[Enlund's Blog] It was a tough season for Durley

[brewcity77]

No one, not sure why he thinks that. Buzz said himself on his television show that things have changed and the durley situation has changed. I can almost guarantee Buzz has already ha a conversation with him.

I think that because I believe that since Buzz recorded that, more has changed that will ensure we still have room for Durley.

[Benny B]

Granted, I am much less optimistic having read his coach's comments.  There seems to be an issue, and it's definitely a red flag; however more importantly, is it an issue that can be rectified in a different environment (i.e. strength & conditioning, poor coaching, "chemistry" with his HS team, etc.).

That being said, I 100% - without a doubt - want Durley on campus this summer.  Even if he's a DNP, mid-season transfer, what's the alternative right now?  It's not like he's preventing Buzz from signing a 5* prospect (despite what people will speculate).

There's little, if any, downside in bringing on Durley and seeing what he can give you.  The upside potential, however, is huge... figuratively and literally.

[ibechillindoe]

Granted, I am much less optimistic having read his coach's comments.  There seems to be an issue, and it's definitely a red flag; however more importantly, is it an issue that can be rectified in a different environment (i.e. strength & conditioning, poor coaching, "chemistry" with his HS team, etc.).

That being said, I 100% - without a doubt - want Durley on campus this summer.  Even if he's a DNP, mid-season transfer, what's the alternative right now?  It's not like he's preventing Buzz from signing a 5* prospect (despite what people will speculate).

There's little, if any, downside in bringing on Durley and seeing what he can give you.  The upside potential, however, is huge... figuratively and literally.

Don't you think the downside could be not getting Lockett. Or getting another player in 2013. Or using his space to bring in Duane Wilson with Otule's 6th year. Honestly, the biggest downside is flexibility. Sure bringing in a center to development might not be bad, but after his coaches comments and the lack of flexibility I think there is plenty of downside.

[Ellenson Guerrero]

Seems like the Journal will do anything to make MU seem worse then it really is.

I'm hesitant to pick up the conspiracy theory theme, but I think this was a pretty unprofessional article for Enlund to write. It would be one thing if he was a devoted journalist to the program and constantly coming out with updates and information, more like Rosiak. Then you could justify it as a reporter just trying to get all relevant information out there. But it really seems like he has given a half-hearted effort to covering MU basketball with short, sporadic articles on relatively superficial topics. Now he comes out with this harsh critique of a high school kid with no opportunity to defend himself. Just seems like this could have waited or been presented in a more appropriate manner.

[Benny B]

Don't you think the downside could be not getting Lockett. Or getting another player in 2013. Or using his space to bring in Duane Wilson with Otule's 6th year. Honestly, the biggest downside is flexibility. Sure bringing in a center to development might not be bad, but after his coaches comments and the lack of flexibility I think there is plenty of downside.

A) Trent Lockett has not signed with Marquette.  Even if he does, those close to the situation who have already speculated have surmised that a transfer would be the path to opening up a spot for Lockett.

B) Scholarships are 1 year.  If Durley is a complete bust 12 months from now, you sign his release and you open up a 2013 scholarship.

C) Otule needs to get through his fifth year before there's a sixth year -- a lot can happen in that time.


Keep in mind, 40% of college basketball players transfer at some point.  Don't burn a bridge you can cross now to save one you may not even get to in the future.

[Big Papi]

+1000 After seeing this article my thoughts on Durley are the same as they have always been. I want the kid to be here but not for a year or so. He needs to get some game time experience that he lacked in high school. If he is a starter on a JUCO or prep team for 1 year it will only boost his confidence. He then would arrive at MU and get a year of practice with Otule and Ox that Brew keeps talking about. I believe this is the best route for him and MU most importantly. I have never seen such a negative review from a head coach about his own player. The only question I have is if he was averaging 7/5 what were his minutes per game? That's the deciding factor here.

This sheds some more light on Buzz's comments about things changing and doing what is in the best interests of Durley.  Does he sit on the bench for 2 years with little actual game experience and if so does he redshirt a year or does he go to a prep school to get much needed playing time?  

I think Buzz really wants him here but with the lack of playing time this past year and Otule probably getting an additional year, I think Buzz would prefer he get playing time and enroll at MU next year.

[MattyWarrior]

I'm waiting for the next article, "It was a great season for Steve Taylor" incoming freshman for Marquette University!

[GGGG]

Regarding Dimes comment, it almost makes you think that someone suggested that he talk to the high school coach to set the stage for what's to come. I have no evidence that this is the case but I agree that this is a very odd article.

[AZWarrior]

That's exactly what I saw and thought. Didn't Courtney say Durley was farther along not too long ago?

That's exactly what I recall as well.  Those words were used as justification for why Durley could be an effective big man at the next level.

[GOO]

I for one do not expect to see Durley on campus this year and think it was always a question mark as to if he would come this year.   Maybe he comes the following year.  I would not expect anyone to be upset by this, especially Durley. 

[frozena pizza]

Look at Roy Hibbert or Aaron Gray.  Big men need time to develop.  If he does nothing for 2 years and can contribute junior/senior year what is wrong with that?  All we need to do is look to the West to see how well it works to bring big men along slowly.  
I hear people complain about mid majors having better bigs than us.  The reason is they took chances and let the kid develop.

Sorry, but comparing Durley to Roy Hibbert and Aaron Gray?  As a senior, Gray averaged 20 pts, 15 rebs and was player of the year in PA.  Hibbert averaged 19 pts, 17 rebs and 6 blocks his senior year in HS.  And yes, even they took some time to contribute at high level D-1 programs.

I get your point, but there is very little to suggest that Durley will ever be a factor at a program like Marquette.  This is another Roseboro or Mbao situation and I would be a bit surprised if he even makes it to campus.

[thanooj]

Look at Roy Hibbert or Aaron Gray.  Big men need time to develop.  If he does nothing for 2 years and can contribute junior/senior year what is wrong with that?  All we need to do is look to the West to see how well it works to bring big men along slowly.  
I hear people complain about mid majors having better bigs than us.  The reason is they took chances and let the kid develop.

I have thought this for some time.  Third year big men are what we need.  In order to be third year bigs, we need to let them have thier first two years of little contribution. Having the  roster space to develop big men is important.   Right now or roster is full of switchables, and having durley to redshirt, or play little to none for a year or two would allow him to be dwight burke on two years.

I think buzz is really considering durley not coming as a possibility.  How can he not?  But does the newbill situation effect his decision?

[MU82]

A few things:

1. Enlund actually did a little reporting with a story about a player many of us really wanted to know more about. (But just a little reporting.) To criticize him or the JS for running the story is silly, because it is news. I do agree it would be nice if he wrote about each of the recruits; maybe that's coming over the coming days/weeks and this was just the first of a series. Or maybe not.

2. As strotty said, of course Durley should have been contacted and quoted. The entire time I was reading it, I was thinking: "What does Durley think about all these condemning things his coach is saying?" Although the coach's quotes were zingers, and were news in and of themselves, this was yet another example of this writer's malaise since being "demoted" from the NBA to college ball.

3. Is it me, or does this coach sound like a tool? Isn't it his job to motivate, coach and improve his athletes? Maybe he wasn't asked by the reporter, but the coach never explains why, even in blowouts, a few minutes couldn't be found for Durley. By the coach's own admission, it sounds like the team underachieved. That's usually a sign of mediocre-at-best coaching, although I'm sure this coach would find others to blame.

4. Sometimes we on this board wonder why some of us will take seemingly cruel shots at "college kids," but hey, we're only goofy fans. This is a high school kid's own coach, and he is brutal here. Yep ... "tool" it is.

5. Not counting his 200 mph fastball, I have yet to see one shred of evidence that Durley is Big East material. The only hope I have is that he was so poorly coached by the tool that a couple of years working with Buzz and the staff will make him a serviceable college player. If he ever steps foot on campus, that is.

[Aughnanure]

Hearing that "he isn't afraid of hard work" sounds to me like he doesn't show much initiative. I'd like the guy who is always working hard and pushing himself, not the guy who wil work hard when he needs/ wants to. I'm hoping when he shows up and begins practicing with Davante and Otule, as well as possibly scrimmaging with RJax, he'll take a few hits and realize he's gonna need to take it up a notch and start throwing that body around.

I think you're reading waaaayyyy to much into that simple phrase.

[Stretchdeltsig]

The coaches remarks certainly clear up the mystery that surrounded Durley all year.  To read that his coach feels that he is not as good as Otule is really disturbing.  

[frozena pizza]

Hard to say the kid didn't have good coaching when Cameron Ridley is on the same team and is a 5 star recruit and McDonald's AA.  Clearly Courtney knows how to get something out of his big men.  That's like saying Buzz isn't good at developing players because Jamail Jones didn't show much improvement this year, notwithstanding Jae Crowder.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

Durley really needs the fall semester with all Of his fellow undergrads to really decide if he's a fit for MU.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Courtney was a college head coach and has coached NBA players like TJ Ford in high school.  Pretty sure he knows what he is talking about.  Also, very close to Buzz.

[real chili 83]

You would think that Enlund would have gotten comments from both Durley and Buzz regarding Courtney.   

At least he has a 157 MPH fastball.

I really have a hard time that (1) Buzz didn't do his due dilligence on this kid, and (2) Courtney would be doing a 180 on this kid versus what he said about him earlier (ahead of Otule).

Something just doesn't add up.  We can all speculate as to what that is, however, we will find out come next season.

[LAZER]

Look at Roy Hibbert or Aaron Gray.  Big men need time to develop.  If he does nothing for 2 years and can contribute junior/senior year what is wrong with that?  All we need to do is look to the West to see how well it works to bring big men along slowly.  
I hear people complain about mid majors having better bigs than us.  The reason is they took chances and let the kid develop.

Hibbert averaged 19/17 in high school and Gray averaged 18/12.  I don't think anyone here is against project bigs, but there needs to be some sort of reasonable talent there. And right now it appears with Durley that that reasonable amount of talent might not be there.

[MUBurrow]

3. Is it me, or does this coach sound like a tool? Isn't it his job to motivate, coach and improve his athletes? Maybe he wasn't asked by the reporter, but the coach never explains why, even in blowouts, a few minutes couldn't be found for Durley. By the coach's own admission, it sounds like the team underachieved. That's usually a sign of mediocre-at-best coaching, although I'm sure this coach would find others to blame.

4. Sometimes we on this board wonder why some of us will take seemingly cruel shots at "college kids," but hey, we're only goofy fans. This is a high school kid's own coach, and he is brutal here. Yep ... "tool" it is.

Regarding Dimes comment, it almost makes you think that someone suggested that he talk to the high school coach to set the stage for what's to come. I have no evidence that this is the case but I agree that this is a very odd article.

This is undoubtedly my overreading the situation, but from Courtney's standpoint, I think this might be about him trying to push Durley in another direction.  Courtney has a really great thing going with Buzz after both Otule and Durley. But given Durley's skill level right now, combined with other available players for that schollie, Buzz might not want him on campus this year. That could easily put Courtney in a spot where he's worried he oversold Durley, and so in order to stay in Buzz's good graces and keep getting Buzz to look at his guys (the last two of whom have admittedly been projects, not top recruits) Courtney might be trying to steer Durley in another direction - regardless of whether or not Durley wants to be in Milwaukee this summer.

[77ncaachamps]

I don't doubt Durley belongs here or else the staff wouldn't have evaluated and offered him.
He is one of those "chip on his shoulder" players that Buzz wants.

However, he's not ready to step in and contribute especially if he's behind Otule's developmental stage when he was in HS. That was concerning to read.

I predict a RS though that would mean he'd still have occupied a schollie.
In which case, he may just be placed into a JUCO that will certainly develop him then back to MU.

This all makes sense considering all of the talk about Lockett.

[warthog-driver]

Clearly the kid's coach is not a fan.

[nyg]

Durley will be more noted as a tall Little League baseball player than as an MU player. 

[swoopem]

This is 100% speculation that I just thought of, but maybe his parents have money and he is willing to come as a walk-on. His dad had that job in the oil industry in the Saudi Arabia (and maybe still does but in Texas) so there is a chance they are well off financially. Now I don't know a thing about those jobs and how much they pay but if I were to guess I would say quite a bit.

Who knows if this is even possible and that the family is willing to do it, but so many scenarios have been tossed out there...why not this one?