CSNbbs

Last three games he has played 4m,18m and 9m and the Bearcats have stepped up. Coincidence? No.

I think Justin Jackson's much improved play has a lot to do with it. Jackson has gained some experience and confidence and is playing really well. I think he will be a great shot blocker by the time he leaves UC.

(02-24-2011 10:29 AM)bearcats23 Wrote: [ -> ]I think Justin Jackson's much improved play has a lot to do with it. Jackson has gained some experience and confidence and is playing really well. I think he will be a great shot blocker by the time he leaves UC.

i couldn't believe he took 9 shots yesterday. clearly gaining some confidence. he's gonna be fun to watch, and to think i wasn't excited he was the first recruit for mick last year

(02-24-2011 10:43 AM)Lush Wrote: [ -> ]

(02-24-2011 10:29 AM)bearcats23 Wrote: [ -> ]I think Justin Jackson's much improved play has a lot to do with it. Jackson has gained some experience and confidence and is playing really well. I think he will be a great shot blocker by the time he leaves UC.

i couldn't believe he took 9 shots yesterday. clearly gaining some confidence. he's gonna be fun to watch, and to think i wasn't excited he was the first recruit for mick last year

At least three of those happened while JJ and Yancy were playing volleyball with a missed shot. He was pretty exciting and energetic last night.

By the way Beck, we're winning. I don't see the need to slam any player. You look at the defensive side, Thomas is actually playing well lately. Just happens that Yancy is on a whole other level right now.

JJ can also put the ball on the floor as we've seen a few times when he been given space.

Jackson is definitely improving in a big way. You have to keep him out there on the court. Athletically UC doesn't have anyone else like him on the interior. He reminds me a lot of Eric Hicks, when Eric was a freshman. Raw offensively, but extremely athletic and active. He is going to be a good one.

Eric Hicks plus about 4 inches... Different level of intensity though, Hicks was mean, but this kid is hyper.

Really impressed with his ability to put it on the floor and take it to the basket. Liked those multiple head fakes that got his defender in the air and resulted in an easy bucket. He is a way better offensive and defensive option than Thomas, although he can not rebound as well. Seems to be playing smarter from a fouling standpoint as well, lately.

I'm looking forward to watching him over the next 3 years.

(02-24-2011 10:52 AM)Marcus Wrote: [ -> ]Jackson is definitely improving in a big way. You have to keep him out there on the court. Athletically UC doesn't have anyone else like him on the interior. He reminds me a lot of Eric Hicks, when Eric was a freshman. Raw offensively, but extremely athletic and active. He is going to be a good one.

Reminds me more of KMart. Offense is kind of sucky right now, but a good shot blocker and very quick off his feet and the second jump. Making his mark with defense.

(02-24-2011 10:28 AM)beck Wrote: [ -> ]Last three games he has played 4m,18m and 9m and the Bearcats have stepped up. Coincidence? No.

He's our best post defender and best rebounder. i'll admit that he's a liability on offense but we're a better team with him than without. i'm not sure who he pissed off in the realm of the officials but he picks up a lot of cheapies, some legit and some egregiously ridiculous, that cut into his playing time.

Thomas is a nice role player for UC to have. He can guard other big guys and he is a good rebounder. When he plays around the basket he is also a decent offensive player.

There is no doubt, however, that when Gates is playing well they are better with him on the floor. And UC's defense causes more trouble with Jackson/Wilks because they can switch on more screens and really pressure the ball better.

I have not been upset with Thomas's play (except that he still will shoot threes) but I think we is certainly going to be relegated to a more situational role at this point.

He also appears to be yancy's buddy always seems to be trying to keep yancy mental up and involved during time outs and rest periods. No time to bash on anyone.They are a team that needs every part including biggie.

It's all about Mick changing the lineup as a whole, not any sort of failure on the part of Thomas. We are a much quicker, athletic defensive team without Thomas and Gates in at the same time (yes, it's true even when Wilks is playing). Mick has settled on (apologies to Chatter for posting a lineup, invading his turf):

Point: Cash
2-gaurd: Davis/Dixon/SK
SF: Bishop
PF: Wilks/Jackson
C: Thomas/Gates/Biggie

There is no doubt that Dixon and Gates have earned their starting spots back. The $64K question is, do you mess with it at this point?

(02-24-2011 11:03 AM)bearcatmark Wrote: [ -> ]Thomas is a nice role player for UC to have. He can guard other big guys and he is a good rebounder. When he plays around the basket he is also a decent offensive player.

There is no doubt, however, that when Gates is playing well they are better with him on the floor. And UC's defense causes more trouble with Jackson/Wilks because they can switch on more screens and really pressure the ball better.

I have not been upset with Thomas's play (except that he still will shoot threes) but I think we is certainly going to be relegated to a more situational role at this point.

i actually think our best lineup, defensively, consists of Thomas, Jackson, Davis, Cash and Bishop. Unfortunately, we would be scoring in the 30s with that lineup. Virtually all players are able to switch off. Jackson is a better rebounder and post defender which is why i have him in there. Plus, his weakside effort to block shots and hustle on transition defense are two characteristics i hope become infectious.

I like bringing in our 3 top scorers off the bench. It's the Uber Goon Squad.

Thomas is actually a pretty good rebounder. And he can have his offensive good moments.....along with some oh come on moments.

Jj had 29 minutes last night. Brings great energy. Plays good defense....is active and long. Is like a Mexican jumping bean out there. That one sequence last night was just awesome. His offense has really picked up too. This kid is gonna be a good one.

In 3 of last 4 games jackson has played 20, 27, and 29 minutes.

Is it really necessary to bash a player while our team winning, especially when he is one of the most positive guys on the team and the majority of the reason for his decrease in playing time has absolutely nothing to do with him, but instead with Gates and Jackson playing extremely well right now?

(02-24-2011 11:17 AM)50Cent Wrote: [ -> ]Thomas is actually a pretty good rebounder. And he can have his offensive good moments.....along with some oh come on moments.

Jj had 29 minutes last night. Brings great energy. Plays good defense....is active and long. Is like a Mexican jumping bean out there. That one sequence last night was just awesome. His offense has really picked up too. This kid is gonna be a good one.

In 3 of last 4 games jackson has played 20, 27, and 29 minutes.

One of the things, among many, that i like about JJs game is his enthusiasm. That is a kid that looks like he's having too much fun and there ain't a second on the court when you don't know what he's thinking. Reminds me of Mel Levitt and Tony Bobbitt before him.

NO question that UC is better when Jackson is on the floor in place of Thomas. Thomas has the size and length but not much on offense and gets shoved around too much due to not being able to bulk up much. My only worry is that with the current assittant coaches working with the big men that Jackson won't develop as well as he could be. Be interesting how much Gaines has improved this year too. I just think Mick can better himself if he changed a couple of his coaches with some that can really develop players.

We need to remember that last night, Thomas was ill with the flu bug. I think he was very lmited in what he could do on the court. He's had his moments and has helped us win some games so I won't toss him under the Bus. I just wished he had been developed a little further on offense but thats the coaches job. Not his.