Most Improved?

[drewm88]

Who do you see as the most improved player returning from last season?
In my mind, the only candidates are Junior and Vander. I vote Vander.

Junior's replaced most of his what the hell were you thinking moments with more putting the team on his back moments.

Vander's gotten so much better at driving smartly, and his shot has improved.

[RJax55]

Vander is the obvious answer. Also, I would throw Juan Anderson out there. Last year, he looked lost on the court, now he's a solid contributor.

As for Junior, I don't know. He's a little better than last year, but he's still runs too hot or cold for my liking. I was hoping for more consistency from him.

[BCHoopster]

They both has shown improvement.  Junior still needs to work on his left hand, dribbling and shooting.  Still turns it over.  When he scores more than 10, are chances of winning
are better, last night 2.

Vander has really improved, offense the first two years was a liability, today his shot has really improved, no hitch like before.  good left hand, rebounds.  30 points in one game, never
saw that coming, 3 point shooting 100% improved.  One more year and we might see him in the association, I could never see that, after last year.

[EnderWiggen]

1. Vander
2. Juan
3. JC

In that order.

[drewm88]

I suppose Juan deserves mention, but in my mind, his improvement is not on the level of JC and Vander. Maybe it's my own expectations because I anticipated that kind of improvement from a freshman. It's similar to DG (although Juan's improved more since last year than DG). DG is better, but it's a gradual, expected improvement based on how he was playing last year.

[kclem]

Agree with those above but wouldn't overlook Gardner. Not only scoring, but conditioning is better to play longer stretches and with more mobility, better shot blocking, and better rebounding.

[Avenue Commons]

Vander.

A year ago I thought the talk of him being in the NBA was unreasonable. He makes another jump between his junior and senior year and he gets drafted in 2014.

[Silkk the Shaka]

1. Vander
2. Juan
3. JC

In that order.

Co-sign.  The honorary Jimmy Butler intra-season development award goes to Steve Taylor.

[Lennys Tap]

For a program that can't just go out there and pick up top 20 talent every year player development is tantamount. Buzz has a great record for instilling the "next man up" philosophy. "Who can ever replace ------?" has been answered by a diverse and sometimes unlikely group that has included Mo Acker, JFB, Jae Crowder and Vander Blue. Having players ready to seize their moment is the key to sustained excellence.

[Dawson Rental]

For a program that can't just go out there and pick up top 20 talent every year player development is tantamount. Buzz has a great record for instilling the "next man up" philosophy. "Who's can ever replace ------?" has been answered by a diverse and sometimes unlikely group that has included Mo Acker, JFB, Jae Crowder and Vander Blue. Having players ready to seize their moment is the key to sustained excellence.

Since Al, its more like can't go out and pick up top 20 talent every decade.

[Markusquette]

Blue improved all of his problems on offense and every time he drives I am confident he will finish.  I think I'd even take Vander for last shot in the game to be honest.  He's got more of the X factor than Wilson.

[MUWarrior11]

The "next man up" magic we've seen over the last five years is nothing short of remarkable.  I can't think of another program--except maybe Butler or Notre Dame--that develops players like we do.  That's the beauty of not having one and done talent.

Taking a look at the bigger picture, we have been spoiled in Buzz's tenure. He is quietly putting together an excellent tenure. Tourney every single year, two sweet 16s, usually finishes towards top of BE, NBA draftees, etc. Player development and consistency is remarkable. Even better, I think the future looks bright. Next year we lose JC and CO, but Juan, Jamil, Vander, Steve, Davante, Derrick will be back, and throw in the exciting freshman. We are fortunate to be MU fans right now.  Yes, things could be better (final fours, Big East titles), but realistically speaking-- its been a good run for Buzz

[ErickJD08]

No question Blue.  The kid is finally playing like the player we knew he could be.  With his speed, he is pretty much an automatic 12 points a game.  He does have some iffy moments where I think he drives into a crowd of defenders and that is where most of his turnovers come these days.  I can see him struggling against Syracuse which means trouble for us since he is by far our best player right now.

I really hope he stays one more year.  If he develops a bit more strength around the rim and improves his decision making, he will fill up that trophy case.

[T-Bone]

Lots to choose from.

Juan. Didn't see much of him last year, but has been increasing his productivity steadily.

Blue. Still has an ugly shot (at least to me), but he's learned to work with it instead of seeming to fight it.  Better control than last year.  

Junior. Has learned to score, which could make him a better point guard in the remainder of the year.  Leadership.

Since the beginning of the season...
ST Jr.  Looked so very lost out there in the cupcake season.  Has found confidence out there and better defensive awareness.  Totally looks like a different player out there.

Juan.  If you count last season as an incomplete (though 24 games).  Confidence.  

I think the overall theme in my view is confidence.  It seems instilled in this team - even more so than the start of the season.

[dgies9156]

Vander Blue without a doubt.

I said when the Vander-bashing was the topic d'jour on these boards that the most important part of Buzz's career development was the ability to make Vander the star we all thought he could be when he signed with us. Vander's growth is a clear signal to other four-star and five-star recruits that you can come here and excel.

I liked Vander two years ago. I like him a whole lot more now. He's our go-to guy and the guy who can take the game into his hands.

Much as Al did with George Thompson, Dean Meminger, Marcus Washington, Bob Lackey and Maurice Lucas, Buzz is beginning to develop a legacy. It makes it easier to pitch young men to come here and play ball when our coach develops and instills the best in potential NBA talent.

As a side note, I'm beginning to think the current back court reminds me of Lloyd Walton and Butch Lee, circa 1976. Any thoughts on that one? Butch was a sophomore and Lloyd was a senior.

[Goose]

Other than the '76 backcourt and this backcourt being non traditionals I see no similarities. Lloyd was light years beyond Jr. as a player and Butch was one of the all time best. VB will leave a basketball legacy here but I believe his best days are down the road.

[Markusquette]

The "next man up" magic we've seen over the last five years is nothing short of remarkable.  I can't think of another program--except maybe Butler or Notre Dame--that develops players like we do.  That's the beauty of not having one and done talent.

Yep.  I think we take that for granted as fans sometimes.  No JUCOs this year too but Lockett is sort of our 'experienced newcomer' if you will.  Can't wait to see Vander next year.

[NersEllenson]

Vander - And it's not even a contest....in my 25 years watching the program closely, I'm not sure I recall a player improving more in one season, than Vander has from last year to this year.

Loved seeing him incorporate/hit about 3 pull up/mid range jumpers last night - which was something we almost never saw from him his first 2 years.  The perimeter shooting improvement has been remarkable.  Finishing WAY better at the basket.  He's playing with much better body lean, tempo, change of pace, which has enabled his drives to the hoop to be so much more effective.  Far better body control than what DJO exhibited when going to hope - which was one speed and one speed only - 100% full bore.

Kudos to Vander for the hard work he must have put in to improve so much in such a little amount of time.  It's been an enjoyable sh$tburger for me to eat, as I was convinced he didn't stand a snowball's chance in hell of sniffing the NBA - now I'm thinking it is realistic if his ascent continues at the trajectory we've seen this year.

[Goose]

Ners

It was easy to get frustrated with him and all of us did. But if you know anything about basketball it was obvious the skills/talent were there. His level of stepping up his play reminds me of what Butch did between Soph and Jr. seasons. Butch drove me nuts his first two years and his last two years had me on my feet cheering. Vander is awfully fun to watch. When he goes coast to coast after D rebound he makes others look in slow motion.

[UticaBusBarn]

Basically, this long time Warrior fan agrees with the above, but would add in Davante Gardner. He is still 30 pound over an ideal playing weight, but all facets of his game, especially defense, have improved this year.

Thinking about it, maybe the entire team has improved because Coach Williams, for the first time, has a full complement of players he recruited and who have all mentally "bought in."

Regardless, these five Williams years have been great entertainment, not to mention good basketball.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Blue

The guy couldn't make a layup consistently his first two years.  That's not an overstatement.  He plays more in control, adjusting to his body.  His outside shot results have improved, though it's still ugly as sin in form...Too flat which reduces his margin for error.  If he could improve that shot his %'s would go up even more and open up his driving game, but not sure if he can.  I'm sure the coaching staff has worked on his form like crazy and it might simply be that this is what it is.  Jamal Wilkes had the ugliest release I ever saw, but the results were stellar.

DG second
The California kid third   

Junior still inconsistent for me to rank him in top 3, especially since he is a senior.

[GGGG]

No question Blue.  The kid is finally playing like the player we knew he could be. 

"I'll say it again... He just isn't that good." - ErickJD08, November 2011.

Don't be jumping on the bandwagon and using "we" now....you threw him under the bus enough over the past couple of seasons to throw your judgement into doubt.

[GGGG]

It was easy to get frustrated with him and all of us did. But if you know anything about basketball it was obvious the skills/talent were there. His level of stepping up his play reminds me of what Butch did between Soph and Jr. seasons. Butch drove me nuts his first two years and his last two years had me on my feet cheering. Vander is awfully fun to watch. When he goes coast to coast after D rebound he makes others look in slow motion.

Hey, but he's no DJ Newbill....

(Just yanking your chain Ners...Newbill is playing pretty well in the conference season.)

[MU82]

I'm just happy to see how much Vander's slap-five ratio has improved!

[Dr. Blackheart]

The California kid third   

That's NorCal to you.  Jaundo is clearly the most improved to me. Great energy and really gets better and better every game.  I have always been a Blue fan...had a great game last season vs. Mississippi.  You knew the talent would rise to the top.