Jake Thomas Justification

[Superfan]

Last night he played 34 minutes, shot 1-6 from three point land, had zero assists, one turnover and three fouls.  Meanwhile, Mayo played 27 minutes and JJJ played one minute.  Also, I see nothing overly impressive about his defense.  After watching this for 24 games, I fail to understand why Jake gets anywhere near the minutes that he does.   

[MU82]

I agree.

Jake does usually get good positioning on defense and is good at team defensive concepts. He mostly keeps his man in front of him. And, offensively, he is at least a threat to hit a 3.

Obviously, Buzz trusts him more than the kids, especially in crucial situations, and that is understandable. But to only give a healthy JJJ less than a minute simply doesn't make much sense.

It will be interesting to see who Buzz will be able to trust at 2G next season!

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

It will be interesting to see who Buzz will be able to trust at 2G next season!

See: Mayo, Todd.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Last night he played 34 minutes, shot 1-6 from three point land, had zero assists, one turnover and three fouls.  Meanwhile, Mayo played 27 minutes and JJJ played one minute.  Also, I see nothing overly impressive about his defense.  After watching this for 24 games, I fail to understand why Jake gets anywhere near the minutes that he does.   

Yet he was tied for highest +/- (with Derrick) for the game last night. The things Jake does do not show up in the stat sheet but they help our team win.

[PGsHeroes32]

Yet he was tied for highest +/- (with Derrick) for the game last night. The things Jake does do not show up in the stat sheet but they help our team win.

I do like that lineup of 5 we had but don't go overboard. If Jake didn't play yesterday we still win. If mayo jamil or Ox don't we get destroyed.

[MU82]

Yet he was tied for highest +/- (with Derrick) for the game last night. The things Jake does do not show up in the stat sheet but they help our team win.

This is one of the reasons +/- is a flawed stat. Jake was playing with the No. 1 unit whenever he was on the floor. Maybe if JJJ had those exact same minutes, he would have had the exact same +/-. Or maybe it would have been even better because JJJ would have scored a few points.

Or maybe not.

We'll never know because the team's No. 1 recruit couldn't even find 3 minutes of playing time while the walk-on got 34 minutes to fire a bunch of misaligned scuds.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I do like that lineup of 5 we had but don't go overboard. If Jake didn't play yesterday we still win. If mayo jamil or Ox don't we get destroyed.

I'm honestly not sure about that. Without Jake, maybe Oliver goes off for 20 (as he has been prone to do). Without Jake, the Hall defense double and triple teams every time we get in the paint.

Is he our star? Absolutely not. But he does more than he gets credit for

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

We'll never know because the team's No. 1 recruit couldn't even find 3 minutes of playing time while the walk-on got 34 minutes to fire a bunch of misaligned scuds.

I'm going to use one of your quotes from the Derrick Dawson argument.

he couldn't beat out Derrick Jake in the eyes of the coach who sees both of them for several hours every single day.

Buzz sees both JJJ and Jake in practice every day. Buzz obviously sees something in Jake that he can't get from Trey J. Does Trey J have a higher ceiling? Absolutely. But right now, Jake is earning those minutes over him.

[GGGG]

I do like that lineup of 5 we had but don't go overboard. If Jake didn't play yesterday we still win. If mayo jamil or Ox don't we get destroyed.

I don't see any evidence that JJJ can do what jake does in the team defense.  The reason MU has won the last two games is in part because of the clamps they put down on the defensive end.  Don't underestimate the role that jake plays in the regard.

[PGsHeroes32]

I'm honestly not sure about that. Without Jake, maybe Oliver goes off for 20 (as he has been prone to do). Without Jake, the Hall defense double and triple teams every time we get in the paint.

Is he our star? Absolutely not. But he does more than he gets credit for

Oliver went off for 5-7 from 3. I highly doubt it was going to get any better than that.

[PGsHeroes32]

I don't see any evidence that JJJ can do what jake does in the team defense.  The reason MU has won the last two games is in part because of the clamps they put down on the defensive end.  Don't underestimate the role that jake plays in the regard.

Not underestimating its just annoying that how far people reach for Jake, Dwil and Chris. Yes, two of them were a part of our best lineup yesterday

Put it gets ridiculous the little praise they get and it's constantly "todd is so inconsistent" "davante is lazy" etc..

When fact is....we would literally be screwed without them and jake like it or not IS replaceable. That's all.

Honestly without jake that would just force Buzz to play Mayo 35 minutes....which he should be playing. With Jake getting Todds usual 23-27ish.

[GGGG]

I'm not saying jake is irreplaceable. I think by next year we will forget he was even here. I just think that right now he is part of the most consistent unit buzz pus on the floor and that simply taking him out and putting JJJ in doesn't necessarily mean improvement.

[jesmu84]

Oliver went off for 5-7 from 3. I highly doubt it was going to get any better than that.

I'd have to rewatch the game in its entirety to note when Jake was playing D on Oliver. I do know that Jake was D on Oliver at the end of the game when we made our big run and ultimately ended up winning. Jake played the last 9:22 of the game, no points or attempts from Oliver. Could be complete coincidence, but that's what the play-by-play shows.

[PGsHeroes32]

I'm not saying jake is irreplaceable. I think by next year we will forget he was even here. I just think that right now he is part of the most consistent unit buzz pus on the floor and that simply taking him out and putting JJJ in doesn't necessarily mean improvement.

yeah I do think he is a key part. I just don't like the constant "little things" clamor. It's almost as annoying as the people who refuse to see any contributions of his.

Like I said though, it wouldn't really be putting JJJ in. Mayo would just be getting full time minutes. Which he should now even with Jake. Still think 27 is too low.

[Superfan]

This is a question that we will never know the answer to, but I can't help but wonder how different, and possibly better, this team would be if JJJ got major minutes early in the year, especially against some of the easy teams.  I can't help but think that his lack of development is the result, in part, to his lack of game time.  Given his credentials coming in here, it just seems like a huge opportunity cost.

[Goose]

Jake is a role player, not a 34 minute a game player. I was shocked to see Jamil come out last night in first half before Jake came out. If Jamil is tired work his time off the court around TV timeouts. While I cannot say a lot of positive about Jake I do not need to bash him either. In right rotation he can be effective, especially if he can make a shot.

[mu-rara]

I don't see any evidence that JJJ can do what jake does in the team defense.  The reason MU has won the last two games is in part because of the clamps they put down on the defensive end.  Don't underestimate the role that jake plays in the regard.

Sultan, look at his stat line.  For the love of God, will you look at his stat line.

[connie]

Same argument--different player.  This is getting old.

[tower912]

If JJJ had shown an understanding of all of the defensive help, recover, rotation responsibilities, he would get more time.   Jake understands it completely and is always where he is supposed to be.   JJJ doesn't.    Todd didn't but is getting better.    What exactly is the question?    If you don't know where you are supposed to be on defense at all times, you don't get big minutes.   Jake does.   JJJ doesn't yet.   Jake completely sells out going for loose balls.   JJJ doesn't yet.     Simple.    I firmly believe that JJJ can beat Jake 1 on 1.   I firmly believe he will be very good.   Like most frosh, he is struggling with Buzz's defensive expectations.    I expect him to be immensely better next year. 

[GooooMarquette]

Anyone here who knows the players, the game plan and college hoops more than Buzz, raise your hand.

crickets

crickets

Didn't think so....

[Dawson Rental]

Anyone here who knows the players, the game plan and college hoops more than Buzz, raise your hand.

crickets

crickets

Didn't think so....

I agree.  This thread can be filed away with around 100+ others from this year under: "I thought the team would be better this year, so I'm disappointed in how the team is playing this year, so Buzz must be doing something wrong, I bet I can figure it out."  Sure, sure, you can.

Actually, the only problem with Jake Thomas is that Buzz doesn't do enough to shore up his confidence, therefore he doesn't take and make all the three point shots he should.

[Boone]

Like Derrick, Jake is low risk, low reward.

[Markusquette]

Can we at least keep complaining to a minimum after victories?  Maybe some of us can channel our never ending frustrations with Wilson and Thomas into positivity instead of beating a dead horse.  For instance, we could be imagining Jake's poster dunk vs. Xavier and Derrick raining a few trey balls.

[Dawson Rental]

Like Derrick, Jake is low risk, low reward.

Then how does this team lead the Big East in scoring defense?

[jesmu84]

Can we at least keep complaining to a minimum after victories?  Maybe some of us can channel our never ending frustrations with Wilson and Thomas into positivity instead of beating a dead horse.  For instance, we could be imagining Jake's poster dunk vs. Xavier and Derrick raining a few trey balls.

Jake absolutely rejected a 3pt shot at the end of the SH game. That was a pretty awesome play.