How Gardner can improve

[MU72491]

decent article on espn

http://insider.espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/blog/_/name/ncbexperts/id/9226978/how-jahii-carson-other-returning-college-stars-improve-college-basketball

[MU82]

Hey Tommy ... it's illegal to tout an ESPN Insider article without posting the relevant parts of it for us cheap beesterds who ain't got no stinkin' Insider!

[MU72491]

how can I delete this post then?

[drewm88]

Davante Gardner, F, Marquette Golden Eagles
What he should work on: Low-post defensive pride

Gardner will never be mistaken for a member of the Joffrey Ballet, but he has improved his conditioning and agility significantly since he arrived on the Marquette campus three seasons ago. And while the hard work has been reflected on the offensive end of the court, he still played only 22 minutes a game as a junior.

It's a safe assumption that coach Buzz Williams will keep Gardner in the gym and on the treadmill this summer to continue to keep his weight under control. That will be critical, because the biggest jump Gardner can make in his game is on the defensive end. Both his defensive rebounding rate of 14.9 percent and block rate of 3.1, according to kenpom.com, are pedestrian at best.

Defensive success for Gardner requires motivation, and motivation requires effort, and effort requires a high level of fitness. If he is motivated to improve, Gardner can be a dominant Big East player almost every night and not just once out of every three or four nights. That's my goal for him this summer.

Edit: Written by Fran Fraschilla

[ResidentBrown]

nm

[MerrittsMustache]

Jump.

[Stretchdeltsig]

Diet.  You would think after boot camp and working with Todd on the exercise equipment and practice, that Gardner would not be able to weigh 290.  The only remedy may be to reduce his food intake.

[willie warrior]

Yes, he definitely needs to improve, to break the starting line-up, even though two different sources rate him as All American potential.

[Les Nessman]

Defensive success for Gardner requires motivation, and motivation requires effort, and effort requires a high level of fitness. If he is motivated to improve, Gardner can be a dominant Big East player almost every night and not just once out of every three or four nights. That's my goal for him this summer.

Edit: Written by Fran Fraschilla

Shouldn't it be "effort requires motivation" and "a high level of fitness requires effort."  I'm pretty sure you can be motivated without putting forth any effort at all. And you definitely don't need to have a high level of fitness to put an effort into anything.

[CTWarrior]

I have the 2011 Syracuse NCAA game on my DVR and the 2011 Gardner does not look significantly heavier than the 2013 version.  I don't think he's slimmed down all that much since he got to MU (at least not since the end of his freshman season, he may have lost a lot that first year), though I'll bet he's in much better shape.  I wonder what he is going to weigh when he stops playing basketball every day.

[Stronghold]

Find a better barber

[Dawson Rental]

Weight is the reason why I'd feel better if Davante wasn't going home to Virginia this summer.

[bilsu]

Gardner's 22 minutes a game would of increased next year, if Otule did not come back. As long as Buzz has two centers there is no need for a significant increase in his playing time. I think Gardner would be wise to quit complaining to refs everytime he thinks he was fouled. A selective complaint here and there might have a positive effect, but if you complain everytime you are just irritating the refs. A ref is not going to go out of his way to help you, if he does not like you.

[Goose]

I think Gardner is going to be VERY hard pressed to get more than twenty minutes a game next season. With Taylor, Wilson and McKay I think you will see more full court press with these guys playing together. IMO next season will be full court action and swinging for the fences on D.

[ChicosBailBonds]

He needs to improve his tweeting

[Sunbelt15]

A quick go to, low post move, like a fadeaway or hook shot.

[Marqevans]

Gardner's 22 minutes a game would of increased next year, if Otule did not come back. As long as Buzz has two centers there is no need for a significant increase in his playing time. I think Gardner would be wise to quit complaining to refs everytime he thinks he was fouled. A selective complaint here and there might have a positive effect, but if you complain everytime you are just irritating the refs. A ref is not going to go out of his way to help you, if he does not like you.

I do believe because of his size a lot of refs ignore some fouls.

[Windyplayer]

Yeah, but that's part of what makes him the Big Sheesh. To alter behavior that would undermine the foundation of a nickname is just ludicrous.

[GGGG]

Weight is the reason why I'd feel better if Davante wasn't going home to Virginia this summer.

I'm assuming he's only going home for a couple weeks before summer school starts up again.