[PaintTouches]Player review: Jamal Ferguson

[PaintTouchesSays]

Player review: Jamal Ferguson
      

Written by: Mark Strotman
            

Previous Player Breakdowns: Juan Anderson, Vander Blue, Junior Cadougan What he did well: Jamal Ferguson entered his freshman season knowing playing time would be scarce. Playing behind starters Vander Blue and Trent Lockett, and sitting behind Jake Thomas and Todd Mayo (the ... Continue reading →


            

http://painttouches.com/2013/04/05/player-review-jamal-ferguson/
      

[77ncaachamps]

Well put. Having no outside game relegates him to defensive terror and zone/press man in add to with slasher and driver.

Todd Mayo's situation is going to be interesting to watch, ESP as it pertains to #minutes available.
Selfishly, I think he's had his run.
But my gut says Buzz is sticking by Todd because holding him to a commitment (to team, to graduate) will be more important to his life than minutes on the hardwood.

[RJax55]

Todd Mayo's situation is going to be interesting to watch, ESP as it pertains to #minutes available.
Selfishly, I think he's had his run.
But my gut says Buzz is sticking by Todd because holding him to a commitment (to team, to graduate) will be more important to his life than minutes on the hardwood.

It will definitely be interesting. To your last point, I would be floored if Mayo graduated from MU. In a perfect world it would happen, but even most optimist MU fan would have to say that's a stretch .

[MerrittsMustache]

I like what I've seen from Ferguson in the little bit we've seen of him. He's long, athletic and plays hard. I don't see him ever being a star at MU, but I could easily envision him as a Lockett-type role player/glue guy in a couple years.

[Sunbelt15]

Well put. Having no outside game relegates him to defensive terror and zone/press man in add to with slasher and driver.

Todd Mayo's situation is going to be interesting to watch, ESP as it pertains to #minutes available.
Selfishly, I think he's had his run.
But my gut says Buzz is sticking by Todd because holding him to a commitment (to team, to graduate) will be more important to his life than minutes on the hardwood.

With that said, I think Ferguson would have been more productive on the floor than D. Wilson if he'd logged the same time. Hope he stays, but think he's gone.

[GoldenZebra]

It will definitely be interesting. To your last point, I would be floored if Mayo graduated from MU. In a perfect world it would happen, but even most optimist MU fan would have to say that's a stretch .

Who invited you, negative nancy..

[RubyWiscy]

I have no inside knowledge, but I believe both Mayo and Ferguson will be back and contribute next year.  Mayo had the same problem as Anderson last year.  You miss several games at the start of the season, it is really tough to catch up and make a significant contribution.  If Todd avoids the off season drama of last year, he will play big minutes.  Ferguson will be a sophomore, enough said.

[BCHoopster]

Ruby, if both are back and Otule, who is leaving?  Vander going Pro?

[brewcity77]

Nice write-up, Mark. I agree that Ferguson can become a valuable member of this team and definitely think some of the freshmen will be working to get ahead of him in the rotation, not simply gifted spots because of final recruiting ranking.

[Sunbelt15]

Very few players enter a program KNOWING or EXPECTING that minutes is going to be scarce. Schools would rarely get the recruit they wanted if they told them that while sitting in the player's living room. They sell each player a dream of success: playing time, recognition, education, and pro-longed careers. That's why successful alumni is always mentioned during the recruiting process. It all depends on how long the player believes in "the dream" when things start to go LEFT.

[brewcity77]

Yes, because every single HS kid thinks they'll be a one-and-done All-American. I fully think plenty of guys realize they are going to have to sit a bit and play a role, especially when they aren't a top-50 recruit and are going to a HM school.

Ferguson probably could have had his choice of mid and low majors where he would have got time early. He still chose Marquette. Let's not act like he's Jereme Richmond.

[Sunbelt15]

Yes, because every single HS kid thinks they'll be a one-and-done All-American. I fully think plenty of guys realize they are going to have to sit a bit and play a role, especially when they aren't a top-50 recruit and are going to a HM school.

Ferguson probably could have had his choice of mid and low majors where he would have got time early. He still chose Marquette. Let's not act like he's Jereme Richmond.

Don't know who Richmond is, but don't act like he's just some Joe-Smo that just got lucky. He was recruited heavily by Georgetown, Texas, as well as Marquette. We just sold the dream better than the others. Then, the guy that headed his recruitment left. So he really had no dedicated person wing to get under and learn the ropes.

[brewcity77]

Don't know who Richmond is, but don't act like he's just some Joe-Smo that just got lucky. He was recruited heavily by Georgetown, Texas, as well as Marquette. We just sold the dream better than the others. Then, the guy that headed his recruitment left. So he really had no dedicated person wing to get under and learn the ropes.

I never said he was. All I'm saying is why would Ferguson, a recruit rated probably in the 200-300 range in the nation, expect extended minutes at a high major program? I'm sure neither GTIII nor Barnes promised him major minutes.

Jereme Richmond was a McDonald's All-American that got it in his head that he was a one-and-done talent so he left Illinois after an abysmal freshman year. I don't know who was guiding him, but he wasn't ready to contribute in the Big Teen, much less the NBA. His head wasn't screwed on right and now he's playing in a league that make the D-League look elite.

Not everyone is so misguided. Some guys realize that they aren't going to start from day one and are going to have to earn their place. I feel very confident from everything I've heard and read that Buzz is very big on making sure everyone knows they won't have anything handed to them. They have to earn it. So if Ferguson was happy to come here knowing he'd have to earn it, why on God's green would he suddenly feel hard done because the rules haven't changed and he still has to earn it?

There is zero indication Ferguson is going to transfer. People close to the program have given no indication they think Ferguson is looking to transfer. Yet for some reason, half of this board seems convinced he's got one foot out the door because he didn't get significant minutes. He's a three-star freshman! Further, he's got far more depth to fight through than other recent freshmen like Derrick Wilson and Davante Gardner, who also didn't get major minutes as freshmen.

All this Ferguson transfer talk is just silly and completely unfounded. You have absolutely zero basis for saying you think he's gone, so please stop spewing that drivel.

[WayOfTheWarrior]

"Buzz Williams told the Journal Sentinel's Michael Hunt in January that Ferguson was improving but, with 12 players at his disposal, it became almost impossible for him to find time for his freshman on a team fighting for a Big East title."

Next year, (assuming everyone stays and all 5 of our recruits are competing for legit PT  ) we could potentially have 12-13 players besides Ferguson looking to contribute. I want to see what he can do given a legitimate chance but I just don't know what he will get. I like the comparison w/ Juan, and I think the experience gained from one year under his belt as well as hitting the weight room will give him a decent shot at 10+ minutes like Juan.

It's usually a good thing when you have a bench 8-9 players deep of whom each can make a significant contribution. Let's hope that will be the case.

[4everwarriors]

Maybe wrk592 could chime on what he's heard #Fergie?

[Sunbelt15]

I never said he was. All I'm saying is why would Ferguson, a recruit rated probably in the 200-300 range in the nation, expect extended minutes at a high major program? I'm sure neither GTIII nor Barnes promised him major minutes.

Jereme Richmond was a McDonald's All-American that got it in his head that he was a one-and-done talent so he left Illinois after an abysmal freshman year. I don't know who was guiding him, but he wasn't ready to contribute in the Big Teen, much less the NBA. His head wasn't screwed on right and now he's playing in a league that make the D-League look elite.

Not everyone is so misguided. Some guys realize that they aren't going to start from day one and are going to have to earn their place. I feel very confident from everything I've heard and read that Buzz is very big on making sure everyone knows they won't have anything handed to them. They have to earn it. So if Ferguson was happy to come here knowing he'd have to earn it, why on God's green would he suddenly feel hard done because the rules haven't changed and he still has to earn it?

There is zero indication Ferguson is going to transfer. People close to the program have given no indication they think Ferguson is looking to transfer. Yet for some reason, half of this board seems convinced he's got one foot out the door because he didn't get significant minutes. He's a three-star freshman! Further, he's got far more depth to fight through than other recent freshmen like Derrick Wilson and Davante Gardner, who also didn't get major minutes as freshmen.

All this Ferguson transfer talk is just silly and completely unfounded. You have absolutely zero basis for saying you think he's gone, so please stop spewing that drivel.

So, if he leaves, an apology will be in order. And if he stays, I will praise you for being the "All Knowing Guru" that you are.

[brewcity77]

So, if he leaves, an apology will be in order. And if he stays, I will praise you for being the "All Knowing Guru" that you are.

I'm not claiming to be a guru, I'm saying that there is absolutely zero indication that he's leaving, and all your posts make it seem like you want him ran off.

[Sunbelt15]

I'm not claiming to be a guru, I'm saying that there is absolutely zero indication that he's leaving, and all your posts make it seem like you want him ran off.

Just thinks he's leaving. I feel the same about Mayo. To me, Mayo doesn't fit in to Buzz's hustle hard style of play.

Do you think Ferguson could have played the same or better than D. Wilson if he logged his minutes. I think so, yet most see D. Wilson starting next year and Ferguson coming deep off the bench. That's not good.

[Stretchdeltsig]

Would love to see Ferguson step up next year.  He showed early flashes of a young D Wade.  If he's given the chance, he might be a super star.

[brewcity77]

Just thinks he's leaving. I feel the same about Mayo. To me, Mayo doesn't fit in to Buzz's hustle hard style of play.

Do you think Ferguson could have played the same or better than D. Wilson if he logged his minutes. I think so, yet most see D. Wilson starting next year and Ferguson coming deep off the bench. That's not good.

Ferguson is a slashing wing. Derrick Wilson is a defensive point guard. At no point during this season were they ever competing for minutes. They are not interchangeable, they are not remotely similar.

[Sunbelt15]

Ferguson is a slashing wing. Derrick Wilson is a defensive point guard. At no point during this season were they ever competing for minutes. They are not interchangeable, they are not remotely similar.

If you think Ferguson couldn't do, or any guard for that matter, what D. Wil did as a backup point guard, we will never agree. ANY guard or small forward can bring the ball up the court, start the offense, and defend. Wilson did not breakdown any offense, set up any player, or shoot well, but projected to start next year. Slashing wing is just a label we put on Ferguson.

[brewcity77]

If you think Ferguson couldn't do, or any guard for that matter, what D. Wil did as a backup point guard, we will never agree. ANY guard or small forward can bring the ball up the court, start the offense, and defend. Wilson did not breakdown any offense, set up any player, or shoot well, but projected to start next year. Slashing wing is just a label we put on Ferguson.

You clearly haven't paid any attention to Buzz Williams' recruiting philosophy over the past 5 years. He has stated that he wants to bring in a point guard and center every year, and the rest of the positions are switchables. What that means is that there are two positions that are definitively NOT meant to be filled by switchables. And as he's managed with guys like Lazar, Jae, and Jamil manning the center spot at times, Buzz's own philosophy has been that the ONLY position on the court that is clearly defined at all times is that of point guard.

And if you think DJO was interchangeable with Junior's role, again, you aren't watching Marquette basketball. If you couldn't tell the difference of Marquette's system with a natural point (James, Acker, Junior) and a converted 2-guard (Buycks), you aren't watching Marquette basketball. Wilson is a point guard. Wilson handles the ball and protects the ball like a point guard. Derrick Wilson was the best player on Marquette in terms of how frequently he turned the ball over per minute on the court (1 TO every 24.1 minutes).

Again, Wilson and Ferguson are simply not interchangeable. You really think Ferguson would have magically reduced the number of turnovers he committed by 50% because he was bringing the ball up? More likely, that number would have doubled.

[GGGG]

If you think Ferguson couldn't do, or any guard for that matter, what D. Wil did as a backup point guard, we will never agree. ANY guard or small forward can bring the ball up the court, start the offense, and defend.

That shows you how little you truly know about basketball.  I mean, what a moronic a couple of sentences that is.

[Sunbelt15]

You clearly haven't paid any attention to Buzz Williams' recruiting philosophy over the past 5 years. He has stated that he wants to bring in a point guard and center every year, and the rest of the positions are switchables. What that means is that there are two positions that are definitively NOT meant to be filled by switchables. And as he's managed with guys like Lazar, Jae, and Jamil manning the center spot at times, Buzz's own philosophy has been that the ONLY position on the court that is clearly defined at all times is that of point guard.

And if you think DJO was interchangeable with Junior's role, again, you aren't watching Marquette basketball. If you couldn't tell the difference of Marquette's system with a natural point (James, Acker, Junior) and a converted 2-guard (Buycks), you aren't watching Marquette basketball. Wilson is a point guard. Wilson handles the ball and protects the ball like a point guard. Derrick Wilson was the best player on Marquette in terms of how frequently he turned the ball over per minute on the court (1 TO every 24.1 minutes).

Again, Wilson and Ferguson are simply not interchangeable. You really think Ferguson would have magically reduced the number of turnovers he committed by 50% because he was bringing the ball up? More likely, that number would have doubled.

Sorry, but you're wrong! So you know Blue will NEVER play the point under Buzz? (Wondering who you really are, to be so sure!)

[brewcity77]

Sorry, but you're wrong! So you know Blue will NEVER play the point under Buzz? (Wondering who you really are, to be so sure!)

SMH...Sultan said it best...

That shows you how little you truly know about basketball.  I mean, what a moronic a couple of sentences that is.