Jake Eastman v Milos Knezevic

[BradleyBrave]

Let me first say - I like both of these guys, and I hope we get to see both of these guys through a full 4 years at BU. Second, this isn't a criticism of anything that happened last night, but more of an overall question about the season as a whole.

Watching both of them play this year, I can see why they wanted to redshirt Jake. He's given us some nice hustle plays here and there, but you can tell he isn't physically ready to compete at this level. So I need to ask the question - What does Jake Eastman give you that Milos couldn't give you? Milos is 6'8", Jake is 6'3". Milos has shown the ability to make a shot, where Jake has not (which is a bit concerning). Supposedly Milos is completely lost on defense, but has Jake really been that stellar on that end? Both were cited as the only guys who gave a real effort at Iowa State, yet since that game Milos has been relegated to playing with the walk-ons, where Jake gets 5-10 minutes a game, usually in the 1st half. I am not the coach and I am not in practice, and I don't know what other factors might be at play. However, from a risk vs reward perspective, I would think that it would make more sense to play the bigger, more talented, more game-ready guy than the guy that was going to be redshirted.

[Out of Balance]

Let me first say - I like both of these guys, and I hope we get to see both of these guys through a full 4 years at BU. Second, this isn't a criticism of anything that happened last night, but more of an overall question about the season as a whole.

Watching both of them play this year, I can see why they wanted to redshirt Jake. He's given us some nice hustle plays here and there, but you can tell he isn't physically ready to compete at this level. So I need to ask the question - What does Jake Eastman give you that Milos couldn't give you? Milos is 6'8", Jake is 6'3". Milos has shown the ability to make a shot, where Jake has not (which is a bit concerning). Supposedly Milos is completely lost on defense, but has Jake really been that stellar on that end? Both were cited as the only guys who gave a real effort at Iowa State, yet since that game Milos has been relegated to playing with the walk-ons, where Jake gets 5-10 minutes a game, usually in the 1st half. I am not the coach and I am not in practice, and I don't know what other factors might be at play. However, from a risk vs reward perspective, I would think that it would make more sense to play the bigger, more talented, more game-ready guy than the guy that was going to be redshirted.

In my opinion it was mistake to take Jake off the RS and a injustice to him. I know its about team first but has he really helped us verses having him another year I think it had everything to do with the system and got to have guards As for Milos, can't give you a answer why he has not played the 3 and 4 for us this year Maybe its the small ball thing

[ImAStowellMan]

Good post/question, BB. Like you said, we don't see what happens in practice, etc., but we do see what happens on gameday. In my opinion, Milos has at least earned a chance to prove himself with his offense. If this benching was supposed to be a wake-up call to spark his defense, I'm sure he got the message about six weeks ago.

[real fan]

I also wish they would have kept Jake as a red-shirt this season, I think he is playing him now because of Jims mistake.

[BradleyJD]

I also wish they would have kept Jake as a red-shirt this season, I think he is playing him now because of Jims mistake.

That may very well be. I, too, wish he had stayed as a redshirt. However, that said, I believe that the team thought they would need him more than they have.

[Beninator]

I posted this about a week ago on another thread, but I would like to see Milos play around 5-8 mpg for the rest of the season. --adjust the minutes upward or downward based on performance. By doing this we could at least get Milos on tape against other college players to illustrate clearer what he needs to work on during the summer.

[Out of Balance]

I posted this about a week ago on another thread, but I would like to see Milos play around 5-8 mpg for the rest of the season. --adjust the minutes upward or downward based on performance. By doing this we could at least get Milos on tape against other college players to illustrate clearer what he needs to work on during the summer.

I agree Benni, good one, friend

[Majik45]

Milos should be playing the Taylor Brown role from last year, giving Taylor brown 5-10 minutes of rest per game, much like Taylor did for Theron last year. I have no idea why it stopped happening as it was going on early in the season.

[SFP]

Milos should be playing the Taylor Brown role from last year, giving Taylor brown 5-10 minutes of rest per game, much like Taylor did for Theron last year. I have no idea why it stopped happening as it was going on early in the season.

Different players. TB still was athletic enough to board regardless. I'm not sure that MK has that as part of his game. I am at a lost though why he is not playing a few minutes over JE though. Is he struggling in the classroom? I would not doubt if JL puts that into consideration and if he is then I'll support it 100%. If not like either are real different makers at this point in their careers.

[thefish7]

In what I've observed, JE plays good defense until he gets completely owned now and again by a more experienced player. As I look back to MK, the fundamental defense itself maybe wasn't there, let alone just getting burned. In retrospect, with DSE missing only 3 (I think it was 3) games to his injury, it's a shame they took the RS off of JE... But, I think that's a little unfair, since DSE could have missed a great deal more of time and you don't know that when it comes time to make your roster decision.

I do like what I've seen out of both players so far... I'm hoping that JE's lack of outside shooting (a strength of his we recruited) is because he's spending all his time practicing defense and fundamentals and just isn't confident in his shot as a result. I'm also encouraged to see MK up and cheering during games and talking to his teammates and so adjusting to his freshman season role as the coach has defined it. I personally think that as long as MK is giving his best in practice, he should appear a bit in each game, for seasoning if nothing else... And because as shallow as our roster has turned out, we may NEED him in StL.

[Braves4Life]

I think MK needs to have a good dribble penetrating guard like Crouch had with Ruffin. I think he could be a ton like JC if he was able to spot up for the open 3. We have not had that since Ruff left. I was hoping McCain could play that role but apparently he cannot.

I think JE is better rounded than MK at this point and offers more on both ends of the floor. I like JE and what he gives us as a freshman but agree that I have been disappointed with both his outside shot and free throw shooting. I hope he spends the entire offseason working on his shot and hitting the weights.

[Future Walk-On]

I think that JE looks more like a freshman than any other college basketball freshman I have ever seen in a game.

I vote MK. I hope somehow he gets a minute sometime before the season ends.

Yeah scouting report says JE is a great shooter and he has taken about 4 shots all year...(not including layups or put backs)

I really think someone mixed up MK's and JE's scouting reports...