Goodman on K-State Scrimmage

[JakeBarnes]

Per Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanCBS)

Another little birdie told me that Vander Blue was extremely impressive in Marquette's scrimmage against Kansas State

[cheebs09]

Jae also had some great things to say about Vander in a pre-season article. Boy, if he puts it together this year, it could be a special year.

[Golden Avalanche]

Jae also had some great things to say about Vander in a pre-season article. Boy, if he puts it together this year, it could be a special year.

I'd be shocked if Vander didn't learn quite a bit about life over the past 12 months, and I'm not talking about the circle of rocks and sand.

Half his Twitter feed deals with the Bible. I understand that context and the light it shines but, still, you wonder if that feeds into his maturity these past months.

Expecting the step up from him this season.

[Lennys Tap]

He was a "young" freshman last year and it showed on and off the court. Here's hoping for better things this year.

[BobWildLoyalist]

Goodman also said Jae did not play that well. Chris apparently is in on another level than last year also.

[bilsu]

I am probably the only one this bothers. When there is not suppose to be any press coverage regarding these scrimages, how is Goodman getting any inside info?

[tower912]

Because insiders give him info.    A practice as old as time.   

[DienerTime34]

Not worried if Jae did well in a meaningless scrimmage or not. He's gotten it done on the big stage, he'll be fine.

Hearing all good things about Vander, but still nobody is talking about his shot. I'm guessing he had a field day scoring in transition.

[Hards Alumni]

Not worried if Jae did well in a meaningless scrimmage or not. He's gotten it done on the big stage, he'll be fine.

Hearing all good things about Vander, but still nobody is talking about his shot. I'm guessing he had a field day scoring in transition.

I know more than a few MU greats who were poor shooters when they were freshman.

[Skatastrophy]

Not worried if Jae did well in a meaningless scrimmage or not. He's gotten it done on the big stage, he'll be fine.

That's the problem, though:  He's been inconsistent on the big stage.  Hopefully his game evens out to the point where we can rely on him to produce consistently during his minutes this season.

[kmwtrucks]

Where did you see the comments About Jae and Chris?

[Clam Crowder]

I don't see any tweets about Jae or Chris...was it a personal message?

[wojosdojo]

Not worried if Jae did well in a meaningless scrimmage or not.

I am. This is his last year and I dont know if he realizes how big of an impact he can be. I just hope because he knows that hes one of the major leaders behind DJ that he hasnt been one of the athletes that coast with just the talent. It takes a lot more than just talent and Buzz screaming at you.

[Benny B]

Because insiders give him info.    A practice as old as time.   

Goodman's a pretty reputable guy... but he could be making $@*# up knowing that no one can call him out on it.

[Brewtown Andy]

Goodman's a pretty reputable guy... but he could be making $@*# up knowing that no one can call him out on it.

Well, he did spell Otule's name wrong in the CBSSports.com Big East preview.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/story/15928986/conference-countdown-no-1-big-east

[dgies9156]

I know more than a few MU greats who were poor shooters when they were freshman.

Hell, Dean the Dream Meminger was a crappy shooter in the NBA. But he was good enough to be one of the MU standout greats of all time.

[avid1010]

I am. This is his last year and I dont know if he realizes how big of an impact he can be. I just hope because he knows that hes one of the major leaders behind DJ that he hasnt been one of the athletes that coast with just the talent. It takes a lot more than just talent and Buzz screaming at you.

Judging from what Jae has done to get to where he is I get the feeling that he knows how important he is to the team, how hard he needs to work, and that this is his last year to prove himself for the sake of future $$$.  If he comes up short of expectations, I don't believe it will be because of a lack of effort or understanding.  Look back to last year and there were a number of times when he showed leadership and ability on the court, and there were other times where he was nowhere to be found.  The same could be said about DJO...if as seniors, they are able to bring it every night, MU will be in good shape.

[MU_Beav]

I know more than a few MU greats who were poor shooters when they were freshman.

The incomparable Tony Smith was a marginal shooter when he came to MU.  In my senior year, I saw his 50-odd points (a ton of which came from threes rained in from State Street) in Madison overshadow the horrific specter of Anthony Candolinoe's blue socks.

[AZWarrior]

The incomparable Tony Smith was a marginal shooter when he came to MU.  In my senior year, I saw his 50-odd points (a ton of which came threes rained in from State Street) in Madison overshadow the horrific specter of Anthony Candolinoe's blue socks.

Yeah - but what post MU success did Tony Smith ever have.  Oh, wait.......

[MU_Beav]

Yeah - but what post MU success did Tony Smith ever have.  Oh, wait.......

Yes, a few years with the Lakers and some with Charlotte.  My only point was that marginal shooters can work themselves into above-average shooters.  Tony had little help while at MU and his NBA resume is another argument altogether.

[MerrittsMustache]

I know more than a few MU greats who were poor shooters when they were freshman.

Exactly. Has anyone ever watched the McD's All-American game? Very few of those guys are great shooters - they're great athletes. You can teach a great athlete (like Blue) to shoot. You can't teach a great shooter to be an athlete.

I still contend that Blue's game is similar to Terrence Williams from L'ville. He's not going to be a 20ppg guy but he's going to fill up the stat sheet. I wouldn't be surprised to see him with a 12-7-5 line in 2012-13.

[DienerTime34]

It's not inevitable Vander will improve his shooting. Nobody could teach Dominic James how to shoot. What did he hit at the free throw line as a senior? 50 percent?

[MU_Beav]

It's not inevitable Vander will improve his shooting. Nobody could teach Dominic James how to shoot. What did he hit at the free throw line as a senior? 50 percent?

You're correct - not inevitable.  Point is, there's hope, because we've seen it happen so many times before... 

[Benny B]

It's not inevitable Vander will improve his shooting. Nobody could teach Dominic James how to shoot. What did he hit at the free throw line as a senior? 50 percent?

Ask Duke the same question, and they'll probably say 95%.

[bilsu]

It's not inevitable Vander will improve his shooting. Nobody could teach Dominic James how to shoot. What did he hit at the free throw line as a senior? 50 percent?

His shooting does not bother me as much as his shot selection. Make better decisions and Blue will be fine. We do not need him throwing up a three pointer when we are trying to rally from a deficit or driving when there is no open lane. Besides that his shooting percentage would go up, if he elimited the bad shots he took. He needs to understand what his weaknesses are and play accordingly.