Maurice Jones has work to do?

**CycloneErik** · 01-17-2013, 07:56 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.

That's the best argument for Bubu playing on such a young team. I agree that he has valuable experience to share out there.
Honestly, I don't care who starts at PG in the beginning of the year, as long as the team comes together.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Ejim's role expand significantly yet again, which will provide a lot of leadership, stability, playmaking, and a nice transition for whoever wins the role.

**swarthmoreCY** · 01-17-2013, 08:02 PM

Originally Posted by IsUaClone2

Isn't Bubu a lock-down defender? He probably isn't out-of-position much either. I'd guess those things weigh quite heavily in his favor when you have four other hi-pot scorers on the floor. I'm not saying he will be the starter especially for the full season but I think he will be used quite a bit to pull the team together.

Defending pgs he is. Not as versatile as Babb though.

I agree with CW. Until proven otherwise, I would bet Bubu begins the season as the starter while Morris gets his feet wet. If you could go back to the 2011 Iowa game, the thought of Bubu as a starter two years later would not concern me much. Unfortunately, he has lost almost more than an entire season of expected development.

That said, in CBB (as opposed to CFB) having a freshman talented enough to beat out returning players is more often a positive statement about that freshman rather than anything. Hopefully Morris is that good.

**Cyhart** · 01-17-2013, 08:14 PM

Originally Posted by cyclone87

I believe some of you are underestimating Bubu a little bit, he showed quite a bit of improvement last year (played fairly well against some quality opponents) and looked really good in Summer League (maybe even better than Lucious, of course I'm not implying he is by any means). If I had to bet I would take Bubu starting at the beginning of the year next season, as the season progresses that may definitely change after Jones arrives and Monte has a little time in the system. Also of note, from what I watched in Summer League Bubu may have improved his shot quite a bit.

This! (I haven't read the entire thread yet)
Getting Bubu back is big for us. He has shown that he is a very capable facilitator. He knows his role and that's a positive. Knowing your role is important. See: Korie in the non-con this year.
Bubu is better than people give him credit for. AND im sure he will have a new sense of urgency. He almost had his life taken away!!
At the end of the day, having Bubu back is a HUGE plus for this team.

**brokenloginagain** · 01-17-2013, 08:21 PM

i'm amazed how many of our fans didn't watch us play in the ncaa tournament last year.

**isuno1fan** · 01-17-2013, 08:23 PM

We will be fine

**heitclone** · 01-18-2013, 09:04 PM

Jones will be a contributor but the news of getting Bubu back makes him less important. I'm concerned about MJ's ability to be a facilitator. At USC he put up a lot of shots, and only shot around 30%. With all the scoring we will be replacing(and the fact that Fred is very liberal with the green light) , I'm afraid he'll be putting up a lot of bad shots. He just isn't the style of player that would appear to mesh well being thrown into a team that has 15 or so games under their belt already. I can see him being disruptive to team chemistry.

**Clones21** · 01-18-2013, 09:18 PM

Originally Posted by heitclone

Jones will be a contributor but the news of getting Bubu back makes him less important. I'm concerned about MJ's ability to be a facilitator. At USC he put up a lot of shots, and only shot around 30%. With all the scoring we will be replacing(and the fact that Fred is very liberal with the green light) , I'm afraid he'll be putting up a lot of bad shots. He just isn't the style of player that would appear to mesh well being thrown into a team that has 15 or so games under their belt already. I can see him being disruptive to team chemistry.

He won't be playing if he puts up bad shots.

**Tre4ISU** · 01-18-2013, 09:34 PM

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 think it will be a huge deal on next years team. You will have to replace a lot of points next year. I know Thomas is good but are we expecting him to replace more than say, Clyburns. That's asking alot. Those points will have to come from somewhere and I don't see Ejim upping his point totals. I don't see Gibson being a huge scorer. I think the PG is going to have to be a guy who scores points. I don't really care who it is but I think it is a big deal for that player to be able to create and shoot.

**nallen34** · 01-18-2013, 09:35 PM

Originally Posted by heitclone

Jones will be a contributor but the news of getting Bubu back makes him less important. I'm concerned about MJ's ability to be a facilitator. At USC he put up a lot of shots, and only shot around 30%. With all the scoring we will be replacing(and the fact that Fred is very liberal with the green light) , I'm afraid he'll be putting up a lot of bad shots. He just isn't the style of player that would appear to mesh well being thrown into a team that has 15 or so games under their belt already. I can see him being disruptive to team chemistry.

He will miss approximately the first 9 games which is 29% of the regular season games we play.

**swarthmoreCY** · 01-19-2013, 12:27 PM

Originally Posted by Tre4ISU

I think it will be a huge deal on next years team. You will have to replace a lot of points next year. I know Thomas is good but are we expecting him to replace more than say, Clyburns. That's asking alot. Those points will have to come from somewhere and I don't see Ejim upping his point totals. I don't see Gibson being a huge scorer. I think the PG is going to have to be a guy who scores points. I don't really care who it is but I think it is a big deal for that player to be able to create and shoot.

Imo you are overvaluing how good Jones is. If he is more than a role player I will be surprised.

**Triggermv** · 01-29-2013, 12:56 PM

Don't know if anyone listened to the Call-in show last night, but the very last caller did ask Fred again about Jones and his status. Fred talked a touch about it, but somewhat dodged the question. He made it sound like things are still up in the air with Jones and whether he'll be eligble when he originally thought. Again, Fred didn't give really any details beyond that. I think CW did know something when he questioned Jone's eligibility.