Jimmy Butler, Jae Crowder, DJO - no doubt that MU's biggest contributors since Buzz's arrival have come from the Juco ranks. From the high school ranks there's been a little bit of everything - disappointment (E Williams), defections (Maymon, Smith), pleasant surprises (Otule, Gardner), question marks (J Jones) and "as advertised" (Blue, Cadougan).
This year's class was thought to be ok but nothing special - one low top 100 guy (Anderson) and two 3star guys (D Wilson and Mayo). I've been pleasantly surprised by Wilson and I love Anderson's potential, but Mayo has absolutely blown me away. He was statistically the best player on a team full of high major players last year but received very little love from the scouts/gurus (ESPN graded him at 89). I know it's a small sample and I'm sure there will be some freshman bumps in the road, but I see this guy as a star in the very near future. He can handle, shoot, attack the basket and make free throws. On defense he looks like anything but your typical freshman. I think he's the best high school player Buzz has signed.
He's confident, smooth and a VERY skilled scorer (TRADITIONAL, one might say). His moves to the basket are explosive but under control, and his shooting stroke is pure. His ability to score in chunks off the bench will be key to our success this year. Solid on D too. He's prone to some freshman mistakes, but he looks really promising thus far.
Last night I watched the entire Frosh class with interest. I'm pleased with what I see. All can contribute this year when called upon. Mayo looks to be an outstanding young player who will provide meaningful minutes (and points) off the bench with the second unit this year. I would not be shocked to see him slide into the #2 guard starting spot next year (with Blue staying at #3). Of course I'll be interested to see how he does against BEast competition.
You gotta think that the competition Mayo plays against in the off season is off the charts.
I think Mayo definitely has had and will have the shortest learning curve of Buzz's freshman thus far. To some extent, I think thats not surprising given that he's the little brother of a very successful player. Those types of guys tend to have shorter learning curves and not get intimidated after getting beat on all their lives. When they are finally the same size as their competition, they tend to be prepared and have short learning curves.
Now as for him being the best freshman, does that mean the best performing freshman or the best HS "get"? I still think that Vander will go on to be a more successful player when all is said and done and both have left MU. But as for producing and sliding into the rotation as a freshman, I agree that Mayo looks to be the most prepared to contribute right away. Natural scorer does seem an apt description for him at this point.
Quote from: Lennys Tap on November 29, 2011, 09:59:45 AM
Jimmy Butler, Jae Crowder, DJO - no doubt that MU's biggest contributors since Buzz's arrival have come from the Juco ranks. From the high school ranks there's been a little bit of everything - disappointment (E Williams), defections (Maymon, Smith), pleasant surprises (Otule, Gardner), question marks (J Jones) and "as advertised" (Blue, Cadougan).
This year's class was thought to be ok but nothing special - one low top 100 guy (Anderson) and two 3star guys (D Wilson and Mayo). I've been pleasantly surprised by Wilson and I love Anderson's potential, but Mayo has absolutely blown me away. He was statistically the best player on a team full of high major players last year but received very little love from the scouts/gurus (ESPN graded him at 89). I know it's a small sample and I'm sure there will be some freshman bumps in the road, but I see this guy as a star in the very near future. He can handle, shoot, attack the basket and make free throws. On defense he looks like anything but your typical freshman. I think he's the best high school player Buzz has signed.
I still think that Blue is going to end up being the best high school player Buzz has signed, but Mayo definitely appears to be the most ready. He would be starting and/or seeing big minutes for a lot of high D1 teams right now...and he'd likely get exposed occasionally due to his inexperience. Fortunately for MU, he has a very similarly skilled senior playing in front of him right now and I expect Todd to learn a lot from DJO this year. I have no doubt that Mayo is going to be a stud for MU.
The Blue-Mayo-Wilson trio is going to very potent over the next two years because they don't have to be the focus this year. Also, the nice thing is that Buzz appears to have the spare parts to put around them.
Mayo is so ... calm out on the court. That's the best word I can think of. It just looks like the guy is always under control and already understands the offense.
I really like Mayo so far. I think he is almost the Gardner of our guards meaning he can come of the bench and be very efficient in 10-15 mins of play
Quote from: DienerTime34 on November 29, 2011, 10:53:37 AM
Mayo is so ... calm out on the court. That's the best word I can think of. It just looks like the guy is always under control and already understands the offense.
That is probably because he has likely had more experience than most of our incomming players at playing at this pace.
Agree with everyone's commentary thus far. Thought it was evident in watching Mayo's highlight videos that he just had "it." You could see he understood tempo/rhythm. He can get guys on skates with shake/bake, and use of hesitation - has different release points on his shot - runners, bankers, floaters, and a pure jump shot stroke. Plus he played against top flight competition last year at Notre Dame prep and put up big numbers. I'm surprised with his results this far, yet not surprised -didn't think it would be quite so seamless of transition.
Mayo and Vander will be very good complementary players in their time at MU, while playing together, or even playing for each other. I do believe Mayo has the higher ceiling of the two, however.
Quote from: jfmu on November 29, 2011, 10:54:41 AM
I really like Mayo so far. I think he is almost the Gardner of our guards meaning he can come of the bench and be very efficient in 10-15 mins of play
My thoughts exactly. A perfect scoring punch off the bench at the 2 position that we were missing last year.
He has been stellar so far, he looks like he understands the offense and his roll very well. A lot of times freshman look lost on the court, but not Mayo. Look for him to have great career at MU.
When is the last time we've had a younger player of his caliber, coming off the bench, with the ability to score like he does? Diener? Chapman? I've been very pleasantly surprised at how good he is.
Quote from: lab_warrior on November 29, 2011, 11:20:20 AM
When is the last time we've had a younger player of his caliber, coming off the bench, with the ability to score like he does? Diener? Chapman? I've been very pleasantly surprised at how good he is.
He's not all that young though. See my post in the thread about Vander. Mayo turns 21 this spring, and he's almost a year and a half older than Blue.
Quote from: lab_warrior on November 29, 2011, 11:20:20 AM
When is the last time we've had a younger player of his caliber, coming off the bench, with the ability to score like he does? Diener? Chapman? I've been very pleasantly surprised at how good he is.
Novak was 6th man of Year his freshman year on the Final Four team.
I remember two "wow" plays in last night's game. One being Wilson's dunk, which, watching the replays, wasn't quite as impressive as it was live. The second was when Mayo picked up a rebound nearly underneath the backboard and went up for a lay-in, seemingly in one fluid motion. I swear he was half way to the apex of his jump before the players around him even realized he had the ball.
It's a bit early to be judging Juan Anderson. He had a complete "Holy crap, I am actually playing big-time basketball" look on his face the entire time he was on the court last night. He may need a few more minutes out there before he starts feelinlg comfortable.
Quote from: Badgerhater on November 29, 2011, 10:51:09 AM
The Blue-Mayo-Wilson trio is going to very potent over the next two years because they don't have to be the focus this year. Also, the nice thing is that Buzz appears to have the spare parts to put around them.
Why stop there?
Garner will progress and I think jones looks like he has a high ceiling too.
And about that mayo play where he got his own rebound off a block or miss and put it back in. That is comfort and confidence you can not teach. Most freshmen would get the ball back, turn around and pass it back out. Pretty nice to see.
Quote from: Chili on November 29, 2011, 11:52:21 AM
Novak was 6th man of Year his freshman year on the Final Four team.
Exactly. We always want to say the current person is "the best" or "the worst," but I'll believe Mayo will have the impact a freshman Novak did when I see it.
You can't judge a player after 6 games, it takes 5 years to judge, er, oh wait, I guess I got that mixed up ...
I recall my good friend Ted Baxter making the claims about Mayo prior to his signing, after his signing and during the summer that Mayo would be the most ready to play frosh. After his review, I was expecting/hoping for a start like Todd has had.
What has surprised me the most, though, is his defense. He has made some lapses, but what frosh hasn't? His footwork, positioning, technique and anticipation will make him an awfully good defender ... this year. It will help him see more and more time once we get to the BE season.
Let's see what he does this Saturday, I am excitedly looking forward to it. And some of you chastized Ted with his prediction ... >:(
Nice mention of Mayo from Jason King, as well as a prediction that MU will challenge for the Big East title: http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/7294090/the-king-court-takes-look-top-storylines-college-basketball (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/7294090/the-king-court-takes-look-top-storylines-college-basketball)
Quote from: Chili on November 29, 2011, 11:52:21 AM
Novak was 6th man of Year his freshman year on the Final Four team.
Yeah, you're correct. He came off the bench for that team with Sanders and Chapman. Oops.
(http://weknowmemes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/rick-perry-gop-debate-video-oops1.jpg)
Quote from: Jamailman on November 29, 2011, 11:25:50 AM
He's not all that young though. See my post in the thread about Vander. Mayo turns 21 this spring, and he's almost a year and a half older than Blue.
Just saw that... okay, "young" eligibility-wise. Corrected. That extra year is quite helpful; that and growing up playing hoops with an NBA brother.
Quote from: cj111 on November 29, 2011, 01:01:42 PM
Nice mention of Mayo from Jason King, as well as a prediction that MU will challenge for the Big East title: http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/7294090/the-king-court-takes-look-top-storylines-college-basketball (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/7294090/the-king-court-takes-look-top-storylines-college-basketball)
Did you see what Gasser is shooting from 3 pt. land? 15-21 (71.4%). Someone better be on him like a cheap suit.
In watching Mayo last night I was thinking, if he plays all four years without missing any games for injury, he will end up being MU's all-time scorer. Besides the fact that he can shoot he is very quick to the basket, if he has an open lane. I also believe he will finish this season as MU's third leading scorer. Blue is a very good player when he does not force his shot. We need him to play like he did last night.
Todd Mayo is going to be MU's all time leading scorer? Ha
Not all-time, but if he sticks around he will probably end up top 15. He is what we thought Blue would be.
Quote from: Bieberhole69 on November 29, 2011, 02:09:54 PM
Todd Mayo is going to be MU's all time leading scorer? Ha
Obviously it's way too soon to predict Mayo's career numbers. He may get hurt. He may leave early for the NBA. But if he stays 4 years and chucks it as much as Jerel did it won't be close.
Quote from: tower912 on November 29, 2011, 02:18:42 PM
Not all-time, but if he sticks around he will probably end up top 15. He is what we thought Blue would be.
It's a little early to talk about how good Mayo will be. We've only played mid-majors, so lets see how good Blue and Mayo look against UW-Madison and the real UW.
Quote from: Skatastrophy on November 29, 2011, 02:26:17 PM
It's a little early to talk about how good Mayo will be. We've only played mid-majors, so lets see how good Blue and Mayo look against UW-Madison and the real UW.
I definitely agree.
But for fun, here's Jerel's PPG by year:
Freshman: 11.1
Sophomore: 14.7
Junior: 14.9
Senior: 19.8
Todd is currently averaging 8.8. I know it's early, but he definitely looks like a guy that could average 14-16 a game in the coming years.
On another note, it's amazing that MU has never had a 2,000+ career scorer, considering the long history and talent the program has had.