And the scapegoat award this year goes to....

[MarquetteDano]

Dwight Buycks.  I see a lot of posts blaming him for the loss.  I am not saying he had a great game but I think there is some blame to go around tonight...

• DJO missed 11 shots on 4 of 15 shooting
• Otule fumbled passes and missed critical defensive rebounds
• Gardner giving up offensive boards left and right... did not have a SINGLE defensive rebound
• Crowder getting schooled by Plumlee

Can we stop the Buycks scapegoating?  Duke shot 55% from the field and he cannot be blamed for most of that.

[Doris Burkes Thong]

Buycks is still got too much street ball out there, however, that is his style so I don't see much changing with him over the course of the year. So like McNeal, you have to live and die with the turnovers.

[NCMUFan]

Young team that is still learning.  They played admirably for where they are in their development against the No. 1 team in the country.  Beat Bucky and hopefully win the consulation game of the CBE and I am happy.

[77ncaachamps]

No doubt they're still a young team, but Buycks is one of the "vets" this team is supposed to lean on.

And he's just turning the ball over.

If this keeps up, Buzz's "small margin of error" is more apropos this year than last.

[mug644]

Buycks is still got too much street ball out there, however, that is his style so I don't see much changing with him over the course of the year. So like McNeal, you have to live and die with the turnovers.

Tonight in particular, though, he didn't score like McNeal. Like McNeal's sophomore year, but DB is a senior.

He is not the only one who didn't have a strong game (Blue and Otule come first to mind, with DJO having an off-on-off night), but he certainly could've been better.

[Daniel]

Plenty of blame to go around, and plenty to be happy about. 

[avid1010]

It will be interesting to see how Buzz uses Buycks as the season progresses.  It's hard to give a lot of time to let a senior develop...those minutes go to Vander unless Buycks really steps it up.

[MarquetteDano]

It will be interesting to see how Buzz uses Buycks as the season progresses.  It's hard to give a lot of time to let a senior develop...those minutes go to Vander unless Buycks really steps it up.

Anyway you cut it, Buycks will average 20-25 mpg and average near double digits in scoring.  Playing point?  Starting?  Don't know.  But outside of injury bank the 20-25mpg and 10ppg.

[NersEllenson]

Anyway you cut it, Buycks will average 20-25 mpg and average near double digits in scoring.  Playing point?  Starting?  Don't know.  But outside of injury bank the 20-25mpg and 10ppg.

I'd agree with your assesment.  That said, Buycks is just a frustrating player at times, because he does have a lot of talent/ability..but then will give a few "wtf" plays.  Nobody is perfect..but if DB can just clean up a few of the careless turnovers on occasion, he'll be just fine for MU this year.

[muhoops1]

DB I not a point guard and he was exposed in that role tonight.  He had the misfortune of killing a rally, but at the end of the day Duke is too strong, big & quick.

[kmwtrucks]

In general I was happy with how Crowder, Otule, and Gardner played.  Have these guys ever played against a team like Duke?  We got nearly 30 points from them.  Was there Rebounding great, No.  Consideing Otule and Gardner went 6-9 for 13 pts that is pretty good.

[77ncaachamps]

Nevermind scapegoat...

First true test of the year...and it's the #1 team in the country.

I don't think the chemistry is there yet. You can see Duke players who were prescient of their teammates' locations on the floor, but MU isn't there yet.

NO ONE is willing to be the man other than Jimmy F'in Butler.

He's going to be our Lazar Hayward.

Best question is: Who will be his "Jimmy Butler"?
My answer: Jae Crowder.

[what the fulce?]

Makes me sick reading all the negative posts blaming refs or individuals. First real test and we played tough, plenty to improve on and that's exactly what we'll aim for.

[Hards Alumni]

Buycks had 3 turnovers, the most on MU.

As a point of reference, 4 players on Duke had 3 or more turnovers.

I'M JUST SAYIN'.

[PBRme]

Shoot 30% from 3 pts and there is no scapegoat

[madtownwarrior]

csre to revisit this thread again?