MUScoop
MUScoop => Hangin' at the Al => Topic started by: Texas Western on January 12, 2014, 02:15:03 PM
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He spoke in detail about Jamil. Not the kind of stuff you usually want to see in a newspaper article. Wonder if there will be any fall out with Buzz.
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Kids allowed to answer questions...truth hurts sometimes.
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I don't see anything bad in what he said. Basically he acknowledged that Jamil is the smartest and best player on the team.
But, he has focused less on leading with words (coaching other players) and instead lead with play. They have coaches who can lead them through words...the coaches can't get out there and take over the game though. They need Jamil to take over the game when he is in, because he has the ability to do so. I'm sure Mayo would say the exact same thing to Jamil in person...so no problem with it.
He also rightfully complemented Jamil, in that he showed up on Saturday and didn't say a word, just did his job. Not sure what should be controversial about his statements.
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Yeah, wasn't like he refused to slap five with a teammate or somethin'.
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I agree with everything in the article except the point that toughness is a talent just like dribbling and shooting. To me it is an attribute that is completely different and has nothing to do with a skill set.
I heard Doc Rivers utter this too about the Bucks last year concerning toughness or playing hard being a talent...IDK..?
You are either tough mentally, internally, and physically TOUGH or you are not. It is that simple. It is a trait that is easy to identify and quantify in any player if you know what you are looking for.
Some of the most talented players skill wise are some of the softest and fragile players around. There is street toughness and basketball toughness, and competitive toughness, and bounce back from injury toughness, but it all varies...and it can not be taught.
It is a gift in some ways more then a talent, but some may have different view on it from another angle. But see not one thing wrong with what Mayo said although I do think some teams need a coach or leader on the floor and sometimes it necessitates being more vocal and verbal then others. Jamil is a senior.
But now is the time for him to take action and not talk and show his teammates and let the coaches coach. If anyone should be more talkative on the floor it is Derrick Wilson not Jamil Wilson...they miss Junior and Vander. One talked it out and the other worked it out...and got things done.
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I don't see anything bad in what he said. Basically he acknowledged that Jamil is the smartest and best player on the team.
But, he has focused less on leading with words (coaching other players) and instead lead with play. They have coaches who can lead them through words...the coaches can't get out there and take over the game though. They need Jamil to take over the game when he is in, because he has the ability to do so. I'm sure Mayo would say the exact same thing to Jamil in person...so no problem with it.
He also rightfully complemented Jamil, in that he showed up on Saturday and didn't say a word, just did his job. Not sure what should be controversial about his statements.
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Nothing controversial, I just know coaches don't like players commenting on other players in that kind of detail. I thought it was an interesting insight into the team dynamics. Maybe a clue as to why the team hasn't been clicking on the floor.
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Todd wasn't off the reservation. He complimented Jamil's ability and then said publicly what has probably been said many times privately, what has been said 100 different ways here. That Jamil is a smart guy and a good teammate, and he needs to go out and play.
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Where is this article? Link?
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Where is this article? Link?
http://www.jsonline.com/sports/goldeneagles/marquette-holds-on-against-seton-hall-b99181898z1-239779211.html
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Thought Todd's quotes were actually right on, and actually quite mature and insightful. Buzz shouldn't have to talk about toughness at this point. Jamil shouldn't need to be worried about trying to be a coach on the floor - just ball out Jamil, get a chip on your shoulder, and let's kick some ASS. No more Mr. Nice Guy. (On the basketball court.)
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We've been so long for this to happen...Todd gets it. Look out, world. January 11, 2014 was Todd Mayo Day.
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Chappie, I hope you are right on. I think Todd is the one player on the squad, that if he gets it, can make a difference. If he becomes the force that we saw yesterday and can maintain continutiy, we've got a chance to be over .500 in league.
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Those quotes weren't controversial in the least. The fact that Mayo felt confident enough to say those things is a hopeful sign. That he seems willing and able to walk the talk is an even more hopeful sign.
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You are either tough mentally, internally, and physically TOUGH or you are not. It is that simple. It is a trait that is easy to identify and quantify in any player if you know what you are looking for.
Some of the most talented players skill wise are some of the softest and fragile players around. There is street toughness and basketball toughness, and competitive toughness, and bounce back from injury toughness, but it all varies...and it can not be taught.
Completely disagree with this part of your post. Toughness can absolutely be learned and developed. It might not be easy, but it certainly can be done.
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I thought it was a) great to hear those comments from someone publicly. It's "strange" here because so many players today never say anything and just whip off cliché after cliché about teammates. The one time a guy speaks out it's 'shocking'.
b) I thought it was awesome that it came from Todd Mayo. Maybe he's transforming into something more before our eyes? For the team's sake, I hope so.
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Some of the most talented players skill wise are some of the softest and fragile players around. There is street toughness and basketball toughness, and competitive toughness, and bounce back from injury toughness, but it all varies...and it can not be taught.
Agree that it is far different from a skill such as shooting, passing, defense, etc. However, mental and physical toughness are most definitely something that can be taught.
Hell, that is something I learned. I was soft as could be until 11/12 when I started wrestling.
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For 3 years, we've all been playing the "This is Todd's turning point!" game.
It's been said at least 4 or 5 times.
It's never been true.
I hope this time it is.
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Agree that it is far different from a skill such as shooting, passing, defense, etc. However, mental and physical toughness are most definitely something that can be taught.
Hell, that is something I learned. I was soft as could be until 11/12 when I started wrestling.
Why, are they not all learned? You are not born a shooter. It comes from practice.
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Why, are they not all learned? You are not born a shooter. It comes from practice.
I don't disagree with that. I read the original post to say that mental toughness is not something that can be learned and it is an inherent trait you either have or you do not. I totally disgaree with that. Some may have a natural talent for it, just like other intangible skills (e.g. leadership) or physical skills (e.g. shooting), but they are all skills that can be taught.
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For 3 years, we've all been playing the "This is Todd's turning point!" game.
It's been said at least 4 or 5 times.
It's never been true.
I hope this time it is.
From my perspective you can throw out all of last year, because Buzz had Todd on a short leash...one mistake, and he's was yanked. Don't think Todd got more than 20 minutes in more than 2 games last year. Hit some big shots at home against Syracuse that keyed that win last year. But, Todd has never been given the long leash that Vander got - and perhaps rightfully so, given some of the off court challenges. Yet, Vander had a few off court blemishes as well. Todd's freshman season, certainly was better than what Vander's freshman year was - and as you and I saw in our bet last year...the disparity in points per minute played between the amazing Vander Blue last year and Todd was .04 point per 40 difference.
Pretty sure if Buzz will finally just roll Todd out there 33 minutes a game like Vander got last year, he'll post numbers as good and probably better than Van did last year.
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From my perspective you can throw out all of last year, because Buzz had Todd on a short leash...one mistake, and he's was yanked. Don't think Todd got more than 20 minutes in more than 2 games last year. Hit some big shots at home against Syracuse that keyed that win last year. But, Todd has never been given the long leash that Vander got - and perhaps rightfully so, given some of the off court challenges. Yet, Vander had a few off court blemishes as well. Todd's freshman season, certainly was better than what Vander's freshman year was - and as you and I saw in our bet last year...the disparity in points per minute played between the amazing Vander Blue last year and Todd was .04 point per 40 difference.
Pretty sure if Buzz will finally just roll Todd out there 33 minutes a game like Vander got last year, he'll post numbers as good and probably better than Van did last year.
Todd will get 33min. per game when Todd earns 33min. per game. Same for Burton, Juan, Dawson, JJJ, etc. etc.
The players control their own destiny.
If X player outplays Y player in every practice, and in every game, X player will get the majority of minutes. It's ain't rocket science.
I highly doubt Buzz has been this successful by benching good players just for fun.
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Todd will get 33min. per game when Todd earns 33min. per game. Same for Burton, Juan, Dawson, JJJ, etc. etc.
The players control their own destiny.
If X player outplays Y player in every practice, and in every game, X player will get the majority of minutes. It's ain't rocket science.
I highly doubt Buzz has been this successful by benching good players just for fun.
This
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From my perspective you can throw out all of last year, because Buzz had Todd on a short leash...one mistake, and he's was yanked. Don't think Todd got more than 20 minutes in more than 2 games last year. Hit some big shots at home against Syracuse that keyed that win last year. But, Todd has never been given the long leash that Vander got - and perhaps rightfully so, given some of the off court challenges. Yet, Vander had a few off court blemishes as well. Todd's freshman season, certainly was better than what Vander's freshman year was - and as you and I saw in our bet last year...the disparity in points per minute played between the amazing Vander Blue last year and Todd was .04 point per 40 difference.
Pretty sure if Buzz will finally just roll Todd out there 33 minutes a game like Vander got last year, he'll post numbers as good and probably better than Van did last year.
Todd was given an extremely "long leash" his freshman year. Frankly, he was pretty awful during the second half of it but Buzz kept playing him in the hopes that Todd would recapture some of the scoring touch that made him such a pleasant surprise in the season's first half. Buzz's willingness to ride out Mayo's woes and keep giving him 15-20 minutes of PT game after game after game paid off when Mayo played well in the postseason.
Todd was on a short leash last year, and deservedly so.
Buzz is starting to give him much more playing time this season, and deservedly so.
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Pretty sure if Buzz will finally just roll Todd out there 33 minutes a game like Vander got last year, he'll post numbers as good and probably better than Van did last year.
While Buzz is clearly not infallible, how do you justify, based on game performance alone, knowing so much more about how this team would perform than Buzz and assistants who see them practice every day?
I highly doubt Buzz has been this successful by benching good players just for fun.
100% agree. That doesn't mean that he won't make mistakes, get outcoached, etc. But he's making these decisions for a reason, not just to annoy Todd (or Ners). His job security comes partially from winning games. He's going to do everything within reason to accomplish that goal.
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Todd was given an extremely "long leash" his freshman year. Frankly, he was pretty awful during the second half of it but Buzz kept playing him in the hopes that Todd would recapture some of the scoring touch that made him such a pleasant surprise in the season's first half. Buzz's willingness to ride out Mayo's woes and keep giving him 15-20 minutes of PT game after game after game paid off when Mayo played well in the postseason.
Todd was on a short leash last year, and deservedly so.
Buzz is starting to give him much more playing time this season, and deservedly so.
Todd's "leash" his freshman year was nowhere as long as what Vander got, during Vander's freshman year. Vander was flat out AWFUL as a freshman, and would still get 15-20 minutes EVERY game. Todd actually helped WIN games as a freshman, and showed up in the NCAA. Vander did nothing to help the team win games as a freshman. So, to Guns point - Todd earned the "leash" he got freshman year - my contention, has been that Todd's leash has always been quite short, and shorter than it should be. Every color analyst that does our games can see the talent Todd has - and especially on this team - being so devoid of a complete perimeter player - Todd should see 33 minutes a game, if for no other reason than by default for lack of better options.
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While Buzz is clearly not infallible, how do you justify, based on game performance alone, knowing so much more about how this team would perform than Buzz and assistants who see them practice every day?
100% agree. That doesn't mean that he won't make mistakes, get outcoached, etc. But he's making these decisions for a reason, not just to annoy Todd (or Ners). His job security comes partially from winning games. He's going to do everything within reason to accomplish that goal.
All we as fans can measure is game performance, and games matter a hell of a lot more than practice. Todd's put up numbers on par and in excess of Vander throughout his career, all the while being on a much shorter leash.
And as for Buzz, of course winning is a huge priority - but don't think for a minute Buzz doesn't have his eccentricities and a method to the madness. Nor should you think that Buzz is 100% correct at all times with his eccentricities. EVERY coach makes coaching mistakes - just as every fan makes incorrect perceptions. I LOVE Buzz as much as any poster on the board - yet that doesn't mean I believe he's right 100% of the time. Ironically, I used to get criticized for never criticizing Buzz...and when I do, the same handful of posters who used to give me hell for giving Buzz so much support...now get on me being critical of Buzz and use things such as: I'm going to trust that a coach who has led us to Elite 8, Sweet 16, Sweet 16...always knows what he's doing, and always makes the right decisions, and should never be questioned for such decisions.
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Edit:
Forget it.
I don't have anything original to add to this conversation, and I'm trying not to say the same crap over and over again.
Mods, feel free to delete.
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Todd's "leash" his freshman year was nowhere as long as what Vander got, during Vander's freshman year. Vander was flat out AWFUL as a freshman, and would still get 15-20 minutes EVERY game. Todd actually helped WIN games as a freshman, and showed up in the NCAA. Vander did nothing to help the team win games as a freshman.
Todd Mayo mpg as a freshman...21.1
Vander Blue mpg as a freshman...19.0
And to say that Blue did "did nothing to help the games as a freshman" is absurd. Blue was a stellar defender in the defensive scheme even early on as a freshman. Todd struggled with that at times even last year.
Basketball is played at both ends.
EDIT: I should also add that someone else mentioned that when Vander was a freshman, there weren't very many alternatives. And that's true. It would be interesting to see how much Joe Fulce would have played had he not been injured that year. When Todd was a freshman, you had a much deeper rotation.
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Todd Mayo mpg as a freshman...21.1
Vander Blue mpg as a freshman...19.0
And to say that Blue did "did nothing to help the games as a freshman" is absurd. Blue was a stellar defender in the defensive scheme even early on as a freshman. Todd struggled with that at times even last year.
Basketball is played at both ends.
Thanks for this. Beat me to it.
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Todd Mayo mpg as a freshman...21.1
Vander Blue mpg as a freshman...19.0
And to say that Blue did "did nothing to help the games as a freshman" is absurd. Blue was a stellar defender in the defensive scheme even early on as a freshman. Todd struggled with that at times even last year.
Basketball is played at both ends.
EDIT: I should also add that someone else mentioned that when Vander was a freshman, there weren't very many alternatives. And that's true. It would be interesting to see how much Joe Fulce would have played had he not been injured that year. When Todd was a freshman, you had a much deeper rotation.
I love the continued notion of guys being "stellar" defenders and basketball being a game played on both ends, yet when you look at their "stellar" defensive statistics, they aren't anything remarkable or different than those of the guys who are significantly better offensively. Burton, is the latest guy who catches hell regarding his defense, yet the guy leads the team in steals and blocks - but to hell with those stats, because he's "out of position" at times - because all message board guys know the team defensive concepts game in and game out, right? Rule 1 for Buzz - protect the paint, shut off penetration. So, guys may help off a perimeter guy too far to the eye to protect paint, but guy is doing his job under Buzz's scheme...
Here's Blue and Todd's freshman year - one was quite a bit better offensively in the way of shooting percentages...and quite comparable defensively. Big point is Vander and Todd have basically been the identical player at MU in each of their seasons, and some slurped so hard on Vander last year, and Todd is basically replicating and exceeding Vander's Junior year stats this year and we have continued posts question if team would be better off without Mayo. Todd doesn't get it, etc.
http://statsheet.com/mcb/players/compare?add=todd-mayo&i=1&p1=vander-blue&todd-mayo=2011-2012&vander-blue=2010-2011
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Todd is MU's best all around guard this year, and I hope he can do what Vander ended up doing. But he hasn't yet. Really no use continuing to debate this when you resort to willie "slurper" language either.
Bowing out.
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We've been so long for this to happen...Todd gets it. Look out, world. January 11, 2014 was Todd Mayo Day.
Those were my thoughts exactly. Even more than his stellar play, those words brought renewed optimism that a leader is born and here to stay. This could be a very fun ride.
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Big point is Vander and Todd have basically been the identical player at MU in each of their seasons
http://statsheet.com/mcb/players/compare?add=todd-mayo&i=1&p1=vander-blue&todd-mayo=2011-2012&vander-blue=2010-2011
This isn't even remotely true. I don't care what stats you cite, Vander was a better player than Todd. You sound like the guy who came on here weeks ago to show us all how Josh Gasser is better than Vander Blue.
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...games matter a hell of a lot more than practice.
I would argue that this is not true in many cases and I think most coaches, Buzz included, would agree with me.
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I would argue that this is not true in many cases and I think most coaches, Buzz included, would agree with me.
I'm supposed to be the franchise player, and we in here talkin' about practice. I mean, listen, we talkin' about practice. Not a game, not a game, not a game. We talkin' about practice. Not the game that I go out there and die for and play every game like it's my last. Not the game. We talkin' about practice, man. I mean, how silly is that? We talkin' about practice.
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I'm supposed to be the franchise player, and we in here talkin' about practice. I mean, listen, we talkin' about practice. Not a game, not a game, not a game. We talkin' about practice. Not the game that I go out there and die for and play every game like it's my last. Not the game. We talkin' about practice, man. I mean, how silly is that? We talkin' about practice.
Georgetown alum
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This isn't even remotely true. I don't care what stats you cite, Vander was a better player than Todd. You sound like the guy who came on here weeks ago to show us all how Josh Gasser is better than Vander Blue.
You think Vander was better as a freshman than Todd? Sophomore? (I'd argue sophomore year was a throwaway for Todd, yet statistically they were similar as sophomores.) Now we are on to Junior year, and all measuring stats, offensive, defensive, efficiency - Todd is better in 9 out of 13 categories.
Vander really picked up his play in February and March last year, had a great NCAA tourney run - but he was not a superstar. It's simply that his game took a huge leap from being pretty bad as a freshman/sophomore - to being pretty good as a junior. He didn't get drafted in a weak draft year. So, he was a good college player as a junior - and I fully believe Todd will end up having a season as good if not better than Blue this year - and Todd has to do it playing with a totally inept PG.
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You think Vander was better as a freshman than Todd? Sophomore? (I'd argue sophomore year was a throwaway for Todd, yet statistically they were similar as sophomores.) Now we are on to Junior year, and all measuring stats, offensive, defensive, efficiency - Todd is better in 9 out of 13 categories.
Vander really picked up his play in February and March last year, had a great NCAA tourney run - but he was not a superstar. It's simply that his game took a huge leap from being pretty bad as a freshman/sophomore - to being pretty good as a junior. He didn't get drafted in a weak draft year. So, he was a good college player as a junior - and I fully believe Todd will end up having a season as good if not better than Blue this year - and Todd has to do it playing with a totally inept PG.
The guy who led us to the Big East regular season championship and carried us to the Elite 8 was "pretty good". Derrick Wilson is "totally inept". John Dawson sees the floor well and has earned 30 minutes a game. Solid analysis.
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Simply put Ners, there aren't many people who are going to agree with you that Todd this year = Vander last year. Vander was a better player in almost every facet of the game.
Vander was second team all Big East. Let's see if Todd can accomplish that in an arguably weaker conference.
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Todd's best games have been equal to Vander's (junior season).
There have not been nearly as many good games, and his bad games are worse.
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Georgetown alum
No! The Answer.......VA!
Is that guy ever going to age? Still looks 20.
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The guy who led us to the Big East regular season championship and carried us to the Elite 8 was "pretty good". Derrick Wilson is "totally inept". John Dawson sees the floor well and has earned 30 minutes a game. Solid analysis.
Your continued belief that Derrick Wilson isn't what ails this team is far from solid analysis. You want to dog Dawson, but please support a valid argument as to what Derrick Wilson has done to show he's better than Dawson? This team is so much worse this year, not because Vander is gone - it's because Junior Cadougan is gone. Mayo has replaced Vander's production stat for stat on a per minute played basis. Hopefully, Buzz stops with the tough love on Mayo, and let's him play 33 minutes a game like Vander got. Same for Derrick, hopefully Buzz eventually reduces Derrick's minutes to 20, and splits them with Dawson. If not...we can talk after the NIT.
http://statsheet.com/mcb/players/compare?add=todd-mayo&p1=vander-blue
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Ners, please, for the love of all that is holy, stop turning every thread into a Derrick Wilson crapfest.
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Ners, please, for the love of all that is holy, stop turning every thread into a Derrick Wilson crapfest.
This is what he does. He claims his point of view, never backs down, and pounds it into you until you submit.
I mean, he's still saying that we don't miss Vander because Todd has replaced him. Really, who actually believes that? He'll use cherry-picked stats to back up his point...yet when the same stats show the Derrick is more effective than Dawson, he'll find all sorts of excuses why we shouldn't use those stats.
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Ners, please, for the love of all that is holy, stop turning every thread into a Derrick Wilson crapfest.
Will see what I can do - guess it is the lightning rod topic of this season though. At the end of the day, it is Buzz I'm totally frustrated with - not Derrick's fault he's being played 30+ minutes a game. That's on Buzz. As has been Mayo's under utilization, as well as Burton at this point.
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Will see what I can do - guess it is the lightning rod topic of this season though. At the end of the day, it is Buzz I'm totally frustrated with - not Derrick's fault he's being played 30+ minutes a game. That's on Buzz. As has been Mayo's under utilization, as well as Burton at this point.
You are contributing mightily to it being the lightning rod topic of the season.
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This is what he does. He claims his point of view, never backs down, and pounds it into you until you submit.
I mean, he's still saying that we don't miss Vander because Todd has replaced him. Really, who actually believes that? He'll use cherry-picked stats to back up his point...yet when the same stats show the Derrick is more effective than Dawson, he'll find all sorts of excuses why we shouldn't use those stats.
I gave you every statistical measure between Todd and Vander from statsheet (cherry picked none) - and there is very little to suggest we are "missing" Vander from a production standpoint any way - and at least there is a relevant sample size in that Mayo is at least getting 20 minutes a game. Whereas in the Dawson/Derrick Wilson, there is a huge disparity in minutes to completely draw statistical relevance from other than Derrick has gotten a TON of minutes to show us what we can expect....but.....here are Junior and Derrick's stats.....notice much more disparity in these than you see between Todd and Vander...
http://statsheet.com/mcb/players/compare?add=derrick-wilson&p1=junior-cadougan
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I gave you every statistical measure between Todd and Vander from statsheet (cherry picked none) - and there is very little to suggest we are "missing" Vander from a production standpoint any way - and at least there is a relevant sample size in that Mayo is at least getting 20 minutes a game. Whereas in the Dawson/Derrick Wilson, there is a huge disparity in minutes to completely draw statistical relevance from other than Derrick has gotten a TON of minutes to show us what we can expect....but.....here are Junior and Derrick's stats.....notice much more disparity in these than you see between Todd and Vander...
http://statsheet.com/mcb/players/compare?add=derrick-wilson&p1=junior-cadougan
It's like you are trying to prove my point.
But anyway, as anyone can see, drawing a statistical comparison between what Vander did *all* of last year, and what Todd has done through January 14th, makes little sense.
But carry on...
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It's like you are trying to prove my point.
But anyway, as anyone can see, drawing a statistical comparison between what Vander did *all* of last year, and what Todd has done through January 14th, makes little sense.
But carry on...
Sounds good. We'll see where the dust settles at the end of the year. I'll leave it alone till then...and hope Mayo continues to get 30 minutes + per game - as the team needs that in order to be more successful.
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Will see what I can do - guess it is the lightning rod topic of this season though. At the end of the day, it is Buzz I'm totally frustrated with - not Derrick's fault he's being played 30+ minutes a game. That's on Buzz. As has been Mayo's under utilization, as well as Burton at this point.
Finally.This is 0% on Derrick. What do you want him to do? Start loafing at practice? Start ignoring team rules? Start cutting classes? Ask Buzz to be benched? All Derrick has been for 2.5 years at MU is a warrior - a guy who busts his ass for his teammates, coach, university and even entitled alumni like yourself. He works for his minutes but he doesn't dole them out. Get off his back.
Get on Buzz's. If somebody is inept, it's him. Say it. It's one thing to have a minor disagreement with a coach about strategy and/or playing time. But if Buzz is playing a guy 30+ minutes who doesn't deserve anything more than mop up time while the guy who could save our season is sitting right next to him on the bench then he deserves to be ripped - probably even fired. You haven't been to one practice nor as far as I know made a nickel in the game but you think you can coach this MU team better from your couch than Buzz has from the bench/locker room. Fine. If that's the case, get off the slurper's bandwagon and go after the guy you used to think knew what he was doing. On the off chance that your analysis is right, he's the bad guy, not Derrick.
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I gave you every statistical measure between Todd and Vander from statsheet (cherry picked none) - and there is very little to suggest we are "missing" Vander from a production standpoint any way - and at least there is a relevant sample size in that Mayo is at least getting 20 minutes a game. Whereas in the Dawson/Derrick Wilson, there is a huge disparity in minutes to completely draw statistical relevance from other than Derrick has gotten a TON of minutes to show us what we can expect....but.....here are Junior and Derrick's stats.....notice much more disparity in these than you see between Todd and Vander...
http://statsheet.com/mcb/players/compare?add=derrick-wilson&p1=junior-cadougan
Henry Sugar says that Burton's numbers indicate he is the most productive freshman at MU since Buzz took over. He is playing almost 20 mpg. What is the problem? Todd's playing time is dictated by Todd's attitude and how Todd practices. Both of their minutes are trending upward. The 'problems' with this team, IMO, in order of severity, are as follows. 1. No Vander. 2. Lack of senior leadership. 2A. Lack of consistent production from those expected to be the stars/leaders. 3. Lack of development from Juan and STjr. 4. Injuries to STjr and Duane. 5. Rotation issues.
6. Recently, too much Gardner, not enough Otule. 7. Free throws. Getting to the line and making them. 8. Lack of production from the PG position.
See, ners, I listed PG. I just think it is way down the list of problems.
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Henry Sugar says that Burton's numbers indicate he is the most productive freshman at MU since Buzz took over. He is playing almost 20 mpg. What is the problem? Todd's playing time is dictated by Todd's attitude and how Todd practices. Both of their minutes are trending upward. The 'problems' with this team, IMO, in order of severity, are as follows. 1. No Vander. 2. Lack of senior leadership. 2A. Lack of consistent production from those expected to be the stars/leaders. 3. Lack of development from Juan and STjr. 4. Injuries to STjr and Duane. 5. Rotation issues.
6. Recently, too much Gardner, not enough Otule. 7. Free throws. Getting to the line and making them. 8. Lack of production from the PG position.
See, ners, I listed PG. I just think it is way down the list of problems.
Wow - if you feel the most important position on a basketball team - PG - is the last of any team's problems, when said PG struggles mightily - don't know what to say.
To your points:
1) No Vander? Cracked Sidewalks recent post shows it, statsheet side by side show it - Mayo is playing at Vander's level. It's on Buzz for not playing him more and giving the most minutes to the 2 players who are our worst Net Negatives.
2) Leadership? Leadership can't stop the opposition from packing the paint and making life hell for Gardner and Jamil - along with Jamil generally having to start games with a highly challenged offensive lineup.
3) Lack of development from Juan and STJR? Not critical because they basically play the same position as Jamil - who should be a 30+ minute per game player and you have Burton who is highly more effective than Juan and STJR.
4) Injuries to Duane and STJR - Word out of practice early was Duane Wilson was having his share of struggles - to think Buzz would roll him out for 25-30 minutes a game is wishful thinking. STJR - reference above.
5) Rotation issues - I agree - to long of rotation, too limited stints of long run for players, and the wrong guys getting the most minutes, and two of your best players - Burton and Mayo being limited in theirs.
6) Too much Gardner?? Seriously? The most efficent and effective offensive player we have on an offensively challenged team that draws double teams? I'd hypothesize there hasn't been enough Gardner, and Buzz seems to finally be playing him more.
7) Free Throws - Why is this team so challenged to get to the FT line, when it basically returns everyone except Vander, Junior and Lockett? Lockett wasn't a high FT rate player. Mayo gets there at the same rate as Vander and shoots a better percentage.
8) No further comment.
And, Burton is averaging 14.2 minutes per game this season, not 20. Juan is getting 15.9 minutes on average. Mayo 21.2. Jake 26.4. Give 7 more minutes to both Mayo and Burton from Jake and Juan and we'll start trending in a better direction.
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OK, I am going to side a bit with Ners here. I do think PG is one of the more critical problems this team has. However my solution is to reduce Derrick's minutes to the 25-28 range and see what we can get from Dawson in the 12-15 range. Dawson doesn't look overwhelmed, and has made positive contributions. That can only help Derrick's game as Derrick's helped Junior's in years past.
That being said, I think the biggest problem that MU has is it's huge gigantic holes in its sophomore and junior classes. We only have four total players in those two classes. Mayo is good with flashes of being very good. Derrick is Derrick. Juan hasn't really taken a step beyond the "hustle guy." STJ is hurt.
And the problem isn't transfers. Only one player from those two classes have transferred. (Jamal Ferguson). It's just that no one has really taken that next step...at least not yet.
And if someone doesn't do that, next year is going to be very interesting. As it stands now, we will have 9 or 10 freshmen and sophomores. And three or four juniors and seniors.
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Henry Sugar says that Burton's numbers indicate he is the most productive freshman at MU since Buzz took over. He is playing almost 20 mpg. What is the problem? Todd's playing time is dictated by Todd's attitude and how Todd practices. Both of their minutes are trending upward. The 'problems' with this team, IMO, in order of severity, are as follows. 1. No Vander. 2. Lack of senior leadership. 2A. Lack of consistent production from those expected to be the stars/leaders. 3. Lack of development from Juan and STjr. 4. Injuries to STjr and Duane. 5. Rotation issues.
6. Recently, too much Gardner, not enough Otule. 7. Free throws. Getting to the line and making them. 8. Lack of production from the PG position.
See, ners, I listed PG. I just think it is way down the list of problems.
Lack of PG production, forcing us to play 4-on-5. And horrendous outside shooting, especially from 3-point range.
Those are problems 1 and 1A on this team, in whichever order one wants to put them.
If we have a PG who can break down defenders and create for himself and others, and if we shoot even 35% from 3-point range, we probably have 4 or 5 more wins right now.
There are other problems, too, but it's nearly impossible to beat a good team when you start every game losing the PG battle 20-4 and the 3-point war 33-9.