Dwight Buycks graded by ESPN

[mstang917]

http://insider.espn.go.com/ncb/recruiting/tracker/player?recruitId=65698&season=2009

Rated a 94 and apparently considered Coach Cal's former and current schools.  I had no idea that he had this much hype around him.

[GGGG]

"Buycks is a physical guard who has a quick first step and gets to the basket. He is athletic and has good hops. He shoots 3 with solid range. He has the quickness and strength to become a defensive stopper at high levels. Buycks has a good basketball IQ..."


Now, with all due respect to Buycks...I'm not sure "physical" and "solid range" are attributes I would give him based on last year's play.

[4everwarriors]

They talkin' 'bout the same Dwight Buycks who plays for MU?

[Markusquette]

I think we have realized the inaccuracies and inflated rankings of the players by ESPN

[WxWarrior]

I think we have realized the inaccuracies and inflated rankings of the players by ESPN

Maybe so, but it gives me hope that the flashes we saw last season can lead to consistent contributions over the next two years.

Even with the incoming talent/competition.

[wojosdojo]

Maybe so, but it gives me hope that the flashes we saw last season can lead to consistent contributions over the next two years.

Even with the incoming talent/competition.

I hope he can show consistant flashes like he did in the Pitt game. Thats really the best game he had IMO. I really hope Dwight can be a solid role player and want the best for him. Hes only got ONE YEAR to show us what hes got.

BTW, those are big schools there. Had no idea bc you usually cant see JUCOs school interest.

[wojosdojo]

Sorry to clog up the post here but...

1. Does anyone know why they give DJO a 40 and Dwight 94. I know you all say its not accurate but thats crazy.
2. Just looking at the 2011 (considering) recruits, haven't heard much about Brandon Dawson. Anyone know anything? Any chances? I would think not because I already would've heard you guys going crazy if the super60 kid was highly considering.

[Markusquette]

Sorry to clog up the post here but...

1. Does anyone know why they give DJO a 40 and Dwight 94. I know you all say its not accurate but thats crazy.
2. Just looking at the 2011 (considering) recruits, haven't heard much about Brandon Dawson. Anyone know anything? Any chances? I would think not because I already would've heard you guys going crazy if the super60 kid was highly considering.

40 just means they don't have enough info to make an accurate grade, so it means nothing

[APieperFan3]

Dwight this year reminded me of Jerel McNeal in his first few years at MU (although not as much defensive awareness). He is built a little bigger and I can remember him using his body to come down with some tough rebounds against bigger/taller guys.

He plays a little bit out of control, at times...but I also think he is "heady" enough to bail himself out at times.

That being said...we did see some flashes and spurts of him being AWESOME!...so that's something I really think we can look forward to next year!!

[94Warrior]

I think you guys underrate DB a bit.  Here is how I see the depth chart looking next year.  Buzz does tend to give the benefit of the doubt to his seniors.

Starters:
PG - Buycks
2G - DJO
SF - Butler
PF - Fulce early / Crowder conference
C  - Otule

First off the bench (left to right):
G - Blue, Cadougan, Newbill or Smith
F - Crowder / Fulce, Williams, Jones
C - Gardner, Mbao

[Markusquette]

I think you guys underrate DB a bit.  Here is how I see the depth chart looking next year.  Buzz does tend to give the benefit of the doubt to his seniors.

Starters:
PG - Buycks
2G - DJO
SF - Butler
PF - Fulce early / Crowder conference
C  - Otule

First off the bench (left to right):
G - Blue, Cadougan, Newbill or Smith
F - Crowder / Fulce, Williams, Jones
C - Gardner, Mbao

See Buzz loves to play his seniors, but Buycks can't handle well enough to play PG.  I know Cadougan might need some time to get acclimated, but we need someone out there who is a true point guard and right now (assuming reggie is going to prep school) we might only have one true point guard.  I think Vander would handle PG role better than DB would.

[APieperFan3]

See Buzz loves to play his seniors, but Buycks can't handle well enough to play PG.  I know Cadougan might need some time to get acclimated, but we need someone out there who is a true point guard and right now (assuming reggie is going to prep school) we might only have one true point guard.  I think Vander would handle PG role better than DB would.

AGREED.

I think dwight will see VERY limited time at the PG spot.

[karavotsos]

I think Buycks has the potential to have a stellar year next year.  About midseason though Buycks wasn't starting, Buzz pointed out that Buycks was on the floor at the end of the games.  Buzz said he trusted Buycks.  I attributed his lack of PT down the stretch more to a string of injuries-especially the bone spur-- and illness, rather than Buzz losing confidence.

I agree with the assessment that he is a bit out of control at times.  But he has a great first step and a really good mid-range jumper off the dribble.  I thought part of the reason he was more aggressive in the Pittsburgh game is he recognized the mismatch and took advantage of it by taking the ball to the hole.  The more guys you have who can take guys to the hole off the dribble, the more mismatches you will create on the perimeter (as long as you don't completely lack perimeter shooting, a la Kentucky, so a team can play 5 in the box).  I hope that Buycks will be a guy who will benefit from mismatches when teams focus more on DJO, Jimmy or whoever else and from a year of Big East experience. 

If he stays healthy I see big upside for Buycks.

[DaCoach]

It seemed to me that Buzz's game plan limited Buycks effectiveness. Our limited possessions on offense meant the margin for error from turnovers caused serious problems. By comparison he had more rebounds free throw attempts and steals than either Acker or Cubes in about 60% of their playing time. On the other time, he also had more turnovers and only shot .27% from the arc. Only 1/3 of his shots were 3's while the other guys were 1/2 or 2/3 from long range.

No question he was the only slasher at point and that wasn't a role found well suited for the team last year. I feel comfortable in believing next years's squad won't be so limited by possessions per game and the offense will open up more opportunities for Buycks.

[4everwarriors]

Though Buycks will be a senior, I don't see his role increasing any more than last season. Definitely has zero chance to be the starting 1 guard.

[Murffieus]

Though Buycks will be a senior, I don't see his role increasing any more than last season. Definitely has zero chance to be the starting 1 guard.

Most JUCO's experience a rough one year transition to a Div 1 school in many ways------a completely different culture in Div 1 than at JUCO. IMO, Buycks will be much improved this year as Butler was last year after his transition year. I believe Buycks will be a starter.

DJO was an exemption as his first year went rather smoothly.

[Blackhat]

Now it's "most" JUCO's struggle.

Good to see you've modified your hypothesis.   

[NickelDimer]

I actually think DB showed he has some serious potential.  He has a smooth step back J, (although his 3 point range is in question), and he got to the rim when he wanted to for the most part.

He found his role halfway through the year, and his role was not to score.  That, combined with his illness and injury is why we saw little from him offensively in my opinion.

I expect much bigger offensive output from him next season when his role is expanded.

[Marquette84]

Most JUCO's experience a rough one year transition to a Div 1 school in many ways------a completely different culture in Div 1 than at JUCO. IMO, Buycks will be much improved this year as Butler was last year after his transition year. I believe Buycks will be a starter.

DJO was an exemption as his first year went rather smoothly.

Is it really culture?  Or is it injuries or other non-basketball factors?

MU's jucos have been stung by a series of injuries that have hampered their first year play:
Kinsella:  Injury-foot
Lott:  Injury-Mono
Fulce:  Injury-Knee
Blackledge:  Academics

Butler was 5th option on offense (behind Matthews, McNeal, James and Hayward)

There is no "trend" of Juco's needing a transition year.  

I went back to the JUCO class of 2008, and looked up the 1st and 2nd team All-Americans to see how many of these players needed a "first year adjustement".  

The answer:  Just 1 of 20--Bryan Sherrer of Alabama.  He is the only Juco in the 1st or 2nd teams from 2008 that posted a significant increase in minutes/points and rebounds.

Player (School)--First year stats (2nd year stats)

Cory Cooperwood (Wright State)--24mpg, 9.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg (24 mpg, 9.2 ppg, 6.1 rpg)
Devron Bostrick (Minnesota)--11 mpg, 4.0 ppg, 1.5 rpg (10 mpg, 3.3ppg 1.9 rpg )
Bobby Maze (Tennessee)--25 mpg, 8.5 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 3.2 apg (25 mpg, 9.4 ppg, 2.4 rpg)
Bryan Sherrer (So. Alabama)--21 mpg, 5.3 ppt, 1.3 prg, (31 mpg, 10.6 ppg, 2.0 rpg)
Eric Tramiel (N. Texas)-- 25 mpg, 12.0 ppg, 6.6 rpg (27 mpg, 12.9 ppg, 6.0 rpg)
DaVaell Jackson --  Did Not Play in D1
Dominique gaines -- Did not play in D1
Derwin Kitchen (Fla State) 26 mpg, 7.8 ppg, 4.6 rpg (29, 8.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg)
Roderick Flemings (Hawaii) 36 mpg, 16.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg (35 mpt, 16.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg)
Mario Little (Kansas) 12.5 mpg, 4.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg (redshirt - injury)
Anthony Brock (Alabama) 16.2 mpg, 5.5 ppg, 1.2 rpg (27.4 mpg, 5.9 ppg, 1.9 rpg)
Tyrone Appleton 2.2 mpg, .8 ppg, .3 rpg (transfer to Southwest Baptist)
Jared Quayle (Utah State) -- 30 mpg, 13.0 ppt, 5.9 rpg (32 mpg, 12.4 ppg, 6.1 rpg)
Jacquiese Holcombe (Mississippi State) -- 11.8 mpg, 3 ppg, 2 rpg in 7 games due to injury (transfer to West Texas A&M 25 mpg, 7.2 ppg, 5.1 rpg)
Dominique Johnson (N. Texas) -- 30.3 mpg, 10.9 ppg, 3.0 rpg (15 mpg, 6.7ppg, 1.7 rpg in 4 games--will redshirt)
Dynile Forbes (La-Monroe) -- 22 mpg, 11 ppg, 2.3 rpg (30.9 mpg, 12.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg)
Lindsey Hughey (Weber State) -- 20.7 mpg, 7.8 ppg, 2.6 rpg (first season)
Tony Dennison (Hofstra) -- 18 mpg, 5.7 ppg 1.8 rpg (Tranfer to Barry Univ. 33 mpg 4.9 rpg, 18.8 ppg
Fulce (Marquette) -- 11 games 5.6 mpg, 1.3 ppg, 1.0 rpg (11.7 mpg, 3.5 ppg, 3.1 rpg)
Antonio Hanson (Georgia Southern) -- 30 mpg, 12.0 ppg, 1.6 rpg (31 mpg, 13.4 ppg, 1.6 rpg)

Of the 20 players:
Two were overmatched in D1 and stepped down a level--Tyrone Appleton at Kansas, and Tony Dennison of Hofstra,
One was injured in his first D1 season and stepped down a level--Jacquiese Holcombe
One was injured his first season (Fulce)
Two did not play in D1 (DaVell Jackson & Dominque Gaines)
One was injured his 2nd season (Mario Little of Kansas)
One (Sherrer) needed a year of transition and improved significantly his 2nd year.
One only has one season at the D1 level so far (Hughey of Weber State) so we don't know if we've seen his max or if this is a "transition year"
The rest (11 of 20) came in and performed at their expected level right away.

Clearly the statement that "Most JUCO's experience a rough one year transition" is overstated.   In fact--for the type of players MU has signed it almost never happens without some extenuating circumstance such as an injury.  

Even the exception in our case (Butler) improved in productivity largely due to his role on the team changing--he was at least the 5th option his first year (behind Matthews, James, McNeal and Hayward).

The good (or bad) news is that we've probably seen what Buycks, Fulce and DJO will give us this season--most Jucos don't show a significant year-over-year improvement.  

[Blackhat]

I actually think DB showed he has some serious potential.  He has a smooth step back J, (although his 3 point range is in question), and he got to the rim when he wanted to for the most part.

He found his role halfway through the year, and his role was not to score.  That, combined with his illness and injury is why we saw little from him offensively in my opinion.

I expect much bigger offensive output from him next season when his role is expanded.

He appeared to have a relatively slow first step on the drive.   I was expecting more explosive athleticism from Buycks. 

Hopefully he makes a Jimmy Butler type jump up in his final year at MU.

[Blackhat]

Is it really culture?  Or is it injuries or other non-basketball factors?

MU's jucos have been stung by a series of injuries that have hampered their first year play:
Kinsella:  Injury-foot
Lott:  Injury-Mono
Fulce:  Injury-Knee
Blackledge:  Academics

Butler was 5th option on offense (behind Matthews, McNeal, James and Hayward)

There is no "trend" of Juco's needing a transition year.  

I went back to the JUCO class of 2008, and looked up the 1st and 2nd team All-Americans to see how many of these players needed a "first year adjustement".  

The answer:  Just 1 of 20--Bryan Sherrer of Alabama.  He is the only Juco in the 1st or 2nd teams from 2008 that posted a significant increase in minutes/points and rebounds.

Player (School)--First year stats (2nd year stats)

Cory Cooperwood (Wright State)--24mpg, 9.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg (24 mpg, 9.2 ppg, 6.1 rpg)
Devron Bostrick (Minnesota)--11 mpg, 4.0 ppg, 1.5 rpg (10 mpg, 3.3ppg 1.9 rpg )
Bobby Maze (Tennessee)--25 mpg, 8.5 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 3.2 apg (25 mpg, 9.4 ppg, 2.4 rpg)
Bryan Sherrer (So. Alabama)--21 mpg, 5.3 ppt, 1.3 prg, (31 mpg, 10.6 ppg, 2.0 rpg)
Eric Tramiel (N. Texas)-- 25 mpg, 12.0 ppg, 6.6 rpg (27 mpg, 12.9 ppg, 6.0 rpg)
DaVaell Jackson --  Did Not Play in D1
Dominique gaines -- Did not play in D1
Derwin Kitchen (Fla State) 26 mpg, 7.8 ppg, 4.6 rpg (29, 8.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg)
Roderick Flemings (Hawaii) 36 mpg, 16.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg (35 mpt, 16.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg)
Mario Little (Kansas) 12.5 mpg, 4.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg (redshirt - injury)
Anthony Brock (Alabama) 16.2 mpg, 5.5 ppg, 1.2 rpg (27.4 mpg, 5.9 ppg, 1.9 rpg)
Tyrone Appleton 2.2 mpg, .8 ppg, .3 rpg (transfer to Southwest Baptist)
Jared Quayle (Utah State) -- 30 mpg, 13.0 ppt, 5.9 rpg (32 mpg, 12.4 ppg, 6.1 rpg)
Jacquiese Holcombe (Mississippi State) -- 11.8 mpg, 3 ppg, 2 rpg in 7 games due to injury (transfer to West Texas A&M 25 mpg, 7.2 ppg, 5.1 rpg)
Dominique Johnson (N. Texas) -- 30.3 mpg, 10.9 ppg, 3.0 rpg (15 mpg, 6.7ppg, 1.7 rpg in 4 games--will redshirt)
Dynile Forbes (La-Monroe) -- 22 mpg, 11 ppg, 2.3 rpg (30.9 mpg, 12.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg)
Lindsey Hughey (Weber State) -- 20.7 mpg, 7.8 ppg, 2.6 rpg (first season)
Tony Dennison (Hofstra) -- 18 mpg, 5.7 ppg 1.8 rpg (Tranfer to Barry Univ. 33 mpg 4.9 rpg, 18.8 ppg
Fulce (Marquette) -- 11 games 5.6 mpg, 1.3 ppg, 1.0 rpg (11.7 mpg, 3.5 ppg, 3.1 rpg)
Antonio Hanson (Georgia Southern) -- 30 mpg, 12.0 ppg, 1.6 rpg (31 mpg, 13.4 ppg, 1.6 rpg)

Of the 20 players:
Two were overmatched in D1 and stepped down a level--Tyrone Appleton at Kansas, and Tony Dennison of Hofstra,
One was injured in his first D1 season and stepped down a level--Jacquiese Holcombe
One was injured his first season (Fulce)
Two did not play in D1 (DaVell Jackson & Dominque Gaines)
One was injured his 2nd season (Mario Little of Kansas)
One (Sherrer) needed a year of transition and improved significantly his 2nd year.
One only has one season at the D1 level so far (Hughey of Weber State) so we don't know if we've seen his max or if this is a "transition year"
The rest (11 of 20) came in and performed at their expected level right away.

Clearly the statement that "Most JUCO's experience a rough one year transition" is overstated.   In fact--for the type of players MU has signed it almost never happens without some extenuating circumstance such as an injury.  

Even the exception in our case (Butler) improved in productivity largely due to his role on the team changing--he was at least the 5th option his first year (behind Matthews, James, McNeal and Hayward).

The good (or bad) news is that we've probably seen what Buycks, Fulce and DJO will give us this season--most Jucos don't show a significant year-over-year improvement.  

  nice thorough rebuttal. 

[marquette99]

He is a physical stud defensively, and was very physical on the boards.  My only problem with his jumper was that he seemed most comfortable from 17 or 18 feet, just inside the arc.  His physical play and defense was so good that remember in early season big east play he was avaeraging something like 37 minutes while djo was getting half the time.  In short, his defense was even more valuable than djo's offense.noone besides butler takes it to the hoop better, and he was the only guy on the court that matched up with pitt.  He had the bad sprained ankle early that I think reoccurred, the blow that had him playing with stitches over the eye, and then the bad bout with the flu.  If healthy, he is a great starting guard, except that we have djo, blue and hopefully a healthy junior.  This is what excites me about next year - for the past few years if anyone was hurt or in foul trouble we were dead - and in 2010-11 we have so many legit starters.  Glad to have him back in milwaukee.

[WellsstreetWanderer]

I expect DB will have a terrific year and graduate

[Badgerhater]

Buycks role on this team when he was signed was to be a reliable player almost immediately at the 1-3 positions for two years so Buzz had some breathing room to recruit 4-year players and also get the schollies evened out amongst the classes.

He has filled this role perfectly.

Not every player need be or can be a stud.  Some players fit a situation or a role and they allow other players to do things or give the team flexibility. If DB can play like he did this year with add just a little bit to his stats as well as push the new players to be better, then he will have been a very important teammate and Buzz will laud him greatly on Senior Night 2011.

[Big Papi]

I think we have realized the inaccuracies and inflated rankings of the players by ESPN

I think we were extremely spoiled by DJO's success last year.  Most Juco's take a year to transition and become comfortable with their new team and competition.  Buycks was more than solid until he ended up getting ill and injuried, costing him valuable time down the stretch.  I fully expect him to have a very good year next year and if not start, be the first off the bench (he has shown way more than Junior has).  The only incoming player who might get more minutes than Buycks is Blue but Blue is special talent and Buycks still might get more minutes than him.  Much like most wrote off Acker and Cooby heading into their senior, Buycks seems to be getting the same treatment by a lot of posters.  He is a real good player who was clutch on his juco team.

Also as excited as I am with Buycks, I think DJO will explode next year and be the best player at MU not named Wade that MU has had in the last 25 years.  That kid is special.  Great outside shooting, explosive moves to the basket and a very good defender.  He will be in contention for player of year in the Big East next year.