DISQUS

psvirsky · 2 months ago

Not sure if there is any basis for it, but I have always thought of Jones as more of a 2 guard, or at the very least, a combo guard. I imagine that with more experience he can run an offense, but just because he can pass doesn't mean he's a PG. Plus, he's got some height and length so he should be able to defend opposing 2's as well. With Rivers and Hulls around (and Carlino coming and possible another PG recruit as Crean has been pushing for), I get the feeling that Jones will play more at the 2.

I think that running a traditional PG with two guys from the Dumes/Jones/Creek combo feels good. No matter who it is you'll have a pair of wings who can drive and shoot and should be able to D up as well. Then we can either play the trio with a couple of big men for a traditional lineup or we can put Watford at the 4 and have more of a run and gun lineup (Elston could perhaps fill that role as well if he is as athletic as people say he is).

Anyways, as you can probably tell, this is all very speculative and based more my own gut instinct. Regardless, I'm excited to see how much Jones can progress and how we'll use him in the lineup.

Hardwood83 · 2 months ago

I too will be surprised if VJ3 is running point. With the bulk he's added and the flashes he showed last season I expect him to provide minutes & points from the 2 guard especially early in the season while everyone else figures out what they're doing.

GFDave · 2 months ago

I look forward to VJ3 being a solid contributor this year. He's going to be stronger, more experienced and relieved of the point guard duties to which he is not that well suited. If he plays within himself and stops trying to split every double team he sees, he'll be in fine shape.

JerryCT · 2 months ago

Jones is our best player right now in my opinion and he will be my point/click choice most games. I see Devin Harris written all over him. I am glad his PG duties will be limited but he might be the leader we seem to be searching for wherever he plays

JerryCT · 2 months ago

In perspective he was our :

1) 2nd scorer
2) 2nd in returnign players in Rebs
3) had 100 assists ie #1
4) 70% on the free throw line
5) 2nd in FG % from 2 pt area
6) 3rd in 3 pt %

Dumes by the way would be my other regular choice whose stats are comparable except for assists

CreamandCrimson · 2 months ago

I agree with a lot of what you guys are saying. Jones was certainly the best player on the team for most of the Big Ten season. I thought there were games near the end of the season where he looked like an All-Big Ten performer.

His long arms are a plus and I think he could become a really strong defender on the perimeter. He needs to get a little bit stronger finishing around the basket and his three point shot could certainly be better. I would be shocked if he played point guard at all this season. Rivers and Hulls should handle most of that and VJIII will be freed up to concentrate on scoring.

Based on Crean's Marquette teams, I expect VJIII to be paired with Rivers and either Creek or Dumes (I think Creek) in a three guard lineup. It was a pleasure to watch Jones improve last season and I look forward to more of the same this year.

aerialM · 2 months ago

VJ was a real surprise last year, and when you look at where he was as a player when the season started and where he was when it ended (keeping in mind the concussion in december) it truly is a testament to his work ethic and devotion to getting better. I'm really excited to see him this season. All accounts have him bulked up and with a bit of a swagger. Great! I too see him as more of a scoring guard, handling the ball at times, but for the most part, he's going to slash and hit the open shots. Obviously, he's got to cut down his turnovers, but with an improved physique and some work on his ball-handling, that should be no problem. I think he's a starter from day 1 and continues to build into a solid all around B10 player. VJIII 2.0 let it be!