Overmatched Against Rider

The Red Foxes knew that it would be a very difficult game going into Wednesday's match-up against first place Rider, who is ranked 25th in Mid-Majors.... and that was before the news broke that big man Spongy Benjamin would be out with the flu. A depleted Red Fox team struggled to keep up with Rider in what would be a 79-65 pounding at McCann, thier first home loss of the season.

Without Spongy to counter Riders star big man Jason Thompson, the MAAC's second leading scorer, Marist had a world of trouble trying to defend Thompson in the post. Shea, Stilphen, and freshman Korey Bauer (who really struggled) were the best that coach Brady could throw out there against Thompson, who finished with 20 points and 9 boards.
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Jason Thompson
The 6-11 Thompson, who has turned into one of the top rated big men in the entire NCAA, had Cleveland Cavaliers GM Danny Ferry on hand scouting him out. Thompson has been projected by some to be a late first/early second round pick in this years NBA draft.

There were some things that I loved about Thompson’s game and other areas that I felt were lacking. Overall, I felt that he may have been a little over hyped. Things to love about Thompson’s game are that he can flat-out score the basketball. He has surprising range on his jump shot and plays with fierce intensity the entire game on both ends of the floor. He is a leader both vocally and by example and has a world of potential being an athletic, near 7-foot big man.

The major thing he needs to work on is to solidify his post game. Don't get me wrong he dominated in the post, but that was against a lack luster, overmatched Red Fox frontline. Even with the soft Marist post defense, Thompson missed several open lay-ups early on. With a 6-11, 250 pound frame, Thompson should be drop stepping and dunking on inferior post players every time down the floor. However, Thompson is still learning how to play as a center. In his freshman year, he was only 6'7 (only). That means that NBA scouts love his potential, as he will continue to develop into a forceful big.