DJ Back for Sure Now?

[Virginia Warrior 77]

Goodman at Fox Sports reports that Conley will enter the NBA draft and is considered the #1 point guard in the draft.  Can we now say that DJ will be back next year for sure?

[drewm88]

ESPN is also reporting it. I'm surprised about Cook. I know he has the talent offensively, but if he is weak enough on D and mentally that he couldn't even crack double-digit minutes against Tennessee, Georgetown, and Florida, is this really the right time for him to make the leap? I could understand if he's having issues with Matta, or if he doesn't want to be the one of the three to be left behind, but it seems like a bad call on his part.

[Big Papi]

Goodman at Fox Sports reports that Conley will enter the NBA draft and is considered the #1 point guard in the draft.  Can we now say that DJ will be back next year for sure?

Conley has entered the draft but Lawson and Collison came back for one more year.  One player entering the draft won't make a difference for DJ.  It looks fairly obvious to me that DJ really wants to come out bad even though he is flirting with being a second round pick.  My guess is he will declare and not hire an agent than see if some other players like Green, Hibbert and Cook pull out or stay in.  If enough pull out of the draft, DJ could solidify himself into a late first round pick.

[mviale]

Conley is smart - leaving at the top of his PR.  DJ should have done the same LY.

[DAtruth]

conley should come out ..his stock will never be higher...cook as well..he has great shooting range, but as we seen at the end of the year...he's streaky...both will never be any higther than they are projected right now

[Murffieus]

Neither will DJ's stock ever be higher-----he'll play against zone after zone for the rest of his career at MU-----which slows him down, prevents his dribble penetration, and in general limits his effectiveness!-----That is unless he can develop an effective perimeter shot-----but to do that he has to restructure his delivery along the lines i have outlined on these boards many times!

[ChicosBailBonds]

Neither will DJ's stock ever be higher-----he'll play against zone after zone for the rest of his career at MU-----which slows him down, prevents his dribble penetration, and in general limits his effectiveness!-----That is unless he can develop an effective perimeter shot-----but to do that he has to restructure his delivery along the lines i have outlined on these boards many times!

So you think next year DJ will have the same type of year?  I disagree...sophomore slump is over, DJ has a very good year next year at MU and his stock will be high.  Our perimeter game overall will be better next year with Fitz, Scott and improvement from Wes, McNeal....zones will not be as prevelent.

[Dish]

For what it's worth, Katz has DJ coming back to school (I mentioned this previously), and Chad Ford has DJ "leaning" towards entering the draft.

[muarmy81]

Neither will DJ's stock ever be higher-----he'll play against zone after zone for the rest of his career at MU-----which slows him down, prevents his dribble penetration, and in general limits his effectiveness!-----That is unless he can develop an effective perimeter shot-----but to do that he has to restructure his delivery along the lines i have outlined on these boards many times!

If Christopherson can shoot 1/2 as good as advertised then send him and Cuby in to bust any Zone...

[Murffieus]

Chico----if DJ restructures his release from the arc----he'll put up better numbers----but that's a big "if"! He'll see a lot of zone and collapsing defenses next year again!

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

To be honest, a zone does limit DJ as he has a much better feel for man to man.

BUT,

There were times throughout the season when MU was good against zones, so I think the ability is there... but the consistancy was lacking (due to age, injuries, relatively short bench, etc.).

I would/do expect this years team to be more consistant in all parts of the game including zones.

They (the team) and he (DJ) will get better with more coaching. I think Wes and McNeal could be our primary scorers next year with DJ really becoming more of a passer than a scorer. I think Wes' ceiling is very high and I expect a big jump in his game this season (which will make all of the other players better).

[ChicosBailBonds]

Chico----if DJ restructures his release from the arc----he'll put up better numbers----but that's a big "if"! He'll see a lot of zone and collapsing defenses next year again!

His shot needs work, no question.  But I don't see opposing coaches running a zone just because of DJ, it's a team you run a zone against.  We will be a better perimeter team next year due to experience and more talent from outside coming in.  I suspect we see less zone as a result.

[muarmy81]

Can Acker shoot?  If so he adds another weapon against the zone

[mviale]

Acker shoots like DJ  - 32% during his frosh year

[herboturbo]

Acker shoots like DJ  - 32% during his frosh year

Supposedly he has taken this year off and refined his 3 point shot and is better than before.

[muwarrior87]

Acker has been using practice to work on this 3-pointers and is apparently much improved. not quite as good as cuby but is getting there. with a summer of work too he may be a perfect fit to throw in there and run the point and possibly hit a 3 now and then.