It isn't rocket science...

[PGsHeroes32]

Start Outle, ox, jamil, todd, Dawson.

And we win fucking games.

Steve, Juan, jujuan, Deonte are great back ups. Derrick can back up Dawson. Jake can just be pleased he isn't playing D2 basketball.

[MerrittsMustache]

Start Outle, ox, jamil, todd, Dawson.

And we win unnatural carnal knowledgeing games.

Steve, Juan, jujuan, Deonte are great back ups. Derrick can back up Dawson. Jake can just be pleased he isn't playing D2 basketball.

What exactly has Dawson done to earn a starting spot? The kid has a bright future, but his game needs some work to be successful at this level.

[bilsu]

I can understand why people are not happy with Derrick, but I cannot understand why people think Dawson is the answer. Last night when Jamil Wilson played point in the first half he became very involved in the game. Maybe the only way to get Jamil excited about playing is to make him the point guard.

[Skatastrophy]

I'd say Jamil is our best PG right now. The problem is that Juan, Steve, Davante & Deonte are a little weak still at the 4 so Jamil's lacking a backup there.

[KenoshaWarrior]

The problem is that their is a force field around the rim and it is clearly in the teams head right now

[Skatastrophy]

The problem is that their is a force field around the rim and it is clearly in the teams head right now

Maybe our long road/neutral stretch coming up will help out with that.

[Windyplayer]

but I cannot understand why people think Dawson is the answer.guard.

We don't know that Dawson is not the answer; we KNOW that De Wilson is not the answer.

[melissasmooth]

We don't know that Dawson is not the answer; we KNOW that De Wilson is not the answer.

We may not know, but Buzz sees him practice every day. Don't you think if Buzz thought Dawson was the answer he would be using him more? Or do you think Buzz gets a thrill out of seeing MU play like crap. If Buzz thought Dawson was the answer he wouldn't be using JWilson at the point as much either

[MerrittsMustache]

We don't know that Dawson is not the answer; we KNOW that De Wilson is not the answer.

If there was a decent chance that Dawson was the answer right now, Jamil wouldn't be getting minutes at the point.

[brewcity77]

I can understand why people are not happy with Derrick, but I cannot understand why people think Dawson is the answer. Last night when Jamil Wilson played point in the first half he became very involved in the game. Maybe the only way to get Jamil excited about playing is to make him the point guard.

Jamil was better than Dawson, but I don't think he's better than Derrick. That said, if playing PG motivates him, we have better alternative options at his position than anyone else at the point.

[JTBMU7]

the main reason Jamil played point so much was UNH were solely in zone all game, don't really need a true PG to advance the ball against that D.

as soon as we try to pull that against a real team they will press/trap and force turnovers. you end up with the same problem when playing Otule and Gardner at the same time.

[bilsu]

If there was a decent chance that Dawson was the answer right now, Jamil wouldn't be getting minutes at the point.

What I think is ironic is that posters were saying Derrick cannot shoot, so we need to play Dawson. Derrick last night was 0-1 and Dawson was 0-3 and they are still begging for Dawson. Did anyone else notice the shot Derrick missed last night? He missed on a rebound put back, which is no big deal. However, he was way above the rim when he grabbed the rebound and tried to stuff it. He cannot dunk either, but he does have very good hops.

[forgetful]

the main reason Jamil played point so much was UNH were solely in zone all game, don't really need a true PG to advance the ball against that D.

as soon as we try to pull that against a real team they will press/trap and force turnovers. you end up with the same problem when playing Otule and Gardner at the same time.

This would be true except for the fact that our two best players at breaking a press/trap so far this year are Jamil and Mayo...D. Wilson wasn't even involved.

I like the line up with Jamil at point...put Thomas or Juan at the 3.  Add in Mayo and that is a nice lineup.

[Nevada233]

Dawson's only playing spot duty come in at 5:01 out by 3:56 come in at 17:30 out my 15:13... what kind of rhythm can you get into... if every ball stoppage your back out of the game...

[MU82]

What has Gardner done to earn increased minutes?

Brick free throws? Sulk? Play half-heartedly?

You reward guys who work hard and achieve.

[MerrittsMustache]

Derrick and Jake are what they are: role players. That's not a bad thing. That's what they were brought here to be. However, they're being asked to play significantly bigger roles this season and the results haven't been very pretty. That said, having thought about it more, that's not the biggest issue for the team.

Three players have not stepped up so far: Jamil, Gardner, Anderson.

I wondered on a different thread if Jamil is a guy who just is what he is - a guy who looks like a ballplayer and is 10-5 guys who's a very nice third option (I compared him to Olouma Nnamaka).

Gardner was getting preseason All-American buzz but has looked very out of sorts the last 3 games. MU needs more from him if they're going to have a successful season. He'll get there.

Juan was a top 100 recruit (as high as #60, IIRC). So far, he's been a hustle player. Again, not a bad thing when that's what you're being asked to do, but I'm assuming that Buzz was expecting more from him as an upperclassman. He's long and athletic and, like Jamil, "looks the part," but the results just haven't been there for him, particularly offensively. There are minutes to be had for guys who can put the ball in the basket. It'd be nice to see Juan step up in that capacity.

One guy who has stepped up is Todd Mayo. He's been MU's most consistent player so far this season, especially offensively. His shooting percentages will go up as the season goes on, but if he averages 14-4-2, I'll be extremely pleased. He was obviously out of control at times against OSU, but he was really the only one playing with any sense of urgency in that game. For better or worse, he's not afraid to be aggressive and make a mistake.

[jsglow]

I'm intrigued by the Point Forward. Ball movement appeared 100% better.

[NersEllenson]

Dawson's only playing spot duty come in at 5:01 out by 3:56 come in at 17:30 out my 15:13... what kind of rhythm can you get into... if every ball stoppage your back out of the game...

Ummm thank you....not a chance to get into any kind of flow in that limited time.  I still liked what I saw from John...even though his 2nd time in he was playing off the ball with Jamil being at the 1.  Didn't get to see John run the point much.  As for his missed 3's - one was totally rushed at end of the shot clock, 1 was right on target, the other was a miss.  His form looks much better than Derrick's does - and I just like what way Dawson accelerates the pace of the game - as looking to push/advance the ball up court quickly off of defensive rebounds.

[brewcity77]

Start Outle, ox, jamil, todd, Dawson.

How is it the guy has been here 6 years and people still can't spell his name? And it's not the occasional typo, it's constant. There's no apostrophe, it's not pronounced "Out-el", I mean seriously.

I get people make accidents, but it's not like his name is Nnamaka, Ilgauskas, Olowokandia, or something difficult. It's five freaking letters.[/pointlessrant]

[MerrittsMustache]

Ummm thank you....not a chance to get into any kind of flow in that limited time.  I still liked what I saw from John...even though his 2nd time in he was playing off the ball with Jamil being at the 1.  Didn't get to see John run the point much.  As for his missed 3's - one was totally rushed at end of the shot clock, 1 was right on target, the other was a miss.  His form looks much better than Derrick's does - and I just like what way Dawson accelerates the pace of the game - as looking to push/advance the ball up court quickly off of defensive rebounds.

Think there might be a reason for that?

[brewcity77]

Think there might be a reason for that?

The calls for Dawson are becoming comical. Last game, someone talks about how as soon as Derrick came out, the offense seemed out of synch, yet the answer is to go with a different player at the point. This time, Dawson is put in to play off the ball with a natural power forward at the 1 and somehow this isn't an indicator that maybe the frosh isn't ready for that role yet.

Derrick's not a perfect player. I never said he was. But all these people who act like he brings nothing to the table really paint themselves like fools with statements like that one.

[Dawson Rental]

How is it the guy has been here 6 years and people still can't spell his name? And it's not the occasional typo, it's constant. There's no apostrophe, it's not pronounced "Out-el", I mean seriously.

I get people make accidents, but it's not like his name is Nnamaka, Ilgauskas, Olowokandia, or something difficult. It's five freaking letters.[/pointlessrant]

Get ready for Nick Noskowiak.

[PGsHeroes32]

How is it the guy has been here 6 years and people still can't spell his name? And it's not the occasional typo, it's constant. There's no apostrophe, it's not pronounced "Out-el", I mean seriously.

I get people make accidents, but it's not like his name is Nnamaka, Ilgauskas, Olowokandia, or something difficult. It's five freaking letters.[/pointlessrant]

Holy crap. Are you going to survive?

I was on a phone and it auto corrected.

You gona be ok with that or have an aneurism?

Spelling nazi on a message board hahahahahha

[Windyplayer]

If there was a decent chance that Dawson was the answer right now, Jamil wouldn't be getting minutes at the point.

I think Buzz has a habit, for better or worse, of rewarding players too much for whatever reason (seniority, playing hard in practice, etc.). Sometimes it backfires. In this case, I think we have a case of seniority and Buzz not wanting to back down from his pre-season plan of having De Wilson be "the guy" at point.

[PGsHeroes32]

What exactly has Dawson done to earn a starting spot? The kid has a bright future, but his game needs some work to be successful at this level.

What exactly has Derrick done?

Literally nothing.