Stitched up, slouched back and licking his fat lip, UA guard Lamont “”Momo”” Jones spoke to the media Tuesday as the new Momo.
He made it clear: This was not the same guy who served a recent one-game suspension for violating team rules. Or the guy plagued with inconsistencies and frustrations that drove his tempo too quickly for a freshman. Or the one who missed a wide-open layup earlier this season.
This new Momo is here to stay, he says.
“”I was tired of looking at myself on film and being like, that’s not me out there,”” said Jones, who received 16 stitches after the game. “”What ya’ll saw the other night was me and that’s not going anywhere.””
Jones took an unintentional elbow to his mouth in the second half of Sunday’s 87-70 win against Washington — a game where he re-energized the Wildcats’ dwindling second-half lead with 13 points.
The Harlem, N.Y., native walked off the court with blood dripping from his mouth, but re-entered the game with the same demeanor rediscovered after a heart-to-heart meeting recently. He sat down with UA coach Sean Miller, his mother, his sister and evaluated his personal issues.
“”It was personal. Personal problem. That’s it,”” Jones said. “”That’s what I did, came in yesterday and basically didn’t take no for an answer. Sitting out the UCLA game really gave me a different outlook.
“”(Against Washington), that was me out there. Call it a comeback, call it whatever you want to. You’ll see that for as long as I’m here.””
Added Miller: “”Great physical toughness. Very competitive kid. After 16 stitches, he was out there playing hard. He probably feels really good about his performance as well.””
Jones factored in as one of six Wildcats in double digits against Washington — a balanced attack unseen last season.
The new results are coming just as they anticipated and just as Miller has said all along. Back at media day, Miller said the team wouldn’t fully find its identity until late January.
Just now, roles have started clicking. UA wing Kevin Parrom added 10 points against Washington and his confidence continues to grow as he comes off a stress fracture that sidelined him for six weeks.
“”It’s college basketball. It’s not that easy,”” Jones said. “”You can come in the No. 1 player in the country, 150 player in the country — you’re still going to have to go through the bumps. It’s January and we’ve shown flashes of what we can do. We’re just buying into what coach says.””
Added UA point guard Nic Wise: “”That’s what we’re going to need game in game out. It’s hard for the other team to scout us when the whole team can put the ball in the hole.””
Jacobson to travel
UA center Alex Jacobson will make the trip to Oregon this weekend after returning to practice for the first time Tuesday. Jacobson suffered from a back injury that has sidelined him for four games.
“”His back is really feeling a lot better,”” Miller said. “”I think we’ll all feel that he’ll be fine for the long haul.””
