The Freshman Class

[fanofTR]

Has me giddy. It was not the most highly regarded class in recent memory however it could be one of the most productive. Wilson and Mayo are already showing they can play big time minutes and contribute at a high D-1 level. Anderson was huge in this game and showed me what kind of potential he has, especially on the boards with his length and versatility. Mayo already might be the 3rd best offensive player we have and his potential is scary good on that end of the court. The job Wilson did today jumping in the starting lineup on short notice was nothing short of remarkable, frustrating an All-American PG all night long and not letting the 4 year senior get the best of him although he has played 4 games in his D-1 career. Cant stop raving about this group and the job the coaching staff has done getting these guys ready.

This class wasn't as highly regarded as Cadougans class but I really think it will end up being a class that will have a ton of success in their 4 years. And in the end, could become similar to the 3 Amigos class, while not in terms of name recognition but in terms of tournament success and victories. Buzz continues to work his arrrse to make this program one of the best in the country and if he keeps bringing in talent like Mayo, Wilson, and Anderson, it wont matter what conference we will be in because he will have us as a perennial Top 10 team.

[Hards Alumni]

Super giddy.

And a lot of people don't talk about Juan.

He is really REALLY good.

[Lighthouse 84]

Super giddy.

And a lot of people don't talk about Juan.

He is really REALLY good.

Juan must be coming on in practice for him to have gotten the minutes he did.  Great to see it as it gives the Warriors 11 players who can hit the floor and not lose much when we sub.

[Pago Warrior]

When Dom/Rel/Wes were around, I always pegged Wes as my favorite for doing the little things very well.  I feel the same way about Juan in this current trio of freshmen.

[fanofTR]

Not too mention that Anderson was the highest ranked out of all them. And while he could still end up being the best of the bunch as you can see the potential just ooze out, forget the rankings as all 3 of these guys no doubt will all have very stellar careers wearing the Blue and Gold.

[AZWarrior]

Have we EVER been 11 deep?

"Marquette goes to eleven".

[Hards Alumni]

Juan must be coming on in practice for him to have gotten the minutes he did.  Great to see it as it gives the Warriors 11 players who can hit the floor and not lose much when we sub.

Thing about it, is that Juan probably only sat bc of the Brewers game suspension.

[Dawson Rental]

Here's hoping that Jamal Ferguson turns out to be exactly the same type of mediocre 2 star recruit that Todd Mayo was.

[NersEllenson]

Agree that this could be the best of Buzz's recruiting classes yet - though the least thought of from a ranking perspective.

Anderson has a very high ceiling - right now, I'm gonna say he's as good as Fulce was as Senior.

Derrick Wilson??  What can you say?  He defended the hell out of 4 year player who is First Team All American.

Todd Mayo - He could potentially be an early entry candidate after his Junior year at MU.

MU should have a nice run of success set up against UW..think about the roster complexion of both schools..

[brewcity77]

Super giddy.

And a lot of people don't talk about Juan.

He is really REALLY good.

Agreed. Juan is the unsung hero. I've been big on him since he committed, and he bring an energy and effort that you rarely see in any player. He's going to be a star for us, and I expect every time he goes to the floor, I'm going to see him come off the ground with a cut or scrape that's bleeding blue.

Mayo is really, really good. tedbaxter was right about him 100%. I'm starting to think we'll go deeper than I expected come January.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Buzz said at the end of last year that one of the reasons he was staying was the incoming freshman class. This was a bit perplexing at the time as they were his lowest ranked.  Posters here like Ted Baxter said this was a stud class...and frankly, this was the group that settled the team down at a key time tonight.  I saw them up close in the VI and I said at the time I have never seen a freshman class "get it" so early. This coaching staff are really, really great teachers.

[MUMac]

Thing about it, is that Juan probably only sat bc of the Brewers game suspension.

Yes, but the boot on his foot cost him some valuable practice time.  You are correct in your comment above.  You can just see the talent and athleticism ooze out of his body.  As you stated, he is going to be really REALLY good!

[Goose]

Mayo is really, really good and plays with prime time confidence. This team has potential to be very special and the newcomers are big part of the success.

[GGGG]

I think Juan only played so much because of Jae's foul trouble.  But he played hard...grabbed some rebounds...great on defense.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

I think people have short memories on the DJ/Jerel/Wes class. There is no doubt they had great careers, but other than DJ they all had major learning curves as freshmen. Jerel was a train wreck and Wesley shouldn't even have been starting. The reason this freshmen class is shining so far is because of our depth. We had no depth when those other guys arrived. Joe Chapman is one of my favorite MU players ever (and as a senior leader he should have been starting over Wesley), but Joe wouldn't see the floor on this team. That's all recruiting and it's all Buzz.

Mayo is phenomenal and I said after game 1 that Wilson will end up as our best point guard. I like Junior, but he doesn't bring the physical game that Wilson does. Haven't seen enough of Juan to comment.

[MUMac]

I think people have short memories on the DJ/Jerel/Wes class. There is no doubt they had great careers, but other than DJ they all had major learning curves as freshmen. Jerel was a train wreck and Wesley shouldn't even have been starting. The reason this freshmen class is shining so far is because of our depth. We had no depth when those other guys arrived. Joe Chapman is one of my favorite MU players ever (and as a senior leader he should have been starting over Wesley), but Joe wouldn't see the floor on this team. That's all recruiting and it's all Buzz.

Mayo is phenomenal and I said after game 1 that Wilson will end up as our best point guard. I like Junior, but he doesn't bring the physical game that Wilson does. Haven't seen enough of Juan to comment.

You are correct, regarding the amigos.  re: Jerel, his play as a Frosh was somewhat similar to Blue's.  He could not finish, made bad decisions, was crucified on the boards.  I am hoping for a similar development, offensively, by Blue. 

[Stretchdeltsig]

Agree with all the comments, the three freshman are really gifted. 

What really struck me at the Kohl center tonight was the number of players on the Wisconsin basketball team.  There were at least 17 players suited up for the game.  Thought the NCAA had limits on the number of players on teams.

[MattyWarrior]

5 rebounds in seven minutes for Juan. He will be very good.

[mu ricer22]

I think Juan only played so much because of Jae's foul trouble.  But he played hard...grabbed some rebounds...great on defense.

It also looked like Buzz subbed him in for DJO, Mayo, and D. Wilson for short rests. The little amount of minutes played by Juan actually turned out to be an excellent performance. When Buzz kept subbing players in it seemed like it rattled UW. Almost every possession they were looking at different MU players. Good plan Buzz. The better team won

[DomJamesToTheBasket]

While this class may not have been ranked as high as others,  I think most people on the MU boards were reading between the lines and acknowledging the MAJOR talent.

I agree with the positive sentiment towards Anderson even though we've seen the least of him.  I think he will be the best in the class and get drafted.  It was well reported that his ranking was lowered because scouts didn't see him play.  Those that did, mentioned him as possibly the best SF on the West Coast.

Todd Mayo was just outside the top 100,  but it was easy to see that he was vastly underrated.  MVP of the prep tourney.  He's cold-blooded and will be an impact player all 4 years.

Derrick Wilson is the biggest surprise to me.  He really doesn't provide anything offensively besides not turning the ball over,  but that is paramount at PG.  Remember when Diener was injured Senior year and no one could bring the ball up without turning it over?  His ball security is phenomenal for a frosh.......he is also a total pitbull on D (already).  While I don't envision him becoming a starter,  he is a guy that can be put in against anyone and play hard nosed D.

It's a damn good class.  I project 2 studs (at least 1 NBA) and a solid PG.  Throw in TJ Taylor into the class next year and the class is even stronger.  TJ was ranked higher than everyone......and MU has had a lot of success with guys coming in with 3 years....

[THEultimateWARRIOR]

This freshman class all has one thing in common...THEY WORK HARD

typical buzz recruits working hard in practice really has payed off.

Looking forward to seeing Juan get a little more pt

Mayo is a stud the dude knows how to score, theres not a doubt in my mind he will be playing with his brother

[Chicos' Buzz Scandal Countdown]

What really struck me at the Kohl center tonight was the number of players on the Wisconsin basketball team.  There were at least 17 players suited up for the game.  Thought the NCAA had limits on the number of players on teams.

I've noticed this too... can someone help explain this to me?

[DomJamesToTheBasket]

This freshman class all has one thing in common...THEY WORK HARD

Committing to MU is a commitment to defense.....and working hard.

There were some scouts that were sold on Mayo's offense,  but questioned his commitment to defense.  Going to MU washes away that question.  Mayo is a damn good defender.  The only questions scouts have on his defense now is if he can become a lockdown.

Wilson is a pitbull.  Defense is all mentality.....aligned with working hard,  I officially anoint Derrick "Pitbull" Wilson a LOCKDOWN defender.  7 games into his career and he has an All-American left with nightmares.  That was no fluke.  Wilson is a terror on D.

Anderson doesn't have much resume to go on,  but I'm, sure he has a lot of drive also.  He's such an intriguing player.  So many of our recruits have been lofted up to have Wade-like qualities.....always because of their athleticism.  While Wades athleticism helped him excel,  it was his off the charts bbIQ that made him dominate.  Incredible vision on both offense and defense....the best shot blocking guard in NBA history.  Anderson looks like he could have that x-factor of off the charts bbIQ.  Check out his jaw-dropping mix again....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6VDJN3xkdo

These are highlights you can get a true reading on.  Those passes demonstrate he has incredible peripheral vision and an understanding of where players are moving.  That skill could easily be brought to defense......he has great steal potential.  On a larger scale,  if he can really master the bbIQ......EVERY facet of the game could become easy.......ala Wade.  It's not about athleticism;  it's about smarts.....and Wade is Edison level on the floor.  If Edison's bulb clicks in Anderson's head,  he will easily be NBA.

[karavotsos]

I know he's not a freshman, but it was nice to see JWil hit that 3.  He's starting to look more comfortable out there, and I only expect his contributions to increase.

[THEultimateWARRIOR]

I know he's not a freshman, but it was nice to see JWil hit that 3.  He's starting to look more comfortable out there, and I only expect his contributions to increase.

Couldnt agree more karavotos IMO hes gonna be the most improved from the start of the season to the end he hasnt had his break out game yet but I am expecting it soon. He has freaky athleticism that just cannot be contained the whole year.