Vander Blue thoughts? Third straight game in single digits

[avid1010]

Not true.  At least not today.  He lost his handle and was out of control on his drives mostly.  Of the focus for ND's defense today, he was maybe 3rd. He certainly was not the focus of their D.

he was the only guy being chest guarded today, and nd was slow to double our bigs for a reason.  great to see mu take what nd was going to give them and make them pay. 

[GGGG]

he was the only guy being chest guarded today, and nd was slow to double our bigs for a reason.  great to see mu take what nd was going to give them and make them pay. 

Well said.

[Niv Berkowitz]

I think his first few shots were forced for sure but I'm not too concerned. The big thing with this team right now is that when they dump it down low, Ox and Otule are lookin to back their guy down and s ore. That or hit someone cuttin through in the paint. They aren't ok Kim it right out for open jumpers.

While he hasn't played awesome, I don't think the wheels are coming off. The team is doing the proverbial taking-what-they-are-giving.

[Daniel]

Vander is fine.  Let him draw the D - others are scoring around him in part because of him. 

[keefe]

Maybe he caught the "I'm in a funk virus" that Jamil has seemed to recovered from. Yes I know, never end a sentence with a preposition.

Speaking of which, why do guys play when they have a virus? I know we still hear about Jordan playing with the flu and MU fans will never forget Chapman's gutty performance. I have been living or staying in the 3rd world a lot for the past 10 years and I have become very aware of managing risk factors for viruses.

When a guy like Cooley plays with a sour stomach he's likely been using his hands to clean himself up quite often. Then he takes the court and handles the same ball everyone is touching. This seems crazy to put everyone else at risk so you can squeeze in 15 minutes on the court. They should have a rule that if you are sick like he is you don't play.

[4everwarriors]

Cooley very likely uses a bidet.

[brewcity77]

Van hasn't been the same because he's been the focal point of the defense. It also reminds me what I love about this team: our depth. This is exactly why I have been saying all year that this may well be Buzz's best team. Because you can't just stop one or two guys and stop the team. We are looking at the emergence of so many guys right now. If we need it, we can get legitimate offensive production out of Gardner, Otule, Taylor, Jamil, Mayo, Blue, and Cadougan. Any of them can hit double-digits and it won't come as a surprise.

Let teams shut down Blue...he's realizing it and playing smart. In the span when he went for 11+ points in 19/22 games, there were only 3 times when he didn't take at least 9 shots. In the past 3 games he hasn't taken 9+ shots even once. The defense keys on him, Blue absorbs it and doesn't hand the game away.

[tower912]

Brewcity wins again.    Because he was hot earlier, defenses have chosen to focus on him.    He hasn't forced much and MU has kept winning.    When the next defense focuses on taking away the inside game and plays him straight up, look for him to score more.   

[Goose]

Our offense is clicking better without VB being top scorer. Last couple of games we have had better ball movement in half court and more motion in offense. Many of VB's points this year were plays he made himself. We are now seeing guys get open and I will take that any day over VB doing it on his own.

[dgies9156]

Chicos, I think the following sums up Vander Blue's performance in the past few days:

Winning isn't everything, it's the only think!"
V.T. Lombardi

Just win, baby!
Al Davis

Look, it's a team, not a group of individuals. Vander has had some terrific games this year. He's also been the force that's part of a team, where others shine too. OK?

[We R Final Four]

Blue *  32 min 4 reb(0/4)  3 Ast 3-8 FG 0-2 FT 0-1 3 PT 1 PF 1 ST 3 TO 0 BLK 6 PTS.

That was Van's line.  Let's not make it any more or less than what it was.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Good dialogue, fair points.  I also agree that it makes us a little more balanced.  He seems to be doing fine, despite the lower point totals.  As long as that holds, the maturity is there, becomes a team prospers kind of thing, then all the better.

[lurch91]

Still worried?u

Sometimes you just have to let the game come to you instead of forcing it.  I think Vander has found a balance.

[tower912]

He forced some things tonight, but the offense was so bad that he had to.    He made the plays that leaders make when the game is going against them. 

[pbiflyer]

My thoughts? The OP is not as smart as he thinks he is.

[GGGG]

He forced some things tonight, but the offense was so bad that he had to.    He made the plays that leaders make when the game is going against them. 

He was much better in the second half than the first.

[ChicosBailBonds]

My thoughts? The OP is not as smart as he thinks he is.

I thought we played a lot better the last few games when he wasn't scoring that much.  Not a good team game tonight.  My two cents. 

[GGGG]

I thought we played a lot better the last few games when he wasn't scoring that much.  Not a good team game tonight.  My two cents. 

I don't think there is a correlation there, but nice try at saving face.  There are plenty of times when they have looked good and Blue was the leading scorer.

[tower912]

Nothing else was working so he took the game on himself.   Yes, he forced some things.   But he chose to lead on the road in an ugly game.   Well done, young man. 

[ChicosBailBonds]

I don't think there is a correlation there, but nice try at saving face.  There are plenty of times when they have looked good and Blue was the leading scorer.

That's why I said of late in the opening thread.  Team was more balanced.  Out of balance again tonight, but at least people can start Vander to the NBA after this season. LOL

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

I thought we played a lot better the last few games when he wasn't scoring that much.  Not a good team game tonight.  My two cents. 

Listen to Buzz's postgame interview.

You'll change your mind.

He talks about Vander's scoring output specifically.

[Lennys Tap]

Listen to Buzz's postgame interview.

You'll change your mind.

Chicos change his mind? Unlikely. He only quotes Buzz to mock him ("I'll be here as long as they'll have me") or when he's critical of the team.

[Silkk the Shaka]

That's why I said of late in the opening thread.  Team was more balanced.  Out of balance again tonight, but at least people can start Vander to the NBA after this season. LOL

Teams start to focus on Vander?  Vander doesn't force it for himself and Gardner & Otule reap the rewards.  Teams start to focus on our inside game (because we actually have one now and it was killing top 25 teams)?  Vander back to production.  That's what I call balance.  Pick your poison.

[MerrittsMustache]

That's why I said of late in the opening thread.  Team was more balanced.  Out of balance again tonight, but at least people can start Vander to the NBA after this season. LOL

You talk about people talking about Vander being NBA-ready more than anyone on this board has ever actually talked about it. You follow? A few people have said that he might feel he's ready to go or that they wouldn't be surprised if he left but where are these hoards of posters offering a counterpoint to your argument? You appear to be setting it up to pat yourself on the back when Blue doesn't turn pro after this season, but there are no stakes. It would be like me saying that I doubt Juan Anderson will the Big East Preseason POY going into next season. He didn't even score tonight? My prediction is getting closer and closer to coming true!

[BM1090]

Listen to Buzz's postgame interview.

You'll change your mind.

He talks about Vander's scoring output specifically.

Where can I listen to it?