Jones leaves Syracuse
Syracuse University freshman Mike Jones has decided to transfer.Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim told the Post-Standard of Jones' decision after the team's Wednesday afternoon practice at the Carrier Dome.Jones said he was homesick, according to Boeheim, who added that playing time obviously factored into the decision. Jones, a 6-7 forward, has seen sporadic playing time behind Syracuse senior Demetris Nichols, who leads the Orange in scoring at 19.6 points per game. Jones is averaging 2.1 points and just 6.5 minutes per game.Look for more on Mike Jones' departure in Thursday's Post-Standard.
Mike Watersmwaters@syracuse.com
Well I don't like this at all, first off I am not sure why Jones doesn't get a bit more playing time than he has been, that puzzeled me in the 2 games I saw early on. Boeheim will do this from time to time not play the standout freshmen and freshmen always want to play. Homesick is just an excuse he was getting insufficient playing time and therefore said F it I am leaving.
This disheartens me to see him leave, from what I heard but did not see enough of, he had the potential to be pretty good. My issue now is they have Green coming next year and to be honest boys Green needs a lot of work and for one needs to bulk up, shut up, and become polished. I saw very little of Jones but it seemed as though he was a bit more polished early on then a Donte Green will be coming in next year. Not sure if Green is going to be all that he is being tauted to be coming in....3 points in the tourney up in Syracuse, and then 2 25+ point games (and a dismal night against Bing) where he was a non-factor until the end of the championship against Boys and Girls in the DWI. I just saw too much crap from him like the little things you can't do in college, trash talk heavily to Binghamton (I would though as well), sing Timberlands part of the "Sexy Back" during time outs, and the killer he ran over to some Boys and Girls fans sitting courtside after the championship to talk trash rather than standing in line to shake the other team's hand...I don't like it Davols!!!
Who knows what Jones could have been, I had high hopes for him and wanted to see more of him and felt he could have been a force at the 3. He is bigger and more physical for the most part than Green and I think SU lost a good player here!!!
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22 comments:
To add to my thesis...
This is going to impact syracuse very heavily here...
Boeheim said:
"The fact is we would have liked to play him more, but he's playing behind Demetris, who's been our best player all year, and Mike's been hurt. He's missed more practices than any other player, and there were games when we couldn't play him because he was hurt."
We knew he was hurt, rather suspected that he was, but did not have any inkling that he was as hurt as Boeheim leads us to believe here.
From the Paper:
"Jones would have been the only true small forward in the program next year. It's too late to recruit a quality small forward out of this year's senior class, so the SU coaches will probably add a small forward to their list for the Class of 2008."
Like I said Green is not really going to fill the void here and this leaves them with a problem trying to fill the 3 spot!!!
But I will add Frosh have to also know there place and respect that if you are playing behind your leading scorer and best player you have to put your time in before you can complain about playing time...that being said I am not happy with Jones' decision here at all and it hurts the program big time!!!
Well fellas, as you all know, I am a Tar Heel fan. However I route for Syracuse against every other team in the country, and own some Syracuse gear. With that being said, it's about time some of these "big time" recruits start playing like it. Since Carmello and McNamara, they have had NOTHING. And McNamara was really only good his freshman year. I'm sorry but Nichols, Roberts, Watkins, McKrosky (sp?), and Wright are straight up garbage. They were supposed to be a great recruiting class? Ahhhh no! I know there are Watkins fans out there, but he has hurt the team more than help them since he's been there. Nichols has helped a bit this year, but it's his senior year and about time he's stepped up. Harris and Devo need to prove themselves here in upcoming league play. To be honest, not overly impressed yet by either of them. I need to stop hearing about how Syracuse has the best incoming class year in and year out. I need to see results, and good coaching by Beoheim. By the looks of it, I see more "hype" than play when it comes to Donte Green as well. He falls in line with the rest of them. Syracuse needs more guys like Josh Pace, Kueth Duany, and Jeremy McNeal. Routins falls in line with those guys. Solid player who was NOT a 5 star recruit. Enough of the hype guys and make Boeheim coach for once!
This is very upsetting to me. I agree 100% that this hurts because Jones was the most polished offensive player cuse had coming in. I'm not sure what he expected being behind Nichols and coming in with the arguably the #1 freshman guard in the nation who just happens to be able to play the 3 as well. I thought he had big scoring potential down the road, this definately hurts because as the article points out...we now have no true "3" to fill in for nichols. At worst Jones would have been 6 man next year and gotten significant playing time being a true 3.
This is quite a blow to my hopes for this team.
Davols its tough to say what Jones would have done, but its a big time shot to the face of the program.
Jones shouldn't expect to play much but I don't want to hear about it. However it would help if Boeheim would recruit guys who are committed and then play guys that he goes after heavily.
Schof a player you might be referring to who has been red shirted this year is Arinze Onuaku. He would have helped out a lot and he is another one of those Jeremy McNeil types who can bang boards down low and put up some points get physical and be a role player, lets not forget he should be coming back next year.
Green is over-hyped and I just hope that Flynn, Shhhhcooop Jardine, and Rick Jackson bring the results and not more hype...and please tell me they are not guys like Jones who "didn't really want to be so far away from home!"
Don't see Green just yet. This guy was the MVP of the Nike Camp this summer and rated the #2 player overall at all camps. I am concerned about the "attitude" stuff you're referring to, however, in terms of ability, you may have just gotten a bad sample. Green will be good, I just hope he doesn't have a bad attitude.
Davols,
There are glimpses of his ability I will give you that. However in the past I have seen guys going to Syracuse that have been more willing to take control and stand out, Green was not one of those players in this DWI tourney and that perturbs me a bit.
I think right now he is a bit over-hyped and although he may turn out to be a good player, again don't hold your breath for the second coming of Carmelo Anthony...
In my mind in order for Green to excel in the next level he has to become mature, take on a better attitude, take control of the game as he has great ability and potential but can at times get quiet like Nichols does, and the number one thing BULK UP, he is a twig and got out manned by smaller Binghamton and Boys and Girls forwards down low. Granted that he is not going to be a post player he needs to get bigger even if he is going to penetrate to the hoop and create at the college level. Also he doesn’t, or at least we saw him not to at the DWI, play much defense, again he takes himself out of certain situations but can rise if the occasion calls for it.
The pros I did witness were even though he was out manned he still had the ability to rebound as he brought down at least 15 to 20 boards in the finals but was never down low banging like he should have been. For a forward he can pass the ball like a guard he has a knack for getting the ball to open men in and around the basket which created a lot of the points for Townson. He has the athletic ability to drive to the hoop and dunk reminding me a little bit of Hak but not as good. And he did step it up down by 12 with about two minutes left to hit three 3s in a row to cut the lead to 3.
In regards to last night here is a fun fact, Pitt has not one McDonald's All-American, Syracuse has how many??? Come on now they could have won that game last night but this team just has no cohesion, no togetherness, this senior class is a disease and I just hope it does not carry over into the youth they will be getting next year! Also if Jones stuck around one more day he might have gotten his chance to shine with Gorman being out…stupid freshmen!!!
I will say this boys I had a lot of hope for this season and I thought Syracuse pushed to give its all (or at least during the last 6 min of that game that I was able to catch) last night, and if its all is loosing by 8 to Pitt at home then we are in for another long grueling season. I am not as optimistic about this season as I was right at the beginning, then again what was I thinking by being optimistic about a team that is just not very good!!!
Bri,
If I had 4 hours to read your last post I would, however I'm a hard working accountant and have no time here at work. IBM needs to step up your responsibilities a bit!
In the words of Daniel Schofield..."Matt, that bastard has a nice cushy job over there!!!"
If you notice this was posted at 8:45 before my work day starts, I devote the first two hours to sports!!!
this bothers me because I was looking to the future of this team, not the present, which STINKS!!!!!
Davols,
I was along those same lines in my earlier post, I was optimistic for this season with guys like Jones and Harris and there development because of what lies ahead in the future of the team.
Jones leaving is a big void to fill and I just have lost my optimism now.
The Orange suck worse than Michigan football ;) . . . hey, fuck Jones - too many cooks would spoil the broth next year anyway . . .
Syracuse has loads of talent and absolutely ZERO leadership and seemingly, even less cohesiveness . . .
I will hand it to Nichols - the guy is having an All-American type season, but the guy is a fucking mute . . . no charisma whatsoever and certainly hasn't exhibited the "get on my back"-type qualities you'd like to see from your best player . . . A-
Devendorf is playing really no better than average at this point and really doesn't look like he's progressed that much from where he was last season - he's too thugged out and in his own world to be the leader anyway . . . B-
Harris has been solid - definitely not a dominating, "go-to guy" on offense, but you will not find a harder working/better rebounding 2 guard in the country . . . B
Wright, like Devo, has been okay - I like the assist numbers, but its not like he doesn't turn the ball over either . . . BowHime certainly loves this guy, but he gets a lotta minutes for not a great deal of production . . . B-
Watkins should fuckin' dominate this piss-poor league which is hardly laden with quality big men . . . while I'd like to see his scoring increase, I can't complain too much about him . . . B+
Roberts . . . F as in get the Fuck outta Dodge . . . seriously though, can anybody really give him a grade better than a C-; and 42% from the charity stripe? Fuck me . . .
While Rautins and Gorman provide some minutes, I wouldn't exactly call them quality . . . Andy is there to shoot, and 31% from three ain't gettin' it done . . . I really thought Gorman was going to be a SOLID contributor this season, but when you average out his per minute minutes, he hasn't been that productive at all . . . and what is with the 44% shooting from the floor . . . c'mon 6'9", that's bowlshit . . . a combined C-
Overall, this team gets a B- at the midpoint of the season - they've looked good at times, and have essentially been "in" every game they've played . . . lucky for them, I don't think they have a particularly difficult Big East schedule, and if they could learn how to play together, they might have a chance at a 10-6 BEast record, which would put them at 21-9 overall going into the conference tourney, and, figuring a decent showing there, perhaps an 8 or 9 seed in the NCAAs . . . wishful thinking???? You never can tell . . .
how pathetic that 8/9 seed is wishful thinking. this should never happen at syracuse
If we are going to grade then here is what I feel as of right now (through last nights game against Marq.)
Nichols - B+ - Quiet contributor but the guy is scoring and can hit huge shots like a step back three that sealed the game last night.
Devo - Marcus I don't know I feel you rated him too low here, if we looked just at the month of late nov early dec then he gets a C, but from the end of up until last night when he contributed nicely and had a sick up and under layup, I am giving him a A-
Wright - C-, sucks, never liked him, and he has no ability to be a floor general and again last night made bad moves, bad passes he just is not that good!!! And why do you think Devo takes over the point off the bench, because Wright is only good for about 5 min total of non-stupidity basketball!
Harris - B-, still need to see where all the hype is on this kid, stating he is the hardest working rebounding 2-guard marcus might be a overstatement, haven't seen enough of his presence yet and he has had some very quiet games, example would be last night!
Roberts - F-, however had a nice tip in dunk and hit out of no where two clutch swoosh foul shots to seal things up when Nichols are 90 percent guy could not get anything from the stripe
Watkins - C, Still I don't see the positive total contribution out of him, yes at times ok during games but still for a big man he should be doing more to help them out and he is not, he is not that good a few points higher than Roberts
Bench:
Rautins - BowHime loves this kid TOO MUCH also probably a shot to Jones' face by this kid getting all the time and Jones getting hardly any however he is a Soph.
Gorman - D, Davols where has this guy been, you said he would be a factor this year, and although hurt right now, he has been nothing of the sort.
As for Jones Marcus, you may be eating your words next year, we needed this kid BELIEVE ME when I tell you they will not have a TRUE 3!!! I don't want to say I told you so but I may be this time next season!!! He is a big loss believe me...in the words of Billy Fuccillo, his loss is gonna be "HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGAAAAAAAAA!!!"
So you are giving a guy that averages 12.7 ppg and 3.6 apg (BUT 2.8 TURNOVERS per game) and shoots 41% from the floor an A-????
AND you rate him better than Nichols, who by ANY statistical standard is having an excellent season?
Are you serious, or just being a contrarian?
Watkins deserves better than a C . . . the guy has played solid ball - 7 boards, a steal and over 3 and 1/2 BLOCKS a game, all while shooting nearly 60% from the floor and 70% from the line . . .
PLEASE, PLEASE - watch some fucking games and pay attention to some stat lines before you post . . .
RyanExpress
Pay attention to what I said before you birate me...over the last three weeks, and I have watched each game...Devo has basically carried the team...statistically Nichols is doing better than anyway we all know that, I rated Devo from the last month on or better yet 2 1/2 to 3 weeks an A- because he has stepped it up to help the Orange out I believe more so than Nichols. Nichols, although statistically having a great season (and better than Devo I understand )is still quiet...I still don't get enough out of him as I would like at CERTAIN POINTS (not all the time he had a huge step back three the other night that was probably the nail in... the...oh you know what the Fuck I am saying), however that being said he is also contributing to the wins when they get them.
Watkins..GARBAGE, ALWAYS HAS BEEN ALWAYS WILL BE!!! PLAN GARBAGE...in the words of Davoli...STINKS ON ICE!!!...don't give him more credit than he deserves!!!
Signed OTTO!!!
First, lets give proper credit. Aaron is the "stinks on ice" author and uses it reguarly and quite well I might add.
I have to say that I kind of agree with both of you. Here's my assessment.
Nichols: A-
DNic put up huge offensive numbers this season but against the likes of some really soft opponents. He is the Big East's leading scorer at over 19 ppg. However, against Wichata St he produces only six points and against Pitt only eleven points. He never seems to step up when we need him. The 17 points against Marquette was okay, and it seems like that step back three pointer was the first big shot he's hit in 4 years, but even still he had a poor shooting night in that game overall. He is no doubt our best player, but he needs to step up against top opponents and at the right time.
Devo: B+
I agree with Salats here. He may not be as "good" a player as Nichols, but I believe he is clearly our most clutch. Fearless and wants the ball. He won the game against Marquette for us. Absolutely sliced up that defense all night straight to the tin while other Orangemen stood around and watched. Yes, lots of turnovers but his upside far outweighs the turnovers simply because of how in need for a scorer this team is. As good as nichols is, when devo was going though is troubles a couple weeks ago, this team fell apart. As you can see, him playing well is the factor that seems to put us over the top. And to his defense, we'll never know exactly what happened a couple weeks ago, but he was sick and also we now know that his best friend was murdered and that he went through some tought times because of it (coincided exactly with his poor play and lack of PT). So I can give him a pass on that slump. He seems to be back.
Roberts: F
Absolute garbage in my opinion and it would be a waste of time to analyze it further than that.
Watkins: B
This is one I have to agree with Aaron on. I've seen every cuse game this year but for like one or two. Watkins has made signifcant strides this year. He is shooting 70% from the foul line, is among national leaders in blocked shots, and seems to have found his role on the offensive end. He has scored in double figures in 5 of the last 6 games...averaging 12.6 ppg and 9.5 rpg over the last 6 games and unlike Nichols has played well against the better opponents. In my opinion he has been very good considering expectations. He's also making smart plays. He'll always have his occasional "stone handed" moments but he is a center, and what center other than Jakim Noah doesn't have that problem somewhat? I think Watkins deserves a break here, he's playing well.
Wright: D
It seems like at the end of the day the stat line doesn't look too bad but its misleading. Watching him play, he just doesn't pass the smell test. He makes stupid plays, takes ill advised shots and turns the ball over at very inopportune times. Understanding that Devo is not the answer at point, he does need to play but I would like this severely limited as much as possible.
Harris: B
Averaging 11 ppg and 7 rpg from the wing. As of last week that was top five in the nation for scoring and rebounding among freshman, and I'm not sure anyone else was in the top 5 for both. We are all forgetting just how rare it is for a freshman to be any kind of contributor. I think there were too many expectations here. If someone told me harris would be an 11/7 guy going into the Big East schedule, I'd say he's right where he needs to be. Turnovers a too high, but he's a freshman and that works itself out adjusting to the higher level competition.
Rautins: C-
Stop playing this kid. Devendorf is 100X the player of Rautins, why play him unless a rest is needed. Devo is at least as good a shooter and has all kinds of other game over him. Rautins is fundamentally sound which is a plus, but he's only shooting like 31% from three, and that's suppose to be his specialty. This just won't do. I'll be shocked if Devo isn't in the starting lineup against Rutgers tomorrow.
Gorman: C-
Disappointing. Started off so well. Still, has a good stroke and I believe that there will be a couple times this year where he will be an important contributor on offense. We are very thin in the front court and we need him healthy.
Davols
Good breakdown...
I like the fact that you recognize how imporant Devo has become after a miserable start.
As for Watkins, I understand that he is the better of the front court guys that we have but I have a negative bias towards him because I just don't think still that he contributes the way he should. That being said I want to see this kid prove me wrong.
I agree that we shouldn't even waste our time with Roberts.
In all DNic and Devo are the important factors here for Syracuse to prove people wrong and actually end up in a position to be in the tourney before the Big East starts (may be a tough feat).
Lets see how they play tonight against Rutgers we all know they will stoop to there level and they always seem to play bad against this team.
And correct me if I am wrong but in our preseason rankings of SU players I totally demoralized Wright and said that this kid would be a cause for concern an thus far I am "Wright" on that point!!!
Lets hope that next year brings us a prolific point guard, a solid 3 man, and some talented non-Roberts/Watkins like play down low...Davols that is all I am asking for!!!
One more thing, Aaron always credits you with the "Stinks on Ice"???
Actually, "stinks on ice" might be a Joe Marcus, but I'm sure it didn't start there . . .
First off, you can't grade Devo on only three weeks of a two-month season; that said, I'm not even sure I would give him an A- for those three weeks . . . regardless, Nichols doesn't deserve to be rated below Devo for that three week stretch anyway - his stats were better for the period . . .
Devendorf did NOT have a miserable start to his season (actually had a good to great first month) - he had a miserable month following Thanksgiving - this might have been around the time he had some injuries and personal issues, so I can cut him some slack . . .
RomoCop
Well Devo didn't have a "great start" I think the only guy out of the gates of the cuse players who had a "great start" was Nichols. I just give the edge to Devo because he always seems to do something to keep Syracuse in games. Again you can make a case, although he did not look great shooting the ball and some of his decision making was poor, he still made the bigger contribution in them winning last night. Nichols AGAIN got quiet, and in a selfish manner he decides to steal the ball, not look up court to Rautins (who couldn't be more wide open and running the floor correctly on that play) who had I think his best game so far, and dunk it right in his face...WHATS THAT ABOUT!!! Oh I forgot that is something that Marcus would do in a game...hence the reason why he wants to make love to Nichols here as is evident in these arguements!!!
Signed,
DNIC is NOT ALWAYS DBEST!!!
I was a distributor, baby!!!! A 3D man - drive, draw, and deliver
Yeah more like DRIVE, DON'T LOOK, and try to DUNK...
EHHHHH THE KISSSS HIGH OF THE GLASS IS NO GOOD BY MARCUS...HE NEEDS TO LOOK TO DISH IT MR. VERN LONQUIEST!!!
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