After seeing John Dawson play last week I was asked by a couple of MUScoop bretheren to share my thoughts on the entire class that is coming in and my expectations. As a foot note I have a really good friend that lives in Memphis and is a basketball junkie like me. The last 2 years I have gone down for the Penny Hardaway tourney and have seen Southwind play Simeon each year. He tried to convince me to stop by on my way back from Texas to see Southwind play Ridgeway on Friday night. However I was eager to get home and was worried that I would not be back for the Depaul game. It was a big mistake..see comments below about JJJ so see why.
First off I don't think I can fairly compare this class versus other classes, but will only say that this is clearly one of the best classes of incoming recruits in MU history. The overall athletic ability and basketball skills is exceptional. If this class stays together it can be something really special.
Second, I am hesitant to say much negative about 17-19 year young men that in their worst day would make me look stupid on a basketball court, so when I share items that are not always positive please understand that it is not an attack or an attempt to demean anyone. Also when I compare one recruit over another it is simply a statement of observations and does not reflect anything unenthusiastically on anyone.
Saying that here we go:
#5 John Dawson- See comments from last week. I expect to see limited minutes from him next year, but I see him as a 4 year player that will be on a similar track as Derrick Wilson
#4 Duane Wilson-- This may surprise some, but this is not a reflection on DW's skills, but rather my impression of the other 3 recruits. DW is everything you have heard and he is extremely dedicated to getting better. I spoke with his personal training who also worked with JPT before he left for UNC and said that other than vertical jump, DW is a far better athlete. His lateral speed, cone drills times etc are off the charts. However his overall strength needs to improve..the great news he has already heard this from Buzz and is working on it. He is not Dominick James ( I heard someone use that as a comparison)..he is taller 6'1" – 6'2" and is much more slender, he is a far better shot than DJ, but is not even in the same breath defensive as DJ... and not the uber vertical that DJ had also. In order to be the starter next year he will have to improve his strength and defense, but it would not surprise me that when all is done he finishes in the top ten in scoring in MU history.
#3 Jameel McKay--- Jamil Wilson and Juan Anderson are 2 of the best young men you will meet, but they better work their butts off this summer because there is someone coming for their minutes. Jameel McKay is JFB.2....he can guard anyone...he will pound the offensive glass and he has a motor that will not stop. He is coming in with a chip on his shoulder and he is going to make sure he is not overlooked again. You will see him at the top of the press next year when they go small and push the tempo up. He is not much of a back to the rim guy, but has great skills facing the basket and shooting or driving.
#2 JaJuan Johnson--- I had him at #3 but based on recent reports and what happen Friday night I have to move him up to #2. When I saw him last year and this year against Simeon he had good, but not great games, but my friend in Memphis sees almost everyone of his games and says his game is just exploding right now. Friday night SW played Ridgeway and Jonathan Williams (Mizzou recruit) got 2 quick fouls and had to sit for SW. It then became the JJJ show... When it was all done he had 25 points in the first half (finished with 31) he can do it all on the offense...he is one of those rare players that can create their own shot. His step back shot is what will get him to the NBA if he develops even more consistency with it. Like most players he needs work on his defense and improving his strength..but he will be instant offensive of the bench next year and if someone wants to pack it in against MU next year look for JJJ to come on the court. Legit 6'5"
#1 Deonte Burton--- Best player to come to MU since #3 and that's is the best analogy to describe DB's game although not at the same level obvoiously. He has all of the facets of the game. But unlike most HS players he is a defensive stopper too..better at help defense than man to man, but still above average. His basketball IQ is very good, BE type of body, good range on his shot. Can play inside or outside. Dribble/drive and shoots well from the FT line too. Oh yeah..honor student too...so no academic BS to hear on him either....
I hope this is not too long of a post but I had a couple MUScoop brethren ask me if I had info on other recruits.
Thank you, bd84. Is Deonte big/strong enough to play the 3, or is he, as I have seen described elsewhere, a power guard? And, if it is not asking too much, can you compare the rest of the class, other than McKay (thanks for the roided up JFB reference), to players that MU fans are familiar with?
I am with you BigDaddy. Burton is best incoming freshman since Wade. Whole class is exciting but I think Burton will be impact player early on in his MU career. Great report.
Too long of a post? Keep writing my brother. We can never get enough of these types of posts.
Great info, thanks for sharing. Burton seems really focused on the court, and triple J will fill a real need.
Quote from: Goose on February 11, 2013, 01:43:35 PM
I am with you BigDaddy. Burton is best incoming freshman since Wade. Whole class is exciting but I think Burton will be impact player early on in his MU career. Great report.
Your comment is based on what Wade did, not his recruiting reputation coming in. The highest rated recruit in recent years has been Vander.
After everything I've heard/read about JJJ I am thankful that Kendrick Nunn chose Illinois.
Do you think Burton will start right out of the gates?
Quote from: AnotherMU84 on February 11, 2013, 01:50:30 PM
Your comment is based on what Wade did, not his recruiting reputation coming in. The highest rated recruit in recent years has been Vander.
Dominic James was rated higher than Vander. JJJ is also. Jerel, Wesley and Burton were/are close.
Similar track to Derrick Wilson = backup PG. Excellent analogy, because I don't see D. Wilson being the PG next year. Wislon has no offensive skills as noted by his six points in ten BE games so far.
Thanks for McKay update since no one really has seen him or knows what is going on. Awesome.
AnotherMU
My comment is based off Wade did, not recruiting numbers. Wade was instant impact regardless of recruiting rank. Burton is a force and I think best incoming freshman since Wade, including VB, Wesley and the rest of them. He is BE ready now in my opinion.
Quote from: lawwarrior12 on February 11, 2013, 01:53:28 PM
Do you think Burton will start right out of the gates?
I personally doubt it, but it depends on who comes back and who steps up. I mean, his best position would be slide into Lockett's starting role. But if Mayo comes back...or if JJJ steps up...Vander could slide back there.
Quote from: The Sultan of South Wayne on February 11, 2013, 01:59:34 PM
I personally doubt it, but it depends on who comes back and who steps up. I mean, his best position would be slide into Lockett's starting role. But if Mayo comes back...or if JJJ steps up...Vander could slide back there.
Or if Van goes pro ;)
Who starts..who knows..not even Buzz..as we have seen this year and last...starting does not always = minutes or who is in at end of game. But DB will play.
Power guard versus small forward...not sure how much a difference there is in Buzz's system.
Burton will be one of those get back guys (vander)..versus McKay (lockett) who will be a stay and hit the boards guy when we are on offense and a missed shot is up for a rebound.
Quote from: Goose on February 11, 2013, 01:58:37 PM
AnotherMU
My comment is based off Wade did, not recruiting numbers. Wade was instant impact regardless of recruiting rank. Burton is a force and I think best incoming freshman since Wade, including VB, Wesley and the rest of them. He is BE ready now in my opinion.
You're right Goose. Wade was the best player at Marquette from the moment he set foot on campus, and Brian Wardle was a senior that year.
Quote from: Goose on February 11, 2013, 01:58:37 PM
AnotherMU
My comment is based off Wade did, not recruiting numbers. Wade was instant impact regardless of recruiting rank. Burton is a force and I think best incoming freshman since Wade, including VB, Wesley and the rest of them. He is BE ready now in my opinion.
You making this statement about players three months before they are to graduate high school. Three months before Wade was to graduate high school he was the second best play in Illinois. The player everyone was drooling over was Imari Sawyer. Wade then sat a year because of Prop 48. It wasn't until 18 months after this point did we realize what we had.
So comparing Burton to Wade is off-base. Can only do that three years from now.
That is why the Vander, DJ, JJJ and Wes are better comparisons.
Look I hope you're right and the world in undervaluing Burton and he is a stud. But to say he is Wade now just confuses the issue.
Quote from: The Sultan of South Wayne on February 11, 2013, 01:59:34 PM
I personally doubt it, but it depends on who comes back and who steps up. I mean, his best position would be slide into Lockett's starting role. But if Mayo comes back...or if JJJ steps up...Vander could slide back there.
Yes, depends on who comes back, but if Mayo does:
PG: Wilson (hopefully Duane)
SG: Vander
SG: Mayo
SF: J. Wilson
C: Gardner (have gut feeling this is it for Otule, but hope not)
Bench:
SF: Anderson and Burton
PF: McKay and Taylor
Guards: Wilson, Johnson, Ferguson, Dawson
Relying on some frosh, but with the expectations, pretty impressive.
Burton will get big minutes as a starter or a sub, makes no difference. He is going to become a lot of people's favorite player in a hurry. If VB sticks around I might have to move him behind Burton on guy I am pulling for the most.
Quote from: nyg on February 11, 2013, 01:54:29 PM
Similar track to Derrick Wilson = backup PG. Excellent analogy, because I don't see D. Wilson being the PG next year. Wislon has no offensive skills as noted by his six points in ten BE games so far.
Thanks for McKay update since no one really has seen him or knows what is going on. Awesome.
Even though I agree with you about what DeWilson has shown on offense thus far, I was saying the exact same thing about Acker going into the '09-'10 season. He ended up being a really important player and his offensive game opened up a ton.
Thanks for the report BD.
AnotherMU
When did I say Burton is next Wade? IMO he is best incoming freshman since Wade. I guess comparing him to every other incoing recruit more than Wade. Wade is greatest player MU has ever had and that is one point I think everyone, young or old, agrees with. Burton is not Wade but he will be impact guy from day one IMO.
Best comparison for Duane Wilson is Aaron Hutchins..just not sure if we will have the steals the Lil' General had, and of course DW is 4 inches taller.
Quote from: Goose on February 11, 2013, 02:17:11 PM
Burton will get big minutes as a starter or a sub, makes no difference. He is going to become a lot of people's favorite player in a hurry. If VB sticks around I might have to move him behind Burton on guy I am pulling for the most.
I could actually see Burton being a guy people rag on as "overrated" early on based on a less-than-ideal jumper like Blue, but I think he is the most likely to get heavy minutes as a frosh like Blue because he is ready for the Big East physically and will likely be the best defender out of the gate. I think he'll develop his jumper over time and be a great player as an upperclassman.
Like you said, DB and Blue will have special places in my rooting interests due to their recruiting stories. Blue spurned UW, and DB opened up the floodgates in this class.
My favorite part about this recruit view is that MU doesn't need anything from these guys. #mubb can already roll out a team that is 8-deep, experienced, and talented before considering arguably the most talented recruiting class in over a decade.
If these guys contribute anything, it's gravy. If any of them are year one contributors, then holy mackeral.
It's weird that this season has been a lot of fun, but I could not be more excited about next near.
Quote from: Warrior's Path on February 11, 2013, 02:27:46 PM
My favorite part about this recruit view is that MU doesn't need anything from these guys. #mubb can already roll out a team that is 8-deep, experienced, and talented before considering arguably the most talented recruiting class in over a decade.
If these guys contribute anything, it's gravy. If any of them are year one contributors, then holy mackeral.
It's weird that this season has been a lot of fun, but I could not be more excited about next near.
This pretty much sums up my feelings as well. The depth of talent next year's team will have is ridiculous.
http://twitter.com/WisBBYearbook
Read second tweet about D. Wilson's week.
When assessing projected minutes played for next year, don't forget to consider that Vander may actually be able to play some pg for us. With Junior playing reasonably well he hasn't had to. Next year, if Derrick doesn't improve some, and Duane and Dawson aren't ready, I'd look for Vander to play there some. That will be his position at the next level anyways.
If VB is back next year he will play plenty of point, especially early on.
Quote from: Warrior's Path on February 11, 2013, 02:27:46 PM
My favorite part about this recruit view is that MU doesn't need anything from these guys. #mubb can already roll out a team that is 8-deep, experienced, and talented before considering arguably the most talented recruiting class in over a decade.
If these guys contribute anything, it's gravy. If any of them are year one contributors, then holy mackeral.
It's weird that this season has been a lot of fun, but I could not be more excited about next near.
Don't forget that Jameel will be a junior when he hits campus. I will be disappointed if he doesn't have an impact his first year.
Quote from: LittleMurs on February 11, 2013, 03:57:59 PM
Don't forget that Jameel will be a junior when he hits campus. I will be disappointed if he doesn't have an impact his first year.
There are two ways of looking at this.
Point - Most JUCOs in their first year do not make an impact. I wrote a Cracked Sidewalks article about this after JFB's first season.
Counterpoint - JFB, DJO, Jae. Buzz clearly is doing something right with most of his JUCO selections.
Personally, I like to expect nothing and then be pleasantly surprised. But that's just a personal preference.
If his impact is like Jae's or JFB's, it will take him about a half a season to figure things out...second half becomes a solid contributor...and blows up in his second year.
Quote from: Lennys Tap on February 11, 2013, 02:11:10 PM
You're right Goose. Wade was the best player at Marquette from the moment he set foot on campus, and Brian Wardle was a senior that year.
I remember Tim Thomas when he was with the Bucks saying as much his freshman year. You could also see it coming his Senior Year, which was a monster year for him.