Why did Junior Cadougan play last season?

[MU Avenue]

Junior Cadougan suffered an extremely serious injury last September when he ruptured an Achilles' tendon during a workout.

About four months later, he took to the court and played a supporting role for the rest of the season.

Cadougan’s unusually quick return from such a serious injury was risky to his health while devouring a year of his collegiate eligibility.

I cannot understand the decision to have Cadougan return while still healing and when he was trading the opportunity to play for an entire season for the opportunity to play now and then for less than two months.

[bamamarquettefan]

Maybe if Buzz knew he wouldn't contribute much last year he would have kept the redshirt on, but all-in-all I still believe it was the right decision.  The trainers said he was fine, he didn't reinjure it, and he wanted to come in and play at Syracuse in front of the home crowd.

We had no depth last year and having an extra point guard was important even if he wasn't putting up numbers.  In addition, as inexperienced as we are next year, I believe it was important for him to hit the starting line-up next year having gone up against Big East guards.  I think it will be very important to the team next season.  Sure, I could end up eating my words if we are wishing he was coming back for another year after a great 2012-13 season, but with 14 legit D1 players on the depth charts right now, we may not need extra players again for a long time like we did last year.

[wojosdojo]

I think last season we were all just wanting of more bodies to get the starters a rest. Also, Junior was highly rated coming out of HS which meant we all wanted to see him play, including coaching staff. Buzz most likely thought Junior was the key the an extra tournament win last season, though he claims Junior would be a key to just one game all last season. Was he? No. I think most wish Junior was a 2nd year Frosh next year, although I don't blame Buzz to harsh for having Junior playing last year because it was a call where a lot of us would have had him play.

[RJax55]

Maybe because he wanted to. I know, too obvious an answer, but he worked hard in rehab and wanted to come back. Kudos to him... Also, whom am I to question what a player wants to due with their eligibility... Its his college career, his choice.

[reinko]

MU Ave, you know everything, why don't you tell us?  Perhaps a few years from now you can start a thread congratulating yourself.

[tower912]

Are you bitter that you didn't predict something?    He was sufficiently recovered, he wanted to, and Buzz thought there was a chance he could help us win a game or two.   He gave the team an extra body in practice.   He was singled out by Lazar and Buzz at the team banquet for his contribution.   The minutes he got last year playing at 70% will be invaluable to him this year.   

[4everwarriors]

Crean's world class ortho dude in Indianapolis checked him out and gave the green light to lift the red shirt.

[bilsu]

Mostly because he wanted to. I think it is more important to redshirt players, if you cannot recruit. That does not seem an issue for Buzz. Otule got hurt his fresmen year and should of redshirted. He got hurt again his sophomore year and used the redshirt then. Their is no guarantee that Cadougan does not reinjure himself again, which could result in him either using a redshirt year or becoming an ineffective player. You really cannot judge until his career is over. Besides that it is not a given that he starts this year and even if he does I think there is a chance that Reggie Smith or Blue beats him out the next year.

[NotAnAlum]

The trainers said he was fine, he didn't reinjure it, and he wanted to come in and play at Syracuse in front of the home crowd.

I talked to Jnior about this at the BBQ.  He said that he felt he was ready to play but honestly he didn't ask to play in the Syr game and he was surprised when Buzz told him to get in the game. 
I think you have to understand that these guys become so team focused that they would do anything to help the team.  Junior also said that he feels more ready for BE play this year having been in BE games last year even if it was only spot duty.  From Buzz's standpoint he must have seen that as an andvantage worthy of giving up a year 3 years from now plus Buzz felt they were still in the hunt which as it turned out they were.

[Mr. Nielsen]

I think he learned alot by playing last season. I can see how some people can think it was a waste of a season. Mo Acker played so well at time, it was hard to take him out of the game.

[AhoyaX]

I think it is more important to redshirt players, if you cannot recruit. That does not seem an issue for Buzz.

This probably has a lot to do with it as well. Buzz probably thinks he can sign another point guard who will be as good or better than Junior by 2013-14 (the season JC would have been a senior had he redshirted last year). So if that's Buzz' thinking, he probably felt JC would be needed more in 2009-10 than 13-14.

[Nukem2]

It was Junior's choice.  His teammates truly appreciated his efforts in practice and in games.  Lazar Hayward called Jr. to the podium at the awards event in April and gave him a huge bearhug while giving Jr. one of his own awards that night while telling the audience how he and his mates appreciated Junior's comback.

[ErickJD08]

Three reasons why we shouldn't care.  It was his decision.  And if he lives up to expectations, there is little to no chance he stays a fifth year.  And if he redshirted and didn't live up to expectations, we should have another veteran PG to take over, like Reggie Smith or someone from next year's class.