Interesting piece by Hunt on Vander's ascension.
http://www.jsonline.com/sports/goldeneagles/blue-emerges-as-goto-guy-m08je81-189531531.html
Although I really like Blue's game, I still don't have the same "comfort zone" with him as a go-to guy as I did with Crowder or Butler, but he certainly is becoming a heck of a player. And with the possible exception of Cadougan, I don't know who I'd rather have with the ball when we really need a bucket.
I would agree that I don't have the same confidence I had with JFB or Jae as seniors, but I think by next year we will all have every confidence in him. What's truly amazing is how good his final numbers at Marquette could be. Vander will have a chance to tally 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 300 assists, and 150 steals if he stays around his current averages. For a guy who so many deemed a disappointment, that would be pretty impressive.
Quote from: brewcity77 on February 03, 2013, 09:47:09 AM
I would agree that I don't have the same confidence I had with JFB or Jae as seniors, but I think by next year we will all have every confidence in him. What's truly amazing is how good his final numbers at Marquette could be. Vander will have a chance to tally 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 300 assists, and 150 steals if he stays around his current averages. For a guy who so many deemed a disappointment, that would be pretty impressive.
Great call, brew. Vander has improved just during the course of this season, let alone from the previous two. He really has a very high ceiling for 2013-14 ... and for the rest of this season as well!
dropped assists worry me a little bit. Next steps are becoming a consistent scorer and making those around you better on O.
For now I would keep giving Junior the title as go to guy because of his court awareness in last second situations. If Blue is taking notes now and become more efficient in one on one play, he will be the team leader and very dominate next year.
Completely tangential, but Pitino's comment about Buzz demonstrates why Buzz is so instrumental to Marquette's success.
He is a magician when it comes to maximizing talent on a year to year basis.
As for Blue, he really is coming into his own. He is very good off the ball and Junior's reliability at the point has helped Blue's game out immensely.