Probably his last status regarding MU bball as a player. Im gonna miss the big fella, Ox, the big nickname, etc.
"It's been Real Marquette had a great 4 years here, thanks for all the support, yellin, and yurnin up, 3 Sweet 16s and a elite 8. Mad that my Senior Year had to end like this but we did all we could do and worked our hardest but everything don't work out like it suppose to. #YurnUp #Automatic #LetMeEat #GetLiveBruh #DG
Good luck to the OX. Hope God has good things in store for him.
Best of his hashtags - #LetMeEat
I'll miss Davante, what an exciting player to watch.
He will always be one of my favorites - had some huge games for us and was a class act. The Syracuse game at home last year stands out. I have a feeling that next year instead of "if we only had Vander" it will be "if we only had Gardner." Hard to find that type of size with such great footwork and soft touch at the college level. Wish him the best.
I remember first seeing Davante at the Pro-AM before his freshman season started. That type of up and down basketball was not his game, and he didn't do much on the floor. Between games, I watched him sit, alone with his hoodie up and ear buds in, while the other players and Buzz talked and joked around. Looked homesick and out of place. I Felt bad for the kid and commented to my wife that he might not be around long. Boy was I wrong. Watching him blossom into the player he became was one of my favorite moments of a Marquette fan. He was one of my all time favorite players to watch.
I was also wrong about the type of season he/the team would have this year. After seeing photos of him in the off season, I thought we would make a run at the BE title with Davante playing like Dejuan Blair. Sucks that such a talent was wasted because, IMO, he didn't play enough and, when he was in there, we did not get him the ball consistently enough.
Lookin' forward to an upgrade at the 5.
I luv Davante. Very disapointed it had to end the way it did, but it is what it is. He will certainly be one of my favorite MU players of all time.
Unfortunately this team was not a good for him this year. With a few more shooters, DeDe would have put up 20 a night easy. Teams could just pack it in on him, and he didn't seem to get the calls this year that he did in years past.
Quote from: JamilJaeJamailJrJuan on March 17, 2014, 12:45:37 PM
I luv Davante. Very disapointed it had to end the way it did, but it is what it is. He will certainly be one of my favorite MU players of all time.
Unfortunately this team was not a good for him this year. With a few more shooters, DeDe would have put up 20 a night easy. Teams could just pack it in on him, and he didn't seem to get the calls this year that he did in years past.
I love his style of play. But the one thing that always bugged me a bit was his attitude. Especially this year, he just became irritated and retaliated too often at other big men. I know that's just his personality and character, but I don't think he took much of a leadership stance. At least it wasn't evident when being near the bench and watching every game. I can't really say any of the Seniors really had that kind of an impact as a leader.
Will miss Davante's and-1 baskets and some of his big shots throughout the 4 years. Still, one of my recent favorites as well.
4ever
Agreed on the upgrade.
I wish him well.
Never a big fan. Played too inconsistently, and too pouty.
Shooting percentage dropped this season.
I get a kick out of the complaints from people about Devante - too pouty, too inconsistent, his shooting % went down this year, looking forward to an upgrade at the 5.
Can you imagine MU's record this year without him? We'd have finished near the bottom of the Big East.
The guy scored 1,287 points for MU and only started 20 out of 127 games he played. His scoring average went up every year - 4.6, 9.5, 11.5, 14.9. He pulled down 568 rebounds in his career, averaging 2.21, 5.33, 4.83 and 5.69. He shot 79% at the free throw line, highlighted by his junior year hitting 84%. He had 103 assists to 146 turnovers, 43 and 36 this year, which is good for a front court guy.
For a 2-star guy coming in he had a heck of a career at MU and I for one will miss him next year.
Quote from: Sir Lawrence on March 17, 2014, 01:41:07 PM
I wish him well.
Never a big fan. Played too inconsistently, and too pouty.
Shooting percentage dropped this season.
Wow. Easily our best big in a decade gets this kind of a response. Rough crowd. We will really miss Davante next year.
Quote from: Norm on March 17, 2014, 02:52:24 PM
Can you imagine MU's record this year without him? We'd have finished near the bottom of the Big East.
They did.
Quote from: Norm on March 17, 2014, 02:52:24 PM
I get a kick out of the complaints from people about Devante - too pouty, too inconsistent, his shooting % went down this year, looking forward to an upgrade at the 5.
Can you imagine MU's record this year without him? We'd have finished near the bottom of the Big East.
The guy scored 1,287 points for MU and only started 20 out of 127 games he played. His scoring average went up every year - 4.6, 9.5, 11.5, 14.9. He pulled down 568 rebounds in his career, averaging 2.21, 5.33, 4.83 and 5.69. He shot 79% at the free throw line, highlighted by his junior year hitting 84%. He had 103 assists to 146 turnovers, 43 and 36 this year, which is good for a front court guy.
For a 2-star guy coming in he had a heck of a career at MU and I for one will miss him next year.
The facts are that he was very inconsistent. And there is a reason he didn't start more than 20 games. As I said, I wish him all the best.
Quote from: Sir Lawrence on March 17, 2014, 03:36:46 PM
The facts are that he was very inconsistent. And there is a reason he didn't start more than 20 games. As I said, I wish him all the best.
Because Chris was better for the tip. That's it.
Also, can you define "inconsistent"? 16/19 BE games this year he produced a 100+ ORtg. For comparison, Todd produced 11/19 such games, and Jamil produced 9/19 such games. Davante was basically the ONLY player we could rely on to consistently produce on the offensive end.
Quote from: Jajuannaman on March 17, 2014, 03:48:30 PM
Because Chris was better for the tip. That's it.
Also, can you define "inconsistent"? 16/19 BE games this year he produced a 100+ ORtg. For comparison, Todd produced 11/19 such games, and Jamil produced 9/19 such games. Davante was basically the ONLY player we could rely on to consistently produce on the offensive end.
Thank you.
For the life of me I can't figure out what games the Gardner/Mayo detractors watched. Davante 'looks' disinterested, Todd 'appears' angry.
The guys on the team responsible for winning games and putting the team in position to win several close losses take a lot of criticism while the players who looked and acted engaged having actually contributed very little are defended to death. It's beyond crazy.
If Marquette fans more easily relate to the marginally skilled role player with perceived heart that says something.
Quote from: Jajuannaman on March 17, 2014, 03:48:30 PM
Because Chris was better for the tip. That's it.
Also, can you define "inconsistent"? 16/19 BE games this year he produced a 100+ ORtg. For comparison, Todd produced 11/19 such games, and Jamil produced 9/19 such games. Davante was basically the ONLY player we could rely on to consistently produce on the offensive end.
He had many great games, and then some not so great. That is my definition of inconsistent.
San Diego State: 2-5, 6 points
First Creighton game: 1-2, 4 points.
First Seton Hall game: 3-8, 6 points.
Last Xavier game: 1-3 free throws, 9 points.
You are a fan. That's great. Many are. I'm not. But he's a Marquette man and I truly wish him all the best.
And I'm not a Mayo detractor. He I'm a fan of.
Quote from: Sir Lawrence on March 17, 2014, 04:09:17 PM
He had many great games, and then some not so great. That is my definition of inconsistent.
San Diego State: 2-5, 6 points
First Creighton game: 1-2, 4 points.
First Seton Hall game: 3-8, 6 points.
Last Xavier game: 1-3 free throws, 9 points.
You are a fan. That's great. Many are. I'm not. But he's a Marquette man and I truly wish him all the best.
And I'm not a Mayo detractor. He I'm a fan of.
I believe you need to check your definition of "inconsistency". Having four "bad" games in a year of 32 games in a normal year is considered insanely consistent. Having four bad games in a year like this where he was the only real scoring threat for most of the season means he was almost god like.
Quote from: Sir Lawrence on March 17, 2014, 04:09:17 PM
He had many great games, and then some not so great. That is my definition of inconsistent.
San Diego State: 2-5, 6 points
First Creighton game: 1-2, 4 points.
First Seton Hall game: 3-8, 6 points.
Last Xavier game: 1-3 free throws, 9 points.
You are a fan. That's great. Many are. I'm not. But he's a Marquette man and I truly wish him all the best.
And I'm not a Mayo detractor. He I'm a fan of.
You do realize those would be good games for anyone on the team not named Gardner or Mayo and possibly Jamil?
Let's examine this rationale. Gardner's four worst games are still better than the good games we got from the majority of our roster and he's labeled inconsistent.
I'm going to assume you prefer the consistently terrible segment of our team. They were bad, but we sure could count on them.
Quote from: Sir Lawrence on March 17, 2014, 03:36:46 PM
The facts are that he was very inconsistent. And there is a reason he didn't start more than 20 games. As I said, I wish him all the best.
You sir, have no clue.
You know, that and the fact he was puking during the SD. St. game. you picked outliers not what he did on average. So id call that consistency.
Gardner was an offensive force. I will miss watching him play. Definitely one of my favorites.
Quote from: Sir Lawrence on March 17, 2014, 01:41:07 PM
I wish him well.
Never a big fan. Played too inconsistently, and too pouty.
Shooting percentage dropped this season.
Gee...have any thought as to why his shooting percentage might have dropped this year??? As for being too pouty....all in all....I'd say he handled the frustrations of his senior year quite well. The inability for him to get the ball due to the GREAT deficiencies of one of the other players he had to play 32 minutes a game, made his season hell.
Quote from: mattyv1908 on March 17, 2014, 04:02:21 PM
Thank you.
For the life of me I can't figure out what games the Gardner/Mayo detractors watched. Davante 'looks' disinterested, Todd 'appears' angry.
The guys on the team responsible for winning games and putting the team in position to win several close losses take a lot of criticism while the players who looked and acted engaged having actually contributed very little are defended to death. It's beyond crazy.
If Marquette fans more easily relate to the marginally skilled role player with perceived heart that says something.
I think it comes mainly from the ones that kept defending our starting guards despite the obvious. So they attack the guys who played better.
I don't get it.
Quote from: brandx on March 17, 2014, 07:27:01 PM
I think it comes mainly from the ones that kept defending our starting guards despite the obvious. So they attack the guys who played better.
I don't get it.
Show me where I've ever attacked Davante.
I will admit he is an extremely efficient offensive player, and I'll further admit that upon further review, he was not as inconsistent as I had believed. So I'm wrong. But I'm still not a member of his fan club.
Quote from: brandx on March 17, 2014, 07:27:01 PM
I think it comes mainly from the ones that kept defending our starting guards despite the obvious. So they attack the guys who played better.
I don't get it.
You can go back and check me, I have never attacked Davante. I have questioned Todd (the phrase I use is good Todd s very good, bad Todd is very bad).
The phenomenon I think you are referring doesn't come from a place of "relating to marginal role players" or "defending the starting guards and attacking those who play better." It comes from expectations.
Go back and check. Preseason, I expected Derrick Wilson to be even worse. I projected apx. 4.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg, and 4.5 apg with terrible shooting. He not only lived up to my expectations for him, he surpassed them. Though I admittedly didn't think the defense sagging would so negatively impact us.
I expected Jake to never sniff the floor. The fact that he not only sniffed the floor but produced was a huge shock to me. He as overachieved more than anyone else on this team.
Jamil on the other hand, I expected to have a Crowder like senior campaign. Despite him being better than Derrick and Jake, I am more disappointed in him.
So say Derrick had a game where he contributed 6 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists. During that same game, Jamil scored 8 points, grabbed 4 boards, and got 2 assists. I am happier with Derrick's game because he played beyond what should have been expected of him.
Quote from: TAMU Eagle on March 18, 2014, 12:22:12 AM
You can go back and check me, I have never attacked Davante. I have questioned Todd (the phrase I use is good Todd s very good, bad Todd is very bad).
The phenomenon I think you are referring doesn't come from a place of "relating to marginal role players" or "defending the starting guards and attacking those who play better." It comes from expectations.
Go back and check. Preseason, I expected Derrick Wilson to be even worse. I projected apx. 4.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg, and 4.5 apg with terrible shooting. He not only lived up to my expectations for him, he surpassed them. Though I admittedly didn't think the defense sagging would so negatively impact us.
I expected Jake to never sniff the floor. The fact that he not only sniffed the floor but produced was a huge shock to me. He as overachieved more than anyone else on this team.
Jamil on the other hand, I expected to have a Crowder like senior campaign. Despite him being better than Derrick and Jake, I am more disappointed in him.
So say Derrick had a game where he contributed 6 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists. During that same game, Jamil scored 8 points, grabbed 4 boards, and got 2 assists. I am happier with Derrick's game because he played beyond what should have been expected of him.
I wasn't referring to you. Sorry if it seemed that way.
I don't mind if guys criticize our players - good or bad. There were two camps here - guys who blamed our guards for everything and guys who blamed everyone but the guards. I don't think that most were aligned one way or the other, but since the two sides argued so much, it sure seemed like it.
Quote from: brandx on March 18, 2014, 12:27:26 AM
I wasn't referring to you. Sorry if it seemed that way.
I don't mind if guys criticize our players - good or bad. There were two camps here - guys who blamed our guards for everything and guys who blamed everyone but the guards. I don't think that most were aligned one way or the other, but since the two sides argued so much, it sure seemed like it.
No worries, didn't think you meant me. I was just admitting to my own tendencies so people would be able to account for whatever bias (or percieved bias) I might have.
Thanks Davante, it been four good years. Enjoyed watchin yoy. go luck,
Mutaman
I think he was pretty damn consistent, especially on offense. There were numerous stretches in games when he WAS the offense, and you knew very well that there wasn't much else of a threat. We are going to miss the way the Ox would strap everybody onto his back on occasions like that.
After years of hoping that MU would have a "true big" who was more than the Dwight Burke model of strong, undersized and steady, we get Davante.
For those of us who grew up playing YMCA or Rec League ball, how fun was it to watch the dancing bear drop step, lean, turn and angle his way to bucket after bucket?
Can you remember a player better at using his body to clear out space and snag his own miss for a ground-bound but sure-handed put-back?
If someone told you that you could make a wish and magically sign up for Satchel Pierce, our incoming, three star 7-footer, to put up the numbers in the next four years that two star Davante has in the last four, would you take it?
Davante - thanks for the Buckets and for sticking with it through what we all hoped would have been a more enjoyable senior campaign.
Remember his game vs Bucknell as a freshman? He single handedly closed a 10 point deficit in the second half. That's when I really became a fan.
Sir Lawrence
I am with you 100%. He proved my wrong on many times but not in the fan club either. Looking forward to upgrade in the future.
Quote from: Goose on March 18, 2014, 06:01:53 AM
Sir Lawrence
I am with you 100%. He proved my wrong on many times but not in the fan club either. Looking forward to upgrade in the future.
Hope you are relatively young Goose....could be a long time before we get one a big as good as Davante...he had 20ppg capabililty this year, and would have achieved that type of production if not teamed with the most ineffective backcourt in the Big East, and quite possibly the most ineffective PG in all of high major ball.
Ners
Not young and looking forward to an upgrade. He had very nice college career and wish him well. I believe his limitations hurt him a great deal and he had potential to be much, much more on the court in Warrior uniform.
Again, hope the kids makes a score playing ball in the future.
Look, I applaud Gardner. However, he is so limited defensively and athletically, that he gives up as many points as he scores. Y'all are compromisin' expectations. He was a 3 star playa and in my opinion, that's where he ended up as well. When we finally get that legit 5 star center, the difference will be obvious.
Quote from: Goose on March 18, 2014, 09:10:58 AM
Ners
Not young and looking forward to an upgrade. He had very nice college career and wish him well. I believe his limitations hurt him a great deal and he had potential to be much, much more on the court in Warrior uniform.
Again, hope the kids makes a score playing ball in the future.
His touch was unreal. And I think it became a weakness because all too often this year it seemed he would flop into contact and/or exaggerate and still be able to make enough "and-1s" for the behavior to pass.
I really liked cookie monster when he was young. He gobbled up points in the paint and was fun to watch. I grew indifferent to his antics with the flailing arms and plaintive screams on contact and it seemed his opponents and officials knew his "act" by the end of his junior season.
Also, there is his defense. Not good.
Quote from: 4everwarriors on March 18, 2014, 09:13:03 AM
Look, I applaud Gardner. However, he is so limited defensively and athletically, that he gives up as many points as he scores. Y'all are compromisin' expectations. He was a 3 star playa and in my opinion, that's where he ended up as well. When we finally get that legit 5 star center, the difference will be obvious.
How about with the 4 star player? (Fischer)
Lenny Man, I'm really not familiar with his game to comment. Commited so early to Clappy, that I never bother to observe. I trust, however, he give us a whole new frontcourt identity. Can't help but improve the overall team athleticism over Gardner and Chris.
Quote from: Goose on March 18, 2014, 09:10:58 AM
Ners
Not young and looking forward to an upgrade. He had very nice college career and wish him well. I believe his limitations hurt him a great deal and he had potential to be much, much more on the court in Warrior uniform.
Again, hope the kids makes a score playing ball in the future.
Goose, what more were you expecting him to be?
Under-utilized and surrounded by incompetence his senior year, absolutely a shame. What he did with the "complementary" players he had was remarkable. He was not a "5" and for anyone to judge him as one is pointless. He is a scoring 4, that was forced to play out of position because of the surrounding cast. People hate on him because he was required to play the "5" defensively which does not play in his favor. Too short, no hops and therefore not a shot blocker. To say he gave up as many points as he scored is a joke. If this were true we would have lost by 30+ a game considering Derrick and Jake got outscored by there man by about 15 points each per night. The only reason he was a defensive liability is because our "lockdown" "play to the scouting report" guards couldn't stay in front of their man all year. Big men in college are only as good as the guards they play with. This is why Jamil and Davante had senior seasons that were below expectations. Not because they aren't leaders or don't have the killer instinct, etc.... What good is it to have Randy Moss if you have JaMarcus Russell throwing him the ball?
Norm
Was hoping he could have learned to take ball up to basket quicker and ball not starting at his waist. The kid has very good touch and I he could have added being a tad explosive it would have taken him to next level. I saw limited improvement over the past two years, especially in getting himself in shape.
Because of his lack of athleticism, Davante should have been a complementary playa, or dropped down a notch to a lesser program. He's not alpha dog material at this weight and attitude.
Quote from: BenCat12 on March 18, 2014, 09:41:00 AM
Under-utilized and surrounded by incompetence his senior year, absolutely a shame. What he did with the "complementary" players he had was remarkable. He was not a "5" and for anyone to judge him as one is pointless. He is a scoring 4, that was forced to play out of position because of the surrounding cast. People hate on him because he was required to play the "5" defensively which does not play in his favor. Too short, no hops and therefore not a shot blocker. To say he gave up as many points as he scored is a joke. If this were true we would have lost by 30+ a game considering Derrick and Jake got outscored by there man by about 15 points each per night. The only reason he was a defensive liability is because our "lockdown" "play to the scouting report" guards couldn't stay in front of their man all year. Big men in college are only as good as the guards they play with. This is why Jamil and Davante had senior seasons that were below expectations. Not because they aren't leaders or don't have the killer instinct, etc.... What good is it to have Randy Moss if you have JaMarcus Russell throwing him the ball?
Correction, JaMarcus Russell was a star in college. Our starting backcourt were hardly stars this season.
Quote from: 4everwarriors on March 18, 2014, 09:45:52 AM
Because of his lack of athleticism, Davante should have been a complementary playa, or dropped down a notch to a lesser program. He's not alpha dog material at this weight and attitude.
This all should be in teal, aina?
The guy would have averaged 20+ and 8 if there weren't four guys in the lane at all times on defense. I thought he kept a good attitude when you consider how frustrating it has to be to play with the quality teammates he had to. It is comical that people find a way to rip the one guy on our roster, who game in and game out, out-scored his counterpart.
Quote from: BenCat12 on March 18, 2014, 09:51:23 AM
It is comical that people find a way to rip the one guy on our roster, who game in and game out, out-scored his counterpart.
His counterpart may not have scored, but how about the guy driving free to the hoop because of his lousy ball screen coverage? Or the kickout for an open three because people have to help, since Davante is shuffling his feet instead of sprinting to cover? Or the offensive rebounds given up, because he only jumps for his own misses?
He was a nice player at MU, and a lot of fun to watch offensively, but not a guy to build around.
Davante did what we asked him to do and then some.
Forget about swallowing his pride to only start 10 games in his career or how many it was... he was constantly being subbed in and out... perhaps due to some of his own limitations but come on... the kid rarely even sat down during his substitutions. He just went right back up to the scoring table. 30 times a game he would do this, because he did what the coach wanted. He lost out on so many offensive possessions that should have been his. He got hacked by at least 4 arms every single time he got the ball. He had the Dwyane Wade syndrome of falling down after every shot.
Just saying he didn't have things so easy during his career here, and I think he made the most of it.
Quote from: MUfan12 on March 18, 2014, 10:00:47 AM
His counterpart may not have scored, but how about the guy driving free to the hoop because of his lousy ball screen coverage? Or the kickout for an open three because people have to help, since Davante is shuffling his feet instead of sprinting to cover? Or the offensive rebounds given up, because he only jumps for his own misses?
He was a nice player at MU, and a lot of fun to watch offensively, but not a guy to build around.
You do realize Gardner grabbed the highest percentage of defensive rebounds available when he was on the court over anyone on the team.
To hell with any actual facts.
Quote from: MUfan12 on March 18, 2014, 10:00:47 AM
His counterpart may not have scored, but how about the guy driving free to the hoop because of his lousy ball screen coverage? Or the kickout for an open three because people have to help, since Davante is shuffling his feet instead of sprinting to cover? Or the offensive rebounds given up, because he only jumps for his own misses?
He was a nice player at MU, and a lot of fun to watch offensively, but not a guy to build around.
All the bigs play horrible ball screen defense. Davante is no exception. The rest of this is incorrect and some just foolish..."only jumps for his own misses" really? What would be the benefit of this?
If he had adequate guards he would have been all conference and runner-up to McDermott as player of the year.
Quote from: mattyv1908 on March 18, 2014, 10:05:14 AM
You do realize Gardner grabbed the highest percentage of defensive rebounds available when he was on the court over anyone on the team.
To hell with any actual facts.
But if he's on the floor with three guards and Jamil, he should get the highest percentage, no?
Quote from: 4everwarriors on March 18, 2014, 09:45:52 AM
Because of his lack of athleticism, Davante should have been a complementary playa, or dropped down a notch to a lesser program. He's not alpha dog material at this weight and attitude.
Geez, what does this say about the rest of the team then, because Gardner was the most consistent scorer we had and would have lost many more games without him on the court for us.
Quote from: BenCat12 on March 18, 2014, 10:07:38 AM
All the bigs play horrible ball screen defense. Davante is no exception. The rest of this is incorrect and some just foolish..."only jumps for his own misses" really? What would be the benefit of this?
If he had adequate guards he would have been all conference and runner-up to McDermott as player of the year.
Couldn't agree more. All of his offensive efficiency numbers were right there with McDermott. Had he had a team around him that he could have played his game with without being hampered by their limitations we'd never have heard about defense at all just like McDermott's defense isn't mentioned because we'd be blowing teams out of games.
Quote from: MUfan12 on March 18, 2014, 10:10:25 AM
But if he's on the floor with three guards and Jamil, he should get the highest percentage, no?
Not if he's such an unathletic short guy that can't jump with a bad attitude that only cares about himself and his own scoring output who is only a two star and will always only be a two star like everyone here is making it out to seem. Not to mention he's always been terribly inconsistent and pulling down rebounds because 4 times last year he had less than 5.
Just a few corrections from the last few posts.
Davante is not a scoring 4. He was not forced to play out of position. We tried him at the 4 and it was terrible. He doesn't have the speed or athleticism to guard other 4s.
Davante would not have been runner up for POY if he had better guards. You can't be POY playing elite offense but average at best defense.
Whoever said Davante is inconsistent is just wrong. His offense efficiency numbers were off the charts. He was a helluva a player and we won't see the likes of him for awhile.
Quote from: Norm on March 18, 2014, 10:11:24 AM
Geez, what does this say about the rest of the team then, because Gardner was the most consistent scorer we had and would have lost many more games without him on the court for us.
This team is woefully short on talent.
Quote from: mattyv1908 on March 18, 2014, 10:05:14 AM
You do realize Gardner grabbed the highest percentage of defensive rebounds available when he was on the court over anyone on the team.
To hell with any actual facts.
all of them without jumping.
Quote from: TAMU Eagle on March 18, 2014, 10:20:05 AM
Just a few corrections from the last few posts.
Davante is not a scoring 4. He was not forced to play out of position. We tried him at the 4 and it was terrible. He doesn't have the speed or athleticism to guard other 4s.
Davante would not have been runner up for POY if he had better guards. You can't be POY playing elite offense but average at best defense.
Whoever said Davante is inconsistent is just wrong. His offense efficiency numbers were off the charts. He was a helluva a player and we won't see the likes of him for awhile.
A few corrections from your post.
We tried him at 4 and it was terrible because Otule is too one dimensional, and that one dimension isn't that good either. His man to man defense was fine. The problem with his defense is he is not a help defender and not a shot blocker. If he is asked to guard his man one on one he does fine. It is when teammates get beat that he looks bad because he can't fix others mistakes. He would be fine as a scoring 4 if we had a Luke Fischer type at the 5, someone who can block shots and shoot jump shots.
Your POY comment is just wrong see McDermott, Doug
The consistency comment is actually correct.
Quote from: 4everwarriors on March 18, 2014, 10:24:56 AM
This team is woefully short on talent........at the starting guard postion
FIFY
Quote from: 4everwarriors on March 18, 2014, 10:24:56 AM
This team is woefully short on talent.
Yep. People confuse talent with potential far too often on this board.
McDermott's a lottery pick and Gardner will look good at the Y on Saturday mornin's.
Quote from: 4everwarriors on March 18, 2014, 10:50:39 AM
McDermott's a lottery pick and Gardner will look good at the Y on Saturday mornin's.
Nah, DG is getting drafted, TallTitan said so.
PS: RIP TT
Wow, you guys are just pitiful taking shots at a kid who did nothing but play his heart out every game, puking on the sidelines. Gardner was our best post player since Mac and maybe the Al years. You guys are hairy wet cats and pathetic for taking shots at a kid for doing nothing but great things for this program.
Just the facts, Mam.
Quote from: 4everwarriors on March 18, 2014, 11:18:51 AM
Just the facts, Mam.
Hardly, more like some uninformed misguided opinions.
Wow, the disrespect for Gardner in this thread is laughable. If we had some shooters on the floor to give him some space this year he would have been All Big East and we'd be a 6 seed or better in the tournament. Derrick Wilson's defender sagged 8 feet into the paint, making an entry pass from the PG position impossible and from the wing position a dicey proposition at best. Then when it actually got to him he was double/triple teamed with impunity because what was the punishment for doing so? He kicks it back out to a 7% three point shooter? Do the math. Do you try to stop the guy converting 55% of his double teamed 2 point shots for 1.1 ppp or do you dare the guy converting 7% of his 3 point shots at 0.21 ppp to shoot wide open J's all game? Easy call. Every coach in the BEast (sans Oliver Purnell) had Gardner blanketed before, during, and after he got the ball. And he still managed to put up the numbers he did this year. I can't believe some of the flat out stupid things I'm reading regarding Gardner right now.
Quote from: Jajuannaman on March 18, 2014, 11:46:21 AM
Wow, the disrespect for Gardner in this thread is laughable. If we had some shooters on the floor to give him some space this year he would have been All Big East and we'd be a 6 seed or better in the tournament. Derrick Wilson's defender sagged 8 feet into the paint, making an entry pass from the PG position impossible and from the wing position a dicey proposition at best. Then when it actually got to him he was double/triple teamed with impunity because what was the punishment for doing so? He kicks it back out to a 7% three point shooter? Do the math. Do you try to stop the guy converting 55% of his double teamed 2 point shots for 1.1 ppp or do you dare the guy converting 7% of his 3 point shots at 0.21 ppp to shoot wide open J's all game? Easy call. Every coach in the BEast (sans Oliver Purnell) had Gardner blanketed before, during, and after he got the ball. And he still managed to put up the numbers he did this year. I can't believe some of the flat out stupid things I'm reading regarding Gardner right now.
Agree completely. Davante's skill set with his size was pretty darn unique and special. It is somewhat amazing he was able to accomplish as much as he did with the defensive focus he attracted. A go to scorer like he is inside, particularly with his ability to knock down free throws, is pretty rare in college hoops, and certainly at MU.
Quote from: Jajuannaman on March 18, 2014, 11:46:21 AM
Wow, the disrespect for Gardner in this thread is laughable. If we had some shooters on the floor to give him some space this year he would have been All Big East and we'd be a 6 seed or better in the tournament. Derrick Wilson's defender sagged 8 feet into the paint, making an entry pass from the PG position impossible and from the wing position a dicey proposition at best. Then when it actually got to him he was double/triple teamed with impunity because what was the punishment for doing so? He kicks it back out to a 7% three point shooter? Do the math. Do you try to stop the guy converting 55% of his double teamed 2 point shots for 1.1 ppp or do you dare the guy converting 7% of his 3 point shots at 0.21 ppp to shoot wide open J's all game? Easy call. Every coach in the BEast (sans Oliver Purnell) had Gardner blanketed before, during, and after he got the ball. And he still managed to put up the numbers he did this year. I can't believe some of the flat out stupid things I'm reading regarding Gardner right now.
Seriously? It comes as a shock to you there is some idiotic analysis going on, on Scoop??!! It never happens here. ;D
The most idiotic of which has been the handful of posters who think senior leadership has been the problem with this team, and why it fell off so far...and this same handful who refuse to acknowledge the real reality as to why we struggled so mightily - the backcourt, particularly point guard.
To your point above....it is absolutely comical people want to dog Davante given the double and triple teams he faced as a result of having a 7% 3pt shooting PG on the floor who got max minutes...and maybe took 2 shots outside of 2 feet from the basket in all of 2014 conference play...
Quote from: BenCat12 on March 18, 2014, 10:26:10 AM
A few corrections from your post.
We tried him at 4 and it was terrible because Otule is too one dimensional, and that one dimension isn't that good either. His man to man defense was fine. The problem with his defense is he is not a help defender and not a shot blocker. If he is asked to guard his man one on one he does fine. It is when teammates get beat that he looks bad because he can't fix others mistakes. He would be fine as a scoring 4 if we had a Luke Fischer type at the 5, someone who can block shots and shoot jump shots.
Your POY comment is just wrong see McDermott, Doug
The consistency comment is actually correct.
I'm going to agree to disagree on the POY thing. His offensive numbers would certainly increase. I think the lack of strong defense would have kept him short. McDermott plays fantastic defense.
The scoring 4 thing, strongly disagree. You are right that he plays "fine" man to man...on other 5s. Gardner gets burned by athletic 4s and shooting 4s.
Again, I love Gardner. I think he is a fantastic player. Those complaining about his production this year are misguided.