Pagin Ragin Russ Wood: Paul M.

[Greene Rice FIG]

Above average...against the right opponent YES. Lock down defender...NO.

Not a single opponent we faced last year where you would say he needs to be on the court because of his D. Offense is a must from that position. If he refuses to take the open 3 (last year) next man up.

we finished 28th overall adjusted defensive efficiency. Given that the 3 is an important offensive position AND we weren't great defensively at the 4 and 5 you'd have to say he was good.

 

[Scangg]

While I think Thiam has the skill set to become a more well rounded player offensively, I don't think he has the mindset or confidence to do so. He seems too timid

 

[RUBigFrank]

Thiam defense was very underrated!

Where he needed work was on self confidence in taking a shot as well as a higher release on his shot.

It took way too long for him bringing a ball low and shooting the trey from the corner.

 

[RUChoppin]

Above average...against the right opponent YES. Lock down defender...NO.

Not a single opponent we faced last year where you would say he needs to be on the court because of his D. Offense is a must from that position. If he refuses to take the open 3 (last year) next man up.

we finished 28th overall adjusted defensive efficiency. Given that the 3 is an important offensive position AND we weren't great defensively at the 4 and 5 you'd have to say he was good.

Agree that he was not a lock down defender, but above average. Hopefully he continues to improve into his junior year, because he had a lot of growth on defense from his 1st to 2nd year.

As for "needs to be on the court", though, that's all a matter of who else would play that spot. From a defensive perspective, if it was Thiam v. Bullock, then Thiam definitely needed to be on the court - Bullock's defense was very poor. Next year, he'll have different competition in Kiss and Harper.

 

[dkostus]

Above average...against the right opponent YES. Lock down defender...NO.

Not a single opponent we faced last year where you would say he needs to be on the court because of his D. Offense is a must from that position. If he refuses to take the open 3 (last year) next man up.

we finished 28th overall adjusted defensive efficiency. Given that the 3 is an important offensive position AND we weren't great defensively at the 4 and 5 you'd have to say he was good.

I might be "misremembering" but didnt he actually keep Miles Bridges completely locked up for a half? before Eugene switched on to him, Bridges hit a few and then just went off? It really felt like Thiam' s defense was keeping us in that game. (Unless it was the early stages of an OSU game against Bates-Diop, but we got rocked in those. Maybe it was both.)

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

I might be "misremembering" but didnt he actually keep Miles Bridges completely locked up for a half? before Eugene switched on to him, Bridges hit a few and then just went off? It really felt like Thiam' s defense was keeping us in that game. (Unless it was the early stages of an OSU game against Bates-Diop, but we got rocked in those. Maybe it was both.)

In game 1 he had problem vs Bridges because he coukdnt get thru screens. Game 2 he did great against him.

I actually never saw Game 2 because I had it taped so I didnt miss son's game, but of course someone unsolicited told me I cant believe RU almost won and ruined it for me.

 

[RutgHoops]

Above average...against the right opponent YES. Lock down defender...NO.

Not a single opponent we faced last year where you would say he needs to be on the court because of his D. Offense is a must from that position. If he refuses to take the open 3 (last year) next man up.

we finished 28th overall adjusted defensive efficiency. Given that the 3 is an important offensive position AND we weren't great defensively at the 4 and 5 you'd have to say he was good.

Thiam was terrific versus Michigan State (both games covering Bridges) and @Maryland where he drew Huerter. Not sure there was another player on our roster who could have kept those two in check the way Isaa did. I'm sure there were other games, but I distinctly recall thinking after those games how very, very good Thiam was on defense.

As an aside hearing Huerter is very seriously considering keeping his name in the NBA draft.

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

Thiam was terrific versus Michigan State (both games covering Bridges) and @Maryland where he drew Huerter. Not sure there was another player on our roster who could have kept those two in check the way Isaa did. I'm sure there were other games, but I distinctly recall thinking after those games how very, very good Thiam was on defense.

As an aside hearing Huerter is very seriously considering keeping his name in the NBA draft.

Huerter tested well.....not sure about Bruno Fernando with Maryland staying or going as well ...deadline is the 30th.

 

[Treeman]

Yeah, most are being way too tough in Thiam’s d. He played defense at a very high level. He had lockdown games. What are you guys watching?? Yes, he’s frustrating, but def not because of his defense.