MUScoop
MUScoop => Hangin' at the Al => Topic started by: tower912 on December 07, 2013, 07:19:22 PM
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http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/ncaa/men/gameflash/2013/12/07/89329/#boxscore
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Startin' backcourt=1/6
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4 turnovers by the Vadgers...that's impressive
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4 turnovers by the Vadgers...that's impressive
3 were early on in the first half
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Says as much about MU as it does about UW.
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Startin' backcourt=1/6
Backcourt subs 0/3. Counting Deonte.
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Says as much about MU as it does about UW.
Says they don't piss their pants much
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Says MU's defense isn't turnin' folks over, a'ina?
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Even though UW made 7 3's, they didn't necessarily shoot well but still... 27 attempts?? At 3/8 it looks like we should have let a few more fly.
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Says as much about MU as it does about UW.
A sort of double-edged sword with the "solid" man defenders. The younger but vastly more athletic players might not be perfect with the defensive scheme, but they can get you a pick pocket or two for a breakaway slam.
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Another opponent makes more FTs than we shoot. Every game it becomes more apparent that our starting guards are predictably inadequate against decent opposition. I love Buzz to death but this team team is terribly unbalanced from the offensive end.
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4 turnovers by the Vadgers...that's impressive
But wait...we have the amazing defensive presence in Derrick Wilson and Jake Thomas, who are so valuable on the defensive end, we can live with their woefully bad offensive games...
Give me a break....the drop off defensively isn't going to be that great going to Dawson and JJJ. Mayo obviously would have helped today - yet we had some goobers suggesting the team was better off without Todd after a decent offensive performance against ASU. Please.
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But wait...we have the amazing defensive presence in Derrick Wilson and Jake Thomas, who are so valuable on the defensive end, we can live with their woefully bad offensive games...
Give me a break....the drop off defensively isn't going to be that great going to Dawson and JJJ. Mayo obviously would have helped today - yet we had some goobers suggesting the team was better off without Todd after a decent offensive performance against ASU. Please.
Did you see the backups play? What about their performance makes you think they are the answer?
At this point we are better off without Todd because he ain't a team player off the court and sometimes on the court. Sure Todd's offense would help if and when he decides he wants to act and play like an equal member of this team. When he does, we're very good. When he doesn't he's a detriment.
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Did you see the backups play? What about their performance makes you think they are the answer?
At this point we are better off without Todd because he ain't a team player off the court and sometimes on the court. Sure Todd's offense would help if and when he decides he wants to act and play like an equal member of this team. When he does, we're very good. When he doesn't he's a detriment.
Yes I saw the backups play, and I've gotten 2 games against high level competition - Wisconsin and Ohio State - to watch what Derrick Wilson and Jake Thomas are capable of. The stats don't lie. It can't get any worse, and getting the freshman's feet wet now serves the program much better in the long run - they are the future - not Derrick and Jake. Freshman can play on a big stage when talented, and given long stretches of run - see Wesley, McNeal, Dom James. The reality is, is that Burton, Duane, JJJ are all as highly ranked/higher ranked coming into MU tas were Wes, Rel and Dom.
As for Mayo - I'd still want him on the team as he greatly improves our chances of winning and is far better than Jake. I don't care if Jake is the ultimate teammate - I want to win, and the players inside that locker room want to win - and your best players, help you win - Jake is not the best player at his position, and I certainly don't believe Derrick Wilson is the answer at PG either - and believe Dawson is a much better player, just based off of what I've seen in Dawson's limited PT, compared to Derrick's body of work in his MU career.
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Yes I saw the backups play, and I've gotten 2 games against high level competition - Wisconsin and Ohio State - to watch what Derrick Wilson and Jake Thomas are capable of. The stats don't lie. It can't get any worse, and getting the freshman's feet wet now serves the program much better in the long run - they are the future - not Derrick and Jake. Freshman can play on a big stage when talented, and given long stretches of run - see Wesley, McNeal, Dom James. The reality is, is that Burton, Duane, JJJ are all as highly ranked/higher ranked coming into MU tas were Wes, Rel and Dom.
JJJ played 10 minutes, didn't take a shot and picked up two personal fouls. Burton played a bunch and was 0-3, but got to the line a couple times, and was a matador defensively. Dawson played a few minutes, but Buzz didn't even have him run the point.
And I will point out that we were down 11 with about 5 minutes to go, and Buzz pretty much put the starting line up back in, and they cut it to 3 points at 2:08. (Davante and Otule both played during that stretch.)
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Says MU's defense isn't turnin' folks over, a'ina?
One of the little disappointments for me so far is that we have so few points off turnovers.
I didn't expect us to be a run-and-gun team, but we are supposed to be a very good defensive team and we simply don't get enough easy baskets.
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Yes I saw the backups play, and I've gotten 2 games against high level competition - Wisconsin and Ohio State - to watch what Derrick Wilson and Jake Thomas are capable of. The stats don't lie. It can't get any worse, and getting the freshman's feet wet now serves the program much better in the long run - they are the future - not Derrick and Jake. Freshman can play on a big stage when talented, and given long stretches of run - see Wesley, McNeal, Dom James. The reality is, is that Burton, Duane, JJJ are all as highly ranked/higher ranked coming into MU tas were Wes, Rel and Dom.
One of the biggest fallacies in sports: Player X is not very good, so Player Y can't be worse.
We've seen the backups play in this case, and I do think they are worse.
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One of the little disappointments for me so far is that we have so few points off turnovers.
I didn't expect us to be a run-and-gun team, but we are supposed to be a very good defensive team and we simply don't get enough easy baskets.
Agreed. We didn't cause of a lot of turnovers today but we will cause more against other teams that don't handle the ball as well. When there are turnovers, we need to be more aggressive on getting easy baskets.
Added, we are a pretty good rebounding team. That could lead to some fast breaks too.
Both Wilson and Thomas and whomever is playing the '3' (guard, switchable, whomever) need to be more aggressive on turnovers and rebounds. Too many times they casually bring the ball up not looking up court for opportunities to run.
I don't think we are going to be a run-and-gun team either, but we need some easy baskets because our half court offense is average.
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Thomas and Wilson are more positional defenders and don't jump into passing lanes like Junior and Vander did.
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One of the biggest fallacies in sports: Player X is not very good, so Player Y can't be worse.
We've seen the backups play in this case, and I do think they are worse.
What I'm advocating is, is let me see the backups for 30+ minutes per game as Derrick ALWAYS gets, and Jake usually gets. There is a lot about getting into the rhythm of a game - that translates into results - when you get 3 minutes of run at a time, and then yanked - it's hard to do anything.
I'm just blown away that people are still arguing for Derrick and Jake saying things could get worse - the combined stats of Ohio State and Wisconsin games are:
Derrick - 2 of 12 FG, 2 assists, 4 Turnovers - Derrick got 38 and 39 minutes in those games
Jake - 0 of 8 FG, 2 assists, 3 Turnovers - Jake got 29 and 26 minutes
Please for the love of GOD, tell me how it could get worse??!!
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Yes I saw the backups play, and I've gotten 2 games against high level competition - Wisconsin and Ohio State - to watch what Derrick Wilson and Jake Thomas are capable of. The stats don't lie. It can't get any worse, and getting the freshman's feet wet now serves the program much better in the long run - they are the future - not Derrick and Jake. Freshman can play on a big stage when talented, and given long stretches of run - see Wesley, McNeal, Dom James. The reality is, is that Burton, Duane, JJJ are all as highly ranked/higher ranked coming into MU tas were Wes, Rel and Dom.
As for Mayo - I'd still want him on the team as he greatly improves our chances of winning and is far better than Jake. I don't care if Jake is the ultimate teammate - I want to win, and the players inside that locker room want to win - and your best players, help you win - Jake is not the best player at his position, and I certainly don't believe Derrick Wilson is the answer at PG either - and believe Dawson is a much better player, just based off of what I've seen in Dawson's limited PT, compared to Derrick's body of work in his MU career.
For the 1000th time, guys get the minutes they earn. If John Dawson was killing Derrick in practice, and was doing everything Buzz wanted, he would get minutes.
We have never seen Buzz give a player meaningful minutes "just because" or "to see what happens". That's what what cupcakes are for (Grambling).
When the games are "real", the toughest guys are going to play.
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What I'm advocating is, is let me see the backups for 30+ minutes per game as Derrick ALWAYS gets, and Jake usually gets. There is a lot about getting into the rhythm of a game - that translates into results - when you get 3 minutes of run at a time, and then yanked - it's hard to do anything.
I'm just blown away that people are still arguing for Derrick and Jake saying things could get worse - the combined stats of Ohio State and Wisconsin games are:
Derrick - 2 of 12 FG, 2 assists, 4 Turnovers - Derrick got 38 and 39 minutes in those games
Jake - 0 of 8 FG, 2 assists, 3 Turnovers - Jake got 29 and 26 minutes
Please for the love of GOD, tell me how it could get worse??!!
They were within 3 with two minutes to go against a top 10 team on the road.
It can get A LOT worse than that.
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What I'm advocating is, is let me see the backups for 30+ minutes per game as Derrick ALWAYS gets, and Jake usually gets.
I would like to see that too... but Buzz isn't going to to it "just because".
The back-ups will have to EARN it.
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I would like to see that too... but Buzz isn't going to to it "just because".
The back-ups will have to EARN it.
There is also the notion that a starter can EARN their way out of a starting position, based on their play in games.
I don't care what practice looks like, I care about games. See what the freshman can do under the big lights at this point - they are the future. What do you have to lose? We've already lost 4 games to the 4 decent teams we've played.
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Thomas and Wilson are more positional defenders and don't jump into passing lanes like Junior and Vander did.
So why don't Derrick and Jake play the passing lanes more often and try to create some turnovers? This team has ZERO transition game, and creates ZERO points off of turnovers - which usually are created by a disruptive backcourt.
They were within 3 with two minutes to go against a top 10 team on the road.
It can get A LOT worse than that.
I do find it remarkable that they were in the game, when the production of your 39 minute PG and 28 minute Shooting Guard, was as paltry as it was. Says a lot for Devante and Jamil. If only our major minute guards could bring some scoring or forced turnovers to the table - perhaps we'd have won at WI or the other decent opponents we've played.
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I don't care what practice looks like, I care about games.
When you apply to be a Division I basketball coach, this philosophy should work well in your interview with the AD and school president.
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So why don't Derrick and Jake play the passing lanes more often and try to create some turnovers?
Ask Buzz.
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Ask Buzz.
Just watching them both enough now. Neither has the quickness or defensive anticipation skills to pull this off. When a defender is quicker he gets to where he belongs in the defensive rotation a split second sooner. This gives him the ability to read the passing lanes and anticipate more often.
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When you apply to be a Division I basketball coach, this philosophy should work well in your interview with the AD and school president.
Well, pretty sure we won't have to ever worry about this becoming a reality. ;D And guess my Allen Iverson, we talkin about practice - point - may not be a good one. The overriding point is, is that Derrick and Jake have been given plenty of opportunities to show what they can do in a game - why not get a benchmark of what things would be like if you gave Dawson/JJJ/Burton the same opportunity?
As for Juan Anderson - he's no more than a Joe Fulce - a great energy/glue guy - should get 10-15 minutes a game. I feel about 1000 times more confident when Burton attacks the hoop than Juan...and Juan's perimeter game is lackluster as well - but again, as an energy player getting 10-15 minutes a game - a great role for him/asset to the team.
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I do find it remarkable that they were in the game, when the production of your 39 minute PG and 28 minute Shooting Guard, was as paltry as it was. Says a lot for Devante and Jamil. If only our major minute guards could bring some scoring or forced turnovers to the table - perhaps we'd have won at WI or the other decent opponents we've played.
You ever think that is how the offense is designed and not so much a product of the players.
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Just watching them both enough now. Neither has the quickness or defensive anticipation skills to pull this off. When a defender is quicker he gets to where he belongs in the defensive rotation a split second sooner. This gives him the ability to read the passing lanes and anticipate more often.
I coached a 7th-8th grade team a few years ago. We played a 2-3 zone and our guards got a lot of steals. We had a rematch against an opponent who had beaten us earlier in the season and we thought we'd try man-to-man for a spell just to switch things up. So we practiced it at length the two days before the game and then opened in a man-to-man. It was disaster. Not only didn't our guards get many steals, but they kept getting beaten by their assigned players because their instincts told them to gamble for steals.
Point is, some players have it in them only to play certain styles. To force square pegs into round holes usually hurts matters rather than helps them.
Derrick and Jake are who they are.
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You ever think that is how the offense is designed and not so much a product of the players.
No. Because there have been a few occasions (too few) in which Derrick has driven to the hoop and created for himself and others. Buzz would LOVE to have that on a regular basis. Any coach would from his PG.
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No. Because there have been a few occasions (too few) in which Derrick has driven to the hoop and created for himself and others. Buzz would LOVE to have that on a regular basis. Any coach would from his PG.
Then he needs to recruit a PG that is capable of such accomplishments. That's my biggest beef with all of this and I've said it for 4+ years. I like the idea of the versatility of switchables, it makes sense, but you can't ignore the engine. The engine is the point guard. I thought JC was adequate, but not great....not in the tradition of very good point guards that we have had at MU over the years in Diener, Miller, James, Johnson, etc. Hopefully Duane is that guy, but I remain concerned about what seems to be less emphasis on getting stud point guards (for which there are FAR FAR more than stud big men). My two cents.
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Reasonable. And doable.
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You ever think that is how the offense is designed and not so much a product of the players.
No coach would ever design an offense to get that little production from their PG and Shooting Guard. Their lack of production, just makes it that much more challenging for Devante and Jamil to get off.
Posted this elsewhere - Jamil has caught some hell here - but if you are an opposing coach and you are facing a starting lineup featuring Derrick, Jake, Juan, Chris and Jamil - which guy do you think is going to get the most attention? Who is the most threatening player in the mix? Jamil and only Jamil!! Makes it that much for difficult for him to get off.
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You ever think that is how the offense is designed and not so much a product of the players.
No. The offense is the same one that got consistently open looks for Mo, Cubi, DJO, Buycks, Lazar, JFB, Jae...... Movement, read, dribble, react, drive, dish, repeat. In some ways, it is more efficient without a true low post player. But players who can attack and make shots are vital.
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Then he needs to recruit a PG that is capable of such accomplishments. That's my biggest beef with all of this and I've said it for 4+ years. I like the idea of the versatility of switchables, it makes sense, but you can't ignore the engine. The engine is the point guard. I thought JC was adequate, but not great....not in the tradition of very good point guards that we have had at MU over the years in Diener, Miller, James, Johnson, etc. Hopefully Duane is that guy, but I remain concerned about what seems to be less emphasis on getting stud point guards (for which there are FAR FAR more than stud big men). My two cents.
Duane Wilson this year. Nick Nostowiak (#7 PG in the country by Scout) in 2015. They were in on a couple in 2014 but it didn't work out.
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Duane Wilson this year. Nick Nostowiak (#7 PG in the country by Scout) in 2015. They were in on a couple in 2014 but it didn't work out.
That's the saving grace, at least that is my hope. You never know until they actually set foot on campus, but I sure hope they are what their press clippings state they are.
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The overriding point is, is that Derrick and Jake have been given plenty of opportunities to show what they can do in a game - why not get a benchmark of what things would be like if you gave Dawson/JJJ/Burton the same opportunity?
The guys play/practice every single day. Buzz sees these guys for hours and hours per week.
The back-ups have plenty of opportunity to prove they should get minutes.
Watch this videos. LISTEN TO WHAT BUZZ IS SAYING.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nf7SuRwIfE&feature=youtu.be&t=8m54s
http://youtu.be/uC7QEOa_MCo?t=6m23s
You can whine all you want on this message board, but players get the minutes they EARN. This ain't new.
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The guys play/practice every single day. Buzz sees these guys for hours and hours per week.
The back-ups have plenty of opportunity to prove they should get minutes.
Watch this videos. LISTEN TO WHAT BUZZ IS SAYING.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nf7SuRwIfE&feature=youtu.be&t=8m54s
http://youtu.be/uC7QEOa_MCo?t=6m23s
You can whine all you want on this message board, but players get the minutes they EARN. This ain't new.
I get it Guns...you keep bringing up the same video over and over - and I keep making the same point over and over - given the continued over and over and over piss poor performance of our backcourt. I don't care if Derrick and Jake are tougher than Dawson and JJJ - I care about guys who can freaking play at this level.
UW got 35 points and 11 assists from its backcourt. We got 3 points and 2 assists - if you want to add Juan to Derrick and Jake - we got 11 points and 2 assists. Talk about being dominated - so, I'd hypothesize Derrick and Jake simply aren't that tough apparently.
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No. The offense is the same one that got consistently open looks for Mo, Cubi, DJO, Buycks, Lazar, JFB, Jae...... Movement, read, dribble, react, drive, dish, repeat. In some ways, it is more efficient without a true low post player. But players who can attack and make shots are vital.
It is a vastly different offense when we have two post players on the blocks at all times. It creates more east west dribbling instead of north/south, because the middle is constantly occupied with 2 MU players and their defenders. Not sufficient space for the penetration.
Rather any offense is suppose to be generated by entry passes into the post and if the defense allows (i.e. doubling the post) a kick out to the perimeter players. It is not designed in the vein of penetrate and dish as it has in the past because of the emphasis on the low post game. This does not allow for creation of shots for perimeter players and it is not the goal of the offense. Buzz has tried to adapt to this years strength (the post) similar to how he has every year, the problem is that the offense is still a work in progress at this point and will likely take the rest of preseason to properly execute.
The couple drives that D. Wilson has made have resulted from his defender doubling the post and him being able to "curl drive" around the two low post players or drive from the top of the key undefended.
Jake's/Mayo/JJJ defenders are instructed to never leave their man regardless of whether the on ball defender is beat. Why? Because unlike previous seasons, there are always two bigs defending in the lane (because of two post players), the bigs can act as the help for both the penetration and the drive and dish to a big (other big can help). Similarly, the drive and dish to the perimeter players is not possible, because they are neither sagging or helping on penetration.
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I get it Guns...you keep bringing up the same video over and over - and I keep making the same point over and over - given the continued over and over and over piss poor performance of our backcourt. I don't care if Derrick and Jake are tougher than Dawson and JJJ - I care about guys who can freaking play at this level.
UW got 35 points and 11 assists from its backcourt. We got 3 points and 2 assists - if you want to add Juan to Derrick and Jake - we got 11 points and 2 assists. Talk about being dominated - so, I'd hypothesize Derrick and Jake simply aren't that tough apparently.
And again, the players have plenty of time during the week to PROVE they should play.
I'm sure Buzz doesn't want to play Derrick 35+ min. He sees what's happening.
But, if Dawson is getting his ass kicked in practice everyday, what is Buzz supposed to do? Give Dawson 30min. in a game so he can play poorly and prove to the internet that he's not ready for real minutes?
Buzz Williams isn't infallible. However, Buzz is a basketball expert, and he sees these kids play ALL OF THE TIME. I trust his judgement.
If/when the newer guys start out-performing the older guys, they will get significant minutes in meaningful games. That's how it works. Buzz has never handed anything to anybody.
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One more thing, if the back-up players are actually outperforming the starters in practice, and Buzz is simply being too stubborn or loyal to the older guys, then he should be fired immediately. I'm not kidding.
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prove to the internet
Duh. We're the only ones that matter
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And again, the players have plenty of time during the week to PROVE they should play.
I'm sure Buzz doesn't want to play Derrick 35+ min. He sees what's happening.
But, if Dawson is getting his ass kicked in practice everyday, what is Buzz supposed to do? Give Dawson 30min. in a game so he can play poorly and prove to the internet that he's not ready for real minutes?
Buzz Williams isn't infallible. However, Buzz is a basketball expert, and he sees these kids play ALL OF THE TIME. I trust his judgement.
If/when the newer guys start out-performing the older guys, they will get significant minutes in meaningful games. That's how it works. Buzz has never handed anything to anybody.
EDIT
One more thing, if the back-up players are actually outperforming the starters in practice, and Buzz is simply being too stubborn or loyal to the older guys, then he should be fired immediately. I'm not kidding.
Considering Derrick Wilson has yet to show he can outperform any point guard, much less own them or kick their ass from a basketball perspective - highly doubt Derrick is just lighting Dawson up in practice.
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Considering Derrick Wilson has yet to show he can outperform any point guard, much less own them or kick their ass from a basketball perspective - highly doubt Derrick is just lighting Dawson up in practice.
But you don't know.
If Derrick IS lighting up Dawson in practice -- and by lighting up, it might mean playing way better defensive, committing fewer turnovers, etc. -- it doesn't speak very highly of Dawson.
I coach a girls middle school team. After the second game, I got an email from the mother of the worst player on the team complaining about playing time. She said, "From what I can see, xxxxx is no worse than any other player on the team." To which I very nicely answered, "I see all of the girls in practice and each earned precisely the amount of minutes each deserved."
I'm sure the mother was unsatisfied with my response, just as you are unsatisfied with Buzz's regarding Wilson and Dawson.
Again, you don't know what goes on at Warriors practice, and neither do I.
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But you don't know.
If Derrick IS lighting up Dawson in practice -- and by lighting up, it might mean playing way better defensive, committing fewer turnovers, etc. -- it doesn't speak very highly of Dawson.
I coach a girls middle school team. After the second game, I got an email from the mother of the worst player on the team complaining about playing time. She said, "From what I can see, xxxxx is no worse than any other player on the team." To which I very nicely answered, "I see all of the girls in practice and each earned precisely the amount of minutes each deserved."
I'm sure the mother was unsatisfied with my response, just as you are unsatisfied with Buzz's regarding Wilson and Dawson.
Again, you don't know what goes on at Warriors practice, and neither do I.
Totally agree with the bolded - just know what goes on during Warrior games, and I've seen enough to know Derrick and Jake aren't the answer.
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Totally agree with the bolded - just know what goes on during Warrior games, and I've seen enough to know Derrick and Jake aren't the answer.
You're mixing to things together.
Derrick and Jake might not be "the answer". They might be the worst starting guard combo in the conference. There is a legitimate chance that they are.
However...
That doesn't mean that Dawson and JJJ are better options at this time.
To put it another way: Why do you think Buzz is still playing Jake and Derrick? If he had better options on the bench, wouldn't he play them? The "loyalty" thing you mentioned earlier this season has to have run out by now, right?
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But Guns...
(http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lszwkoBSiR1r3gedxo1_1280.jpg)
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But Guns...
(http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lszwkoBSiR1r3gedxo1_1280.jpg)
Logic is always better. :)
Just because (insert player) is bad, doesn't mean the guy behind him in the depth chart is better.
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Logic is always better. :)
Just because (insert player) is bad, doesn't mean the guy behind him in the depth chart is better.
Pfft...you and your silly logic ;)
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Logic is always better. :)
Just because (insert player) is bad, doesn't mean the guy behind him in the depth chart is better.
Someone might argue, how come both aren't very good....maybe we are missing on some evaluations or recruiting? Or, maybe they are too young and still learning.
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You're mixing to things together.
Derrick and Jake might not be "the answer". They might be the worst starting guard combo in the conference. There is a legitimate chance that they are.
However...
That doesn't mean that Dawson and JJJ are better options at this time.
To put it another way: Why do you think Buzz is still playing Jake and Derrick? If he had better options on the bench, wouldn't he play them? The "loyalty" thing you mentioned earlier this season has to have run out by now, right?
I have no idea why Buzz is still playing them this much - at this point all I can say is it must be out of stubbornness, but that has to be wearing thin continuing to see how overmatched they are against good competition.
No, Dawson and JJJ may not be better options - but they certainly won't be worse. Let them each run 30 and see what the hell happens - either they prove Buzz right and play terrible (just like Jake and Derrick continue to do), or they play decent/better than Derrick and Jake and the team is better off in the short run, and certainly in the long run for getting them experience now. JJJ was a 5 star recruit, Dawson an under the radar 3 star, player of the year in New Mexico...time to see how they perform in extended game situations..not just 2 and 3 minute stints.
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Logic is always better. :)
Just because (insert player) is bad, doesn't mean the guy behind him in the depth chart is better.
Clearly you've never heard of a backup QB.
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My guess is Buzz doesn't feel the need to prove himself right or wrong to you or anyone on these boards. And if they do play terrible and we lose a game because of it, will that somehow make it okay that they haven't been starting before now? Yes, we have some losses. Disappointing losses. But most likely all of them are to top-50 (at worst top-100) RPI teams. It's not like we have a litany of bad losses. But if we start two freshmen just to see how they perform, well maybe IUPUI turns into New Hampshire take two, only with us losing the game at the end.
Also, Dawson wasn't POY in New Mexico. That was Bryce Alford.
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I have no idea why Buzz is still playing them this much - at this point all I can say is it must be out of stubbornness, but that has to be wearing thin continuing to see how overmatched they are against good competition.
No, Dawson and JJJ may not be better options - but they certainly won't be worse. Let them each run 30 and see what the hell happens - either they prove Buzz right and play terrible (just like Jake and Derrick continue to do), or they play decent/better than Derrick and Jake and the team is better off in the short run, and certainly in the long run for getting them experience now. JJJ was a 5 star recruit, Dawson an under the radar 3 star, player of the year in New Mexico...time to see how they perform in extended game situations..not just 2 and 3 minute stints.
If it's out of stubbornness, Buzz should be fired tomorrow. End of story.
I think it's more likely that the younger guys just aren't doing everything Buzz wants. He's very specific in how they play defense. The technique, the rotations, the recovery. He also wants specific things on offense. The way the ball is handled, the way it's moved from side to side, shot selection, etc.
If guys aren't doing the right things, they won't play much. That goes for Duane, Deonte, JJJ, Todd, Steve Taylor, etc.
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Clearly you've never heard of a backup QB.
Christian Ponder and Matt Cassel are bad.
That doesn't mean Josh Freeman is good.
Jake Thomas and Derrick are bad.
That doesn't mean John Dawson is good.
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And again, the players have plenty of time during the week to PROVE they should play.
I'm sure Buzz doesn't want to play Derrick 35+ min. He sees what's happening.
But, if Dawson is getting his ass kicked in practice everyday, what is Buzz supposed to do? Give Dawson 30min. in a game so he can play poorly and prove to the internet that he's not ready for real minutes?
Buzz Williams isn't infallible. However, Buzz is a basketball expert, and he sees these kids play ALL OF THE TIME. I trust his judgement.
If/when the newer guys start out-performing the older guys, they will get significant minutes in meaningful games. That's how it works. Buzz has never handed anything to anybody.
EDIT
One more thing, if the back-up players are actually outperforming the starters in practice, and Buzz is simply being too stubborn or loyal to the older guys, then he should be fired immediately. I'm not kidding.
I seem to recall Tom Brady getting his ass kicked by Drew Bledsoe every day in practice.
Practice cannot simulate the game. Unless Dawson is god-awful, give him a shot. If he is god-awful, then why is he here?
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I seem to recall Tom Brady getting his ass kicked by Drew Bledsoe every day in practice.
Practice cannot simulate the game. Unless Dawson is god-awful, give him a shot. If he is god-awful, then why is he here?
For every Tom Brady, there are literally THOUSANDS of back-ups who are worse than the starter, and play worse when they are given the chance.
Dawson may eventually get minutes. Dawson may eventually be better than Wilson (maybe even this season?).
But, Buzz isn't just going to hand him minutes to find out. Dawson is going to have to earn it.
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For every Tom Brady, there are literally THOUSANDS of back-ups who are worse than the starter, and play worse when they are given the chance.
Dawson may eventually get minutes. Dawson may eventually be better than Wilson (maybe even this season?).
But, Buzz isn't just going to hand him minutes to find out. Dawson is going to have to earn it.
Do you ever feel a starter can play their way out of the lineup? It happens ALL the time in sports. We don't have a good data set as to what Dawson can do given 30 minutes of run against a good team - we have PLENTY of data on what Derrick brings - and it's been awful aside from ASU. His total and complete lack of a perimeter game, kills the offense for the rest of the guys. Nor is Derrick a very creative passer - I can't recall more than maybe 2 or 3 assists in his career where it is like - That was sweet. Junior had those kind of dishes EVERY game. Dawson showed that in Grambling game and then again against Fullerton - since that time Dawson's minutes have all been off the ball...
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Do you ever feel a starter can play their way out of the lineup? It happens ALL the time in sports. We don't have a good data set as to what Dawson can do given 30 minutes of run against a good team - we have PLENTY of data on what Derrick brings - and it's been awful aside from ASU. His total and complete lack of a perimeter game, kills the offense for the rest of the guys. Nor is Derrick a very creative passer - I can't recall more than maybe 2 or 3 assists in his career where it is like - That was sweet. Junior had those kind of dishes EVERY game. Dawson showed that in Grambling game and then again against Fullerton - since that time Dawson's minutes have all been off the ball...
For the 10,000th time, you are mix together 2 separate events.
Derrick Wilson is bad. Fine. I get it. Derrick might be worst PG in the conference. Fine.
But, Derrick Wilson being bad doesn't mean John Dawson is good.
We don't know that John Dawson is good. My guess is that the head coach has a handle on who should play and who shouldn't. If JD is shredding Derrick in practice, then JD will get some minutes.
And if Buzz is simply not playing Dawson out of stubbornness, then he should be fired because clearly his ego is more important than the team's actual performance.