Who will surprise us next year?

[MUSF]

Who do you think has the potential to out perform expectations next year?

I think a lot of people are overlooking Dwight Buycks.  He showed some flashes last year and his production was hindered at times by extenuating circumstances.  I think Buycks will find his way into the starting lineup and produce consistently.

[Dr. Blackheart]

EWill at PF.  He has raw offensive talent and if he gets positioning on the defensive side of the ball, can be a great shot blocker.  Otule will help him a tremendously to cover his inexperience where last year he was exposed. 

[Murffieus]

I also think Buycks will be the #1 overachiiever next year .

[Markusquette]

Jamail Jones looks like he could be a big asset early on, and it seems like Blue is getting most of the hype from the incoming players.

[brewcity77]

I think it will be Williams. Never really showed much last year, but I think he'll step up and push for starting minutes.

[tower912]

Ewill at the 4/5.

[MUfan12]

Newbill.

[T-Bone]

Otule, by a landslide.

[NersEllenson]

Otule, by a landslide.

Agree - and if I were to add surprise 1A - I'd go with Reggie Smith...just think his kind of athleticism has to get on the court somehow..and he is probably the least heralded recruit we've got coming in this year..which would make any contribution from him a surprise.

[MUSF]

Newbill.

Nice.

[SacWarrior]

Newbill.

He's surprised me the most so far.

Cadoogie Nights will be a solid Point, making his Junior and Senior seasons look really good for the future.

[MUSF]

This is going to be a very interesting season.

It's the first time in a long time that I think 8-9 guys have a legitimate shot at starting / earning the majority of minutes at their position.  Granted, some would have to improve significantly or exceed expectations significantly.

Cadougan
Buycks
DJO
Blue
Butler
Jones
Crowder
Fulce
Williams
Otule

I would say only Butler, DJO, and Otule are entrenched at their position barring injuries.  Even so, all of these guys could see a decrease in minutes due to the performance of others at their position.

Edit: I forgot Fulce

[bilsu]

It is hard for a new recruit to surpise us, because we do not know what deficeincies they have in their game and tend to expect too much. It will either be Fulce or Williams. The surpise on Otule's part is if he keeps from getting injured. If there is no injury, I expect him to be a factor.

[Murffieus]

I think Blue will eventually beat out Cadougan at PG. Cadougan too slow getting into the paint.

[mikem91288]

Otule. Our season depends on it.

Buycks? Come on people. He needs to be a tough man coming off the bench, while Vander gets some starts at Guard.

[mr.MUskie]

Buzz.
He seems to be full of surprises.

[Tugg Speedman]

Since everyone has been named in this thread already .... watch for Frozena!!

[Spaniel with a Short Tail]

I think Buycks, Fulce & Butler have topped out.  I agree that Otule just by staying healthy would be a surprise.  Expectations are too high for Blue to be a surprise.  From the rest, since it appears to me his expectations are so low, Smith will be the biggest surprise.

[Tulsa Warrior]

Buycks and Fulce will surprise.  It's the same senior thing we saw with Acker and Cubillan.

This season we will find out if Otule's feet will hold up to the wear and tear or D1 basketball.  I'm pulling for the kid.  Crowder will bring a maturity to the newbies that cannot be under valued.

[bilsu]

I think Buycks, Fulce & Butler have topped out.  I agree that Otule just by staying healthy would be a surprise.  Expectations are too high for Blue to be a surprise.  From the rest, since it appears to me his expectations are so low, Smith will be the biggest surprise.

I do not think Buyckes, Fulce and Butler have topped out. Butler has continuously improved throughout his short career at MU. He may not look improved, because the defense will more focus on him now that Hayward is gone. Fulce was finally getting the opportunity to play at the end of last year, there is no reason to believe he will not improve if he is given the opportunity to play. Buyckes has a lot of ability. It really depends on whether he is going to fight for playing time or let the new guys take it from him.

[Pakuni]

Junior.
I don't he's been written off, but I think many forget just how highly touted a player he was coming in (i.e. highest rated recruit at MU in the five years between the three amigos and Vander, expected to start at point as frosh).
I think with a year under his belt, and a full offseason/pre-season of conditioning, he's going to begin establishing himself as the next in a long line of quality point guards at MU.
Then again, maybe I'm wrong in thinking that would be much of a surprise for anyone here. I could be mistaking the lack of chatter about Junior for a lack of expecations.

[wadefan#1]

Jae Crowder

He will be even better than DJO was last year.

[MUSF]

Jae Crowder

He will be even better than DJO was last year.

If Crowder is better than DJO was last year, Otule remains healthy and proves to be a consistent defender, and a combination of Blue, Cadougan, and Buycks can slightly exceed the production of Acker and Cubillan, this team will be very good.

[MUSF]

Junior.
I don't he's been written off, but I think many forget just how highly touted a player he was coming in (i.e. highest rated recruit at MU in the five years between the three amigos and Vander, expected to start at point as frosh).
I think with a year under his belt, and a full offseason/pre-season of conditioning, he's going to begin establishing himself as the next in a long line of quality point guards at MU.
Then again, maybe I'm wrong in thinking that would be much of a surprise for anyone here. I could be mistaking the lack of chatter about Junior for a lack of expecations.

It's pretty amazing that a year ago most people believed that our success would depend largely on the production of Maymon and Cadougan.  Now Maymon is gone and most people think we can still be very good without a ton of production from Junior.

Buzz is really bringing in the talent.  Let's hope the talent leads to greater success.

[HoopsMalone]

Buycks and Fulce will surprise.  It's the same senior thing we saw with Acker and Cubillan.

+1   Buycks was a major contributor at the beginning of the season.  I think he got sick or something if I remember correctly and got buried behind DJO and then Cubillan stepped up.  He gets to the basket nicely and can create his own shot on pull-ups.

Fulce really showed up and was a difference maker in many situations.  Lots of talent there.

As seniors, it is not out of the question for them to contribute consistently all season.