I know for years Vander(5 star) Blue has been the center of criticism but am I the only one who actually likes him being agressive and taking shots whenever he feels hes got it? Sure, tonight vs Wisco he hit some 3s you could call flukes and he had some bad misses in the second half. I dont care at all. I love that this guy is trying to be our go to guy. The point of my post is this. If we are down 1 pt and we need a f'ing basket am I the only one in saying we give the ball to vander? I trust him more than anyone and keep in mind I voted Junior as STOG.
I also like the new aggressive Vander. His confidence level is high and that means a ton in crunch time. Feel like he is almost there and hope he builds on it.
This is exactly what I hoped he could be but had come to never expect he would become. I've been one of the most diehard Vander supporters because of all the other things he does (steals, rebounds, defense, willing to defer) and thought he could average maybe 10-11 ppg this year and 12-13 next year simply on his efforts becoming slightly more reliable and better at-the-rack finishing.
Now this is all non-conference play. Even against Bucky and the types of teams we saw in Maui, he will be seeing much stiffer competition come January. But if Vander can keep this up, I see no reason he can't be first or second team Big East this year and one of the favorites for POY next year.
Quote from: HaywardsHeroes32 on December 09, 2012, 04:07:44 AM
I know for years Vander(5 star) Blue has been the center of criticism but am I the only one who actually likes him being agressive and taking shots whenever he feels hes got it? Sure, tonight vs Wisco he hit some 3s you could call flukes and he had some bad misses in the second half. I dont care at all. I love that this guy is trying to be our go to guy. The point of my post is this. If we are down 1 pt and we need a f'ing basket am I the only one in saying we give the ball to vander? I trust him more than anyone and keep in mind I voted Junior as STOG.
Agreed. In this offense, there is going to be some ugliness. All dribble drive type offenses will. The aggressiveness is important and it really does revolve around Blue.
Quote from: brewcity77 on December 09, 2012, 06:03:36 AM
This is exactly what I hoped he could be but had come to never expect he would become. I've been one of the most diehard Vander supporters because of all the other things he does (steals, rebounds, defense, willing to defer) and thought he could average maybe 10-11 ppg this year and 12-13 next year simply on his efforts becoming slightly more reliable and better at-the-rack finishing.
Now this is all non-conference play. Even against Bucky and the types of teams we saw in Maui, he will be seeing much stiffer competition come January. But if Vander can keep this up, I see no reason he can't be first or second team Big East this year and one of the favorites for POY next year.
Props to you Brew, and Sultan who have long defended Vander. I've been bearish on him, critical over the last year..but he is giving me one big sh$t burger to eat. And I'm happy to eat it. His progression this year has been the sole reason MU has a respectable record. I'd be frightened to think of where we'd be if his junior season was a repeat of his freshman or sophomore years. Kudso to you for seeing the potential...and to Vander for putting in the work.
Quote from: HaywardsHeroes32 on December 09, 2012, 04:07:44 AM
I know for years Vander(5 star) Blue has been the center of criticism but am I the only one who actually likes him being agressive and taking shots whenever he feels hes got it? Sure, tonight vs Wisco he hit some 3s you could call flukes and he had some bad misses in the second half. I dont care at all. I love that this guy is trying to be our go to guy. The point of my post is this. If we are down 1 pt and we need a f'ing basket am I the only one in saying we give the ball to vander? I trust him more than anyone and keep in mind I voted Junior as STOG.
One of my concerns before the season is still a concern as the nonconference part of the schedule winds down: If we need an f'ing basket, I'm not sure who I want with the ball.
There isn't one guy on the team I'd say, "Oh, thank goodness we have X to bail us out and win the game for us." Some might say it's a sign of strength that any number of players can be that guy, but I think if you go through history at the college and pro and even high school levels, great teams have that one guy they KNOW will deliver.
Love to see Vander develop into that guy. Junior certainly looked like that against Bucky, but he will go up against much better competition in the BE.
It's an evolving situation ... and the sooner it evolves the right way, the sooner we'll have a chance to be a legit contender.
For sure, I dig the new vander.
His performance must be due to the fact that he wears a t-shirt under his jersey. D-Wilson does the same thing, look how well he is playing!
I really think Vander will be fine come Big East play. I know a lot of you have probably repressed the memory of the Florida game but lets remember that Vander put up 20 on them, who are a top 5 team in m book. The future for Vander 13lue looks bright.
Quote from: HaywardsHeroes32 on December 09, 2012, 04:07:44 AM
I know for years Vander(5 star) Blue has been the center of criticism but am I the only one who actually likes him being agressive and taking shots whenever he feels hes got it? Sure, tonight vs Wisco he hit some 3s you could call flukes and he had some bad misses in the second half. I dont care at all. I love that this guy is trying to be our go to guy. The point of my post is this. If we are down 1 pt and we need a f'ing basket am I the only one in saying we give the ball to vander? I trust him more than anyone and keep in mind I voted Junior as STOG.
On both of Blue's desperation 3s, I was actually impressive with how he squared his shoulders, didn't rush, kept his form and fired. He didn't just chuck either one up there and get lucky (as I had originally thought seeing it live).
Quote from: MerrittsMustache on December 09, 2012, 08:32:03 PM
On both of Blue's desperation 3s, I was actually impressive with how he squared his shoulders, didn't rush, kept his form and fired. He didn't just chuck either one up there and get lucky (as I had originally thought seeing it live).
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Yes but that is butt ugly form. As long as they go in.
Quote from: MerrittsMustache on December 09, 2012, 08:32:03 PM
On both of Blue's desperation 3s, I was actually impressive with how he squared his shoulders, didn't rush, kept his form and fired. He didn't just chuck either one up there and get lucky (as I had originally thought seeing it live).
His 3 as the shot clock expired was actually a pretty quality stroke. He's not Ray Allen, but if people think his form and shot haven't improved, they are crazy.
I also feel like he is getting the Jimmy Butler junior year treatment a bit. In the second half, he went to the rim hard 2-3 times and got hip checked with no call and the shot ended up short or wild. I remember Butler's junior year, he struggled and got called soft alot, but he couldn't buy a damn call around the rim. That changed over the next year, and he also got a bit better finishing with contact. Lets hope both are true for Vander as well.
I don't care what Vander's shot looks like. If he is squared up, can get the shot off, and is consistent with his release, that's all he needs.
He looks almost as if he knows it's ugly, but doesn't care. He'll shoot it anyway. Couldn't be happier with his progress this season.
Quote from: JWags85 on December 10, 2012, 09:58:15 AM
His 3 as the shot clock expired was actually a pretty quality stroke. He's not Ray Allen, but if people think his form and shot haven't improved, they are crazy.
I also feel like he is getting the Jimmy Butler junior year treatment a bit. In the second half, he went to the rim hard 2-3 times and got hip checked with no call and the shot ended up short or wild. I remember Butler's junior year, he struggled and got called soft alot, but he couldn't buy a damn call around the rim. That changed over the next year, and he also got a bit better finishing with contact. Lets hope both are true for Vander as well.
Nice point. The only time I actually stood and yelled at the refs (through my TV) were on a couple of no-calls when Vander obviously was hip-checked pretty hard. Here's hoping he starts getting those calls and does a little better job of finishing through contact.
Overall, very pleased with his continued development; he's a talented player with great upside and he is starting to realize all that potential. Wonderful to see.
Quote from: JWags85 on December 10, 2012, 09:58:15 AM
I also feel like he is getting the Jimmy Butler junior year treatment a bit. In the second half, he went to the rim hard 2-3 times and got hip checked with no call and the shot ended up short or wild. I remember Butler's junior year, he struggled and got called soft alot, but he couldn't buy a damn call around the rim. That changed over the next year, and he also got a bit better finishing with contact. Lets hope both are true for Vander as well.
Jimmy actually took more free throws (244-240) and had more attempts per game (7.2-6.5) his junior year compared to his senior season.