IRISH INSIDER:Jones provides the spark as Irish 6th man
BY CHRIS FEDERICO
Sports Writer
Ask any member of the Leprechaun Legion who is the sixth man for the Notre Dame basketball team, and they'll likely say the green-clad student body.
But ask anyone on the team who plays that role and you'll probably hear the name of reserve guard Torrian Jones.
The Irish junior has only averaged five points and 19 minutes a game this year, but he has specialized in being the player who brings a spark to the court coming off the bench.
"He definitely brings a spark when he comes in the game," Irish captain Matt Carroll told und.com. "Whether things are going good or bad and he is coming in, we know he is going to bring a lot of energy into the game."
Even though Jones has yet to start a game this season for the Irish, much of the team's success has been due to Jones' play off the bench. And that role has been one Jones has embraced and thrived in through Notre Dame's first 22 games.
"Jones is a winner, man," Irish coach Mike Brey said. "He's a guy that's going to go out there and do whatever he has to to get the win. He understands his role coming off the bench, and he's willing to do whatever you ask. He's a beautiful guy to coach."
Last Saturday, Jones showed just how important that role could be in Notre Dame's 93-92 double-overtime win over Georgetown. With starting point guard Chris Thomas fouled out of the game, Jones made his presence felt in the extra periods, flying all over the court on defense, grabbing rebounds and eventually sinking the game-winning free throw with just 5.5 seconds remaining.
But even with the clutch free throw and Jones' sporadic high-flying dunks — like the one he slammed home in the first overtime against the Hoyas after exploding past a Georgetown defender from the 3-point line — Jones has been known mostly throughout his career at Notre Dame for his tenacious defensive skills.
"I like to be that spark off the bench, which has been my role, since I arrived here," Jones told und.com. "Also I like to come into the game and just change the pace of it. Defensively, I like to bring a presence on the floor, which has been my specialty since I was a freshman in high school."
Whether it be taking the defensive burden off of Thomas' shoulders for a bit or getting in the face of the opponents' top shooters, Jones has drawn a lot of attention as one of the fiercest defenders in the Big East.
"I take it as a compliment in this stage in my career," Jones said. "I'm not sure I'd like to be known as strictly a defensive player for the rest of my career, like those are my only abilities, but right now I'm happy people see that part of my game."
But anyone who watches Notre Dame in the dwindling minutes of a close game and sees Brey attempt to send Jones to the court for each defensive possession knows that is where the junior guard excels.
Sunday, those defensive skills will be tested once again as No. 4 Pittsburgh and Preseason Big East Player of the Year Brandin Knight travel to the Joyce Center.
The Panther point guard averages 10.3 points and 6.5 assists a game this year and is often revered as one of the most explosive players in the game.
Along with Thomas, Jones will often have the burden of staying close to the quick Panther guard Knight.
"Knight is one of the best players in the game, and it's always a challenge to guard someone of his skill level," Jones said. "Obviously he wouldn't be where he is today if he couldn't handle the man pressure. If it falls on me to guard him, hopefully I'll be able to slow him down."
If the Irish are to upset Knight and the Panthers Sunday, Jones will be a big part of the action coming off the bench and giving that something extra to the Irish effort as he has for most of the season.
"I like coming off the bench a lot," Jones said. "I know I'm just as influential in the game as any other guy, and sometimes you need to have a guy who can spark you again."
All Sports Stories for Friday, February 7, 2003
