This kid looks great, and that’s one thing we’ve always had until recently…sharp shooters. In fact I think Pat Graham was the last pure sniper that IU had…hopefully that will change soon!

When was the last time you saw Bradley or SLU on tv?

Combine the number of championship banners of SLU and Bradley. Now take that number and compare it to IU?

Final question…..Seriously, are you just being nice to the other schools and when do you plan to break their hearts and tell them you are coming to IU…we love shooters kid.

It’s one thing to be considered better than Bird or Reggie or Alford, but if he could be Kyle Hornsby, that would be pretty sweet, especially if he’s likely to stay 4 should he come to IU.

I’ve watched Matt Roth play about 6 times since he was a freshman. The last time I watched him was last March during the second round of the state tournament against Rock Island in Robertson Fieldhouse on Bradley’s campus.

I wouldn’t believe it if I hadn’t seen it myself but he hit two shots from about 10 feet inside the half court line….flat out bombs. After the second one, the PA announcer made a comment about Matt Roth hitting one “from the Riverfront”.

I’ve never seen someone take shots, in the regular flow of the offense, as far out as he does. I can’t convey how impressed I’ve always been with his ability to stand and shoot.

Although his shooting performance during the Rock Island game was noteworthy, what impressed me most were his misses. His shots are very soft. During the Rock Island game, his long shots would fall off the rim close to the basket. Remember how Alfor shot that low trajectory jumper that would come off hard…leading to fast breaks??

One of his bomb misses, at the Rock Island game, came off the rim so close to the basket his teammate had an easy offensive rebound layin.

I put him ahead of ANY shooter I’ve ever seen…Bird, Alford, Reggie Miller, Eric Gordon…this young man’s ability to stand and shoot is remarkable.

Now the downside….from what I’ve seen of him, I don’t believe he’ll be a threat to score off the dribble due to a lack of strength & quickness. His lack of quickness will also cause problems defensively. At 6′3″, I’m concerned if he’ll be able to stay with the national championship caliber guards he’ll be playing against. I’m confident Sampsons insistence on defensive toughness will help him in that area.

Unless he’s changed in the last 5 months, Matt is also physically weak. That never bodes well in the Big Ten. But there is absolutely no question that he will extend any defense he plays against. You’ve got to trail this kid around from 30 feet in or you’ll give up 9 in three trips down the floor.

If IU can get him, he’ll be great in transition or when defenses start collapsing on Holman, Thomas & hopefully Zeller.

http://www.hoosierhillshoops.com/kuric081307.aspx