MU is young and cannot close

[mviale]

Saw it against Gonzaga and almost happened tonight.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Saw it against Gonzaga and almost happened tonight.

Agree.

This is where it gets interesting with Buzz.  He's young, too.  He's had the luxury of some unbelievable senior leadership his first two years at the helm.  He doesn't have that this year (yes, I know DB and JB are seniors).  I love Jimmy Butler and maybe he can be the leader of this team, but we seem to be leaderless right now.  Jimmy has to take charge.

As much as this team is struggling through youth, Buzz is as well.  This is the first year with all his guys and the first time without a security blanket like he had with James, McNeal, Matthews, Lazar, Acker, Burke, Cubillan. 

It will come with time, I'm sure of that.  The question is how much time?

[NersEllenson]

Agree.

This is where it gets interesting with Buzz.  He's young, too.  He's had the luxury of some unbelievable senior leadership his first two years at the helm.  He doesn't have that this year (yes, I know DB and JB are seniors).  I love Jimmy Butler and maybe he can be the leader of this team, but we seem to be leaderless right now.  Jimmy has to take charge.

As much as this team is struggling through youth, Buzz is as well.  This is the first year with all his guys and the first time without a security blanket like he had with James, McNeal, Matthews, Lazar, Acker, Burke, Cubillan. 

It will come with time, I'm sure of that.  The question is how much time?

Another lame offering.  How did the leadership of Travis Deiner benefit the team after going to the Final Four in 2003 - to being an NIT team under his, Novak's, and Merritt's leadership in 2004 and 2005?

This team will be just fine..but I know you are a drama queen who just has to go into panic mode...you wouldn't be you without classic overreation.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Another lame offering.  How did the leadership of Travis Deiner benefit the team after going to the Final Four in 2003 - to being an NIT team under his, Novak's, and Merritt's leadership in 2004 and 2005?

This team will be just fine..but I know you are a drama queen who just has to go into panic mode...you wouldn't be you without classic overreation.

Actually you made the point for me...Merritt wasn't a strong leader.  He was quiet and MU missed that leadership. 

Last I checked, Novak as a senior led the team to the NCAA tournament.

Diener as a senior was hurt most of the year.

I'm not in panic mode, I'm stating the obvious on this team. We're young, we're playing dumb basketball, we have time to get better, but we need to make strides quickly.  If there is anything incorrect with those statements, by all means have at them.

[mviale]

We should all expect a bumpy ride this year.  I am very impressed with their tight games against Duke and Gonzaga, but I expect this team to have tough games all year round in terms of doing very well and then looking very confused.

[HoopsMalone]

The merritt example is spot on.  Jimmy has more leadership potential so hopefully he will do something this year.