Chad Ford's Top 100 Update - Dekker/Blue

[Dunk The Ball Eric]

Sam Dekker comes in at #76. Here's what he had to say.

"Mar 20 Update: But the real prize is Dekker. He's not ready yet, but his versatility and size draw comparisons to a young Gordon Hayward. Next year, he could be a potential first-round pick."

Here is what he had to say on Blue who was #79 overall.

"Mar 26 Update: Blue has also been on our radar screen since his freshman season. In fact, despite struggling as both a freshman and sophomore, he has never fallen out of our Top 100. He has been a revelation during his junior season for Marquette and had one of the strongest performances of anyone this weekend against both Davidson and Butler. Blue hit the game-winning shot against Davidson and then exploded for 29 points and four steals against Butler. Nineteen of those points came in the second half as Blue rallied the Golden Eagles for another come-from-behind win.

His elite athletic ability, his defensive toughness and his leadership have all caught NBA scouts' eyes. If he shot it a little better, or was a little taller, he'd get a serious look in the lottery. However, don't count him out of the first-round conversation yet. Another great weekend might convince scouts he's the type of guy, like fellow Golden Eagles Jimmy Butler and Wesley Matthews before him, who can fight his way onto an NBA roster and stick."

I know a lot of people question whether or not Vander is an NBA player. He is clearly on radar's, I don't think anyone can dispute that and it only takes 1 team to think he is worth a shot. Hopefully he can find the right fit like Wes, Jimmy, and Jae and we can keep the MU pipeline going.

[Groin_pull]

I couldn't care less about Dekker, so moving on to Vander...

It's simple. Have a great senior season...keep working on the jumper...get drafted by an NBA team.

[Goose]

Lets hope that Blue takes it to the next level this weekend. If his days are numbered at MU I hope he goes out in style. Kid has been on a mission from day one and odds are high it will continue.

[Marq]

Does anyone know if Vander can palm a basketball? I dont think he can. That will hurt him when he gets to the NBA.

[Silkk the Shaka]

Does anyone know if Vander can palm a basketball? I dont think he can. That will hurt him when he gets to the NBA.

Can't tell if serious - I have no actual knowledge on way or the other, but I'd place the probability that Vander Blue can palm a basketball somewhere between 99% & 99.9%.

[RJax55]

Does anyone know if Vander can palm a basketball?

Here's the answer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hGilSI2SC4

[Goose]

Vander's biggest problem down the road might be how big of wad of C-notes he can palm.

[Marq]

Here's the answer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hGilSI2SC4

Not saying he cant, but he's not palming the ball there buddy. He takes it up like hes going for a lay up and then rotates his wrist to dunk the ball.

[MerrittsMustache]

Does anyone know if Vander can palm a basketball? I dont think he can. That will hurt him when he gets to the NBA.

In what way would that hurt him when he gets to the NBA?

[RJax55]

Not saying he cant, but he's not palming the ball there buddy. He takes it up like hes going for a lay up and then rotates his wrist to dunk the ball.

Ok... Would this be considered palming? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7cYF3K8xj4

[setyoursightsnorth]

Does anyone know if Vander can palm a basketball? I dont think he can. That will hurt him when he gets to the NBA.

Our posters that we got at the start of the season show him holding a basketball at full arms length, palming it. So unless that was photoshopped, he can palm it.

[akmarq]

I bet all the UCLA players can palm the ball.

Time to panic.

[mugrad99]

Ok... Would this be considered palming? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7cYF3K8xj4

Looking at that youtube video, a better one popped up on the right...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-vTE0_BnrQ

[grzy6]

I bet all the UCLA players can palm the ball.

Time to panic.

+1

[GoldenZebra]

Not saying he cant, but he's not palming the ball there buddy. He takes it up like hes going for a lay up and then rotates his wrist to dunk the ball.

Are you a tool?

[Mutaman]

If his days are numbered at MU I hope he goes out in style.

How likely is this to happen? Hadn't even considered it.

[MerrittsMustache]

How likely is this to happen? Hadn't even considered it.

If he plays the next two games like the last two and MU goes to the Final Four, he should go. For better or worse, his stock wouldn't get much higher.

[bilsu]

If he plays the next two games like the last two and MU goes to the Final Four, he should go. For better or worse, his stock wouldn't get much higher.

It does not matter, if his stock will get any higher. It matters on whether he be drafted in the first round and hopefully he gets an honest answer on that possibility. You hate to see him go, if some team that tells him they will pick him and decides to picks someone else resulting in Blue dropping out of first round. He has a chance to be an American next year, if he comes back.

[Earl Tatum]

Hey Marq: I bleed MU, but I would take Dekker any day on our team with Blue.

[Earl Tatum]

I'm Sorry Marq--- Groin Pull is the one who doesn't care for Dekker.

[barfolomew]

What I find most amazing is how riDQlous this whole thread would have seemed in November.
If he has put himself in a position where two more good games (and team W's) get him into the first round, then I say good for Vander. He will have deserved it, and we will have enjoyed another final four.

[Groin_pull]

I'm Sorry Marq--- Groin Pull is the one who doesn't care for Dekker.

You're right. Why would I care about some UW-Madison player??? No interest in anything Becky-related.

[Mutaman]

It does not matter, if his stock will get any higher. It matters on whether he be drafted in the first round and hopefully he gets an honest answer on that possibility. You hate to see him go, if some team that tells him they will pick him and decides to picks someone else resulting in Blue dropping out of first round. He has a chance to be an American next year, if he comes back.

Would Buzz give him honest advice even if it wasn't in Buzz' self interest? Like Al did with Chones?

[Goose]

No doubt Buzz and many people will give Blue advice. He has been grooming himself for this for quite some time and I have no doubt he will get sound advice. Believe it or not, but Blue always knew he would be in this position. He came to MU to degree in basketball and he is well on his way.

[keefe]

Would Buzz give him honest advice even if it wasn't in Buzz' self interest? Like Al did with Chones?

Or like Crean did with DJ? Crean cost that man millions. Millions.