UPDATED (6/14): Matt Thomas commits to Iowa State

BleedGopher

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per this tweet:

"@ISURecruitLists: ICYMI: 2013 SG Matt Thomas (Onalaska, WI) has top 3 of Wisconsin, Virginia & #Cyclones per multiple reports"

Go Gophers!!
 

From BadgerBlitz.com reporter:

"Just spoke with Matt Thomas' AAU coach. Has top 3 of #Wisconsin #Virginia and Iowa State. Decision should come by end of summer."

Go Gophers!!
 

I was told Virginia was the front runner. He will be a decent college player as a scorer, but really needs to work on ball handling and defense to be real effective.
 

Very disappointing, but if he's going to cut the Gophers from his list at least he did it now so the coaches still have time to make an impression on other players this spring/summer.
 

I was told Virginia was the front runner. He will be a decent college player as a scorer, but really needs to work on ball handling and defense to be real effective.

At this point, I would not be surprised by Matt choosing any of the three schools. I am really hoping the Badgers can get him to their advanced camp in early June for one last push.

Regarding his ball-handling, I tend to disagree. If he is viewed as a PG, it's probably fair to say he'll need to handle a little better. However, I think he's a SG or 3rd guard at the next level, and from that standpoint, I think he is pretty good with the ball. I think he could help take pressure off the primary PG by being able to initiate the offense a little bit and help break pressure. Defensively is where I would say he needs the most work. I don't think he'll ever be a great defender, but with his hoops IQ and size/strength, I think he can be a solid defender down the road.
 


This is a bummer. He would have fit in great here. This is a very important class, hopefully we get some momentum soon.
 

Matt Thomas is a very good player. This should be a major disappointment to Gopher fans. Personally, I think he's a better version of Blake. I'll only buy the "he doesn't fit Tubby's style" excuse if he (Tubby) brings in a player equal to or better than Thomas.
 

Really not happy about this. I can understand losing out on the kid to UW, but to not be in better standing than Virginia(for a Midwest recruit) or ISU (for anyone) is way below an acceptable floor for recruiting.
 

Really not happy about this. I can understand losing out on the kid to UW, but to not be in better standing than Virginia(for a Midwest recruit) or ISU (for anyone) is way below an acceptable floor for recruiting.

This top three is the same that's been talked about for quite a while now on Thomas... don't think it's anything knew, perhaps just an update that there's been no change in the most likely landing spots.

With respect to Virginia, you've got to remember their strong connections to the state of Wisconsin. It was only 22 months ago that the Gophers lost out on Paul Jesperson to Virginia.

ISU is going to be a player in recruiting for the time being... they're now a tourney team who had signature victories a year ago and are sending kids to the NBA.

Minnesota's recruiting successes need to be drastically improved if they want to consistently compete for top-half finishes in the Big Ten, but I wouldn't get too worked up about Matt Thomas' preferences over Minnesota.
 



This top three is the same that's been talked about for quite a while now on Thomas... don't think it's anything knew, perhaps just an update that there's been no change in the most likely landing spots.

With respect to Virginia, you've got to remember their strong connections to the state of Wisconsin. It was only 22 months ago that the Gophers lost out on Paul Jesperson to Virginia.

ISU is going to be a player in recruiting for the time being... they're now a tourney team who had signature victories a year ago and are sending kids to the NBA.

Minnesota's recruiting successes need to be drastically improved if they want to consistently compete for top-half finishes in the Big Ten, but I wouldn't get too worked up about Matt Thomas' preferences over Minnesota.

I know Iowa state had Tinsley and Fizer in the pros a few years back but I am guessing you are referring to White when you are talking about sending kids to the pros.....then you say that MN has to step up their recruiting. Really? We all want to see recruiting improve but your comments show a total lack of vision. Seriously GW. You a are really hard to stomach.
 

I know Iowa state had Tinsley and Fizer in the pros a few years back but I am guessing you are referring to White when you are talking about sending kids to the pros.....then you say that MN has to step up their recruiting. Really? We all want to see recruiting improve but your comments show a total lack of vision. Seriously GW. You a are really hard to stomach.

Marquette is a team that he likes. Minnesota is a team that he follows.
 


I realize all that. But we can at least expect the guy to show a little intelligence when he posts right?

I don't know, I've kind of gotten used to his agenda and don't really pay much attention to what he says anymore.
 



I know Iowa state had Tinsley and Fizer in the pros a few years back but I am guessing you are referring to White when you are talking about sending kids to the pros.....then you say that MN has to step up their recruiting. Really? We all want to see recruiting improve but your comments show a total lack of vision. Seriously GW. You a are really hard to stomach.

Your guess is incorrect, but I'm really not sure what you're even trying to say. You're agreeing with me about recruiting... right? So, what is your gripe with my post ("a total lack of vision")?

As for Iowa State, you may not remember, but I'm sure Spencer Tollackson and others remember when the Cyclones came to Minneapolis and beat the Gophers despite Spencer's 24 & 13 effort. Mike Taylor dropped 33 on Minnesota at Williams Arena. He was selected in the 2008 NBA draft. Of course, he was really sent on his way (after a vehicle registration fine..and for a stint to the NBDL before being draft) vs. sent to the NBA by Iowa State.. yet, he is a Milwaukee HS kid that played for the Cyclones and was selected in the NBA draft after Tinsley & Fizer.

In addition to Royce White, I would point you to Craig Brackins. Sorry you're not familiar, but he was a first round pick in 2010.

2012... 2010... 2008... Iowa State alums selected in the NBA draft... yes, I'll stand by my comment that Iowa State is sending kids to the NBA.
 

Really not happy about this. I can understand losing out on the kid to UW, but to not be in better standing than Virginia(for a Midwest recruit) or ISU (for anyone) is way below an acceptable floor for recruiting.

When reading your posts, it often seems as though you live on a different planet and/or are living in an alternate reality.
 

This top three is the same that's been talked about for quite a while now on Thomas... don't think it's anything knew, perhaps just an update that there's been no change in the most likely landing spots.

With respect to Virginia, you've got to remember their strong connections to the state of Wisconsin. It was only 22 months ago that the Gophers lost out on Paul Jesperson to Virginia.

ISU is going to be a player in recruiting for the time being... they're now a tourney team who had signature victories a year ago and are sending kids to the NBA.

Minnesota's recruiting successes need to be drastically improved if they want to consistently compete for top-half finishes in the Big Ten, but I wouldn't get too worked up about Matt Thomas' preferences over Minnesota.

Exactly. This isn't the first time Minnesota has lost a recruiting battle for a Wisconsin kid to Virginia, Tony Bennett has come in to Virginia and outworked Tubby. As for Iowa State, how long did it take a coach with no experience to come in and get a kid to prefer his program (Iowa State no less) to Tubby's? It's hard to see Tubby's recruiting success improving when it's been on a clear downturn and he's being leapfrogged by other schools.
 

When reading your posts, it often seems as though you live on a different planet and/or are living in an alternate reality.

I've got the exactly same feeling about you. I imagine you are still holding a grudge, keep your conspiracy theories about Gopher Warriors evil plot to spread disinformation about Tubby's contract alive.
 

Exactly. This isn't the first time Minnesota has lost a recruiting battle for a Wisconsin kid to Virginia, Tony Bennett has come in to Virginia and outworked Tubby. As for Iowa State, how long did it take a coach with no experience to come in and get a kid to prefer his program (Iowa State no less) to Tubby's? It's hard to see Tubby's recruiting success improving when it's been on a clear downturn and he's being leapfrogged by other schools.

Not only was Fred Hoiberg a similar player to Matt Thomas, but he made it to the NBA. Don't you think that might be appealing to him? Kids want to make it to the NBA and to no one's surprise Thomas probably thinks Hoiberg can help him more than almost anyone else. Iowa State being high on this given player's list shouldn't be a big surprise if you really think about it.
 

I've got the exactly same feeling about you. I imagine you are still holding a grudge, keep your conspiracy theories about Gopher Warriors evil plot to spread disinformation about Tubby's contract alive.

Nice attempt at diversion, but I'd rather stick to actually discussing the subject at hand. I'm curious to know which planet it is in which Minnesota is a vastly superior program to Iowa St. and Virginia, and where these lowly programs shouldn't be able to contest the mighty Gophers for any Midwest recruit.
 

Not only was Fred Hoiberg a similar player to Matt Thomas, but he made it to the NBA. Don't you think that might be appealing to him? Kids want to make it to the NBA and to no one's surprise Thomas probably thinks Hoiberg can help him more than almost anyone else. Iowa State being high on this given player's list shouldn't be a big surprise if you really think about it.
To say Thomas and Hoiberg are similar players is still a bit of a stretch at this point. The NBA thing I'm sure helps with most kids. It does seem like we get outworked and get a late start on many kids as well. Maybe this is perception and not reality and just fan frustration. I'm not sure.
 

Blackhammer said:
To say Thomas and Hoiberg are similar players is still a bit of a stretch at this point. The NBA thing I'm sure helps with most kids. It does seem like we get outworked and get a late start on many kids as well. Maybe this is perception and not reality and just fan frustration. I'm not sure.

Gophers seem to have been late before, but this was not the case with Thomas.

Tubby was one of the first to start recruiting him, long before Wisconsin and Bo Ryan.
 

Gophers seem to have been late before, but this was not the case with Thomas.

Tubby was one of the first to start recruiting him, long before Wisconsin and Bo Ryan.

That's exactly what made this one a little disappointing to me. We may not be better programs than Virginia and Iowa State, but we should be on par. We're also play in the same conference as his hometown school. To me, not making the final list is a little sad even if the writing was already on the wall since we were in the mix early. We need a big recruiting class this year to fill some holes.
 

I watched him play again this weekend and I really wish he were going to be a Gopher. He has to handle the ball alot more than a shooting guard would on the college level and does a pretty good job of it. But his scorers mentality and game presence of knowing what his team needs and how to get it done is really fun to watch.
 

For what it's worth - I have a friend who lives near Onalaska. He's a certified official, and is fairly well-connected to the local hoops scene. He said that Thomas is a "nice" player, but at this point, he sees him becoming more of a complimentary player at the D1 level - as opposed to a "difference-maker." (This friend is the same person who saw Ralph Sampson III play at an AAU tournament as a HS junior, and told me (quoting) "He's too soft. Doesn't want to post up inside and use his height.")

Apparently, (from what my friend says) Thomas' coach has a habit of 'featuring' his star players - as in, let the star player take most of the shots and pad his stats. Also, the caliber of ball being played in that part of Wisconsin does not compare to the talent he'd face in a bigger metro area, so I remain skeptical until I see him go up against some top-flight competition. In most of Thomas' games, he's facing smaller guards, or big men who aren't quick enough to match up with him.

I'm not saying Thomas can't turn out to be a decent player, but I wouldn't throw myself off a bridge if he doesn't go to the U.
 

Apparently, (from what my friend says) Thomas' coach has a habit of 'featuring' his star players - as in, let the star player take most of the shots and pad his stats. Also, the caliber of ball being played in that part of Wisconsin does not compare to the talent he'd face in a bigger metro area, so I remain skeptical until I see him go up against some top-flight competition. In most of Thomas' games, he's facing smaller guards, or big men who aren't quick enough to match up with him.

I'm not saying Thomas can't turn out to be a decent player, but I wouldn't throw myself off a bridge if he doesn't go to the U.

is that his HS coach or his AAU coach? The only games I saw him play in HS were at state last year and their big guy was struggling so Thomas needed to carry them. On this AAU team he has a couple good bigs and wings but not enough help at guard. NY2LA has their game from this past weekend when they beat the Eric Gordon All-Stars -- NY2LAHOOPS.TV
 

For what it's worth - I have a friend who lives near Onalaska. He's a certified official, and is fairly well-connected to the local hoops scene. He said that Thomas is a "nice" player, but at this point, he sees him becoming more of a complimentary player at the D1 level - as opposed to a "difference-maker." (This friend is the same person who saw Ralph Sampson III play at an AAU tournament as a HS junior, and told me (quoting) "He's too soft. Doesn't want to post up inside and use his height.")

Apparently, (from what my friend says) Thomas' coach has a habit of 'featuring' his star players - as in, let the star player take most of the shots and pad his stats. Also, the caliber of ball being played in that part of Wisconsin does not compare to the talent he'd face in a bigger metro area, so I remain skeptical until I see him go up against some top-flight competition. In most of Thomas' games, he's facing smaller guards, or big men who aren't quick enough to match up with him.

I'm not saying Thomas can't turn out to be a decent player, but I wouldn't throw myself off a bridge if he doesn't go to the U.

Here is some video of Matt from earlier this spring. The competition in these games are pretty good teams (Playground Elite primarily from Milwaukee and Meanstreets from Chicago), and Matt did just fine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hG6sGwe9gtE


Also as mentioned, Matt has a big game this past weekend (27 points, I believe) against the Eric Gordon All Stars, which is generally regarded as one of the best AAU teams this year. Thomas followed that up by scoring 26 against the eventual champion of the event (TP Elite from Milwaukee).
 


Well, this is disappointing, but not devastating. Thomas would have been an okay get, and I'd like us to get some shooters, but it's not like it would be missing out on Tyus, or Rashad, or Ellenson or Illkainen. However, obviously, the key is who we get instead. If it's another Mav, that's bad. If it's an Austin Hollins, that's good.
 

Well, this is disappointing, but not devastating. Thomas would have been an okay get, and I'd like us to get some shooters, but it's not like it would be missing out on Tyus, or Rashad, or Ellenson or Illkainen. However, obviously, the key is who we get instead. If it's another Mav, that's bad. If it's an Austin Hollins, that's good.

True, but Tyus, Rashad, Ellenson and Illkainen are not part of the 2013 class. Outside of Washington, things have been pretty quiet considering we have 4 scholarships to fill. Thomas seemed to be a top priority.
 

I haven't even followed this kids recruitment much but it seemed clear a while ago that MN stopped recruiting him and that MN was the favorite up until that point to the point that he may have committed. This isn't a case of MN losing out but more of MN moving on
 




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