With the whole dancing Buzz, suspension and Jae Crowder talk, no one has mentioned the phenomenal half Vander played.
He was a monster on the boards tonight and really stabilized Marquette in that area when we were getting destroyed on the glass. He alone grabbed half of our offensive rebounds in the whole game. Plays the full 20, 6 boards, goes 3-5 from the field, 4-4 from the line (including two more late game freebies), 3 steals and 10 points. He was an animal in the half he played.
I'm not one to tout him up simply because he was a highly rated recruit, either. He had a terrific night and deserves to get a hat tip.
(Still needs to be smarter with the ball in his hands, I know. Three TO's in a half is 2 too many.)
Agree. Blue was great tonight. As the guy standing next to me at Penn Quarter Tavern in DC said tonight, "You the man Blue!"
Nobody should forget Junior Cadougan either. I thought he was missed in the first half almost as much as DJO/Blue were.
Wilson can play tough defense for a freshman PG, but the difference in how the halfcourt and transition offense flows with Junior on the court compared to Wilson is huge. From the minute he got back on the court, Junior was creating quality to very easy shots in the half court for others that Wilson simply is ready yet to create. Junior is also much more explosive and skilled at initiating the fast break which we thrive on. Lastly, Junior has to be defended as a scoring threat given how well he's been attacking defenders off the dribble drives for hoops in the paint, Wilson is no scoring threat at all.
Vander was ghe X-Factor tonight. He can dominate a game without having to score a single basket. Great defense, a lot of rebounds in traffic, three steals and 100% at the FT line.
Cadougan vs Kalicli (sp?) for the final rebound. Cadougan with the ball. 'nuff said about his toughness.
Quote from: El Duderino on February 25, 2012, 01:21:44 AM
Nobody should forget Junior Cadougan either. I thought he was missed in the first half almost as much as DJO/Blue were.
Wilson can play tough defense for a freshman PG, but the difference in how the halfcourt and transition offense flows with Junior on the court compared to Wilson is huge. From the minute he got back on the court, Junior was creating quality to very easy shots in the half court for others that Wilson simply is ready yet to create. Junior is also much more explosive and skilled at initiating the fast break which we thrive on. Lastly, Junior has to be defended as a scoring threat given how well he's been attacking defenders off the dribble drives for hoops in the paint, Wilson is no scoring threat at all.
+1 Junior was missed MORE than Blue or DJO. We are a totally different team when he is running the offense.
Quote from: Norm on February 25, 2012, 12:47:15 AMAgree. Blue was great tonight. As the guy standing next to me at Penn Quarter Tavern in DC said tonight, "You the man Blue!"
He got it wrong, it's supposed to be "You my boy, Blue!" ;D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZTIsbsYmVE
For the first time, I was really hoping that VB would get the ball for the final FTs to finish the game off.
I think one of the announcers (albeit after a pretty ugly jumper) commented about how far along he has come. If we can make these kind of strides during this upcoming summer...he will be a very special player to watch!
While Vander and Junior had the benefit of playing with each other and DJO, in comparison to what D Wilson and T Mayo it was obvious. I've been very impressed with the growth of both Vander and Junior, but Vander still has a ways to go. Every aspect of his game offensively scoring-wise needs improvement as far as finishing at the rim strong, developing a mid-range game, and hitting his outside shot. That said, I agree with the initial post. Without him we don't win this game.
I'm not sure I've seen a top 10 team get up and down the court as well as MU over the last 6 games. They very much remind me of the Mateen Cleaves Mich. St. teams that used to get lay-ups on run-outs off of makes. Junior is becoming that type of point guard (props to the poster who made that comparison a few weeks back). I so wish he wouldn't have come back to play his freshman year. Could you imagine what MU would look like in the 2013-2014 season.
I still find Blue's offense maddening, but his defense and especially his rebounding have been great. He's getting better taking it to the hoop, too. He's improving by leaps and bounds. Last year at this time the ball in his hands was a death knell for the possession. This year he's making better decisions and playing with more confidence.
I'm really curious as to the offense he will provide next year with DJO and Crowder gone, and how much we will actually need him to provide.
Quote from: macman320 on February 25, 2012, 07:48:27 AM
I'm really curious as to the offense he will provide next year with DJO and Crowder gone, and how much we will actually need him to provide.
Same thing after Jerel, Wes and Dominique.
And Lazar.
And JFB.
Enjoy this year while it lasts. Things will take care of themselves. Trust in Buzz.
Quote from: Norm on February 25, 2012, 12:47:15 AM
Agree. Blue was great tonight. As the guy standing next to me at Penn Quarter Tavern in DC said tonight, "You the man Blue!"
I assume you know Otto.
Blue finished the half strong, but he tried to do to much at the start of the half. When we were down 8 he had four times that he forced the situation and we did not score.
Quote from: bilsu on February 25, 2012, 08:10:35 AM
Blue finished the half strong, but he tried to do to much at the start of the half. When we were down 8 he had four times that he forced the situation and we did not score.
True enough. But he was a warrior on the boards and made his FTs.
Quote from: bilsu on February 25, 2012, 08:10:35 AM
Blue finished the half strong, but he tried to do to much at the start of the half. When we were down 8 he had four times that he forced the situation and we did not score.
Vander has gotten better at letting the game come to him, but he still has a ways to go in that department. That + an improved mid and long range shot = stardom.
I loved seeing Juan get some important minutes. He made a few dumb mistakes but played great D and grabbed some nice boards. I'm excited to see how he develops.
I have ripped blue a lot but since big east play he has gotten so much better. Dom James-light. He still has a terrible jumper but he is playing so tough on d and distributing and rebounding that it is fun to watch.
On one of Vander's boards Raf let out a little surprised yelp because of how high Vander got.
Also, I like the mini-Ice Man finger roll Vander has developed for when he gets in the lane.
Quote from: Hards_Alumni on February 25, 2012, 08:09:01 AM
I assume you know Otto.
Yep, shared some celebratory beers with him after the game.
Quote from: Lennys Tap on February 25, 2012, 09:24:09 AM
Vander has gotten better at letting the game come to him, but he still has a ways to go in that department. That + an improved mid and long range shot = stardom.
Agree. He has some pretty big holes in his game (shooting and finishing), but the rest of his game is all-conf. quality (if not better).
If he can be an average jumpshooter and gain some strength and crafty moves around the rim, sky is the limit.
Slow development, but great all-around ability for a soph.
Quote from: 2002MUalum on February 25, 2012, 10:50:36 AM
Agree. He has some pretty big holes in his game (shooting and finishing), but the rest of his game is all-conf. quality (if not better).
If he can be an average jumpshooter and gain some strength and crafty moves around the rim, sky is the limit.
Slow development, but great all-around ability for a soph.
Agreed. Maybe another summer will do the trick. We are gonna need him next year.