Thomas should not have been starting over Morris

[stateofmind]

Let's keep this on the front page until Matt graduates. Let it go folks, your point is not being made to convince the others on here and it won't effect Fred's decision. All players are loved, but will receive criticism. Fred knows how to coach better than most in the game, needless to say over us...

 

[SCISUFAN]

Is that something Naz, or MM (who is shooting a higher%) do not do? I am all for Matt starting, btw.[/QUOTE]

They do not. For whatever reason, (and I agree Matt hasn't shot great) opposing coaches do not leave Matt in the half court. Many of his 3's have come in transition. They are beginning to cling to Naz, but whether you think it is crazy or not, Morris can get a 3 on almost any possession down court. If he continues to prove himself that will change. But for now opposing coaches are not sluffing off MT and it does create lane openings.

 

[swarthmoreCY]

They do not. For whatever reason, (and I agree Matt hasn't shot great) opposing coaches do not leave Matt in the half court. Many of his 3's have come in transition. They are beginning to cling to Naz, but whether you think it is crazy or not, Morris can get a 3 on almost any possession down court. If he continues to prove himself that will change. But for now opposing coaches are not sluffing off MT and it does create lane openings.

I do not think MT is getting the special treatment that you think he is.

 

[rholtgraves]

Please tell me why they people think Morris is a much better option as a starter?
I think Thomas is just this year's wipping boy. Fred is starting him because of his shooting. He probably wants to have a second ball handler coming off the bench in Morris and also wants a scorer coming off the bench in Long.
Morris hasn't exactly lit it up game after game. He has had ups and downs this season just like Thomas but apparently no one has noticed that.
In Hawaii, Morris scored a total of 2 points.

 

[Psiclone]

I do not think MT is getting the special treatment that you think he is.

Then you aren't watching the games closely enough. The other teams are clearly aware of Matt which is why he doesn't get many open looks.

 

[SCISUFAN]

Then you aren't watching the games closely enough. The other teams are clearly aware of Matt which is why he doesn't get many open looks.

I think because he gets open 2 or 3 times in transition is why they continue to think this. But in the half court they are no leaving Matt period.

 

[Clonefan32]

If Matt has any problem I think he is trying to figure out where he fits on the team without disrupting chemistry. You can see several instances a game where he appears inclined to shoot but thinks better of it. I think he may be trying too hard to "defer" to the other guys.

To me, taking him out of the starting lineup will in no way help this problem. This team is going to need MT to play a significant role, and I think taking him out of the starting lineup will in no way help him understand where he fits in. Luckily, Fred will let him play through it, and I think he may need to spend a day or two in the Naz Long School of Shooting Without any Remorse.

 

[Cyclonesince78]

Let's keep this on the front page until Matt graduates. Let it go folks, your point is not being made to convince the others on here and it won't effect Fred's decision. All players are loved, but will receive criticism. Fred knows how to coach better than most in the game, needless to say over us...

Yeah, I was kind of happy to see it drop off the front page....too bad it's back.

 

[CyBri]

I agree they are aware of Thomas when he is on the floor and they are not leaving him open. He is a good shot and needs to have a quicker release. that is why Naz is having a little more success.

Then you aren't watching the games closely enough. The other teams are clearly aware of Matt which is why he doesn't get many open looks.

 

[CycloneTJS]

I like his starting and wish he would shoot a LOT more 3's in each game! Maybe CFH could take a lesson from Coach Fennelly did with Jadda Buckley - passing up open three's hurts the team - benching him does not fix that - Shoot more, Matt! I know you will hit more than you miss!

Go Cyclones, Beat ku.

 

[swarthmoreCY]

Then you aren't watching the games closely enough. The other teams are clearly aware of Matt which is why he doesn't get many open looks.

Yeah, and teams are aware of where Naz and Morris are too. Being aware and being defended are not exactly getting special treatment.

Again, I like Thomas starting, but he is a good enough player that we do not have to view his play through the same lens we would a walk-on.

 

[stuclone]

People need to realize that it's not necessarily about who starts. It's about who gets the most minutes by the end of the game. Maybe Monte and Naz like to get a feel for the flow of the game for the first few minutes. Whatever the case is, I'm 100% sure that Fred knows more about the team than you do.

 

[Cycsk]

Where did I say his most of his shots are coming off penetration he's creating? I said that's what he did extremely well in HS and he hasn't done that this year because his role is to stand in the corner and let Kane/Niang/Ejim and Hogue take the shots. If he's not getting shots it's because the other guys are taking over the game and I don't see how that is a negative towards Thomas. And why does every white player in Iowa State history have to be compared to each other? It is possible they are completely different players.

I would like to see Thomas get more into the flow of the offense. Most of the time, he just sets up and waits for passes that set him up for 3s. It isn't working for him. That may be okay, if it is truly opening up the offense for others, but I think Thomas handling the ball more, driving sometimes, and making plays for himself would do even more to open up the offense. He is really talented at taking it inside to the basket (as is Morris who seems to have the green light to go inside) or making a move for a pull-up jumper.

Hoiberg certainly seems to have a plan with how he is using Thomas. At any rate, we will see something different tonight. Hope it includes Thomas finding his stride. Before, it was just something nice. Now, it may be essential.

 

[jahfg]

The OU game was the first time I saw an opponent sag off of Thomas. That is concerning. He got one ball reversal where the defender was nowhere near him and he still tried the pumpfake. He HAS to put that up. I've never seen a "shooter" pass up so many opportunities to chuck. That's what we do!

I still like MT in the starting role as he does have a good floor game. He can help bring the ball up, he's aggressive on the boards, and is a good passer. He doesn't get the ball much and his teammates are looking for him less. He needs to get his confidence back and his teammates need to know they can give him the ball.

Let it fly, Matt!

 

[Cyclonepride]

People really need to stop claiming this as its not occurring during games. He's not being face guarded, his defender doesn't have no help instructions, and he's not being so closely guarded that just Thomas being on the court is opening up allllll these lanes. C'mon. Check out the game tape!!!
in fact...he's getting wide open looks...he's missing.

Again he has the talent, but it's not right now.

watch tonight's game. If he gets face guarded once, or when we drive Thomas's man refuses to help and stays out on him...if those things happen even once tonight...I'll be shocked.

They may not be face guarding him, but they are not leaving him. That is a fact.

 

[CyTwins]

I've been a big MT defender and he's great in our system to help space the floor. He's going to improve and I think have a breakout game here real soon. With that being said, it sometimes looks like the game is still a little too fast for him at times. Regardless, he only played 12 minutes Saturday but will start every game this season so I don't see the point complaining about it.

 

[CYKOFAN]

People really need to stop claiming this as its not occurring during games. He's not being face guarded, his defender doesn't have no help instructions, and he's not being so closely guarded that just Thomas being on the court is opening up allllll these lanes. C'mon. Check out the game tape!!!
in fact...he's getting wide open looks...he's missing.

Again he has the talent, but it's not right now.

watch tonight's game. If he gets face guarded once, or when we drive Thomas's man refuses to help and stays out on him...if those things happen even once tonight...I'll be shocked.

He's not being face guarded but his defenders stay very close and it looks obvious they are coached to focus on him constantly rather than sag into the lane to help on defense. That opens up and keeps lanes open. They're focusing more on Naz too and he's not getting the open 3's he was getting earlier. But Kane, Ejim and Niang are taking advantage of it with open lanes and more space to work with closer to the basket.

 

[Wesley]

My guess is Thomas will continue to start until opposing defenses stop closing on him on the perimeter. If he still can't shoot better than 30% at that point than he becomes a liability.

That is why he played 12 minutes. Other people are doing more for the team at this point.

 

[Wesley]

If Matt has any problem I think he is trying to figure out where he fits on the team without disrupting chemistry. You can see several instances a game where he appears inclined to shoot but thinks better of it. I think he may be trying too hard to "defer" to the other guys.

To me, taking him out of the starting lineup will in no way help this problem. This team is going to need MT to play a significant role, and I think taking him out of the starting lineup will in no way help him understand where he fits in. Luckily, Fred will let him play through it, and I think he may need to spend a day or two in the Naz Long School of Shooting Without any Remorse.

I think Monte starts tonight to help out Kanes ankle and bring the ball up court.

 

[UraMallas]

Naz is starting over Thomas:

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Starters: ISU- Kane, Long, Hogue, Ejim, Niang. KU - Selden Jr., Tharpe, Embiid, Wiggins, Ellis.

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