Jeff Goodman (ESPN) tweeted this about Matt Jones

[dyedwab]

@GoodmanEspn. "The word coming out of the Duke camp from several people is that freshman Matt Jones is the team's top perimeter defender -- over Sulaimon."

https://twitter.com/GoodmanESPN/stat...66971322109952

This is interesting, and, assuming its true, definitely changes the way I had been thinking about the team's early evolution this year.

[Dev11]

@GoodmanEspn. "The word coming out of the Duke camp from several people is that freshman Matt Jones is the team's top perimeter defender -- over Sulaimon."

https://twitter.com/GoodmanESPN/stat...66971322109952

This is interesting, and, assuming its true, definitely changes the way I had been thinking about the team's early evolution this year.

I think Jeff Goodman is just trolling DBR. Minutes, defense first, replacing returning starter with a freshman? Crank up the "Start Matt" train now and get it over with.

[CDu]

@GoodmanEspn. "The word coming out of the Duke camp from several people is that freshman Matt Jones is the team's top perimeter defender -- over Sulaimon."

https://twitter.com/GoodmanESPN/stat...66971322109952

This is interesting, and, assuming its true, definitely changes the way I had been thinking about the team's early evolution this year.

That is certainly consistent with what I have seen in the 3 times we have seen him this year.

[BD80]

@GoodmanEspn. "The word coming out of the Duke camp from several people is that freshman Matt Jones is the team's top perimeter defender -- over Sulaimon."

https://twitter.com/GoodmanESPN/stat...66971322109952

This is interesting, and, assuming its true, definitely changes the way I had been thinking about the team's early evolution this year.

Even if "best" or "better than Sheed" is hyperbole, there must be some truth to the suggestion that Matt is a very good defender. That should ratchet up the competition for PT, AND improve our other perimeter players offensively by making them work in practice!

[Wander]

Even if this turns out to be true and not just an overreaction, I doubt Rasheed would be the main guy who would lose minutes as a result.

[CDu]

Even if this turns out to be true and not just an overreaction, I doubt Rasheed would be the main guy who would lose minutes as a result.

Yes, this is much more relevant with regard to one of the other discussions re: playing time (and as observed in the Bowie State game). Sulaimon will get his minutes, that's for sure.

[FerryFor50]

I look at it as a positive... that means we have multiple lock down perimeter defenders!

[BlueDevilBrowns]

Yes, this is much more relevant with regard to one of the other discussions re: playing time (and as observed in the Bowie State game). Sulaimon will get his minutes, that's for sure.

I look at it as a positive... that means we have multiple lock down perimeter defenders!

Agree with both comments.

Further, it confirms Coach K's earlier comments that while the frontcourt is pretty well "set", the backcourt rotation is still fluid. I would imagine, in November, we'll see games when 3 of the 4 backcourt guys(Cook, Sulaimon, Jones, and Dawkins) get the majority of the minutes while 1 gets less. The Odd Man Out could/would change from game-to-game depending on matchup, practice performance, and on-court production.

By January, I would guess, based on years of precedent, K would settle on 2 starters with 1 primary sub. This is all based upon the thought that Amile would lock-down the "5" spot with Jabari and Hood at the Forward positions.

[johnb]

A great perimeter defender might have the most effect on interior minutes: Matt (and Quinn/Tyler) could help make it especially difficult for elite teams to take advantage on offense of a size advantage in the paint in a half court set. If that is true, then we could more easily shift a swing player (Sheed/Andre) into the front court. If Jabari and Rodney can adequately defend the small handful of teams that have elite 7 footers, it really opens up things on the offensive end (with Sheed/Andre playing alongside Matt/Quinn/Tyler, et al, in a 3 guard set). On the other hand, Amile is apparently one of the most improved players on the team, and he was good last year. And Marshall seems ready to play at a high level. And both Josh and Alex also seem ready to roll.

Anyway, Matt's defense is a bit of a surprise, since everything I'd read about him in high school related to his shooting, especially his ability to both slash and to catch and shoot from long distance. Comparisons are premature, but if Semi is being compared to Corey, Jabari to Grant, then it's pleasantly surprising that Matt is no longer a "young Ray Allen" (espn) but could potentially develop into a Billy King with a jump shot. Now wouldn't that be nice...

[Kedsy]

I would imagine, in November, we'll see games when 3 of the 4 backcourt guys(Cook, Sulaimon, Jones, and Dawkins) get the majority of the minutes while 1 gets less. The Odd Man Out could/would change from game-to-game depending on matchup, practice performance, and on-court production.

Don't forget Tyler Thornton. Also, if Matt is that good and Andre is still valuable (which I completely think he is) then it's possible we could see the five backcourt guys taking minutes from the third big (Josh/Semi/Marshall/Alex), meaning we could play small (Jabari/Rodney/wing/wing/point) during much of the 15 or so minutes Amile is resting.

EDIT: JohnB beat me to the punch.

[MChambers]

could potentially develop into a Billy King with a jump shot. Now wouldn't that be nice...

I think my head is going to explode trying to hold that thought.

[Kedsy]

@GoodmanEspn. "The word coming out of the Duke camp from several people is that freshman Matt Jones is the team's top perimeter defender -- over Sulaimon."

https://twitter.com/GoodmanESPN/stat...66971322109952

This is interesting, and, assuming its true, definitely changes the way I had been thinking about the team's early evolution this year.

Another cool thing is I have now heard four different players (Rasheed, Matt, Tyler, Rodney) called our best defender, and both Quinn and Jabari have looked great so far on defense as well. It's refreshing to have that kind of D after the so-so (for Duke) defense of the past few years.

[Cameron]

I look at it as a positive... that means we have multiple lock down perimeter defenders!

Exactly. No matter how one views the situation, or what their opinions are re Matt or Rasheed or Andre's playing time, it's a positive thing that Matt Jones is apparently starting off his college career on the right foot. It's a welcoming thought. Dude's a player and he will demonstrate that this season.

[UrinalCake]

I wonder if we could see Sheed playing the point for stretches while Quinn is out. A backcourt of Sheed and Jones, with Rodney at the 3, could be a nightmare for opposing guards. And we have multiple guys who can bring the ball up the court, so I'm not worried about that.

[BlueDevilBrowns]

A great perimeter defender might have the most effect on interior minutes: Matt (and Quinn/Tyler) could help make it especially difficult for elite teams to take advantage on offense of a size advantage in the paint in a half court set. If that is true, then we could more easily shift a swing player (Sheed/Andre) into the front court. If Jabari and Rodney can adequately defend the small handful of teams that have elite 7 footers, it really opens up things on the offensive end (with Sheed/Andre playing alongside Matt/Quinn/Tyler, et al, in a 3 guard set). On the other hand, Amile is apparently one of the most improved players on the team, and he was good last year. And Marshall seems ready to play at a high level. And both Josh and Alex also seem ready to roll.

Don't forget Tyler Thornton. Also, if Matt is that good and Andre is still valuable (which I completely think he is) then it's possible we could see the five backcourt guys taking minutes from the third big (Josh/Semi/Marshall/Alex), meaning we could play small (Jabari/Rodney/wing/wing/point) during much of the 15 or so minutes Amile is resting.

EDIT: JohnB beat me to the punch.

Yes, it's true that 7-footers are few and far-between these days. However, what about the large bodied, 6'7" bruisers of the world that have given us the most issues in the past(see Miami/FSU/VTech)? Those types are much more common. Hood, while long, isn't "wide" at all.

Teams will quickly realize that it's almost impossible to match our skill, so I foresee teams playing more "physical" against us(to use the NBA, think Indiana vs. Miami), requiring more frontcourt depth as opposed to backcourt.

To Kedsy's point, "small ball" may work in spurts, especially if we're down and need instant offense, but I don't see it as a long-term option.

And, you're right, I did forget about TT, my bad

[CDu]

To Kedsy's point, "small ball" may work in spurts, especially if we're down and need instant offense, but I don't see it as a long-term option.

I can imagine the collective DBR heads exploding with angst if we still go to a small ball lineup with a team full of guys 6'7" and taller...

That said, I certainly do expect to see a three-guard, Hood-at-PF lineup from time to time.

[devildeac]

I wish I could find the quote now but 2-3 weeks ago, K was asked about defense and Matt Jones and his reply was something on the order of "he gets it." Just can't remember the source/context/occasion for that.

I just found one from Duke Blue Planet:

On the effort of the freshman:
“They all bring different things. Jabari [Parker] is a special player and the more he plays the better he is going to be. He is still learning. He has a huge upside even though he is really good right now. And he knows that. Matt [Jones] is such an easy kid to play with. He was coached by a great high school coach that taught defense. You can see that. His onball defense is outstanding, it kind of sparked us. He is a gamer, he’s a tough kid. He is just a good player. Semi [Ojeleye], he is a tough player. He’s an outstanding athlete; he’s going to keep learning how to develop that athletic ability. None of them were nervous I don’t think. They played really well.”

I thought there was an earlier quote from K, too, but I may be mis-remembering that one.

[dyedwab]

My reason for being intrigued by this is that I had thought of Matt as a guy who wasn't gonna get a lot of run this year, but would be a bigger components of the team in the next couple of years (think Ryan Kelly). But if he's as good a a perimeter defender as this would indicate, he'll play more earlier than I expected...

[WillJ]

Matt Jones impressed me against Bowie State. Sad to say, as I really like the kid, but I don't think Andre Dawkins is going to play very much because he's not ahead enough on offense to make up for his defense.

[tommy]

Exactly. No matter how one views the situation, or what their opinions are re Matt or Rasheed or Andre's playing time, it's a positive thing that Matt Jones is apparently starting off his college career on the right foot.

We don't talk like that around here, for fear it'll end up in a walking boot.