It isn't rocket science...

[connie]

Read this thread in its entirety. HILARIOUS stuff in here.

1. The title of the thread alone is ridiculous. It implies right off the bat that the OP thinks Buzz is a hack who doesn't know how to put together a starting lineup.
2. Speaking of the OP, I think we should really fire Buzz and hire HaywardHeroes, he clearly knows better than a coach who has been to the dance 5 times, sweet 16 3 times, and elite 8 once.
3. There was at least an entire page of posts about spelling and grammar. Brew, stop being a spelling nazi. HH, it's spelled Otule and you did use literally incorrectly.
4. We are an ugly offensive team. But we are a good basketball team. Somehow we need to come to terms with that fact.
5. DEFENSE IS JUST AS IF NOT MORE IMPORTANT THAN OFFENSE
6. D Wilson can't score and isn't the best floor general. Dawson's offensive potential is unknown to scoopers but not to Buzz. We know D Wilson is a stellar defender. Again, DEFENSE IS JUST AS IF NOT MORE IMPORTANT THAN OFFENSE
7. Buzz does not start seniors for the sake of loyalty. He starts who will win him the game. To assume otherwise is ridiculous.
8. Team Derrick: He is an above average defender and a below average offensive player. Let's not make him to be more than he is. Team Dawson: If Buzz is sitting him this much against cupcakes, it probably means he is not ready. Buzz knows better than you.
9. Guns N Ammo, your avatar creeps me out but I think you are one of my favorite posters. The bit about firing Buzz if he was starting the wrong guy was brilliant
10. Props to whoever wrote "ITS NOVEMBER 22 AND WE ARE 3-1. MAYBE WE SHOULD STOP FREAKING OUT. Truer words have never been spoken

11.  Buzz has recognized the deficiencies on offence and reacted pretty quickly by trying Jamil at the point.  Other adjustments to come, I'm sure.
12.  Our current 2pt shooting slump (statistically) cannot continue.  Even with an anemic point our bigs can't continue to miss no-footers all season.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Obviously I've been one of Buzz's biggest fans...and continue to be...doesn't mean I'm always going to be 100% in agreement with every decision he makes...but....he did mention several times last year that he thought Derrick deserved to play more than Junior...but out of loyalty to Junior..he was going to ride him...

So....it is entirely possible that Derrick Wilson shows a lot more in practice than he has in games, or Buzz's radar is just way off on Derrick - because what Junior did last year and Derrick has shown thus far this year.....not even a contest...

Reggie Smith started several games, and received decent minutes (in front of Junior who Buzz LOVES) when he was a frosh.

Frosh. can/will play if they are doing what Buzz wants in practice.

Watch the revealed videos again.

Dawson might eventually be all-american, and the #1 pick in the draft... but right now... today... he's not where Buzz wants him to be.

[Spaniel with a Short Tail]

And you don't seem to know basketball

Which is what this message board is.

Game. Set. Match.

Not on this message board!

[Spaniel with a Short Tail]

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.

Pitbull? I hear he's a baller.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Just a thought on the title of this thread...

I would bet there are more rocket scientists employed in this country than D1 bball coaches. Coaching at this level certainly isn't as easy as the title implies.

We employ a few of those guys....

[MU82]

Obviously I've been one of Buzz's biggest fans...and continue to be...doesn't mean I'm always going to be 100% in agreement with every decision he makes...but....he did mention several times last year that he thought Derrick deserved to play more than Junior...but out of loyalty to Junior..he was going to ride him...

So....it is entirely possible that Derrick Wilson shows a lot more in practice than he has in games, or Buzz's radar is just way off on Derrick - because what Junior did last year and Derrick has shown thus far this year.....not even a contest...

I think you are smart enough to know that Buzz was using those words to motivate Junior. If Buzz actually thought Wilson would have helped him win more games, he would have played Wilson more than he played Junior.

Buzz says lots of things. Sometimes, he says them for effect.

Buzz is a coach. Coaches want to win games. Toward that end, they will do what they feel they must do (such as start Junior over Derrick) and say what they feel they must say (such as, "I probably should start Derrick over Junior") to win games.

[77ncaachamps]

It isn't Rocket Science...

that the new defensive rules are proving difficult for many teams to adjust so early in the season...

AND we can't shoot worth sh*t!

[Sunbelt15]

Reggie Smith started several games, and received decent minutes (in front of Junior who Buzz LOVES) when he was a frosh.

Frosh. can/will play if they are doing what Buzz wants in practice.

Watch the revealed videos again.

Dawson might eventually be all-american, and the #1 pick in the draft... but right now... today... he's not where Buzz wants him to be.

So the 10 players Paint Touches spoke with which praised JJJ, really don't know what they're talking about? Cause JJJ really hasn't seen much time even after being called our best guard by players.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

So the 10 players Paint Touches spoke with which praised JJJ, really don't know what they're talking about? Cause JJJ really hasn't seen much time even after being called our best guard by players.

JJJ might be the most talented, and that's what the players are seeing. But, until he can do EXACTLY what Buzz wants, he'll sit on the bench.

At just to clarify, JJJ, Dawson, Duane and Burton may all end up being fantastic college players and NBA hall of famers.

BUT... for now... they are Frosh. and Buzz doesn't think they are effective enough to get major minutes. As they improve, that could certainly change.

[brewcity77]

JJJ might be the most talented, and that's what the players are seeing. But, until he can do EXACTLY what Buzz wants, he'll sit on the bench.

At just to clarify, JJJ, Dawson, Duane and Burton may all end up being fantastic college players and NBA hall of famers.

BUT... for now... they are Frosh. and Buzz doesn't think they are effective enough to get major minutes. As they improve, that could certainly change.

It wasn't just the players, Buzz said the same thing. But when people are talking about freshmen being impressive and talented, they are usually talking about the offensive end. Until JJJ gets it on the defensive end, which right now he pretty clearly doesn't, he's not going to get a ton of time, especially in meaningful games.

[Dr. Blackheart]

I will just point out using tempo free stats from Pomeroy a few things:
--MU is #3 in the nation in assist% (68.2% v 57.4% last season), as odd as that seems, and Grambling was the lowest assist % game despite a school record being hit.
--Turnover rate is a couple of clicks below last season's average (18.7 v. 20.9).
--A/TO ratio is 1:09 (#141), though, but was 1.03 last season.
--Tempo is actually up:  69 v. 64.4

So, posters will say it is because MU cannot shoot, and there are fewer made unassisted shots in transition with a Vander and Junior gone. Last season, MU made 58.4% of its points from two land versus 53.3% this season. Threes represent a measly 14.4% of MU's points this year, even worse than 18.5% from last year.  All true, and we all know about MU's case of the Yips.

But free throw rate is up significantly: 62.3% v. 40.9%.  And obviously so is MU's % of points from the stripe (32.2% vs. 23.1%).  Combining the FT and 2Pt point distribution, MU is scoring 85% of its points inside the arc this season vs. 81% last season-even a higher skew.  MU is #2 in the nation from points from its centers--33% vs. a 19% national team average--MU's centers are averaging 23 points per game!

Buzz's focus has been defense and not fouling with the new rules, with his limited practice time. Feed the post on offense to get the calls early. (One can see why freshman minutes have been limited). He has a half court offense PG, versus an open court maven last year.  Early on, we can see that MU is a very different team as a result.  As this team practices and works on offensive sets, spacing and shot selection, and if the case of the Yips is cured, a BIG if viewing from today, look out.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I will just point out using tempo free stats from Pomeroy a few things:
--MU is #3 in the nation in assist% (68.2% v 57.4% last season), as odd as that seems, and Grambling was the lowest assist % game despite a school record being hit.
--Turnover rate is a couple of clicks below last season's average (18.7 v. 20.9).
--A/TO ratio is 1:09 (#141), though, but was 1.03 last season.
--Tempo is actually up:  69 v. 64.4

So, posters will say it is because MU cannot shoot, and there are fewer made unassisted shots in transition with a Vander and Junior gone. Last season, MU made 58.4% of its points from two land versus 53.3% this season. Threes represent a measly 14.4% of MU's points this year, even worse than 18.5% from last year.  All true, and we all know about MU's case of the Yips.

But free throw rate is up significantly: 62.3% v. 40.9%.  And obviously so is MU's % of points from the stripe (32.2% vs. 23.1%).  Combining the FT and 2Pt point distribution, MU is scoring 85% of its points inside the arc this season vs. 81% last season-even a higher skew.  MU is #2 in the nation from points from its centers--33% vs. a 19% national team average--MU's centers are averaging 23 points per game!

Buzz's focus has been defense and not fouling with the new rules, with his limited practice time. Feed the post on offense to get the calls early. (One can see why freshman minutes have been limited). He has a half court offense PG, versus an open court maven last year.  Early on, we can see that MU is a very different team as a result.  As this team practices and works on offensive sets, spacing and shot selection, and if the case of the Yips is cured, a BIG if viewing from today, look out.

Great post doc

[MU82]

I will just point out using tempo free stats from Pomeroy a few things:
--MU is #3 in the nation in assist% (68.2% v 57.4% last season), as odd as that seems, and Grambling was the lowest assist % game despite a school record being hit.
--Turnover rate is a couple of clicks below last season's average (18.7 v. 20.9).
--A/TO ratio is 1:09 (#141), though, but was 1.03 last season.
--Tempo is actually up:  69 v. 64.4

So, posters will say it is because MU cannot shoot, and there are fewer made unassisted shots in transition with a Vander and Junior gone. Last season, MU made 58.4% of its points from two land versus 53.3% this season. Threes represent a measly 14.4% of MU's points this year, even worse than 18.5% from last year.  All true, and we all know about MU's case of the Yips.

But free throw rate is up significantly: 62.3% v. 40.9%.  And obviously so is MU's % of points from the stripe (32.2% vs. 23.1%).  Combining the FT and 2Pt point distribution, MU is scoring 85% of its points inside the arc this season vs. 81% last season-even a higher skew.  MU is #2 in the nation from points from its centers--33% vs. a 19% national team average--MU's centers are averaging 23 points per game!

Buzz's focus has been defense and not fouling with the new rules, with his limited practice time. Feed the post on offense to get the calls early. (One can see why freshman minutes have been limited). He has a half court offense PG, versus an open court maven last year.  Early on, we can see that MU is a very different team as a result.  As this team practices and works on offensive sets, spacing and shot selection, and if the case of the Yips is cured, a BIG if viewing from today, look out.

This tells me a lot about "advanced stats." Which is that, just like "regular" stats, they often lie.

[Dr. Blackheart]

This tells me a lot about "advanced stats." Which is that, just like "regular" stats, they often lie.

Rather than just throwing that claim out there, back it up.  Our coach lives by these and has done quite well with advanced stats. We get that you don't think DeWilson is a very good PG...and Jake should sit.  But it is a reality that MU will be a plodding team with its roster.

Listen, MU cannot hit shots yet. Fact. It is the root cause of their issue...but that is because MU is trying to get free throws early on, building on its strengths, and Buzz chose to do it this way with practice.  Possessions are up only because of all the fouls called.  MU is getting points, a lot of its points, on dead time.  They are not turning it over as much and they are assisting more as a percent of those possessions where a foul isn't called.  That is what the advanced stats explain:  MU, early on, is going with its strengths.

[NersEllenson]

Had time to cool off and reflect on this team and have come up with:  It isn't rocket science - it's nearly impossible to win at the high major level with a PG that thus far has shown no more than mid-low major ability.  The offense is going to continue to be ugly, when the PG getting 30 minutes a game does nothing to spark offense.

Glad Buzz sees this already, having moved Jamil to the point against New Hampshire.  Buzz will get it right whether that means Jamil at the point, more Dawson - but ultimately less Derrick Wilson.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Had time to cool off and reflect on this team and have come up with:  It isn't rocket science - it's nearly impossible to win at the high major level with a PG that thus far has shown no more than mid-low major ability.  The offense is going to continue to be ugly, when the PG getting 30 minutes a game does nothing to spark offense.

Glad Buzz sees this already, having moved Jamil to the point against New Hampshire.  Buzz will get it right whether that means Jamil at the point, more Dawson - but ultimately less Derrick Wilson.

So you cooled down? Reflected? And came up with the exact same answer you had before?

[NersEllenson]

So you cooled down? Reflected? And came up with the exact same answer you had before?

Exactly.  Have you drawn different conclusions?  I know you offered the great backup quarterback analogy - even throwing out people in College Station at times want Manziel's backup (perhaps they were right yesterday?!)  Kidding about that of course.  Why your analogy was flawed is Manziel won a Heisman...is a dynamic talent.  Derrick Wilson has never shown any type of ability to generate offense.  Good defender?  Yes?  That makes him a good backup.  But he is not a catalyst you need a PG to be.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Exactly.  Have you drawn different conclusions?  I know you offered the great backup quarterback analogy - even throwing out people in College Station at times want Manziel's backup (perhaps they were right yesterday?!)  Kidding about that of course.  Why your analogy was flawed is Manziel won a Heisman...is a dynamic talent.  Derrick Wilson has never shown any type of ability to generate offense.  Good defender?  Yes?  That makes him a good backup.  But he is not a catalyst you need a PG to be.

Absolutely. I just thought it was funny that you started with cooled down and reflected. Usually that's a preface to a changed mind. Not saying that it is right or wrong. I just thought the wording was funny

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Had time to cool off and reflect on this team and have come up with:  It isn't rocket science - it's nearly impossible to win at the high major level with a PG that thus far has shown no more than mid-low major ability.  The offense is going to continue to be ugly, when the PG getting 30 minutes a game does nothing to spark offense.

Glad Buzz sees this already, having moved Jamil to the point against New Hampshire.  Buzz will get it right whether that means Jamil at the point, more Dawson - but ultimately less Derrick Wilson.

I think that's fair. Derrick is a role player. The more you play him, the more exposed his flaws become.

Derrick is solid for 20-25min. per game. Buzz needs to find some production out of the other 15-20min. The answer might eventually be Duane and/or Dawson. For now, it looks like it's going to be Jamil... which is an interesting wrinkle.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Ive always thought Juan could play the point. He has some handles.

[willie warrior]

Ive always thought Juan could play the point. He has some handles.

Hmmmm....

[NersEllenson]

I think that's fair. Derrick is a role player. The more you play him, the more exposed his flaws become.

Derrick is solid for 20-25min. per game. Buzz needs to find some production out of the other 15-20min. The answer might eventually be Duane and/or Dawson. For now, it looks like it's going to be Jamil... which is an interesting wrinkle.

I agree that Derrick is a role player - a good defender that won't turn the ball over.  In my view, that type of role player is more of a 10-15 minute per game guy....of course depends on other options.  Will be interesting to see what happens tonight.  I was glad to see Buzz try Jamil at the point and get a look at that lineup.  Obviously I hope to see a good look at Dawson, though am afraid Buzz won't give him a good look.

Whatever the case, we just have to get better production out of the PG spot than what we've gotten thus far. 

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

I agree that Derrick is a role player - a good defender that won't turn the ball over.  In my view, that type of role player is more of a 10-15 minute per game guy....of course depends on other options.  Will be interesting to see what happens tonight.  I was glad to see Buzz try Jamil at the point and get a look at that lineup.  Obviously I hope to see a good look at Dawson, though am afraid Buzz won't give him a good look.

Whatever the case, we just have to get better production out of the PG spot than what we've gotten thus far. 

If MU had a great PG option, Derrick would be a great 15min per game player... not unlike Chris Otule.

The problem is, Travis Diener isn't on the roster, and I don't think Dawson or Duane are ready.

Therefore, Derrick is MU's best option right now. We might not like it... but it's the truth.

With this said, you CAN win with a guy like Derrick playing 25+ min. But, MU needs the other guys to make shots. If the other 4 players are effective on offense, then you can live with Derrick scoring 4 pts and handing out 4 assists. When the other 4 guys are struggling... it makes it even harder to live with Derrick's deficiencies.

[NersEllenson]

If MU had a great PG option, Derrick would be a great 15min per game player... not unlike Chris Otule.

The problem is, Travis Diener isn't on the roster, and I don't think Dawson or Duane are ready.

Therefore, Derrick is MU's best option right now. We might not like it... but it's the truth.

With this said, you CAN win with a guy like Derrick playing 25+ min. But, MU needs the other guys to make shots. If the other 4 players are effective on offense, then you can live with Derrick scoring 4 pts and handing out 4 assists. When the other 4 guys are struggling... it makes it even harder to live with Derrick's deficiencies.

My view simply has been that Derrick's offensive deficiencies - not just shooting - but being so "safe" as a PG, rarely forcing the action, collapsing a defense, getting into the paint - are the reason the other MU players are struggling so much offensively.  The team becomes so much easier to defend when you have zero respect for the PG's outside shooting ability, which in turn leads to the defense sagging off the PG, clogging the lane and making "help" easier to provide on our other players. 

My view with Dawson, simply has been I'd like to see a lot more - as we have 2 years of data on Derrick now - let's see what the kid can do.  I really believe Buzz has rolled with Derrick so much partially out of loyalty, but to also get a pulse on what the team's ceiling would be with him running the point.  Needed a benchmark.  Who knows, maybe tonight Derrick puts it all together and plays much better....but history points against that..

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

My view simply has been that Derrick's offensive deficiencies - not just shooting - but being so "safe" as a PG, rarely forcing the action, collapsing a defense, getting into the paint - are the reason the other MU players are struggling so much offensively.  The team becomes so much easier to defend when you have zero respect for the PG's outside shooting ability, which in turn leads to the defense sagging off the PG, clogging the lane and making "help" easier to provide on our other players.  

My view with Dawson, simply has been I'd like to see a lot more - as we have 2 years of data on Derrick now - let's see what the kid can do.  I really believe Buzz has rolled with Derrick so much partially out of loyalty, but to also get a pulse on what the team's ceiling would be with him running the point.  Needed a benchmark.  Who knows, maybe tonight Derrick puts it all together and plays much better....but history points against that..

Here is where you and I fundamentally disagree.

If/When Dawson has an awesome week of practice, he'll get some clock in a real game (non-grambling). If he plays well, he'll earn more.

Buzz will never play him "just because"

That's it.