How many of us would have said that we'd beat Syracuse despite an off-night by Blue in part because Jake Thomas would make a major contribution?
Seriously, this was one interesting game from many perspectives, but especially the backcourt.
CADOUGAN: Another great game against Syracuse. This is what we need from him every game, and it isn't unreasonable to expect it. We don't need him to score 20 or hit buzzer-beaters all the time. We don't even need him to make more shots than he misses or to have a monster assist game. What we need him to do is control the flow, pick his spots and take care of the basketball. 12 pts on 4-9 FG (0-2 treys) and 3 assists ... but also 4 steals and only 1 turnover. Just a nice, nice all-around game. That's what any legitimate team needs from its PG and senior leader.
BLUE: That's 2 straight lousy games and 3 out of 5. It still doesn't mean he won't immediately come back with several outstanding games in a row. I continue to have confidence in him, but this is a reminder that he's light years away from being an NBA player. In some ways, it was nice to know we can win even when he's a complete non-factor. Going forward, however, we need him to be what he has been most of this season.
MAYO: Buzz wouldn't have kept Vander on the bench down the stretch had Mayo not delivered. But Mayo did come through and it was smart of Buzz to stick with him. Before we start speculating on Mayo's NBA future again -- as some, incredibly, were doing back in December 2011 -- let's realize that even in this fine performance, he still only made 2-of-6 shots. But he had no turnovers and really played some good, aggressive D in his 16 minutes. All in all, he had a pretty solid February. If he can built upon that, he can be a real important player for us. But he's not a PG, so people can stop suggesting it. And Blue isn't a PG, either. We need Junior to be our PG and play as he did tonight.
D. WILSON: Not a Big East caliber PG. I know Buzz loves him, but I thought it was important that our coach realized he couldn't win this game without Junior in the lineup. I appreciate the defensive mindset and the energy DWil brings, but I can't help but hope the other DWil -- Duane -- will be an impact freshman PG.
THOMAS: Jake not only made the big 4-point play but actually made a couple of nice defensive switches during his short first-half stint. There's no reason he can't play 3-5 minutes in this kind of game -- when nobody else can hit an outside shot against a team that's packing the lane.
Kudos to Buzz for getting the most out of our guards in this fun, exciting, crucial game.
Don't forget Mayo also took the ball right out of Triche's hands in the closing minutes. That was a big play!
Yeah, Vander needs to start showing up again, soon!
I continue to question whether this team can be consistent enough (or lucky enough, you choose) to make a run in the BE tournament and/or the big dance. We seem to be a 2-3 win streak type of team and then put up a poor performance or play a tough, ranked team (which is what the entire tournament is pretty much after the first round). Do I think we can make the Sweet 16 and complete the hat trick, yes (unlike what I thought at the beginning of the season), but beyond that it's hard for me to have any other expectations. But then again, who can predict anything about March Madness especially after last year??
Quote from: MU82 on February 25, 2013, 10:10:46 PM
Seriously, this was one interesting game from many perspectives, but especially the backcourt.
...
Kudos to Buzz for getting the most out of our guards in this fun, exciting, crucial game.
I will expand this and call it an interesting year. I also give a great deal of credit to Buzz. Last night he really broke away from past lineups and found one that worked. Todd and Steve with significant contributions, Jake seeing the floor, Vander on the bench at the end...these are not the typical ingredients for an MU win.
Love how this team bounces back, love how they refused to pack it in and fought back several times against 'cuse.
In defense of Vander, he kept us in it early. Sparked a 7-0 run in the opening minutes after being down what, 6?
Quote from: MUtbone on February 25, 2013, 11:38:51 PM
Don't forget Mayo also took the ball right out of Triche's hands in the closing minutes. That was a big play!
Yeah, Vander needs to start showing up again, soon!
I continue to question whether this team can be consistent enough (or lucky enough, you choose) to make a run in the BE tournament and/or the big dance. We seem to be a 2-3 win streak type of team and then put up a poor performance or play a tough, ranked team (which is what the entire tournament is pretty much after the first round). Do I think we can make the Sweet 16 and complete the hat trick, yes (unlike what I thought at the beginning of the season), but beyond that it's hard for me to have any other expectations. But then again, who can predict anything about March Madness especially after last year??
Great point about Mayo's big defensive play.
As for your other main point, I've given up trying to make predictions about this team. It already has exceeded my expectations, so it feels like I'm playing with house money!!