Jones The Younger

[tower912]

Goose, last night was a victory to be celebrated for all time.  Now, this team, this year, has questions that can only be answered over time.  They aren't new questions.   
Will Kolek do better this year when Big East defenses play him for the pass?
Can Oso hold up down low?  Will he get consistent help?
How will MU adjust when teams start posting Sean up?
Can MU consistently shoot well enough from 3?
What will BEast coaches do to MU and how will MU counter?

Give the other coaches credit.  They have film on MU and are already planning.   Just like Shaka.


None of these are criticisms.   This is a team being led by juniors and sophomores.    If MU has positive answers to all of the questions, it will be fun.   I know last night was.

[MUfan12]

They're already playing Kolek to pass. And he's being exceptionally patient and finally hitting threes.

I think we'll see a bunch of zone at times this year. If Oso can get those lane floaters to fall that will help a ton.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

What kind of quicks does Tre Norman have?

All of them

[rgoode57]

Ben Gold is also developing nicely and you can see him gaining confidence. He is going to be a really nice addition. Last night he looked like he was enjoying himself, which is a very good sign.

But, the development of Sean Jones and Chase Ross is really way further along than we expected. They both look very comfortable in their roles. I agree that having the two of them on the floor together is fun to watch, and we will undoubtedly see more of it. Cannot wait for Chase's shot to start dropping more frequently, which will come. Was also glad to see Sean last night looking for more assist opportunities.

[MuggsyB]

Goose, last night was a victory to be celebrated for all time.  Now, this team, this year, has questions that can only be answered over time.  They aren't new questions.   
Will Kolek do better this year when Big East defenses play him for the pass?
Can Oso hold up down low?  Will he get consistent help?
How will MU adjust when teams start posting Sean up?
Can MU consistently shoot well enough from 3?
What will BEast coaches do to MU and how will MU counter?

Give the other coaches credit.  They have film on MU and are already planning.   Just like Shaka.


None of these are criticisms.   This is a team being led by juniors and sophomores.    If MU has positive answers to all of the questions, it will be fun.   I know last night was.

This is quite fair, it's just one game.  You certainly can't expect teams to kick it away 16 times for 24 points in a half.  That said I saw a controlled agression last night which was a huge positive.  O-Max in particular attacked with much better balance and footwork, used the shot fake and pivot foot, and destroyed Baylor's will once he added the 3-Ball.

[Goose]

tower

Last night was one for the ages and it was awesome to watch. Of course, there are still many questions, and we will see how it plays out. One question that has been answered, Sean Jones is legit and fun to watch.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

What kind of quicks does Tre Norman have?

Jerel McNeal type athlete.  His game is based more on body control than pure speed or above the rim play.

Zaide Lowery, on the other hand, is an explosive athlete like Chase Ross. 

Al Amadou is also a great athlete.  A different skillset than Oso, but that type of athleticism.

[CountryRoads]

Ben Gold is also developing nicely and you can see him gaining confidence. He is going to be a really nice addition. Last night he looked like he was enjoying himself, which is a very good sign.

But, the development of Sean Jones and Chase Ross is really way further along than we expected. They both look very comfortable in their roles. I agree that having the two of them on the floor together is fun to watch, and we will undoubtedly see more of it. Cannot wait for Chase's shot to start dropping more frequently, which will come. Was also glad to see Sean last night looking for more assist opportunities.

I noticed MU went away from playing Gold as the lone big in the last few games. Seems he’s played a lot better alongside Oso.

[rocket surgeon]

re: sean jones and post ups-we do seem to help out quite well.  our swarming defense has been fun to watch

[tower912]

Yes.   Shaka is experimenting with his players.    Great.    The more uses they all have the better. 

[Goose]

tower

Shaka has ice water in his veins when it comes to lineups on the court. His confidence in putting different lineups on the court is a big part of his system. He gets guys a lot of minutes and it is different look multiple times a game and it is hard to scout that type of system, IMO.

[JakeBarnes]

Jerel McNeal type athlete.  His game is based more on body control than pure speed or above the rim play.

Zaide Lowery, on the other hand, is an explosive athlete like Chase Ross. 

Al Amadou is also a great athlete.  A different skillset than Oso, but that type of athleticism.

Agree on the above. I am still throwing out the Jalen Brunson comparison for Tre. Super savvy player.

[tower912]

tower

Shaka has ice water in his veins when it comes to lineups on the court. His confidence in putting different lineups on the court is a big part of his system. He gets guys a lot of minutes and it is different look multiple times a game and it is hard to scout that type of system, IMO.

I mentioned in the Maestro thread that one of the things I really admire in the two years Shaka has been here is the way the freshmen all play without fear.   He has let them play and it paid off last night.      I love deep teams with interchangeable parts.   

[GoldenEagles03]

To me, Sean Jones honestly reminds me of a smaller version of Baylor's Davion Mitchell.

Built like a linebacker, fastest player on the court, will get into you defensively and not let go, and has such a quick burst.

Sean has a ways to go offensively to be like Davion, but the skillset looks the same and he is capable of becoming a really good offensive player.

[Uncle Rico]

Jones reminds me of Travis Diener

[GoldenEagles03]

Jones reminds me of Travis Diener

Both wear even numbered jerseys and play for Marquette.

[TSmith34, Inc.]

Jones reminds me of Derrick Wilson on speed.

[Elonsmusk]

Jones reminds me of Derrick Wilson on speed.

Please don't disparage Sean like this.  The only thing in common between Derrick and Sean is physical strength.  Sean's defense, offense, and impact are light years ahead of Senior Year Derrick.

[StillWarriors]

This is quite fair, it's just one game.  You certainly can't expect teams to kick it away 16 times for 24 points in a half.  That said I saw a controlled agression last night which was a huge positive.  O-Max in particular attacked with much better balance and footwork, used the shot fake and pivot foot, and destroyed Baylor's will once he added the 3-Ball.

I noticed that last night, as well. We have all seen countless times where our bigs have shuffled their feet for travels in the lane before getting a shot off. Several times last night guys were in that situation but stayed composed and scored. OMax's control on drives last night was outstanding. He's gotten into trouble where he has gone from 0-100 on drives and either lost his balance or the ball. He was assertive by his speed was controlled last night. Huge improvement and hopefully the new normal. That seems like a habit that would be hard to break, but the difference last night stood out.

[Uncle Rico]

Jones reminds me of Derrick Wilson on speed.

That’s a great comp.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Please don't disparage Sean like this.  The only thing in common between Derrick and Sean is physical strength.  Sean's defense, offense, and impact are light years ahead of Senior Year Derrick.

Stop it. Derrick Wilson was a fantastic defender, that's not a disparagement at all. Sean's offense is light years ahead of Derrick's.

[Elonsmusk]

Stop it. Derrick Wilson was a fantastic defender, that's not a disparagement at all. Sean's offense is light years ahead of Derrick's.

Derrick was a very good defender, yes.  Sean is absolutely elite.

[Lennys Tap]

Any of the Big 3 as freshman would’ve been our best player this year (assuming health for Wes). Freshman Markus would be this team’s best player. Ellenson by far would’ve been our best player. Justin Lewis was a freshman eligibility wise last year and would’ve been by far our best player.

While I disagree re most of your opinions here, I’ll leave them alone because they’re beside the point. How good a team is isn’t defined by one player. Henry Ellenson led his team to the 97th best in the country per Pomeroy and no tournament. If you still think this team has no chance to make the tournament unless Sean Jones is our best player you’re just being stubborn and ignoring what’s happening on the court.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Derrick was a very good defender, yes.  Sean is absolutely elite.

Not yet. He will be.

[MuggsyB]

They're different defensively.  Derrick was freakishly strong, especially his lower body.  He was extremely tough to post up. Sean is quicker both laterally and vertically. He's not even close to scratching the surface on both ends of the floor.  He will learn how to draw charges and get physically stronger. And of course, when he picks pockets he's dynamic in the open floor, with tier triple 1 zoomability, which is only reserved for a handful of guys.   He's potentially a significanly better Peyton Siva.