Dashonte Riley? Which 2 schools?

[esotericmindguy]

I think Riley will committ, he has a chance to start right away for MU and at the very least get solid minutes.  Assuming he works hard.  Cuse has Onaku, Sean Williams, and Rick Jackson that would likely be ahead of him on the depth chart.  MU has Otule and McMorrow, two players the Riley should feel like he could beat out.  Plus if he committs he would join a likely top 10 recruiting class (19 right now), Cuse isn't in the top 25.  

Just my thoughts, you don't turn away talented centers Byucks is going to surprise people and we already know Buzz doesn't play his bench if he doesn't have to.  What about the kid from Jacksonville, he's a 6'5 SG right?  

[Wade4Life]

Buzz doesnt play his bench not cause he doesnt have to, but because he cant.

There are only 6  (now 5) that are legitimate on MU.

Hayward
Wes
McNeal
Jimmy
James (now gone)
Mo (hopefully can be something)

I cant even put in burke into this convo....he is all but usless against anyone over 6'7". I mean look at when we played uconn and crapville, wes and lazar were matching up against their big men.

[Hards Alumni]

Burke played "okay" defense at the beginning of the year, but the wheels have come off for him.

I get worried about having so many in a recruiting class.  Yes, its great to have all of this talent, but am I the only one that would like to spread it out so we dont have 2 down years and then 2 up years?

I guess the solution to that is to redshirt someone... but who wants to do that if they are a top recruit?

[Phi Iota Gamma 84]

Redshirt Otule or Roseboro if we get Riley.

Buycks is only a two year player because of JC

[Hards Alumni]

Roseboro would probably get the Red.  I doubt Otule would sit another year.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Buzz doesnt play his bench not cause he doesnt have to, but because he cant.

There are only 6  (now 5) that are legitimate on MU.

Hayward
Wes
McNeal
Jimmy
James (now gone)
Mo (hopefully can be something)

I cant even put in burke into this convo....he is all but usless against anyone over 6'7". I mean look at when we played uconn and crapville, wes and lazar were matching up against their big men.

This has been an interesting point of discussion for my friends and I:

Buzz certainly deserves credit for the work he has done with the big 4 (all of them are playing better this year) as well as some credit for how Butler has come along.

However, if we are going to give Buzz credit for those player's development, I think you also have to consider that he might deserve some criticism for the lack of development/regression of some of the other players.

- Cubillan
- Burke
- Hazel
- Acker

I'm not saying any of these guys are "world beaters", but they certainly have shown glimpses of production in past seasons. This year, none of those guys have really shown much of anything.

To be fair, Cubby is coming off of major surgery and Hazel didn't play much last year... but the point still remains that none of them have shown they can be productive on the floor this season (acker has shown a little bit, but not nearly as much as last season).

I guess my point is, I really like everything Buzz has done, but he does bear some responsibility for the lack of bench production.

[Marquette65]

are we sure Buycks is only a 2 year player for MU ?

[GOMU1104]

are we sure Buycks is only a 2 year player for MU ?

100%

[SWARM!]

However, if we are going to give Buzz credit for those player's development, I think you also have to consider that he might deserve some criticism for the lack of development/regression of some of the other players.

- Cubillan
- Burke
- Hazel
- Acker

I'm not saying any of these guys are "world beaters", but they certainly have shown glimpses of production in past seasons. This year, none of those guys have really shown much of anything.

When have Hazel and Burke ever shown glimpses of production in meaningful games?  And yes, I am aware of Burke's game against WI last year.  That was a complete aberration.

And yes, Buycks is a 2 year player.

[MR.HAYWARD]

Acker is a great backup point guard it is a real art to get a PG to come and back up a guy for 2-3 years.  he is as solid a back up PG as anyone will find.  Unless you have a senior freshman type situation.


The other three should never have been offered schollies chalk it up to along list of Crean follies.  Long list

[nyg]

After watching Blair in first half, I am hoping more and more that Riley commits to MU.  God, this teams needs a center and no more projects.  Please someone with B-ball center ability.

[CAINMUTINY]

I hope he commits but if you've ever been on SU's campus you know its a tempting place to go

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

When have Hazel and Burke ever shown glimpses of production in meaningful games?  And yes, I am aware of Burke's game against WI last year.  That was a complete aberration.

And yes, Buycks is a 2 year player.

Hazel did show some athletic ability earlier in the year, but obviously Buzz doesn't think he's ready for big game exposure.

Burke became serviceable last year, but seems less than serviceable this year.

Obviously if the guys can't play, it's not Buzz's fault.

For the record, I think Buzz has done a wonderful job, I'm just trying to be fair in my evaluation of him.

If I give him credit for helping the "big 4", then I need to keep in mind that none of the others aren't even serviceable anymore. That doesn't mean Buzz isn't a good coach, just means that those guys weren't able to develop with him coaching.

Make sense?

*for the record, my comments aren't a reflection of the PITT game, but more the season in general. I'm definitely not upset that MU couldn't win against a top 5 team on the road. That would have taken a miracle*

[HoopsMalone]

I hope he commits but if you've ever been on SU's campus you know its a tempting place to go

what is so great about cuse's campus? 

[The Man in Gold]

what is so great about cuse's campus? 

Especially in the winter?

[CAINMUTINY]

Have you ever been there? Its a HUGE campus that reflects the fact they have almost 20,000 undergrads and has some very nice facilities.  I love MU but lets face the fact that our campus is weak compared to a school like SU.

[rocky_warrior]

Have you ever been there? Its a HUGE campus

I've never been to SU so I'd really like to know more specifics as to why it's better?  "Huge" can be a positive for some kids, but when I was visiting schools to make a selection, I immediately wrote off any that were too large.

[NYWarrior]

Have you ever been there? Its a HUGE campus that reflects the fact they have almost 20,000 undergrads and has some very nice facilities.  I love MU but lets face the fact that our campus is weak compared to a school like SU.

Why does huge make it better?  MU's campus is lovely, smartly improved in the last decade on all fronts (and I'd put MU's facilities on par with any other BE institution).   SU's campus is fine, but I can't imagine it blows any recruit's mind.....especially a kid from Detroit who is no doubt familiar with GU's campus, Michigan's and others.

Besides, the Carrier Dome is long in the tooth, they get more snow than the North Pole, and the city is impossibly isolated from other major population centers.

They don't call is Siberacuse for nothing.

[Badgerhater]

I hope he commits but if you've ever been on SU's campus you know its a tempting place to go

Never seen the campus, but I have been to the city.  The City of Syracuse makes downtown Milwaukee look like Las Vegas.

[CAINMUTINY]

Okay....I agree that downtown syracuse is the pitts but the campus is vastly superior to MU's. And whomever indicated syracuse is isolated from the rest of the state doesn't know what they are talking about as its right on the NYS thruway and a major artery of travel within the state.

I think you guys aren't looking at this objectively from a 18yr olds perspective.......I was just saying we face some stiff competition from them, period.

[Badgerhater]

- Cubillan
- Burke
- Hazel
- Acker


Are not high level conference D1 basketball players.   Burke and Acker are fine role players.  Hazel belongs in D2 and Cuby is useless without his shot.  None can be expected to consistently contribute.   Fulce is probably a quality D1 player and the jury is still out on Otule and McMorrow.

MU will be very inexperienced next year and have a (temporary) drop off in high-level talent, but its overall talent pool will be higher and the bench deeper.  If Riley signs, my suggestion is to thank Hazel for being a great teammate for 2 years and help him find a good situation with a mid-major.

[Bob "Big Daddy" Wild]

And yes, Buycks is a 2 year player.

OMG, YOUR AN IDIOT IF YOU THINK BIKES IS GOING PRO AFTER 2 YEARS.

[Badgerhater]

I continued be amazed how people keep screwing up on a player's eligibility when the Mods have provided us with the  Schollie Table    http://www.muscoop.com/index.php?page=8

[CTWarrior]

The other three should never have been offered schollies chalk it up to along list of Crean follies.  Long list

Not fair regarding Cubillan, who was significantly better as a freshman than Acker has ever been.  It's easy to forget how good he was as a frosh.  His shoulder woes have taken their toll on him, and he is no longer the player it looked like he was going to become, but I don't think he was a recruiting mistake. 

Otherwise agree.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

- Cubillan
- Burke
- Hazel
- Acker


Are not high level conference D1 basketball players.   Burke and Acker are fine role players.  Hazel belongs in D2 and Cuby is useless without his shot.  None can be expected to consistently contribute.   Fulce is probably a quality D1 player and the jury is still out on Otule and McMorrow.

MU will be very inexperienced next year and have a (temporary) drop off in high-level talent, but its overall talent pool will be higher and the bench deeper.  If Riley signs, my suggestion is to thank Hazel for being a great teammate for 2 years and help him find a good situation with a mid-major.

I agree that Burke and Acker are fine role players and I realize Buzz is certainly just playing the hand he was dealt. Cubby was a good player for 1 1/2 years, but then got injured and wasn't the same last year.

MU has 4 fantastic players and then a significant drop-off (although bulter has come along nicely).

With this said, I don't think you can just write off the thin bench as "not Buzz's fault"... Buzz is the head coach and he is responsible for the development of all of his players, not just the stars (think of the old phrase: It's not your fault, but it's your responsibility).

People seem to rave about how Buzz has helped Mathews blossom, which is great. But, if he gets credit for helping Mathews raise his game to another level, I think you have to objectively look at the lack of development in the bench and be somewhat disappointed.

Again, I think Buzz has done a great job and I've rarely been disappointed with anything he has done. I often error on the side of "the coach knows what he is doing".

The team is exactly where I thought they would be this year and I'm excited for next year.