Most Improved?

[Aughnanure]

1. Blue, obviously
2. Juan
3. Steve Taylor

I thought Junior played well last year, so I didn't think his improvement warrants the same level of mention. Obviously he has taken the leader role, but I don;t think that's straight improvement - more maturity.

[Aughnanure]

Ners

It was easy to get frustrated with him and all of us did. But if you know anything about basketball it was obvious the skills/talent were there. His level of stepping up his play reminds me of what Butch did between Soph and Jr. seasons. Butch drove me nuts his first two years and his last two years had me on my feet cheering. Vander is awfully fun to watch. When he goes coast to coast after D rebound he makes others look in slow motion.

Sorry, disagree. The Talent and Athleticism was there, but "skills"? I'm not sure he ever showed the skills to make outside jumpers and finish in the paint like he is this year. Potential, maybe, but not skills. that's why its so amazing and commendable.

[ChicosBailBonds]

That's NorCal to you.  Jaundo is clearly the most improved to me. Great energy and really gets better and better every game.  I have always been a Blue fan...had a great game last season vs. Mississippi.  You knew the talent would rise to the top.

Did the state split in two yet?  They get all the water and we keep all the porn?

[The Process]

Did the state split in two yet?  They get all the water and we keep all the porn?

Careful, you might have half the board paying you a visit soon...

[warriorchick]

Basically, this long time Warrior fan agrees with the above, but would add in Davante Gardner. He is still 30 pound over an ideal playing weight, but all facets of his game, especially defense, have improved this year.

I would disagree about Davante being 30 pounds overweight.  He is obviously a naturally a big guy; he is never going to have the 30-inch Steve Taylor waist.   I think his bulk actually helps him power his way to those offensive rebounds and short-range shots.  He has also proven that he has the stamina to play the minutes he needs to.

He has actually slimmed down since he arrived on campus; if a guy still carries the extra weight after working out several hours a day like he and the rest of the team does, maybe that's the way he was meant to be.

[4everwarriors]

Nah, the cat's overweight.

[ErickJD08]

"I'll say it again... He just isn't that good." - ErickJD08, November 2011.

Don't be jumping on the bandwagon and using "we" now....you threw him under the bus enough over the past couple of seasons to throw your judgement into doubt.

WOW.  Selective reading.  You must be in the media in the spin factory.  Here are some of my other tidbits from the past.  I must be a real band wagon guy...

“If he can become a stronger finisher around the rim, he will be very effective.” November 2011

“I'll give credit where credit is due. The kid is really athletic. He just doesn't know how to use it yet. Around this time last year, I would have never thought Junior would be a better offensive player than Blue but he is. Hopefully, he just keeps at. he is going to continue to frustrate me because he is no where remotely close to how good he could be.”  November 2011

“So like Blue. I don't think he is terrible. I just think if he shored up some things, he would be so much more effective. There were two offensive possessions in a row where he really looked great.”  January 2012

“I think he had a decent game. He still has major issues finishing. There was one drive where he was fouled in the first half. It was during our drought and the foul was really weak and Blue put up a layup that was extremely off the mark. As long as he has problems finishing, he is going to be very ineffective on offense.”January 2012

“My bashing is pretty much exclusive to his inability to finish around the rim.” February 2012

“His success on offense will be linked to his ability to make contested layups. Last few games he has shown some progress.” February 2012

“If he ever becomes a 16ppg+ player (which he could), he will be really effective driving and finishing.” February 2012

[GGGG]

ErickJD08....don't give me that bullsh*t.  You have gone back and retroactively cherry-picked a few posts where you said something somewhat positive about him. 

Go do a search on times you have mentioned him in a post.  It's pretty silly in retrospect.

[ErickJD08]

ErickJD08....don't give me that bullsh*t.  You have gone back and retroactively cherry-picked a few posts where you said something somewhat positive about him. 

Go do a search on times you have mentioned him in a post.  It's pretty silly in retrospect.

HA... I cherried picked quotes?  I picked out a handful of quotes which include multiple sentences.  Some that criticize his finishing abilities and some that complement him.  You pick out ONE sentence and label it as my opinion.  Who is cherry picking posts here? 

[MU82]

Kids, kids, kids ... do I have to turn this car around right now?

[Bocephys]

Kids, kids, kids ... do I have to turn this car around right now?

Please do, no one likes going anywhere with ErickJD08 when he's acting all self righteous.

[ErickJD08]

Please do, no one likes going anywhere with ErickJD08 when he's acting all self righteous.

I know its tough admitting you're wrong.  Its ok. 

[keefe]

I'm beginning to think the current back court reminds me of Lloyd Walton and Butch Lee, circa 1976. Any thoughts on that one? Butch was a sophomore and Lloyd was a senior.

Jr or Lucky? Lucky. By a mile

VB or Alfred? Alfred. By two miles

As much as I like this year's back court it can't hold a candle to Lucky and Butch. Not. Even. Close.

[mubb34]

Vander and JUAN ANDERSON...Im so happy with his game right now!

[keefe]

He is obviously a naturally a big guy

He does take it to the hole with authority

[brewcity77]

Vander has a good shot at being most improved in the Big East, probably him or MCW. Safe to say he's most improved on our team. Kudos to Davante's defensive work, but it's Blue all day.

[CTWarrior]

Ners

It was easy to get frustrated with him and all of us did. But if you know anything about basketball it was obvious the skills/talent were there.

I have to disagree here.  I think I am pretty knowledgeable about basketball, and prior to this season, I saw neither skills nor talent (other than excellent athleticism) when watching Vander Blue play.  What I saw was that athleticism and a pretty good feel for the game leading Vander to be a good defender and a good rebounder for his size.  To me basketball skills are good hands, a good handle, a quick first step and a deft touch with the basketball both in passing and shooting.  The only one of those skills I saw prior to this season was the quick first step. 

I don't recall another MU player who advanced his game this much in a year.  I'm one of the many who weren't sold on him before this season but who now feel differently.  I don't think any of us are hypocritical.  We were just wrong because a young man stepped up his game far beyond the norm.