Will Vanderblue, Jones and Smith.....

[muwarrior69]

play better as freshman than Hayward, Cubi and Acker have as seniors? Just wondering what bodes for next season.

[Nukem2]

Hard to see any playing better than Zar.  Mo , despite limitations, has been a solid contributor (especially recently).  Probably they will do more than cooby, who brings energy but really is a role player at best.

[reinko]

Smith will barely sniff the floor IMHO.  With Buycks,Cadougan, DJO, and Blue well ahead of him.

[Markusquette]

Smith will barely sniff the floor IMHO.  With Buycks,Cadougan, DJO, and Blue well ahead of him.

Hard to say really.  If we continue to have a smaller lineup, Buzz might be forced to play Vander at the 3 more opening up more time for Reggie as backup point.  I could see all three of our freshmen playing a nice role on the team.  My question is-  Will Vander be our go-to guy next year, or will it be DJO or Jimmy?

I could see it going either way really.

[avid1010]

I have to believe we'll improve at the guard spot.  Not only because of the incoming talent, but also because of the experience that DJO and DB will have after a full year in the BEAST and another off-season on the MU campus.  

As far as replacing Zar.  I think that has much more to do with what Butler, Fulce, Otule, E-Will and possibly Mbao are able to do in the off season.  I would think Jimmy picks up much of that slack, but the other four I mentioned are going to need to improve greatly and stay healthy.  Buzz will also have another year of experience in leading a BEAST team.  If MU could sign or develop a serviceable big man or two, I'd look at DJO's senior year as a year that MU could make a run.  Or at least I like to tell myself that.

[muballer10]

While the net contributions  of incomers vs. outcomers will likely be negative (solely because of Lazar leaving), The remaining players (DJO, Buckys, Jimmy, O'Tule, etc...) will be much, much better with this year behind them. Taking that into consideration, I think next years team will be better than this years, but the lack of experience will shine throw at certain moments.

[ErickJD08]

... How is the experience this year benefiting us?  Hayward missed a critical free throw against DePaul.  Jimmy Bulter missed an easy layup to tie against Villanova.  Cubes missed a critical free throw.    Bulter missed a critical free throw.  Acker missed two open layups in two games in the final minute.  Acker has had a knack for committing a turnover at critical parts of the game.  Even though we are losing three seniors this year, it is no where near the loss we took last year.  I am pretty confident we will be better next year. 

[vacinator]

Its going to be hard to replace LH - but I think we will be better because of the athletes MU is bringing in.  Next years rotation will be at least 9 players deep - not counting the two open slots

[GOMU1104]

Its going to be hard to replace LH - but I think we will be better because of the athletes MU is bringing in.  Next years rotation will be at least 9 players deep - not counting the two open slots

I doubt it. True 9 man rotations arent very common. You are assuming alot by saying that.

[NavinRJohnson]

I see no reason to make the player to player comparison, but assuming they don't get killed with key injuries again, MU will be a very good team next year.

[chapman]

From what we've had to this point, we lose Lazar, Acker, and Cubillan.  We gain Cadougan, Blue, Jones, Smith, Otule, anything we get out of Mbao, and any improvement we get out of the players playing now (DJO, Williams, Buycks being those you'd look to most, probably in that order).  Doesn't seem like we can get worse on paper.  But that whole idea of needing a star player or a go-to guy will definitely creep up...whether or not you consider Lazar a star, he's pretty much all we have for on-court leadership and assertiveness.  Can't have a bunch of players who always want to be the underdog and don't want to be counted on to win.

[NersEllenson]

Smith will barely sniff the floor IMHO.  With Buycks,Cadougan, DJO, and Blue well ahead of him.

I believe Smith will be the surprise of next year's team.  I see his talent as being on-par with Dominic James as a freshman.  Maybe I'm a little optimistic, but for Smith to do what he's doing in prep ball in metro-Chicago..combined with his off the charts athleticism - I'm not so sure he will "barely sniff the floor."  Call me crazy, but it wouldn't surprise me if he turns out to have the best freshman season of any of next year's recruits - including Blue.

[GOMU1104]

I believe Smith will be the surprise of next year's team.  I see his talent as being on-par with Dominic James as a freshman.  Maybe I'm a little optimistic, but for Smith to do what he's doing in prep ball in metro-Chicago..combined with his off the charts athleticism - I'm not so sure he will "barely sniff the floor."  Call me crazy, but it wouldn't surprise me if he turns out to have the best freshman season of any of next year's recruits - including Blue.

Wow

What makes you think any of that?  Have you seen him play? Did you see Dominic James play at the same time in his career?

Please cite more than the youtube videos of him dunking.

[NersEllenson]

Wow

What makes you think any of that?  Have you seen him play? Did you see Dominic James play at the same time in his career?

Please cite more than the youtube videos of him dunking.

I make this statement based on feedback I've gotten from my cousin who is a head boys basketball coach in metro Chicago.  He said he's the real deal.  Additionally, the competition Smith faces is a little better than what Blue and James face(d) in Madison and Richmond, IN.  I realize it may be a "reach" to make this statement, but again - my original comment was in reply to the "barely sniff the floor" comment.

[Tom Crean's Tanning Bed]

Smith will barely sniff the floor IMHO.  With Buycks,Cadougan, DJO, and Blue well ahead of him.

Smith plays very good defense.  And if Smith can keep Big East point guards out of the lane (something our current guard rotation pre-Cadougan struggles big-time with), he will get a fair chunk of minutes.

[HoopsMalone]

Smith plays very good defense.  And if Smith can keep Big East point guards out of the lane (something our current guard rotation pre-Cadougan struggles big-time with), he will get a fair chunk of minutes.

I agree.  Next year MU's biggest improvement will be defensively.  While we still manufacture a decent amount of steals, the three freshman we have will be an upgrade on defense and athleticism more than anything.  Buzz actually will have the luxury of many capable players on the perimeter for the first time so that he can keep fresh people on the opposing team's best perimeter players.

Blue, Jones, and Smith come into a place with not a lot of pressure on them.  With Cadougan playing this year, he, Jimmy, and DJO will probably be responsible for taking a lot of shots in November and December next year, and Buycks will take the best perimeter player on the other team. 

How good we are next year does not mostly depend on the three freshman coming in.  It depends more on the improvements of Mbao, Otule, Cadougan, and EWill.  If those four improve like Lazar did b/w Frosh and Soph year, Marquette will be dangerous.  I wouldn't completely say we have seen Jimmy's ceiling or DJO's ceiling either.  Throw in Fulce as an improved muscle guy and 2 JUCO bigs and we have a squad.

[Doctor V]

Lets just put it this way, MUs backcourt will be stacked. I have also heard from multiple friends in the Chicago area that Smith is very good, and to write him off as the 5th best option at guard is absurd

We all know how Buzz feels about athleticism, he said DJO was the most athletic player on the squad earlier this year and look at DJO now

From the short sample time thus far, Cadougan looks to have excellent vision and good poise, seems to be a true PG. Quickness might become an issue, but if he learns to defend he will be very good.

Personally, I see another small lineup next season. It seems pretty inevitable with Cadougan, DJO, Buycks, Vander Blue, Smith. Poor Jimmy B might have to play the 4 all season, with OTule/Mbao splitting time at the 5, unless there is another big addition to the squad

[GOMU1104]

Lets just put it this way, MUs backcourt will be stacked. I have also heard from multiple friends in the Chicago area that Smith is very good, and to write him off as the 5th best option at guard is absurd

We all know how Buzz feels about athleticism, he said DJO was the most athletic player on the squad earlier this year and look at DJO now

From the short sample time thus far, Cadougan looks to have excellent vision and good poise, seems to be a true PG. Quickness might become an issue, but if he learns to defend he will be very good.

Personally, I see another small lineup next season. It seems pretty inevitable with Cadougan, DJO, Buycks, Vander Blue, Smith. Poor Jimmy B might have to play the 4 all season, with OTule/Mbao splitting time at the 5, unless there is another big addition to the squad

1. I dont think "writing Smith off" as the 5th guard is really a bad thing.  That is what he is likely to be next year...and theres nothing wrong with that. He is clearly a great athlete with enormous potential...but I next year I think he will end up behind DB, DJO, JC, and VB when it comes to minutes played.  The Bullseye Brothers (recruiting analysts from IL...that are very plugged and know their stuff) see Reggie Smith contributing for MU next year, and developing into a very good guard. But in terms of minutes played, I think next year he is 5th, but that isnt necessarly a bad thing.

2. Look for Buzz to do everything he can to add at least one 4/5 type to the 2010 class, that can provide something next year.   I dont know how much it will be, but it hopefully will take some of the pressure off of Otule, Mbao, Fulce, Butler, and Ewill down low.

[avid1010]

Wow

What makes you think any of that?  Have you seen him play? Did you see Dominic James play at the same time in his career?

Please cite more than the youtube videos of him dunking.

Buzz was quoted as saying he'll be the quickest player on the team the minute he walks on campus, so if that can translate into solid defense my money says he'll see the court. 

My money would also say he won't have the freshmen season DJ had, but hell, DJ never had another season as good as his first 

[vacinator]

I doubt it. True 9 man rotations arent very common. You are assuming alot by saying that.

It is not uncommon to see 9 to 10 guys get minutes on a regular basis - look at todays box scores. 

We are returning JC, DJO, JB, JF, DB, CO and EW I would hope they all get playing time on a regular basis.  Throw in some contributions from Blue and Jones and you are 9 Deep. 

That is not counting Mboa - who could surprise, smith who could also surprise - no one returning except JC has played point this year - someone has to back him up and 2 open slots.

[GOMU1104]

It is not uncommon to see 9 to 10 guys get minutes on a regular basis - look at todays box scores. 

We are returning JC, DJO, JB, JF, DB, CO and EW I would hope they all get playing time on a regular basis.  Throw in some contributions from Blue and Jones and you are 9 Deep. 

That is not counting Mboa - who could surprise, smith who could also surprise - no one returning except JC has played point this year - someone has to back him up and 2 open slots.

When I hear the term "rotation" I consider that the guys getting significant minutes. I dont see 9-10 guys being ready to get significant minutes next year.

[Big Papi]

1. I dont think "writing Smith off" as the 5th guard is really a bad thing.  
2. Look for Buzz to do everything he can to add at least one 4/5 type to the 2010 class, that can provide something next year.  

When going with a 3 guard lineup, which Buzz will, you need 5 guards.  All 5 will play next year.  Smith will get minutes. 

As far as getting 4/5 that can provide production next year, that is a little bit of a pipe dream at this point in time.  My guess is that we get a commit out of Aziz N’diaye for the 5 spot.  Will he be better than Otule and Mbao next year?  I don't know.  The other commit will probably be a 3/4 who won't get a lot of playing time.  Ewill is being groomed as the 4 and will probably back up Butler at the 4.

We are small again next year so expect us, with a deeper bench, to provide more pressure from basket to basket with lots of substitutions.  We would have been doing that this year with a healthy Junior.

[HoopsMalone]

As far as getting 4/5 that can provide production next year, that is a little bit of a pipe dream at this point in time.  My guess is that we get a commit out of Aziz N’diaye for the 5 spot. 

Though this info is not necessarily accurate, but Aziz N'diaye does not list MU on rivals.  http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/recruiting/player-Aziz-N'Diaye-72377

[GOMU1104]

Though this info is not necessarily accurate, but Aziz N'diaye does not list MU on rivals.  http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/recruiting/player-Aziz-N'Diaye-72377

Again, dont trust those lists.

[HoopsMalone]

Again, dont trust those lists.

Sure, and I qualified it before posting it.  It's not trivial though that he doesn't list MU as reported by a popular site.  Those lists are also not necessarily exhaustive or up-top-date, but are more info than most of us have. 

Do we have good basis for his interest in MU?