A few interesting comments from TK at Tuesday night's annual Men's Basketball Roundball Social which featured Jon Rothstein from CBS as Guest Speaker:

*Named EJ Farmer as the 5th Starter.

*Called RayJ Dennis as his best Point Guard which includes Juice Brown and Marreon Jackson.

*Said there is a possibly of both Javan Simmons and Kooper Jacoby both redshirting.

*Loves this team, potentially his best.

After attending yesterday morning's practice, Rothstein tweeted out some complementary things about Shumate and Milner being mismatches inside with their 3 point shooting accuracy, called Edu's comeback story "inspiring", and said Cochran is a "linebacker on skates".

Kooper needs to put on weight still. I hope he stays though.

(11-03-2022 03:32 PM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  Kooper needs to put on weight still. I hope he stays though.

There was a story about him gaining weight. Maybe not. They want him to be a PF, I'd rather see him work on his shooting as a WF.

(11-03-2022 04:14 PM)DetroitRocket Wrote:  

(11-03-2022 03:32 PM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  Kooper needs to put on weight still. I hope he stays though.

There was a story about him gaining weight. Maybe not. They want him to be a PF, I'd rather see him work on his shooting as a WF.

Same. A skinny kid bulked up is no more a power forward than any other skinny kid. They want a power forward and can't recruit one, recruit some underfed kid that has the structure of a power forward, then feed them.

Also, Coach K and the team passed out free pizza to the students at the student union today to promote the home opener on Monday. I think that was a great idea!

Already? Doh, got to get a call in tomorrow.

Am I the only one surprised that Farmer is the 5th starter, getting the nod over Cochran, Maddox and, for that matter, AJ Edu? How is TK going to use his bench? Is he really ready to reduce the starter's minutes and work 3, 4 or 5 reserves into the rotation?

(11-03-2022 07:23 PM)Sleepy Wrote:  Am I the only one surprised that Farmer is the 5th starter, getting the nod over Cochran, Maddox and, for that matter, AJ Edu? How is TK going to use his bench? Is he really ready to reduce the starter's minutes and work 3, 4 or 5 reserves into the rotation?

He seems to have his supporters on the board, even though nothing of note has hit the court during a game. Mostly been mistake after mistake. So while not a prodigy, perhaps he has finally caught up with the game. In his favor, he's healthy. Fast and quick. If he's scrappy without fouling, he'll bring at least that. I suspect he may look worse than he is, simply because of how experienced and good the other four on the floor will be. It's for them to make Farmer useful.

If you are going to have a second unit you do need a player to lead it. Maybe that is why you start Farmer


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I love it. Have two proven players come off the bench

(11-03-2022 07:43 PM)eastisbest Wrote:  

(11-03-2022 07:23 PM)Sleepy Wrote:  Am I the only one surprised that Farmer is the 5th starter, getting the nod over Cochran, Maddox and, for that matter, AJ Edu? How is TK going to use his bench? Is he really ready to reduce the starter's minutes and work 3, 4 or 5 reserves into the rotation?

He seems to have his supporters on the board, even though nothing of note has hit the court during a game. Mostly been mistake after mistake. So while not a prodigy, perhaps he has finally caught up with the game. In his favor, he's healthy. Fast and quick. If he's scrappy without fouling, he'll bring at least that. I suspect he may look worse than he is, simply because of how experienced and good the other four on the floor will be. It's for them to make Farmer useful.

Talked highly of Maddox -called him the "Microwave" referring I think to the Piston's Vinnie Johnson from the past who used to come off the bench with instant offense. That would be a luxury that we have not had lately coming off the bench!

(11-03-2022 09:06 PM)Basketball Jones Wrote:  

(11-03-2022 07:43 PM)eastisbest Wrote:  

(11-03-2022 07:23 PM)Sleepy Wrote:  Am I the only one surprised that Farmer is the 5th starter, getting the nod over Cochran, Maddox and, for that matter, AJ Edu? How is TK going to use his bench? Is he really ready to reduce the starter's minutes and work 3, 4 or 5 reserves into the rotation?

He seems to have his supporters on the board, even though nothing of note has hit the court during a game. Mostly been mistake after mistake. So while not a prodigy, perhaps he has finally caught up with the game. In his favor, he's healthy. Fast and quick. If he's scrappy without fouling, he'll bring at least that. I suspect he may look worse than he is, simply because of how experienced and good the other four on the floor will be. It's for them to make Farmer useful.

Talked highly of Maddox -called him the "Microwave" referring I think to the Piston's Vinnie Johnson from the past who used to come off the bench with instant offense. That would be a luxury that we have not had lately coming off the bench!

Vinnie Johnson was the Gates Brown of the Pistons. For a spurt, you were going to get better than the player rested. Maddox couldn't ask for a better compliment.

Maddox is the 5th best player, but he probably offers us more off the bench than as a starter. Bringing in Cochran as a sub allows us to see where to match him up and utilize his weird game. So, those things kinda make sense. I think the key with EJ is not forcing shots and trying to do too much.

Interesting comment on Jacobi maybe taking a RS. He's not gonna be a wing forward people. He is a lousy shooter. That doesn't just change easily with practice. He's a 6-6 forward that is pretty good on the glass.

I think we mostly play 9 this year. Not sure if Wilson can break into the rotation. He's always looked close but hasn't quite turned the corner.