Vander Blue

[CTWarrior]

One thing I've noticed as a recurring theme on Marquette broadcasts (besides that Marquette has the most intense walk-throughs the broadcasters have ever seen) is that Vander Blue is so much better this year because his shot selection has improved.

I think that is flat out wrong.  I think, if anything, Vander is taking tougher shots this year than he has in years past, simply because we need him to.  That, to me, is the most impressive thing about his improvement this year.  He has seemingly developed a soft touch, particularly from 15 feet in, out of nowhere.  He has always been pretty good at getting to the rim, but this year he is exponentially better at going hard to the hoop but laying it up softly.  That and the mid-range jump shot he's cultivated has turned him from an offensive liability to an effective offensive player. 

[tower912]

He is stronger this year and has a better left hand.   His first two years, he would make wild drives into traffic and throw up shots that had no chance to go in.   This year, the drives don't look so wild because he can finish with either hand through contact.   They don't all go in, but they are certainly going in at a higher % than in the past. 

[DoggyDaddy]

It shows how hard VB worked on his game and he is developing the maturity needed to be team leader--not necessarily scoring leader. With the talent available next year, his experience and leadership will be more important than his scoring in my view.

[4everwarriors]

But, what if he goes to the NBA?

[esotericmindguy]

But, what if he goes to the NBA?

Was that supposed to be in Teal?

[bobnoxious]

It means we probably have to hang another banner at the home opener

[brewcity77]

One thing I've noticed as a recurring theme on Marquette broadcasts (besides that Marquette has the most intense walk-throughs the broadcasters have ever seen) is that Vander Blue is so much better this year because his shot selection has improved.

I think that is flat out wrong.  I think, if anything, Vander is taking tougher shots this year than he has in years past, simply because we need him to.  That, to me, is the most impressive thing about his improvement this year.  He has seemingly developed a soft touch, particularly from 15 feet in, out of nowhere.  He has always been pretty good at getting to the rim, but this year he is exponentially better at going hard to the hoop but laying it up softly.  That and the mid-range jump shot he's cultivated has turned him from an offensive liability to an effective offensive player. 

I agree with all this, but particularly the bolded bit. His finishing around the rim is much better because he has a plan when he drives. In the past he seemed to drive not knowing if he was going to pass or shoot and it often led to awkward missed lay-ups. This year he knows what he's going to do before he does it and that focus has allowed him to finish his drives.

In addition, he improved his jump shot. He now consistently releases at the height of his jump. On occasion you will see him hold it longer than the height, but when he does it's because he's making a slight adjustment for an oncoming defender and shooting after the peak rather than shooting before the peak.

Vander never had bad shot selection, he just had bad finishing at the rim and poor jump shooting form. That's a big part of why I've been supportive of Vander's ability to improve his offensive game for the past 3 years. Because he knew what to do, he just needed to work on how he did it. Now that he's fixed the kinks, his improvement has been monumental.

[StillWarriors]

Next year with some arc on his threes I suspect he will up his % from there as well. Thank God his knee wasn't gone like I thought it was when he slipped on the floor in Maui. That would have surely led to a long season.

[cven7]

His shooting form and ability to finish at the rim has undoubtedly improved this year.   But I think he has improved his shot selection, particularly in adding a consistent pull jumper in situations where he would have previously just put his head down and tried to get to the rim to no avail.  He's also taking and making these jumpers in rhythm this year, typically off of high ball screens.

I think one thing that gets overlooked on Blue's improved finishing at the rim has been the low seals set by Wilson, and particularly Otule, to allow a cleaner path to the basket.   The announcers highlighted Otule's seal on Cooley on Thursday, but he's been excellent with them all season to the benefit of all the guards.

[tower912]

Otule was very good at sealing off of defenders prior to his injury last year, too.   That is why I was always puzzled by those who thought MU was a better team without him. 

[Sunbelt15]

Who will be the next to improve this off season like Vander? I'm guessing Anderson or Taylor.

[brewcity77]

Otule was very good at sealing off of defenders prior to his injury last year, too.   That is why I was always puzzled by those who thought MU was a better team without him. 

What has really impressed me about Otule is his ability to score with the pivot. He can now turn right and finish with his left, something that he developed over the past two years but couldn't really display last year due to the injury. But agreed completely that his ability to seal off the defenders made things a lot easier for JFB, DJO, and Buycks in years past. Of course, because he didn't actually score the points himself, many were convinced he didn't contribute.

[Goose]

Aside from great improvement with mid range jumper I think his ability to score on drives is biggest improvement. He got to the hoop a lot last year and seemed to struggle making the drives. Too often in the past I think he made easy shots more difficult and was too flashy. Plus you can tell he is very confident out there.

[ChicosBailBonds]

But, what if he goes to the NBA?

[avid1010]

his mid-range game is extremely strong, and that has been the biggest surprise to me.  i figured he'd eventually learn to finish around the rim, and now you see him hit his mid-range shot at a high percentage.  i don't think he shoots enough, in terms of this mid-range shot, and i think he often over-penetrates...i would think a fair progression for him next year would be that he uses his mid-range shot more, shoots the 3-ball at a higher percentage...and that will really open the drive up for him. if that happens, he's an nba player in my book.

[Goose]

I think one way Blue can improve his 3 pt % is have someone else take a wild shot as the shot clock expires. I would think he has taken a minimum of 20 buzzer beaters this season. Granted he has made some of these but I would think he has taken over a dozen that were prayers because no other choice than take the shot. Stats do not always tell the story and the eye test does mean something to me. When given time from long range he has improved beyond what I think would have been reasonable expectations going into the season.