[The Dawg]

Am I missing something with him? I went to watch Toledo St Johns play at Rogers on Saturday night, specifically to watch him play. I'm really hoping he just had a bad night, or I can't understand why Ohio State is interested in him. He seemed really slow and lazy, not motivated at all. Was this just a bad showing, or is that really all his is? Not sure how anyone could call him the top prospect in the state.

[TSG]

I've been wondering that for two years now. The kid isn't progessing like I thought he would. But, to be fair, he doesn't have much help around him this year so I think he tries to do too much sometimes.

[thethrill]

He looked good against Findlay Friday night in a tough game, although he did appear a bit soft at times. Perhaps they ran out of gas Saturday night. I can see why they play it safe with him since I saw little to no offense from the other kids on the floor, if they lose him to fouls etc they are in deep trouble.

[funandgun]

He is still only a junior. Playing back to back games with very different styles can be tough. Had a friend go to see him a few weeks back that said he was incredible. Even elite players have off nights sometimes.

[NaismithII]

Originally Posted by TSG

I've been wondering that for two years now. The kid isn't progessing like I thought he would. But, to be fair, he doesn't have much help around him this year so I think he tries to do too much sometimes.

Loving has more "help around him this year" than you are giving credit for.

[yattamin]

Loving is a good player.He just lacks in intensity and aggression.I think it's safe to say he's not that type of player.He had 28 saturday but the bulk of those points came when #40 for Rogers was not in the game or Loving was able to shake him off a screen.He really didn't seem to like being D'd up at all.I figure he'll play the roll Diebler played at OSU.

[The Dawg]

To me, it seems like this is what's happening to high school basketball. The kids are recruited by what they do in the AAU tournaments in the summer and don't have any motivation to perform during the season. Sure Loving can score points without trying too hard, but it kills the team when he jogs up and down and doesn't try, so they lost the game. Somebody needs to light a fire under some of these kids or there's an awful lot of talent going to waste.

[theEknopp]

Originally Posted by NaismithII

Loving has more "help around him this year" than you are giving credit for.

A D1 calibar point guard like he has never hurts...granted he has been injured.

[TolCentralCath]

Originally Posted by The Dawg

Am I missing something with him? I went to watch Toledo St Johns play at Rogers on Saturday night, specifically to watch him play. I'm really hoping he just had a bad night, or I can't understand why Ohio State is interested in him. He seemed really slow and lazy, not motivated at all. Was this just a bad showing, or is that really all his is? Not sure how anyone could call him the top prospect in the state.

+1

I've thought the exact same thing these past 3 years watching him.

[rossford_resident]

Kids with his combination of length and skill are rare. Scholarship offers are based on potential and projection, not necessarily production. This is especially true with tall kids.

I do wonder, however, if Matta and his staff were expecting Marc to grow a couple of inches before college and become a 6'10" PF with unbelievable post moves and a soft shooting touch instead of a 6'8" SF/SG with a decent, but not great handle.

Heintschel and Komives certainly know more about basketball than I do, but I really wish they would put Marc in the post, or even the high post and let the offense run through him instead of giving him the ball 20 feet from the basket and expecting him to create off the dribble. The freshman Marc Loving that I saw had unbelievable footwork and a very high basketball IQ. I think he'd be devastating surrounded by the shooters SJJ could put on the floor.

Didn't he have 58 points and 30 rebounds in the two games last weekend, BTW? I didn't see either game, but that seems like a decent weekend to me. He's not the kind of kid who's going to block 4 shots into the seats and throw down several monster slams on his way to 25 and 10. He's far more likely to go 12-14 from the line.

[Ross Ford81]

He had "3 monster slams" against Findlay.

[belleanna]

Loving is a heck of a talent and will excell at the next level, but give Rogers credit they can run you right out of the gym. Very hard for even good teams like St. Johns to maintain that pace or control the tempo.

[rossford_resident]

Originally Posted by Ross Ford81

He had "3 monster slams" against Findlay.

Okay.

The first time I see him elevate in traffic and dunk will be the first.

I grew up in Michigan and saw Dan Majerle, Matt Steigenga, and Chris Webber play in HS. Perhaps my definition of "monster dunk" is a bit different than others'.

[bss3219]

Decide for yourself if they are monster dunks...I'd say they are.

http://youtu.be/MUrXFCzRIoA

[irish_buffalo]

I think rossford_resident is spot on.

This guy can play at OSU and defines monster dunks...and creating ones own shot...and passing...and rebounding...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5iT5XONIRU

[Lancer '65]

I think that one of the things that has hurt Loving is having Gardner on the sidelines with the broken wrist. Gardner created a lot for Loving with his penetration and dishing off to Loving. Some of that transition stuff has disappeared since Gardner's injury.

[Ross Ford81]

Lancer, excellent point as usual, but St. John's has had other injury issues as well. Gardner's absence hurt defensively as well and he is their 2nd leading scorer, but good teams often have to overcome problems to be successful.

[Bevo]

Fill me in - did Thad offer him?

[Ross Ford81]

Loving gave OSU a verbal after his freshman year.

[The Dawg]

I definately can't see how he will be able to play college basketball for one of the top programs in the country. That being said, I saw Anthony Davis play last year when he was in high school and I felt the same way about him. He played lazy and unmotivated. He's panning out to be pretty decent.