Maurice Jones has work to do?

**ChrisMWilliams** · 01-17-2013, 05:32 PM

Originally Posted by nallen34

I interpreted Chris' comments as Bubu will be a starter for the first 9 games of the season when Jones isn't eligible. I'm pretty sure that Chris doesn't think Bubu will start over Jones the entire year. Could you clear that up for everyone Chris?

Again, it all depends on Jones coming out of the gate...

Remember how bad Lucious was at the beginning of this year? The more we watch these transfers play at Iowa State, the more we learn that it takes them a while to get into the flow. Heck, Korie and Will spoke publicly about this on Monday. To expect him to just show up and lead a VERY young Big 12 basketball team next year after that long of a lay off seems like a stretch to me. I could be wrong. I hope I'm wrong.

**Rhoadhoused** · 01-17-2013, 05:33 PM

Originally Posted by ChrisMWilliams

My point is that on a VERY young basketball team with a ton of talent and scoring ability, I think that the need for a consistent veteran who doesn't turn the ball over and can defend at the point gives Bubu a legitimate shot. Don't need him to score. Just distribute, lead and play defense. Bubu can do that.

I agree with all of that except Bubu has not proven he is a distributor and he has not proven he doesn't turn it over while trying to be a distributor. We saw it early this year with Lucious. Trying not to mess up and not turning it over is much easier than trying to make plays and not turning it over. He will need to show that to start next year IMO. Especially since he is not much of a finisher or shooter and doens't have all that great of a handle.

**nallen34** · 01-17-2013, 05:33 PM

Originally Posted by Rhoadhoused

If Mike Gessel can be a productive point at Iowa, Morris can do the same here. There was no guarantee about Niang either. Or about any player. Even Lucious. So how are you saying that Bubu and Long would be more productive at the point full time than Morris? Because neither has proven that in any way at the college level.

Bubu has proven that he can play against high level college competition. Naz hasn't yet. Has Monte proven that he can be a productive PG at the college level? He has against high caliber high school competition not college.

**nallen34** · 01-17-2013, 05:40 PM

Originally Posted by ChrisMWilliams

Again, it all depends on Jones coming out of the gate...

Remember how bad Lucious was at the beginning of this year? The more we watch these transfers play at Iowa State, the more we learn that it takes them a while to get into the flow. Heck, Korie and Will spoke publicly about this on Monday. To expect him to just show up and lead a VERY young Big 12 basketball team next year after that long of a lay off seems like a stretch to me. I could be wrong. I hope I'm wrong.

I completely agree. I see Bubu starting at least the first few games while Monte/Naz work their way into the lineup similar to the way Niang did. Then possibly Monte/Naz stealing more minutes from Bubu the closer we get to conference play. When Jones becomes eligible I don't think he will start right away either. I think the 4 non conference games that he plays in he will come off the bench and right around the start of conference play he will take over the starting role. That's at least what I hope happens.

**cyclonespiker33** · 01-17-2013, 05:40 PM

Bubu did get good minutes on a team that finished third in the big 12 as a sophomore. Why is it so crazy to think that he'll start over a true freshman and a sophomore that isn't getting any minutes in conference play?

**ChrisMWilliams** · 01-17-2013, 05:43 PM

Originally Posted by Rhoadhoused

I agree with all of that except Bubu has not proven he is a distributor and he has not proven he doesn't turn it over while trying to be a distributor. We saw it early this year with Lucious. Trying not to mess up and not turning it over is much easier than trying to make plays and not turning it over. He will need to show that to start next year IMO. Especially since he is not much of a finisher or shooter and doens't have all that great of a handle.

I'd say that is accurate. I'm not worried about him not being a finisher or shooter though. Won't be a big deal on next year's team. It'd be nice but getting good looks for the Matt Thomas' & Georges Niang's of the world is more important IMO.

**Rhoadhoused** · 01-17-2013, 05:52 PM

Originally Posted by nallen34

Bubu has proven that he can play against high level college competition. Naz hasn't yet. Has Monte proven that he can be a productive PG at the college level? He has against high caliber high school competition not college.

I absolutely 100% without a doubt guaranteed that Morris can "play" against higher competition. I guarantee he could put up 14 min, 4 points, 1.5 assists:1.1 TOs, 1.5 rebounds, and .4 steals per game. That is what Bubu proved he can do. No more, no less.

Neither has proved the ability to lead a Big 12 team while being an active part of the offense, distributing and making plays. (neither has Long, which we agree on)

So my point is, Bubu has proven no more that he can do those things as a starting B12 PG than Morris has, and Morris has been evaluated to have a huge amount of talent which would indicate that he at least has an opportunity to come in and contribute right away.

Originally Posted by ChrisMWilliams

I'd say that is accurate. I'm not worried about him not being a finisher or shooter though. Won't be a big deal on next year's team. It'd be nice but getting good looks for the Matt Thomas' & Georges Niang's of the world is more important IMO.

I agree. If he can distribute the ball without turning it over, I think he is the guy. But he has yet to show that ability and I am doubtful he can. We will see though, because he seems to have a great work ethic and basketball IQ. It is just a matter of him being physically talented enough.

**carvers4math** · 01-17-2013, 05:53 PM

If we are starting Bubu, really glad the Hok game will be in Ames next year.

**Thompsonclone21** · 01-17-2013, 05:54 PM

I'm a huge Bubu fan but he just doesn't seem like a starter to me. If Monte can't come in and beat out Bubu and Long then maybe Monte isn't what we were are all hoping for because I don't see Long starting and Bubu is more of energy, role guy. Just my opinion.

**nallen34** · 01-17-2013, 06:02 PM

Originally Posted by Rhoadhoused

I absolutely 100% without a doubt guaranteed that Morris can "play" against higher competition. I guarantee he could put up 14 min, 4 points, 1.5 assists:1.1 TOs, 1.5 rebounds, and .4 steals per game. That is what Bubu proved he can do. No more, no less.

Neither has proved the ability to lead a Big 12 team while being an active part of the offense, distributing and making plays. (neither has Long, which we agree on)

So my point is, Bubu has proven no more that he can do those things as a starting B12 PG than Morris has, and Morris has been evaluated to have a huge amount of talent which would indicate that he at least has an opportunity to come in and contribute right away.

I'll believe it when I see it. Tavon Sledge was a 4 star similar to Monte Morris' rating. Granted he wasn't a top 100 recruit. He turned out to be a semi bust. Playing PG is high school is much different than playing PG in college. I'm not saying I don't think Monte is ever going to be better than Bubu. I'm saying to start the year I think Bubu will be better purely because of his 5 years of experience playing against high level division 1 talent. I will believe that Monte can play against high level division 1 talent when I see it.

**Thompsonclone21** · 01-17-2013, 06:09 PM

Originally Posted by nallen34

I'll believe it when I see it. Tavon Sledge was a 4 star similar to Monte Morris' rating. Granted he wasn't a top 100 recruit. He turned out to be a semi bust. Playing PG is high school is much different than playing PG in college. I'm not saying I don't think Monte is ever going to be better than Bubu. I'm saying to start the year I think Bubu will be better purely because of his 5 years of experience playing against high level division 1 talent. I will believe that Monte can play against high level division 1 talent when I see it.

Sledge was an unranked 3 star. That's like comparing Wes Eikmeier to Matt Thomas, in my opinion.

**nallen34** · 01-17-2013, 06:16 PM

Originally Posted by Thompsonclone21

Sledge was an unranked 3 star. That's like comparing Wes Eikmeier to Matt Thomas, in my opinion.

It was the best Iowa State comparison that I had in the last few years. Sledge was offered by Cincy, Ruters, Seton Hall, St Johns, and West Virginia. Morris offered by Cincy, Georgia Tech, Providence, and USC. So they have similar high major offers. I obviously don't think Sledge is as good as Morris but it's a good example of how a highly recruited PG can bust when he gets to college.

**cyclone87** · 01-17-2013, 06:23 PM

Monte has the potential to be big-time at ISU, just don't think it is that likely he starts right out of the gates when we have other options.

**Rhoadhoused** · 01-17-2013, 06:23 PM

Originally Posted by nallen34

I'll believe it when I see it. Tavon Sledge was a 4 star similar to Monte Morris' rating. Granted he wasn't a top 100 recruit. He turned out to be a semi bust. Playing PG is high school is much different than playing PG in college. I'm not saying I don't think Monte is ever going to be better than Bubu. I'm saying to start the year I think Bubu will be better purely because of his 5 years of experience playing against high level division 1 talent. I will believe that Monte can play against high level division 1 talent when I see it.

I think you are over rating the translation of backup PG duty to being the facilitator of an offense and distributing the ball to the scorers on the team. Sledge was also at least 4 inches shorter than Morris and, as you said, was much less heralded as a recruit.

Things we know about Bubu: He has not shot well, he is not an especially gifted passer, he has not created shots for others or himself, he has not finished well, he gives great effort on loose balls and defense. Is that a starting PG in the Big 12?

Now is it more likely that he develops the ability to slash through the lane under control and find teammates for open buckets and starts to develop a great handle that he can use to get past Big 12 PGs and create opportunities for others?

Or is it more likely that a top 100 recruit that is clearly more naturally talented overall can adjust on the fly compared to a walk on who is making the same adjustment, with only about two years of 13 minutes per game of backup duty to fall back on where he wasn't particularly productive and had a completely different role?

Those are the questions that will be answered next year.

**Cyclonepride** · 01-17-2013, 06:57 PM

Seems like we have the old saw going that what a young player is now is what always they will be. Not true folks. Many develop both their skills and understanding of the game. Bubu has done certain things well in the past. If he improves, he could be an important piece of the puzzle (but probably not a star).