The Butler didn't do it

[ChicosBailBonds]

Where was Jimmy Butler tonight?  I know he got in, but I honestly don't remember anything of substance.

[bma725]

Where was Jimmy Butler tonight?  I know he got in, but I honestly don't remember anything of substance.

He got in during the first half and couldn't guard anyone so Buzz took him out almost immediately.  He didn't get back in until the game was well in hand.  He's got to improve his defense or he won't play much against tougher opponents.

[avid1010]

I thought he was the biggest disappointment of the game.  I'm not writing him off, or anything close to that, but he looked completely lost on the court.  He guards better players in practice then in the UWM game, so I'm hoping he just had an off night. 

[detroitwarrior]

He's had one bad MM performance, two decent regular season games and one poor regular season game. No doubt it might take a while to adjust to playing at this level from JUCO but I am quite confident that the coaches will ensure his defense improves and he becomes a solid asset for the team.

[Pardner]

From Buzz:
"Jimmy hasn't had a good week in practice, he didn't have a good night tonight," Williams said. "He only plays seven minutes -- probably more than he deserved -- but he's been playing 13 or 14 minutes. Well, those 7-8 minutes we need because those other three guys need to sit out, even if it's only two minutes. We need everybody."

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/34952344.html

[Daniel]

From Buzz:
"Jimmy hasn't had a good week in practice, he didn't have a good night tonight," Williams said. "He only plays seven minutes -- probably more than he deserved -- but he's been playing 13 or 14 minutes. Well, those 7-8 minutes we need because those other three guys need to sit out, even if it's only two minutes. We need everybody."

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/34952344.html

Ya got to admit, Buzz says it like he sees it - I hope that this motivates these guys to get better.  I was at the game, and Butler did nbot look good - players were blowing by him and scoring. 

[79Warrior]

Where was Jimmy Butler tonight?  I know he got in, but I honestly don't remember anything of substance.

One thing is looking a little scary, the bench is very thin. Just how many points did the bench score?

Once the competition gets more difficult, I think the weakness on the bench wil really cause problems.

[drewm88]

One thing is looking a little scary, the bench is very thin. Just how many points did the bench score?

Once the competition gets more difficult, I think the weakness on the bench wil really cause problems.

I believe 60 of our first 62 came from DJ, JM, WM, and LH. Mo and Dwight added a free throw each. Not going to cut it.

[dwaderoy2004]

how is that not going to cut it?  how can any team guard 4 seperate players on the court capable of putting up 20 a night in a man to man.  they will zone us, for sure, but how does that affect our bench.  when they zone us, our bench actually becomes more effective, because cubillan and acker can shoot it, but can;t blow by people.  i think you will see the big 4 out there against man to man, and cubillan, acker and maybe butler out there more when they zone us.

[drewm88]

Sorry, let me clarify. Especially early on, I was disappointed with just about everyone other than those 4. They seemed too timid and too slow. We know DJ will have off nights of shooting, Jerel will have games where he's moving too fast for his own good, Lazar will get in foul trouble, etc. We need the supporting cast to be much more capable.

[Daniel]

I think we got 11 of 100 from the bench last nite - I think we could do better
Acker 5
Hazel 4
Cubie 2

I think that was it.

[rugbydrummer]

yeah, agreed about the bench.  the 3 amigos & lazar have all been leaned on since they were freshmen; our bench/freshmen need to step up because they are the future of this team.  it absolutely must happen because our pipe dreams end after this season if they don't--and sooner if we are plagued with injury as we have been in the past  to our key guards (!!!!)  diener, mcneal, anyone?

however, my one caveat is that both of those injuries occurred 1) in practice and 2) under old management. hopefully those trends will not be repeated

[Big Papi]

One thing is looking a little scary, the bench is very thin. Just how many points did the bench score?

Once the competition gets more difficult, I think the weakness on the bench wil really cause problems.

Yes it is very thin but lets not forget that we will be getting 2 major contributors within a month. Then we go 10 strong so if someone doesn't have a good game like Butler last night, there should be someone else to pick him up.

[79Warrior]

Yes it is very thin but lets not forget that we will be getting 2 major contributors within a month. Then we go 10 strong so if someone doesn't have a good game like Butler last night, there should be someone else to pick him up.

Respectfully, "major contributors"? Otule, a freshman, who has yet to play 1 minute in a game? Fulce, also yet to play. How do these two all of a sudden become major contributors? I think you are getting way ahead of yourself, and have very high expectations from two complete unknowns.

[dwaderoy2004]

without even knowing what these guys can do, going into the season, they were most likely the 1st and 2nd options of the bench, and were likely to play 15 minutes a game each.  by default, that makes them major contributors, whether they produce or not.