It isn't rocket science...

[Windyplayer]

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.

No, he doesn't. You don't know this by watching practices. You only know part of it--playing in games is just different. I can't quantify the difference but see EVERY diamond in the rough in sports history for references.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

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.

Again, Buzz sees these kids everyday. He gets paid to know who can play. When they should play.

That's it.

Henry Sugar wanted more Steve Taylor last season. Henry Sugar was right, because he provided advanced metrics based upon Steve's performance. Steve forced his way into the line-up, and Buzz said as much. He earned his minutes.

Fans saying: "We need to see what Dawson can do for the future" is a bit silly for a team that was picked to win the conference.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

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.

Did you have this figured out back when you said Dawson would get 15min in the OSU game, or is this a new realization that you have come to?

Oh, and I can go back through MU history and show you where frosh. have gotten more minutes than upper classman.

I can also show you video where Buzz tells the guys that seniority doesn't matter, and it's the toughest 5 guys who will play.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

No, he doesn't. You don't know this by watching practices. You only know part of it--playing in games is just different. I can't quantify the difference but see EVERY diamond in the rough in sports history for references.

By that logic, Buzz should get every player in every game, just in case he catches lightning a bottle. Also, open try-outs should be every fall, just in case somebody on campus can walk-on and be better than Derrick Wilson.

C'mon.

Dawson will get his opportunities, guys.

But, if Buzz isn't playing him, the most likely reason is because Dawson isn't ready yet.

[PGsHeroes32]

Again, Buzz sees these kids everyday. He gets paid to know who can play. When they should play.

That's it.

Henry Sugar wanted more Steve Taylor last season. Henry Sugar was right, because he provided advanced metrics based upon Steve's performance. Steve forced his way into the line-up, and Buzz said as much. He earned his minutes.

Fans saying: "We need to see what Dawson can do for the future" is a bit silly for a team that was picked to win the conference.

We were picked to win the conference before people realized how we are constantly playing 3 or 4 on 5 when jake and Derrick are in.

Again. The kid can't even make free throws.

[NersEllenson]

Did you have this figured out back when you said Dawson would get 15min in the OSU game, or is this a new realization that you have come to?

Sorry every prediction I make can't come true....but I will guarantee you Derrick Wilson will not be getting 35 minutes a game by conference play.  But instead of your typical smug, aloof response - why don't you make an argument against what I said - that Buzz like many coaches gives their vets every chance to earn the majority of minutes....and when he has enough evidence they aren't worthy...he can make a change with evidence and not affect team chemistry.  "It isn't rocket science."  

[Windyplayer]

By that logic, Buzz should get every player in every game, just in case he catches lightning a bottle. Also, open try-outs should be every fall, just in case somebody on campus can walk-on and be better than Derrick Wilson.

C'mon.

Dawson will get his opportunities, guys.

But, if Buzz isn't playing him, the most likely reason is because Dawson isn't ready yet.

Um, no. This occurs when an opportunity presents itself. I'm aguing that Derrick Wilson's poor play presents that opportunity and Buzz should at least explore it. And obviously, there needs to be a threshold of talent as every diamond in the rough has had.

[MerrittsMustache]

Sorry every prediction I make can't come true....but I will guarantee you Derrick Wilson will not be getting 35 minutes a game by conference play.  But instead of your typical smug, aloof response - why don't you make an argument against what I said - that Buzz like many coaches gives their vets every chance to earn the majority of minutes....and when he has enough evidence they aren't worthy...he can make a change with evidence and not affect team chemistry.  "It isn't rocket science."  

Buzz's job is to win basketball games. Under no circumstances is he thinking, "Playing Dawson, Johnson and Burton would give us a better chance to win, but I'd rather give a senior walk-on big minutes because he's a senior."

[MerrittsMustache]

Um, no. This occurs when an opportunity presents itself. I'm aguing that Derrick Wilson's poor play presents that opportunity and Buzz should at least explore it. And obviously, there needs to be a threshold of talent as every diamond in the rough has had.

Buzz IS exploring other options by having Jamil run the point.

[brewcity77]

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.

No, not worst case scenario. Worst case scenario, Dawson plays notably worse. Turns the ball over 4-5 times per game, breaks up the defensive cohesion (the one outstanding part of this team right now), while providing no more offensive punch (as he hasn't shown any more offensive ability thus far than Derrick has).

What has anyone seen from Dawson to indicate he's any better on the offensive end than Derrick is? What Derrick brings has been discussed to death, and further explained by Guns in this thread. Why does anyone think Dawson will automatically be better? Simply because he's different, or because they don't like Derrick as a player and figure "it can't get worse than this".

But that's not true. It can get much worse than this.

[Windyplayer]

Buzz IS exploring other options by having Jamil run the point.

That's not viable. That's taking a true talent at the 3/4 and plugging him in at the 1 to get a little better while taking a huge hit in the front court.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Sorry every prediction I make can't come true....but I will guarantee you Derrick Wilson will not be getting 35 minutes a game by conference play.  But instead of your typical smug, aloof response - why don't you make an argument against what I said - that Buzz like many coaches gives their vets every chance to earn the majority of minutes....and when he has enough evidence they aren't worthy...he can make a change with evidence and not affect team chemistry.  "It isn't rocket science."  

WHO PLAYS HERE???

http://youtu.be/_nf7SuRwIfE
http://youtu.be/_nf7SuRwIfE?t=8m54s

[MerrittsMustache]

That's not viable. That's taking a true talent at the 3/4 and plugging him in at the 1 to get a little better while taking a huge hit in the front court.

At this point, it's a more viable option than Dawson running the point.

[setyoursightsnorth]

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

I don't know what Buzz sees in Jake, yet he plays him. I say he's on the pine for ASU.

[NersEllenson]

No, not worst case scenario. Worst case scenario, Dawson plays notably worse. Turns the ball over 4-5 times per game, breaks up the defensive cohesion (the one outstanding part of this team right now), while providing no more offensive punch (as he hasn't shown any more offensive ability thus far than Derrick has).

What has anyone seen from Dawson to indicate he's any better on the offensive end than Derrick is? What Derrick brings has been discussed to death, and further explained by Guns in this thread. Why does anyone think Dawson will automatically be better? Simply because he's different, or because they don't like Derrick as a player and figure "it can't get worse than this".

But that's not true. It can get much worse than this.

I've seen Dawson lead effective fast breaks and create easy looks for teammates, far more than what I've seen of Derrick Wilson - yes...just in the Grambling game alone - the only relevant sample size as he got 20 minutes that game.  Last night Dawson got 8 minutes, 4 of which were off the ball with Jamil playing PG - hard to show a lot as a PG in 4 minutes....as for it being able to get much worse??  Please...here's the season stats for the team...Derrick has played the MOST minutes yet ranks at the absolute bottom of the roster??  But yeah, people are really overreacting saying he's been bad.  Comical.

Player   GP   MIN   PPG   RPG   APG   SPG   BPG   TPG   FG%   FT%   3P%
Todd Mayo   4   22.8   13.8   4.3   2.0   1.5   0.5   1.8   .395   .840   .267
Davante Gardner   4   20.8   12.5   4.5   0.3   0.3   0.8   1.5   .464   .667   .000
Chris Otule   4   19.5   9.8   3.5   0.0   0.3   0.5   1.5   .867   .448   .000
Jamil Wilson   4   24.8   8.3   4.8   1.8   0.8   0.5   1.3   .313   .667   .250
Jake Thomas   4   21.5   5.3   3.0   1.0   0.8   0.0   1.3   .261   1.000   .278
Deonte Burton   4   12.5   4.8   2.8   0.3   1.3   0.3   0.3   .364   .600   .000
Steve Taylor, Jr.   4   15.0   4.3   6.8   1.3   0.3   0.0   0.5   .389   .500   .000
JaJuan Johnson   3   14.0   4.0   0.3   0.3   0.3   0.0   0.0   .267   1.000   .143
Juan Anderson   4   15.8   3.8   4.5   2.3   1.3   0.0   2.3   .429   .500   .000
Dylan Flood   1   1.0   2.0   1.0   0.0   0.0   0.0   0.0   1.000   .000   .000
John Dawson   3   11.3   1.0   1.7   2.0   0.0   0.0   1.0   .143   .500   .000
Derrick Wilson   4   28.3   1.0   4.8   4.0   0.5   0.3   1.5   .100   .250   .000

[79Warrior]

At this point, it's a more viable option than Dawson running the point.

Really? Lets see Jamil handle full court pressure then decide

[MerrittsMustache]

I've seen Dawson lead effective fast breaks and create easy looks for teammates, far more than what I've seen of Derrick Wilson - yes...just in the Grambling game alone - the only relevant sample size as he got 20 minutes that game.  Last night Dawson got 8 minutes, 4 of which were off the ball with Jamil playing PG - hard to show a lot as a PG in 4 minutes....as for it being able to get much worse??  Please...here's the season stats for the team...Derrick has played the MOST minutes yet ranks at the absolute bottom of the roster??  But yeah, people are really overreacting saying he's been bad.  Comical.

Player   GP   MIN   PPG   RPG   APG   SPG   BPG   TPG   FG%   FT%   3P%
Todd Mayo   4   22.8   13.8   4.3   2.0   1.5   0.5   1.8   .395   .840   .267
Davante Gardner   4   20.8   12.5   4.5   0.3   0.3   0.8   1.5   .464   .667   .000
Chris Otule   4   19.5   9.8   3.5   0.0   0.3   0.5   1.5   .867   .448   .000
Jamil Wilson   4   24.8   8.3   4.8   1.8   0.8   0.5   1.3   .313   .667   .250
Jake Thomas   4   21.5   5.3   3.0   1.0   0.8   0.0   1.3   .261   1.000   .278
Deonte Burton   4   12.5   4.8   2.8   0.3   1.3   0.3   0.3   .364   .600   .000
Steve Taylor, Jr.   4   15.0   4.3   6.8   1.3   0.3   0.0   0.5   .389   .500   .000
JaJuan Johnson   3   14.0   4.0   0.3   0.3   0.3   0.0   0.0   .267   1.000   .143
Juan Anderson   4   15.8   3.8   4.5   2.3   1.3   0.0   2.3   .429   .500   .000
Dylan Flood   1   1.0   2.0   1.0   0.0   0.0   0.0   0.0   1.000   .000   .000
John Dawson   3   11.3   1.0   1.7   2.0   0.0   0.0   1.0   .143   .500   .000
Derrick Wilson   4   28.3   1.0   4.8   4.0   0.5   0.3   1.5   .100   .250   .000

In other words...ME LIKE POINTS!

[MerrittsMustache]

Really? Lets see Jamil handle full court pressure then decide

I trust Buzz more than I trust the basketball stupids on this board.

[GGGG]

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.

I think you should stop making excuses for why the coach you admire so much doesn't share your opinion.

[brewcity77]

That's not viable. That's taking a true talent at the 3/4 and plugging him in at the 1 to get a little better while taking a huge hit in the front court.

Is it? If Jamil can play the point legitimately (a big if, considering how he dribbles and we've yet to see him handle real pressure) at a decent level, I have no problem with Steve, Juan, and Deonte handling the burdens at the 3/4 with Davante getting some time there in a jumbo package.

I agree Jamil is our best 3/4 switchable, and Derrick is our best pure point, but if we go to next man up, it seems pretty clear Steve, Juan, and Deonte are more ready for the role of filling Jamil's shoes than anyone else is for filling Derrick's.

[Hards Alumni]

ITS NOVEMBER 22nd AND WE ARE 3-1.  MAYBE WE SHOULD STOP FREAKING OUT.

[GGGG]

Sorry every prediction I make can't come true....but I will guarantee you Derrick Wilson will not be getting 35 minutes a game by conference play.  But instead of your typical smug, aloof response - why don't you make an argument against what I said - that Buzz like many coaches gives their vets every chance to earn the majority of minutes....and when he has enough evidence they aren't worthy...he can make a change with evidence and not affect team chemistry.  "It isn't rocket science."  

Name one time that Buzz has done this previously.  Name one time when he started and played a senior and sat a more talented player behind him.

The only possible one is when he started Buycks over Junior, but I think that is quite debatable.  

[MUSF]

Backup QB/PG = most popular guy on any struggling team.

I wonder how charged up people would be if we actually lost any of these games we were supposed to win.

[Windyplayer]

it seems pretty clear Steve, Juan, and Deonte are more ready for the role of filling Jamil's shoes than anyone else is for filling Derrick's.

This is where we disagree. And that's OK.

[MUSF]

DeWilson isn't the problem.   He isn't the solution either, but neither is Dawson at this point. 

This is the bottom line IMO. I trust Buzz's PT strategy at this point.