Thoughts after 4 games

[Class of 72]

Honestly talking about rebounding I think Marillac has a very valid point in regards to Jones especially when you look at his high school numbers also.

I do like other aspects of what I have seen from him in glimpses though

Forget what Lav says about Jones......he was recruited to play behind players like Sampson, Sanchez and company. He is not a starter but a very good 6th or 7th man. He will only get better.

 

[logen]

I disagree on your Jones assessment. I don't think he considered him anything besides an athletic freak who can get up and down the court. I think Jones is just finding his way since the offense benefits the guards. He's pretty much out there knowing he's not going to get touches which has got to be frustrating.

I also disagree about Obekpa. He should be starting. He is what Lavin has never been able to recruit. I say give him the keys and watch him blossom. He allows you to play man and if he sags off to help, he has the instincts, length and ability to catch up for a block.

I feel so fortunate to have him. If he was in a Cincy uniform, I'd throw up.

Jones is a liability and he looked like he didn't belong on the court tonight. What good is a kid built like that if he doesn't rebound or get 50/50 balls? Who cares if he can pop an open jump shot and make an acrobatic dunk? He rebounds like a girl and doesn't cover any ground at all.

Did your main man Amir out play him in either of our losses? And fwiw im a big fan of both players

Amir didn't have two good games, but their names don't belong in the sentence at this point. Garret is a 6'5 soph 2/3 that was locked up with a 6'9 senior big man. It was probably the best thing that could have happened to Garrett this early in the season to get exposed to that type of a talent. Getting dunked on like that off a rebound will be something that makes him dig deeper all year. He got owned, but he busts his hump out there. He either gets the board or he fights his way to be in the area of everything. I don't see that out of Jones. He's terrible with 50/50 balls and he doesn't cover any area. Almost all of his rebounds have been off of uncontested missed free throws. Sampson and Obekpa have had moment where you're like "man they are sloppy," but Jones has had moments like "does this kid belong on the court at this level?"

I expect Amir to be terrific this season, but I thought it would take some time like last year. The kid played professional baseball all summer.

I know Moose called Jones my whipping boy, but there is no excuse for not going and getting the damn ball. The guys is built like a tank. He should be be around 7-8 boards every game. Those woeful rebound #'s in high school make sense after watching him play. 5 boards a game in high school? Some guys (Sampson, Horne, Ced) go get the ball and some don't.

Jones is not alone; we have gotten killed on the boards at both ends consistently.

 

[Moose]

Sampson could be one and done by the end of the season, depending on who else declares.

He's got a long way to go before he's a one-and-done player

Long, long way!
He does not yet have the explosive 1 on 1 moves that Harkless has and he needs to improve his shooting. A two year player at minimum and maybe even three.

I think Sampson's shot is just fine. Its not like Harkless' shot was light years better. Sampson knows his limitations and doesnt venture out to 3 land.

2 yrs for him and hes not as far away as you think.

 

[Moose]

I'm sorry, but I think we need to temper our expectations for Branch. I know he was a highly regarded recruit and played ok for Texas A&M, but sometimes I get the feeling people are expecting Kyrie Irving to step on the court for St. John's. I'm sure he is going to be an important piece to the puzzle, but let's not make him out to be the savior of this team.

Lets also remember he committed to a coach who left so who is to say his new coach used him properly?

 

[Moose]

Honestly talking about rebounding I think Marillac has a very valid point in regards to Jones especially when you look at his high school numbers also.

I do like other aspects of what I have seen from him in glimpses though

Considering nobody knew he existed or saw a minute of him play at IMG, equating his HS numbers and body size to his rebounding numbers if pointless.

 

[Moose]

I disagree on your Jones assessment. I don't think he considered him anything besides an athletic freak who can get up and down the court. I think Jones is just finding his way since the offense benefits the guards. He's pretty much out there knowing he's not going to get touches which has got to be frustrating.

I also disagree about Obekpa. He should be starting. He is what Lavin has never been able to recruit. I say give him the keys and watch him blossom. He allows you to play man and if he sags off to help, he has the instincts, length and ability to catch up for a block.

I feel so fortunate to have him. If he was in a Cincy uniform, I'd throw up.

Jones is a liability and he looked like he didn't belong on the court tonight. What good is a kid built like that if he doesn't rebound or get 50/50 balls? Who cares if he can pop an open jump shot and make an acrobatic dunk? He rebounds like a girl and doesn't cover any ground at all.

Did your main man Amir out play him in either of our losses? And fwiw im a big fan of both players

Amir didn't have two good games, but their names don't belong in the sentence at this point. Garret is a 6'5 soph 2/3 that was locked up with a 6'9 senior big man. It was probably the best thing that could have happened to Garrett this early in the season to get exposed to that type of a talent. Getting dunked on like that off a rebound will be something that makes him dig deeper all year. He got owned, but he busts his hump out there. He either gets the board or he fights his way to be in the area of everything. I don't see that out of Jones. He's terrible with 50/50 balls and he doesn't cover any area. Almost all of his rebounds have been off of uncontested missed free throws. Sampson and Obekpa have had moment where you're like "man they are sloppy," but Jones has had moments like "does this kid belong on the court at this level?"

I expect Amir to be terrific this season, but I thought it would take some time like last year. The kid played professional baseball all summer.

I know Moose called Jones my whipping boy, but there is no excuse for not going and getting the damn ball. The guys is built like a tank. He should be be around 7-8 boards every game. Those woeful rebound #'s in high school make sense after watching him play. 5 boards a game in high school? Some guys (Sampson, Horne, Ced) go get the ball and some don't.

Jones is not alone; we have gotten killed on the boards at both ends consistently.

He's alone in the land of Marillac

Let me put this one out there for Marillac and others. Obekpa is averaging 5 rpg. Jones 3 rpg and pretty much same minutes. Shouldn't Obekpa's numbers be higher? Is he just getting the free pass because he is swatting 5 a game?

 

[SJUalum98]

The guards have been getting a lot of rebounds. I believe Greene led them one game and Harrison led them another.

Tells me that they were probably a bunch of long rebounds off of missed 3 pointers.

Jakarr has been boarding. To me it's extremely premature to knock Jones 4 games into the season. Especially when the team as a whole has done a piss poor job of rebounding.

 

[mjmaherjr]

I disagree on your Jones assessment. I don't think he considered him anything besides an athletic freak who can get up and down the court. I think Jones is just finding his way since the offense benefits the guards. He's pretty much out there knowing he's not going to get touches which has got to be frustrating.

I also disagree about Obekpa. He should be starting. He is what Lavin has never been able to recruit. I say give him the keys and watch him blossom. He allows you to play man and if he sags off to help, he has the instincts, length and ability to catch up for a block.

I feel so fortunate to have him. If he was in a Cincy uniform, I'd throw up.

Jones is a liability and he looked like he didn't belong on the court tonight. What good is a kid built like that if he doesn't rebound or get 50/50 balls? Who cares if he can pop an open jump shot and make an acrobatic dunk? He rebounds like a girl and doesn't cover any ground at all.

Did your main man Amir out play him in either of our losses? And fwiw im a big fan of both players

Amir didn't have two good games, but their names don't belong in the sentence at this point. Garret is a 6'5 soph 2/3 that was locked up with a 6'9 senior big man. It was probably the best thing that could have happened to Garrett this early in the season to get exposed to that type of a talent. Getting dunked on like that off a rebound will be something that makes him dig deeper all year. He got owned, but he busts his hump out there. He either gets the board or he fights his way to be in the area of everything. I don't see that out of Jones. He's terrible with 50/50 balls and he doesn't cover any area. Almost all of his rebounds have been off of uncontested missed free throws. Sampson and Obekpa have had moment where you're like "man they are sloppy," but Jones has had moments like "does this kid belong on the court at this level?"

I expect Amir to be terrific this season, but I thought it would take some time like last year. The kid played professional baseball all summer.

I know Moose called Jones my whipping boy, but there is no excuse for not going and getting the damn ball. The guys is built like a tank. He should be be around 7-8 boards every game. Those woeful rebound #'s in high school make sense after watching him play. 5 boards a game in high school? Some guys (Sampson, Horne, Ced) go get the ball and some don't.

Jones is not alone; we have gotten killed on the boards at both ends consistently.

He's alone in the land of Marillac

Let me put this one out there for Marillac and others. Obekpa is averaging 5 rpg. Jones 3 rpg and pretty much same minutes. Shouldn't Obekpa's numbers be higher?

5rbg vs 3rbg is 67% higher

 

[Moose]

I disagree on your Jones assessment. I don't think he considered him anything besides an athletic freak who can get up and down the court. I think Jones is just finding his way since the offense benefits the guards. He's pretty much out there knowing he's not going to get touches which has got to be frustrating.

I also disagree about Obekpa. He should be starting. He is what Lavin has never been able to recruit. I say give him the keys and watch him blossom. He allows you to play man and if he sags off to help, he has the instincts, length and ability to catch up for a block.

I feel so fortunate to have him. If he was in a Cincy uniform, I'd throw up.

Jones is a liability and he looked like he didn't belong on the court tonight. What good is a kid built like that if he doesn't rebound or get 50/50 balls? Who cares if he can pop an open jump shot and make an acrobatic dunk? He rebounds like a girl and doesn't cover any ground at all.

Did your main man Amir out play him in either of our losses? And fwiw im a big fan of both players

Amir didn't have two good games, but their names don't belong in the sentence at this point. Garret is a 6'5 soph 2/3 that was locked up with a 6'9 senior big man. It was probably the best thing that could have happened to Garrett this early in the season to get exposed to that type of a talent. Getting dunked on like that off a rebound will be something that makes him dig deeper all year. He got owned, but he busts his hump out there. He either gets the board or he fights his way to be in the area of everything. I don't see that out of Jones. He's terrible with 50/50 balls and he doesn't cover any area. Almost all of his rebounds have been off of uncontested missed free throws. Sampson and Obekpa have had moment where you're like "man they are sloppy," but Jones has had moments like "does this kid belong on the court at this level?"

I expect Amir to be terrific this season, but I thought it would take some time like last year. The kid played professional baseball all summer.

I know Moose called Jones my whipping boy, but there is no excuse for not going and getting the damn ball. The guys is built like a tank. He should be be around 7-8 boards every game. Those woeful rebound #'s in high school make sense after watching him play. 5 boards a game in high school? Some guys (Sampson, Horne, Ced) go get the ball and some don't.

Jones is not alone; we have gotten killed on the boards at both ends consistently.

He's alone in the land of Marillac

Let me put this one out there for Marillac and others. Obekpa is averaging 5 rpg. Jones 3 rpg and pretty much same minutes. Shouldn't Obekpa's numbers be higher?

5rbg vs 3rbg is 67% higher

Hey math god. Run that 67% up against the height difference

 

[Moose]

The guards have been getting a lot of rebounds. I believe Greene led them one game and Harrison led them another.

Tells me that they were probably a bunch of long rebounds off of missed 3 pointers.

Jakarr has been boarding. To me it's extremely premature to knock Jones 4 games into the season. Especially when the team as a whole has done a piss poor job of rebounding.

Long rebounds are why I hate rebounding discussions.

 

[MainMan]

Two years ago we had one of the worst early season losses I can remember: blowing a huge lead at Fordham.

Then we went on to have one of the more memorable regular seasons I can remember.

So my thoughts after four games in detail: whoTF knows what to expect?

 

[Moose]

Two years ago we had one of the worst early season losses I can remember: blowing a huge lead at Fordham.

Then we went on to have one of the more memorable regular seasons I can remember.

So my thoughts after four games in detail: whoTF knows what to expect?

We blew that big lead TWICE

 

[Marillac]

I disagree on your Jones assessment. I don't think he considered him anything besides an athletic freak who can get up and down the court. I think Jones is just finding his way since the offense benefits the guards. He's pretty much out there knowing he's not going to get touches which has got to be frustrating.

I also disagree about Obekpa. He should be starting. He is what Lavin has never been able to recruit. I say give him the keys and watch him blossom. He allows you to play man and if he sags off to help, he has the instincts, length and ability to catch up for a block.

I feel so fortunate to have him. If he was in a Cincy uniform, I'd throw up.

Jones is a liability and he looked like he didn't belong on the court tonight. What good is a kid built like that if he doesn't rebound or get 50/50 balls? Who cares if he can pop an open jump shot and make an acrobatic dunk? He rebounds like a girl and doesn't cover any ground at all.

Did your main man Amir out play him in either of our losses? And fwiw im a big fan of both players

Amir didn't have two good games, but their names don't belong in the sentence at this point. Garret is a 6'5 soph 2/3 that was locked up with a 6'9 senior big man. It was probably the best thing that could have happened to Garrett this early in the season to get exposed to that type of a talent. Getting dunked on like that off a rebound will be something that makes him dig deeper all year. He got owned, but he busts his hump out there. He either gets the board or he fights his way to be in the area of everything. I don't see that out of Jones. He's terrible with 50/50 balls and he doesn't cover any area. Almost all of his rebounds have been off of uncontested missed free throws. Sampson and Obekpa have had moment where you're like "man they are sloppy," but Jones has had moments like "does this kid belong on the court at this level?"

I expect Amir to be terrific this season, but I thought it would take some time like last year. The kid played professional baseball all summer.

I know Moose called Jones my whipping boy, but there is no excuse for not going and getting the damn ball. The guys is built like a tank. He should be be around 7-8 boards every game. Those woeful rebound #'s in high school make sense after watching him play. 5 boards a game in high school? Some guys (Sampson, Horne, Ced) go get the ball and some don't.

Jones is not alone; we have gotten killed on the boards at both ends consistently.

He's alone in the land of Marillac

Let me put this one out there for Marillac and others. Obekpa is averaging 5 rpg. Jones 3 rpg and pretty much same minutes. Shouldn't Obekpa's numbers be higher? Is he just getting the free pass because he is swatting 5 a game?

Five rebounds is still way too low, but that is almost double Jones. What gives me hope is Obekpa is averaging two offensive boards per game, 4x what Jones has thus for. That tells me the effort is there and he will go and get the ball. There is no question he needs to lock it down on the defensive end. I've posted that Obekpa needs work with rebounding, he thinks it's still high scool where he can just play volleyball and tap the ball to himself.

I see guys like Garrett, Sampson, and Obekpa crashing the offensive glass and be annoying to other teams, just missing a lot of boards. I don't see Jones doing that at all. Also, neithe Sampson nor Obekpa had dismall rebounding #'s in high school. Traylor averaged more than double the boards on the same team, with the same coach, against nearly the same schedule a year earlier than Jones at IMG--and they were almost identical in size.

Does Obekpa get a pass, maybe a little. He changes the game defensively and because he challenges so many shots, he's not always in the best rebouding position.

 

[mjmaherjr]

I disagree on your Jones assessment. I don't think he considered him anything besides an athletic freak who can get up and down the court. I think Jones is just finding his way since the offense benefits the guards. He's pretty much out there knowing he's not going to get touches which has got to be frustrating.

I also disagree about Obekpa. He should be starting. He is what Lavin has never been able to recruit. I say give him the keys and watch him blossom. He allows you to play man and if he sags off to help, he has the instincts, length and ability to catch up for a block.

I feel so fortunate to have him. If he was in a Cincy uniform, I'd throw up.

Jones is a liability and he looked like he didn't belong on the court tonight. What good is a kid built like that if he doesn't rebound or get 50/50 balls? Who cares if he can pop an open jump shot and make an acrobatic dunk? He rebounds like a girl and doesn't cover any ground at all.

Did your main man Amir out play him in either of our losses? And fwiw im a big fan of both players

Amir didn't have two good games, but their names don't belong in the sentence at this point. Garret is a 6'5 soph 2/3 that was locked up with a 6'9 senior big man. It was probably the best thing that could have happened to Garrett this early in the season to get exposed to that type of a talent. Getting dunked on like that off a rebound will be something that makes him dig deeper all year. He got owned, but he busts his hump out there. He either gets the board or he fights his way to be in the area of everything. I don't see that out of Jones. He's terrible with 50/50 balls and he doesn't cover any area. Almost all of his rebounds have been off of uncontested missed free throws. Sampson and Obekpa have had moment where you're like "man they are sloppy," but Jones has had moments like "does this kid belong on the court at this level?"

I expect Amir to be terrific this season, but I thought it would take some time like last year. The kid played professional baseball all summer.

I know Moose called Jones my whipping boy, but there is no excuse for not going and getting the damn ball. The guys is built like a tank. He should be be around 7-8 boards every game. Those woeful rebound #'s in high school make sense after watching him play. 5 boards a game in high school? Some guys (Sampson, Horne, Ced) go get the ball and some don't.

Jones is not alone; we have gotten killed on the boards at both ends consistently.

He's alone in the land of Marillac

Let me put this one out there for Marillac and others. Obekpa is averaging 5 rpg. Jones 3 rpg and pretty much same minutes. Shouldn't Obekpa's numbers be higher?

5rbg vs 3rbg is 67% higher

Hey math god. Run that 67% up against the height difference

Ok just did the calculation. Obepka is 2.5% taller

Now my head hurts from figuring that out

 

[MJDinkins]

Two years ago we had one of the worst early season losses I can remember: blowing a huge lead at Fordham.

Then we went on to have one of the more memorable regular seasons I can remember.

So my thoughts after four games in detail: whoTF knows what to expect?

We blew that big lead TWICE

We also lost to St. Bonnie's (at home) prior to our game versus Fordham.

 

[Moose]

I disagree on your Jones assessment. I don't think he considered him anything besides an athletic freak who can get up and down the court. I think Jones is just finding his way since the offense benefits the guards. He's pretty much out there knowing he's not going to get touches which has got to be frustrating.

I also disagree about Obekpa. He should be starting. He is what Lavin has never been able to recruit. I say give him the keys and watch him blossom. He allows you to play man and if he sags off to help, he has the instincts, length and ability to catch up for a block.

I feel so fortunate to have him. If he was in a Cincy uniform, I'd throw up.

Jones is a liability and he looked like he didn't belong on the court tonight. What good is a kid built like that if he doesn't rebound or get 50/50 balls? Who cares if he can pop an open jump shot and make an acrobatic dunk? He rebounds like a girl and doesn't cover any ground at all.

Did your main man Amir out play him in either of our losses? And fwiw im a big fan of both players

Amir didn't have two good games, but their names don't belong in the sentence at this point. Garret is a 6'5 soph 2/3 that was locked up with a 6'9 senior big man. It was probably the best thing that could have happened to Garrett this early in the season to get exposed to that type of a talent. Getting dunked on like that off a rebound will be something that makes him dig deeper all year. He got owned, but he busts his hump out there. He either gets the board or he fights his way to be in the area of everything. I don't see that out of Jones. He's terrible with 50/50 balls and he doesn't cover any area. Almost all of his rebounds have been off of uncontested missed free throws. Sampson and Obekpa have had moment where you're like "man they are sloppy," but Jones has had moments like "does this kid belong on the court at this level?"

I expect Amir to be terrific this season, but I thought it would take some time like last year. The kid played professional baseball all summer.

I know Moose called Jones my whipping boy, but there is no excuse for not going and getting the damn ball. The guys is built like a tank. He should be be around 7-8 boards every game. Those woeful rebound #'s in high school make sense after watching him play. 5 boards a game in high school? Some guys (Sampson, Horne, Ced) go get the ball and some don't.

Jones is not alone; we have gotten killed on the boards at both ends consistently.

He's alone in the land of Marillac

Let me put this one out there for Marillac and others. Obekpa is averaging 5 rpg. Jones 3 rpg and pretty much same minutes. Shouldn't Obekpa's numbers be higher? Is he just getting the free pass because he is swatting 5 a game?

Five rebounds is still way too low, but that is almost double Jones. What gives me hope is Obekpa is averaging two offensive boards per game, 4x what Jones has thus for. That tells me the effort is there and he will go and get the ball. There is no question he needs to lock it down on the defensive end. I've posted that Obekpa needs work with rebounding, he thinks it's still high scool where he can just play volleyball and tap the ball to himself.

I see guys like Garrett, Sampson, and Obekpa crashing the offensive glass and be annoying to other teams, just missing a lot of boards. I don't see Jones doing that at all. Also, neithe Sampson nor Obekpa had dismall rebounding #'s in high school. Traylor averaged more than double the boards on the same team, with the same coach, against nearly the same schedule a year earlier than Jones at IMG--and they were almost identical in size.

Does Obekpa get a pass, maybe a little. He changes the game defensively and because he challenges so many shots, he's not always in the best rebouding position.

I'm gonna watch him a little more closely just to have some good arguments with you

Please provide as much info as you can on IMG. I see nothing but sketchy information on their results for ALL years pretty much even going back to when we grabbed Phil. Relatively unknowns from there unless your known before getting there.

 

[mkras99]

Two years ago we had one of the worst early season losses I can remember: blowing a huge lead at Fordham.

Then we went on to have one of the more memorable regular seasons I can remember.

So my thoughts after four games in detail: whoTF knows what to expect?

This.

 

[logen]

I disagree on your Jones assessment. I don't think he considered him anything besides an athletic freak who can get up and down the court. I think Jones is just finding his way since the offense benefits the guards. He's pretty much out there knowing he's not going to get touches which has got to be frustrating.

I also disagree about Obekpa. He should be starting. He is what Lavin has never been able to recruit. I say give him the keys and watch him blossom. He allows you to play man and if he sags off to help, he has the instincts, length and ability to catch up for a block.

I feel so fortunate to have him. If he was in a Cincy uniform, I'd throw up.

Jones is a liability and he looked like he didn't belong on the court tonight. What good is a kid built like that if he doesn't rebound or get 50/50 balls? Who cares if he can pop an open jump shot and make an acrobatic dunk? He rebounds like a girl and doesn't cover any ground at all.

Did your main man Amir out play him in either of our losses? And fwiw im a big fan of both players

Amir didn't have two good games, but their names don't belong in the sentence at this point. Garret is a 6'5 soph 2/3 that was locked up with a 6'9 senior big man. It was probably the best thing that could have happened to Garrett this early in the season to get exposed to that type of a talent. Getting dunked on like that off a rebound will be something that makes him dig deeper all year. He got owned, but he busts his hump out there. He either gets the board or he fights his way to be in the area of everything. I don't see that out of Jones. He's terrible with 50/50 balls and he doesn't cover any area. Almost all of his rebounds have been off of uncontested missed free throws. Sampson and Obekpa have had moment where you're like "man they are sloppy," but Jones has had moments like "does this kid belong on the court at this level?"

I expect Amir to be terrific this season, but I thought it would take some time like last year. The kid played professional baseball all summer.

I know Moose called Jones my whipping boy, but there is no excuse for not going and getting the damn ball. The guys is built like a tank. He should be be around 7-8 boards every game. Those woeful rebound #'s in high school make sense after watching him play. 5 boards a game in high school? Some guys (Sampson, Horne, Ced) go get the ball and some don't.

Jones is not alone; we have gotten killed on the boards at both ends consistently.

He's alone in the land of Marillac

Let me put this one out there for Marillac and others. Obekpa is averaging 5 rpg. Jones 3 rpg and pretty much same minutes. Shouldn't Obekpa's numbers be higher? Is he just getting the free pass because he is swatting 5 a game?

Five rebounds is still way too low, but that is almost double Jones. What gives me hope is Obekpa is averaging two offensive boards per game, 4x what Jones has thus for. That tells me the effort is there and he will go and get the ball. There is no question he needs to lock it down on the defensive end. I've posted that Obekpa needs work with rebounding, he thinks it's still high scool where he can just play volleyball and tap the ball to himself.

I see guys like Garrett, Sampson, and Obekpa crashing the offensive glass and be annoying to other teams, just missing a lot of boards. I don't see Jones doing that at all. Also, neithe Sampson nor Obekpa had dismall rebounding #'s in high school. Traylor averaged more than double the boards on the same team, with the same coach, against nearly the same schedule a year earlier than Jones at IMG--and they were almost identical in size.

Does Obekpa get a pass, maybe a little. He changes the game defensively and because he challenges so many shots, he's not always in the best rebouding position.

Seriously, give me a break; Just missing a lot of boards!!! Is that anything like just missing a lot of 2 strike pitches? No one is boarding but everyone gets a pass except Jones..........

 

[ripdumaine]

too many got away with being better athletes on the floor most of their career. Get back to basics and box out. It's still early and we have to allow them to gel together, I believe in this team, they will get it together, they have too much pride not too. The early wake up call is a good thing

 

[Marillac]

I disagree on your Jones assessment. I don't think he considered him anything besides an athletic freak who can get up and down the court. I think Jones is just finding his way since the offense benefits the guards. He's pretty much out there knowing he's not going to get touches which has got to be frustrating.

I also disagree about Obekpa. He should be starting. He is what Lavin has never been able to recruit. I say give him the keys and watch him blossom. He allows you to play man and if he sags off to help, he has the instincts, length and ability to catch up for a block.

I feel so fortunate to have him. If he was in a Cincy uniform, I'd throw up.

Jones is a liability and he looked like he didn't belong on the court tonight. What good is a kid built like that if he doesn't rebound or get 50/50 balls? Who cares if he can pop an open jump shot and make an acrobatic dunk? He rebounds like a girl and doesn't cover any ground at all.

Did your main man Amir out play him in either of our losses? And fwiw im a big fan of both players

Amir didn't have two good games, but their names don't belong in the sentence at this point. Garret is a 6'5 soph 2/3 that was locked up with a 6'9 senior big man. It was probably the best thing that could have happened to Garrett this early in the season to get exposed to that type of a talent. Getting dunked on like that off a rebound will be something that makes him dig deeper all year. He got owned, but he busts his hump out there. He either gets the board or he fights his way to be in the area of everything. I don't see that out of Jones. He's terrible with 50/50 balls and he doesn't cover any area. Almost all of his rebounds have been off of uncontested missed free throws. Sampson and Obekpa have had moment where you're like "man they are sloppy," but Jones has had moments like "does this kid belong on the court at this level?"

I expect Amir to be terrific this season, but I thought it would take some time like last year. The kid played professional baseball all summer.

I know Moose called Jones my whipping boy, but there is no excuse for not going and getting the damn ball. The guys is built like a tank. He should be be around 7-8 boards every game. Those woeful rebound #'s in high school make sense after watching him play. 5 boards a game in high school? Some guys (Sampson, Horne, Ced) go get the ball and some don't.

Jones is not alone; we have gotten killed on the boards at both ends consistently.

He's alone in the land of Marillac

Let me put this one out there for Marillac and others. Obekpa is averaging 5 rpg. Jones 3 rpg and pretty much same minutes. Shouldn't Obekpa's numbers be higher? Is he just getting the free pass because he is swatting 5 a game?

Five rebounds is still way too low, but that is almost double Jones. What gives me hope is Obekpa is averaging two offensive boards per game, 4x what Jones has thus for. That tells me the effort is there and he will go and get the ball. There is no question he needs to lock it down on the defensive end. I've posted that Obekpa needs work with rebounding, he thinks it's still high scool where he can just play volleyball and tap the ball to himself.

I see guys like Garrett, Sampson, and Obekpa crashing the offensive glass and be annoying to other teams, just missing a lot of boards. I don't see Jones doing that at all. Also, neithe Sampson nor Obekpa had dismall rebounding #'s in high school. Traylor averaged more than double the boards on the same team, with the same coach, against nearly the same schedule a year earlier than Jones at IMG--and they were almost identical in size.

Does Obekpa get a pass, maybe a little. He changes the game defensively and because he challenges so many shots, he's not always in the best rebouding position.

Seriously, give me a break; Just missing a lot of boards!!! Is that anything like just missing a lot of 2 strike pitches? No one is boarding but everyone gets a pass except Jones..........

Where did I say everyone gets a pass? Jones doesn't move his feet at all. He's had at least a half-dozen rebounds bounce off his hands or ripped away fro him. I've watched every minute of the season and I can only remember him rebounding uncontested missed FT's on the defensive end, one rebound that bounced off the floor and was shared with Sampson (credit given to Jones and not a team rebound), and a ball that bounced once in the Baylor game. The worst for me was watching him lazily go for a 50/50 ball where he had the advantage and watching a Baylor guard close the distance and take the rebound. Obekpa blocks shot after shot and contests everything, leaving him in poor defensive position. He still averages nearly twice the rebounds. And forget about the offensive glass...Jones hasn't had a SINGLE offensive rebound in 75% of our games!!! Think about that.

Rebounding is all about effort...hitting a two-strike pitch is almost entirely skill.