Most Improved 2010-2011

[MerrittsMustache]

Jimmy Butler was clearly the most improved player from last year to this year. Now I'm wondering who people think will take on that role next season. Fulce, Buycks and Cadougan all seem like logical candidates but I'm going to go with Erik Williams.

When MU was struggling, many fans were calling for more EWill. Once the team got back on track, he kind of became a forgotten man. He obviously didn't make a big impact this year and appeared to be in Buzz's dog house for a good portion of the early season. However, with a year of college under his belt, more familiarity with the playbook, and an entire offseason working with the MU training staff, I think he's poised for a break-out season. I'm not expecting 16-7 like JB, but I don't think it's unreasonable to think he could be a 10-6 guy next year. He's got a nice stroke and tremendous athleticism, not to mention he was a Top 100 recruit out of HS. Offensively, I think he could be similar to ODB but with a better outside game. He appears to have some developing post moves, but could get a majority of his points off of put backs and lay-ups/dunks from others' drives. I really think the "light will go on" for him and he'll have an excellent season.

[GGGG]

I really, really, really hope it's Junior.  Otherwise I have no idea who's going to be running the point.

[NYWarrior]

I really, really, really hope it's Junior.  Otherwise I have no idea who's going to be running the point.

It won't be improvement so much as a return to health.

[lab_warrior]

My vote will be for Buycks.  That kid is quick, can hit the mid-range jumper, and play D, give him  a year to increase his range, and I think he'll be very good next year.  

[NavinRJohnson]

As good as he has already become, I am going to say DJO. He will become even more consistent, and thus more dominant in what could even possibly be his last year at MU. He's not there yet, but if improves and develops at even 50% of the rate he did this year, he is going to be an absolute bitch.

[warriors1991]

1)We need very badly for it to be Junior. He needs to be a solid stabilizing presence running the team. Hopefully health will be the biggest factor with him.

2)I'd love it to be Buycks. There were flashes of a real good player there this year, just didn't see enough of it.

3)It would be amazing if it were DJO. He needs to learn to play 35-40 minutes, not 23-27 and then disappear. Who cares if the D was trying to shut him down yesterday? He had his way with them until he kind of stopped going at it. That said, he needs to develop a 10-15 foot pullup shot and improve his FTs. If he does those few things, all of which he's fully capable, he's a 20ppg player easily.

[NersEllenson]

Many of the senior/in the know posters here have touted Cadougan as being the point guard for next year -and that's probably the solid bet.  However, I have a feeling Reggie Smith may see more time than we anticipate.  If this year showed Buzz anything, it showed him the value of dribble drive penetration.  Buzz has said the day Reggie Smith sets foot on campus, he will be the quickest person on campus.  He is also upper body strong.  I expect him to see minutes, and give Junior a solid run for his money.  Junior is the more pure point guard, but Smith may be athletically just too good to NOT put on the floor. 

BMA, or any others in the know - any thoughts on this?

[VwArrior1]

While Im sure alot of you dont believe in him, I still say watch out for EWILL next year!!! Seriously!!

[IrwinFletcher]

Many of the senior/in the know posters here have touted Cadougan as being the point guard for next year -and that's probably the solid bet.  However, I have a feeling Reggie Smith may see more time than we anticipate.  If this year showed Buzz anything, it showed him the value of dribble drive penetration.  Buzz has said the day Reggie Smith sets foot on campus, he will be the quickest person on campus.  He is also upper body strong.  I expect him to see minutes, and give Junior a solid run for his money.  Junior is the more pure point guard, but Smith may be athletically just too good to NOT put on the floor. 

BMA, or any others in the know - any thoughts on this?

In his last 2 games, Junior has played very little.  But against Gtown and Washington, he was able to beat his man on the dribble and get into the paint.  One time he drew the foul and the other he missed the shot.

The point is, he has the quicks to penetrate and comes in with a great reputation as a PG.  Smith is not a pure PG and plays a lot of 2G in HS.

Junior will be the most improved simply because he played so little and had so little production, his numbers will be the biggest jump over others.

others are Buycks and Williams.

[HoopsMalone]

DJO was hurt for part of the off-season last year which may have slowed his development.  If he puts a little more muscle on his shoulders and chest, improves his midrange game, and develops more savvy taking it to the hole, he is going to be a monster.  I can see his scoring average getting up to 18 pts.

[BrewCity83]

I like what you guys are all saying, but my vote goes to Otule.  If he can get and stay healthy, he will be in his 3rd year in the program.  Before his broken foot, Buzz was talking up how improved he was going in to this season.  If he can be the guy, it changes the whole complexion of this team.

[NersEllenson]

I like what you guys are all saying, but my vote goes to Otule.  If he can get and stay healthy, he will be in his 3rd year in the program.  Before his broken foot, Buzz was talking up how improved he was going in to this season.  If he can be the guy, it changes the whole complexion of this team.

+1 - Agree with this.  In the few games Otule played in this year, he looked like a completely different player than his freshman year.  Furthermore, Rosiak blogged that Otule actually held his own in scrimmaging against the MKE Bucks.  It also was reported that he was one of better players (point total-wise) on MU's Midnight Madness or open scrimmage.

[cheebs09]

I'm really rooting for EWill. He was the guy I was most excited for to come in this year and even though he was raw I thought he would be the best player when it is all said and done from that class (although DJO might have that title now). He doesn't have the athleticism I saw in his high school video and he kind of plays hunched over, but I think some of this may be that he is just thinking so much. I can't wait for him to stop thinking as much and just going out to play. Obviously it takes confidence and most don't get to that point right away, but when he gets there I think he is going to be real good. I hope he can kind of turn into a Stanley Robinson type guy. Robinson is a freak and I'm not real sure anyone can be another one of him, but I could see Erik being that type of player just a little less athletic. He came in as more of a wing anyways and grew a bit after committing. I just think he can add a lot to our team and when he gets it, it will be fun to watch.

[Afroman]

I have a feeling about E-Will next season as well. Players are known to make giant leaps from their freshman to sophomore seasons.

[mug644]

DJO was hurt for part of the off-season last year which may have slowed his development.  If he puts a little more muscle on his shoulders and chest, improves his midrange game, and develops more savvy taking it to the hole, he is going to be a monster.  I can see his scoring average getting up to 18 pts.

I can imagine DJO becoming the consistent, reliable scorer with a relatively high average (16-18ppg) like Wesley Matthews became in his senior year.