UNI basketball commitment

[Newshound]

Antonio Jones ... 6-4 guard from Chicago that played at Coffeyville CC this past season and averaged 11.5 points per game.

Full story on Matt Coss' blog at: www.wcfcourier.com/blogs/coss

[Panthers to the Bone]

Re: UNI basketball commitment

“Watching tape on UNI this year, I’m the missing piece for that team. I don’t care about the individual accolades or scoring a bunch of points, but I can help this team get back to the tournament with the energy I’ll bring and being a lock-down defender.”

Sounds good to me!

[06panther10]

Re: UNI basketball commitment

I hope he is a missing piece. It is nice to get some decent sized guards coming in, especially with the loss of Brown.

[achrist70]

Re: UNI basketball commitment

I hope that Jacobson is able to give minutes to all the quality players he has now.

[06panther10]

Re: UNI basketball commitment

BTW, I liked this quote:

Jones said he was also being recruited by Bradley, Illinois State, Texas-El Paso, Texas Christian, Loyola-Chicago and Troy State. He took an official visit to UNI last Friday.

“UNI was my first visit,” he said, “and there wasn’t any reason for me to visit anywhere else. Everything I wanted was right there in Cedar Falls.”

[Panthers to the Bone]

Re: UNI basketball commitment

With Jones, I think it gives UNI someone off the bench that can lock down their defender and get to the hole. I think UNI will go 11 deep next year regularly...with it being pared down to 9 as the season progresses.

UNI should stick with a similar lineup as this year:
PG- Kwadzo
CG- Moran
SG- Ali
PF- Koch
C- Eglseder

with the bench looking like
PG- Haak (similar to last year probably)
CG- Sonnen (taking a good portion of Travo's minutes)
SG- James (not sure what will happen here)
WG- Jones (taking Travo's minutes too)
SF- Dunham (similar minutes as last year)
PF- O'Rear (similar minutes to last year)
PF- Rodenberg (similar to last year)
PF- J.Koch (spot minutes with much expanded role in 2010)
C- Pehl (same as J. Koch)

Obviously, things could change and guys could beat out others to get minutes, but I see the starting guards getting a couple minutes less per game with those minutes and Travo's being split b/t Jones and Sonnen (unless James beats Sonnen out).

This team needed a guy who could guard big guards like Osiris, P'Allen, Toury, and Hare. I think this accomplishes that...plus he seems fairly mature in that he will be a 22 year old junior after going to prep school and sitting out a year. Plus, heaven forbid an injury takes place during the season, UNI should have the depth to absorb a hit.

[Khan4Cats]

Re: UNI basketball commitment

Yes! I was hoping we could add another 'big' guard to fill Travis' role. I like his early attitude about being a defensive stopper, the question is will he be able to add the clutch points like Travo was able to for most of his career. Travis didn't have a lot of numbers, but he had numbers at key points-an offensive rebound, a big trey, a steal in a close game. Coss said in the blog he turns it over a lot, but I don't know how that equates between offenses and what role he was playing. I don't think he will be asked to do a lot of ball-handling here.

Now, if we can just get a BIG in who can redshirt a year and be ready for 10-11.

[SteinPizza]

Re: UNI basketball commitment

If Moran or Ali can improve their ballhandling, this could lead to some needed rest for Kwazdo. Jake was quoted as saying it was an area both needed to improve for next year. If you guys remember, Kwazdo got into foul trouble at times, which is understandable given the guys he was asked to gaurd. If you can sit him another 5 minutes or so per game, he's that much fresher. Bring in Jones and move one of them to the point for a few series at a time...it will lead to everyone being more rested and potentially fewer turnovers, mental mistakes, etc.

A question...isn't James known for being a good defender as well? I realize he's a different player than Jones, but where do people see him playing next year? If he could play himself into the minutes Haak played last year, it would make us that much more athletic. Which is a good thing.

[UNIAlum95]

Re: UNI basketball commitment

James was the quickest on the team last year but I was under the impression that he was a slasher/scorer and not a lock down type of defender. That said, if he wants minutes next year, that would be one of the things he should be concentrating on improving.

I don't see Haak making it off the bench much next season if this lineup holds.

[williebat]

Re: UNI basketball commitment

James was the quickest on the team last year but I was under the impression that he was a slasher/scorer and not a lock down type of defender. That said, if he wants minutes next year, that would be one of the things he should be concentrating on improving.

I don't see Haak making it off the bench much next season if this lineup holds.

I heard he was the fastest as well. I think I am most excited to see what James can do next year more than any other player. I hope he proves to be quick and able to penetrate inside on offense. We need more players who can turn the corner and penetrate. Kwadzo got really good at this toward the end the year. Moran can drive sometimes with jordanesque ability (slight exaggeration but you know what I mean) but is hesitant . He will get better. Inside out basketball should be fun to watch.

[clenz]

Re: UNI basketball commitment

These next two years could/should be extremely fun for the team and fan base.

[williebat]

Re: UNI basketball commitment

These next two years could/should be extremely fun for the team and fan base.

next three or four years with a little luck.

[06panther10]

Re: UNI basketball commitment

I think the biggest hole for out team this year was athleticism and scoring. I really think we have improved these things alot already this offseason. With James, Sonnen, and Jones now coming in, things are looking real nice for next year.

Back to Back anyone???

[ubuntuCAT]

Re: UNI basketball commitment

A lot of things have to happen but wow am I excited for next season!!!

[clenz]

Re: UNI basketball commitment

next three or four years with a little luck.

I think the next 4 could be as well, but we have an awful lot to replace after the next two years. Not that I don't think we can do it though.