Why does Vander play so many minutes?

[KC_Warrior]

He absolutely cannot finish around the basket.  His missed a FT with 2 1/2 minutes to play that really hurt us.

Is Buzz worried if Vander doesn't get PT he's going to transfer?  That's what it seems like.

[tower912]

He is better than the options.   

[marquette09]

I'm confused as to how he was a top 25 recruit.  On another point, interesting to see the difference between Vander and Lamb at this stage.

[CTWarrior]

You can't play Blue and Cadougan at the same time because that's two guys who are not a threat to score.

[nyg]

I'm confused as to how he was a top 25 recruit.  On another point, interesting to see the difference between Vander and Lamb at this stage.

Or Napier, or Roscoe Smith.  Calhoun gives his freshman some significant minutes and they were the difference tonight.

[GuyIncognito]

I just hate if when both him and Junior on the court at the same time. Two non shooters hurts us on the offensive end

[ErickJD08]

You can't play Blue and Cadougan at the same time because that's two guys who are not a threat to score.

Right... he must be the most unpolished 5 star guard with his offense than I have seen in a LONG time.  I think he is going to be good at MU after he builds some strength to finish but his jumpers are UGLY. 

[VanderBabyBlue]

He definitely should not have made that remark about evaluating himself for this year's draft.

[Wade for President]

The thing that bothers me most about Vander right now (besides the fact he is an absolute non-factor on the offensive side of the ball), is that he appears to be lacking hustle & effort...highlighted primarily on his transition defense.

Do you remember the MU Revealed Boot Camp episode, where Vander didn't hustle back during a drill, and Buzz lit into him?  Well, I saw two plays tonight where he didn't get back on defense.  I was waiting for Buzz to pull him, but he left him in.

I love his defense, but wish Buzz spread the minutes around more.  I'm so damn frustrated.  Could've used Eric Williams' length.  Why not see what Jamail can do?

[NickelDimer]

Blue is frustrated which has lead to him checking out mentally.  It sucks to watch

[Doris Burkes Thong]

Vander Blue is simply just really overrated. He's not really skilled and I believe he gets way too much credit for his defense like McNeal always did. He's a good defender as far as jumping passing lanes like McNeal, but he's not that good of an on-ball defender. People are overrating his quickness. I'm telling you he's not that quick...he's stiff in the hips and lacks strength as well. He's got good hops and straight line speed though. Want to know who was a helluva an on-ball defender? Dominic James.

[VanderBabyBlue]

Overrated?  Maybe.  I have no doubt he has a terrible in-game coach who may be pretty weak at developing talent as well.

[CTWarrior]

Overrated?  Maybe.  I have no doubt he has a terrible in-game coach who may be pretty weak at developing talent as well.

I don't know about that.  I do know that unless he overhauls his shooting motion, Blue will never be a big scorer.  Its hard to drive to the hoop when the defense doesn't respect your jump shot.

[WarriorHal]

Overrated?  Maybe.  I have no doubt he has a terrible in-game coach who may be pretty weak at developing talent as well.

It's Buzz's fault he can't shoot from the outside, can't finish around the basket, or even make free throws?

[VanderBabyBlue]

It's Buzz's fault he can't shoot from the outside, can't finish around the basket, or even make free throws?

Not sure, jury is still out on Buzz's development of talent.  I can only say for sure that he's a terrible bench coach. 

[Warrior3211]

His jump shot is atrocious and he'll never be successful until someone corrects his form.  He does some hesitation move with his hands while in midair where he turns his right hand before letting his shot go.  It slows down his shot significantly. If he wants to play in the NBA someday or even be successful here he's got to fix that hitch in his shot.  He'll get his shot blocked every time in an NBA game.

[Clam Crowder]

Not sure, jury is still out on Buzz's development of talent.  I can only say for sure that he's a terrible bench coach. 

Buzz has been doing some weird maneuvers with the bench lately. Gardner being put in for what 14 seconds last night was one example of this. The development of talent tho is something that he has been praised for many times. Wesley, Lazar, DJO, Jimmy...Are you telling me that these guys have not benefitted from Buzz' coaching. At the end of the day it's all about who wants it the most, who puts the most hours in at the gym. The coach can push you so far the rest is all about you. If Vander isn't hungry to work on his jumper, or his offense it won't happen. The hardest and the hungriest thrive in Buzz' world. That will continue

[Marquette65]

2 interesting comments on this tread:  VB is frustrated and has checked out mentally and" It's Buzz fault he can't shot from the outside, can't finish around the basket,or even make free throws"

The comment about Buzz fault , I assume is tongue in cheek because of course it's not his fault.  It does speak to Buzz's ability to evaluate talent.

The other comment is more troubling. If any of that is even partly true, if VB is that weak mentally, he will never make it in the Beast.

[CTWarrior]

It does speak to Buzz's ability to evaluate talent.

Hold on a second here.  I doubt that there are 15 schools in the country that wouldn't have taken Vander Blue if they had the chance.  So this would speak to everybody's ability to evaluate talent.

[GGGG]

His jump shot is atrocious and he'll never be successful until someone corrects his form.  He does some hesitation move with his hands while in midair where he turns his right hand before letting his shot go.  It slows down his shot significantly. If he wants to play in the NBA someday or even be successful here he's got to fix that hitch in his shot.  He'll get his shot blocked every time in an NBA game.

He also shoots from his chest and not from over his head.  You can see it on his free throws.  That's somethnig you should correct in 8th grade.

[brewcity77]

Buzz has been doing some weird maneuvers with the bench lately. Gardner being put in for what 14 seconds last night was one example of this. The development of talent tho is something that he has been praised for many times. Wesley, Lazar, DJO, Jimmy...Are you telling me that these guys have not benefitted from Buzz' coaching.

Well, Gardner ended up playing a lot more than that. Yes, there were some short spurts, but when you tally 8 minutes off the bench, there will be a few of those. Crowder has also noticeably improved this year from non-con to now. Whether that's Buzz's influence or his own understanding of both the team and the level of competition, I do not know, but there are certainly a few players who have had success and clealy developed in Buzz's system.

[GGGG]

Buzz has been doing some weird maneuvers with the bench lately. Gardner being put in for what 14 seconds last night was one example of this.

This happened because the coaches clearly wanted to tell him something.  He went off, spoke with the coaches, and went right back in.  Buzz has done this before.