Hayward's Role Next Season

[CTWarrior]

i wouldn't be surprised if we kind of have 2 lineups like

cadougan/butler/lazar/maymon/otule

acker/buycks/williams/fulce/mcmorrow

mix them around and we can always get some production from Roseboro, Cubillan and Hazel in spot minutes

Maybe I'm missing something, and I know we call him a guard, but what have we seen from Butler that leads us to believe he actually can play guard?  The guy is a forward pure and simple.

[Badgerhater920]

I think you are underestimating Buycks and overestimating Williams for next year.  Buycks is the real deal.  He will step in and start right away for us.  Williams has huge potential and will be a great player down the road but he won't be a starter next year.

+1 - I expect Buycks to start at the 2.

[muwarrior87]

While you would think Buycks or even Williams would be the favorite to start at the 2, don't be surprised if Buycks/Williams don't catch on fast, are injured, or get a late start because of Clearinghouse issues and we see Butler or even Cubillan starting (maybe not getting the most minutes, but starting nonetheless).  We would also think Otule is the leading candidate for the 5 spot, but again, don't be surprised to see someone like Hazel starting.

Hazel will most likely only see minutes at the 5 if we are trying to run and gun during the game. He is naturally a 4 and I would hope that with the size we'll have available to us next year, he will get more minutes at that position.  Otule is getting some time at center and should be able to contribute more next year.  Also, since Liam is as big as he is, and still growing, if you have an athletic body on the bench that is 7+ feet tall, he gets minutes.  He's been out of his boot for a while now and has been doing work with the coaches before games as well so he is probably getting minutes in practice.  We have a lot of options next year since as long as you have a point guard on the floor, with Buzz's offense, you can have 3 or 4 other guys that can score in close or step out and hit the three when need be. Since Hayward, Butler, Buycks, and Williams can all do this from what has been discussed about the new guys, that gives us a lot of versatility.  Don't be surprised during OOC play to see Maymon at the 5 with any number of those guys in at the same time.

[muwarrior69]

Don't want to throw a monkey wrench into this thread, but if Lazar has a great season, finishes the way McNeil did last year, he just might go pro this year. Your thougths?

[Thomas' Danish Delight]

Don't want to throw a monkey wrench into this thread, but if Lazar has a great season, finishes the way McNeil did last year, he just might go pro this year. Your thougths?

Disagree.  If anything, he'd be lucky to test the waters like James and McNeal, but even then, he'll return knowing that he's too small and not athletic enough.

He's been great for us and will continue to be, but he'll need to work on his athleticism if he's gonna make it into the NBA with his size.  Did you see his pseudo-dunk against PC?  It was a lay-up but he hung on to the rim. 

[tower912]

+1.   Who can Lazar guard at the pro level?   Everybody playing the 4 is much larger than he is.   Almost everybody playing the 3 is bigger and faster.   Those playing the 2 are his size and much faster.   Great college player.   Love his heart, love his game, and we are very lucky to have him.   But......only if he gets faster, learns to get his own shot, and gets a quicker release will he be successful in the league. 

[RawdogDX]

+1.   Who can Lazar guard at the pro level?   Everybody playing the 4 is much larger than he is.   Almost everybody playing the 3 is bigger and faster.   Those playing the 2 are his size and much faster.   Great college player.   Love his heart, love his game, and we are very lucky to have him.   But......only if he gets faster, learns to get his own shot, and gets a quicker release will he be successful in the league. 

I don't disagree, but it does sound an aweful lot like the reasons people were giving for why td and sn wouldn't get drafted, or would get cut before their first season started.  NBA needs shooters.

[Thomas' Danish Delight]

I don't disagree, but it does sound an aweful lot like the reasons people were giving for why td and sn wouldn't get drafted, or would get cut before their first season started.  NBA needs shooters.

Truth...but man, if Lazar had DJ's athleticism, then it'd be game over.  There would be no Lazar at MU next year.  He reminds me of Charles Barkley back in the day.

[CTWarrior]

I don't disagree, but it does sound an aweful lot like the reasons people were giving for why td and sn wouldn't get drafted, or would get cut before their first season started.  NBA needs shooters.

Not 6-5 set shooters who can't get their own shot!  Novak is a 6-9, 6-10 jump shooter (little easier for him to get the shot off and he's significantly better at it than Lazar) and Travis can really handle the ball and run an offense.  Love the kid, but really can't see him in the NBA.  I suppose anything is possible, but there is no way he'll get drafted, and why come out early if you're not going to get drafted?  

[yellow chickens]

who is taller between lazar and maymon?

[tower912]

Novak is 6'10", and is one of the best pure shooters on the planet.    TD is a great shooter who can create his own shot.   Lazar is 6'5 or 6'6", a set shooter, who I have yet to see create his own shot off of the dribble, other than the occasional mid post one dribble hop.   

[bma725]

who is taller between lazar and maymon?

Maymon. 

[mviale]

Lets wait and see on Lazar.  It seems like he could have a little more flexibility in his position as Crean and Buzz have asked him to be a 4 at 6'5".  If he is averaging 17 this year, he could be putting down 24-25 pt a game as a senior and his defense may be a bit more NBA than diener and novak.