Is Matt Thomas the most improved player?

carvers4math

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Mar 15, 2012
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Also, maybe people can remember this (they won't) when ragging on a freshman or even sophomore. People improve. That's part of the point of hard work and playing at a higher level.

We expect our coaches to excel at player development yet also expect our players to be perfect from day one.:spinny:
 

ISU42

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Sep 21, 2009
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Matt definitely is the most improved. I've been really impressed with Georges improvement on offense. He was already a great collegiate player, but it seems his offensive moves have gone to whole another level.
 

CloneZone13

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Feb 7, 2013
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Yes, couldn't be happier for Matt. His rebounding seems like it has been incredible. I don't know what the box scores say, but it seems like he's our leading rebounder when watching on T.V. Kid is everywhere on the floor, hustling. Love it!
 

carvers4math

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Mar 15, 2012
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Yes, couldn't be happier for Matt. His rebounding seems like it has been incredible. I don't know what the box scores say, but it seems like he's our leading rebounder when watching on T.V. Kid is everywhere on the floor, hustling. Love it!

Watching Matt rebound, I think he does a great job of anticipating where the miss will go. Seems like a combination of scouting report and just watching the shot.
 

roundball

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Dec 8, 2013
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Comparing 2014/15 to 2015/16 (change in parentheses)

Player A
Points per 40 minutes: 13.0/12.8 (-.2)
Rebounds per 40 minutes: 5.2/6.7 (1.5)
Assists per 40 minutes: 1.8/2.3 (.5)
Steals per 40 minutes: .9/.8 (-.1)
Win shares per 40 minutes: .091/.113 (.22)
Field goal percentage: .368/.400 (.32)
3-point percentage: .330/.408 (.78)
Free throw percentage: .714/.867 (.153)

Player B
Points per 40 minutes: 14.2/17.5 (3.3)
Rebounds per 40 minutes: 7.1/7.7 (.6)
Assists per 40 minutes: 1.8/2.0 (.2)
Steals per 40 minutes: .9/1.7 (.8)
Win shares per 40 minutes: 1.0/1.7 (.7)
Field goal percentage: .406/.478 (.72)
3-point percentage: .217/.271 (.54)
Free throw percentage: .767/.825 (.058)
 

DesignerClone

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Dec 13, 2014
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Also, maybe people can remember this (they won't) when ragging on a freshman or even sophomore. People improve. That's part of the point of hard work and playing at a higher level.

Amen to that! Lots of maddening arguments with CF brethren last year especially on whether or not MT could even make a step up. Of course he can...and did!! His game is very solid all around and does the little things that require basketball smarts and effort. He's a huge part of this team.
 

CycloneVet

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Jul 17, 2011
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At this point Matt is a lot better than Naz ever was. I don't mean that in a bad way either, I love Naz. Naz doesn't defend or rebound like Matt has this year. Having both of them on the floor next year is going to be huge. Hopefully Monte stays but I have a feeling that these last few games are the start of his run towards the draft. He has been much more aggressive scoring etc.
 

DeftOne

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Dec 30, 2014
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At this point Matt is a lot better than Naz ever was. I don't mean that in a bad way either, I love Naz. Naz doesn't defend or rebound like Matt has this year. Having both of them on the floor next year is going to be huge. Hopefully Monte stays but I have a feeling that these last few games are the start of his run towards the draft. He has been much more aggressive scoring etc.
On defense, yes. Overall? I think that might be taking it a bit too far.
 

roundball

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Dec 8, 2013
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Also, maybe people can remember this (they won't) when ragging on a freshman or even sophomore. People improve. That's part of the point of hard work and playing at a higher level.

It's especially bad when Iowa State fans, who witnessed Melvin Ejim transform into the Big 12 POY from a role player who got pushed around in conference play, write off a player's career before it's even half over.
 

benwied

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Jun 19, 2015
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The best part is his confidence. Started 0-5 on Monday but didn't stop him from shooting.

Agreed. The 3 he finally made came from the corner, behind the backboard. 0-5 start and still has the confidence to go for it in a tough spot like that
 

carvers4math

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Mar 15, 2012
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I know someone was talking about how hot Hield was shooting in warmups, but watching Matt drain shots before a game is just amazing. Of course, game situations are completely different and that effort on defense has to effect his legs for shooting, even though he appears to be in superman condition.
 

roundball

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Dec 8, 2013
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On our team? Definitely. In the conference? Certainly in the conversation.

As unfathomable as it is for a POY to be the most improved, I think Buddy Heild could be. He's managed to increase his scoring by almost 50% per 40 minutes and is shooting a ridiculous .515 behind the arc. The guy's superhuman this year.
 

AllIn

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Nov 28, 2013
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As unfathomable as it is for a POY to be the most improved, I think Buddy Heild could be. He's managed to increase his scoring by almost 50% per 40 minutes and is shooting a ridiculous .515 behind the arc. The guy's superhuman this year.

Ask Georges about Buddy playing D on him w/o fouling. He will tell you "he can't". This is from last nights call-in show.
 

bosco

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Dec 21, 2008
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At this point Matt is a lot better than Naz ever was. I don't mean that in a bad way either, I love Naz. Naz doesn't defend or rebound like Matt has this year. Having both of them on the floor next year is going to be huge. Hopefully Monte stays but I have a feeling that these last few games are the start of his run towards the draft. He has been much more aggressive scoring etc.

On defense, yes. Overall? I think that might be taking it a bit too far.

If Naz was healthy would MT still be coming off the bench? Thinking about this makes me wistful that Naz isn't healthy and this team could be having Naz or MT coming off the bench.
 

carvers4math

Well-Known Member
Mar 15, 2012
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Yes, easily. Nader would have an argument, but he's not quite consistent enough--yet.

The last two games make me feel like the light has just come on with Nader, and hoping we continue to see the better choices on shot selection. His is a force going to the bucket for sure.
 

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