Vander Blue Injured?

[mrcub628]

I'm not sure if this has been brought up. But is their something wrong with Vander?

The last 2 games he has gone a combined 1-10 for a total of 6 points. Is he loosing his mojo just like last season?

[MU B2002]

Are you implying his mojo was too tight?

[NotAnAlum]

He certainly didn't have it last night.  There were several times in the 2nd half with Wilson at the 1 and Blue on the court it was like playing 3 on 5.

[GGGG]

He had a pretty decent game against LSU despite the poor shooting.  He was the second leading rebounder with 6, lead in assists with 3 (!!!) and had no turnovers.  Plus defensively he was pretty good.

Yesterday...not so much.  Work in progress.

[esotericmindguy]

It's pretty simple, go back and look at the way he scores his points. I'd be willing to bet 75% of his points come in transition. Same as last year, he can't score in the half court. Look at his stats vs. the top 100 teams according to Kenpom, it's not pretty.

It was nice to see him at least attempt a pull-up jumper last night, if he develops that it'll help. We'll have to wait and see, but I'm fully prepared for a marginal season by vander.

[mrcub628]

Good points.

Do you think Todd should get more minutes then Vander due to his scoring ability.

[GGGG]

Good points.

Do you think Todd should get more minutes then Vander due to his scoring ability.

They played the exact number of minutes last night and Mayo had 4 points to Vander's 2.  I think the word is out on him a little right now.

And Vander's shooting percentages are higher than Mayo too.  Yeah a lot of that is due to transition, but defenses have seemed to figure him out right now.

[GGGG]

It's pretty simple, go back and look at the way he scores his points. I'd be willing to bet 75% of his points come in transition. Same as last year, he can't score in the half court. Look at his stats vs. the top 100 teams according to Kenpom, it's not pretty.

It was nice to see him at least attempt a pull-up jumper last night, if he develops that it'll help. We'll have to wait and see, but I'm fully prepared for a marginal season by vander.

Offensively yes.  The difference between this year's Vander and last year's, is that this year he is doing a lot of other things like rebounding his position, defending, and dishing out some assists.  He's just needs to cut down on the turnovers.

[NersEllenson]

They played the exact number of minutes last night and Mayo had 4 points to Vander's 2.  I think the word is out on him a little right now.

And Vander's shooting percentages are higher than Mayo too.  Yeah a lot of that is due to transition, but defenses have seemed to figure him out right now.

Mayo is a FAR more polished offensive player than Vander, which I think we all can agree on.  Vander's scored probably 85% of his points on dunks and layups.  Mayo has a full arsenal for an offensive game.  There is nothing Vander does better offensively than Mayo, and I'm not convinced Vander is that much of a better defender than Todd either. 

I am encouraged with Vander's shooting, though, as it appears much improved over last year.  He's looking great at the FT line and almost everyone of his outside shots seems to rattle in and out...they are right on target, including the pull up off the dribble - which was nice to see last night.

I don't feel defenses have "figured" Todd out for the last 2 games - but more, that Todd has just had 2 off games. 

[Golden Avalanche]

I'm not sure if this has been brought up. But is their something wrong with Vander?

The last 2 games he has gone a combined 1-10 for a total of 6 points. Is he loosing his mojo just like last season?

Likely.

The day of the UWM game, he tweeted that he had spent time with the trainer the night before.

I think he's held back by something.

[esotericmindguy]

Offensively yes.  The difference between this year's Vander and last year's, is that this year he is doing a lot of other things like rebounding his position, defending, and dishing out some assists.  He's just needs to cut down on the turnovers.

Read this a lot and its simply not true, based purely on stats. Pre conference Vander last year he averaged over 10 points, over 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. This year the stats are almost identical 10.4 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists. Through 12 games last year he had 24 turnovers as opposed to this years 26! You could argue this years non-conference schedule is more difficult, which is true....but he's shot 10-33 against the 4 top 100 opponents this year.

I see little improvement, he can't shoot and has trouble finishing in traffic. He played good defense last year and rebounded just as well.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

Has anybody commented on J Wilson? I thought he played his best game as a Warrior last night. Great to see.

[bilsu]

The improvement I see is in his deceision making. I do think he will still struggle against Big East teams. He misses shots because he tries to avoid fouls on drives. He needs to get stronger so he cAN take the HIT.

[GGGG]

We will have to see on vander. The next month will show. PRN the first part of the second half shows that jamil might be "awakening."  Ners defenses are closing out better on mayo and clogging his driving lanes. That wasn't happening earlier.

[ecompt]

Vander is excellent in transition but extremely tentative in the halfcourt game. He is very lucky to have chosen MU and not Wisky.

[jsglow]

Thoughts on all three:

Vander's decision making is better and I love his D.  He needs to continue to get to the rim and he needs to learn how to take the foul in the process so he can get to the line more.

J. Wilson is developing confidence at both ends of the floor.  I think back to the games in November and I was wondering if he'd meaningfully contribute this year.  He's a ver athletic guy who can cause the opponent problems.

Mayo.  Other teams now gameplan for him to a certain extent and understand that he not just some Frosh.  He'll be fine this year and our starting 2 guard next.

[MUMac]

Likely.

The day of the UWM game, he tweeted that he had spent time with the trainer the night before.

I think he's held back by something.

He was grimacing several times when he came off the floor.  Buzz got the attention of one of the officials to stop play to get Vander off the court one series when he was hurting.  I didn't think he was moving smoothly. 

[77ncaachamps]

Was it Vander or Todd that caught a hard screen (in the back) beyond the three in the second half?

I remember seeing the MU player wince and reach for his back.

I'm thinking it was Todd, but it could have been Blue.

[96warrior]

Thinking Blue is going to surprise some of you, particularly the ones writing off his entire sophomore season 12 games into pre-con play as being "marginal". Unreal. He's a completely different player this year. His confidence alone is boosting his game. Every single one of the guys has had a bad game or two. Blue's off games aren't any worse than anyone else's.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

Thinking Blue is going to surprise some of you, particularly the ones writing off his entire sophomore season 12 games into pre-con play as being "marginal". Unreal. He's a completely different player this year. His confidence alone is boosting his game. Every single one of the guys has had a bad game or two. Blue's off games aren't any worse than anyone else's.

I agree he's much improved in that he's not forcing things like last year. But if you think he's confident with the ball you're watching a different player than I am.

[96warrior]

I agree he's much improved in that he's not forcing things like last year. But if you think he's confident with the ball you're watching a different player than I am.

Think he's more confident on the floor in general. I disagree with you in the forcing things - the times that he does is when he seems to regress to his freshman play. Freshman Vander caves at the Kohl Center. Sophomore Vander had a great game.

[MUMac]

Was it Vander or Todd that caught a hard screen (in the back) beyond the three in the second half?

I remember seeing the MU player wince and reach for his back.

I'm thinking it was Todd, but it could have been Blue.

That was Mayo.

Vander came out after a TO fast break basket.

[esotericmindguy]

Think he's more confident on the floor in general. I disagree with you in the forcing things - the times that he does is when he seems to regress to his freshman play. Freshman Vander caves at the Kohl Center. Sophomore Vander had a great game.

If you think 4-14 shooting is a great game then you're right. Unreal.

[96warrior]

If you think 4-14 shooting is a great game then you're right. Unreal.

9 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block.

[MUMac]

If you think 4-14 shooting is a great game then you're right. Unreal.

If all you focus on is one stat line, then you really do not understand basketball.  Unreal.