Williams: Why are You Playing Acker and Cubi at the same Time?

[willie warrior]

What a moron. Why is Acker playing at all? His man he has been guarding had 10 in the first half.

Absolutely ridiculous to be playing two guys at 5'9" at the same time.

DJO should be in there--2 fouls or not!

[Markusquette]

I don't want DJO getting three fouls.  Cubi can't hit a shot, but I'd rather see DJO in looking in the second half to give us the best shot....I'm sure we all know he probably would have picked up a 3rd foul if he played any longer

[muhoops1]

I am at the game.  After the TO before half, Acker's man had dusted him at his own free throw line.  Fulce has made 3 or 4 hustle plays in the short time on the floor.  I don't understand why he doesn't play more.

[avid1010]

What a moron. Why is Acker playing at all? His man he has been guarding had 10 in the first half.

Absolutely ridiculous to be playing two guys at 5'9" at the same time.

DJO should be in there--2 fouls or not!

They have four guards.  If it's ridiculous to play Acker and Coobie at the same time, you'd have to play DJO and DB all game against a team like Nova.  Not to mention I was thrilled to see MU get to half with Lazar and DJO not picking up their third fouls.  I have sympathy for Buzz when it comes to this situation...he was dealt a bad hand.

[GGGG]

I am at the game.  After the TO before half, Acker's man had dusted him at his own free throw line.  Fulce has made 3 or 4 hustle plays in the short time on the floor.  I don't understand why he doesn't play more.

They aren't playing Fulce more because Nova is running a four-guard offense and Fulce can't match up with anyone.  MU has been running three guards most of the day.

[Boone]

DJO's put us in a huge bind w/2 boneheaded plays this half.

[tower912]

His options are what exactly?   7 player rotation, 4 guards, 3 forwards.      They all have to play.    Just because Acker can't guard Murf doesn't mean we shouln't play him.   Our next best option is Frozen A.   

[Marquette65]

sorry to say but Buzz has no other choice.  When DJO got his 4th  who do you suggest he play?  I completely agree that MO Acker just kills us when he is in the game.

No D--he didn't stop anybody all game
No O--his shot selection is just plane awful.  See end to first half as an example and his end of the 2nd when Bykes was wide open on the side for more confirmation.

[willie warrior]

Afraid to say it, but Buzz has no clue. Why can't Fulce play instead of Acker?

And please spare me that Acker plays better D.

[GGGG]

Afraid to say it, but Buzz has no clue. Why can't Fulce play instead of Acker?

OK, did you see the very beginning of the game?  When Nova put on the press and we had two quick turnovers?  It's because we only had two guards on the floor.  They took out Fulce and put in DJO and we went on a run.

I've said it before, Mo is severely limited.  But we need him.  He is a very good ball handler and a decent passer for his size.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

I thought Coobs played a helluva game!

[77ncaachamps]

DJO was probably at a 50% effective level.
Buycks was probably at a 65% level.

Neither dealt with the press or pressure really well. DJO had mental lapses and Buycks would get caught dribbling and/or holding onto the ball for too long. They really cost MU some possessions.

At least with MoAck and Coobs - though I hate to say it - MU had a better chance at taking care of the ball and having a better possession.

[Markusquette]

Afraid to say it, but Buzz has no clue. Why can't Fulce play instead of Acker?

And please spare me that Acker plays better D.

Yeah Buzz has no clue, spot on assessment!

[NersEllenson]

Afraid to say it, but Buzz has no clue. Why can't Fulce play instead of Acker?

And please spare me that Acker plays better D.

I don't think you have any liberty for saying someone doesn't have a clue.  By virtue of your very statement, that Buzz has no clue - you clearly evidence that you yourself have no clue.  What do you expect Buzz Williams to do better than he has done?  We've taken two, Top 10 programs to the wire, and probably should have won at least one of the 2....with a roster that is 7 deep.  Where would we be without Butler/Buycks/DJO..his 3 primary recruits from last year?  Keep in mind his starting center, and point guard (Cadugoan) are out with injuries.  Buzz has MU back to back Top 20 national recruiting classes for the first time since the days of Al McGuire...and you have the audacity to say he has no clue??  Amazing.

[warthog-driver]

At least with MoAck and Coobs - though I hate to say it - MU had a better chance at taking care of the ball and having a better possession.

Champs is right - Nova's press would have killed us if not for these two guys.

[DaCoach]

It seems Buzz doesn't feel that we can handle an attacking defense without Acker and/or Cubillan running the offense. And it is clear that they bring more maturity to our game. However, it is also apparent that neither Acker nor Cubes are capable of stopping penetration. And to date our help defense is not doing the job.

I feel confidant that Buycks and DJO will play their way into the starting lineup as the season progresses. As soon as they begin to play like they've been there before, their skills advantage will make it difficult to ignore.

[CTWarrior]

However, it is also apparent that neither Acker nor Cubes are capable of stopping penetration. And to date our help defense is not doing the job.

I think Cubes is at least decent in stopping penetration.  Acker is helpless in this regard.  It's too bad we don't have a shot blocker to protect those guys.  I thought Cubillan played a very solid game yesterday (but he is not a PG), and Acker was OK on offense, wretched on D.  Bottom line, we needed to play 3 guards yesterday to avoid thier pressure, and since we only have 4, Cubillan and Acker needed to play together while we rested DJO or Buycks.

[Hards Alumni]

The OP clearly did not watch Joe Fulce "play defense".

I'm not sure that is even what you could call it, anyway.

[GGGG]

It seems Buzz doesn't feel that we can handle an attacking defense without Acker and/or Cubillan running the offense. And it is clear that they bring more maturity to our game. However, it is also apparent that neither Acker nor Cubes are capable of stopping penetration. And to date our help defense is not doing the job.

I feel confidant that Buycks and DJO will play their way into the starting lineup as the season progresses. As soon as they begin to play like they've been there before, their skills advantage will make it difficult to ignore.

But see against a team like Nova, you basically need three guards on the floor if they press you.  It really doesn't matter who starts because you are going to be cycling your four guards over three positions most of the game.  If JC weren't hurt this wouldn't be a problem, and you would likely see less press anyway because I'm convinced that Wright put the press on simply because he knew we had a short bench.

[DaCoach]

But see against a team like Nova, you basically need three guards on the floor if they press you.  It really doesn't matter who starts because you are going to be cycling your four guards over three positions most of the game.  If JC weren't hurt this wouldn't be a problem, and you would likely see less press anyway because I'm convinced that Wright put the press on simply because he knew we had a short bench.

You really don't need 3 guards to break a press. In fact a forward with decent ball handling skills is often the best method. Presses are beat with good passers and proper spacing.

[tower912]

Good call.   And since we have a stable of forwards with ballhandling skills......oh, wait.....nevermind. 

[WarriorHal]

When you call Buzz a "moron" who has "no clue," you and your opinions lose all credibility. I'm pretty sure a Div. 1 head coach knows a hell of a lot lot more about the game than the average fan.

[GGGG]

You really don't need 3 guards to break a press. In fact a forward with decent ball handling skills is often the best method. Presses are beat with good passers and proper spacing.

And our forward with "decent ball handling skills" is???

[77ncaachamps]

And our forward with "decent ball handling skills" is???

He left the team.

[DaCoach]

And our forward with "decent ball handling skills" is???

Butler and Hayward.