Gardner

[thowell]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grX8lBoVULk

[bamamarquettefan]

Wow, what was that, EIGHT and-ones and converted the free throw on the first seven.  Nothing but net except for two scraping the front rim.  Quick feet and nice hands both distributing and catching etc.

Granted, the other team had noone who could match his size, so you have to discount him overpowering everybody.

[77ncaachamps]

King's Fork looked like Mini-Marquette with their ball movement in those clips!
Gardner getting in on the action too! Good news!

I hope Reggie, et al, steal the ball weakside from him to teach him a lesson on protecting the ball and moving swiftly on the block.

EDIT: I love this picture from the Petersburg Elite site (Davante's AAU team):



Caption reads: Davante SHATTERS BACKBOARD IN PITTSBURGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[CAINMUTINY]

Loving the way he can pass the ball!

[MarkCharles]

Check out the video of Reggie Smith linked on the side of the Gardner video. This kid can fly. I'm seeing why he keeps getting compared to Dominic.

Gardner seems like a nice player. I like the way he moves. He certainly doesn't carry himself like a 290 pounder.

[Dawson Rental]

EDIT: I love this picture from the Petersburg Elite site (Davante's AAU team):

It's great to know that the team has someone with this capability for those games when we've run out of timeouts!

[NavinRJohnson]

I'm not suggesting he is as good (yet, anyway), but he does look good around the basket...Reminds me a DeJuan Blair. If he can play with the effort and tenacity Buzz's teams have become known for, he could  be a real bitch.

[Dawson Rental]

I'm not suggesting he is as good (yet, anyway), but he does look good around the basket...Reminds me a DeJuan Blair. If he can play with the effort and tenacity Buzz's teams have become known for, he could  be a real bitch.

Or more hopefully, opposing centers could be his bitches.

[Nukem2]

Guy has some obvious skills and size.  But, as he showed at the MKE Pro-Am on Saturday, he has a lot of work to get himself in shape to play any kind of solid minutes.  Could be a serious candidate for a redshirt to get better conditioned...?

[NavinRJohnson]

Guy has some obvious skills and size.  But, as he showed at the MKE Pro-Am on Saturday, he has a lot of work to get himself in shape to play any kind of solid minutes.  Could be a serious candidate for a redshirt to get better conditioned...?

With 3-4 months before practice even starts, I have to believe that process is already underway, and (not having seen him), I see no reason to believe he can't make serious progress in that area before the season even starts.

[tower912]

If he commits to what Todd Smith tells him, he will be fine.   

[Blackhat]

He's not close to Dejuan Blair besides the girth factor.   No explosion whatsoever.   Robert Jackson-like game.  Good touch around rim but I honestly don't see his style fitting in with the length and quickness on our roster.

[OhioGoldenEagle]

He's not close to Dejuan Blair besides the girth factor.   No explosion whatsoever.   Robert Jackson-like game.  Good touch around rim but I honestly don't see his style fitting in with the length and quickness on our roster.

I disagree here.  Not only do I think he can be a force on the boards, which helps any team regardless of their style of play, I think he can actually be a "change of pace" guy on the offensive side of the ball.  Dump it in to him and let him back down his opponent for a paint shot or potential kick out to one of our sharpshooters.  I think he is a great addition!

[rocky_warrior]

No explosion whatsoever.   Robert Jackson-like game. 

Didn't RJax help us get to the final four?  Maybe explosiveness is overrated.

[mikem91288]

Man I love Jackson, if Devontae was the next RJax that might just be what we need to get back to the final four.

[tower912]

He is big and strong, has good hands and good feet.    Those are great building blocks.    The conditioning, the explosion, will come in time if he works hard enough.   

[Blackhat]

Game is similar but definitely not as good as RJax. 

He's a frosh so we'll see if he can get his conditioning in order.

His style doesn't fit with a Buzz roster of fast long guys than maybe R Jax did in a Crean roster with Novak, Diener, Todd Townsend, etc. 

[ATWizJr]

Or more hopefully, opposing centers could be his bitches.

Yes, stated much better.

[bilsu]

You do not necessarily need size for every game. You need size to stop the team that has a bigman they can keep dumping inside to. NC St games come to mind here. We were up in the first half. In the second half NC ST just kept taking right to the basket and Butler was not big enough to stop it. Having Otule and Gardner in that game last year would have made a difference.

[NersEllenson]

Game is similar but definitely not as good as RJax. 

He's a frosh so we'll see if he can get his conditioning in order.

His style doesn't fit with a Buzz roster of fast long guys than maybe R Jax did in a Crean roster with Novak, Diener, Todd Townsend, etc. 

Keep in mind we saw Robert Jackson as a 5th year senior, and Davante is not even a first-year freshman yet.  As for style, most possesions won't result in a fast break lay-up, and even as athletic as the team is - we will have to run half court stuff.  If we can dump down, and have an effective threat - that will be a good option to have.  I think Buzz loves athletic, long guys for defensive purposes, more so than offensive..plus the NBA game is going the way of the long athletic type too..but that doesn't mean guys like DeJuan Blair or guys with Gardner's build can't be successful at this level or the next..even when flanked by the greyhounds..

[MerrittsMustache]

As a frosh, Robert Jackson averaged 13.1 minutes and about 6 points and 4 boards. He then averaged 13.2ppg, 7.3rpg and shot 56.6% from the floor over his final 3 college seasons.

If Gardner becomes even a poor man's version of Robert Jackson, MU fans should be ecstatic.

[Blackhat]

Gardner has a better chance of not being with the team next year then having R Jax's career.

[bilsu]

Game is similar but definitely not as good as RJax. 

He's a frosh so we'll see if he can get his conditioning in order.

His style doesn't fit with a Buzz roster of fast long guys than maybe R Jax did in a Crean roster with Novak, Diener, Todd Townsend, etc. 

Fast breaks often start with a bigman getting the rebound and passing the ball upcourt. Very few bigmen lead a fast break.

[kmwtrucks]

He has great skill, Soft hands, Soft Touch, real good passer and dribbler for 4-5.  He has to be one of our best FT shooter's on the team already.  He has dropped 50lbs in the last year.  I think it will take a year to get into the kind of shape he will need to be in too contribute, and if he works hard with Todd (seems to be one of the toughest S&C coach's) I think he has a real chance to surprise in his Soph year.  Its much easier to teach S&C then it is dribbling, shooting, passing, Hands and Touch.

[willie warrior]

Here is hoping that Gardner becomes a stud by his Soph year.

[MerrittsMustache]

Gardner has a better chance of not being with the team next year then having R Jax's career.

You were the one who compared him to Jackson in the first place.

[Mobot]

Game is similar but definitely not as good as RJax. 

[MerrittsMustache]

He's not close to Dejuan Blair besides the girth factor.   No explosion whatsoever.   Robert Jackson-like game.  Good touch around rim but I honestly don't see his style fitting in with the length and quickness on our roster.

[bilsu]

This thread is a good way to make a player feel like he is not wanted. I really do not understand the need to degrade a player before official practice even begins. Seems to me there were some people posting on this board after midnight madness that Butler was a wasted scholarship. The fact is we do not know how good a new player will be this year or in the future. Generally, it is going to take a new player at least a year to develope.

[LON]

This thread is a good way to make a player feel like he is not wanted. I really do not understand the need to degrade a player before official practice even begins. Seems to me there were some people posting on this board after midnight madness that Butler was a wasted scholarship. The fact is we do not know how good a new player will be this year or in the future. Generally, it is going to take a new player at least a year to develope.

+1

I mean, wow, just wow.  Crapping all over him after watching a Pro-Am game = poor form

[BrewCity83]

We should wait at least 3-5 years before we can judge him.

[Blackhat]

If Davante is reading this:

Welcome to the big leagues.

Heck if Murf made Diener one of the best MU pg's with his criticism then Gardner will have a helluva career.

[Nukem2]

+1

I mean, wow, just wow.  Crapping all over him after watching a Pro-Am game = poor form

I don't think most here are crapping on Ox.  Just noting that he has work to do in the conditioning area.  Valid observation.

[GGGG]

+1

I mean, wow, just wow.  Crapping all over him after watching a Pro-Am game = poor form

People aren't "crapping all over him."  No one is saying he was a waste of a scholarship or anything like that.

They are pointing out positives and negatives to his game.  No biggie.

[mu-rara]

On the one hand, criticizing a guys game after watching him in a glorified pick up game (no criticism of the ProAm intended) is ridiculous.  Wait until after a month of practice, at least.  Remember these are freshmen.  They will (or maybe won't) develop.

On the other making legitimate observations, such as the need for a conditioning program, is just good observation.  I would hope that this board isn't the first time they heard some of this.  If it is, Buzz and staff are not being real with the recruits.  I seriously doubt that is the case.

[bilsu]

Gardner has a better chance of not being with the team next year then having R Jax's career.

This was definately crapping on him and the post that really got me mad.

[Blackhat]

 I should have put it nicer and said from his lack of intensity and struggles in the pick up game he may be the last guy off the bench for MU.      

And we know the last guy off the bench type player hasn't lasted long in Buzz's program.  

Hopefully he picks it up this weekend.

[GGGG]

This was definately crapping on him and the post that really got me mad.

OK...I will grant you that.

[Golden Avalanche]

I should have put it nicer and said from his lack of intensity and struggles in the pick up game he may be the last guy off the bench for MU.      

And we know the last guy off the bench type player hasn't lasted long in Buzz's program.  

Hopefully he picks it up this weekend.

Just to be clear, your opinion is based on all of one game?

[Blackhat]

Technically two games...but yeah.   

Nice touch around the hoop but he can't keep up at his weight and he doesn't jump. 

[AZWarrior]

Technically two games...but yeah.   

Nice touch around the hoop but he can't keep up at his weight and he doesn't jump. 

Stone - I think you are out of line here.  Its unfair to make statements like this, especially considering he hasn't attended even one MU practice.

[NersEllenson]

Technically two games...but yeah.   

Nice touch around the hoop but he can't keep up at his weight and he doesn't jump. 

Generally like your thought process Stone - but I too am not on board with your opinions on Gardner...it is early, and let's keep in mind he was 1st Team All-State in Virginia, and Virginia turns out some very good hoops talent..and if I'm not mistaken, Davante beat out several 4 star recruits in VA to be named All-State.

[tower912]

It's July.   He will look better in 3 months for Midnight madness.     

[Dawson Rental]

Game is similar but definitely not as good as RJax. 

He's a frosh so we'll see if he can get his conditioning in order.

His style doesn't fit with a Buzz roster of fast long guys than maybe R Jax did in a Crean roster with Novak, Diener, Todd Townsend, etc. 

Oh, I definitely agree.  Now we just have to figure how to get the word out to Buzz.  Anybody have Buzz's address?

[DJO's Pump Fake]

Gardner had a heck of a time trying to run up anddown the court today. Needs a lot of conditioning work before he is ready to contribute.

[HoopsMalone]

Gardner is a freshman big.  We can hope for some production out of him, but it doesn't happen often.  He will be great to have in practice, but anything we get out of Gardner in the game is icing on top.  It is unfair to give him expectations any higher than that.  He will be a nice piece in a 2 years.

It's time for Otule to step up.  Fulce also needs to consistently produce like he did at the end of last season.  Fulce and Otule are huge x-factors this year, not Gardner.

[Dawson Rental]

Technically two games...but yeah.  

Nice touch around the hoop but he can't keep up at his weight and he doesn't jump.  

I have very high expectations for Gardner's MU career, yet I have to say that that one sentence of yours is just about a perfect statement of where he is at this point.

Still, I see him making regular improvements in conditioning now that he's away from home.  I can see him contributing this year, only in short spurts.

I predict that a major point of discussion at this point next year will be; "How much better will Gardener be as a sophomore?"

A final point - How much better will Otule be on defense from practicing against Gardner and his nice touch around the hoop?

[bamamarquettefan]

We can't afford to redshirt Gardner for a year.  Prior to last season, we grabbed fewer than 24 rebounds only five times in 13 years.  Last year we failed to grab 24 rebounds FOUR times in just one season.  Whether he is ready to be a big factor or not, I don't see any way we can afford to redshirt Devante for a year.  We've simply got to get his size underneath.

20 rebounds: DePaul 51, #20 Marquette 72 (2002-2003)
20 rebounds: #10 Providence 81, #7 Marquette 59 (1996-1997)
21 rebounds: Marquette 71, #5 Syracuse 76 (2009-2010)
21 rebounds: Winthrop 71, Marquette 64 (2005-2006)
22 rebounds: Marquette 62, #6 West Virginia 63 (2009-2010)
22 rebounds: Washington 80, Marquette 78 (2009-2010)
23 rebounds: St. John's 55, Marquette 57 (2009-2010)
23 rebounds: Southern Miss 59, Marquette 50 (1998-1999)
23 rebounds: #16 Wisconsin 52, Marquette 47 (2000-2001)

[Dawson Rental]

We can't afford to redshirt Gardner for a year.  Prior to last season, we grabbed fewer than 24 rebounds only five times in 13 years.  Last year we failed to grab 24 rebounds FOUR times in just one season.  Whether he is ready to be a big factor or not, I don't see any way we can afford to redshirt Devante for a year.  We've simply got to get his size underneath.

20 rebounds: DePaul 51, #20 Marquette 72 (2002-2003)
20 rebounds: #10 Providence 81, #7 Marquette 59 (1996-1997)
21 rebounds: Marquette 71, #5 Syracuse 76 (2009-2010)
21 rebounds: Winthrop 71, Marquette 64 (2005-2006)
22 rebounds: Marquette 62, #6 West Virginia 63 (2009-2010)
22 rebounds: Washington 80, Marquette 78 (2009-2010)
23 rebounds: St. John's 55, Marquette 57 (2009-2010)
23 rebounds: Southern Miss 59, Marquette 50 (1998-1999)
23 rebounds: #16 Wisconsin 52, Marquette 47 (2000-2001)

Of course, we should be better just from (hopefully) having a healthy Otule and guards taller than 6'.

[texaswarrior74]

Gardner has a better chance of not being with the team next year then having R Jax's career.

What do you mean by this? Where is this coming from?