Hazel

[schubert33]

Is he ever going to play again?  You can't tell me he wouldn't have helped tonight.  They still wouldn't have won, but still he can bang and rebound!!  Buzz is really trying to run him out to free up a scholarship.

[MUBasketball]

Is he ever going to play again?  You can't tell me he wouldn't have helped tonight.  They still wouldn't have won, but still he can bang and rebound!!  Buzz is really trying to run him out to free up a scholarship.

Ahhh...nothing like blind speculation.

[ErickJD08]

I think that our boys are getting run out of the gym and they needed a rest.  If we are going to commit to only three players shooting the ball, why not have a rotation like Acker, McNeal/Wes (for rest), Hayward at the 3, Hazel at the 4, and Burke at the 5.  We were getting dominated on the glass and I would rather have Hazel than Cubes for rebounding alone.

[bma725]

I think that our boys are getting run out of the gym and they needed a rest.  If we are going to commit to only three players shooting the ball, why not have a rotation like Acker, McNeal/Wes (for rest), Hayward at the 3, Hazel at the 4, and Burke at the 5.  We were getting dominated on the glass and I would rather have Hazel than Cubes for rebounding alone.

So basically you'd like MU to play with only two offensive options on the court.  That would have been a much worse defeat than what we saw.  Hazel and Burke bring nothing to the table offensively, Mo is extremely limited. 

A tired Wesley or Jerel or Lazar is better than anything anyone on the bench brings to the table.  They have to be on the court together unless there is foul trouble or injury keeping them out, they have no shot otherwise.

[schubert33]

Ahhh...nothing like blind speculation.

My brother in law is a head divison 1 coach.  I know exactly when they want to run someone off.  He does it all the time, and no I will not say where he coaches. 

[CTWarrior]

If we are going to commit to only three players shooting the ball, why not have a rotation like Acker, McNeal/Wes (for rest), Hayward at the 3, Hazel at the 4, and Burke at the 5.

You need three credible scoring threats on the floor.  Hazel, Burke and Acker on the floor at once leave us one short.  

I do agree that there are minutes to be had for Hazel.  I don't get it, but this is two straight coaches that have had no use for him.  Frankly, I was stunned when I first saw him on the floor this year because he looks and moves like a basketball player.  Based on the way Crean buried him, I just assumed he was an absolute stiff.  To me he looks like he's about the same quality as Burke, perhaps not as strong but better hands.  Really tough to say based on the few minutes he gets.

It's wrong to speculate about who's leaving, because we have no idea why Hazel isn't playing.

[ErickJD08]

So basically you'd like MU to play with only two offensive options on the court.  That would have been a much worse defeat than what we saw.  Hazel and Burke bring nothing to the table offensively, Mo is extremely limited. 

A tired Wesley or Jerel or Lazar is better than anything anyone on the bench brings to the table.  They have to be on the court together unless there is foul trouble or injury keeping them out, they have no shot otherwise.

The point is Cubes and Hazel bring nothing offensively.  I would rather have Hazel in for rebounding reasons.

[Tom Crean's Tanning Bed]

The only reason Pat Hazel is not out there is because of Pat Hazel.

I have no doubt that if he could play and contribute in the fashion that Buzz demands of him, he will be playing.  But obviously Pat is doing something that is precluding that, and it's up to him to figure it out.

[Boone]

I don't know how the handwriting on the wall could be made any clearer for Hazel to see. He hasn't sniffed the court in 5 games (including the Seton Hall game where even Frozena leapfrogged him for playing time) and counting. I'd bet he'll be going Greyhound back to Queens come May w/a one way ticket in hand. 

[TVDirector]

My brother in law is a head divison 1 coach.  I know exactly when they want to run someone off.  He does it all the time, and no I will not say where he coaches. 

holy smokes.. Barack?  is that you???

[Warrior Forever]

holy smokes.. Barack?  is that you???

One of the greatest posts on this board ever.

Hysterical.

Go Warriors. Crush Orange.

[Wade for President]

holy smokes.. Barack?  is that you???

Couldn't agree more.  Hilarious.

I don't want to speculate against a transfer, but, I just can't believe Hazel didn't get any pt last night.  With Lazar and Butler getting in foul trouble/dominated on the glass, have to figure Pat could've helped us a bit in those two categories.

Would like Rosiak to ask why Hazel hasn't been in the rotation (especially now that we're down a man...and are incredibly outsized).

[dwaderoy2004]

i'm sure you'd get a stock answer, even from buzz..."not practicing well" "it's a numbers game" blah blah blah.

[bma725]

The point is Cubes and Hazel bring nothing offensively.  I would rather have Hazel in for rebounding reasons.

No, the point is you should never have any situation where 3 of the 5 spots on the floor are occupied by Acker, Cubillan/Hazel, and Burke.  The lack of offensive ability kills your team's chances to win.

[ecompt]

But does it kill it anymore than having your three top players completely gassed? I'm not saying Hazel is the answer -- in fact, I'd be surprised if he ever plays another second this season -- but giving him a minute just to give someone a breather couldn't be any worse than watching us fall apart because we're exhausted. I really think the season turned in the Rutgers game when Buzz went to the bench and RU immediately went on a 12-0 run. Buzz pretty much decided at that point he had his starting five and Butler and nothing else. I know we won plenty of games after RU, but it was because the six main guys were doing everything.

[Brewtown Andy]

The only reason Pat Hazel is not out there is because of Pat Hazel.

I have no doubt that if he could play and contribute in the fashion that Buzz demands of him, he will be playing.  But obviously Pat is doing something that is precluding that, and it's up to him to figure it out.

Or it's already too late for him to figure it out.

Before the UConn game, they ran a "Who does the best Buzz impression" video on the Jumbotron, and Lazar did an impression, and the key phrase to his impression was "Pat, I just told you 17 seconds ago that you have to stand here for the screen!  SEVENTEEN seconds ago!"

[Big Papi]

But does it kill it anymore than having your three top players completely gassed? I'm not saying Hazel is the answer -- in fact, I'd be surprised if he ever plays another second this season -- but giving him a minute just to give someone a breather couldn't be any worse than watching us fall apart because we're exhausted. I really think the season turned in the Rutgers game when Buzz went to the bench and RU immediately went on a 12-0 run. Buzz pretty much decided at that point he had his starting five and Butler and nothing else. I know we won plenty of games after RU, but it was because the six main guys were doing everything.

It wasn't only the Rutgers game.  The Depaul game was another and a lot of our huge leads where whittled substantially at the end of games as well when the bench was being cleared.  Its far more the rule than the exception.  Having said that, I still think Buzz has not handled his bench and the roles they play very well.  While DJ was healthy, Acker and Cube could have been consistently getting a few minutes here and there.  They basically got non.  I know there was a drop off in talent but it still should have been done.  Also, it would have been nice to have seen one of Fulce, Otule or Hazel play a few minutes a game consistently.  The whole bench didn't need to be on the court at the same time.  I really think they would have been better off now for it.

As far as Hazel goes, the writing was on the wall from the very beginning of the season.  I don't know how many of you listen to Buzz during his pre-game talks or his radio shows on Monday night but with all his brutal honesty, on numerous occassions he flat out said that Hazel does not have Big East talent.  If Hazel wants playing time, he is going to have to find it elsewhere.