Matt Roth?

[BradleyBrave]

I think Matt Roth is the real deal,
a mid-major JJ Redick, he will be a star at BU

I think he's more of a Danny Adams - a good player who fits a role in a system. He's definitely worth a scholarship, but not a program-changing recruit. I think he could have a fine career at BU, especially in our system (I am so glad we have a system now).

[bu fan 9]

You don't think that Roth his the best pure shooter you have seen in years?

[BradleyBrave]

You don't think that Roth his the best pure shooter you have seen in years?

I think he's one of the better shooters I have seen in a while. But, you need more than just being able to do that to play and excel at the DI level. I've seen Roth get locked off by athletic defenders, and that's at the high school level. JC was a comparable shooter at the HS level. I don't think he's as good of a high school player as Jeremy Crouch, and don't think he'll be as good of a college player. He's not as athletic, not as versatile, and not as big.

Why is it taken as a knock to say that I think he's a system guy? What's wrong with being compared to Danny Adams? He tied the school record for 3's in a game this year, and single-handedly put the dagger in ISU this past weekend. I think being compared to DA is a compliment.

[DannyCooksey]

He simply reminds me in stature of a Shawn Jepson

Jepp was a legit 6'2. If Roth is that tall he'll be fine. I would wonder if he is as athletic as Jepp was? Jepp's athleticism made him the good player that he was.

I'd love to see him play. Is his team expected to make a good run in the state tourney?

[DannyCooksey]

Aaron Zobrist

One of the most hard-working kids I've ever seen. I still think he's one of the best I've ever seen at moving without the ball. He would fly around screen after screen after screen and he was tireless. I always liked his game.

[Majik45]

Would anyone compare Roth to Blake Ahearn? Just curious because I haven't seen Roth play. Ahearn came in and was mostly a pure shooter his first year or two, but has worked on his game to become more complete throughout his four years.

[tornado]

So what part of Matt Roth's "game" is everyone assuming is that uncomplete?

He is smart and knows the game.
Nobody can deny his ability to shoot, but he has a nice jump shot and a high release point. I have seen Matt Roth play 7 or 8 times and have never seen one of his shots blocked.
He handles the ball well, but isn't asked to in his present offense because Romolo and Johnson do the ball handling.
Matt plays good defense and is as strong as most kids his age.
He is likely to get a bit taller and stronger, but of course he isn't a Nate Minnoy type of strong if that's what you require to be "complete".
I saw Matt Roth dunk a basketball during the summer after his 7th grade season (nearly four years ago), he really is athletically talented, and it is no coincidence that his team is 18-1 against some pretty good opponents.

So again, what part of his game are people doubting?
My guess is that the Big Ten schools have doubted his size and strength in covering and guarding other SGs in the Big Ten.
That's a legit concern as players like Luther Head or Jamar Smith have to guard players like Alando Tucker at times.
But even now, as Roth is still a junior and already has at least one Big Ten offer, so obviously some people who do this for a living seem comfortable with Roth's abilities.

Again..if you didn't get my PM on Roth, let me know, and the next "inside" report will be on Sam Maniscalco.

[smitty]

I remember reading that in the past few weeks, Bruce Weber was in Washington to see Roth, and I believe at least one other Big 10 coach was there, too. So He may wait to see if those schools offer him his senior year.

[Dubl R 1]

I have seen Matt Roth play 4-5 times in high school games, a couple of times in the summer at summer leagues and Gus Macker tournaments. I think sometimes that him being labeled as a "shooter", which he is a great shooter, makes people forget about the rest of his game. With regards to being compared to DA, he really isn't. He is a much better ball handler, in terms of getting to the basket, and getting the ball from point A to Point B via the dribble than Danny. He is above average athletically and just knows how to play, which IMO goes along way on the court. That being said DA is ALOT stronger and a couple inches taller than Matt, although that could change in a couple years. IMO, matt's size is fine, his overall game is good, and I think he could be an above average player at Bradley.

[BradleyBrave]

I have seen Matt Roth play 4-5 times in high school games, a couple of times in the summer at summer leagues and Gus Macker tournaments. I think sometimes that him being labeled as a "shooter", which he is a great shooter, makes people forget about the rest of his game. With regards to being compared to DA, he really isn't. He is a much better ball handler, in terms of getting to the basket, and getting the ball from point A to Point B via the dribble than Danny. He is above average athletically and just knows how to play, which IMO goes along way on the court. That being said DA is ALOT stronger and a couple inches taller than Matt, although that could change in a couple years. IMO, matt's size is fine, his overall game is good, and I think he could be an above average player at Bradley.

DA could get anywhere he wanted via the dribble in high school too. The MVC is a lot different than the Mid-Illini. DA is a good player at BU. Roth could be too.

[Dubl R 1]

I have seen Matt Roth play 4-5 times in high school games, a couple of times in the summer at summer leagues and Gus Macker tournaments. I think sometimes that him being labeled as a "shooter", which he is a great shooter, makes people forget about the rest of his game. With regards to being compared to DA, he really isn't. He is a much better ball handler, in terms of getting to the basket, and getting the ball from point A to Point B via the dribble than Danny. He is above average athletically and just knows how to play, which IMO goes along way on the court. That being said DA is ALOT stronger and a couple inches taller than Matt, although that could change in a couple years. IMO, matt's size is fine, his overall game is good, and I think he could be an above average player at Bradley.

DA could get anywhere he wanted via the dribble in high school too. The MVC is a lot different than the Mid-Illini. DA is a good player at BU. Roth could be too.

Believe me, Roth can dribble better than DA. Not against DA, not a Matt Roth fan either, its just a fact.

[Da Coach]

Watching the Illinois-Northwestern game today, I thought about Matt Roth. Northwestern has been at several of Matt's recent games, and is recruiting him now, and Bradley coach Jim Les would very much like to have Matt for his guard orinted offense in 2008.

But, pardon me Northwestern fans, I can't see any reason a kid who has any decent skills would want to play for Bill Carmody at Northwestern. Their style of offense is the most boring I have ever seen. It is as if the coach must tell all his kids--
"You guys have no basketball skills, and are so bad that the only way we have any chance to win a game is if you pass the ball 10-15 times each possession, hope the other team falls asleep, and then take a shot as the shot-clock expires."
This style negates any individual skills the Northwestern players have. It might work if there was no shot clock. But any other coach who coaches this way became extinct when the shot clock was put into play.
I would be shocked if they win more than 3 or 4 league games this year, or any year, or ever move out of 10th or 11th place in the Big 10..

Which style would a kid want to play? A hopelessly boring stall-game that relies on the opposition getting bored and allowing a shot, or a entertaining, high scoring, fast-paced offense that maximizes and involves the skills of every player?

But Northwestern is such a good academic school.

[bert notorius]

I've seen quite a few kids labeled as "pure shooters" fall flat on their faces when they have to start hurrying their shot just a little, or adjust the shot to go over an outstretched arm. Most were from A schools or whatever the current smaller school designation is now.

Roth would be a better fit as a Redbird. You should pass.

[tornado]

Watching the Illinois-Northwestern game today, I thought about Matt Roth. Northwestern has been at several of Matt's recent games, and is recruiting him now, and Bradley coach Jim Les would very much like to have Matt for his guard orinted offense in 2008.

But, pardon me Northwestern fans, I can't see any reason a kid who has any decent skills would want to play for Bill Carmody at Northwestern. Their style of offense is the most boring I have ever seen. It is as if the coach must tell all his kids--
"You guys have no basketball skills, and are so bad that the only way we have any chance to win a game is if you pass the ball 10-15 times each possession, hope the other team falls asleep, and then take a shot as the shot-clock expires."
This style negates any individual skills the Northwestern players have. It might work if there was no shot clock. But any other coach who coaches this way became extinct when the shot clock was put into play.
I would be shocked if they win more than 3 or 4 league games this year, or any year, or ever move out of 10th or 11th place in the Big 10..

Which style would a kid want to play? A hopelessly boring stall-game that relies on the opposition getting bored and allowing a shot, or a entertaining, high scoring, fast-paced offense that maximizes and involves the skills of every player?

But Northwestern is such a good academic school.

As I watched that game I was continually struck by how linited the talents were of almost all the Northwestern players.
Not one of them looked much like a D-I caliber recruit.
It is no wonder they have lost 11 of their last 13 games, averaging less than 49 points per game over that 13 game interval!

[OrangeandBlack74]

I've seen quite a few kids labeled as "pure shooters" fall flat on their faces when they have to start hurrying their shot just a little, or adjust the shot to go over an outstretched arm. Most were from A schools or whatever the current smaller school designation is now.

Roth would be a better fit as a Redbird. You should pass.

I have faith in JL's recruiting, so if he thinks that MR would be a good fit in BU's spread offense, I won't argue!

Besides, I've seen MR play many, many games over the past three years, and the kid is more than just a "pure shooter". That's what he does best, but he's a better player than most on this board give him credit for.....