Green Bay Saturday

[teddyp00]

I agree that next year is going to be a very competive year for not just who starts, but for minutes in general. This year there does not appear to be much seperation between guys in the 4-11 in the rotation while other guys are safe for other default reasons (see lack of size). I really hope a few guys just come out next year and assert themselves as deserving of minutes both in practice and in games.

I for one am rather excited for the possible lineup of Joe Allen, Torre Johnson, Paulsen, Roberts and Swigget (if healthy otherwise Franklin).

[jhart05]

teddyp00 said:

I for one am rather excited for the possible lineup of Joe Allen, Torre Johnson, Paulsen, Roberts and Swigget (if healthy otherwise Franklin).

I think Avo and Al will have something to say about who starts next year.

[teddyp00]

A few more 1-8 3 point shooting nights and I think Al will have said enough about starting at the 2 spot for the team next year.

Nothing against Al, but he is just not a 2 guard and I think if healthy the point will be Swiggett's to lose.

[schweaty]

famouspnthrfan said:

I wasn't expecting as many students to come for the game today...It was a very pleasant surprise but I'll give my fellow students the benefit of the doubt. The sharp increase in attendance today was due to:

First home game since the end of the winter break. (I know this is my first game in awhile since I was away for winter break)

and

GB is an in-state rival

and not

It was on ESPN2 (however I think that was a big reason)

Regardless, hopefully this good albeit unfortunate game will get more students to show support. Unfortunately there are only 2 home games left. Now THAT'S unfair pmck.

What about the massive increase in advertising that was apparently made for this game? There were people all over wearing Beat GB t-shirts, there were posters on every building entrance, they made it clear that there was a game Saturday. Normally it's like "oh there was a game last night?"

[dylanrocks]

With 32-percent shooting and 7.8 points per game, Al has spoken volumes about who will start next year. I've long said that Al should wear the No. 8, as he's perfectly suited to be a team's eighth man. No doubt, there will be minutes for him next year.

[uwm97]

fan said:

tbone said:

Those of you begging for Thornton to get more time likely saw why he's not getting more time. He looked rough on D.

rough seems to be an understatement. To me, it seems he has to play the 4 or 5 given his lack of speed. Too many 3 guard sets to have him out there trying to play man-to-man.

Thornton wasn't given a scholarship based on his defensive prowess. He was brought here to shoot. He's going to struggle defending against anybody on the perimeter because he's not very quick. Steve Novak couldn't guard anybody in college but that's not why Crean brought him to Marquette either. I'm not saying Thornton's defense is irrelevant, but let's remember why he's at UWM to begin with.

[teddyp00]

I agree with 97. Bring him in, give him 10 minutes a game and just play mostly zone to hide what he struggles with right now. If he keeps working he will get stronger and quicker and this will not be the issue it is right now.

[brewtownbrian]

I disagree. I don't know why he was brought to UWM, but I could guess that it would be to help this team win and eventually become a better all-around player. He hasn't done that. At least not in games. And if he's going to be a weak defender, he's not going to help them win either. I highly douby RJ will put him in and only play zone b/c Thornton's in the game...that would be absurd and not a good coaching move.

Now if the situation presented itself that UWM was going to play a lot of zone b/c of the opponent...then I could see Thornton getting some more minutes. I just don't see Jeter changing what he does so that Thornton can get more minutes. More likely Thornton's going to have to get better on the defensive end to play more.

Steve Novak wasn't a great defender throughout his career at MU, but he definitely got better by the time he was a senior.

Personally though, I think comparing Novak and Thornton is a dumb thing to do. Especially this early in Thornton's career. If he turns into the same kind of player as Steve Novak...I'll be happy, but let's let him develop a little more.

[uwm97]

brewtownbrian said:

Personally though, I think comparing Novak and Thornton is a dumb thing to do. Especially this early in Thornton's career. If he turns into the same kind of player as Steve Novak...I'll be happy, but let's let him develop a little more.

You think it's stupid? Novak was a great outside shooter who couldn't guard a soul anywhere on the court - he couldn't defend last year but at least got himself some rebounds. Thornton can't guard anybody either, but it's kind of hard for him to improve on that end of the floor when he gets two minutes of PT per game. At least Crean had Novak getting some minutes his frosh year. And last I checked, UWM's defense is at or near the bottom of the Horizon League WITHOUT Thornton getting much time, so it's not as if things can get worse.

"Stupid?" Try again.

[famouspnthrfan]

Steve Novak was much more heralded coming out of high school. He dominated other teams with his height and scoring ability, so yes...they are VERY different players, therefore it's kind of stupid to compare them. Steve Novak had a different skill set than Ryan does. Steve didn't just come into games and take 4 shots in 2 minutes, now I realize that Ryan may be told to do this, but just bc he shoots 3 point shots well like Novak and can't defend like Novak, doesn't make them similar. I believe Steve Novak was 6'10" and learned to score within the 3 point line in high school. Therefore, they're not the same. Ryan more than likely won't be the best or second best player on the team as a Junior and Senior. Novak was....and he could play defense better than most people gave him credit for because of his height....different players. I like Ryan because he has a shooter's mentality, but he may never be more than a 5-10 minute a game player who comes in and shoots 3's bc he's not that quick defensively.

[uwm97]

No kidding Novak was more heralded coming out of high school. I never said he wasn't. But allow me to explain this one more time: they had the same "type" of game coming out of high school. Both could shoot from the outside and little else. Novak couldn't guard anybody his freshman year and pretty much jacked up threes. Same with Thornton. Now if you can't acknowledge this, the stupidity lies with you.

[brewtownbrian]

I never said stupid, as you quoted me. I said dumb. And it is dumb to compare them. They are the same type of player, yes...I give you that. But Novak was a freshman on a team with D-Wade, Mark Jackson and Travis Diener....a much different situation than Thornton is in this season with UWM.

So again...it's a dumb thing to try and compare them as freshman college bball players. Same type...yes. But different situations. That's my point.

[Pantherholic]

brewtownbrian said:

I disagree. I don't know why he was brought to UWM, but I could guess that it would be to help this team win and eventually become a better all-around player. He hasn't done that. At least not in games.

HE'S A FRESHMAN!!!!! jesus give it time. not everyone develops at the same time.

[milwsport]

It's hard to press when you shot such a low per centage. You can't set it up when the other team is racing down the court with the rebound of your missed shot.

[brewtownbrian]

pantherholic said:

brewtownbrian said:

I disagree. I don't know why he was brought to UWM, but I could guess that it would be to help this team win and eventually become a better all-around player. He hasn't done that. At least not in games.

HE'S A FRESHMAN!!!!! jesus give it time. not everyone develops at the same time.

What does the last part of that post of mine say 'holic?

I'll answer for you...I think comparing Novak and Thornton is a dumb thing to do. Especially this early in Thornton's career. If he turns into the same kind of player as Steve Novak...I'll be happy, but let's let him develop a little more.