For Those Who Wrote Cadougan Off: You Know Who You Are

[Henry Sugar]

Buzz's comments from the radio show were that Junior had really turned it on in the last few weeks.

He's a good backup PG that is improving. 

[mugrad99]

Junior still has a ways to go, but for a sophomorecoming back from a major, and sometimes career ending, injury, I'm encouraged by what he's shown the last few games.  

Fixed it for you

[NersEllenson]

Dwight Buycks has stepped up his game this year as a ball handler, scorer and leader.  He is definitely our best point guard.  Love to watch how athletic Buycks plays.

This.  I felt Buycks could be a key to the team based on what was reported about his play over the summer - combined with his clear athleticism, shake/bake, and creativity.

Some may think Buycks has too much playground in his game - but personally, I love it, and think having some playground in one's game is what makes one a VERY good player.  Buycks plays with a great pace and rhythm to his game...wish DJO could find the same type of flow/rhythm.  DJO is almost always 100% full speed ahead..not quite as much hesitation, shake/bake, etc.   I've seen numerous NBA caliber moves from Dwight this year...and actually think he has a chance to get drafted  -assuming he keeps up the play he's shown the last 6-8 games.

[mugrad2006]

 I've seen numerous NBA caliber moves from Dwight this year...and actually think he has a chance to get drafted

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/KX5jNnDMfxA?fs=1&amp;amp;hl=en_US" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/KX5jNnDMfxA?fs=1&amp;amp;hl=en_US</a>

[ChicosBailBonds]

Yes, he is a nice backup PG at this point.  Buycks is still better.

+1 and that's my concern for next year.  Can he be the GUY

[T-Bone]

Watching Buzz yell at Junior in the 1st episode of the All-Access stuff, you can see how much that got in his head.  "SPRINT TO THE BALL JUNIOR!!"  He's getting it.  Defensively, he's becoming one of our better guys out there.

He's gaining confidence.  I still think he has the ability to be a Levance Fields kind of PG. 

[avid1010]

I watched him play in the non-conference bunny games, and it was clear he was the only true pg on the team.  You also saw a better showing from Vander than what you're seeing now.  I think those flashes, against weaker opponents, will eventually be what is common in BEAST play.  I have a lot of faith that Buzz can develop players.  Even players that get little PT like E-Will, the improvement he made on his jumper is more than impressive, and I think he helps the team in his junior and senior seasons.  

[NickelDimer]

Watching Buzz yell at Junior in the 1st episode of the All-Access stuff, you can see how much that got in his head.  "SPRINT TO THE BALL JUNIOR!!"  He's getting it.  Defensively, he's becoming one of our better guys out there.

He's gaining confidence.  I still think he has the ability to be a Levance Fields kind of PG. 

There was a sequence against Lville where he looked like he was three places at once.  His effort defensively is off the charts compared to in the past.

[mviale]

Pretty good line on him last night:
4 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals, 1 TO (and the TO was when he was double teamed and nobody came up to help)

Since BEast play begun, he has best Assist/TO average: 20 assists and 6 TO's for the Warriors.

Yes, he is not shooting/scoring well, but that is not his role--he is a distributo, and he is doing that along with playing good D and energy.

Junior has excelled with the departure of reggie smith. So has our overall guard play.

[warthog-driver]

he blew past two defenders and finished himself

disturbing

[rosenberger77]

I am still down on Junior.  Does not go left well (like Buycks).  Shaky with ball when well defended, and makes extremely weak/crazy passes under pressure  (Horrible passer against a decent press).  Teams know this and love to trap him in corner at the half court line. It is truly amazing that he looks as well as he does statistically.


I really hope he can develop a 10-15 foot jump shot that can keep defenses honest.  Otherwise may remain a liability.

[warthog-driver]

Does not go left well.  Shaky with ball when well defended, and makes extremely weak/crazy passes under pressure  (Horrible passer against a decent press).  Can only pop the deep ballOtherwise may remain a liability.

Sounds a lot like you, Gary!

[rosenberger77]

Touche.

But it is such a shame because he has great heart and vision, and really spots the open man well.
Gotta hope it all comes together for him.

[warthog-driver]

Touche.

But it is such a shame because he has great heart and vision, and really spots the open man well.
Gotta hope it all comes together for him.

i think it will. he sees the floor very well. i expect greatness

[CTWarrior]

Does not go left well (like Buycks).  Shaky with ball when well defended, and makes extremely weak/crazy passes under pressure  (Horrible passer against a decent press).  Teams know this and love to trap him in corner at the half court line. It is truly amazing that he looks as well as he does statistically.

I agree with this part.  I've said earlier in the season that I didn't think he had a good enough handle yet.  And, like you, I am always surprised at how good his A/TO numbers are because it sure doesn't look that way when you watch. 

On the other hand, it seems to me he is improving steadily.  I think his getting steady minutes is what has led to this steady improvement. 

[NavinRJohnson]

I am always surprised at how good his A/TO numbers are because it sure doesn't look that way when you watch. 

On the other hand, it seems to me he is improving steadily.  I think his getting steady minutes is what has led to this steady improvement. 

He is the classic game manager QB in football. He rarely will try to do anything he isn't capable of, so his mistakes are limited, but at the same time, so is his production. I'll take that out of a backup PG, especially when the starter is Buycks, who is just the opposite (and can be a bot of a train wreck at times). The fact is, they do seem to put up points when Junior's in there, and Buycks puts up points when he's in there.

[willie warrior]

He is the classic game manager QB in football. He rarely will try to do anything he isn't capable of, so his mistakes are limited, but at the same time, so is his production. I'll take that out of a backup PG, especially when the starter is Buycks, who is just the opposite (and can be a bot of a train wreck at times). The fact is, they do seem to put up points when Junior's in there, and Buycks puts up points when he's in there.

He is a much better ball ditributor than Buycks--that is patently obvious.

Still amazed by the number of detractors to Jr. He does not need to score, and when it comes to crunch time he will be in there, likely along with Buycks and DJO.

[warthog-driver]

He is the classic game manager QB in football. He rarely will try to do anything he isn't capable of, so his mistakes are limited, but at the same time, so is his production. I'll take that out of a backup PG, especially when the starter is Buycks, who is just the opposite (and can be a bot of a train wreck at times). The fact is, they do seem to put up points when Junior's in there, and Buycks puts up points when he's in there.

2 words: Quinn Buckner

[mu-rara]

His play so far is mostly God given talent.  He is basically an advanced freshman.  His defense has improved tremendously.  He runs the break better than any other guard on the team.  His ability to find the open person is incredible. 

He needs development but has a lot of upside.  He'll be a Cousy finalist as a senior.  With Buzz pushing him, he could be better than Tony Miller.  We all know what an offensive juggernaut Miller was in first two years.

[mu-rara]

2 words: Quinn Buckner

What warthog said.

[MUfan12]

He needs development but has a lot of upside.  He'll be a Cousy finalist as a senior.  With Buzz pushing him, he could be better than Tony Miller.  We all know what an offensive juggernaut Miller was in first two years.

I hope you're right, but Tony was an all-timer. 1000 pt scorer, an assist record that will never be touched, and a nearly 3:1 assist to TO ratio. And he had over 500 rebounds. He was incredible.

[4everwarriors]

We'd all be creaming ourselves if he turns out to be half the player Buckner was. Quinn was a first round draft choice and cashed a few NBA paychecks in addition to winning an NCAA championship.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

What warthog said.

I'm just surprised the response wasn't in a haiku.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Junior has really improved as the season has worn on.  His on ball pressure, his game grittiness, and his efficiency game.  However, for the total season, he is either feast or famine on ball control, and he needs to be able to hit a shot as teams zone us when he gets in.  

>> He is about the same as Buycks in assist %:  25.8% for Junior and 25.7% for Dwight on distribution
http://kenpom.com/playerstats.php?s=ARate&y=2011&f=BE

>> But he is 2nd to last in the BE in Turnover Rate (33.0%) for those playing 40% of the minutes or more--97 players qualified on the list (Jae leads the BE, btw).
http://kenpom.com/playerstats.php?s=TORate&y=2011&f=BE

>>He hasn't played enough minutes to qualify on the eFG% list, but his 36.4% is 4.5% PTS below the last place shooter.  
http://kenpom.com/playerstats.php?s=eFG&y=2011&f=BE

In BE play, Junior's TO Rate has dropped to 23.7% and his assist % has risen to 27.3%.  However, his eFG% is 21.4%. His distributor abilities are limited by his lack of shooting prowess by defenses who sag off, which is why Dwight starts--and who is 3rd in the BE (all games) in eFG% and 1st in trey shooting % in BE play.  He is a great back-up PG who is now earning his minutes--think JFB in his sophomore year as the season advanced.

http://kenpom.com/playerstats.php?s=eFG&y=2011&f=BE

http://statsheet.com/mcb/conferences/big-east/player_stats?season=2010-2011&stat=2&games=conf

[willie warrior]

I hope you're right, but Tony was an all-timer. 1000 pt scorer, an assist record that will never be touched, and a nearly 3:1 assist to TO ratio. And he had over 500 rebounds. He was incredible.

Agreed. Tony was an all-timer. He did not need to score--he was a great ball distributor. MU has had some great point guards throughout its history. From memory:
Dick Nixon
Butch Lee
Lloyd Walton
Sam Worthen
Mandy Johnson
Tony Miller
Cordell Henry, and some I probably have forgotten