Scholarship table
TAMUI do know, Newsie is right on you knowing ball.
I think grooming Duane at the point makes all the sense in the world, and you don't even need to alter Derrick's minutes one iota to do so.
Fine. Find a JUCO PG that we may not find or know how he will perform. We can keep our eye out. In the meantime, give the keys to Duane to see what he can do. We all know Derrick's abilities, and he won't be here next year. We should at least be seeing what Duane can do, which has not yet been done.
No...and after reading many many psosts from people on this board that do...I have to say I'm MUCH better off, if this is the type of "intelligence" a degree from MU gets you. It sure is on full display I will say that.
I wonder if there is any correlation between those posters that accuse a coach (like Buzz or Wojo) of throwing a season and those posters who actually wish that they would do so.
LOL - I'll take your bait MURS. I don't believe Wojo is "throwing this season." I stand by my belief that Buzz was giving admin a Big F You on the way out of town last year.Lastly, I assume you are implying that if we went to the lineup I suggested in this thread - that would be indicative of trying to throw the season?? Sorry, but just like last year, when you and some others preached patience, Buzz's teams get better, blah, blah - the same is holding true this year and will continue to hold true - we aren't going to win at a decent clip if nothing changes. Now, we may not win anymore if Wojo does make the change - but at least you are getting playing experience for the future, a diagnostic for the player and coach next year - and that is in the long term interests of the program. Period.
I'd say that all eight scholarship players are receiving plenty of playing time Ners. I've stood up for you on many occasions because I don't subscribe to the belief that coaches are perfect in their decision making. In this case I think you're wrong.Derrick Wilson is one of the best five players on this team this season. He was terrible last year. He's improved quite a bit since last season yet he is never going to be what your definition of a point guard should be. He had a awful night last night (as did many others). We can argue about potential but when the roster is eight deep and the playing time is fairly equitable thus far (it has been) I'd say everyone is having a chance at development this season.Is the four minute per game difference that Derrick gets (31.2) over Duane (27.2) the extra four minutes Duane needs to develop???Think about that for one second. You're complaining about what amounts to a medium length pop song on the radio in terms of minutes played per game. Over the course of a season it barely adds up to a feature length film.Do you really want to go on record saying that the amount of time it takes to watch The Shawshank Redemption is the reason why Duane Wilson won't reach his potential for next season?
While I'd obviously prefer to make the NCAAs, the NIT would make me happy, and that would actually benefit the kids. It would be a nice badge for seniors that missed all postseason last year, and playing those games would be a good experience for the young players that have never played a postseason tournament.
Why anyone would argue against guys earning minutes and for handing them out undeservedly is beyond me. Put in the work, get better, earn the minutes. It's hardly a difficult concept.All this stupid "give minutes for the sake of it" crap is why we have so many entitled kids that want everything handed to them.
It appears, from at least one poster who claims to be near the coaching staff, that the staff believes Cheatham to be the PG next year.
I, myself, am not close to the coaching staff. I was a manager my frosh year for Buzz/Autry during the DJO/Crowder Sweet 16 season. But the other manager in my class is still there (all the credit to him) and occasionally fills me in on things I am curious about. I've let him know I bring a little of what he says to this board and he doesn't mind.....so there.....no bridge burned.A few weeks back I asked him who Wojo was looking at to assume PG duties next year since Derrick and Matt will both be graduating. All he told me was that Duane could take the reigns but that the staff really loves the prospect of Haanif running the point. Of course that is months away, but it is worth discussing with opinions I respect on this board.
So, allegedly the staff believes that Cheatham will be the answer, so we do not try somebody now to see how he performs? Does not make sense. And besides, we have been told that Wojo wants to win now, so why not try it now. Lots can happen between now and next year that could make the "staff's" feelings change.
Do you really think a coaching staff comprised primarily of former elite college guards doesn't already know what Duane can do? That's why many think this whole line of reasoning is asinine. They know. Let me say that again -- THEY KNOWThey know that Derrick is the best option.
Brew - The problem is, that largely, based on the on floor play - It doesn't merit giving 35+ minutes per game in conference play. Particularly to a guy that isn't integral to the future of the program. At some point, when the lights are on, you HAVE to perform. Some coaches have a hard time trusting underclassmen. Plain and simple.
So like the last coaching staff, this coaching staff, can continue to beat the dead horse of playing Derrick Wilson 30+ minutes per game, and continuing to see us lose at a high rate. Or try an alternative, and at minimum see if it makes a difference for THIS season. (Not to mention gain valuable diagnostic data on Duane as a GAME (not practice) player at the PG position.)
And as the poster said - they feel Duane is a viable and capable option at the PG right now.So like the last coaching staff, this coaching staff, can continue to beat the dead horse of playing Derrick Wilson 30+ minutes per game, and continuing to see us lose at a high rate. Or try an alternative, and at minimum see if it makes a difference for THIS season. (Not to mention gain valuable diagnostic data on Duane as a GAME (not practice) player at the PG position.)
I want to win now and belief that Duane gives us more of a chance to win than Derrick.
I know people don't like aspects of Derrick's game, but right now turnovers are killing us. The reason Derrick is the primary ballhandler is because he can be trusted to protect the ball. Playing him only 10-15 minutes would almost certainly lead to more turnovers.Are there cases where the trade off might be worth it? Sure. But thus far, neither Duane nor Jajuan have proven they are at that level. Jajuan's shooting hasn't earned it and Duane's ballhandling hasn't earned it.Like him or not, we need what Derrick brings to that role, and I'm confident we will miss those parts of his game next year. I still have high hopes for both of those guys, but they will learn more and become better players if they earn time rather than just being thrown to the wolves and going it goes well.