PG, Is even a bigger problem than we all believe

[M@RQUETTEW@RRIORS]

Much has been made about the problem about not having a legit lead guard.  DJO and Buycks are being asked to lead the fast break, get the team into the offense and both are more suited to play the off guard.  This leads to poor decisions, going 1 on 3, bad passes etc.  All of this has been discussed.

But when you flip the coin I think the problem is just a big on defensive end.  None of our guards are true PG defensively either.  Meaning none of these guards are suited to guard a legit D1 PG away from the basket.  With the system Buzz is trying to run this issue is magnified when the guards attempt to pressure 40ft from the hoop.  Opposing PGs see our Guards guarding them closely near half court and they are licking their chops.  A quick move and its 5 on 4.  Too much ground to expect the help defense to react and give adequate help and recover basics.  I believe its paramount that Buzz back off the defense to about 20 or 25ft from the hoop for the remainder of the season.  If in the future we have legit D1 PG then bring this style back, but for right now against legit Big East lead guards, this team cant pull it off defensively.

[denverMU]

Agree, but even with a great point guard, there is no reason to guard as far out as we do.  All it does is open passing lanes and allow for a quick drive or stupid foul.

[M@RQUETTEW@RRIORS]

Agree, but even with a great point guard, there is no reason to guard as far out as we do.  All it does is open passing lanes and allow for a quick drive or stupid foul.

I dont totally disagree.  But if you want to be up-tempo, you have to be able to dictate tempo defensively.  If you have  defender like Dominic James you can extend pressure on the ball much further than you can with Buycks or Cadougan.  I agree however, that with this personel the team needs to back off...

[GGGG]

No you don't.  You don't have to guard that far out to create pace.  And frankly, I'm not sure MU does better *with* pace anyway.

And if it's not working...then CHANGE it!!!  Don't be a slave to a system if the system can't be applied to a particular team.

[M@RQUETTEW@RRIORS]

No you don't.  You don't have to guard that far out to create pace.  And frankly, I'm not sure MU does better *with* pace anyway.

And if it's not working...then CHANGE it!!!  Don't be a slave to a system if the system can't be applied to a particular team.

Like I said, Im not disagreeing with you.  Im just guessing what Buzz is thinking...

[tower912]

Pretty sure SJU was guarding us that far out and that was one of the reasons our starting PG got stripped at mid court.      One thing that Chicos has said over the years that I agree with is that college basketball is a guard's game.   It is easier to be successful with good guard play and merely adequate bigs than it is to win with merely adequate guard play.    We are seeing that clearly illustrated this year.    For the last several years, we have been blessed with good point guard play.   Going back to Diener (though you can go back to Tony Smith if you want) we have always counted on good PG play.  This year, we have barely adequate PG play.   DB is playing out of position and it shows.   IMO, start Cadougan.  Not necessarily because I think he is a star in the making, but he is a PG.   Also, you can't have your leading scorer not want the ball when things are going poorly.   Especially when he is your other guard.  How many decent looks did DJO pass up?  Blue made the same turnovers we watched Jerel make for 4 years.    So, I hope Buzz signs the best JUCO PG/Combo guard he can find.    

[M@RQUETTEW@RRIORS]

Pretty sure SJU was guarding us that far out and that was one of the reasons our starting PG got stripped at mid court.      One thing that Chicos has said over the years that I agree with is that college basketball is a guard's game.   It is easier to be successful with good guard play and merely adequate bigs than it is to win with merely adequate guard play.    We are seeing that clearly illustrated this year.    For the last several years, we have been blessed with good point guard play.   Going back to Diener (though you can go back to Tony Smith if you want) we have always counted on good PG play.  This year, we have barely adequate PG play.   DB is playing out of position and it shows.   IMO, start Cadougan.  Not necessarily because I think he is a star in the making, but he is a PG.   Also, you can't have your leading scorer not want the ball when things are going poorly.   Especially when he is your other guard.  How many decent looks did DJO pass up?  Blue made the same turnovers we watched Jerel make for 4 years.    So, I hope Buzz signs the best JUCO PG/Combo guard he can find.    

I agree with all of this.  But I would just change it to best pure PG he can find.

[Boone]

I'd take the alternative of letting teams beat you by shooting over the top as opposed to crowding an opponent so tightly that they inevitably blow by you and collapse the rest of the defense. 

[Golden Avalanche]

I'd take the alternative of letting teams beat you by shooting over the top as opposed to crowding an opponent so tightly that they inevitably blow by you and collapse the rest of the defense. 

Agreed.

I think we've seen enough in 25 games that the "jump in jock" philosophy is just not right with this collection of talent. Far too often MU is beat for easy points, and when the offense struggles as it has in stretches this season, it is typically those points that put them in tight spots throughout the game.

Also, per Sultan's point on "pace", is anyone else amazed at how often our guards screw up a breakout? Around mid-January, during every break opportunity, I started to expect the worst (DJO too deep and bad pass; DJO or Buycks charge; poor spacing, etc.) possible outcome. For me, its not really the points lost but more the momentum swings this poor execution causes.

[MarquetteDano]

No you don't.  You don't have to guard that far out to create pace.  And frankly, I'm not sure MU does better *with* pace anyway.

And if it's not working...then CHANGE it!!!  Don't be a slave to a system if the system can't be applied to a particular team.

Buzz has had three separate teams and has done a good job changing the offense to fit the team each time.  It seems like he struggles modifying the defense to fit the team.  I don't know the answers, but if he can't fix the issues on defense he needs to bring in someone who will.

[M@RQUETTEW@RRIORS]

Buzz has three separate teams and has done a good job changing the offense to fit the team each time.  It seems like he struggles modifying the defense to fit the team.  I don't know the answers, but if he can't fix the issues on defense he needs to bring in someone who will.

I agree entirely with this statement.  I dont want MU to give up on Buzz.  He is a great fit for this university in so many ways:  from his Christian beliefs, to his work eithic, to his personality, to his recruiting etc etc.  He is young and may just be the guy to stay here for a long long time if in fact MU doesnt give up on him.  We may take some lumps but I truly believe if he can get his defensive house in order this program can take the next step.  If you look around the country, most of the really consistent programs have one thing in common.  A coach that stays for a long period of time.

[Buzz's Tin]

We sure were spoiled when he had Dominic for 4 years... Even last year, Acker handled the PG duties with more success than I thought.

[Earl Tatum]

To Warrior Tribe----You are SO CORRECT! James and Acker. Also Right now to much playground

[GGGG]

To Warrior Tribe----You are SO CORRECT! James and Acker. Also Right now to much playground

What do you mean by "to (sic) much playground?"  They are essentially doing the same things as last year...but they are doing those things more poorly.  Does "playground" mean turnovers?  Or what?

[M@RQUETTEW@RRIORS]

Im sure the poster is referring to many of the 1 on 3 or 1 on 2 "fastbreaks" where djo/buycks etc seem to not see anyone and just force up a bad shot.  If you have ever had the pleasure of coaching 18-22 year olds.  I can promise you, this is not buy design from Buzz.

[tower912]

Considering that Jerel did the same thing under both Crean and Buzz.....

[GGGG]

Im sure the poster is referring to many of the 1 on 3 or 1 on 2 "fastbreaks" where djo/buycks etc seem to not see anyone and just force up a bad shot.  If you have ever had the pleasure of coaching 18-22 year olds.  I can promise you, this is not buy design from Buzz.

I'm fairly certain that's not what he means...I just want him to answer the question though.

[Earl Tatum]

Playground is playing out of control.