What is your point? Just proving more that Fred is really good at managing his players/lineup?
Thomas should not have been starting over Morris
- Thread starter BigCojones
- Start date
CycloneErik
Well-Known Member
It hasn't cost us a thing, including today. I'll still support Fred's effort to get Matt some confidence, or get him out of this funk, or whatever.
Starting really doesn't matter. We beat that horse well past death in the Tyrus years.
I've been a Matt Thomas fan all along and feel that he is unnecessarily ripped on these boards. However, he is obviously in a funk and I'm tired of having to dig out of an early hole every single game. I would like to see Naz start at this point. Maybe coming off the bench could take some of the spotlight off Matt and allow him to loosen up.
That said, Fred knew more about basketball in grade school than I do now, so I trust his judgement.
That said, Fred knew more about basketball in grade school than I do now, so I trust his judgement.
Shut up and sit down! Close down CF and replace it with the Hoiball video and a sticky thread that simply reads "I Trust Fred" !!!
I don't know who should start, but suggesting that Naz or Morris should start over Thomas isn't crazy so quit acting like it is.
Some observations/near facts I think almost everyone would agree with:
1. We have started slow lots of games, especially recently.
2. Thomas has been the least productive starter over the past month or so.
3. There are two bench players who play big minutes who would make very acceptable starters if Coach chose to make a change.
Thomas brings a lot to the table that doesn't make its way into the stat sheet. That said, if he's not knocking down shots Morris and/or Long are better to have on the floor, which has been the pattern during conference play.
I don't know who should start, but suggesting that Naz or Morris should start over Thomas isn't crazy so quit acting like it is.
Some observations/near facts I think almost everyone would agree with:
1. We have started slow lots of games, especially recently.
2. Thomas has been the least productive starter over the past month or so.
3. There are two bench players who play big minutes who would make very acceptable starters if Coach chose to make a change.
Thomas brings a lot to the table that doesn't make its way into the stat sheet. That said, if he's not knocking down shots Morris and/or Long are better to have on the floor, which has been the pattern during conference play.
Complete ******** when you look at consistancy. It's obvious with the fact those guys are now playing more minutes in tight games. Funny you leave off defensive prowess in that argument as well.
I've stated my opinion, which is Naz should be starting over Thomas. That's based on watching the games. Fred sees MT every day in practice, and knows a lot more than I do, so I have to trust that he is seeing something that I'm not.
i cant wait for the ellerman should be starting over thomas thread.
in all seriousness i have no problem having matt start and bringing two high energy guys off the bench. matt is a freshman on a team with a lot of offense comiing from 4 other guys, he knows his roll and occupies a defender to free up the lane. just wait til a team thinks they can help off of him.
in all seriousness i have no problem having matt start and bringing two high energy guys off the bench. matt is a freshman on a team with a lot of offense comiing from 4 other guys, he knows his roll and occupies a defender to free up the lane. just wait til a team thinks they can help off of him.
Why is the opinion of some that maybe Matt needs a break from starting, and that someone else should start in his place seen by some on here as a criticism of Fred or whatever? I don't see anyone doing that at all.
People can express their opinion on this without it being a criticism of Fred, and most (if not all) have done just that. As I said, I have been a supporter of Matt starting, but this is not working. The guy is a great pure shooter, but he is in a funk, and it is pretty obvious he does not have a lot of confidence right now in his outside shooting ability. If you can't see that, then I'm not sure what games you have been watching. Most on here have been suggesting that if someone else starts, maybe some pressure (if he feels it now) will be taken off Matt and his shooting and confidence will come back. That would be good for the team. Once it is back, maybe it will be a good idea to start him again, depending on how things are going.
Often when a shooter is in a slump, they just keep shooting and get out of it.....especially when they are as pure of a shooter as Matt has been. It's pretty obvious now that he is not able to do that right now. Taking 3 shots, even in 12-15 minutes is not shooting your way out of anything.
So, this is not like everyone is questioning Fred or anything. No one is saying they hate Matt or want him gone or benched forever or anything like that. It is just people expressing their opinion, which they have a perfect right to do, especially in a fan forum.
If this is questioning Fred, then every time we have a thread about who should be the starters this year, next year, or whatever is doing the same thing.
People can express their opinion on this without it being a criticism of Fred, and most (if not all) have done just that. As I said, I have been a supporter of Matt starting, but this is not working. The guy is a great pure shooter, but he is in a funk, and it is pretty obvious he does not have a lot of confidence right now in his outside shooting ability. If you can't see that, then I'm not sure what games you have been watching. Most on here have been suggesting that if someone else starts, maybe some pressure (if he feels it now) will be taken off Matt and his shooting and confidence will come back. That would be good for the team. Once it is back, maybe it will be a good idea to start him again, depending on how things are going.
Often when a shooter is in a slump, they just keep shooting and get out of it.....especially when they are as pure of a shooter as Matt has been. It's pretty obvious now that he is not able to do that right now. Taking 3 shots, even in 12-15 minutes is not shooting your way out of anything.
So, this is not like everyone is questioning Fred or anything. No one is saying they hate Matt or want him gone or benched forever or anything like that. It is just people expressing their opinion, which they have a perfect right to do, especially in a fan forum.
If this is questioning Fred, then every time we have a thread about who should be the starters this year, next year, or whatever is doing the same thing.
I never said they are all performing at the same level, I just said that they've all under produced.
Monte has played much better than Matt for many games this year and deserves a start. Matt will improve, but right now his play does not justify a starting spot. It just doesn't. It is hard to win in Norman for any team and I am not blaming Thomas for the loss. But as the OP said, Morris is playing better and Thomas has looked very tentative on the court. I hope Fred gives Morris the start against KU and then hopefully we can start another 14 game winning streak.
Starting Thomas is the correct tactic. More diverse lineup and bench that way. Also, it could be debated it helps a shooter like Thomas. I had an issue with the minutes Thomas was getting. Clearly Fred got on CF before the Iowa game, as the distribution of minutes between MT, MM, and Naz is now reflective of their play in games.
All three of those guys need to improve for us to contend. I think they will, but probably not soon enough. SDW much be very inconsistent in practice...
All three of those guys need to improve for us to contend. I think they will, but probably not soon enough. SDW much be very inconsistent in practice...
Monte brought the ball up the court most of the time when in the game so Kane could be ready for offense.
There was a play the epitomized Thomas' season. He had a open corner three. The ball was passed to him quickly, no one was around him and it would have been the perfect time to shoot. Instead he hesitated, defender got closer and a open shot became contested, and that is when Thomas shot the ball. He then missed due to the defender appearing. The confidence is just not there right now.
They only thing he has been bringing is being the 7th man. If you have started 15 games as a Freshman you better be bringing scoring to the table or a threat to score. His shots are not even coming close to falling. I cheer every game for him to get it going but he has failed to thus far. He also gets lost on D a lot. I hate to rip on a player but his lack of effort at times is frustrating.
I agree with this. However the person I was watching the game with had mentioned that maybe he didn't fully control the initial pass so he had to regroup to put it up. Either way, that was a missed opportunity.
