PG happens suddenly, other positions evolve

[Tugg Speedman]

January 5, 2011 MU beat Rutgers by 8 (73,65),  sophomore guard Junior Cadogan seems to "arrive" after an injury riddled freshman season by playing 29 minutes and handing out 8  assists.

http://wiki.muscoop.com/doku.php/men_s_basketball/rut_01_05_11

February 24, 2012 freshman Derrick Wilson "arrives" in a win in Morgantown as MU tops WV by 1 (61,60).  MU suspended 4 players and only had 6 to play with.  Little used Freshman Wilson plays most of the game and is critical in the upset win.

January 20, 2014 Freshman John Dawson plays 31 minutes, scores 12 points, including critical shots in OT to help upset Georgetown.  

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PGs seem to "arrive" in a breakout game.  Players at other positions seem to "evolve"  over the bulk of a season.  Agree?

Seems Dawson arrival point was tonight.  Duane Wilson will have his next year.

[bilsu]

That just shows how important the position is. Great game by Dawson, but do not make the misstake that he will do that every game.

[Tugg Speedman]

That just shows how important the position is. Great game by Dawson, but do not make the misstake that he will do that every game.

If Mayo and Jamil played every game like he did against SH, Derrick Wilson played every game like he did against Butler in the first half, Ox like he did against DePaul and Dawson and STj like they did last night ... We are a top 15 team, maybe top 10.

Of course they will not.  So the potential is there, getting it to become reality is the key to the rest of the season.

[NavinRJohnson]

That just shows how important the position is. Great game by Dawson, but do not make the misstake that he will do that every game.

Correct. Quick PSA for those now expressing the "I told you so" sentiment, don't set yourselves up for disappointment if Dawson doesn't suddenly start playing 25-30 minutes a game. It might happen, but I wouldn't bet on it.

His ability to defend and stay out of foul trouble will determine his ability to get on the floor. Last night was a good game for him, but it was one game. He did a great job avoiding the fifth foul, and Buzz did very well, going offense for defense. That's the key. Derrik Wilson is going to play, and he should play. Buzz's ability to get both guys out there at the right times, and with the right combinations will be critical, but John Dawson is not likely to start and play most of the game.

[tower912]

In the first half of the Butler game, a case can be made that Derrick was the best player on the floor.    Derrick has had several good games.   Last night, Dawson was playing well defensively, made a couple of shots early, and Buzz rode the hot hand.   Hopefully, JD continues to show like that. 

[MerrittsMustache]

Correct. Quick PSA for those now expressing the "I told you so" sentiment, don't set yourselves up for disappointment if Dawson doesn't suddenly start playing 25-30 minutes a game. It might happen, but I wouldn't bet on it.

His ability to defend and stay out of foul trouble will determine his ability to get on the floor. Last night was a good game for him, but it was one game. He did a great job avoiding the fifth foul, and Buzz did very well, going offense for defense. That's the key. Derrik Wilson is going to play, and he should play. Buzz's ability to get both guys out there at the right times, and with the right combinations will be critical, but John Dawson is not likely to start and play most of the game.

Well said.

First of all, kudos to John for an outstanding game! He definitely had the best game of his college career and showed the ability to do some things offensively. Let's not forget that his D left a lot to be desired, he had some "freshman moments" and he was downright awful in the 5 minutes he played against Butler. He's a talented kid but he's still got a ways to go. To think that he'll suddenly be starting, playing 30+ minutes and going for 12 and 4 a night is pretty ridiculous. Derrick is the still the PG of this team but I'd expect Dawson's minutes to go up if he continues playing well offensively.

[GGGG]

Well said.

First of all, kudos to John for an outstanding game! He definitely had the best game of his college career and showed the ability to do some things offensively. Let's not forget that his D left a lot to be desired, he had some "freshman moments" and he was downright awful in the 5 minutes he played against Butler. He's a talented kid but he's still got a ways to go. To think that he'll suddenly be starting, playing 30+ minutes and going for 12 and 4 a night is pretty ridiculous. Derrick is the still the PG of this team but I'd expect Dawson's minutes to go up if he continues playing well offensively.

Yep.  The combination of Derrick's foul trouble and Dawson's play is what kept John on the floor.  He definitely earned the minutes.

[NavinRJohnson]

Yep.  The combination of Derrick's foul trouble and Dawson's play is what kept John on the floor.  He definitely earned the minutes.

He did. That said, I hate the matchup vs. Villanova for Dawson. He may go out and prove me wrong, but I am not anticipating a repeat performance on Saturday.

[Silkk the Shaka]

People keep saying things like "Dawson's D left a lot to be desired." Are we watching the same games? He's not all world on that end, but he's hardly a liability. Derrick got blown past by Starks in several key moments last night. Difference is he can't make up for it on the offensive end. I like his hustle and he has a role to play on the team. It's fairly apparent that the role he should be playing is 10-15 mpg as energy and change of pace. That's where he thrives, and he should be put in a position to succeed.

[Stretchdeltsig]

Dawson showed that he gives us a much better chance to win than De Wilson.  Love his game.  He and Steve Taylor brought this team back to life.  Would like to see both play 25+ minutes.  The offense flowed much better with Dawson at the point.  Other team's have to defend him.  Obviously, when Derrick plays, they don't defend him but sag underneath.  I think his defense is coming along fine.  He can steal and run with the ball.

[CTWarrior]

Yep.  The combination of Derrick's foul trouble and Dawson's play is what kept John on the floor.  He definitely earned the minutes.

Derrick picked up his 3rd foul with 25 seconds to go in regulation.  Dawson was in because Buzz wanted him in, not because of Derrick's foul trouble.

[MUfan12]

Dawson showed that he gives us a much better chance to win than De Wilson.  Love his game.

He was great last night, but hasn't faced any pressure defenses yet. If a team presses, I'd feel more comfortable with Derrick handling the ball.

Either way, it's good to know there's a viable second option.

[slingkong]

He was great last night, but hasn't faced any pressure defenses yet. If a team presses, I'd feel more comfortable with Derrick handling the ball.

Either way, it's good to know there's a viable second option.

De Wilson's performance against Seton Hall's pressure says otherwise but I do agree that it's nice to have options if one guy or the other has a rough time of it.

[Galway Eagle]

De Wilson's performance against Seton Hall's pressure says otherwise but I do agree that it's nice to have options if one guy or the other has a rough time of it.

Was about to say the same thing.  I know Dawson is young but nova does that trap press pretty much the whole game and Derrick showed it's his achilies heel

[MU82]

All I'll say is that I hope Dawson's "arrival" is a portent of better things to come than Derrick's was.