Thanks for a great career at Marquette, Vander. Thank you for three years worth of absolutely stellar defense, constant hustle, and unquestionable resiliency.
A very special thank you for this past season. You single-handedly put this team on your back. You looked coach in the eye and said 'I got this'. You stepped up when the team, the program, the fans, needed you most. You stepped up when the stage was biggest, when the stakes were highest. You refused to squint when the lights were brightest. You nodded confidently and said 'don't worry, it's on me'. You brought us a, no, the conference championship, leaving Marquette to go out atop the greatest basketball conference that has ever been created. You brought us a third straight Sweet Sixteen. You quenched our thirst for something more--You brought us our first Elite 8 in ten years. You are a Warrior.
When you come back to the Bradley Center to play the Milwaukee Bucks, look up at the rafters, point to that banner, and let the pride you feel nod your head because you put it there. And we are grateful. Thank you.
God bless you in everything that you do. AMDG.
You are welcome ElDonBDon!
Had a chance at becoming an all-timer, but just going to be a footnote now.
Quote from: PTM on April 16, 2013, 11:00:19 PM
Had a chance at becoming an all-timer, but just going to be a footnote now.
Like Glenn Rivers?
Amen. This season was amazing to watch and the previous two were awesome as well. Best of luck. Wish you were coming back, but can't imagine how hard the decision must be to make.
Quote from: The Lens on April 16, 2013, 11:01:29 PM
Like Glenn Rivers?
Kinda. Doc had a spotlight future ahead of him. Vander its going to have to crawl out from the dim glow of a doba sign in comparison.
Good luck in the NBA and thank you for the great run this year. I will never forget those buzzer beaters nor that corner 3 against Butler. I do not blame you at all for jumping to the NBA and think you have a great chance to succeed. I think a lot of the negativity surrounding your decision today on this board stems from the fact that you could have been the key part of an awesome run next year, but now we have to try to do that without ya, which will certainly be difficult. That being said, good luck and godspeed in the NBA. I will cheer for ya wherever you go.
Quote from: PTM on April 16, 2013, 11:00:19 PM
Had a chance at becoming an all-timer, but just going to be a footnote now.
Hate, hate, hate, hate, hate!
It's been a joy watching Van transform as a player before our eyes. I was hoping for one more year, but I am thankful for all he gave and understand that a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do. The moments we had this year were incredible and as much as I wanted to see him drive a stake through Bo's heart one more time at the KC, he has been a huge part of three incredibly successful seasons and helped lay the foundation for future success at Marquette.
Quote from: PTM on April 16, 2013, 11:00:19 PM
Had a chance at becoming an all-timer, but just going to be a footnote now.
Why post this here? Can't you just appreciate what Vander did, or sit on your hands for this thread?
You can call him a "footnote", but Vander Blue was the best player on a conference champ / elite 8 team. He is better at basketball than most of us will ever be at anything. If he decides that it is time to get paid for his skills, then so be it.
Gracias Vander. You can tell u put in some hard work and grew. Go get em in the NBA.
Quote from: PTM on April 16, 2013, 11:00:19 PM
Had a chance at becoming an all-timer, but just going to be a footnote now.
He's already tweeted thanks to people hating on his decision, so you're just adding fuel to his fire and validating his decision.
Quote from: lawwarrior12 on April 17, 2013, 07:50:43 AM
He's already tweeted thanks to people hating on his decision, so you're just adding fuel to his fire and validating his decision.
How does hating validate his decision? He's just not letting it effect him and he shouldn't--at this point it's counterproductive. Succeeding in the NBA will validate his decision, and I hope he does. The guy won a regular Big East title for our program and took us to the Elite 8--the deepest run in 10 years. I respect what he's done for the program and I'm thankful for it and he certainly has a chance of making it. That being said, I'll bite my tongue about his decision.
Vander's winning shot against Davidson is the desktop wallpaper on the laptop I'm using right now.
He had a heck of a junior season.
Thanks for the effort and guts Vander, this year's NCAA run will be a fond memory.
Has there been any reports on whether he will finish the semester out? I would assume not as his focus will be pre-draft camps, etc.
Quote from: PTM on April 16, 2013, 11:00:19 PM
Had a chance at becoming an all-timer, but just going to be a footnote now.
Funny how mediocre people find it necessary to criticize others who demonstrate a degree of excellence they themselves are incapable of...
Quote from: MUSF on April 17, 2013, 07:31:35 AM
You can call him a "footnote", but Vander Blue was the best player on a conference champ / elite 8 team. He is better at basketball than most of us will ever be at anything. If he decides that it is time to get paid for his skills, then so be it.
Well, is it not correct? I have no problem with him leaving, but stating that he could have achieved greater things at MU isn't a bad thing.
Quote from: lawwarrior12 on April 17, 2013, 07:50:43 AM
He's already tweeted thanks to people hating on his decision, so you're just adding fuel to his fire and validating his decision.
Not validating anything, nor am I hating. He left a lot on the table to leave, that's his decision.
Paint Touches said it best:
QuoteOne day 25 years from now when Vander comes back to take in a Marquette game, he will look up at the rafters and he will see the championship banners and retired numbers next to Dwyane Wade and say 'That could've been me up there.'
Hopefully he comes back as a sustained millionaire, but I have doubts.
I have always preached to my four kids to reach for the stars and applaud anyone who follows suit. It is easy to bash a risk taker, but hard to be one. I hope Vander hits out of the park!
Quote from: Goose on April 17, 2013, 09:25:59 AM
I have always preached to my four kids to reach for the stars and applaud anyone who follows suit. It is easy to bash a risk taker, but hard to be one. I hope Vander hits out of the park!
Goose
Some people get what you have taught your kids but too many others never see that bigger picture. I have so much more respect for the man who strives than the one who settles. This board has more settlers than adventurers.
Vander- the most hated MU player ever?
Good luck Vander I know you will be playing in the NBA next year.
I can't blame anyone for hating Vander for leaving. All I can do is wish him success, as it is good for the program.
Quote from: PTM on April 17, 2013, 09:23:59 AM
Well, is it not correct? I have no problem with him leaving, but stating that he could have greater things at MU isn't a bad thing.
No, it's not correct. Dameon Mason, Matt Mortensen, Jake Thomas, etc. are footnotes. Blue was a star on one of the best MU teams in 20 years. His shots to win a conference championship and tourney game will be remembered for a long time.
Calling him a "footnote" is simply not the same as saying, "he could have accomplished greater things at MU."
Quote from: MUSF on April 17, 2013, 10:10:02 AM
No, it's not correct. Dameon Mason, Matt Mortensen, Jake Thomas, etc. are footnotes. Blue was a star on one of the best MU teams in 20 years. His shots to win a conference championship and tourney game will be remembered for a long time.
Calling him a "footnote" is simply not the same as saying, "he could have accomplished greater things at MU."
You are spot on correct. Vander Blue made profound contributions to Marquette basketball and most of us will carry those memories forever. You are also wasting your breath trying to get a little person to recognize greatness. Simple people rarely grasp the profound.
Quote from: MUSF on April 17, 2013, 10:10:02 AM
No, it's not correct. Dameon Mason, Matt Mortensen, Jake Thomas, etc. are footnotes. Blue was a star on one of the best MU teams in 20 years. His shots to win a conference championship and tourney game will be remembered for a long time.
Calling him a "footnote" is simply not the same as saying, "he could have accomplished greater things at MU."
Dameon Mason hit a shot that lead to the last court rush, better than a steroid user (Mortensen) and a rec league junker (Thomas). If he could have went to class, could have been on Vander's level.
That being said, Vander is still a footnote to those hanging in the rafters and those such as Wes, Jerel, Butler, Jae, Diener and Novak. He could have been in the rafters.
I think this deserves its own thread. Blue is a mixed bag in terms of where you place him with the best of MU. Led his team to the Elite 8 and was part of 2 other Sweet 16 runs. That said he won't even be in the Top 50 scorers in school history and only had 1 really good year. His greatest individual award was "only" 2nd second team all-conference.
I think his legacy will depend if he has a successful NBA career. If he does, it would give credibility on why he left.
I wonder when they will retire Vander's number into the rafters?
Thanks to Blue for a great three years. He really became a stud this past season. And it's also time for people to stop b1tching about his departure and acting like they know best. Vander doesn't owe the fans. As much as it sucks to see him go, it's his call in the end and regardless of where he ends up he has his own path and choices to make.
We've gotten too comfortable cultivating hidden talent these last few years and retaining them up to senior year. As mentioned, the more "elite" we become, the more MU sees players leaving early. Some people need to rid themselves of the "I told you so" mentality and appreciate what Blue did here in 3 years and move on. Next year's team is full of talent and uncertainty. Makes for yet another exciting year of MU basketball.
Thanks Blue, sorry to see you go!!
Thanks for bringing us to our second elite 8 since 1977. Thanks for winning us our first Big East title. Thanks for spurining the badgers. Hope you make a ton of $$$ and keep proving dudes like ErickJD08 horribly wrong for years to come.