BobcatAttack.com - For Fans of Ohio University Sports

Welcome Guest!
Create an Account

site search

where to watch

about us

advertise with us

help

BobcatAttack.com Message Board

Ohio Basketball

Topic: Jason Preston: To be MAC Player of the Year

Topic: Jason Preston: To be MAC Player of the Year

Author

Message

FlashGary
General User

Member Since: 6/18/2013
Location: Long Island, NY
Post Count: 377

Status: Offline

Jason Preston: To be MAC Player of the Year

Posted: 1/23/2021 3:16:22 PM

I love Jason Preston's game and how it has blossomed, grown over his two-plus seasons playing in Athens. I'm extremely excited to see what the finished product will be next season as I hope and expect he'll stay in a Bobcat uniform.

The next step for Preston is to learn how to play like a MAC Player-of-the-Year (not candidate, the winner!). MVP's don't wait for the game to come to them; they keep the pressure on throughout the game. They inflict their will on the game when the situation calls for it and even when it doesn't. Player of the Year winners sense when they need to take over a game whether it be at the end, in the middle, or even in the first half if they sense things slipping away.

This came naturally to ballers such as Walter Luckett, Snoop Graham, Dave Jamerson, Gary Trent and D.J. Cooper. They were dominant high school players who were accustomed to having the brunt of the attention focused on them. They flourished, dominated in that role. Being somewhat "selfish" wasn't a negative, it was expected, actually helpful, as it opened up the game for their teammates.

This way of thinking and playing goes against Preston's nature and everything he's known as a basketball player. Even thinking he could be "The Man" couldn't have been anywhere on his radar before arriving in Athens, as he was just trying to find his way onto the court.

Preston has grown into being the team's best player and leader. I'm hoping he'll take that last step, taking the team with him. But understand, he's gonna have to learn how to do it on the fly, as nothing he did or learned in high school or prep school prepared him for ascending to King of the Hill status.

Last Edited: 1/23/2021 4:17:15 PM by FlashGary

71 BOBCAT
General User

Member Since: 12/20/2004
Post Count: 1,872

Status: Offline

RE: Jason Preston: To be MAC Player of the Year

Posted: 1/23/2021 3:45:13 PM

All good points FlashGary.

I did notice in a recent article that Boals was quoted as saying he's challenging JP to be more "ASSERTIVE". I take that to mean being able to take over a game.

GO BOBCATS

Last Edited: 1/23/2021 3:45:48 PM by 71 BOBCAT

lovebobcat
General User

Member Since: 12/23/2004
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Post Count: 510

Status: Offline

RE: Jason Preston: To be MAC Player of the Year

Posted: 1/25/2021 9:50:47 PM

Any intel (or conjecture) out there as to whether JP will return to Ohio for his senior season?

My sense is the NBA draft talk has died down. Just hoping he doesn't follow the Jason Carter path of graduating early to transfer to a high-major league.

Cats5
General User

Member Since: 6/14/2017
Post Count: 1,025

Status: Offline

RE: Jason Preston: To be MAC Player of the Year

Posted: 1/25/2021 10:17:23 PM

Jeff Goodman has him 27th on his draft big board. https://www.google.com/amp/s/watchstadium.com/jeff-goodma... /

cc-cat
General User

Member Since: 4/5/2006
Location: matthews, NC
Post Count: 3,872

Status: Offline

RE: Jason Preston: To be MAC Player of the Year

Posted: 1/26/2021 8:56:58 AM

lovebobcat wrote:

Hopefully the Jaaron Simmons saga would give him pause. He can stay here and have the keys to the car and chase triple-doubles, or go "up" and risk being a role player / having his role much more limited.

shabamon
General User

Member Since: 11/17/2006
Location: Cincinnati
Post Count: 6,418

Status: Offline

RE: Jason Preston: To be MAC Player of the Year

Posted: 1/26/2021 8:58:35 AM

lovebobcat wrote:

Every two round mock draft I've seen has him getting selected.

cc-cat
General User

Member Since: 4/5/2006
Location: matthews, NC
Post Count: 3,872

Status: Offline

RE: Jason Preston: To be MAC Player of the Year

Posted: 1/26/2021 9:31:01 AM

The drafts I've seen have him as a 2nd round pick.

Question - Is 2nd round still not guaranteed money? Therefore, would he not be better served trying to play his way into a 1st round position, rather than chasing a 2nd round pick.... unless he has assurance to make the team from whomever drafts him?

Last Edited: 1/26/2021 9:31:22 AM by cc-cat

BillyTheCat
General User

Member Since: 10/6/2012
Post Count: 9,780

Status: Offline

RE: Jason Preston: To be MAC Player of the Year

Posted: 1/26/2021 11:33:01 AM

Historically only 66% of all 2nd round picks ever see an NBA court.

Per the money question, not all, but many are getting at least one year of guaranteed money.

https://collegebasketball.nbcsports.com/2018/05/10/in-the... /

cc-cat
General User

Member Since: 4/5/2006
Location: matthews, NC
Post Count: 3,872

Status: Offline

RE: Jason Preston: To be MAC Player of the Year

Posted: 1/26/2021 11:51:47 AM

BillyTheCat wrote:

Good info - sounds like if he can get in the top half of round 2 (or better) and (therefore) get guaranteed money - he'd be hard pressed not to take it.

takes:
Preston is a tall lead guard who doesn�t blow you away with speed or athleticism but really knows how to run an offense and control the pace of play.

He�s a very crafty player with great ball handling ability and a nice ability to use his big frame to shield the defender and get to his spots. Preston can score the ball and is a deadly 3pt shooter but he�s very much a pure point guard who�s at his best facilitating and setting up his teammates.

His smarts and BBIQ are evident on defense where he makes up for his lack of speed by playing with great positioning and anticipation.

At this point he looks like more of a second round pick but is getting some first round buzz.

NBA SCOUT: �I saw him at the Myrtle Beach Invitational last year and I had to ask about this little kid who looked like LaMelo Ball. He knows how to play. He already deserves first-round consideration. He has a feel for the game.�

Last Edited: 1/26/2021 12:14:27 PM by cc-cat

Andrew Ruck
General User

Member Since: 12/22/2004
Location: Columbus, OH
Post Count: 4,859

Status: Offline

RE: Jason Preston: To be MAC Player of the Year

Posted: 1/26/2021 1:08:04 PM

Good points made. Important to understand 2nd round in the NBA is not the same as the other sports. I think he's smart enough to feel confidently slotted in early 2nd round at worst to make the jump. Especially true because of his limited experience and late start to the life of being the go-to guy on the court. In a lot of situations, elevating from the 2nd to the 1st in a Senior season would seem like a difficult task but I think in this case, it is a real consideration.

As for if he does come back for a senior season...no clue on if it would be here or elsewhere. Simmons did not have NBA prospects...I think Preston could transfer to a high major and be rock solid confident he would start.

Andrew Ruck
B.B.A. 2003

BillyTheCat
General User

Member Since: 10/6/2012
Post Count: 9,780

Status: Offline

RE: Jason Preston: To be MAC Player of the Year

Posted: 1/26/2021 11:05:05 PM

Just curious if you all using the same magazine who had DJ and Simmons in 2nd round as well.

Andrew Ruck
General User

Member Since: 12/22/2004
Location: Columbus, OH
Post Count: 4,859

Status: Offline

RE: Jason Preston: To be MAC Player of the Year

Posted: 1/27/2021 8:15:57 AM

I don't recall Simmons ever showing up in a mock draft, and Cooper may have only had a few sporadic mentions. Both were held back for their size and underwhelming outside shooting.

Andrew Ruck
B.B.A. 2003

Alan Swank
General User

Member Since: 12/11/2004
Location: Athens, OH
Post Count: 7,072

Status: Offline

RE: Jason Preston: To be MAC Player of the Year

Posted: 1/28/2021 9:47:38 AM

As good a player as he is until we can at least split with Toledo, Kent, Akron and BG, someone else will win the award.

colobobcat66
General User

Member Since: 9/1/2006
Location: Watching the bobcats run outside my window., CO
Post Count: 4,315

Status: Offline

RE: Jason Preston: To be MAC Player of the Year

Posted: 1/28/2021 11:45:29 AM

I think that missing 4 games, his recent shooting funk combined with our lower standing in the MAC pretty much kills any chance of his winning the award.

FearLeon
General User

Member Since: 3/12/2005
Post Count: 4,297

Status: Offline

RE: Jason Preston: To be MAC Player of the Year

Posted: 2/5/2021 5:00:32 PM

Latest ESPN Top 60 draft projections and Preston is not on the list. Selfishly, I hope it stays this way. If he ends up turning pro and gets drafted...awesome. But I just know if he can stay another year and improve the outside shot he's got the chance to a be a top 20 pick in 2022. The "money" shot still has a long way to go.

https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/30816181/nba-...

#BleedGreen #TrentIsGOAT

Bobcat1998
General User

Member Since: 11/7/2012
Post Count: 2,302

Status: Offline

RE: Jason Preston: To be MAC Player of the Year

Posted: 2/5/2021 7:31:04 PM

Jay Preston is hard pressed to get MAC First Team. Marreon, LCJ, Pippen, Graves and Turner are all with him. Unless we shock some people I see Preston and DW3 on 2nd Team and maybe BVP on 3rd. Sears All Frosh for sure and maybe top Frosh. With Sears' success with Preston out I say Wilson is team MVP.

Last Edited: 2/5/2021 7:32:49 PM by Bobcat1998

Andrew Ruck
General User

Member Since: 12/22/2004
Location: Columbus, OH
Post Count: 4,859

Status: Offline

RE: Jason Preston: To be MAC Player of the Year

Posted: 2/8/2021 8:33:11 AM

It is becoming increasingly likely Preston will play his Senior Season...it just becomes a question of in what uniform.

Andrew Ruck
B.B.A. 2003

BillyTheCat
General User

Member Since: 10/6/2012
Post Count: 9,780

Status: Offline

RE: Jason Preston: To be MAC Player of the Year

Posted: 2/8/2021 9:40:05 AM

Andrew Ruck wrote:

It is becoming increasingly likely Preston will play his Senior Season...it just becomes a question of in what uniform.

He�s not going anywhere

Alan Swank
General User

Member Since: 12/11/2004
Location: Athens, OH
Post Count: 7,072

Status: Offline

RE: Jason Preston: To be MAC Player of the Year

Posted: 2/8/2021 10:17:52 AM

BillyTheCat wrote:

Andrew Ruck wrote:

It is becoming increasingly likely Preston will play his Senior Season...it just becomes a question of in what uniform.

He�s not going anywhere

Agreed 100%. If his goal is to get to the NBA he can do it from the confines of the Convo and playing in the MAC.

OhioCatFan
General User

Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Athens, OH
Post Count: 14,157

Status: Offline

RE: Jason Preston: To be MAC Player of the Year

Posted: 2/8/2021 5:00:56 PM

BillyTheCat wrote:

Andrew Ruck wrote:

It is becoming increasingly likely Preston will play his Senior Season...it just becomes a question of in what uniform.

He�s not going anywhere

A friend told me that JP loves it at Ohio, and wouldn�t even consider transferring anywhere else. This friend also said that he feels very loyal to Ohio since we were the ones who plucked him out of obscurity. Apparently loyalty is big thing with him. BTW, I believe it�s possible that this friend is the same one who you often ask question for on this board! What a small world!

Last Edited: 2/8/2021 5:02:29 PM by OhioCatFan

The only BLSS Certified Hypocrite on BA

"It is better to be an optimist and be proven a fool than to be a pessimist and be proven right."

Note: My avatar is the national colors of the 78th Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry, which are now preserved in a climate controlled vault at the Ohio History Connection. Learn more about the old 78th at: http://www.78ohio.org

JSF
General User

Member Since: 1/29/2005
Location: Houston, TX
Post Count: 6,420

Status: Offline

RE: Jason Preston: To be MAC Player of the Year

Posted: 2/8/2021 11:46:59 PM

Alan Swank wrote:

BillyTheCat wrote:

Andrew Ruck wrote:

It is becoming increasingly likely Preston will play his Senior Season...it just becomes a question of in what uniform.

He�s not going anywhere

Agreed 100%. If his goal is to get to the NBA he can do it from the confines of the Convo and playing in the MAC.

Just like NBA MAC alumni guards like... hmm... wait, hold on...

"Loyalty to a hometown or city is fleeting and interchangeable, but college is a stamp of identity."- Kyle Whelliston, One Beautiful Season.

My blog about depression and mental illness: https://bit.ly/3buGXH8

OhioCatFan
General User

Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Athens, OH
Post Count: 14,157

Status: Offline

RE: Jason Preston: To be MAC Player of the Year

Posted: 2/9/2021 12:00:04 AM

Alan Swank wrote:

BillyTheCat wrote:

Andrew Ruck wrote:

It is becoming increasingly likely Preston will play his Senior Season...it just becomes a question of in what uniform.

He�s not going anywhere

Agreed 100%. If his goal is to get to the NBA he can do it from the confines of the Convo and playing in the MAC.

EMU has had a few guards make the NBA over the years.

CatsUp
General User

Member Since: 4/15/2019
Post Count: 753

Status: Offline

RE: Jason Preston: To be MAC Player of the Year

Posted: 2/9/2021 11:54:36 AM

JSF wrote:

Alan Swank wrote:

BillyTheCat wrote:

Andrew Ruck wrote:

It is becoming increasingly likely Preston will play his Senior Season...it just becomes a question of in what uniform.

He�s not going anywhere

Agreed 100%. If his goal is to get to the NBA he can do it from the confines of the Convo and playing in the MAC.

Just like NBA MAC alumni guards like... hmm... wait, hold on...

Oh I don�t know. Maybe Dave Jamerson, Hal Greer, Butch Komives, Antonio Daniels, Dan Majerle, Earl Boykins, George Gervin, Ron Harper, Bonzi Wells.

bobcatsquared
General User

Member Since: 12/20/2004
Post Count: 5,179

Status: Offline

RE: Jason Preston: To be MAC Player of the Year

Posted: 2/9/2021 1:14:10 PM

You can get to the NBA playing your home games in the Convo or other MAC (or even smaller conferences) venues. The problem is that MAC coaches haven't been recruiting NBA-like players for the past 20 years.

Jeff McKinney
Moderator

Member Since: 11/12/2004
Post Count: 6,101

Status: Offline

RE: Jason Preston: To be MAC Player of the Year

Posted: 2/9/2021 1:56:03 PM

It's because the whole recruiting landscape has changed and the MAC can't get those players any more.

Showing Replies:	1 - 25 of 36 Posts
Jump to Page:	1 \| 2 Next >

View Other 'Ohio Basketball' Topics

There are 321 Active Visitors on BobcatAttack.com

318 Guests
3 Registered Users:
	mid70sbobcat, Kinggeorge4, Mike Johnson

There are no other users looking at this page.