Rotations with Jaz Back

[Clonefan32]

With Jaz being back to full strength here in the next few weeks, it will be interesting to see how TJ reincorporates him. The first obvious question is whether Gabe goes back to the bench. He's playing the best basketball of his life right now and I'd hate to mess with it. You've also had King come into the fold and Watson carve out a case for more minutes since Jaz went down. You also have Ward looking effective defensively when he gets in.

I'd have to imagine Jaz's minutes will come at the expense of Jones. I love his energy but he's really struggling to finish around the rim right now. I just don't know who else you can justify playing less.

In any event, a good problem to have. But it will be an interesting coaching challenge to get Jaz back into the mix on a team that's rolling right now without effecting what they have going. Luckily we have a coach that you have full faith in to figure it out!

 

[CycloneRulzzz]

I think we should keep the current starting 5. Having someone of Jaz's caliber coming off the bench makes our bench strong. Gabe is now a consistent scorer and we need his offense.

Above being said I'm fine with whatever happens. This team is so together as one I don't think it matters what the rotation becomes.

 

[Cyclonepride]

With Jaz being back to full strength here in the next few weeks, it will be interesting to see how TJ reincorporates him. The first obvious question is whether Gabe goes back to the bench. He's playing the best basketball of his life right now and I'd hate to mess with it. You've also had King come into the fold and Watson carve out a case for more minutes since Jaz went down. You also have Ward looking effective defensively when he gets in.

I'd have to imagine Jaz's minutes will come at the expense of Jones. I love his energy but he's really struggling to finish around the rim right now. I just don't know who else you can justify playing less.

In any event, a good problem to have. But it will be an interesting coaching challenge to get Jaz back into the mix on a team that's rolling right now without effecting what they have going. Luckily we have a coach that you have full faith in to figure it out!

I think Gabe has earned the right to keep that now (not that he had lost that right through his play, I think TJ just wanted that pop of energy at the first break).

I do think Jaz will take minutes from Jones and Watson. You never want an injury, but the timing of this one definitely benefited King and Watson, and made us a deeper team for the final stretch.

 

[BCClone]

Whenever he comes back, it will be an insertion over a few games I’m sure. So you will start to see a glimpse right away. Guessing ward loses time.

 

[Matthew-10]

I don’t know if it’s normal for TJ to play 5-7 players, but it seems that he rotates a lot. I like it because we have such a good bench. It’s a really tough call.

 

[carvers4math]

It’s good to have tall depth for a change but since conference started, there are moments when inserting Big Rob Energy seems risky. He did make a free throw last night at least.

 

[bawbie]

I think Gabe has earned the right to keep that now (not that he had lost that right through his play, I think TJ just wanted that pop of energy at the first break).

It's amazing to me that teams almost always "go small" as we get into the heart of the conference schedule. It's a 4 guard league and it's been rare (a couple Baylor teams, maybe) where a team has been able to successfully counter that with size. So I agree - we'll keep the 4 guard starting lineup - with Jaz coming in instead of King at the first sub.

I think to this point there's basically been no minutes without Shoon, Jones or Ward on the floor.

But I would love to what a Holmes / Gabe / Grill / Jaz / King lineup could do

Also - Grill and Holmes have been AMAZING in defending the four. Watching Grill on Timmy Allen last night was a masterclass

 

[8bitnes]

It’s good to have tall depth for a change but since conference started, there are moments when inserting Big Rob Energy seems risky. He did make a free throw last night at least.

And "saved" a ball to Texas for a layup and committed two "and-1" fouls. There was a reason he barely saw the floor in the second half

 

[snowcraig2.0]

I think it is pretty obvious, he needs to take Jones' minutes.

 

[jsb]

He won’t be full strength right away. He’s still in a cast.

 

[CYEATHAWK]

It’s good to have tall depth for a change but since conference started, there are moments when inserting Big Rob Energy seems risky. He did make a free throw last night at least.

Everyone where we sit has noticed more times than not if we are on a run.....and he inserts Bob.....the opponent comes back.

I understand Osun needs a blow.......and there is always foul trouble. Outside of that, once Jaz comes back I don't care if Bob is the teacher's pet. Unless we are playing a team with a bunch of bangers....WVU for example....Bob needs only spot minutes.

Having Ward play minutes really helped. Because Bishop was going to abuse Bob if he stayed in.

There is a time and place for a player like Bob. The UT's and KU's and KSU's of the world isn't it.

 

[jsb]

I think it is pretty obvious, he needs to take Jones' minutes.

All season long, jones has been 3 good games followed by 3 bad games.

 

[NoCreativity]

Bob needs less minutes unless he starts playing better. These last 2 games he's looked worse than he did last year if that's even possible.

 

[madguy30]

I like Jaz as a spell at the 4 or 5. He likes to make people hate playing ISU too.

 

[PizzaTheHutt]

Rob is not perfect, he’s had a few rough stretches….. However there have been games we don’t win without him and his impact. I fully believe there will be more games this season where his hustle and dirty work will be a key part of why we won. Love him or hate him, this team is better with him. Players like Rob are important.

 

[CoachHines3]

gotta keep it as is- they're a top 30 offense since big 12 play started with this lineup.

incorporate jaz slowly and keep him coming off the bench.

 

[Cfinnerty16]

Jaz needs to take Jones minutes. Love how Jones plays hard hustling up and down the floor, but he is such a liability on the offensive side. He is just CHUCKING the ball on the backboard, no touch at all.

 

[MJ271]

I imagine the rotation when Jaz gets back will be very matchup-dependent. There will be some games where his offense will really matter, then there will be some games where King and Watson's defense and offensive rebounding will matter more. I agree with some that ideally he could take a few of Jones's minutes. But I also think that Jones gets a bit too much criticism. The thing with Jones is that his bad plays tend to look really bad (and even his good plays usually don't look pretty), but he fits really well into the defensive scheme, which isn't as eye-catching but is equally important.

 

[Frak]

The conference really lacks true posts. That's probably the case around the country. I would start mixing in Kunc as a backup 5. He's able to switch better than Jones and can be a pick and pop threat. I'd save Jones for like 10 minutes a game and if someone is beating us up inside. They have a lot of different combinations they can throw out there.

 

[ClonesFTW]

No way we can send Gabe to come off the bench. In the last 8 games where he started he is averaging 17ppg; that is 1st team B12 scoring.