2013-14 Depth Chart

[brewcity77]

Obviously there could be transfers between now and then, but this team looks like it's going to be stacked in 2013-14. As of right now, here's a look at the depth chart, as well as a few thoughts on each position:

Centers: Chris Otule (Sr), Davante Gardner (Sr)

I'd guess Otule will start for the tip, but this could be one of the best two-man center combos in the country. Otule is an excellent shot-blocker and defender, while Gardner has been one of the most efficient offensive players in the country each of his first two years. Two men that can combine into a force at both ends of the floor.

Power Forwards: Jamil Wilson (Sr), Jameel McKay (Jr), Steve Taylor (So)

I'm sure these guys will spend some time playing together, but in Buzz's system, these are the three that best fit the stretch 3-4 role that guys like Lazar, JFB, and Crowder have played in recent years. Wilson and McKay are both excellent shot blockers, and all three can score the basket. They'll need to rebound, but how nice is it to imagine a team with 5 guys that are 6'7" or taller out there?

Small Forwards: Vander Blue (Sr), Juan Anderson (RSo), Jamal Ferguson (So), Deonte Burton (Fr)

Talk about insane talent. I can't wait to see Blue as a senior, and hopefully by this time the game has slowed down for Juan, because he has tons of upside. I see plenty of competition for minutes here, with these guys occasionally flexing from the 2-4 depending on what look Buzz wants to give. We all know about Burton, but don't sleep on Ferguson. Reminds me of Jeremy Lamb. Tons of length, can score in multiple ways, and coming in a bit unsung. At one point, though, he was a consensus top-100 player in his class.

Shooting Guards: Jake Thomas (Sr), Todd Mayo (Jr), TJ Taylor (Jr)

While these guys may be the only natural SGs, I'm sure the guys at the 3 will see time here as well. Both seem to be dynamic scorers, and while TJ was the only top-100 of the two, Todd was one of Buzz's most productive freshmen ever. Who knows if Thomas will get many minutes on this loaded team, but I have no doubt he is the best pure shooter Marquette has had since Steve Novak. On a team with this much talent, he's the kind of player that could average more ppg than mpg.

Point Guards: Derrick Wilson (Jr), Duane Wilson (Fr)

We will either have an experienced starter who is a defensive ace or a stud freshman at the point. Assuming Blue hasn't slid over to provide more minutes to the ridiculous switchable talent. On paper, this may be our weakest position, but as Jamil Wilson, Vander Blue, Juan Anderson, Todd Mayo, and TJ Taylor have all played some point throughout their HS and college careers, I think we'll find a way to manage.

So...thoughts? It may just be me, but this is a crazy amount of talent and depth. Definitely a Final Four contender.

[THEultimateWARRIOR]

Thanks for putting this together Brew. I am very excited for 2013-2014. Another thing to think about is how competitive practice will be. They will all be pushing each other to the extreme to get playing time. The talent is there for a final four run. I think the deciding factors are will Blue take it to the next level of college ball and will Jamil Wilson stay for his senior year. I have heard a lot of scouts have been watching him.

[Knight Commission]

Thanks for putting this together Brew. I am very excited for 2013-2014. Another thing to think about is how competitive practice will be. They will all be pushing each other to the extreme to get playing time. The talent is there for a final four run. I think the deciding factors are will Blue take it to the next level of college ball and will Jamil Wilson stay for his senior year. I have heard a lot of scouts have been watching him.

Hate to say it but we will be weak at PG for this year and the foreseeable future........worst position to be weak at.

[jsglow]

Hate to say it but we will be weak at PG for this year and the foreseeable future........worst position to be weak at.

I don't think I'd use the word 'weak'.  Maybe inexperienced but Wilson is a major talent.  I sense that VB might see major minutes at the #1.  If he hopes to play at the next level, he's going to need to showcase his skills at the position by his senior year.

[netty24]

What about the possibility of Mayo playing a little at the 1? He definitely has the athleticism to penetrate and I think he is a decent passer. I would much rather see him at the 2, but I believe that he could be good at the point, if need be.

[MUfan12]

Hate to say it but we will be weak at PG for this year and the foreseeable future........worst position to be weak at.

Disagree. The Wilson's will be very sold at the PG spot in 2013 and going forward.

Don't sleep on Derrick. I have a feeling he'll have a very nice sophomore season.

[GGGG]

Hate to say it but we will be weak at PG for this year and the foreseeable future........worst position to be weak at.

Yes because no one has ever gotten any better after their freshman year.

[avid1010]

Yes because no one has ever gotten any better after their freshman year.

i hope you're right, but i hold out very little hope for derrick wilson ever being much of an offensive threat.  he'll be serviceable, but to be honest, his deffense (which is supposed to be his strength) needs a lot of maturity at this point.  not sure his offense will ever come along, and i just don't see him even being able to keep his defenders honest.  my bet is that tj taylor or vander move over to the pg spot at some point or buzz finds a transfer/juco pg.  i guess my money would be on tj as vander is a very good rebounding guard and i don't think buzz wants to mess with that.  with all the talent coming back for the 13-14 season buzz would be crazy to trust that opportunity to the two wilson's...unless he sees something in derrick that i'm totalling missing. 

[GGGG]

Take a look at Jordan Taylor's freshman year...08-09.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/41152/jordan-taylor

.260 FG%.  .192 3FG%.  Lifted them to .433 and .429 by his junior year.

Not saying he will be Jordan Taylor, but the idea that a back up PG can't mature over a couple of years to become a solid starter isn't unheard of.

[real chili 83]

Take a look at Jordan Taylor's freshman year...08-09.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/41152/jordan-taylor

.260 FG%.  .192 3FG%.  Lifted them to .433 and .429 by his junior year.

Not saying he will be Jordan Taylor, but the idea that a back up PG can't mature over a couple of years to become a solid starter isn't unheard of.

And, didn't he run the point and guard Taylor in the game in Madison? Did we win that game?

[avid1010]

Take a look at Jordan Taylor's freshman year...08-09.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/41152/jordan-taylor

.260 FG%.  .192 3FG%.  Lifted them to .433 and .429 by his junior year.

Not saying he will be Jordan Taylor, but the idea that a back up PG can't mature over a couple of years to become a solid starter isn't unheard of.

obviously freshmen point guards develop over time....no one in their right mind would argue that.  the question is if derrick wilson will develop over time...i look at his skill set, size, athleticism, etc. and i think the ceiling would be that he ends up as good as junior is right now, and he has a long ways to go to get to that point.  i hope i'm wrong on him...just one man's opinion.  seems like a great kid, and as a fan i'll surely support him as he continues to work hard.

[avid1010]

And, didn't he run the point and guard Taylor in the game in Madison? Did we win that game?

that was the game i really liked seeing mayo, djo, and vander play at the same time.  i don't remember derrick having much of an impact in that game, but taylor's line wasn't anything special which he obviously had a hand in.  i do remember taylor in foul trouble...not sure if wilson was part of that or not.  wilson's line was flat...with lots of 0's...but one of the 0's was in the TO column which was what we needed in that low scoring game.  nothing against the kid at all, but i took little from the WI game or any game this year that made me feel like he was the caliber of starting pg MU should have leading its team for 2 years. 

[Skatastrophy]

Walk-ons listed on a depth chart?  Cats and dogs living together?  Complete pandemonium in the streets!

[🏀]

Walk-ons listed on a depth chart?  Cats and dogs living together?  Complete pandemonium in the streets!

Human sacrifice! Mass hysteria!

[GGGG]

that was the game i really liked seeing mayo, djo, and vander play at the same time.  i don't remember derrick having much of an impact in that game, but taylor's line wasn't anything special which he obviously had a hand in.  i do remember taylor in foul trouble...not sure if wilson was part of that or not.  wilson's line was flat...with lots of 0's...but one of the 0's was in the TO column which was what we needed in that low scoring game.  nothing against the kid at all, but i took little from the WI game or any game this year that made me feel like he was the caliber of starting pg MU should have leading its team for 2 years. 

Did you really *watch* the game?  If it weren't for Wilson, MU doesn't have the guard depth to win that game. 

[Slim]

ANOTHER great post Brew! The time and effort you put into MU hoops is one of the reasons I turn to this board 5 times per day. I hope your upcoming nuptials doesn't change that too much.

Mark Miller wants us to be prepared for additional players. We are in on some studs. This board will change. Miller hasn't steered us wrong.

My concern is the confidence this board has on freshmen being uber-productive. I'm thrilled for "Milwaukee's Best". But look at 13lue and Mayo - awesome in the NC, then absent in conference play.

I trust Buzz's plan. He works there butts off, but provides baby steps to their contribution to BEAST ball.

Final Four - sure I can see it - the talent, leadership, coaching, and cohesiveness will be there. But, you know it comes down to injuries, match-ups, and a little luck

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

Why the assumption that Juan Anderson will red shirt this coming year? Did I miss something? I know he had a shoulder surgery in recent weeks, but I thought he would be back into the swing of things by late summer. Thanks in advance.

[DomJamesToTheBasket]

Why the assumption that Juan Anderson will red shirt this coming year? Did I miss something? I know he had a shoulder surgery in recent weeks, but I thought he would be back into the swing of things by late summer. Thanks in advance.

The whole post is conjecture.  Therefore,  Brew is simply giving his best guess on what Anderson will do...

[The Process]

Take a look at Jordan Taylor's freshman year...08-09.

My favorite part was Jordan Taylor's stat line from last season:

2011-12    Did not play or did not accumulate any stats.

It's not like he did anything against us last season... 

[jsglow]

But look at 13lue and Mayo

Very creative Slim.  Well played.

[GGGG]

My concern is the confidence this board has on freshmen being uber-productive. I'm thrilled for "Milwaukee's Best". But look at 13lue and Mayo - awesome in the NC, then absent in conference play.

Blue pretty much played just as well in-conference as non-conference last year.

Blue overall PPG: 8.4   In conference games: 8.0
Overall RPG: 4.5  In conference games: 4.5
Overall APG: 2.6  In conference games: 2.6

He came on big the second half of the conference season.

[THEultimateWARRIOR]

Hate to say it but we will be weak at PG for this year and the foreseeable future........worst position to be weak at.

Hate to burst your bubble but in 2013 we will have 5 players capable of playing the point very well. Derek Wilson, Terrence Taylor, Duane Wilson, Vander Blue, and Todd Mayo. How do you figure that we will be weak here? I believe this will be one of our deepest positions now that I look at it. All these players have this whole year to improve.

[Slim]

Blue pretty much played just as well in-conference as non-conference last year.

Blue overall PPG: 8.4   In conference games: 8.0
Overall RPG: 4.5  In conference games: 4.5
Overall APG: 2.6  In conference games: 2.6

He came on big the second half of the conference season.

i was referring to Vander's freshman year

[GGGG]

Ah...OK...  Sorry about that.  Your original post made perfect sense...

[avid1010]

Did you really *watch* the game?  If it weren't for Wilson, MU doesn't have the guard depth to win that game. 

i was at the game, and i *watch* (or used to *watch*) a ton of basketball for more than just the purpose of being a fan.  notice i said derrick wilson is a serviceable guard, but not starting caliber...in my opinion.  did it help to have a serviceable guard when junior was sat down...obviously.  you don't have to *watch* the game to understand that.  those of us that *watched* the game noticed how effective the three guard line-up of mayo, djo, and vander was.  i think it was something buzz wanted to do more of during the year, but when Otule and DG were faced with injuries, i *watched* how important vander's rebounding was so i think buzz tried to keep vander in a position where he didn't have to get back in transition.  you think he has a higher ceiling than junior?