Buzz's "Bench Bunch"

[Tugg Speedman]

The three guys that never seemed to find the floor last year ...

Name               Points          Rebounds       Assists

Steve Taylor         8                 4                   1
JJJ                      20                4                   2
Duane                  6                 2                   3
Totals                     34                  10                      6


Six months ago these guy did not need to bother dressing.  Did they all get better this summer or was some poor personnel decisions made last year?

[tower912]

Duane was red-shirted, Taylor was injured early and JJJ showed flashes of brilliance but ended up in Buzz's doghouse.   

[Tugg Speedman]

Duane was red-shirted, Taylor was injured early and JJJ showed flashes of brilliance but ended up in Buzz's doghouse.  

Daune's red-shirt was forced upon him

Taylor was told he was hurt

[tower912]

Taylor had off-season surgery.  Duane had a broken leg.   He was convinced to red-shirt because he had missed too much time (according to Buzz) and was unlikely to catch up.   Going forward, it will be a huge help to MU, as he will be around 4 seasons and will start at the point for the last 3.

[PGsHeroes32]

Taylor had off-season surgery.  Duane had a broken leg.   He was convinced to red-shirt because he had missed too much time (according to Buzz) and was unlikely to catch up.   Going forward, it will be a huge help to MU, as he will be around 4 seasons and will start at the point for the last 3.

Yeah realistically that is the one spot where Buzz helped us out. Last year we were bad regardless. Now we get Duane for an extra year. Me like.

[Tums Festival]

The three guys Brent screwed with the most last year (Juan, Teve and JJJ) all had big games last night and need to be key contributors this year. It'll be interesting to see how they all do Tuesday against OSU.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

The three guys Brent screwed with the most last year (Juan, Teve and JJJ) all had big games last night and need to be key contributors this year. It'll be interesting to see how they all do Tuesday against OSU.

I think this is the first time I've ever seen someone say that Buzz screwed Juan. Most say Juan played too much!

[Tums Festival]

I think this is the first time I've ever seen someone say that Buzz screwed Juan. Most say Juan played too much!

When I say he was "screwed with" I'm talking about how Juan was on a very short leash and got yanked out of games anytime he made a mistake and was constantly being shuttled in and out of the starting lineup. Not too hard to see why he played so poorly last year.

[Earl Tatum]

Juan couldn't hit anything but layups last night. Hope that changes.

[Nukem2]

Juan couldn't hit anything but layups last night. Hope that changes.

Hmmm.... Juan was 2 of 4 from three point land and 4 of 8 from 2 point territory.  Now, he was 2 of 5 fro the FT line.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Juan couldn't hit anything but layups last night. Hope that changes.

...and 3 pointers

[GGGG]

When I say he was "screwed with" I'm talking about how Juan was on a very short leash and got yanked out of games anytime he made a mistake and was constantly being shuttled in and out of the starting lineup. Not too hard to see why he played so poorly last year.

Last year was his best year in a Marquette uniform by a long shot.  Outside of three point shooting, he improved over his first two years in almost every part of his game.

I expect that he is going to take a giant leap this year however.

[Earl Tatum]

Hey Nukem 2, watched the game on TV and that's what it looked like to me. So yes, correct me, I am fine with that.

[keefe]

Last year was his best year in a Marquette uniform by a long shot.  Outside of three point shooting, he improved over his first two years in almost every part of his game.

I expect that he is going to take a giant leap this year however.

I have the same expectation. What was painful to watch last year was how Bert's quick hook was unsettling to players which stymied aggressiveness, innovation, and creativity. It's tough to hit the target when you are looking over your shoulder. 

[TheBurrEffect]

Juan couldn't hit anything but layups last night. Hope that changes.

Did I turn on the wrong game?

[Brewtown Andy]

Last year was his best year in a Marquette uniform by a long shot.  Outside of three point shooting, he improved over his first two years in almost every part of his game

Other than his stats, which were essentially the same as his sophomore year.

[Jay Bee]

Other than his stats, which were essentially the same as his sophomore year.

I think last year the good and meaningful changes were 2-point field goal shooting and steals. Significantly better (though sophomore year was brutally poor) 2FG% (offset by drop in 3FG%) and his steal rate was ~top 5 in BEast (30% minute min). OR% also with a nice bump.

[chapman]

Daune's red-shirt was forced upon him

Taylor was told he was hurt

And despite immense talent, the staff couldn't develop JJJ to earn any playing time after he had been on campus for nine months.  For Juan, three years and marginal development.  We start to see the difference now that lack of playing time isn't completely the players' faults and most top 100 recruits won't end up looking lost and transferring.

[Texas Western]

When I say he was "screwed with" I'm talking about how Juan was on a very short leash and got yanked out of games anytime he made a mistake and was constantly being shuttled in and out of the starting lineup. Not too hard to see why he played so poorly last year.

Completely agree with this. It is very hard to play a sport like basketball when your not allowed to get in the flow of the game. I think Juan is the kind of kid where some confidence in him from the coaches will go a long  way. He is a team oriented player and  the positive energy from that can be contagious.