Back To Basketball - Next Years Player Potential

[dw3dw3dw3]

Buzz's second season... Not sure if Harward as a double digit scorer yet.

Lazar averaged 16 his Junior year.

This will be a tough year, Junior and Chris will be the leaders and they are the least vocal players out there.

I have a feeling we might see DG start over CO just for scoring purposes. A lot of our starts this year were abysmal with 2 all-americans starting. A lineup of JC, TM, VB, JW, CO wouldn't be pretty offensively unless those 3 switchables make huge leaps forward. I'm thinking we get in with a 9-11 seed, grinding to a 10-8 Big East record. This could be a year like Jay Wright/Jamie Dixon had last year though. Some talent on the roster, but you can't guarantee any one person is going to average more than 14 points.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Exactly.  If he was *that* good, why was he only offered by the likes of South Dakota out of school?  If he was *that* good, why is he a walk-on next year?  Let's be realistic here.  

It's not unreasonable to think that the kid may have been under-recruited for various reasons.

It happens. In fact, MU has had handfuls of those guys the last few years.

As far as the walk-on stuff... you're right... so who the hell knows.

*Edit Grammar.

/Thanks Ammo

[MerrittsMustache]

I am interested to see what Blue can do when you don't have a "star" player making him more of a role player. If his scoring goes up, and he rebounds like he did this year, it could be a very special year for him.

I've said this a few times in the past, but I still believe it so I'll say it again. Blue reminds me of Terrence Williams from Louisville. Not a huge scorer or great shooter but he's very athletic and can get points and contribute in a lot of different ways.

I could very well see Blue's junior year line being similar to Williams':
11.1 ppg, 7.2 reb, 4.5 ast, 0.8 blk, 1.3 stls, 1.9 TO, .431/.340/.571

Granted, VB's assists will likely be lower and FT% significantly higher, but you get the idea.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Oh, and as far as next year's team:

I love everything about this roster except for 2 things:

#1 Shooting is a HUGE concern
#2 No clear alpha player. Might be Mayo, or Blue, or even DeDe. They will just have to grow into it, which could cause an early season OOC loss that we hate.

If they address these, I think this could be a top 15 team. If these go awry, I think they are a borderline tourney team due to inconsistency.

[MerrittsMustache]

Oh, and as far as next year's team:

I love everything about this roster except for 2 things:

#1 Shooting is a HUGE concern
#2 No clear alpha player. Might be Mayo, or Blue, or even DeDe. They will just have to grow into it, which could cause an early season OOC loss that we hate.

If they address these, I think this could be a top 15 team. If these go awry, I think they are a borderline tourney team due to inconsistency.

I'm a glass half-full guy so I only bolded consistency but I really think that's going to be the key for MU next season. DJO was just about as consistent as they come and Crowder contributed in just about every way possible in nearly every game this season. That's tough to replace.

Jamil, Junior, Blue, Mayo and Gardner are expected to lead this team next year and I wouldn't consider any of them to be particularly consistent at this point. Doesn't mean it can't or won't happen though. In fact, I expect Jamil (who I think will emerge as a leader) and Blue to be the most consistent and I really, really hope that Junior can keep his yips to a minimum because as Junior goes, so goes MU's offense.

[BCHoopster]

I'm a glass half-full guy so I only bolded consistency but I really think that's going to be the key for MU next season. DJO was just about as consistent as they come and Crowder contributed in just about every way possible in nearly every game this season. That's tough to replace.

Jamil, Junior, Blue, Mayo and Gardner are expected to lead this team next year and I wouldn't consider any of them to be particularly consistent at this point. Doesn't mean it can't or won't happen though. In fact, I expect Jamil (who I think will emerge as a leader) and Blue to be the most consistent and I really, really hope that Junior can keep his yips to a minimum because as Junior goes, so goes MU's offense.

Time for them to grow up, Cadougan as you saw has some serious weaknesses, for one being inconsistent, needs to finish with his left hand in scoring, overall weak left.  Blue is weak all over the place, finishing at the hoop and outside shooting.  The one thing this team will be able to do is put pressure on the other teams D.  DJO was never a great defender, but when they
play Mayo, Blue, Wilson, Anderson, and Otule.  they will be able to defend.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

I'm a glass half-full guy so I only bolded consistency but I really think that's going to be the key for MU next season. DJO was just about as consistent as they come and Crowder contributed in just about every way possible in nearly every game this season. That's tough to replace.

Jamil, Junior, Blue, Mayo and Gardner are expected to lead this team next year and I wouldn't consider any of them to be particularly consistent at this point. Doesn't mean it can't or won't happen though. In fact, I expect Jamil (who I think will emerge as a leader) and Blue to be the most consistent and I really, really hope that Junior can keep his yips to a minimum because as Junior goes, so goes MU's offense.

You're right, and I distill that consistency issue down into shooting. If they can shoot it, the 1/2 court offense gets much better and life becomes a lot easier.

I think they can defend, rebound, score in transition, score in the post, defend the post, and create turnovers.

But, in a close game, when a team slows it down, can they score in 1/2 court sets?

Shooting is it for me. I don't have a magic number in mind, so off the top of my head I'll say if they shoot 35%+ from 3pt. they could be a top 10 team. (for the record, this year's team shot 33%).

I'm sure the stat guys can boil it down more into eFG%, and my guess is that will be in our season previews in the fall.

[TJ]

I haven't read the whole thread yet, but what about some sets next year with both Chris and Davante on the floor at the same time?  Could we see it?  I think it could be a difficult look for many opponents to handle.

[THEultimateWARRIOR]

The bottom line is we WILL be a deep, well-rounded team next year. It will be like this years Syracuse team just not as talented. The consistency of a line up like this should have us in the top 5 in the Big East.

[ErickJD08]

I haven't read the whole thread yet, but what about some sets next year with both Chris and Davante on the floor at the same time?  Could we see it?  I think it could be a difficult look for many opponents to handle.

Why?  Otule is not necessarily as difficult of a match up as Davante.  I think we really need 3 players to improve out of these guys (or someone to come in and contribute right away which I never anticipate):
Blue
Wilson
Anderson
Jones
Mayo

As long as that happens, we will have another solid season.

[MerrittsMustache]

I haven't read the whole thread yet, but what about some sets next year with both Chris and Davante on the floor at the same time?  Could we see it?  I think it could be a difficult look for many opponents to handle.

At this point, if either one of those guys is more than 6-8 feet from the basket, he's useless offensively and his man will sag into the paint. Playing two players who can only score in the post wouldn't work because there would be too many bodies in the lane.

[swoopem]

I haven't read the whole thread yet, but what about some sets next year with both Chris and Davante on the floor at the same time?  Could we see it?  I think it could be a difficult look for many opponents to handle.

I would rather see a front court with Devante (or Chris), Jamil, and Steve Taylor. Thats 3 6'8-6'9 guys with 2 of them being able to stretch the floor. No need to play both true centers at the same time

[Skatastrophy]

I really think Cadougan will emerge as our alpha dog next year.  He has developed a very aggressive, in-your-face personality with the team that will translate directly to a leadership role on the court.  You could already see it this year when our team ran 100% better on offense when Cadougan was on the court directing guys.

[MarquetteDano]

At this point, if either one of those guys is more than 6-8 feet from the basket, he's useless offensively and his man will sag into the paint. Playing two players who can only score in the post wouldn't work because there would be too many bodies in the lane.

This is why even though people get excited on the Gardner at the 4 and Otule at the 5 for stretches it doesn't work.  Buzz has a "4 out, 1 in" offense, not a "3 out, 2 in".

[GGGG]

Buzz's second season... Not sure if Harward as a double digit scorer yet.

Yes, Lazar was  a doubt digit scorer coming back.  This will be the first year Buzz doesn't have such a scorer.  And I know people say "well someone always steps up," and I would like to believe that.  It just isn't as obvious this year.

[THRILLHO]

You're right, and I distill that consistency issue down into shooting. If they can shoot it, the 1/2 court offense gets much better and life becomes a lot easier.

I think they can defend, rebound, score in transition, score in the post, defend the post, and create turnovers.

But, in a close game, when a team slows it down, can they score in 1/2 court sets?

Shooting is it for me. I don't have a magic number in mind, so off the top of my head I'll say if they shoot 35%+ from 3pt. they could be a top 10 team. (for the record, this year's team shot 33%).

I'm sure the stat guys can boil it down more into eFG%, and my guess is that will be in our season previews in the fall.

I'm with you on the diagnosis but not on the treatment.  I think the half court is indeed where we can be beat, but I think the solution is patient and disciplined offense.  When our guys swing the ball, drive and kick, make the extra pass, and find the open man, our offense is highly potent.  We saw this Lazar's senior year, when marginal big east players like Ackers and Cubillan looked great sometimes and our offense was highly efficient despite a lower talent level.  That team gave me many near-heart attacks, but they were fun to watch in the half court because it was like a choreographed dance the way they moved the ball well.  Doing that gets you open looks and makes average shooters look good.

This year I think DJO and some others would sometimes try to "hit home runs" by shooting shots that were maybe open enough but not in the flow of the offense.  I think this is a place where 4-year-senior leadership and players recruited out of high school may have a legitimate advantage over jucos. Junior is our only senior next year, but I think Vander will be better at it (already good at the drive, not so hot on the kick), Mayo will get a chance to try, Gardner will hopefully improve passing out of the double, and Otule has been around for nearly 10 years by now.

[Norm]

Buzz's second season... Not sure if Harward as a double digit scorer yet.

Returning scoring under Buzz (what they finished with the next season)

09-10
Hayward 16.3 (18.1)
Butler 5.6 (14.7)
Acker 2.8 (8.7)
Cubillan 1.6 (6.8)
Fulce 1.4 (3.5)
Otule 1.3 (3.7)

10-11
Butler 14.7 (15.7)
DJO 13.0 (15.8)
Buycks 6.3 (8.8)
Otule 3.7 (5.1)
Fulce 3.5 (3.2)
Williams 1.2 (2.2)
Cadougan 0.3 (4.0)

11-12
DJO 15.8 (18.3)
Crowder 11.8 (17.5)
Otule 5.1 (5.0)
Blue 5.1 (8.4)
Gardner 4.6 (9.5)
Cadougan 4.0 (6.3)
Jones 1.5 (1.6)

12-13
Gardner 9.5 (??)
Blue 8.4
Mayo 7.9
Wilson 7.1
Cadougan 6.3
Otule 5.0
Jones 1.6
Anderson 0.7
Wilson 0.6

[Skatastrophy]

Interesting.  We have a lot more returners averaging more than 6 ppg returning next year than we have in a while.  5 guys that could really step it up with Otule hanging right on the outside there. Exciting!

[Bocephys]

Interesting.  We have a lot more returners averaging more than 6 ppg returning next year than we have in a while.  5 guys that could really step it up with Otule hanging right on the outside there. Exciting!

My thoughts exactly.  We may not have a proven double digit scorer returning for the first time, but we have a lot more solid scorers returning than ever before.

[Doris Burkes Thong]

I've said this a few times in the past, but I still believe it so I'll say it again. Blue reminds me of Terrence Williams from Louisville. Not a huge scorer or great shooter but he's very athletic and can get points and contribute in a lot of different ways.

I could very well see Blue's junior year line being similar to Williams':
11.1 ppg, 7.2 reb, 4.5 ast, 0.8 blk, 1.3 stls, 1.9 TO, .431/.340/.571

Granted, VB's assists will likely be lower and FT% significantly higher, but you get the idea.

There is some similarities between the two no doubt, however, Williams was much stronger and bigger muscle wise than Vander. And as athletic as Blue is, Williams was even more athletic. I'm telling you....T-Will had the kind of athletic ability to win the NBA slam dunk contest when it was actually good.

[Clam Crowder]

There is some similarities between the two no doubt, however, Williams was much stronger and bigger muscle wise than Vander. And as athletic as Blue is, Williams was even more athletic. I'm telling you....T-Will had the kind of athletic ability to win the NBA slam dunk contest when it was actually good.

I see the similarities as well, but agree with you. Terrence is far more built than Van, and what I noticed this year with Van is he sometimes runs pretty awkwardly out there and always has that second arm out blocking the ball like a running back. He looks pretty awkward out there at times. Williams looked a bit more smooth and athleticism wise Terrence was in a different league than Van. Only athlete we have that is close to Terrence is IMO Jamail, or Jamil.

[Otule's Glass Eye]

lineup will be

1) Cadougan
2) Mayo
3) Blue
4) JWilson
5) Otule

Gardner and TJ Taylor first off the bench

[Real Chilly Podcast]

someone said next year's team will be similar to this year's Cuse, but I prefer not to compare us to ACC teams, so I will draw a different comparison

I think next year's team will be a lot more similar to Louisville's team this year...

Siva comparable to JC
Kuric comparable with Mayo
Dieng comparable with Otule
Behanan comparable with DG
Swopshire comparable with Blue
rest of the team full of streaky shooters and long defensive-minded wings

(IN)Consistency was a word that was used, and I think it would be hard to argue that many players for LVille were consistent other than Dieng, but take a look at the sum of all parts and you will find a team that is fast, long, and hard-working on D, and an offense too deep to key on one guy, but no true go-to #1 scorers like DJO/Jae

I can see a rocky BEast slate, with the team's best ball clicking at the end of the year for another Sweet 16 run

[Norm]

someone said next year's team will be similar to this year's Cuse, but I prefer not to compare us to ACC teams, so I will draw a different comparison

I think next year's team will be a lot more similar to Louisville's team this year...

Siva comparable to JC
Kuric comparable with Mayo
Dieng comparable with Otule
Behanan comparable with DG
Swopshire comparable with Blue
rest of the team full of streaky shooters and long defensive-minded wings

(IN)Consistency was a word that was used, and I think it would be hard to argue that many players for LVille were consistent other than Dieng, but take a look at the sum of all parts and you will find a team that is fast, long, and hard-working on D, and an offense too deep to key on one guy, but no true go-to #1 scorers like DJO/Jae

I can see a rocky BEast slate, with the team's best ball clicking at the end of the year for another Sweet 16 run

I guess I am more down on our prospects next year than most, but I don't think we compare at all to Louisville, as they are far more athletic than MU is now that DJO and Crowder are gone. Dieng is much, much better than Otule. Siva is better than Cadougan. Kuric has a much better 3 point shot than Mayo. Behanan is much more athletic than Gardner. I can't remember much about Swopshire's game to compare him to Blue. Their offensive firepower, even if inconsistent, is better than what Marquette has coming back next year.

[PBRme]

[quote

12-13
Gardner 9.5 (??)
Blue 8.4
Mayo 7.9
Wilson 7.1
Cadougan 6.3
Otule 5.0
Jones 1.6
Anderson 0.7
Wilson 0.6

[/quote]

Looks like 47 ppg returning if my math is correct.  The last several years the complainers focused on not a deep enough bench and now that it is deeper no focus player returning. 

Can't please everyone i guess.