MUScoop

I hate to throw freshman into a hostile venue Saturday in Madison, but do we need Derrick Wilson to see some real minutes at point guard against Jordan Taylor?

Watching Taylor drive at will against a very good Brigham Young defense to draw double teams, then kick out to open three point shooters, I'm wondering if Derrick is our best shot at slowing him down.  I became curious when Buzz said Derrick was the best defensive freshman he had ever had.  Early on he reminds me of Dominic James and Michael Wilson, great lateral movement and football-like strength.

But I admit I am a stats guy, and others have a better "scout's eye."  I realize Junior runs our offense very well, and has a better chance of being patient enough to deal with Wisconsin's efforts to slow the game, but unlike Reggie Smith last year, Derrick has turned the ball over only 2 minutes in 67 minutes on the court. 
The Value Add formula ranked Taylor the top offensive player after he led the Badgers to the second most efficient offense in the country (117.6 points per 100 trips down the court) last year.  What's scary is that they were even better than that against a very good BYU defense last night at 122.00 in the 73-56 blowout win, and we can't win if we let Taylor have similar stats on Saturday (60 trips, 8-to-1 assists to turnover and 18 points on 15 shots).  We will see if the Badgers are still No. 2 in Pomeroy after playing UNC, but they look awefully good.

I'm starting with more than 15 minutes as my answer, but bring me back to earth on this.

Yes.   So does Mayo.   And whoever doesn't guard him needs to stay at home near the 3pt line.   Less thought of but probably of equal importance is....how is Buzz going to distribute the minutes up front?   Can DG or CO guard Wiscy's 3pt shooting 5's, or does Wilson see extensive minutes at the 5?

Quote from: tower912 on November 27, 2011, 05:19:59 PM
Less thought of but probably of equal importance is....how is Buzz going to distribute the minutes up front?   Can DG or CO guard Wiscy's 3pt shooting 5's, or does Wilson see extensive minutes at the 5?

That's a very good point - and if Wilson does play the 5, do we risk them blowing us out with offensive rebounds like last year.  Definitely a tough match-up - after watching them last night I was thinking my "40% chance of winning" from the earlier poll was a little high, but what a breakthrough if we do.

Would not be suprised if Vander Blue guards Taylor.

I expect Blue to spend the most time on Taylor as well.  Cadougan can guard Gasser or Brust.

Taylor's a tough assignment for either, but da freshman stands no chance vs. the AA.

I wasn't too impressed with BYU.  If Marquette shoots 10% from the 3-point line against a team that likes to pack it in, they'll loose big as well.  

I think they'll be very tough to beat at home, but I'd be shocked if Buzz gave Wilson many minutes at the 5.  I think CO and DG are perfectly capable of guarding the WI bigs from the outside.  It's not like they're hitting shots off the dribble or penetrating to the hoop.  They're not even coming hard off screens to hit quick catch and shoots.  Some make it sound like we're going up against a Garnett/Durant type big.  If they want to stand outside so be it, but our guards will need to keep their match-up in front of them and rebound well.  

In Bo's offense the reason he needs the bigs to hit is so that their defenders have to remain true when the guards penetrate or post up.  I think if we go with our traditional starting five and Vander/DJO take turns on Taylor we should be able to guard the other 4 options, plus Brust off the bench, easily enough.  Brust and Gasser are easy to man up if the defender can just stay home.  The only went 6 deep last night...that could play to MU's benefit as well.  I haven't followed UW closely, but if they can only go 6 deep, foul trouble will bite them away from home.  

Quote from: avid1010 on November 27, 2011, 06:05:36 PM
... It's not like they're hitting shots off the dribble or penetrating to the hoop....    The only went 6 deep last night...

Two more very good points, and both get my confidence back up a little of a potential upset.  I guess the key is whether we can get above 60 trips so that a 6-man rotation can't keep up.  i just looked through their games against top 150 teams this year and the last two seasons, and their record is:

60 trips or fewer: 27-11
61 trips or more: 10-7 (including the loss to Green Bay)