  Last year because of injuries they had to adjust to playing "smaller" and they did an excellent job.

[GGGG]

Without Mayo the coaches need to figure out how to play "bigger".

"Figure out?"  They have pretty much already done that.  IMO, they put a bigger line up on the court now than they pretty much ever have last year.  Futhermore, they feed the post constantly.  They are already playing bigger.

[Golden Avalanche]

Jake is also a fourth-year junior who has been in the system two years, has a higher ppg average than Trent Lockett and prior to this year had scored double digits every time he played in the state of Wisconsin (12.7 ppg in 3 games, 1 at UW and 2 at MU).

Ferguson is longer and may have a bit more spring to his step, but outside of one breakaway dunk hasn't really shown us all that much to get excited about either. Right now, I'll take Thomas strictly on the basis that he knows the defense better.

Why do you feel Thomas knows the defense better than Ferguson?

[Hards Alumni]

Why do you feel Thomas knows the defense better than Ferguson?

extra year of experience, of course.

[brewcity77]

extra year of experience, of course.

Yup.

[ceh]

I'm guessing that Jake will have some opportunities as DV and CO will most likely draw doubles every time they touch the ball.  Should be a great situation for a spot-up guy.

[hairy worthen]

I'm guessing that Jake will have some opportunities as DV and CO will most likely draw doubles every time they touch the ball.  Should be a great situation for a spot-up guy.

Yes, but the bigs need to improve on their passing and know when to pass out vs going to the basket.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Buzz said this on Media Day...this team needs to be incredibly efficient...and they have been so far, despite scattered line-ups and the up an down against cupcakes. Every player but Blue, despite the team stinker against SLU, has an ORating over 100.  Junior and DWilson have kept turnover % very low. Derek Wilson has no turnovers this year, and only 9 last year. MU has one of the best assist to FGM percents in the country.

So despite missing wide open lay-ups against SLU, MU is getting the shots they need to make and in a position to make them.  With Mayo gone, however, they will continue to struggle against a zone on the perimeter.  The upside this season is that we do have bigs in the middle.  And, Blue and Thomas are actually better shooters when flat footed and not on the dribble or run.   

[Golden Avalanche]

Yup.

Really? Because I see that each have only played two games for Marquette in their entire career.

I missed the memo so I'm not sure when a walk-on who's coming off missing an entire season of competitive basketball suddenly has such an enormous advantage on an incoming prospect.

Seems to me both are on the ground floor regarding their roles on either side of the game.

[GGGG]

Really? Because I see that each have only played two games for Marquette in their entire career.

I missed the memo so I'm not sure when a walk-on who's coming off missing an entire season of competitive basketball suddenly has such an enormous advantage on an incoming prospect.

Seems to me both are on the ground floor regarding their roles on either side of the game.

He's also gone through an entire season's more worth of practice.  That means a great deal when it comes to learning a defensive system.  Furthermore, he has two additional years as a college player.  College defenses are likely a whole that more complex than what Ferguson ran in high school. 

[brewcity77]

Really? Because I see that each have only played two games for Marquette in their entire career.

I missed the memo so I'm not sure when a walk-on who's coming off missing an entire season of competitive basketball suddenly has such an enormous advantage on an incoming prospect.

Seems to me both are on the ground floor regarding their roles on either side of the game.

Yes, obviously you did. Pretty much everything you said is simply wrong. Jake was here on scholarship last year. He did everything with the team. He was at all the practices, in all the meetings, taking part in the workouts. He's had a year of Buzz teaching him, a year of sitting next to the players and coaches on the sidelines, focusing on what will be expected. In addition, he had two years of D1 basketball prior to this. From a preparation standpoint, I can't possibly see how anyone would think they are on the same level.

[Golden Avalanche]

Yes, obviously you did. Pretty much everything you said is simply wrong. Jake was here on scholarship last year. He did everything with the team. He was at all the practices, in all the meetings, taking part in the workouts. He's had a year of Buzz teaching him, a year of sitting next to the players and coaches on the sidelines, focusing on what will be expected. In addition, he had two years of D1 basketball prior to this. From a preparation standpoint, I can't possibly see how anyone would think they are on the same level.

Oh, yeah, I forgot the rules of Scoop during my Hurricane down time.

Sorry to have taken up that valuable time of yours with my stupidity.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Really? Because I see that each have only played two games for Marquette in their entire career.

I missed the memo so I'm not sure when a walk-on who's coming off missing an entire season of competitive basketball suddenly has such an enormous advantage on an incoming prospect.

Seems to me both are on the ground floor regarding their roles on either side of the game.

Players play about 35 games per year.

They practice probably 200+ times per year.

Game time is certainly important, but a year's worth of practice is worth quite a bit, especially when learning a system.