Bigger disapointment

[MUSkins]

Marquette65 still supports Mubarak

[Markusquette]

Even though it comes from '65, that's a legitimate question with an obvious answer.

Fab Melo by far.

Vander has been a bit of a dissappointmnet on the offensive end, but he IS a contributor.  Fab Melo mostly rides the bench and contributes nothing (much like '65).

I think that sums it up nicely.

[warriors1965]

Melo is a non-factor in every aspect of the game.

Blue is a non-factor offensively.

Melo is a bigger bust.

[warthog-driver]

This would only have been better if you did it Haiku-form.

Big words but no deeds
Spandex over flabby flesh
The Tears of a Clown

[wildbill sb]

+11   
         Good-natured ribbing,
         Enjoyable, mirth-filled thread,
         Much funny stuff.  Thanks!

[jsglow]

VB's best attribute is that he keeps his head up and tries to do what his coach expects.  Good attitude will serve him well.  Bright future.  Frosh become Sophs.

[brewcity77]

Definitely Fab Melo, but mainly because the two players were seen as night and day different in terms of expectations. Melo was considered by many to be the top center in the country and a possible one-and-done type player. He was a consensus top fifteen player, and at times was in some top fives. Potential all-Big East as a freshman. He's done nothing. Blue, on the other hand, was probably in the mid-30s consensus, considered very good and possibly a starter by the end of the year, but by no means the dominant force that Melo was supposed to be. And he's contributed more this season than Melo has. I don't see how this is even a question.

[Tugg Speedman]

Fab Melo was the #1 C and 14th overall ranked player last year.  Melo was a McDonalds AA
Melo plays 9.9 minutes a game


VB was the #7 SG and 31 overall last year.  However, some recruiting services had him outside the top 100.
VB plays 22.5 minutes a game.

Melo is the biggest bust of 2011.  Not even sure VB is a bust.  His numbers and production are what you'd expect for a top 50 guy on an elite team.

[Shaka Shart]

Fab Melo was the #1 C and 14th overall ranked player last year.  Melo was a McDonalds AA
Melo plays 9.9 minutes a game


VB was the #7 SG and 31 overall last year.  However, some recruiting services had him outside the top 100.
VB plays 22.5 minutes a game.

Melo is the biggest bust of 2011.  Not even sure VB is a bust.  His numbers and production are what you'd expect for a top 50 guy on an elite team.

Does Vander's season performance affect Marquette more than Melo's does Syracuse? The depth of the teams I feel factors into this debate.

[Marquette84]

Fab Melo was the #1 C and 14th overall ranked player last year.  Melo was a McDonalds AA
Melo plays 9.9 minutes a game


VB was the #7 SG and 31 overall last year.  However, some recruiting services had him outside the top 100.
VB plays 22.5 minutes a game.

Melo is the biggest bust of 2011.  Not even sure VB is a bust.  His numbers and production are what you'd expect for a top 50 guy on an elite team.

I think its probably too early to declare Melo a bust.

We know from history that it often takes longer for bigs to adjust to the NCAA.  Guards more frequently are effective as freshmen.

Go back to top 50 centers from 2007 (per RSCI) that would be seniors this year. 
#21 Cole Aldrich Kansas -  8.3 mpg, 2.8 ppg - wound up as the 11th pick in the NBA draft
#27 Solomon Alabi Florida State - 10.3 mpg, 3.9 ppg
#45 Mac Koshwal, DePaul - 31 mpg, 10.7 ppg

I think Syracuse fans will be quite happy if Melo turns out like Aldrich.

[Tugg Speedman]

Is Fab Melo the least productive starter in Syracuse basketball history?
http://blog.syracuse.com/orangebasketball/2011/02/mikes_mailbox_is_fab_melo_the.html

Baye Moussa Keita to replace Fab Melo in Syracuse's starting lineup at Louisville
http://blog.syracuse.com/orangebasketball/2011/02/baye_moussa_keita_to_replace_f.html

Baye Moussa Keita will make his first collegiate start in Syracuse's game at Louisville this afternoon.

Keita, a 6-foot-10 freshman, will replace fellow freshman Fab Melo at center for the Orange. Keita is averaging 2.6 points and 4.2 rebounds for Syracuse. However in recent games, Keita has had 11 rebounds and six steals in a win at Connecticut and four points, four rebounds and five blocks in SU's loss to Georgetown on Wednesday.

Melo, a 7-foot freshman, has struggled all season. He's averaging just 2.0 points and 1.8 rebounds. He played just three minutes in Wednesday's game against Georgetown.

[VanderBabyBlue]

VB is a star with a decent coach.  He will come nowhere near fulfilling his potential under Buzz, however.

[brewcity77]

VB is a star with a decent coach.  He will come nowhere near fulfilling his potential under Buzz, however.

Bold statement. Didn't Wes Matthews shine brightest under Buzz before going on to an NBA career? Vander may be having some struggles, but it's yet to be determined if that's because of Buzz or because he's a freshman adjusting to a vastly different level of basketball. Let's give him a year or two before we indict Buzz for his work developing freshmen, as it seems like Wes Mat, Hayward, Butler, and DJO all developed just fine.