Kolek planning to go pro
I hate to bring this up, but the decision could be an indication of Buzz's future plans. Buzz is more likely to encourage Cadougan to red shirt, if Buzz plans on being here for the long run. If he views MU as a stepping stone, then he is going to do everything to win right away. That may of been part of the reason why Crean let Mbakwe play. I do believe Buzz is happy here and I expect him to stay a long time. I do not think Buzz is feeling the pressure to win this year to save his job, which would be another reason for Buzz to play Cadougan. I think the decision should be made by Cadougan's mother and I hope he does not play this year.
First off, you play your best players. This isn't middle school where you worry about player's feelings. These are grown men, treat them like them.Secondly, the BEAST is down this year... and we play an especially easy schedule from here on out. Thirdly, it isn't as if JC has been sitting on his butt and not doing anything basketball related. He works out everyday and I am sure there is plenty of things he can do to keep pace. I realize that there is nothing like being on the court at full speed, but lets be real here. He is working every day with a trainer. There is no way he is out of shape.
4. I scoff at the notion that Junior needs the experience because we lack PG options next year; I see 3. What about Reggie Smith? Vander Blue? Buycks?
Two freshman...one of whom doesn't play the position in high school...and Buycks. Have you seen Buycks with the ball?
I answered ABSOLUTELY NO to the poll in an earlier thread and still feel that way; some stream of consciousness reasons behind that thinking:3. Recent history says don't mess with a good thing on the hope that things can get even better. We totally tanked when Mbwake came back.
I'm still scoffing Sultan. If I get this right you think I'm nuts for thinking that Smith, Blue and Buycks might provide alternative options to Junior on the point. (I'm not a fan of Buycks with the ball by the way, but we're talking options here--I am following Smith here in CHI tho and am huge on Reggie.)And while I should be committed for suggesting two Freshman as potential alternatives, you want to bring a Freshman off a serious achilles injury, who hasn't even practiced, in NOW and give him the ball and say "go win us some BE games and get us into the tourney."
I answered ABSOLUTELY NO to the poll in an earlier thread and still feel that way; some stream of consciousness reasons behind that thinking:1. That's a serious injury, incurred late summer;give it plenty of time to heal.2. This team is developing some good chemistry with seniors that he would be taking P.T. from making the biggest contributions of their MU careers.3. Recent history says don't mess with a good thing on the hope that things can get even better. We totally tanked when Mbwake came back.4. I scoff at the notion that Junior needs the experience because we lack PG options next year; I see 3. What about Reggie Smith? Vander Blue? Buycks?5. Junior's undetermined "pro" future is tied in many ways to the presence of a solid big man. I don't see one in a 4 yr. horizon; one might show in 5.6. He was first mentally prepared to sit out. I say let him mentally, emotionally, hunger and all that, prepare for his time next year.
I think it's clear that Buzz is taking his time with this...making sure he's doing the right thing by Junior and the team.I will always believe Mbakwe was activated out of the blue because ESPN was in town for the game and a-hole thought it would excite fans and give the announcers something to talk about. He's absolutely that shallow.
Are you certain his first game back wasn't the Georgetown game at the end of Feb.?
Follow-up for you since this is how you feel. Why didn't he play McNeal against Michigan State in the NCAAs? McNeal said he could have played.
McNeal never had a glimmer of a chance to play vs. MSU. He just had surgery on that hand. His warm-up and uniform for he game was just a decoy thrown up by his coach.
Gotta respond to some smack and clarify positions I have taken on this thread, (lest someone think they'll blow some smack and I'll just go away):A guy on this thread (not Sultan) asked me to state my case for a strong NO vote on whether Junior should play this year tho it was just my opinion.I came up with six thoughts that I'm gonna hold on to. Chicos whacked me pretty good on the notion that we "totally tanked" (my words) after Mbwake came back. He had the evidence to back his point and I stand corrected. Then Sultan came in with his strong difference of opinion.I just continue to have such an empty (tanked) feeling the way the last two years have ended. That Brooke Lopez shot over Burke to end the '08 campaign (w/Jerel hurt) is as painful as last year's peter-out when DJ got hurt. And I contend that Mbwake's 1.5 ppg and 2.1 rpg contribution in '08 was debatable and maybe even hurt us. Finally another guy who often adds a +1 to Sultan's comments claimed most of my argument was hyperbole. Unless they've changed the definition, hyperbole means an obvious exaggeration, like "waiting for an eternity." Nothing in that post was an obvious and intended exaggeration.I don't mind the dissent, but get it right if you don't agree.
That Brooke Lopez shot over Burke to end the '08 campaign (w/Jerel hurt) is as painful as last year's peter-out when DJ got hurt.