D Wilson O

[mileskishnish72]

The Hotchkiss School site indicates that Derrick averaged 23/8/8.
For him to have AVERAGED 23 ppg makes me think that there are possibilities here. It makes me wonder - despite his excellence on defense so far, is his poor offense so far (pointwise - his A/TO ratio is very tidy) just related to what he perceives his role to be, or is it intimidation, coach's orders, or what?
I have the suspicion that he could score a little. It will be interesting to see how things develop over time.

[BrewCity83]

He averaged 23 playing against Eskimos, sea otters and polar bears.

[Clam Crowder]

I have watched some highlights of him during his time at Hotchkiss, and he looks to be a guy that doesn't really cross you over or make any moves like Junior can. He uses speed to just go through a lane and make the layup. He can shoot, but not well. To me I think his offense is eerily similar to Junior's when he first started to play. Of course there is potential, he is  a beast. I just think he needs to get comfortable in the system and then he will be great.

[Skatastrophy]

I don't think he's being asked to score.  We have plenty of guys that can score.  DWill is doing a great job of making smart passes and moving around on offense while saving his energy for the defensive end.  I'm sure he'll go off sooner or later, though

[Silkk the Shaka]

He averaged 23 playing against Eskimos, sea otters and polar bears.

In Connecticut?

[Montana Warrior]

He's playing like a freshman.  Guys who make obvious mistakes playing for Buzz find a quick seat on the bench.  I don't think he wants more bench time.  He's playing to not make mistakes.  The great ones are naturals on offense and stick their necks out to make a play (a la Todd Mayo) .  Derrick may never be a great offensive player but he will probably develop more offense with more experience.  He is already a natural defender.

[Marqus Howard]

He's playing like a freshman.  Guys who make obvious mistakes playing for Buzz find a quick seat on the bench.  I don't think he wants more bench time.  He's playing to not make mistakes.  The great ones are naturals on offense and stick their necks out to make a play (a la Todd Mayo) .  Derrick may never be a great offensive player but he will probably develop more offense with more experience.  He is already a natural defender.

This doesn't make sense to me. As great as Todd Mayo has been on offense, I would argue Derrick has played just as well on defense. That doesn't make him any less valuable to the team, or mean he's "playing like a freshman" any more than Todd is.

We already have so many offensively skilled players that a guy like Derrick is exactly what we need. He knows his role on the team, plays good defense, and doesn't turn the ball over on offense.

"Playing like a freshman" is the exact opposite of what he's doing.

[brewcity77]

"Playing like a freshman" is the exact opposite of what he's doing.

I think a more accurate way of saying it is "playing like a freshman who gets it". He understands what Buzz wants and what will get him playing time. He's defending well and not turning the ball over. Sure, he might have better numbers if he tried to drive more often or be more of a playmaker, but he also might get yanked more frequently if he isn't back on defense and if he's giving the other team free possessions.

Wilson is playing like an upperclassman in terms of understanding his role, but like a freshman in that his role isn't very broad. If we get more freshmen that understand what they should do rather than just doing what they want to do, I'm all for it.

[Dawson Rental]

He averaged 23 playing against Eskimos, sea otters and polar bears.

HAVE YOU EVER TRIED TO DRIVE ON A POLAR BEAR??  It ain't easy!

[mileskishnish72]

Brew, I think you've got it.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

In Connecticut?

I've seen seals on the shoreline and sea otters at the Mystic Aquarium & Beardsley's Zoo.

[downtown85]

He averaged 23 playing against Eskimos, sea otters and polar bears.

You forgot to mentionn Huskies!

[APieperFan3]

HAVE YOU EVER TRIED TO DRIVE ON A POLAR BEAR??  It ain't easy!

And they are all left handed, which makes them a little different to guard on D.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

And they are all left handed, which makes them a little different to guard on D.

Polar Bears - So he played against a lot of bigs....

[Stretchdeltsig]

Would like to see Derick look at the basket a bit more as the season progresses.  Right now his defense is ahead of his offense.  Would like to see him score 6-10 per game.

[GGGG]

Polar Bears - So he played against a lot of bigs....

White bigs...that's why he played so well at Wisconsin.

[VegasWarrior77]

HAVE YOU EVER TRIED TO DRIVE ON A POLAR BEAR??  It ain't easy!

Its like trying to drive around Majerus on the Neeskara playground!

[MUMac]

Would like to see Derick look at the basket a bit more as the season progresses.  Right now his defense is ahead of his offense.  Would like to see him score 6-10 per game.

I would wet my pants if he scored 6-10 per game.   

[Golden Avalanche]

White bigs...that's why he played so well at Wisconsin.

Well played.

[Canadian Dimes]

People are quick to right off DWilson....just be cause he is not scoring aton of points.

Bottom line is we have some really good scorers on this team.  Top ten in the nation in scoring without him scoring the ball.  he is also only a Freshman.  year to date he has played about like a sophomore or junior in every category besides scoring the ball.  

it is my belief that derrick is going to be a really really good PG for MU over the next 3.5 years reagrdless of his scoring average.  All those out there that are sure Buzz will sign a PG in 2013 i beleive are quite wrong.   Buzz has been scouting and offering SG's.  

Why becuase we have a really good PG in Wislson thru 2015 and 2-3 guys that can fill the role.  Expect buzz to sign a PG in 2014  

[brewcity77]

Agreed completely, CD. We need guys like Otule and DW specifically for defense. The idea that guys aren't as useful because they don't put up high ppg is ridiculous. We have a lot of guys that score, but it's just as important to have guys to defend. Our offense has made us good for years, but we have the chance this year to be great because of our defense. DJO, Jae, Mayo, Blue, DG...they'll get enough points to win us games, but we still need guys like CO and DW to seal the deal on the other end.

[Stretchdeltsig]

MUMAC... get ready to wet your pants.  DW is capable of scoring 6-10 or more.  It's only a matter of time.

[MUMac]

MUMAC... get ready to wet your pants.  DW is capable of scoring 6-10 or more.  It's only a matter of time.

He may be capable, but to comment that he, as a frosh will average that?  Who's points is he going to take when he is on the floor?  Going from 0.7 currently to 6-10 when you have to go back to the year DJ, McNeal and Matthews were freshman to see a freshman average that?  Well, a bit extreme, IMHO.   

[Buzzin]

look at Vander Blue. We have way too big expectations out of our new freshmen. he played good defense his freshmen year  and not so good offensively. This year so far he is showing huge improvements on offense. Wilson has just began his career at MU. He plays tough and has only room to grow and develop into a great player. He is quoted as saying,"I can get to the hoop and do it while taking contact. You have to be able to do that in the Big East, you have to be physical and you have to be tough - it's a known fact, and I feel that I have that. I do have to improve my outside shooting, I need to be more consistent with my jump shot, but I work at it every day, and I'll be ready when I get there." which extends my point that we just need to give our frosh a chance to prove their offensive skills. Let Wilson get experience and skill. I understand we have not played in conference yet but that is the best part of the season: to see who can really cut it and who can not. I'm excited and enthusiastic for this team this year. Buzz  has done a great job thus far.

[brewcity77]

MUMAC... get ready to wet your pants.  DW is capable of scoring 6-10 or more.  It's only a matter of time.

I know Junior has been much-maligned this year, god knows why with his 6.3 apg and studly 2.6 a/t ratio...wait, maybe because he's not scoring enough (doesn't need to) or isn't the defender DW is (but soooooo much better now on offense), but regardless, he's our starting PG for the next two years barring injury.

I agree that DW can score 6-10, but he won't have to until his junior year at the earliest. Give the guy 2 years as a defensive specialist and efficient backup that doesn't turn the ball over and he can grow into his role.

But Mac's right that it won't happen this year...he won't get the minutes or shots to put up those kind of points. And honestly, I don't think we want him to.