Vanders tweet yesterday

[muarmy81]

Smart move on Vander's part to train all in for the individual workouts. Might as well go for it and put your best foot forward. No different than the football dudes who are in tonight's draft festivities who haven't set foot on a campus since the end of last season.

Same with Heisman winning QB's from Texas A&M!

[Coleman]

Said he was "Living the California life" in a tweet to chris o'tule

I believe its spelled O'Toole

[Sunbelt15]

He's just doing pre-draft training. This is a very commons thing. What blows me away is that Vanders agent has enough confidence in his ability to get drafted or obtain a lucrative overseas contract that he is will to shell out 10,000-20,000 dollars for his pre-draft training.

Probably chump-change to the agent. Laughing to the bank unless Blue gets injured.

[willie warrior]

Won't be laughing to the bank if he is a 2nd round pick.

[madtownwarrior]

I see the athleticism comparison between Diener and Vander is close too...

Nope, i just think Vander getting drafted isn't going to happen.  Who can we try to compare Vander to from MU previously?  How about Travis Diener.

Season GP MPG PPG FG% 3FG% FT% APG RPG BPG SPG
2004-05  23 34.0 19.7 42.0 40.5 83.8 7.0 3.9 0.0 1.3
2003-04  31 34.2 18.8 42.2 44.8 88.3 6.0 3.1 0.0 1.3
2002-03  33 34.7 11.8 39.6 36.3 81.3 5.6 3.2 0.2 1.4
2001-02  33 23.7 7.9 43.0 44.2 76.1 2.5 2.5 0.1 1.2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Career 120 31.4 14.1 41.6 41.2 83.6 5.1 3.1 0.1 1.3


Look where Diener is now..  He is my favorite MU player and his numbers make Vander's look laughable.

[Dreadman24]

It will be interesting to see what you guys say about JJJ when he declare after his sophmore year..

[Blue Horseshoe]

It will be interesting to see what you guys say about JJJ when he declare after his sophmore year..

I would absolutely love if JJJ is a skilled enough player to be NBA ready after his FRESHMAN season.

[brewcity77]

I would absolutely love if JJJ is a skilled enough player to be NBA ready after his FRESHMAN season.

I just hope if JJJ goes early it is when he is ready. Jereme Richmond went after his first year, how'd that work out? Right now I'm not sure if he's playing for the Sauk Valley Predators or for an inmate league (went into jail back in October, not sure if he is out).

[insidetheleague]

Van is training in Cali as Trent is in Vegas. It's all preparation for the next level.

[Avenue Commons]

Nope, i just think Vander getting drafted isn't going to happen. 

Travis Diener doesn't have Vander Blue's body. I think Vander gets picked in second round. So does Draft Express, for whatever that is worth. http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-mock-draft/2013/

[JD]

I see the athleticism comparison between Diener and Vander is close too...

Yeah, his athleticism really helped him with his stellar numbers the past 3 years too......

[keefe]

When I think of California life I don't think of spending hours in the gym and weight room.

It's always 420 along the Pacific coast.

[wardle2wade]

Nope, i just think Vander getting drafted isn't going to happen.  Who can we try to compare Vander to from MU previously?  How about Travis Diener.

Season GP MPG PPG FG% 3FG% FT% APG RPG BPG SPG
2004-05  23 34.0 19.7 42.0 40.5 83.8 7.0 3.9 0.0 1.3
2003-04  31 34.2 18.8 42.2 44.8 88.3 6.0 3.1 0.0 1.3
2002-03  33 34.7 11.8 39.6 36.3 81.3 5.6 3.2 0.2 1.4
2001-02  33 23.7 7.9 43.0 44.2 76.1 2.5 2.5 0.1 1.2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Career 120 31.4 14.1 41.6 41.2 83.6 5.1 3.1 0.1 1.3


Look where Diener is now..  He is my favorite MU player and his numbers make Vander's look laughable.

I'm not saying Vander will be drafted, but comparing him vs Diener isn't a great example.  Diener output was against Conference USA, and Diener's frame would always limit his NBA potential. 

[JD]

I'm not saying Vander will be drafted, but comparing him vs Diener isn't a great example.  Diener output was against Conference USA, and Diener's frame would always limit his NBA potential. 

Valid point, i didn't think about Conference USA. I always saw Diener as a Jason Kidd type.

[Avenue Commons]

Valid point, i didn't think about Conference USA. I always saw Diener as a Jason Kidd type.

Teal? Jason Kidd is 6'4" or 6'5" and over 200 pounds.

[Marqevans]

Hope he makes it to the "show".

[Silkk the Shaka]

Teal? Jason Kidd is 6'4" or 6'5" and over 200 pounds.

Haha, this has to be.  Kidd is also one of the best rebounding PGs ever and was a terrible outside shooter until later in his career.

[Silkk the Shaka]

DJO and Crowder stayed.  DJO graduated and Jae commuted to and fro Florida while finishing the semester.  Butler also stayed and graduated.  Believe Hayward stuck around but was short of graduation.

Alright, thanks for the info.  Regardless, Vander is not a senior, and he is not close to graduating.  His job now is to get drafted.  We don't even know if he's staying out there for an extended period or what, but if he is, it's the right thing to do.

[GGGG]

Yeah...gotta be all in.  I don't blame him.

[Rockmic87]

Probably chump-change to the agent. Laughing to the bank unless Blue gets injured.

Agents don't get that much money unless the player is in the 1st Round, and with the new CBA, agents still don't see the money until the player has played 4 years in the league and can see some real money.

So yeah, it's definitely is a risk to front that moneys for Vander who is likely to go undrafted, if not 2nd round at best, where there are no guarantees.

[Rockmic87]

Travis Diener doesn't have Vander Blue's body. I think Vander gets picked in second round. So does Draft Express, for whatever that is worth. http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-mock-draft/2013/

DJO, who is better than Vander, got picked in the 2nd. Didn't last a full 2 months in the NBA. Where is he now?

[nyg]

Travis didn't have Vander's build, but he was a much better shooter and ballhandler. 

Vander probably goes in round 2 and fights for a roster spot, but thats a long shot.  NBDL where he works at it and gives it a few years. 

[MU82]

I just hope if JJJ goes early it is when he is ready. Jereme Richmond went after his first year, how'd that work out? Right now I'm not sure if he's playing for the Sauk Valley Predators or for an inmate league (went into jail back in October, not sure if he is out).

Yes, and few would have debated back then that Richmond had an NBA body. Also had some real athletic ability and basketball talent. But he was a prima donna -- spoiled his entire youth career -- and also had some anger issues.

As for Diener vs. Blue ... it's apples and oranges. Completely different players. If a team drafts Vander (or signs him after he goes undrafted), it will be because of his potential.

Some guys, like Diener, peak as collegians. I'm still amazed that skinny, little kid got as many years in the NBA as he did. Even some starts, for cripe's sake! NBAers will be hoping Blue is nowhere near as good as he will be down the line.

[buckchuckler]

Like so many of us, Vander went to Marquette to help him prepare for his career.  He has made his choice to pursue his career as a professional basketball player and leave MU.  Since that is the case, Marquette has done all it can to help him prepare for his chosen career.  Sitting in classes for another semester isn't going to help him one bit right now.  He is focusing on basketball, as he should be.  No college degree is required, nor will it help in any fashion in that career.  If Vander wants to pursue some other form of employment when his basketball career is over, maybe then he can finish his coursework.  Hopefully he will never need any other employment as his profession offers great compensation for those that can achieve.  So right now he doesn't need class, he needs practice.  Good luck Vander!

[moomoo]

Like so many of us, Vander went to Marquette to help him prepare for his career.  He has made his choice to pursue his career as a professional basketball player and leave MU.  Since that is the case, Marquette has done all it can to help him prepare for his chosen career.  Sitting in classes for another semester isn't going to help him one bit right now.  He is focusing on basketball, as he should be.  No college degree is required, nor will it help in any fashion in that career.  If Vander wants to pursue some other form of employment when his basketball career is over, maybe then he can finish his coursework.  Hopefully he will never need any other employment as his profession offers great compensation for those that can achieve.  So right now he doesn't need class, he needs practice.  Good luck Vander!

Practice????  We sittin here, I'm suppose to be franchise player, and we in here talking about practice.