Just how good has Montez been? The stats might surprise you

[anon_0k9zlfz6lz9oy]

since big ten play has gotten underway (not counting the wiscy and mich state games almost 2 months ago), Montez has not only been one of the best freshman in the conference, Montez has not only been one of the best guards in the conference, the stats show hes been one of the best PLAYERS in the big ten.

Since the Maryland game when big ten play officially got under way, Montez is shooting 49% from the field, 33% from 3, 67% from the free throw line while taking an impressive 33 free throws in the past 6 games. He is also averaging 15ppg and 5.3 boards a game over this stretch. Hes done all this while being our best defender too.

For perspective some of the big guys you hear about are guys like cassius winston, romeo langford, anthony cowan, charles matthews, carsen edwards. Tez has played an all around more efficient game than most of them, shot better from the field than a majority of them and is pulling down more boards than almost all of them. His growth over the past month has been incredible. We have a good one on our hands.

 

[KnightTerrors]

since big ten play has gotten underway (not counting the wiscy and mich state games almost 2 months ago), Montez has not only been one of the best freshman in the conference, Montez has not only been one of the best guards in the conference, the stats show hes been one of the best PLAYERS in the big ten.

Since the Maryland game when big ten play officially got under way, Montez is shooting 49% from the field, 33% from 3, 67% from the free throw line while taking an impressive 33 free throws in the past 6 games. He is also averaging 15ppg and 5.3 boards a game over this stretch. Hes done all this while being our best defender too.

For perspective some of the big guys you hear about are guys like cassius winston, romeo langford, anthony cowan, charles matthews, carsen edwards. Tez has played an all around more efficient game than most of them, shot better from the field than a majority of them and is pulling down more boards than almost all of them. His growth over the past month has been incredible. We have a good one on our hands.

I reread that middle paragraph a few times. Those numbers are crazy. Obviously a small stretch but wow!

Also, he affects the game in so many other ways that don’t post on the stat sheet. We are just scratching the surface!

 

[SleepingGiantIsAwake]

I think after he slammed on that breakaway against Maryland that brought down the House, that’s when it clicked.

Need 5 guys out there with Montez’ effort and toughness.

 

[anon_0k9zlfz6lz9oy]

I reread that middle paragraph a few times. Those numbers are crazy. Obviously a small stretch but wow!

Also, he affects the game in so many other ways that don’t post on the stat sheet. We are just scratching the surface!

agreed. He just has that baltimore toughness in his game. Opposing teams know not to mess with him because despite being a freshman, I think he's beginning to intimidate guys already. He's just so powerful and strong

 

[wheezer]

the exciting thing is that he is so good going to the basket, and that part of his game should always be there...... it is not like having someone hit a bunch of threes a few games, and then suddenly they cannot

He will be an all star for us....the first in a long time

 

[RUnTeX]

He's just so powerful and strong

He's only scratched the surface in terms of strength, IMO. Looking forward to seeing him in another year or two after some more off-season S&C....he's going to be a force and a handful.

 

[rutger80]

Having at least 4 guys like Mathis is what gets (and hopefully keeps) us into the top half of the conference.

 

[MV9000]

Appreciate the breakdown Kyk. I broke down some of his recent game stats to myself the other days. Wildly impressive. When the naysayers came running early in the season it was obvious he was playing outside his game. He is now playing to his strengths (Slashing, Occasional 3 and tenacious D).

He is going to be a stud, if he ever develops a more consistent J, watch out B1G.

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

The shove at the Minnesota game confirmed that the climate change was underway....a few people took exception with it, while it registered with me as new era on the court or an edginess that we've missed.

There are rosters built on making sure you have 3 to 4 Montez mindsets on your roster (Izzo, Huggins, old Pittsburgh teams under Jaime Dixon) that literally wore down opponents by defensive presence and toughness....never pretty shooting or fancy passes, just determined efforts on the glass and creating havoc.

Add the heroics of Eugene on a bad knee and there's no way anyone else cant dig in on defense or box out. The challenging of Myles Johnson may have pushed him from casual player to hopefully a more consistent motor.

 

[anon_0k9zlfz6lz9oy]

Appreciate the breakdown Kyk. I broke down some of his recent game stats to myself the other days. Wildly impressive. When the naysayers came running early in the season it was obvious he was playing outside his game. He is now playing to his strengths (Slashing, Occasional 3 and tenacious D).

He is going to be a stud, if he ever develops a more consistent J, watch out B1G.

First few games bis body language was horrible. Complete 180 since. Now he gets fouled at the rim and hands the ball to the opponent and dares them to do something

 

[Degaz-RU]

My god if the kid can develop a consistent 3-point shot, he will be an absolute STAR in this league. Even without it, he'll be pretty darn good, but if he can consistently shoot 36% or better, he would be a 20 pt scorer. (I don't think the 33% in the past six games is a big enough sample size - he's really not a good outside shooter right now).

 

[RU-ROCS]

since big ten play has gotten underway (not counting the wiscy and mich state games almost 2 months ago), Montez has not only been one of the best freshman in the conference, Montez has not only been one of the best guards in the conference, the stats show hes been one of the best PLAYERS in the big ten.

Since the Maryland game when big ten play officially got under way, Montez is shooting 49% from the field, 33% from 3, 67% from the free throw line while taking an impressive 33 free throws in the past 6 games. He is also averaging 15ppg and 5.3 boards a game over this stretch. Hes done all this while being our best defender too.

For perspective some of the big guys you hear about are guys like cassius winston, romeo langford, anthony cowan, charles matthews, carsen edwards. Tez has played an all around more efficient game than most of them, shot better from the field than a majority of them and is pulling down more boards than almost all of them. His growth over the past month has been incredible. We have a good one on our hands.

Great stuff. I suspect starting with PSU, teams are now taking notice and taking steps to stop Montez, which can only help Geo and the other guards.

 

[Russ Wood]

The step up from high scheool, even top high school programs, to HM D1 basketball is a big step. It takes most freshmen about 10-12 games to adapt to their role with the team and for the game to slow down for them as they adapt to the speed of the game.

Some folks expect freshmen to be seniors by December 1, or at least juniors, but it doesn't work that way. You'll see glimpses of how good they can be followed by dumb plays. Sometimes it happens within 30 seconds of each other. I've never doubted Mathis' ability to contribute at this level.

 

[Goku]

Having at least 4 guys like Mathis is what gets (and hopefully keeps) us into the top half of the conference.

We are getting another next year in mulcahy. No doubt. He has an edge to him

 

[ouchmyknee]

I also remember seeing a defensive stat for Mathis that showed he was one of the better defenders in the conference.

 

[RUKnights86]

Appreciate the breakdown Kyk. I broke down some of his recent game stats to myself the other days. Wildly impressive. When the naysayers came running early in the season it was obvious he was playing outside his game. He is now playing to his strengths (Slashing, Occasional 3 and tenacious D).

He is going to be a stud, if he ever develops a more consistent J, watch out B1G.

Exactly this. It is not all going to come together at once but some of the pieces are starting to click. If he develops the ability to shoot the J (both mid range & 3) to what Baker has shown, no doubt he will continue to score 15-20 night in & night out. But for now & going forward, FT development will increase the scoring as well. 67% is okay for a guard who gets fouled as much as him, would prefer if he can get it up around 75%.

 

[soundcrib]

First few games bis body language was horrible. Complete 180 since. Now he gets fouled at the rim and hands the ball to the opponent and dares them to do something

His body language is exactly the same. You just like it now.

 

[Russ Wood]

How good is the league?

I'm not trying to be snarky or negative.

It's just that several years ago I was told that I just HAD to come watch this kid at Lutheran Academy because he was a junior and was the leading scorer in Marion County (newspaper stats backed this up). So I went and everyone I ran into at the school said some form of "Oh you must be here to see (kid's name) he's the best scorer in the county." I watched him. He was slow afoot, below average lateral quickness and knock-kneed. He did score 25 points the night I watched, but he took 32 shots. He was 6-foot-7 and guarded by a 6-foot-1 kid. I asked the coach of the opponents and he told me that the tallest player on most teams in the conference is a wide body 6-foot-5 kid who is also a lineman for the football team.

That leading scorer in the county (I can't even remember his name) tried out for the same adidas travel team that Corey Sanders and Dwayne Bacon played for. Barely made the team, rode the bench and switched to a small independent travel team and was never heard from again.

My point is, competition matters.

 

[kcg88]

How good is the league?

I'm not trying to be snarky or negative.

It's just that several years ago I was told that I just HAD to come watch this kid at Lutheran Academy because he was a junior and was the leading scorer in Marion County (newspaper stats backed this up). So I went and everyone I ran into at the school said some form of "Oh you must be here to see (kid's name) he's the best scorer in the county." I watched him. He was slow afoot, below average lateral quickness and knock-kneed. He did score 25 points the night I watched, but he took 32 shots. He was 6-foot-7 and guarded by a 6-foot-1 kid. I asked the coach of the opponents and he told me that the tallest player on most teams in the conference is a wide body 6-foot-5 kid who is also a lineman for the football team.

That leading scorer in the county (I can't even remember his name) tried out for the same adidas travel team that Corey Sanders and Dwayne Bacon played for. Barely made the team, rode the bench and switched to a small independent travel team and was never heard from again.

My point is, competition matters.

It's rated as the best in KenPom.

 

[KevH]

The shove at the Minnesota game confirmed that the climate change was underway....a few people took exception with it, while it registered with me as new era on the court or an edginess that we've missed.

There are rosters built on making sure you have 3 to 4 Montez mindsets on your roster (Izzo, Huggins, old Pittsburgh teams under Jaime Dixon) that literally wore down opponents by defensive presence and toughness....never pretty shooting or fancy passes, just determined efforts on the glass and creating havoc.

Add the heroics of Eugene on a bad knee and there's no way anyone else cant dig in on defense or box out. The challenging of Myles Johnson may have pushed him from casual player to hopefully a more consistent motor.

To have been a fly on the wall in that players-only meeting...

 

[DHajekRC84]

No worries. Unless we jump to mid level standings he'll be lucky to be recognised by league.

That would be a shame for him but just keep it up. Help us win.

 

[Scangg]

Montez is such a two way beast too not just getting it done scoring. He could be the best perimeter defensive player in the conference by the time he's an upper classman

 

[Russ Wood]

It's rated as the best in KenPom.

[roll]

 

[Scarlet Shack]

Everyone on this board knows how much I hyped Mathis and his importance is coming

He is the real deal

 

[Mr Magoo]

I just looked at our individual stats and was surprised to find that Kiss is our 4th leader scorer, only slightly behind Mathis.

 

[RU848789]

The shove at the Minnesota game confirmed that the climate change was underway....a few people took exception with it, while it registered with me as new era on the court or an edginess that we've missed.

There are rosters built on making sure you have 3 to 4 Montez mindsets on your roster (Izzo, Huggins, old Pittsburgh teams under Jaime Dixon) that literally wore down opponents by defensive presence and toughness....never pretty shooting or fancy passes, just determined efforts on the glass and creating havoc.

Add the heroics of Eugene on a bad knee and there's no way anyone else cant dig in on defense or box out. The challenging of Myles Johnson may have pushed him from casual player to hopefully a more consistent motor.

Those Pitt teams were just relentless. Love the edge from Montez and I agree that his energy and edge are rubbing off on others, like Johnson, as he even said.

 

[anon_0k9zlfz6lz9oy]

His body language is exactly the same. You just like it now.

Yeah, no