PG

[dw3dw3dw3]

With others, my main concern is PG play... Not sold on either of the options and I would think Buzz isn't either. I think one aspect of playing JC that is overlooked is getting PT for Vander. For the most part neither are an offensive threat from 3pt land. Even if you play them with DJO, Butler and Fulce/Crowder/Otule/Gardner, you will really only have 1 3pt threat (JFB is not a 3-pt threat). Spacing becomes extremely difficult and we will see the pack it in defensive mentality of years past put in place against us. DB is an upgrade on the offensive side and allows for better spacing, while his passing is suspect at this time, I believe Buzz is hoping he can become efficient enough to just start the offense.

All 3 players made extremely simple turnovers, JC had a few nice passes, but seems to get bothered by pressure right now. IMO JC will have to prove to be a significant upgrade in ball handling/distribution and defense before he sees the court, the margin is just too thin right now to make a difference.

Also, I would add that I noticed JC get beat quite a few times trying to stay in front of his man. Didn't see that with Reggie, didn't pay attention enough to DB on defense.

[4everwarriors]

The one spot is a major concern. For whatever reason, Cadougan isn't very good right now. You may soon see a line-up of Butler, Blue, DJO, Crowder, and Ox.

[NYWarrior]

With others, my main concern is PG play... Not sold on either of the options and I would think Buzz isn't either.

I don't think there are two options ... I think there are four or five (DJO, Blue, Smith, Cadougan, Buycks).  MU guards will have atypical roles this year;  they'll be guards rather than PGs, SGs or defensive specialists.  The flexibility and depth in the backcourt is a plus even if it means the team lacks a stellar, true PG.  As constructed the team might not need that role at all.  Early returns are encouraging given the massive influx of talent -- with time the rotation will become apparent, roles will emerge, and efficiency will improve.  Buzz might have to play a 3-guard lineup a lot this season, but that's worked for MU in the past.

As for shooters on the team, let's see what happens. While MU might be light on riflemen this year, last year they were light on penetrators, guards with post-up ability, guards who could rebound, and guards who could break down a defense off the dribble. In these aspects of the game there's a lot more upside with the current backcourt mix than what MU sent to the floor every night last season.

Optimism.

[Mr. Nielsen]

Buycks needs to just run the team. He brings too much of his street game to the court. I hope and think he will be fine for MU.

Did anyone see Mo Acker being that great for Marquette last season? No

[noblewarrior]

I don't think there are two options ... I think there are four or five (DJO, Blue, Smith, Cadougan, Buycks).  MU guards will have atypical roles this year;  they'll be guards rather than PGs, SGs or defensive specialists.  The flexibility and depth in the backcourt is a plus even if it means the team lacks a stellar, true PG.  As constructed the team might not need that role at all.  Early returns are encouraging given the massive influx of talent -- with time the rotation will become apparent, roles will emerge, and efficiency will improve.  Buzz might have to play a 3-guard lineup a lot this season, but that's worked for MU in the past.

As for shooters on the team, let's see what happens. While MU might be light on riflemen this year, last year they were light on penetrators, guards with post-up ability, guards who could rebound, and guards who could break down a defense off the dribble. In these aspects of the game there's a lot more upside with the current backcourt mix than what MU sent to the floor every night last season.

Optimism.

Great post... agree completely

[Dr. Blackheart]

Buycks needs to just run the team. He brings too much of his street game to the court. I hope and think he will be fine for MU.

Did anyone see Mo Acker being that great for Marquette last season? No

Buycks had a 130.2 efficiency rating yesterday with a 3.5:1 Assist to Turnover ratio with his 7 assists and 2 TO's.  He hit 2 out of 4 treys.  Right now, he is our PG option in KC when the tough tests start.  Vander had 4 TO's.  Reggie had 3.  Junior had 2 in 13 minutes to go with 5 assists.  I think Junior takes over whenever he gets out of the Buzz Dog House, but Buycks gives us experience, an outside threat, energy and quickness and some height.  If he keeps those stats up, he will be hard to keep off the court at PG.

[Mr. Nielsen]

Buycks had a 130.2 efficiency rating yesterday with a 3.5:1 Assist to Turnover ratio with his 7 assists and 2 TO's.  He hit 2 out of 4 treys.  Right now, he is our PG option in KC when the tough tests start.  Vander had 4 TO's.  Reggie had 3.  Junior had 2 in 13 minutes to go with 5 assists.  I think Junior takes over whenever he gets out of the Buzz Dog House, but Buycks gives us experience, an outside threat, energy and quickness and some height.  If he keeps those stats up, he will be hard to keep off the court at PG.

JC, really let's face it, he is like a freshmen. He will have two years left after this season to start and to have a good career at Marquette. We need Junior to be a great back up, where MU is not missing a beat when he is on the floor.

[war1980rior]

Think positive Marquette fans.  Last season there was no hope at this point (according to the faithful - for the most part - MUScoopers).  By the end, everybody loved Mo.

These guys are all new, still getting used to the new team.  We are deep at guard with young (please note, we are young at the position) men that have adequate talent at this point.  We'll get there.  By the end of this season, the opposition will have worn down point guards who are forced to face a fresh opponent all game long.  I like the fact we have so many that can step into the role.  I'm sure Buzz will settle on two, but for now, they have to duke it out.  For now, they're going to push and make some mistakes.

Personally, I'm looking forward to this season more than last year.  We've got more than one or two exciting players! 90% of our opponents are lucky if they have two!

[HoopsMalone]

It's weird for us not to have one true PG.  Diener, James, and Mo all barely came out of the game it seemed.  There has been no question who the PG was.

Now, it is PG by committee.  I don't think the play was poor from that spot.  Buzz has enough athletes to get the ball across half court and make plays.  Everyone is a slasher essential so everyone will be creating offense for others. 

I think Buzz's offense has worked well with James and Mo, but it may not need a dominant ball handler.  Defense should be fine with Buycks, Blue, DJO, and Smith all able to guard PGs, I would say, much better than average.

[avid1010]

Vander and Junior clearly had the best ability to see the floor, put pressure on the defense and make the right decisions.  Vander's defense is far superior to JC's.  I'd really like to see Vander get minutes at the PG position.  It looked like Reggie needs a lot more experience before Buzz can play him in a competitive game.

[lab_warrior]

I don't think there are two options ... I think there are four or five (DJO, Blue, Smith, Cadougan, Buycks).  MU guards will have atypical roles this year;  they'll be guards rather than PGs, SGs or defensive specialists.  The flexibility and depth in the backcourt is a plus even if it means the team lacks a stellar, true PG.  As constructed the team might not need that role at all.  Early returns are encouraging given the massive influx of talent -- with time the rotation will become apparent, roles will emerge, and efficiency will improve.  Buzz might have to play a 3-guard lineup a lot this season, but that's worked for MU in the past.

As for shooters on the team, let's see what happens. While MU might be light on riflemen this year, last year they were light on penetrators, guards with post-up ability, guards who could rebound, and guards who could break down a defense off the dribble. In these aspects of the game there's a lot more upside with the current backcourt mix than what MU sent to the floor every night last season.

Optimism.

AGREE COMPLETELY.  We might turn the ball over a bit more this year, but we're way more athletic, and can get it back on defense by forcing more turnovers.
And we might not have an additional 3pt gunner other than DJO, but we've got a lot more guys who can get into the paint and get easy baskets for others. 

[ChicosBailBonds]

The biggest issue with JC is his defense.  He was getting blown by in the SJU game and again last night.  Is that part of the injury he had?  I don't know.

He looks uncomfortable to me with on the ball pressure as well.  It's hard for me to see him as the starting point guard this year, but will be a spot reserve.  Of course this is after only two games, but the minutes he is playing seems to dictate that Buzz is feeling the same way.  One would have expected coming into the season that he would have starting PG minutes...30 per game.  He had 13 yesterday and even less on Saturday against SJU.

Of course, looking at the other guard minutes at that 1 spot, it's definitely by committee right now. 

[Henry Sugar]

I don't think there are two options ... I think there are four or five (DJO, Blue, Smith, Cadougan, Buycks).  MU guards will have atypical roles this year;  they'll be guards rather than PGs, SGs or defensive specialists.  The flexibility and depth in the backcourt is a plus even if it means the team lacks a stellar, true PG.  As constructed the team might not need that role at all.  Early returns are encouraging given the massive influx of talent -- with time the rotation will become apparent, roles will emerge, and efficiency will improve.  Buzz might have to play a 3-guard lineup a lot this season, but that's worked for MU in the past.

As for shooters on the team, let's see what happens. While MU might be light on riflemen this year, last year they were light on penetrators, guards with post-up ability, guards who could rebound, and guards who could break down a defense off the dribble. In these aspects of the game there's a lot more upside with the current backcourt mix than what MU sent to the floor every night last season.

Optimism.

Well put, Tim.  What is interesting is that we may see yet another version of Buzz's "winning offense", where it looks different than the year before and the year before.  Last night was the first glimpse.

[GGGG]

I think Chicos is right.  Junior's defense was the issue last night.  He just doesn't seem to move well laterally. 

[muarmy81]

I wouldn't worry about shooter too much.  I actually thought we took better shots last night than we did last year.  It seemed as though guys we're passing up 3's to make an extra pass or penetrate for a better shot as opposed to last year where we loved to settle for the first 3 we got.