Vocal Jones thrives in supporting role
By ANDREW SOUKUP
Sports Writer
At times in practice, Irish coach Mike Brey stops play to teach his protégés a lesson. But while the average coach might repeat his words to reinforce his point, Brey simply stops talking and walks away.
That's because before Brey turns his back, he often hears Torrian Jones repeating his words.
"I think our guys are looking at him a lot just because he's our most vocal guy," Brey said of the junior guard. "Even though he's not a captain in title, I want him to act like a captain."
Strong words for a player who only averaged 15.5 minutes and 3.9 points a game last season and isn't expected to see those numbers rise dramatically this season. Yet at the beginning of the season, when Brey mentioned team leaders, he threw Jones' name into the mix along with Matt Carroll, Dan Miller and Chris Thomas.
It's a role Jones both acknowledges and accepts. He's content with providing a spark off the bench during games and a spark on the court in practices.
"I see it as keeping guys' spirits up when they aren't having a good practice," Jones said. "The main thing for me is to be vocal. We lost three big leaders last year, and just being able to step in and be a vocal leader is a big thing."
Jones' role on the court last season was clearly defined. He came off the bench to provide a boost of energy, and his defensive abilities were often counted on in late-game situations.
When the Irish struggled during the middle of the season, Brey moved Jones into the starting lineup to provide a boost of athleticism. The result – the Irish won six in a row.
Jones' role this year is a little less clear, as is the number of minutes he might play. Notre Dame added depth around the perimeter by substituting Dan Miller for David Graves at small forward and adding a guard in Chris Quinn.
Yet he, and Brey, don't expect his minutes to get cut. In fact, Brey said Jones might even be called on to start a game or a half.
But it doesn't matter to Jones when he enters the game – he knows he's going to have an impact regardless.
"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."
For the second straight summer, Jones' teammates called him the most improved player. Jones insists he did nothing special, just worked hard in the off-season.
But when Brey looks at Jones, he sees a player that has finally developed basketball skills to compliment his raw athletic ability. In the absence of an established big man, the Irish have Jones, who can slash to the basket or hit a short range jumper, pulling pressure away from Notre Dame's young big guys.
"We certainly don't want to take away from what his strengths are, guarding people and being an athletic presence," Brey said. "But now, for him to look for it a little more offensively, that's something he should do."
Jones' unselfishness and acceptance of his supporting-player role is what makes him so well liked by Irish coaches. Brey in particular praised the guard for his work with Quinn, a guy who could potentially take minutes away from Jones.
"He's a team guy, he's one of those kids you get spoiled coaching," Brey said. "He wants his team to do well, he wants his team to win. He's never looked at Chris Quinn as a guy who could take his minutes, even though he could. That's how secure he is and how much he's thought about the group."
For Jones' part, he's just going to keep doing what he's doing — talking in practice and working hard on the court.
After all, it's all part of helping the Irish win, no matter what it takes.
"You can get lazy in a game, and guys naturally take time off," Jones said. "But when you have that guy who can get everybody motivated, I know it's very important. And I value that role."
All Sports Stories for Thursday, November 7, 2002
