Hmmm shouldn’t we have thought Simpson as a sophomore would get benefit of doubt. I don’t recall him getting that benefit.
Slightly better rebounder? Simpson triples Davis rebounding. 4.4 to 1.3
Steals Simpson leading.
Simpson and Davis identical shooting percentage from field.
Simpson much better from three and the line.
Wonder how Simpson would have done with assists with Ace? Anybody on St.Joes as good as Ace or Dylan? I do wonder how Simpson might have done. Will never know.
Does sound like a victory lap after two games.
Glad JMike improving. But lots of cherry picking stats too if being truthful.
Let’s put this JMike and Derek debate to bed. Up until the last 2 games and maybe the Penn State home game , which I guess I will give him the benefit of the doubt , JMike has been terribly disappointing this year. Those people clamoring for him just to play defense and pass for most of the year that was a disaster. His defense and specifically ball pressure on the opposing point guard so the other team could not get in their sets was severely lacking and he was getting beat off the dribble. His shooting was sub par and he still drove into trees to get blocked with the other team getting a run out in transition and he continued to miss layups when he had a one and one defender on the break.
Remarkably he has passed the ball a lot better and even more remarkably he has shot the ball better in the last 2 games of our 22. His defense against Michigan was the best it was all year putting real pressure on Donaldson and their other guard. It was his first complete game of his career. Doubtful we get anything close the rest of the year but even half of it , 10 points , 4 assists , excellent ball pressure defense , fighting over screens which he has been terrible at all year ( Princeton ) , hit a three when wide open and the ball is swung to him by ACE or anyone else. I will take that effort. It was missing for 20 games. So let’s not cannonize him but hope he has turned the corner for this stretch run.
Derek from the numbers that have posted has had a mediocre year at St. Joes . I was a huge fan and supporter last year until I couldn’t be any longer. His clanking one mid range shot after another normally wide open , game after game , , led to me concluding he just couldn’t be a starting guard for us and not sure he needed to be here. Hopeful Pike could have brought in shooters on the portal. Bad break with Acuff’s foot injury blew up that idea , but maybe after the last 2 games , Acuff can be the difference maker down the stretch. Jordan has been just terrible shooting the ball so that hasn’t helped either but Jordan at least drives to the basket drawing fouls. Jordan’s problem is he tries to do too much. One good play is followed by 2 bad plays. The inconsistency is so frustrating as evidenced by his 26 point game against MSU followed by 5 points against Michigan.
So neither JMike nor the transfer replacements have made a difference and Derek likely would not have as well. Hope Derek can turn around his slump and finish strong for St. Joes and hope JMike can continue his production and defense in the last 2 games as well as Acuff and Jordan becoming more consistent and help us get some wins.
