It isn't rocket science...

[Windyplayer]

Excellent post.

We have asked, "What has Derrick done?" or "What has Dawson done?" or even "What has Gardner done?"

The best question is: "What has Buzz done to earn our trust?"

Isn't the answer: "A whole hell of a lot!"?

Can't we trust that Buzz actually knows what he's doing? It's not asking for blind trust, as it might have been in his first year on the job. The man has a pretty darn good track record at Marquette of winning games, recognizing talent, developing players, etc., doesn't he?

Six years in, with an Elite Eight, two Sweet 16s and several NBA players on his resume, there are still some here who don't trust that he's an OK coach?

And while I'm on this, let's go back to Derrick ...

I DO trust Buzz. And he benched his starting PG -- and supposedly one of his favorite players ever at MU -- to use a power forward at PG in the final minutes of a close game.

No matter what any of us here says to criticize Derrick Wilson, it will be less of an indictment than that.

I like to think even Derrick's staunchest defenders can see that.

Fair. Buzz has earned my trust. But any head coach can always improve in different facets of the game.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

I DO trust Buzz. And he benched his starting PG -- and supposedly one of his favorite players ever at MU -- to use a power forward at PG in the final minutes of a close game.

No matter what any of us here says to criticize Derrick Wilson, it will be less of an indictment than that.

I like to think even Derrick's staunchest defenders can see that.

It's actually more of an indictment of John Dawson.

We know Derrick can't play 40 per game. Buzz has to find somebody who can produce when Derrick isn't in.

Derrick will continue to start. He will continue to get the majority of PG minutes.

[PGsHeroes32]

The difference is...guns said buzz sees the teams 17 days in a 7 days week


Sorry I know math.


Goddamn where you two raised by gorillas?

[Windyplayer]

It's actually more of an indictment of John Dawson.

We know Derrick can't play 40 per game. Buzz has to find somebody who can produce when Derrick isn't in.

Derrick will continue to start. He will continue to get the majority of PG minutes.

There's just a fundamental difference of opinion on the board regarding Derrick Wilson and how he is being handled by Buzz. We'll never get to the bottom of it and all we can do is support the team and hope for the best at the end of the day (catharsis complete).

[MerrittsMustache]

No, Buzz would never come out and say it. But based on his interviews and anecdotes, he puts a lot of emphasis on the way guys practice as far as intensity and we know for a fact that he doesn't like playing freshmen as often as other coaches might. So yes, there is an inference here, but it's by no means, far fetched.

As Freshmen:
Maymon: 16mpg
Blue: 19mpg
Mayo: 21mpg

Under Buzz, what frosh did MU have on the bench who should have seen the floor more? Erik Williams? Reggie Smith? Juan? Otule? Yous Mbao?

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Lol you comment on the use of literally?

Alright so we see these kids 1%. Of the time Buzz does?

Well two games a week is 4 hours. So 1% would be 400 hours. Sadly I don't think buzz " sees these kids" 17 days in a 7 day week

You are LITERALLY an idiot tehehehe

Buzz sees these kids as HS players, he sees them in the off season (in a limited capacity), he watches film, he's at practice, he sees them in meetings, study hall, etc.

So, I LITERALLY don't know how much time he spends with them, but it's safe to say that our view (internet nerds), is limited in capacity, and Buzz has a much better idea of what the guys are capable of.

[brewcity77]

The difference is...guns said buzz sees the teams 17 days in a 7 days week


Sorry I know math.


Goddamn where you two raised by gorillas?

You may know math, but you don't seem to know linguistics. Guns did not use the word literally, and you don't seem to understand the meaning of the word hyperbole.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

The difference is...guns said buzz sees the teams 17 days in a 7 days week


Sorry I know math.


Goddamn where you two raised by gorillas?

Literally raised by gorillas, or figuratively raised by gorillas?

[PGsHeroes32]

Ok, so still not 1%

Now, can we get back to the question at hand?

What has Derrick done? More specifically, what has he done positively?

[humanlung]

How about we all remember that ALL of these guys are just young men (some are VERY young...) who are busting it every day, doing something that 99.99% of the people on this board could never do?  And that every single one of them is acutely aware of how they perform every game (if they weren't, I doubt they would have made it to this level).    

They deserve our support.  All of them.  Good game or bad.  

Just my opinion.

[PGsHeroes32]

You may know math, but you don't seem to know linguistics. Guns did not use the word literally, and you don't seem to understand the meaning of the word hyperbole.

And you don't seem to know basketball

Which is what this message board is.

Game. Set. Match.

[PGsHeroes32]

And "literally nothing" does work crap heads

Literally- "actually, without exaggeration or inaccuracy"

I was definitely not exaggerating when I said he does nothing. And based off the fact you refuse to answer what Derrick does...it also was not inaccurate.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Ok, so still not 1%

Now, can we get back to the question at hand?

What has Derrick done? More specifically, what has he done positively?

He's an outstanding defender and very good ball handler.

I never expected more than that. (literally). I don't know why anybody would.

A team CAN live with a PG like that if the other players are playing well and can shoot and score. If they aren't, then it's going to look ugly. It's looked ugly.

MU would be better off with Travis Diener on this team.

Unfortunately, Travis is literally out of eligibility, so MU is stuck with a Frosh. who is hurt, a Frosh. who isn't ready (based on the coach's viewpoint), and a pass-first, no-shot, great-defense PG.

My thought? Get the other guys on the roster to be better at offense. If that happens, then the pass-first, no-shot PG won't look so bad.

I'm not sure handing the reigns to a frosh. PG is a good idea. I trust that Buzz has a good handle on that. (figurative handle, not literal handle).

[MerrittsMustache]

Ok, so still not 1%

Now, can we get back to the question at hand?

What has Derrick done? More specifically, what has he done positively?

He leads the team in assists and assist/TO ratio. He's second in rebounds. He takes care of the basketball, runs the offense, and he's the team's best perimeter defender.

How's that?

[melissasmooth]

wow, the hostility is rampant today

[Windyplayer]

As Freshmen:
Maymon: 16mpg
Blue: 19mpg
Mayo: 21mpg

Under Buzz, what frosh did MU have on the bench who should have seen the floor more? Erik Williams? Reggie Smith? Juan? Otule? Yous Mbao?

I'd have to go back and look at all the worthy freshmen, but I just don't have the time to do that, so perhaps, I shouldn't have made the assertion. But there seems to be a consensus around here that Buzz is reluctant to play freshmen.

[NersEllenson]

Here we go again...

This year's version of "If only Buzz knew what I know about <insert player here>.  We would be so much better."

There is a reason Dawson had limited time.  It wasn't because of loyalty.  It was because the head basketball coach, who sees these players a lot more than we do, doesn't think he deserves more time.

Clearly he was searching for another option at point.  But we need to stop thinking that a few positive minutes against SWAC teams means Dawson is ready for extended runs against future teams.

Fair enough....but for the continued ridiculous posts of Brew trying to say Derrick Wilson has been good...and to not even list PG as 1 of our 6 most pressing problems - as Brew offered last week....is absolutely ridiculous.  I think Derrick is a solid backup point guard at the D1 level...that's it - a guy who will give you good D, and not turn the ball over...and spell a player for a breather...but he creates absolutely ZERO.

And obviously everything I've written on Dawson is based on potential - he potentially may be no better - but we have to see if he can bring more juice to the PG position sooner than later...and the sooner we figure that out, the better for the season's prospects.  Maybe Jamil is the best option.  But why not let Dawson run for 25-30 minutes against some of these weaker teams and see how he does...then give him spot duty against the ASU's, Wisky's, UNM...?

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

If it helps, I'm starting to get bored answering this incredibly repetitive and moronic question. Especially when so many of you broad-brushed this kid before the first game of the season and will place all the blame on Derrick when Todd, Jamil, and Davante can't hit a shot.

Honestly, this site is starting to make me ashamed of Marquette fans. The vitriol so many of you are spewing toward this kid is disturbing. I hope he doesn't spend much time on this board. I'll tell you what Derrick has done. ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DESERVE THE GOD-AWFUL TREATMENT HE IS GETTING.

I usually agree with you, but I think you're off the mark here.  Derrick has done NOTHING. Literally NOTHING. I am usually quite the optimist, but man, he worries the hell of out me.  I have sort of avoided this discussion, because I think drawing conclusions from the first few games is dumb.  I am still willing to give him some rope, but he is going to KILL MU's season if he cannot hit open shots, learn how to drive and dish to the big fellas, and learn how to get the ball into the big fellas.  He just stands beyond the arc, gives the defender not a worry in the world about him shooting, and makes passes beyond the arc that an 8th grade PG could make without turning it over.I get that this team does not need Derrick to be one of the best PG in the country in order to be a good team, but they're going to need a lot more than he has been delivering.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

But why not let Dawson run for 25-30 minutes against some of these weaker teams and see how he does...then give him spot duty against the ASU's, Wisky's, UNM...?

Maybe Dawson's just not that good (yet).

I don't say that to be a dick, but it's the most likely answer, right?

It's the same reason why JJJ isn't taking all of Jake's minutes... or why Burton is only getting spot-minutes.

They just aren't ready. It takes time. Maybe a year or 2.

[PGsHeroes32]

He's an outstanding defender and very good ball handler.

I never expected more than that. (literally). I don't know why anybody would.

A team CAN live with a PG like that if the other players are playing well and can shoot and score. If they aren't, then it's going to look ugly. It's looked ugly.

MU would be better off with Travis Diener on this team.

Unfortunately, Travis is literally out of eligibility, so MU is stuck with a Frosh. who is hurt, a Frosh. who isn't ready (based on the coach's viewpoint), and a pass-first, no-shot, great-defense PG.

My thought? Get the other guys on the roster to be better at offense. If that happens, then the pass-first, no-shot PG won't look so bad.

I'm not sure handing the reigns to a frosh. PG is a good idea. I trust that Buzz has a good handle on that. (figurative handle, not literal handle).

Ok valid response.

But those attributes make him acceptable in a back up role. 34 minutes? We are screwed. The guy shoots free throws like he's Deandre Jordan...he's a point guard!!!!

We don't know enough about Dawson but we know Derrick isn't a starter. Why not let Dawson develop? Derrick is a junior we know what he is. Worst case scenario Dawson plays just as bad, at least he gets experience and the chance to develop into something.

[PGsHeroes32]

Maybe Dawson's just not that good (yet).

I don't say that to be a dick, but it's the most likely answer, right?

It's the same reason why JJJ isn't taking all of Jake's minutes... or why Burton is only getting spot-minutes.

They just aren't ready. It takes time. Maybe a year or 2.

I have to say. If JJJ not playing is really a product of him not being good enough to play over Jake Thomas...we are screwed for the indefinite future.

It's seniority and loyalty at this point. Todd shits on jake.

[Windyplayer]

Ok valid response.

But those attributes make him acceptable in a back up role. 34 minutes? We are screwed. The guy shoots free throws like he's Deandre Jordan...he's a point guard!!!!

We don't know enough about Dawson but we know Derrick isn't a starter. Why not let Dawson develop? Derrick is a junior we know what he is. Worst case scenario Dawson plays just as bad, at least he gets experience and the chance to develop into something.

Everything hinges on one question: Does Dawson's offensive game outweigh the impact of Wilson's defense. Nobody knows in large part because Dawson hasn't played enough. I think it's a queston worth pursuing an answer to--at least until the rest of the offense gets poppin'.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Everything hinges on one question: Does Dawson's offensive game outweigh the impact of Wilson's defense. Nobody knows in large part because Dawson hasn't played enough. I think it's a queston worth pursuing an answer to--at least until the rest of the offense gets poppin'.

I'm pretty sure there is 1 guy who knows.

Hints: He makes a lot of money to know stuff like this. He likes expensive suits. He doesn't like combing his hair.

[NersEllenson]

Maybe Dawson's just not that good (yet).

I don't say that to be a dick, but it's the most likely answer, right?

It's the same reason why JJJ isn't taking all of Jake's minutes... or why Burton is only getting spot-minutes.

They just aren't ready. It takes time. Maybe a year or 2.

You and some others fail to comprehend the inner workings of a high major basketball program.  You give the vets every chance to win the majority of the minutes out of loyalty...you don't do that....and you run risk of destroying team chemistry which is critical.  Buzz has to be able to point to evidence he gave Derrick, Jake, Todd, Jamil - every chance to win majority of minutes - but that it hasn't worked out...so he needs to give young guns a chance.  It really isn't that hard to figure out.

[PGsHeroes32]

O sheeeit!!!

Someone else used "literally nothing" in a sentence!!!