What does everything think about the Buycks at PG situation...

[ErickJD08]

I am just wondering.  I never was overly impressed with his decision making and ball handling.  He didn't look great in the exhibition.  Smith looked pretty good and I don't think Junior was terrible either. 

Do people think its' a seniority thing where Buycks is getting the starting nod?  Do you think it's just temporary to get some feet wet?  Do you think it's to send some messages?  Not sure how to read into it all.  Like to hear some thoughts...

[79Warrior]

I am just wondering.  I never was overly impressed with his decision making and ball handling.  He didn't look great in the exhibition.  Smith looked pretty good and I don't think Junior was terrible either. 

Do people think its' a seniority thing where Buycks is getting the starting nod?  Do you think it's just temporary to get some feet wet?  Do you think it's to send some messages?  Not sure how to read into it all.  Like to hear some thoughts...

I think nothing has been decided. A exhibition game is a far cry from BE competition. I would read little into this, except perhaps Dwight is working his tail off in practice.

[Brewtown Andy]

5 toughest guys are going to play.

[TallTitan34]

You have to earn playing time with Buzz, much less a starting spot.   He is going to give the start to the senior who played in the system last year (Buycks) until the incoming players earn it.

[MerrittsMustache]

I am just wondering.  I never was overly impressed with his decision making and ball handling.  He didn't look great in the exhibition.  Smith looked pretty good and I don't think Junior was terrible either. 

Do people think its' a seniority thing where Buycks is getting the starting nod?  Do you think it's just temporary to get some feet wet?  Do you think it's to send some messages?  Not sure how to read into it all.  Like to hear some thoughts...

Buycks ran the point at JC, he knows the system and is the most experienced player. It makes sense for him to run the show at this juncture.

Junior could eventually win the job, but he needs to play better D, not to mention that his experience is very limited. Reggie is a true freshman and saw the bulk of his minutes playing the 2-guard with Buycks at the point.

Buycks is a much better player than many posters give him credit for. I think he'll surprise some people this season.

[nyg]

Buycks is the senior, has the system's experience, is a better defender and is more of an offensive threat.

Junior is probably the better ball handler and traditional passer/point guard, but has not displayed the offensive traits, especially the ability to hit from the outside.  With the losses of Acker and Cubillian, Buycks is the better option for this.

Smith displayed speed, ball handling and hit from the outside, but is a freshman with alot to learn. 

If Buycks starts at PG, the most interesting situation to observe will be who comes in first off the bench, Junior or Smith, and who plays the most. 

[wojosdojo]

I'd, like Buzz would rather have experience on the court than the ability to do a few more things. This is the reason Buzz has been so successful because he (we) knows the guys know the value of a possession, or the importantance of that once free throw late in the game!

Im not saying Buycks  will start Jan , but for now he will. DJO  didnt start until after Orlando  last year. However,  I do think Dwight  has the best shot oit of the three pgs, despite going 2-10 in ex.

[MarqBB77-03]

I so not understand the criticism of Buycks.  I thought he played well in the exhibition, except for his shooting.  He shooting will come around.  Butler did not shoot particularly well during the exhibition either and no one is worried about his play.

[Nukem2]

Buycks is the senior, so he is going to get a hard look-see at PG.  While I like Dwight and think he'll contribute significantly, I don't think he'll end up being the PG as he tends to dribble far too much.  Buzz's offense demands far more ball movement.  Guess we'll have to see how things play out.

[Golden Avalanche]

Can't win long term with Buycks at the 1. He's better suited as a relief or off the ball.

[77ncaachamps]

5 toughest guys are going to play.

Get them in

[willie warrior]

Bucyks is Buzz's mancrush. he is not the solution at PG, and it will likely blow up in Buzz's face.

Give JC and Smith the opportunity. They are the future.

[Mr. Nielsen]

I said on here after day 1 of the Pro-Am, that Steve "Homer" True had Buycks at PG.

[Lennys Tap]

Bucyks is Buzz's mancrush. he is not the solution at PG, and it will likely blow up in Buzz's face.

Give JC and Smith the opportunity. They are the future.

The old live in the past. The young live in the future. The wise live in the present.

[4everwarriors]

Buycks won't be the starting point guard.

[tower912]

The old live in the past. The young live in the future. The wise live in the present.

And the losers live in their folk's basement.

[NCMUFan]

Buycks comes across to me as shoot is the first option, the second option is shoot and the third option is set up the offense.  I wonder how many quick jacked up shots Buzz will tolerate.

[Brewtown Andy]

Get them in

??

[77ncaachamps]

Bucyks is Buzz's mancrush. he is not the solution at PG, and it will likely blow up in Buzz's face.

Give JC and Smith the opportunity. They are the future.

I thought it was
Erik Williams
Jeronne
Junior

[bilsu]

Think about it:
Buzz knows more about basketball than any of us.
Buzz has been at every practice, while none of us have been at any.
Buzz knows what he wants to do with this team.
If you think about it, this whole thread is moronic.
Buzz is paid big bucks to win games and he is not going to start a player that does not optimise his chances of succeeding.

[Nukem2]

Think about it:
Buzz knows more about basketball than any of us.
Buzz has been at every practice, while none of us have been at any.
Buzz knows what he wants to do with this team.
If you think about it, this whole thread is moronic.
Buzz is paid big bucks to win games and he is not going to start a player that does not optimise his chances of succeeding.

And buzz is going to see that DB dribbles to ,uch tobe his point guard; tough, Buzz will get DB lots of minutes in other ways.

[77ncaachamps]

I think most people will agree that Buycks knows the system better than anyone.
It's just that he's a 2G and NOT a PG.

Knowledge of system or not, his shoot/drive first mentality is not best suited to the PG position.

[downtown85]

5 toughest guys are going to play.

+1.  Buzz message to Junior: toughen up.

[TillysDad]

does it really matter who is the "PG" any way, the way we run our offense, players are all interchangable.  Buycks will see a lot of minutes this year regardless of spot he is at.  I think many people get to wrapped up in defining positions anymore.  Buzz has said he wants basketball players, who can shoot, pass and dribble and be a threat

[ErickJD08]

does it really matter who is the "PG" any way, the way we run our offense, players are all interchangable.  Buycks will see a lot of minutes this year regardless of spot he is at.  I think many people get to wrapped up in defining positions anymore.  Buzz has said he wants basketball players, who can shoot, pass and dribble and be a threat

That's why I don't think Buycks is our best option.  Not trashing the kid.  He easily could have taken the next step and will be very very effective this year.  I still know what I saw last season.  Turnovers, fade away 18 footers (some of which went in), getting the layups swatted, etc.  I would like to see a true point on the floor.  That's all.  Time will obviously tell.

[SalsaMan]

Come January it will be Cadougan.

[bilsu]

does it really matter who is the "PG" any way, the way we run our offense, players are all interchangable.  Buycks will see a lot of minutes this year regardless of spot he is at.  I think many people get to wrapped up in defining positions anymore.  Buzz has said he wants basketball players, who can shoot, pass and dribble and be a threat

I have been arguing that. Cadougan is clearly the best point guard, but he is not the best guard. Buzz's offense does not rely on a point guard. Buzz's defense relies on guards applying pressure so that we do not get dominated in the paint. As far as defense Cadougan is thrid behind Buyckes and Smith.

[NersEllenson]

My gut feeling is that by Big East play...Junior and Reggie will be splitting minutes pretty evenly.  They'll both be able to play like junk yard dogs, as neither will have to go 35 minutes per game..but instead a comfy 15-20 each.  They both bring different things to the table, and think both will have value to the team this year.  Think the job will be for Buzz to figure out who plays best with Junior..and who plays best with Reggie..certainly could be some overlap there..but there very well may be a distinction..

[Murffieus]

The guy who should be groomed for PG is Blue-----has a John Wall style especially in space.

[bilsu]

The guy who should be groomed for PG is Blue-----has a John Wall style especially in space.

Murf you are in a long line of people that are overrating Blue.

[Murffieus]

bilsu----not really overrating Blue. I agree he will underachieve expectations at wing or #2 guard, but believe he would overachieve after some training and experience at PG-----he's got John Wall expertise right now on transition----needs to play PG----he's a lot better when he can dribble the ball into the half court----not as good when he has to receive the ball in the half court.

[brewcity77]

I think Blue simply needs time. There's no doubt that he is an immensely talented player. Possibly the best raw talent we've seen since Wade, definitely since the Three Amigos. But the problem there is that he's still raw. I really hope that he can be a defensive stopper because that will get him time on the court. The rest of his game can develop from there. Could he be a great point guard? Possibly. John Wall level? That may be a stretch, let's not forget Wall was a consensus top-2 high school player and the top pick in the NBA draft. But either way, he will need to develop, as I don't really think anyone outside of pundits who haven't watched this team over the summer and fall believe he's ready to start now.

[tower912]

Blue performed at an extremely high level for the U-18 national team.    As a third guard/defender/glue guy.   And according to Buzz, his attitude has been great.   But he is our 4th best point guard at this point.   That is what is best for the team.    And that is what matters.   It could change at some future time, but right now he is best suited for the wing. 

[MU86NC]

Pwer to the Tower!

[4everwarriors]

Blue starts by BE season.

[NersEllenson]

Blue starts by BE season.

To me..if this happened it would mean Buycks and or Cadougan/Smith really haven't played well.  While I love Vander...I think he is definitely a year away from contributing offensively...and will be a great defensive stopper/lock down defender type that Buzz goes to as he sees fit/needed if we are getting lit up by someone.

Reggie Smith to me..will emerge as the guy who will command half if not 75% of minutes allocated to a true "point guard," and Buzz very well may not choose to play a traditional point guard at times.

[brewcity77]

I don't see Blue starting much at all this season. I really think Cadougan is the best game manager at the point, and Smith is the best option as a change of pace. DJO's going nowhere, neither is Butler. And it seems that the rest of the starting spots will be frontcourt positions for Fulce, Crowder, and Otule to battle over.

If Blue gets a starting position this season, I have to think it will be at either the 2 or the 3, and it will mean one of our two best players are injured, which I really don't like to think about.

[willie warrior]

Don't forget Buzz's mantra that he wants to recruit a 1 every year.

And now we have many lobbying for Blue to be the Point.

Think about the above. By the time JC is a senior, with Blue also playing Point and recruiting a Point each year, we will have 5, count them 5, points on the roster.

Sounds ridiculous to me.

[chren21]

Our best lineup....  Junior or Smith, DJO, Blue, Butler, Crowder

We are not over hyping Vander.  I like to think I have somewhat of an eye for talent, with that being said he is going to be a stud.  This is just my opinion though.  Let's wait and see what happens.  When I review the box score from the Washington game ( + others) last year and look at the minutes played and who played them my expectations for this year go up and up.

[MerrittsMustache]

Reggie Smith to me..will emerge as the guy who will command half if not 75% of minutes allocated to a true "point guard," and Buzz very well may not choose to play a traditional point guard at times.

Reggie isn't a "true point guard" either.

[GGGG]

Don't forget Buzz's mantra that he wants to recruit a 1 every year.

"Mantra?" 

You guys are way overblowing what was basically an off-handed comment.  He wants to recruit guards capable of playing the point every year.  That means we are going to get some pure point guards (like Junior), but a bunch of combo guards (like Buycks, Reggie, Blue and DWil)

Yet again, you are making the mistake of trying to pigeon hole players by specific positions, when Buzz doesn't seem to see it that way.

[willie warrior]

"Mantra?" 

You guys are way overblowing what was basically an off-handed comment.  He wants to recruit guards capable of playing the point every year.  That means we are going to get some pure point guards (like Junior), but a bunch of combo guards (like Buycks, Reggie, Blue and DWil)

Yet again, you are making the mistake of trying to pigeon hole players by specific positions, when Buzz doesn't seem to see it that way.

I have no problems with some players being "wing" type to play multiple positions, but some players must be "pigeon holed" as you say in order to compete in BEast. Otule and Gardner are definitely post/power players, and we need to have more than two for Conference play. Ending up with 5 points limits your abilityy to play big. We are not going to win BEast titles and advance into NCAA without some reliable power players. The philosophy of playing a 6'5" Hayward or 6'7" Butler (not their true positions) in the post may be OK for the Prairie Views but won't get the job done in big time games.

So yes, you do need to pigeon hole some players as Point and Post and not get 6 wings, 4 points and 1 or 2 tweeners for post.

[willie warrior]

Our best lineup....  Junior or Smith, DJO, Blue, Butler, Crowder

We are not over hyping Vander.  I like to think I have somewhat of an eye for talent, with that being said he is going to be a stud.  This is just my opinion though.  Let's wait and see what happens.  When I review the box score from the Washington game ( + others) last year and look at the minutes played and who played them my expectations for this year go up and up.

I do not disagree that this is best line-up, except in games with big matchups, you have to give Otule/Gardner/Fulce 30 minutes per game.

[GGGG]

I have no problems with some players being "wing" type to play multiple positions, but some players must be "pigeon holed" as you say in order to compete in BEast. Otule and Gardner are definitely post/power players, and we need to have more than two for Conference play. Ending up with 5 points limits your abilityy to play big. We are not going to win BEast titles and advance into NCAA without some reliable power players. The philosophy of playing a 6'5" Hayward or 6'7" Butler (not their true positions) in the post may be OK for the Prairie Views but won't get the job done in big time games.

So yes, you do need to pigeon hole some players as Point and Post and not get 6 wings, 4 points and 1 or 2 tweeners for post.

My point is that you bring up playing time and saying we will have five points on the roster.  The fact is that with many of these guys, Buzz can mix and match line ups depending on the opposition.  So by the time he is a senior, Junior might be on the floor with Reggie and DWil at the same time.  Now one of them may be the primary point, but that doesn't mean that the others have no role to play.

I think it is more accurate to say that Buzz wants guards who can play point in every class.