JP Tokoto Question

[Tugg Speedman]

His last two games (Sunday against Fla St, Tonight against Maryland) he had 0 minutes.  These are the only two games has has not play this year. 

The 2 games before this (Clemson and NC State) he had a then season low of 3 minutes in each game. 

He has not scored in the last 6 games.  He has not even attempted a shot in the last 6 games.

Unless he is hurt or sick it is distributing that as the season progresses his stats get smaller and smaller.  Now he does not even play anymore.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/gamelog/_/id/61654/jp-tokoto

[brewcity77]

He's a freshman. He'll be fine.

[Tugg Speedman]

He's a freshman. He'll be fine.

Statistically he cannot be worse ... he's literally at zero now.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Benches shorten this time of year.  Are you worried about Jamal Ferguson transferring?

[martyconlonontherun]

Benches shorten this time of year.  Are you worried about Jamal Ferguson transferring?

I don't think anyone is "worried" about Ferguson transferring with us being oversigned by 1, being really deep, and a ton of young talent coming in. Wondering, contemplating, predicting are more appropriate words for this board.

[raul]

Tokoto should have stayed at home

[ChicosBailBonds]

Tokoto should have stayed at home

That's for one person to decide...and he decided...and he could re-decide. 

[Goose]

Chico's

Buzz sure has not shortened his bench this time of year.

[4everwarriors]

I'm certain Tokoto was well aware of what he was gettin' into when he signed with Chapel Hill. Unless someone has insider info to the contrary, assume he is takin' a normal ladder of progression approach there and is happy from both an academic and athletic perspective.
He's an extraordinary basketball talent who will play a major basketball role wherever he's in college. Strange as it may seem, how many minutes one's on the court is not the only barometer that measures a student athlete's happiness. As was said, for a freshman, he's doin' just fine.

[mu03eng]

While not off the same height cliff, remember Vander's stats fell off a cliff once conference play started his freshmen year.  It's a freshmen thing, he'll be fine.

As far as Jamal, if he transfers I won't bat an eye.  I think he's got talent, and will contribute over the next four years here but with the amount of talent we have here and incoming next year it has to be expected.  I want him to stay but won't have any problem if he chooses to put his talents on display somewhere else.

[Goose]

I think JP and his family have done a great job in the whole college process. Highly doubt if he expected or was promised a great deal of playing time and probably is comfortable in situation. That coupled with a team that has struggled it probably led to less playing time as Williams needed to stick with more established players to right the ship. I suspect that JP and his family will make right decision moving forward, whether staying at UNC or moving on. It is a learning process.

[CTWarrior]

I'd like to point out that Tokoto is averaging 3.1 ppg, 1.9 rpg and 0.9 apg.  Our own Steve Taylor is averaging 3.3 ppg, 2.1 rpg and 0.2 apg, very similar numbers.  And we think Steve Taylor is going to be a star.  Now, I admit I haven't watched 5 minutes of a UNC game since Maui, and Steve is trending in the better direction at the moment, but I don't think there is any evidence that Tokoto won't be a great player for UNC.

[sarcastro]

What was it that Al used to say about freshmen? 

The best part about freshman at North Carolina is I don't have to give a crap because I coach Marquette.

[Tugg Speedman]

I'd like to point out that Tokoto is averaging 3.1 ppg, 1.9 rpg and 0.9 apg.  Our own Steve Taylor is averaging 3.3 ppg, 2.1 rpg and 0.2 apg, very similar numbers.  And we think Steve Taylor is going to be a star.  Now, I admit I haven't watched 5 minutes of a UNC game since Maui, and Steve is trending in the better direction at the moment, but I don't think there is any evidence that Tokoto won't be a great player for UNC.

Your stats include cupcakes earlier in the year.  All year Tokoto has been trending lower and lower in minutes.  He is now at Zero.

Last four games for Tokoto
6 minutes in total (1.5 minutes/game) no points no shots, zero minutes in the last two games


Last four games for Taylor Jr.
52 minutes in total (13 minutes/game) 18 points on 13 shots, 23 minutes in the last 2 games

You guys are too nice.  So I will say it.  Unless someone wants to argue he is injured (like Juan with his shoulder last year) Stick a fork in Tokoto, he will not be a regular starter at UNC.  He is a bench player that will work into spot minutes as the years progress.  Soon he will have multiple Burger Boys to compete with and they will immediately jump over him.

Please show me a UNC player that went from 9 minutes a game in the non-conference part of the season to zero minutes by March of his Freshman year that eventually became a starter and solid contributor (that does not involve an injury)?  Isn't Steve Taylor going the opposite way?  He is getting more minutes as the season progresses.

The question we should ask is now that we already over-signed by one, does Buzz take him if he wants to transfer?

[Hards Alumni]

Chico's

Buzz sure has not shortened his bench this time of year.

It did for Juan last year.

[NavinRJohnson]

The question we should ask is now that we already over-signed by one, does Buzz take him if he wants to transfer?

Were that to happen, unless you decide he just can't play and you can find a way to make it work (Thomas, Wilson, Ferguson, COT, Mayo, ?...seems there could be options) without question you take him. Bring him in here with a chip on his shoulder, and teach him how to play Buzz ball...that could be a thing.

[Tugg Speedman]

It did for Juan last year.

He was hurt and had shoulder surgery immediately after the season ended.

Is Tokoto hurt?

[NavinRJohnson]

Another Fr., James isn't really playing either. Guess it really depends what they have coming in...I don't know, but if there are a couple big time guys coming, it certainly is feasible that he ends up hurtin for minutes. I guess I would suggest that the odds are against that, and he will find his time increasing next year and beyond, but its interesting to think about.

[Hards Alumni]

He was hurt and had shoulder surgery immediately after the season ended.

Is Tokoto hurt?

Yet he suited up for every game and played in two NCAA Tournament games.  He played about as much as JP Tokoto.

AFAIK JP isn't hurt.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Is Tokoto hurt?

Yes...some sort of hand injury.

http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=78&f=1410&t=11340650

[hairy worthen]

Your stats include cupcakes earlier in the year.  All year Tokoto has been trending lower and lower in minutes.  He is now at Zero.

Last four games for Tokoto
6 minutes in total (1.5 minutes/game) no points no shots, zero minutes in the last two games


Last four games for Taylor Jr.
52 minutes in total (13 minutes/game) 18 points on 13 shots, 23 minutes in the last 2 games


The question we should ask is now that we already over-signed by one, does Buzz take him if he wants to transfer?

The question then becomes, is he or will he be better than what we currently have or what we have coming in?  I haven't seen the kid enough to know, but it wouldn't be the first time a highly rated recruit didn't pan out.

[Tugg Speedman]

Yes...some sort of hand injury.

http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=78&f=1410&t=11340650

Thanks for this ... it does change my perception of him.

[BCHoopster]

I have seen nothing to get excited about with this kid.  I would put him in the same playing ability of Juan Anderson, talented but needs more to come out, maybe next year for both
kids, maybe after his soph year MU might have an opening for him.  Still trying to figure out in my head the player who is leaving or a frosh not coming.  Really do not like oversigning.
I wonder if Buzz has second thoughts.

[KenoshaWarrior]

Benches shorten this time of year.  Are you worried about Jamal Ferguson transferring?

Yes

[BCHoopster]

Yes

He might be the likely candidate, but he sure looks like he is talented, but with 4 guards coming next year, is there room?