Acker returns
Maurice Acker has re-joined MU, coach Buzz Williams said on Saturday afternoon.
The senior point guard had left the team a little over two months ago in order to concentrate on academics.
"He was on track to graduate in the fall, and he's going to need probably six more hours in the spring," said Williams. "This summer, all he did was focus academically, he did fine, and this has been going on over the last couple of weeks. I talked to his dad, talked to his mom over the phone, face-to-face, and they think it's the right thing for him.
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/56109252.html
Someone want to explain how he went from "on track to graduate in December" to "needs 2 more classes in the spring" while doing "fine" in the summer sessions?
Interesting move that solves the extra scholie dilemma. Overall should be a net positive for the squad.
In response to the return of Mo Acker, Yahoo has revised it's preseason power rankings and put MU at number 7.
This totally helps MU, but I don't know if it will make us that much better.
I'm getting dizzy from all the moves this August!
I'm going to sit down and let this "Acker returning" digest.
Wondering why he was allowed back on the team???
Buzz was able to pull some strings and get Mo his medical marijuana card just in time for he fall semester. Ladies and gentleman the captain has turned on the smoking light!
I can't say how much this helps us but it certainly doesn't hurt us. I am happy to have Mo back on the squad and hope to see him really contribute this year much like he has the past couple years.
I mean lets face it, MU has been leaning pretty liberal these days and has been trying me become more green......well I'd say this move is pretty green ;)
But but but, Acker isn't a Big East caliber player. I don't get it.
Using pink moving forward so Hayward can understand
"Crean signed a lot of non BE caliber players...Acker all by himself demonstrated he was not BE caliber. I dont think it is a stretch to say DJO, Junior, and Buycks are all significant upgreades to Acker already. Also, given Buzz's modus operandi he will be filling the vacancy with another player better than Acker before school starts.
Remember Buzz fills late openings with guys like Butler and Mboa, not guys like Blackledge and Berkowitz."
-- Mr. Hayward
Quote from: 77ncaachamps on August 29, 2009, 05:27:55 PM
I'm getting dizzy from all the moves this August!
I'm going to sit down and let this "Acker returning" digest.
Dizzy is not the word. Is it strange, weird, delusional, smart, I have no clue.
Now who's the starting point guard and does this effect Junior at all.
Obviously the Junior can't play this year story is only a week or two away.
I LOVE this. Mo has played in the Big East, and I hope Junior plays 38 mins/game and is great... but, this is big time college ball, and a seasoned pg vet is welcomed by me like no other. Also, the Vikings run all things in NFL football.
Huh. Well, I didn't see that coming. Good thing I never removed Roseboro form the scholarship table. Now I can just edit it once and kill two birds with one stone. :-\
Sixteen months in, the way I describe Buzz' tenure to present is scattered -- we are all over the fucking place.
Why not?
Don't give a "four year scholly" to a Horizon League pg this late in the game(which is all you'll find) when we can just keep our Horizon League caliber pg one more year.
MU needs dept at gaurd, and I am glad he's back. What if something happens to JR or Buycks, it's good to know there's some experience on the bench. I don't want to see Cubbie running the point.
Good move by Buzz. I'll never complain about having too many point guards (remember 2005?).
Quote from: Fullodds on August 29, 2009, 07:44:08 PM
Good move by Buzz. I'll never complain about having too many point guards (remember 2005?).
I remember Joe Chapman running point against Cinncy, and absolutely getting embarrassed.
QuoteWondering why he was allowed back on the team???
He must have pounded a pint of vinegar and deleted his "connection" from his cellie.
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on August 29, 2009, 05:49:08 PM
But but but, Acker isn't a Big East caliber player. I don't get it.
Using pink moving forward so Hayward can understand
"Crean signed a lot of non BE caliber players...Acker all by himself demonstrated he was not BE caliber. I dont think it is a stretch to say DJO, Junior, and Buycks are all significant upgreades to Acker already. Also, given Buzz's modus operandi he will be filling the vacancy with another player better than Acker before school starts.
Remember Buzz fills late openings with guys like Butler and Mboa, not guys like Blackledge and Berkowitz."
-- Mr. Hayward
absolutely stand by that statement....Mo will not be ahead of DJO, Buycks, or Junior on the depth chart. However the experience of a 5th year senior with be a great benefit.
How is Chicos quoting me when he has me on ignore?....poser!
Quote from: reinko on August 29, 2009, 05:17:33 PM
Interesting move that solves the extra scholie dilemma. Overall should be a net positive for the squad.
They still have an extra scholarship.
This is nice and all, but my hope is that he doesn't see much of the floor.
This gives us another practice player and some one to bring in if the new guards get rattled by a press.
Quote from: bilsu on August 29, 2009, 10:00:01 PM
This gives us another practice player and some one to bring in if the new guards get rattled by a press.
Exactly. We know his upside...it's not much more than what we have seen already. But my guess is that we will need him to calm things down at times. But Buycks and Junior are simply better basketball players.
Quote from: CAINMUTINY on August 29, 2009, 05:43:10 PM
Ladies and gentleman the captain has turned on the smoking light!
Post of the year.
Who paid his parking tickets?
great news! Mo will help these young guards.
Mo's return is good ofr the team - we weren't going to backfill Mo with his one year left on his scholie thie year, adn we have Roseboro's to bacnk for next year. So net net it's all good!
Glad to see him back.
Quote from: Jay Bee on August 29, 2009, 06:05:40 PM
Also, the Vikings run all things in NFL football.
dude. boo.
also, the smoking warrior = BEST. IDEA. EVER.
Why is anybody excited over this?
Acker is not BEast material. He cannot shoot and is too small to play D.
He will only ride the pines. If MU plays him, we are hurting!
Agree -- Hope he doesn't take too much time away from the young guards.
Can we talk about the elephant in the room? It's widely rumored that Mo either failed a drug test, or was caught in some fashion, giving reason to him leaving the team in the first place.
So what are the rules in this regard? Wouldn't that have rendered him ineligible, or create a suspension scenario for him?
How is he back on the team?
Or is the fact that he's now back on the team evidence that the drug rumor was not correct?
(Oh, and to those of you who think Mo isn't "Big East material" .. please. He was signed by a BE coach. Played significant minutes, started a number of games, did indeed contribute more than he was a detriment (which can't be said about all non-starters) and oh, yeah, was just re-signed by another BE coach, who obviously believes he has value. Stick that in your pipe and smoke it. And then get the munchies. 8-) )
Quote from: mu_hilltopper on August 30, 2009, 08:58:17 AM
Can we talk about the elephant in the room? It's widely rumored that Mo either failed a drug test, or was caught in some fashion, giving reason to him leaving the team in the first place.
So what are the rules in this regard? Wouldn't that have rendered him ineligible, or create a suspension scenario for him?
How is he back on the team?
Or is the fact that he's now back on the team evidence that the drug rumor was not correct?
(Oh, and to those of you who think Mo isn't "Big East material" .. please. He was signed by a BE coach. Played significant minutes, started a number of games, did indeed contribute more than he was a detriment (which can't be said about all non-starters) and oh, yeah, was just re-signed by another BE coach, who obviously believes he has value. Stick that in your pipe and smoke it. And then get the munchies. 8-) )
Bringing someone back who failed a drugs test is something I'd expect from the slimy Tom Crean.
The more things change, the more they stay the same?
Wow,
Didn't expect this to happen. I've supported Buzz and most of his decisions. I think he's got the program heading in the right direction but I don't really like this decision. It does feel a bit slimy but in the big basketball picture it will add a safety net for Junior and Dwight Buycks as the get their feet wet in BEAST play.
Quote from: mu_hilltopper on August 30, 2009, 08:58:17 AM
Can we talk about the elephant in the room? It's widely rumored that Mo either failed a drug test, or was caught in some fashion, giving reason to him leaving the team in the first place.
So what are the rules in this regard? Wouldn't that have rendered him ineligible, or create a suspension scenario for him?
How is he back on the team?
Or is the fact that he's now back on the team evidence that the drug rumor was not correct?
It's definitely evidence that he didn't fail a test. The tests are conducted by the NCAA and a failure is a automatic suspension for 1 year. There's really no way of getting around that.
Quote from: MR.HAYWARD on August 29, 2009, 08:29:50 PM
absolutely stand by that statement....Mo will not be ahead of DJO, Buycks, or Junior on the depth chart. However the experience of a 5th year senior with be a great benefit.
How is Chicos quoting me when he has me on ignore?....poser!
Maybe Buzz feels the aforementioned need some senior leadership. Truly ignorant to think all three guys you mentioned are better than acker when they have yet to play a minute in the BE yet.
That is the problem with these boards is that anyone can post some kind of story and we do not know what is true or not. If it is something bad, people tend to believe it. Maybe Acker did something wrong. Maybe he did not, but believed he be done with school by December as originally reported and felt it was not worth it to him to practice and not play much. Now he will be here the whole season and he feels like playing or maybe Buzz only wanted him if he was going to play the whole season. It is hard to question decisions we know nothing about. I for one believe he is a valuable addition and I am glad he is back.
Quote from: 79Warrior on August 30, 2009, 11:47:15 AM
Maybe Buzz feels the aforementioned need some senior leadership. Truly ignorant to think all three guys you mentioned are better than acker when they have yet to play a minute in the BE yet.
Hayward, when someone else quotes you, I can see you. That's the only way. Otherwise I'd have to take you off ignore, which I'm not going to do. Has your son gone to Coach K's camp yet?
Quote from: Brewtown Andy on August 30, 2009, 10:33:18 AM
It's definitely evidence that he didn't fail a test. The tests are conducted by the NCAA and a failure is a automatic suspension for 1 year. There's really no way of getting around that.
Yes. Although the NCAA's drug testing only covers "street drugs" during tournament time. Marquette can (I don't know if they do) test for street drugs during the season.
I just assumed he left Marquette since Jerel was done.
Quote from: mu_hilltopper on August 30, 2009, 08:58:17 AM
Can we talk about the elephant in the room? It's widely rumored that Mo either failed a drug test, or was caught in some fashion, giving reason to him leaving the team in the first place.
So what are the rules in this regard? Wouldn't that have rendered him ineligible, or create a suspension scenario for him?
How is he back on the team?
Or is the fact that he's now back on the team evidence that the drug rumor was not correct?
(Oh, and to those of you who think Mo isn't "Big East material" .. please. He was signed by a BE coach. Played significant minutes, started a number of games, did indeed contribute more than he was a detriment (which can't be said about all non-starters) and oh, yeah, was just re-signed by another BE coach, who obviously believes he has value. Stick that in your pipe and smoke it. And then get the munchies. 8-) )
Link Please!
Maybe he WASN'T on track to graduate and his decision to leave hurt his ability to complete his undergraduate degree so with Brett gone and Junior's status up in the air, Buzz reached out to him (or Mo and fam reached out to Buzz) and this "re-"signing was created.
I dunno.
But I'd like to know the real reason behind all of this!
The kid was probably burnt out from eating and sleeping bball since junior high. His friends were all leaving and he did not want to be a role player with younger guys ahead of him. But, while sitting on his couch it might have hit him that this is pretty much the last time in his life he will get to play basketball at this level. Even if he some how makes a foreign team, he will not be playing at the BC or Madison Square Garden, and he certainly will not make ESPN ever again. So, when MU randomly had an opening right before school started, why not take the coach up on his offer to play in a system you know?
I think it's great. Freshman are always going to make mistakes and I think having Coobs and Acker there to break presses and manage the tempo in a close road game will help tremendously.
It can't hurt. Especially when we had two open roster spots, Mbao will sit some games, and Fulce's health is still being brought up. In all honesty a tiny guard isn't a huge help, but it helps nonetheless.
The young man's scholarship should be honored if he wants it, as long as whatever "happened" didn't equate to lowering our standards for personal conduct. Like it or not, the team is idolized on campus and that means more visibility and probably a higher standard than for the rest of the student body.
Quote from: radome on August 31, 2009, 08:07:26 AM
The young man's scholarship should be honored if he wants it, as long as whatever "happened" didn't equate to lowering our standards for personal conduct. Like it or not, the team is idolized on campus and that means more visibility and probably a higher standard than for the rest of the student body.
While I generally agree, if he did partake in the activities in which it has been suggested, I think that he should be cut a break. Unless he is a serial offender of some sort.
I agree in that if what was rumored is true, he should be cut a break. Its not like it was a performance enhancer....
Quote from: 77ncaachamps on August 30, 2009, 01:16:43 PM
But I'd like to know the real reason behind all of this!
For me, it's pretty simple.
Back in June all seemed golden inside the AL. We had an unreal class coming in that featured a stud PG and two other players who could cover that spot. At the same time, Mo was into some
kind of transgression that ran afoul of player conduct. Buzz said enough of that and off to the books for the diminutive PG.
Fast forward to the end of August where we see our stud PG hasn't been able to participate and is behind schedule and perhaps we have to rely on Buycks and Odom more for scoring so their use at PG would mitigate their best quality. Throw in a kid who got freaked and went home and a scholarship is now open for a team that suddenly could use not only another body but preferably one that is at least familiar with the PG spot.
Aha: Maurice Acker re-joins the program.
Quote from: The Golden Avalanche on August 31, 2009, 09:23:12 AM
For me, it's pretty simple.
Back in June all seemed golden inside the AL. We had an unreal class coming in that featured a stud PG and two other players who could cover that spot. At the same time, Mo was into some kind of transgression that ran afoul of player conduct. Buzz said enough of that and off to the books for the diminutive PG.
Fast forward to the end of August where we see our stud PG hasn't been able to participate and is behind schedule and perhaps we have to rely on Buycks and Odom more for scoring so their use at PG would mitigate their best quality. Throw in a kid who got freaked and went home and a scholarship is now open for a team that suddenly could use not only another body but preferably one that is at least familiar with the PG spot.
Aha: Maurice Acker re-joins the program.
Simple? Seems like a lot of assumptions being made...
-This rumored "transgression". We still have nothing but rumors floating around with little to back them.
-The fact that a scholarship was freed up in June, when Acker initially decided not to return. When Roseboro left there were TWO open scholarships for this season, and there still is one now that Acker is back.
-As far as being behind schedule and not able to participate, which player, Acker or Cadougan, actually worked out and played ball this summer, and which one, by Buzz's own words, may not have even picked up a basketball? Yes Acker has years of experience behind him, but he has the same amount of experience playing with the six newcomers as Cadougan does and less overall talent.
I really don't think we can find a simple explanation. Not that the explanation we're being given isn't filled with giant holes: the communications major who needed one quality semester into his fifth year to graduate but now is said to have needed the summer, the aforementioned semester, and two more classes in the spring decided through lengthy talks involving his coach and his parents that he would also return to basketball on top of it after not playing the entire summer.
Guys....we aren't owed any additional explanation and none will be forthcoming. He's back and everyone on the team seems happy about it. It's probably best to leave it for what it is and stop speculating about what we don't know.
Quote from: The Sultan of South Wayne on August 31, 2009, 10:43:38 AM
Guys....we aren't owed any additional explanation and none will be forthcoming. He's back and everyone on the team seems happy about it. It's probably best to leave it for what it is and stop speculating about what we don't know.
Exactly. Only the involved parties have the full story, and I'm sure it will stay that way. Nobody on here is owed an explanation.
Quote from: chapman on August 31, 2009, 09:56:29 AM
Simple? Seems like a lot of assumptions being made...
-This rumored "transgression". We still have nothing but rumors floating around with little to back them.
-The fact that a scholarship was freed up in June, when Acker initially decided not to return. When Roseboro left there were TWO open scholarships for this season, and there still is one now that Acker is back.
-As far as being behind schedule and not able to participate, which player, Acker or Cadougan, actually worked out and played ball this summer, and which one, by Buzz's own words, may not have even picked up a basketball? Yes Acker has years of experience behind him, but he has the same amount of experience playing with the six newcomers as Cadougan does and less overall talent.
I really don't think we can find a simple explanation. Not that the explanation we're being given isn't filled with giant holes: the communications major who needed one quality semester into his fifth year to graduate but now is said to have needed the summer, the aforementioned semester, and two more classes in the spring decided through lengthy talks involving his coach and his parents that he would also return to basketball on top of it after not playing the entire summer.
Call it naivete. Call it experience. When 15 people have mentioned what they heard regarding the decision to leave, it's more then an assumption as to what happened. Personally, I don't give a crap about what took place. In fact, I think that substance should be used more widely then it is --- for a lot of people.
Fair enough with the scholarships but that doesn't take into account what happened with the Clearinghouse. The feeling in June was a lot different then after seeing the Clearinghouse force Cadougan on his ass for two months. You also have to remember that Buzz was working very hard to fill that open scholarship with recruits who were late qualifiers.
And you're foolhardy to suggest anything other then Cadougan being behind schedule. I'm not saying it will lead to any negative play (not like we'd have anything to measure against) but not being able to be on campus with his teammates and in the MU strength program IS being behind schedule. It will probably be made up in a few sessions and be no big issue.
In the end, we all have blinders on with regard to something in our lives.
Quote from: schubert33 on August 29, 2009, 07:55:01 PM
I remember Joe Chapman running point against Cinncy, and absolutely getting embarrassed.
My buddies and I were at the MU-SLU game that year in the Lou where it went double-OT and MU won 55-51 without Diener. That game itself set offensive basketball back 20 years. Both teams shot around 30% from the field.
If there is any argument that you can never have enough experienced PGs, that's the game to look it. Chapman ran the point and was not good it to say the least.
Quote from: GOMU1104 on August 31, 2009, 10:49:59 AM
Exactly. Only the involved parties have the full story, and I'm sure it will stay that way. Nobody on here is owed an explanation.
Except of course when it's another team reinstating players for these types of things and we all fly off the handle. ;)
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on August 31, 2009, 12:09:17 PM
Except of course when it's another team reinstating players for these types of things and we all fly off the handle. ;)
did i miss a police report or a press release from MU? if so, can someone please post the link. i don't fly off the handle at other school's rumors, so i would hope to not fly off the handle for our own schools rumors.
i make comments when kids are arrested or disciplined by the school for the specific infraction, then they go back on it. however, to have a kid leave the team to focus on schoolwork and have someone state that it's for something else... sorry not a credible source. i apologize if i missed the report if there is one.
grow up people. these are kids that some of you are way to involved in their lives. i for one am happy to have an experienced point guard back on the team. at least we know we have one player that can singlehandedly break a big east press.
Quote from: The Sultan of South Wayne on August 31, 2009, 08:09:37 AM
While I generally agree, if he did partake in the activities in which it has been suggested, I think that he should be cut a break. Unless he is a serial offender of some sort.
I have never, at my time at MU, partaken in what the accused has been suspected in doing. I find it atrocious and repulsive and does not represent the student body in the least. If I had even known someone to partake in such deviant behavior I would want them kicked out of my classroom/dorm room/apartment without so much a second to think it over. We then could call that individual a vile human compared to my, and others, prestigious existence.
The only positive I see, on a basketball level, is the knowledge of other players in the league and what it takes to continue through a full season. Even at that it is a stretch. He didn't play that many minutes until DJ was out last year. He was for certain serviceable, there is no doubt about that-but he also had the help of Rel and Wes in controlling the point.
I don't see him playing that many minutes this year--but they will be vital the ones that he does-i.e. the three newcomers are going through growing pains on the road, foul trouble, bad game, injuries, etc.
Thinking on the positive...
We have two spots open-
Ack fills one spot
Ack has had BEast experience
Ack has played under Williams
Ack has 1 year left so it does not occupy the scholie given away for next year
Ack fills in better than a walk-on
Ack
probably missed playing and is playing with renewed vigor
Quote from: MU gimp ONE on August 31, 2009, 12:42:48 PM
did i miss a police report or a press release from MU? if so, can someone please post the link.
Nope, you didn't miss either. I don't recall seeing one for Zack McCall either.
Quote from: hdog1017 on August 31, 2009, 12:03:43 PM
My buddies and I were at the MU-SLU game that year in the Lou where it went double-OT and MU won 55-51 without Diener. That game itself set offensive basketball back 20 years. Both teams shot around 30% from the field.
If there is any argument that you can never have enough experienced PGs, that's the game to look it. Chapman ran the point and was not good it to say the least.
I was at that game as well with my buddies and it was one of the worst Marquette game experiences I've ever had. And I was at the Final Four. Well maybe it wasn't that bad...