Where's Junior?

[GGGG]

I mean, I hope he's OK and all, but if his contributions down the stretch were going to be so important, why isn't he in the game?

[Rocco]

I agree, especially with the pathetic defensive effort by acker and cubillian.  Why bring the kid back if he isnt going to play?

[teddycoke]

cubes getting hurt defensively....

[willie warrior]

Buzz thinks that the two midgets are the answer!

[ecompt]

He must be aching. I can't believe Buzz thinks Cubes is a better option.

[Rocco]

This game should seriously be under investigation.  3 of Lazars 5 fouls were absolute garbage.  Especially with all the contact on the other end, horrible.

[ecompt]

complete and utter home job, but UConn is an awful matchup for a team this small

[WellsstreetWanderer]

definitely home cooking. especially with the ref talking to him after #4

[warriorfred]

Why do we always complain about the officiating?

Horrible officiating down the stretch.

[Mods, Delete me please. 8/26/2020]

I actually thought it was worse in the first half.   They called EVERYTHING on Uconns side of the court and aboslutely nothing on MU's side.   Which is why it is amazing we had the lead at half and were even up 13 at one point.   3-pt shot the great equalizer in college hoops.   

[RubyWiscy]

I could see where the refs were leaning in the first half. Definitely got a beef there.

However, good teams find a way to win anyway. Glad we did it so I don't have to whine.

[Skatastrophy]

I mean, I hope he's OK and all, but if his contributions down the stretch were going to be so important, why isn't he in the game?

Very interesting that EWill caught a few minutes and JC didn't see the floor. 

[boyonthedock]

not really. needed a tall guy out there. he loooked non-terrible as well

[NersEllenson]

People need to stop hating on Cubiallan.  I guarantee you Cadougan didn't play because Buzz didn't feel him being 80-85% would be sufficient to stop the absolute speed of Walker and Dyson.  There aren't 2 quicker guards in college basketball, and Cadougan's strength probably is not quickness.  If Cubi was getting abused, which he was to an extent (but alot of players get abused by Dyson and Walker) - Cadougan would have been abused much more.

[pillardean]

People need to stop hating on Cubiallan.  I guarantee you Cadougan didn't play because Buzz didn't feel him being 80-85% would be sufficient to stop the absolute speed of Walker and Dyson.  There aren't 2 quicker guards in college basketball, and Cadougan's strength probably is not quickness.  If Cubi was getting abused, which he was to an extent (but alot of players get abused by Dyson and Walker) - Cadougan would have been abused much more.

+1

Why rush him back right now against quick guards for him to lose confidence in the things he does well?
Junior WILL contribute down the stretch.  "Down the Stretch" is not 2 games after his return from a potential season ender.  When his game speed/practice speed and endurance increases, his effectiveness will increase and so will his PT.

I thought Cubes was ok and hit a few big shots, they won the game so it turned out ok.

[MR.HAYWARD]

i was wondering which idiot would bring up the complaint of why was Junior not in there, despite the fact that he is at 80%

[GGGG]

i was wondering which idiot would bring up the complaint of why was Junior not in there, despite the fact that he is at 80%

Well I guess I'm the "idiot" then. 

Sorry, I guess when Buzz said that they would need him at some point, and that we were playing a close game against a tough team, that this is the situation in which we would see him play.  No biggie...it obviously worked out.

Just for once though, you could stop being a db.

[HoopsMalone]

Junior would have struggled to cover Dyson and Walker today as mentioned above.  Probably good to have him build confidence against some other players.  

His return, though, has lit a fire under Acker's butt to start contributing more so that he can keep his minutes.  Having competition in practice like that is huge for the team.  Next year all of the guards are going to do that to each other.  Vander Blue coming into a place where he is not the best athlete on the team will definately push him.

Had junior played today, he would have could have found some time at the 4 spot with Acker at the 1, Cubillan at the 2, Buycks at the 3, and Jimmy at the 5.  He wouldnt have had to guard Walker or Dyson.

[4everwarriors]

Still waiting, then, for the 1 or 2 ballgames he's going to win for us this year.

[NersEllenson]

Still waiting, then, for the 1 or 2 ballgames he's going to win for us this year.

God, what do some people expect??  Him to come in after a ruptured achilles and immediatly be a star??  It is hard to adjust from HS ball to Big East ball as it is, and this kid has 4 months of rust to burn off..and get over the injury.  It isn't gonna happen overnight.  Buzz said as much in his original quote..said by March Junior could help them win 1-2 games.  That doesn't mean with him making buzzer beaters and putting up huge stats..but rather offering more depth and some decent play, and the ability to body up the physical point guards in the league (not the speedsters like Walker and Dyson)

[ChicosBailBonds]

Well I guess I'm the "idiot" then. 

Sorry, I guess when Buzz said that they would need him at some point, and that we were playing a close game against a tough team, that this is the situation in which we would see him play.  No biggie...it obviously worked out.

Just for once though, you could stop being a db.

Funny, in a roundabout way, Mr. Hayward called Buzz an idiot.  LOL

[HoopsMalone]

Still waiting, then, for the 1 or 2 ballgames he's going to win for us this year.

If any of the guards don't compete in practice or play hard, they can now lose their spots since Buzz has another option.  I don't think anyone on MU goes out there and says "today I'm only giving 80%" but when they know their playing time is secure they might ease up in practice.   Buzz also can get a 5 on 5.  Him coming back is huge even if he is not dishing out 10 assists/game yet.

[TSMUFAN]

Buzz said from the outset: "Can Junior help us in January, probably not. Can Junior help us in February, probably. Can Junior help us in March, probably."

Junior's level of play will get better and faster with each additional practice and game. Right now he is still just getting back, Buzz deemed him not ready to stay in front of Dyson and Walker today. That is fine, let him come along at the right pace while in the meantime Acker and Cubllan are playing great.

[Maryland Warrior]

I mean, I hope he's OK and all, but if his contributions down the stretch were going to be so important, why isn't he in the game?

[NersEllenson]

Buzz said from the outset: "Can Junior help us in January, probably not. Can Junior help us in February, probably. Can Junior help us in March, probably."

Junior's level of play will get better and faster with each additional practice and game. Right now he is still just getting back, Buzz deemed him not ready to stay in front of Dyson and Walker today. That is fine, let him come along at the right pace while in the meantime Acker and Cubllan are playing great.

+1 - Welcome to MuScoop. Look forward to more of your posts/insights.