Acker and next year's lineup

[drewm88]

Reading Rosiak's blog today got me thinking. If DJ doesn't leave, what's our lineup next year? I would assume the same starting 5, but where does Acker fit into the rotation? Is he taking Cubillan's minutes? A little from each of the 4 guards? Will Christopherson ever see the court next year? Should we redshirt him (Christopherson)?

I'm curious as to others' thoughts.

[rocky_warrior]

I don't think there's any way that Crean makes Acker spend another year without playing - that's too much time off.  If the shooting skills of the other guards looks to be ok, then Christopherson may get a year to red-shirt and practice. 

However, if any other the guards leave, or if shooting appears to be a problem in early practice or exhibition, Scott will get the chance to play right away.

Red-shirting one of the big guys (Hazel or Saunders) may be a more worthwhile exercise - and you don't want to leave the bench too thin.

[yungmufan20]

basically it should be
pg dominic james
sg jerel mcneal
sf wesley mathews
pf lazar hayward
c ousmane barro

we will be seeing mbakwe play alot and acker too.

[mosarsour]

Don't forget that Fitz has another year as well.  I could easily see him starting over Hayward next year.  i think he's due for a Novak like breakthough.

[spartan3186]

I dont see Fitz starting next year. I kinda think of him as a Ben Gordon except with a lot less talent. When Fitz starts he tends to underproduce (ala Ben Gordon) but when he comes off the bench he provides a much needed punch. If Lazar keeps playing the way he has the last 3 games it wont even be a question.

[mu_hilltopper]

Rosiak has a long blog entry about Acker, posted yesterday.

http://www.jsonline.com/blog/index.aspx?id=308&month=02&year=2007&entry=32529

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 21, 2007, 2:26 p.m.

Acker bides his time

Maurice Acker
It was a rare sight last week, seeing sophomore guard Maurice Acker on the bench with the Marquette Golden Eagles at Allstate Arena.

A transfer from Ball State who joined the program this year, Acker is redshirting, meaning he can practice with the team but isn't eligible for games.

He's also not allowed to travel with the team unless he makes his own arrangements, which he did for the DePaul game. It's a relatively short drive to Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Ill., and he's a Chicago native to boot, so the trip made perfect sense.

"That was a real good feeling," said Acker. "I'm usually watching them on TV or listening to them on the internet, so it was a lot different. But it was fun."

Acker did the same things he does when he's on the bench in street clothes for home games at the Bradley Center, namely charting things and providing another voice in the huddle.

But it still isn't an easy position to be in, especially when you're used to playing.

"It's a mind thing," he said. "It's like you practice with them all the time, you be with them all the time and then when we have a game you separate yourself from them because they're the ones taking the game and I've got to take stats or whatever."

Acker said he still struggles with his role as he continues to play out his redshirt.

"To be honest, on game days I don't feel like I'm part of the team," he said. "You really can't. You can trick yourself, but you're on the scout team, it's almost like you're a manager on game days. I don't have a uniform. It's a different feeling."

Acker has made strides since coming to MU, though.

"He's really improved the last couple of weeks," said coach Tom Crean. "He's gotten better all year and he's gotten stronger but it's hard because he's sitting out for so long. It's hard for him to see the light at the end of the tunnel. But he changes practice when he's playing fast, and puts a lot of pressure on those other guys."

Acker announced his intention to transfer to MU last April, after he was named the Mid-American Conference's rookie of the year. The 5-foot-7 Acker started 25 of 28 games for Ball State and averaged 9.2 points, 4.6 assists and 2.4 rebounds per game.

Crean was high on Acker when he came out of Hillcrest High School in Chicago. But with Acker's then-teammate Jerel McNeal, Dominic James and Wesley Matthews already committed to the Golden Eagles there simply wasn't room to take him on.

So Acker wound up accepting a scholarship offer from former Crean assistant Tim Buckley, who was then the head coach at Ball State.

Acker left Ball State after Buckley was fired, and it didn't take long for him to wind up at MU. Always looking for guards to fit his system and also trying to cover his bases in case James decided to turn pro following his sophomore season, Crean found Acker to be a perfect fit.

Acker, meanwhile, was reunited with McNeal, one of his best childhood friends.

Since coming to MU Acker has added eight pounds to what is still a slight frame with a good deal of work in the weight room. He's improved from one repetition to five on the 185-pound bench press, and has also added an inch to his vertical leap.

"Coach (Todd) Smith's got me doing a lot of things," said Acker. "I lift every day and I'm getting stronger. He's got me working on my agility too, things like that. My game's improved a lot, too. Being in the weight room every day and having individual workouts before every game. That's helped me improve a lot."

As far as Acker's game, Crean said he's improved in one notable area that should help get him onto the court next season.

"Jump shot. Range," Crean said. "The two areas he's got to improve the most in would be his on-the-ball defense - keeping people in front of him - and his talking. Putting people where they've got to be. Quarterbacking. Quarterback with the ball, making all the plays, putting people where they've got to be."

Perimeter skills aside, Acker would also figure to be in the mix for the starting point-guard spot should James decide to turn pro

[spiral97]

didn't see him on the bench at the villanova game and was wondering if he was allowed to be.. the article makes it sound like he usually is there.. don't remember if he was on the bench for the Louisville game.  Must be some games but not all *shrug*

definitely looking forward to seeing him join the team.  would be interesting to see if he has some extra chemistry with mcneal given their history.

[IAmMarquette]

he was there for the 'nova game. white dress shirt. may not have recognized him since he shaved off the dreads.

[NYWarrior]

he was there for the 'nova game. white dress shirt. may not have recognized him since he shaved off the dreads.

corn rows not dreads!   

[spiral97]

hmm.. musta missed him.  was looking for a shoooort guy but maybe my mind is over-exaggerating how short he is.

OTOH, i DID notice how many assistant coaches villanova had.. they all came out as a group wearing black suits right before the second half.. holy cow I was looking to see who the threat to national security was.  isn't there some limit on how many assistants there are on a team (or is it limited to whatever the budget the team imposes on itself)?

[DoubleMU0609]

The group I was with noticed the apparent security detail for 'Nova.  They almost didn't fit on the bench! 

[tower912]

Assuming everyone returns, Christopherson will probably redshirt (IMO), also assuming Blackledge does not return, we will be trading Kinsella, Lott, and Trend for Saunders, Hazel, and Mbakwe.   We can only win in that exhange.   Assuming the young bigs are able to contribute, I see next year being the year that Crean puts in a press.   With all of guard depth, and the young tall athletes at the back, press everybody right into the dust.    Saw on another board that Daveed will leave if DJ stays.   The source is usually full of crap so I don't believe it, but has anyone on this board caught a whiff of anything?

[dwaderoy2004]

have not heard of that in the least.  it makes zero sense.  he plays a ton for a freshman and if i remember correctly, marquette was one of 2 other d-1 programs to offer, and the only one from a major conference.  now, he doesn't "owe" MU anything, but i can't see him transferring to a better situation than he has here, unless he just doesn't like the school...

[downtown85]

I think the depth chart would be as follows: (before the comma are the starters.  after the comma is the back up). 

pg dominic james, little moe
sg jerel mcneal, cuby
sf wesley mathews, fitz
pf lazar hayward, trevor mbakwe
c ousmane barro, dwight burke

The three other freshmen will fill in when needed and the situation suits.  I also agree if Christopherson can shoot. He will play.   

In my opinion, that team looks really deep and have a chance to go really far. 

[MUCHI814]

I think its great that we'll have guys having to seriously compete for playing time, If everyone stays it should result in a considerably experienced team, (compared to this year) with a lot of depth.  Those teams seem to better down the stretch and in postseason play.

[Rocco]

I also read about Cubillan leaving, although the source is questionable at best.  Supposedly Cubillan does not like James and he said that if James stays he is leaving.  Again, I dont know how much truth there is to this because the poster who wrote this is a Badger troll, but he has been right on occasion in the past.  I really dont care for Cubillan as a player and I think if he does come back Acker and Christopherson(if not redshirted) will take most of Daveeeeeed's minutes.

[drewm88]

I think Cubillan will do much better once he settles into a role. His shooting of late has not been as good as earlier in the season. I think he can do more than wait around the perimeter for a look, and I think he eventually will.

[MUfan12]

Watch David and Dominic interact on the court... there's no love lost.

David gets visibly frustrated when Dominic does not pass him the ball in drive and kick situations. It happened against Nova, Dominic looked right at him, and put his head down to drive. Cubillan was all alone and was pretty pissed. They have gone back and forth on the court pretty much all year.

I'm not sure if there's any validity in the rumor, but it wouldn't surprise me in the least if they don't like each other.

[MUCHI814]

For what its worth I have class with James and Cubillan both in it, they both seem to be pretty cool with each other and there appears to be no problems in the classroom...the basketball court is another story in which I have no insight to. 

[77ncaachamps]

Watch David and Dominic interact on the court... there's no love lost.

David gets visibly frustrated when Dominic does not pass him the ball in drive and kick situations. It happened against Nova, Dominic looked right at him, and put his head down to drive. Cubillan was all alone and was pretty pissed. They have gone back and forth on the court pretty much all year.

I'm not sure if there's any validity in the rumor, but it wouldn't surprise me in the least if they don't like each other.

I still remember the Georgetown game when Cubillan was dribbling left, and DJ came to him to get the ball but Cubes just continued to dribble and swung the ball to Fitz on the right.


I hope DJ leaves because the backcourt would not be as crowded.

Has anyone seen www.nbadraft.net ? DJ's no longer projected to be a draftee in 2007, but #27 in 2008.

Their DJ profile: http://nbadraft.net/admincp/profiles/dominicjames.html

An article from the site:

Dominic James 5-11 180 PG Marq. So.

Marquette's win on Monday over Villanova broke a three game losing skid. James scored 18 points, his highest output in 7 games. Over that span, James scoring average and shooting numbers have dropped significantly. During a four game stretch in that time, James had an 11-52 shooting run including 1-of-7 at Rutgers followed by 2-of-17 against Georgetown.

James' numbers have regressed across the board with his FG% dipping below 40% and his 3 point shooting at 28%. His assist to turnover ratio is solid but down from last year (1.74).

As a scoring point guard, he'll need to show better consistency to go with his terrific quickness and athleticism in order to find a spot in the first round.

James has elite level athleticism, but scouts worry about both his point guard skills and his outside shooting. He was thought to be a likely early entry candidate and potential first round pick this season.

However, his frigid recent play has lowered his stock into the second round and barring a huge turnaround, he'll likely be advised to return for his Junior season.

[LastWarrior]

Are you guys crazy??  James is a Naismith candidate and you guys want him to leave?!?!    Yeah let's have him leave for the NBA so we have less crowded backcourt and we can get two lightly-recruited guards get more minutes.  ???

I love Cube but if he can't earn minutes next year, it means that we'll have a hellacious backcourt.  If a player transfers because he can't crack the line-up, it means we have better players ahead of him!  I haven't seen or heard much about Acker but I don't see how a player of his size can survive in the BE.  He's small and how's he gonna get a shot off?  There's a reason he went to a mid-major program out of high school.

I like the idea of red-shirting Scott if we have DJ back next year.  Thing only problem I see is that we may need his outside shooting unless we significantly improve in the off-season.  I expect Fitz and Lazar to be our sharp-shooters next year but I don't know if they've shown a consistent shot this year.

I've always had a problem with players who bitched about their playing time.  You're never guaranteed playing time... you have to EARN it!

[77ncaachamps]

No need for hysteria. We'll be in good shape next year without James (I hope). Instead of a PG who thinks he's a SG and just dribbles in place, we need someone who will run the offense through the SG (McNeal) and the other two forwards (Wes and Fitz/Lazar). If Christopherson is all we hear he is (read: shooter), I'd happily cheer for Scott hitting three after three instead of DJ clanging three after three.

And with that said, DJ's probably going to have a big game today!

[jmayer1]

No need for hysteria. We'll be in good shape next year without James (I hope). Instead of a PG who thinks he's a SG and just dribbles in place, we need someone who will run the offense through the SG (McNeal) and the other two forwards (Wes and Fitz/Lazar). If Christopherson is all we hear he is (read: shooter), I'd happily cheer for Scott hitting three after three instead of DJ clanging three after three.

And with that said, DJ's probably going to have a big game today!

Anybody who thinks James should leave is not an educated basketball fan.  Yes he does have bad shot selection at times and needs to improve his throws, but those are the only criticisms I have of him  He pushes the pace on both offense and defense and is still one of the premere pentrators and distributors in the college game.  Just because hes had a few down games, don't try to push him out the door.  Remember he is still only a sophomore.

People who rip on James are prolly the same ones who got down on DWade when he had a few out of control games.

[77ncaachamps]

Not at all.

I don't see DJ contributing to the "team".

Wade did...in fact, if you compare Wade's second year stats with DJ's you can see that Wade assisted as much as DJ did (and that was with Diener on the team!).

Wade / DJ
G  33 / 29
FG%  50% / 40%
3P%  32% / 28%
FT%  78% / 64%
RPG   6.3 / 2.9
APG   4.4 / 4.6
SPG   2.2 / 2.0
BPG   1.3 / 0.1
TPG   3.2 / 2.7
PPG   21.5 / 15.2

I marvel at his athleticism, but I don't think DJ is a "team" player...or he knows how to set up his teammates like a classic PG can.