D Gardner

[CTWarrior]

What has happened to the Gardner that played against Duke?  He has barely played the last three games, but when he's been in the game he's looked slow, unathletic and somehow seems to open up nice interior driving and passing lanes for the opposition.  Against Rutgers and Pitt the few times we've gone to him on the interior he's had problems even getting the ball up on the rim.  Last night at one point he was almost walking (a slow trot) back on D and watched indifferently as a pass scooted by him for an easy lay-up.  The kid has great hands and a nice touch around the hoop but I can see why Buzz doesn't play him much right now. 

I'm disappointed because he was primed to be my new favorite after the Duke game.  I'm not expecting him to be a star as a frosh, but 5-10 solid minutes a game from him would do wonders for us.

[ecompt]

He has hit a wall against Big East competition. Hopefully it doesn't get into his head.

[NickelDimer]

Whatever the reason, the dropoff has been dramatic. 

He enters the game, gives up a basket, fails to grab a board on the offensive end, then gets beat down the floor and gives up another basket and sits the rest of the game. 

I understand conference play is far more challenging, but it's suprising to see his dropoff has been so drastic and sudden.

[bilsu]

Most team defenses get significantly better as the season progresses. They also have scouting reports on players and now know their tendencies. The players that do not improve as quick get left behind. Even Blue is losing playing time, because Otule, Buyckes and Crowder are improving at faster rate.

[hairy worthen]

He has hit a wall against Big East competition. Hopefully it doesn't get into his head.

Maybe Buzz lost him.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

It looks to me like DG is putting some weight back on.

[denverMU]

I agree Gardner is looking slow on the floor and a little apathetic on the bench but let's be accurate when we criticise a young freshman.  I just re-watched his brief 28 seconds of play.  First, he was guarding Cooley and Crowder was guarding Martin.  Martin beats Crowder, not Gardner, on a one on one spin move.  Then we inbound and Butler forces up a poor shot, ND rebounds and Martin, who is Crowder's man, not Gardner's, beats everyone down court for an easy layup.  Gardner was trying for a rebound, Crowder, Buycks, and Blue all should of gotten back but they failed to hustle.  Finally, Blue forces a drive and, uncharacteristically, Gardner misses a quick shuttle pass and Buzz takes him out.  My biggest concern is he gets disappointed with Buzz's unique subbing style and transfers out.  I have no doubt he can be a stud for us if he gets past this rough spot.  

[romey]

I agree Gardner is looking slow on the floor and a little apathetic on the bench but let's be accurate when we criticise a young freshman.  I just re-watched his brief 28 seconds of play.  First, he was guarding Cooley and Crowder was guarding Martin.  Martin beats Crowder, not Gardner, on a one on one spin move.  Then we inbound and Butler forces up a poor shot, ND rebounds and Martin, who is Crowder's man, not Gardner's, beats everyone down court for an easy layup.  Gardner was trying for a rebound, Crowder, Buycks, and Blue all should of gotten back but they failed to hustle.  Finally, Blue forces a drive and, uncharacteristically, Gardner misses a quick shuttle pass and Buzz takes him out.  My biggest concern is he gets disappointed with Buzz's unique subbing style and transfers out.  I have no doubt he can be a stud for us if he gets past this rough spot.  

I also noticed in his "blink of an eye" stint on the court that he seemed to be in first gear while the game was at full tilt.  As you state above, much of this was not "his fault" and I agree that the qucick yank by Buzz, can be demoralizing for a freshman.  But, by the same token, in BEast play, we can't afford to allow a player to learn at the risk of the team losing momentum.  He has the potential and we need "bigs" so let's hope he realizes his role and Buzz's methods.

[Canadian Dimes]

Whatever the reason, the dropoff has been dramatic. 

He enters the game, gives up a basket, fails to grab a board on the offensive end, then gets beat down the floor and gives up another basket and sits the rest of the game. 

I understand conference play is far more challenging, but it's suprising to see his dropoff has been so drastic and sudden.

Gardner is the same player, he has probably even improved.  Bottom line is the talent level between the preseason cupcakes and the BE is almost unfathomable.  An all world player against Prairie view can look like a walkon against the BE. 

If he keeps the proper attitude his time will come.  If not he will have an opportunity to play against the likes of Prairie View every game.

[hairy worthen]

... Gardner misses a quick shuttle pass and Buzz takes him out.  My biggest concern is he gets disappointed with Buzz's unique subbing style and transfers out.  I have no doubt he can be a stud for us if he gets past this rough spot.  

Man to man is a team defense. Getting beat off a dribble move is not worse than failing to get over and defend on helpside imo. Getting beat down court is getting beat down court, dosen't matter if it is your guy or not.

The coach should not do things because he is worried about a guy transferring. Thats a good way to fail by letting the inmates run the asylum.  He should do what gives the team the best chance at succeeding.

Gardner will be fine. He has already exceeded most peoples expectations. He is a freshman, let him develop

[Canadian Dimes]

I also think there is a risk reward issue.  Against the cupcakes DG can go pump in 12 quick points and only maybe give up 10. he aint scoring 12 against BE bigs and will likely give up more than 10.

[Badgerhater]

Gardner will be a ton better next year after a summer of him and Jae Crowder going at it.  That wasn't able to happen last summer.

[Daniel]

If Gardner has the patience and gets himself in shape, he will learn the defense and be able to execute it.  It's up to him.  He can be an excellent contributor, and I think he will be.

[4everwarriors]

Ox is in the best conference. Tough transition at this level. The game is moving too fast for him now.

[79Warrior]

Gardner is the same player, he has probably even improved.  Bottom line is the talent level between the preseason cupcakes and the BE is almost unfathomable.  An all world player against Prairie view can look like a walkon against the BE. 

If he keeps the proper attitude his time will come.  If not he will have an opportunity to play against the likes of Prairie View every game.

Your point on the level of the competition is spot on. unfortunatley, it looks to me like Gardner will struggle with the pace of the game. He is a big guy and will likely not get much quicker. That will make it very difficult for him to defend in the BE.

[tower912]

Gardner has lost somewhere around 50 lbs in last year.  He is a freshman.   He put up big #'s against Duke because of a lack of a scouting report on him.   Now there is a scouting report on him and it is to attack him on defense, outrun him down the floor, and take away his right hand.    Another year of conditioning and adjusting to his body and he will be fine.   A year from now, it will be a much more legitimate debate about playing time.  Also, as the team gets through the year, the defense (what!?   We play defense?) is becoming more sophisticated as more switches and rotations are added.   Against Duke, he leaned on one guy who set a career high for points and rebounds.   Gardner just got his share to offset this, so no one noticed.  If we had, say, a healthy Liam, or what we thought Liam might be, DG might be redshirting to work on his conditioning. He will be fine and will be a stud before he graduates. 

[muchamps]

What has happened to the Gardner that played against Duke?  He has barely played the last three games, but when he's been in the game he's looked slow, unathletic and somehow seems to open up nice interior driving and passing lanes for the opposition.  Against Rutgers and Pitt the few times we've gone to him on the interior he's had problems even getting the ball up on the rim.  Last night at one point he was almost walking (a slow trot) back on D and watched indifferently as a pass scooted by him for an easy lay-up.  The kid has great hands and a nice touch around the hoop but I can see why Buzz doesn't play him much right now.  

I'm disappointed because he was primed to be my new favorite after the Duke game.  I'm not expecting him to be a star as a frosh, but 5-10 solid minutes a game from him would do wonders for us.

You got all that above out of 1.5 min against Pitt, 0 min against WV and 39 seconds last night against ND. Gardner needs a chance.
The play with the slow trot you refer to, DG was the first one down and stayed on his man, Buycks was down late and his man ,Martins, scored.

[GGGG]

You got all that above out of 1.5 min against Pitt, 0 min against WV and 39 seconds last night against ND. Gardner needs a chance.

I saw enough of him against ND to realize he isn't quite ready for BE play.

[Hards Alumni]

I saw enough of him against ND to realize he isn't quite ready for BE play.

This.

He got blow by twice in the time he was on the floor against ND.  Let him learn to play some defense, and then we can have the DG needs more minutes discussion.

[Stretchdeltsig]

The jury is really out whether the BE is too fast for DG.  Perhaps he is better suited for a slower conference such as the Big Ten.  Can he really play faster next year, or, isn't he capable of playing at this level?

[tower912]

He is a freshman big.   Please catalog the impact freshman bigs.    How about we wait a couple of years before we let the bus run over him. 

[bilsu]

What is tough for Williams, Jones and Gardner is that they will get pulled if they make a mistake. I think this makes it impossible for them to perform well, because when they get out there all they are thinking is don't screw up. I think it would be much better for Buzz to send them out there telling them they are going to play three minutes and play as hard as they can in those three minutes. Much better than yanking them after 20 seconds when something goes wrong. Some body scores on Gardner he gets yanked. Someone scores on Butler he still plays 30 + minutes. It is hard to come off the bench cold and compete with a player that has already been playing.

[MerrittsMustache]

The jury is really out whether the BE is too fast for DG.  Perhaps he is better suited for a slower conference such as the Big Ten.  Can he really play faster next year, or, isn't he capable of playing at this level?

These posts are hilarious! Earlier in the season people thought Ox should be starting and playing 30 minutes a game. Now people are wondering if he'll EVER be able to contribute in the Big East. What a difference a month makes!

He's a freshman big man playing in arguably the best conference in the country. Give the kid some time. He's going to be a special player for MU in the years to come.

[GGGG]

What is tough for Williams, Jones and Gardner is that they will get pulled if they make a mistake. I think this makes it impossible for them to perform well, because when they get out there all they are thinking is don't screw up. I think it would be much better for Buzz to send them out there telling them they are going to play three minutes and play as hard as they can in those three minutes. Much better than yanking them after 20 seconds when something goes wrong. Some body scores on Gardner he gets yanked. Someone scores on Butler he still plays 30 + minutes. It is hard to come off the bench cold and compete with a player that has already been playing.

No offense but this isn't middle school ball.  JFB has a proven track record of success and has earned his playing time.  DG hasn't, and if it costs us, he needs to sit until he earns his playing time.

[MerrittsMustache]

What is tough for Williams, Jones and Gardner is that they will get pulled if they make a mistake. I think this makes it impossible for them to perform well, because when they get out there all they are thinking is don't screw up. I think it would be much better for Buzz to send them out there telling them they are going to play three minutes and play as hard as they can in those three minutes. Much better than yanking them after 20 seconds when something goes wrong. Some body scores on Gardner he gets yanked. Someone scores on Butler he still plays 30 + minutes. It is hard to come off the bench cold and compete with a player that has already been playing.

Gardner did not get pulled because he got scored on. He got pulled because, like many freshmen, he was completely lost for the entire 40 seconds he was on the court. Considering how many close games MU has been a part of, Buzz can't afford to have 20% of the players on the floor two steps behind for any extended period of time.