Katz on James...

[MarquetteVol]

Not sure if this has been posted....

Dominic James, 5-11, PG, So., Marquette
Skinny: Quick step to the hoop, solid playmaker but not overwhelming the NBA folks just yet.
Vibe: He's not a lock for the first round and that should tell him to return.
Marquette: The Golden Eagles would be losing their heart and soul if he were to depart. Sure, Jerel McNeal and Wes Matthews are back but this trio seems to work well in concert together. Losing James would certainly put a premium on David Cubillan to be even more of a presence next season. The Eagles could still be a tourney team without James but it would certainly be a lot harder.

[MUfan12]

Not sure if this has been posted....

Dominic James, 5-11, PG, So., Marquette
Skinny: Quick step to the hoop, solid playmaker but not overwhelming the NBA folks just yet.
Vibe: He's not a lock for the first round and that should tell him to return.
Marquette: The Golden Eagles would be losing their heart and soul if he were to depart. Sure, Jerel McNeal and Wes Matthews are back but this trio seems to work well in concert together. Losing James would certainly put a premium on David Cubillan to be even more of a presence next season. The Eagles could still be a tourney team without James but it would certainly be a lot harder.

Shows how much Andy has watched of MU this past year. It was obvious to anyone that watched this team that Jerel is the heart and soul of this team.

[NavinRJohnson]

Shows how much Andy has watched of MU this past year. It was obvious to anyone that watched this team that Jerel is the heart and soul of this team.

Not sure he was necessarily talking about James individually, but rather breaking up the trio of McNeal, Matthews, and James...

The Golden Eagles would be losing their heart and soul if he were to depart. Sure, Jerel McNeal and Wes Matthews are back but this trio seems to work well in concert together.

Pretty sure I agree with him. As much as people try to minimize the loss because of Cubillan and Acker, we would be a lot better if he were to come back.

[MUfan12]

If he comes back with the right mindset, they'll be better next year. But if he comes back forcing things like he did last year we're in for much of the same. Acker might be just what this team needs, a pass-first PG, similar to what happened with UCLA. I'm not saying Acker is in Collison's league, but a change in approach at the PG spot seemed to benefit them.

Either way, it will be interesting.

[ChicosBailBonds]

If he comes back with the right mindset, they'll be better next year. But if he comes back forcing things like he did last year we're in for much of the same. Acker might be just what this team needs, a pass-first PG, similar to what happened with UCLA. I'm not saying Acker is in Collison's league, but a change in approach at the PG spot seemed to benefit them.

Either way, it will be interesting.

The difference is that Collison is still an NBA player next year or beyond and Acker will never be.  The drop off is much bigger at MU.

[Avenue Commons]

Didn't realize former MU recruit Shaun Pruitt also entered the draft. We could have really used his inside presence the past few years.

Shaun Pruitt, 6-10, Jr., F, Illinois
Skinny: Pruitt had a solid junior season, averaging 11.4 points and 7.5 rebounds.
Vibe: He's likely going undrafted at this point. He needs to get to the Orlando draft camp to have a shot to stay in the draft.
Illinois: The Illini can't afford to lose Pruitt and be an NCAA team next season after also losing senior Warren Carter.

[MUfan12]

The difference is that Collison is still an NBA player next year or beyond and Acker will never be.  The drop off is much bigger at MU.

I already said they're not in the same league, but I'm not sold on the bigger drop off because "Collison is still an NBA player." There are a ton of very, very good college PGs who never made a splash in the league. That didn't change how effective they were in college. Acker isn't near the player Collison is, but that doesn't mean he can't have a similar effect. I still think a change in approach at the PG spot is needed for this team to be successful next year, with or without James.

[muarmy81]

People keep talking about how James might have a dropoff next year or might not improve enough to be in a better position than he is this year but it just dawned on me that it probably wouldn't hurt to stay another year because of this reason:
He'll be the 3rd year starting point guard on what should be a top 15 (trying to stay modest) team for most of the year.  With that kind of press you'd think he'd get more hype regardless of his shooting percentage.  Like most players, they can get an extra push from merely being on a great team and I think with james next year and an improved Ooze, Cubillan, Hayward, and a touch of Mbawke MU could reach the sweet 16 or beyond.  Doing that alone would greatly improve his draft status.   But I'm not a GM, I don't know any GMs and I don't know any NBA owners so this is strictly some dude's opinion...

[77ncaachamps]

Not sure if this has been posted....

Dominic James, 5-11, PG, So., Marquette
Skinny: Quick step to the hoop, solid playmaker but not overwhelming the NBA folks just yet.
Vibe: He's not a lock for the first round and that should tell him to return.
Marquette: The Golden Eagles would be losing their heart and soul if he were to depart. Sure, Jerel McNeal and Wes Matthews are back but this trio seems to work well in concert together. Losing James would certainly put a premium on David Cubillan to be even more of a presence next season. The Eagles could still be a tourney team without James but it would certainly be a lot harder.

Shows how much Andy has watched of MU this past year. It was obvious to anyone that watched this team that Jerel is the heart and soul of this team.

YEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!

[ChicosBailBonds]

The difference is that Collison is still an NBA player next year or beyond and Acker will never be.  The drop off is much bigger at MU.

I already said they're not in the same league, but I'm not sold on the bigger drop off because "Collison is still an NBA player." There are a ton of very, very good college PGs who never made a splash in the league. That didn't change how effective they were in college. Acker isn't near the player Collison is, but that doesn't mean he can't have a similar effect. I still think a change in approach at the PG spot is needed for this team to be successful next year, with or without James.

Let me put it this way, I'd much rather have a mature, 3rd year starter at PG that is all Big East first team and considered a potential NBA draft choice then a guy that hasn't played in a year and his last college ball was in the MAC. 

[Warrior Farls]

Shows how much Andy has watched of MU this past year. It was obvious to anyone that watched this team that Jerel is the heart and soul of this team.

Not sure he was necessarily talking about James individually, but rather breaking up the trio of McNeal, Matthews, and James...

The Golden Eagles would be losing their heart and soul if he were to depart. Sure, Jerel McNeal and Wes Matthews are back but this trio seems to work well in concert together.

Pretty sure I agree with him. As much as people try to minimize the loss because of Cubillan and Acker, we would be a lot better if he were to come back.

I think that it's time that everyone knows the truth.  Navin R. Johnson is in fact Andy Katz.

[79Warrior]

Let me put it this way, I'd much rather have a mature, 3rd year starter at PG that is all Big East first team and considered a potential NBA draft choice then a guy that hasn't played in a year and his last college ball was in the MAC. 


[/quote]

Absolutely correct. We will clearly miss DJ if he goes, no question.

[muwarrior87]

Also, in many cases DJ and Jerel fed off of each other for intensity with their slashing to the hoop and from the chemistry they have. Jerel will always bring it, that isn't really a question, but will whoever fills in with him in the back court bring the same intensity DJ brought while Jerel was paired w/ him in the backcourt? I think this is really the biggest question. I feel that skill-wise, we haven't really dropped off too much since Christopherson shoots better than DJ and Acker is a better true point with his passing ability and his shooting is about on the same level as DJ if not a little higher.