Luke Winn assesses the Big East

[Sir Lawrence]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/luke_winn/11/01/big-east/index.html

From the article:

Breakout Candidate: Darius Johnson-Odom, Marquette

The Golden Eagles have two breakout candidates in their first year without Lazar Hayward: senior forward Jimmy Butler, a Scott Hattieberg-like character in college hoops (beloved by tempo-free statheads for his 128.5 ORating, unknown to average fans) ... and Johnson-Odom, a junior who could emerge as one of the league's best all-around guards. He's already one of the nation's most accurate three-point shooters (at 47.4 percent), and is developing into a formidable, physical perimeter defender. If he learns to finish more effectively around the rim, he'll be a star.

and he puts us at 5th in the Conference:

5. Marquette

Freshman Vander Blue was an impressive third guard -- alongside Duke's Kyrie Irving and high school senior Austin Rivers -- in the starting lineup of the U.S.' gold medal-winning entry in the FIBA Americas U18 tournament this summer. Blue, who should start for the Eagles from Day 1, was strong in transition, with good finishing skills and a pretty pull-up jumper, and he aggressively jumped passing lanes on D. By 2011-12, he'll be one of the Big East's most exciting players to watch.

[77ncaachamps]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/luke_winn/11/01/big-east/index.html

From the article:

Breakout Candidate: Darius Johnson-Odom, Marquette

The Golden Eagles have two breakout candidates in their first year without Lazar Hayward: senior forward Jimmy Butler, a Scott Hattieberg-like character in college hoops (beloved by tempo-free statheads for his 128.5 ORating, unknown to average fans) ... and Johnson-Odom, a junior who could emerge as one of the league's best all-around guards. He's already one of the nation's most accurate three-point shooters (at 47.4 percent), and is developing into a formidable, physical perimeter defender. If he learns to finish more effectively around the rim, he'll be a star.

and he puts us at 5th in the Conference:

5. Marquette

Freshman Vander Blue was an impressive third guard -- alongside Duke's Kyrie Irving and high school senior Austin Rivers -- in the starting lineup of the U.S.' gold medal-winning entry in the FIBA Americas U18 tournament this summer. Blue, who should start for the Eagles from Day 1, was strong in transition, with good finishing skills and a pretty pull-up jumper, and he aggressively jumped passing lanes on D. By 2011-12, he'll be one of the Big East's most exciting players to watch.

How many of us really believe that's going to happen?

Lots of pressure on the kid...

[Chili]

How many of us really believe that's going to happen?

Lots of pressure on the kid...

if we really plan on reloading for the ncaa's, he has to be starting and playing significant minutes by badger game.

[HoopsMalone]

Ya, I have not heard much about Blue starting this year from anyone around the program.  Him earning a starting spot in the next few weeks seems unlikely.  It is especially hard to justify Blue starting when you write an article about the guy at his likely position breaking out this year in DJO.  

I think his last line of Blue being one of the most exciting players to watch in the Big East by next year is very likely based on some of his highlight reels.  

[lab_warrior]

Couple points:
1. Blue may not start, but he will play big minutes for us.  We need the roto of Blue, Buycks, and DJO to play really well for our NCAA hopes.
2. Sweet Scott Hatteberg reference, Luke Winn.

[bilsu]

if we really plan on reloading for the ncaa's, he has to be starting and playing significant minutes by badger game.

I think in the long run he will start, however we need to play big against Duke, Gonzaga and UW. After those games, unless Otule really impresses we will be a three guard team.

[RJax55]

Ya, I have not heard much about Blue starting this year from anyone around the program.  Him earning a starting spot in the next few weeks seems unlikely.

I could see it. I think MU again starts a three guard line-up.

DJO is a lock and Junior looks to be the starting PG. It comes down to Blue vs. Buycks.

[Mobot]

if we really plan on reloading for the ncaa's, he has to be starting and playing significant minutes by badger game.

I think if Blue doesn't start at all this year it will be because Buycks is playing at a very high level.  This would be a good thing, not a bad thing. 

[cheebs09]

Ya, I have not heard much about Blue starting this year from anyone around the program.  Him earning a starting spot in the next few weeks seems unlikely.  It is especially hard to justify Blue starting when you write an article about the guy at his likely position breaking out this year in DJO.  

I think his last line of Blue being one of the most exciting players to watch in the Big East by next year is very likely based on some of his highlight reels.  

Not 100% sure, but I believe Winn watched a lot of the Team USA practices that Vander was a part of. Wasn't he the one that kept tweeting how great Vander looked and how he was playing some of the best defense on the team?

The thing with Vander that holds me back from saying he should start and play a huge role is his jump shot. To me he kind of pushes it and shoots it low. Maybe it is just the games I've watched of him that he shot poorly or something. However whenever I think about that stuff I remember people who watched him on Team USA raving about him, and they know basketball better than me, and some have said his pull up jumper is a strength.

[mikem91288]

I thought Buycks really stood out at the Haunted Hoops scrimmage. Good leader on the floor, and probably the quickest one out there by far. I'm really surprised if he is behind Vander at all this year. I think the one that would lose time to Blue would be Cadougan, as Vander and Buycks can play PG, and Buzz will probably try and have DJO more involved in running the offense if he wants him to have professional potential

[The Man in Gold]

I thought Buycks really stood out at the Haunted Hoops scrimmage. Good leader on the floor, and probably the quickest one out there by far. I'm really surprised if he is behind Vander at all this year. I think the one that would lose time to Blue would be Cadougan, as Vander and Buycks can play PG, and Buzz will probably try and have DJO more involved in running the offense if he wants him to have professional potential

The biggest problem with Buycks, even at the scrimmage, is the number of Turnovers he is responsible for.  As a senior guard he needs to become more reliable with the ball in his hands.  Still I think he starts early in the season.

[GGGG]

I thought Buycks really stood out at the Haunted Hoops scrimmage. Good leader on the floor, and probably the quickest one out there by far. I'm really surprised if he is behind Vander at all this year. I think the one that would lose time to Blue would be Cadougan, as Vander and Buycks can play PG, and Buzz will probably try and have DJO more involved in running the offense if he wants him to have professional potential

Having watched both Blue throughout high school, and Buycks last year, I have trouble seeing either one of them as point guards.  I might be wrong, but Junior is going to be logging big minutes this year, unless one of these two learn to value the ball a little more.  Or maybe Reggie steps up too. 

Honestly I see a five guard rotation with two or three on the floor at any given time.  Blue, Buycks and DJO playing off ball, with Junior and Reggie at the point.

[NavinRJohnson]

How many of us really believe that's going to happen?

Lots of pressure on the kid...

I think its entirely possible, but even if its not on Day 1, by the time the calendar says December, he will be, with Buycks coming off the bench (for whch I think he is ideally suited).

[Dawson Rental]

This is the first prediction I've seen of MU finishing above the middle of the pack (8 or 9) in the Big East this year.  It's kind of odd that when he explains why, Vander is all he talks about.