Starters

[willie warrior]

No way they keep Bucyks as a starter at Point. I don't get Buzz's love affair with Bucyks.
Reggie Smith was impressive and Crowder is a stud!
Starters should be:
PG Cadougan/Smith split the minutes at point
2G DJO
C Otule with some good minutes from Gardner
F Butler
F Crowder
Blue, Bucyks, Fulce (relieving at both Forwards) off the bench.

[avid1010]

I agree.  Can't see Buycks playing point, and I don't see him ahead of DJO or Vander at the 2.  Poor shot selection, turnovers, etc...there's no reason to turn the ball over against that team. 

[Ready2Fly]

I agree, no way Buycks stays on at pg.  I have a feeling Buzz knows it's a real battle for starting point, and he doesn't want to tip his hand one way or the other.  Although you could say he did that by playing Reggie extended minutes before Cadougan got off the bench.  Really liked what I saw from Smith, he has been the biggest surprise thus far.

Also, I agree that Gardner will get some PT almost right away.  He's already more polished offensively than Otule.

[rocky_warrior]

Really liked what I saw from Smith, he has been the biggest surprise thus far.

Agreed.  And it's promising that Otule and Crowder might be able to give use what we need down low this year (Jae had a double double, Otule just missed - but against a small team).

[chren21]

I don't see how Vander will not be starting soon. I would say JC/smith, djo, vander, jay, butler.

[Steve Buscemi]

Crowder threw down!!

[Ready2Fly]

I don't see how Vander will not be starting soon. I would say JC/smith, djo, vander, jay, butler.

Absolutely.  In my mind the only toss-up is at pg right now.  I think the other 4 have separated themselves.  Fulce and Buycks might start a little longer so Blue and JC or Smith feel like they earned it, but I don't think that will last much further than the beginning of conference play.

[Nukem2]

Was at the game and agree re Buycks.  He simply dribbles too much and the offense slows down.  As last year, he needs to be at the 3 in a 3 guard line-up.  Talented guy but not really a 1 or even a combo.

[chapman]

Agree as well.  We'll get very valuable minutes from Buycks at the 2-3, defensively, off the bench, and when he's "on", but as a starter or at the point not so much.  Loved what I saw from Crowder, he should be starting.  Based on the very little we've seen from Madness and today, if Buzz is looking for 9.5 with the .5 being a specialist, I'm seeing the starters as Cadougan/Smith, DJO, Butler, Crowder, and Otule with the bench being Blue, Cadougan/Smith, Buycks, Fulce as the 9 with the .5 being reserved for Gardner, Jones, or EWill depending on "specialist" need.

[Markusquette]

I think he's just starting our "experienced" guys to start out the season.  I imagine Smith/Cadougan and Crowder replacing soon.

[PaintTouches]

In the post game media adress, Buzz said Buycks is miles ahead of Junior and Reggie and not to be surprised Buycks get most of the nods at PG to start the game. Said he was a PG in JUCO and he will be used that way this year until he settles on a rotation.

[GGGG]

I think people underestimate what a year's experience can do for Buycks.  He was labelled a point when he came out of JC so it isn't surprising that he can play that position.

[MerrittsMustache]

Agreed.  And it's promising that Otule and Crowder might be able to give use what we need down low this year (Jae had a double double, Otule just missed - but against a small team).

Don't let the numbers fool you. Otule was not very impressive today. He still might turn into a solid post-player but he's got a lot of work to do.

[Clam Crowder]

Buycks was 2 for 10 and took 4 3 ptrs when I consider him at best a mediocre shooter. Reggie was 3 for 4 and had 7 assists to Dwight's 6 in half of the time. I rather have Reggie at PG. Otule looked like he was going to be good last season to when we were playing against the likes of Centenary and Maryland Eastern Shore, but then he got hurt and we never got to see him against bigger and better teams. The offense looked great at times, and atrocious at others. With more practice this team could be great. Jae looked like a man among boys

[MarquetteDano]

Buycks was 2 for 10 and took 4 3 ptrs when I consider him at best a mediocre shooter. Reggie was 3 for 4 and had 7 assists to Dwight's 6 in half of the time. I rather have Reggie at PG. Otule looked like he was going to be good last season to when we were playing against the likes of Centenary and Maryland Eastern Shore, but then he got hurt and we never got to see him against bigger and better teams. The offense looked great at times, and atrocious at others. With more practice this team could be great. Jae looked like a man among boys

2 of the threes that Buycks took today were because the shot clock was running out.  On each of those Marquette got the rebound and scored.  Reggie was a recipient of a nice drive by Buycks who kicked it out to him in perfect position.  DJO did the other.  Reggie also left his man wide open on about four occasions.  I think Reggie will be good but he has defensive work to do.

I agree that Buycks is not the prototypical point but he will be instrumental this year for our team.  I think Buycks will be and needs to be one of our top four scorers this year (Butler, DJO, Crowder, and Buycks).

[PaintTouches]

Buycks was 2 for 10 and took 4 3 ptrs when I consider him at best a mediocre shooter. Reggie was 3 for 4 and had 7 assists to Dwight's 6 in half of the time. I rather have Reggie at PG.

Butler was 2 for 7 and was 5 of 10 from the line. Jamail Jones was 2 for 3 and was 3 of 4 from the line in less than half the time.Should Jamail start over Jimmy?

It was one game, I doubt Buzz will base his opinions on the play of a player in a meaningless game. Now if these trends continue, then yes, you have a point. Until then, I think I will trust the one who sees them play every day.

[willie warrior]

In the post game media adress, Buzz said Buycks is miles ahead of Junior and Reggie and not to be surprised Buycks get most of the nods at PG to start the game. Said he was a PG in JUCO and he will be used that way this year until he settles on a rotation.

This is pure BS. If Buzz thinks Bucyks is mile ahead of those two, then he should be psychoanalyzed. Bucyks is not a point---PERIOD! Just ridiculous!!!!

[Clam Crowder]

I know it is one game, but Buycks is looking to shoot far more than he should. I was stressing that he shot 10 times, the second most on the team and he had less assists than the POINT that came in after him...His numbers are more like that of a 2 guard which is what he should be

[PaintTouches]

This is pure BS. If Buzz thinks Bucyks is mile ahead of those two, then he should be psychoanalyzed. Bucyks is not a point---PERIOD! Just ridiculous!!!!

How is it BS? I was there. He said it.

Unless I misrepresented you and you are calling out Buzz. I am not a psychologist so I'm not qualified to follow through on the psychoanalyzation.   

[PaintTouches]

I know it is one game, but Buycks is looking to shoot far more than he should. I was stressing that he shot 10 times, the second most on the team and he had less assists than the POINT that came in after him...His numbers are more like that of a 2 guard which is what he should be

jhags15, I completely agree. I just think we should wait a few games to see how these players respond against higher quality opponents.

[willie warrior]

How is it BS? I was there. He said it.

Unless I misrepresented you and you are calling out Buzz. I am not a psychologist so I'm not qualified to follow through on the psychoanalyzation.   

was not meant for you. Buzz is crazy on this one. Bucyks is not a starting Point--yet he had 28 minutes today--more than anybody else. Buzz must have a man crush on this guy.

[Ready2Fly]

was not meant for you. Buzz is crazy on this one. Bucyks is not a starting Point--yet he had 28 minutes today--more than anybody else. Buzz must have a man crush on this guy.

At this point I think Buzz is starting experienced guys as a carrot for the young talent.  It's clear that Crowder belongs in the starting rotation, but he's going to have to earn it.  Same with Blue, Smith, Jones, and everyone else.  The seniors will get the benefit of the doubt until someone outplays them consistently in practice.  I think Crowder and Blue will do just that.  I expect Cadougan or Smith to make it clear they deserve to start as well.

[GGGG]

BTW, Buzz is probably going to have a bunch of starting line ups.  Dont worry.  It will solidify by the beginning of the BE season.

[Clam Crowder]

was not meant for you. Buzz is crazy on this one. Bucyks is not a starting Point--yet he had 28 minutes today--more than anybody else. Buzz must have a man crush on this guy.

I agree entirely. Absolutely no reason for him to play this long, especially at the point. When I saw the lineup on the amazing new scoreboard I was not pleased

[PaintTouches]

jhags15: about that scoreboard. . . wow. It is unbelievable how clear that picture is. Great investment.