Missing Cadougan

[Spencer Pratt]

I don't know much...but If one thing stands out to me after this disappointing start it's how much we miss Junior.  Arguably much more than Vander through 9 games.

[ChicosBailBonds]

I've been missing a high high end point guard since James left to be perfectly honest.

[4everwarriors]

Agree with needin' a high end #1. As for Cadougan, he'll look good in the Saturday mornin' league at the local Y.

[chapman]

Agree with needin' a high end #1. As for Cadougan, he'll look good in the Saturday mornin' league at the local Y.

He's taking some names in Georgia (the country).

[MU82]

Depending upon the game, Cadougan was an above average, average or slightly below average major-college PG.

Which puts him well ahead of Derrick, of course, but it does us no good now because he ain't coming back.

For those who would argue that Derrick also has had a couple of above-average-type games, the difference between Junior's above-average games and Derrick's above-average games are twofold:

1. Junior was capable of having more of them because he could occasionally hit 10-20-foot jumpers.

2. Because Junior could occasionally hit 10-20-foot jumpers, defenses actually had to play him, which made everybody around him more effective.

Let's not overstate what Junior was -- on whole, a decent PG. But oh, what a difference even a decent PG who could occasionally hit a J would make to this team.

[forgetful]

Depending upon the game, Cadougan was an above average, average or slightly below average major-college PG.

Which puts him well ahead of Derrick, of course, but it does us no good now because he ain't coming back.

For those who would argue that Derrick also has had a couple of above-average-type games, the difference between Junior's above-average games and Derrick's above-average games are twofold:

1. Junior was capable of having more of them because he could occasionally hit 10-20-foot jumpers.

2. Because Junior could occasionally hit 10-20-foot jumpers, defenses actually had to play him, which made everybody around him more effective.

Let's not overstate what Junior was -- on whole, a decent PG. But oh, what a difference even a decent PG who could occasionally hit a J would make to this team.

I think everything you say is true.  An above average to average D1 PG from the perspective of what he brought to the table offensively.

But he also brought great leadership and orchestrated the offense at an far above average ability.  He was the coach on the floor.  In this capacity he was a top 25 PG nationally.  This is the aspect we miss the most.

[MU82]

I think everything you say is true.  An above average to average D1 PG from the perspective of what he brought to the table offensively.

But he also brought great leadership and orchestrated the offense at an far above average ability.  He was the coach on the floor.  In this capacity he was a top 25 PG nationally.  This is the aspect we miss the most.

Not a bad point at all, forgetful. He had the stones to take and make that 3-pointer vs. UConn, too, and that was second only to Vander's shot against Davidson as the most important basket of the season for the 2012-13 Warriors.

[brewcity77]

I'm not sure Cadougan would fix the problems on this team. I'm not even convinced he would be better for this team than DeWil is. Wilson isn't turning the ball over, though he is showing similar inconsistencies to Cadougan with how he can be very good one game and mediocre the next (though in different ways).

We miss Blue. What he brought to the table is exactly what this team is lacking. I think there's a very good chance had Vander come back that we'd still be undefeated. I know people will point to the Ohio State game, but the combination of Vander's ability to create transition opportunities and get to the rim would have completely changed what we could do on offense. No doubt in my mind he's the missing link.

[wadesworld]

Not a bad point at all, forgetful. He had the stones to take and make that 3-pointer vs. UConn, too, and that was second only to Vander's shot against Davidson as the most important basket of the season for the 2012-13 Warriors.

I will never understand how him taking that shot makes him have "stones."  He didn't have a choice.  We were down 3 and had no time to make a pass.  He had to take that shot or the buzzer goes off without a shot going up.  Big time shot no doubt, but it's not like he had an opportunity to shy away from the moment.

[brewcity77]

Not a bad point at all, forgetful. He had the stones to take and make that 3-pointer vs. UConn, too, and that was second only to Vander's shot against Davidson as the most important basket of the season for the 2012-13 Warriors.

Vander's shot against St. John's wasn't exactly inconsequential, either

[PistolPete]

I will never understand how him taking that shot makes him have "stones."  He didn't have a choice.  We were down 3 and had no time to make a pass.  He had to take that shot or the buzzer goes off without a shot going up.  Big time shot no doubt, but it's not like he had an opportunity to shy away from the moment.

+1

[MU82]

I will never understand how him taking that shot makes him have "stones."  He didn't have a choice.  We were down 3 and had no time to make a pass.  He had to take that shot or the buzzer goes off without a shot going up.  Big time shot no doubt, but it's not like he had an opportunity to shy away from the moment.

Just watched a replay after reading your post. He could have hit Vander on the wing right after catching the inbounds pass. Chose to keep it himself. Had the presence of mind to use a dribble to get himself free of the defender. Kept his cool to make sure he beat the clock. Nailed it. What a play.

I'm not saying it took the courage of an Army guy in Iraq. Just a great example of meeting a challenge head-on.

By the way, he defended Boatright on the play that put UConn ahead, too. Reached in, jabbed the ball away, made Boatright go down and get it, forced Boatright to fade away, kept a hand right in Boatright's face. Cadougan did just about anything a guy could do -- kind of like Derrick's D on Rotnei Clark. Sometimes the offensive player just "wins."

While I can imagine Derrick defending Boatright every bit as well as Cadougan did, I sure as hell can't imagine Derrick answering with a 3-pointer of his own.

[MU82]

Vander's shot against St. John's wasn't exactly inconsequential, either

Yep, but I vote for Junior's for two reasons:

1. The game was tied when Vander made his great play. He misses, the worst that happens is we go to OT. Junior had to make not only a shot but a 3 just to tie and send it to OT. Always less pressure in a tie game.

2. If Junior misses that shot and we lose the game, who knows what kind of domino effect it might or might not have had? Instead, he hits it, we win and it has an opposite kind of domino effect, as we follow with nail-biting wins over Georgetown and Pitt to start our Big East championship season. Not to diminish Vander's St. John's shot at all, but without Cadougan's shot, there very likely is no chance for a Big East title.

[77ncaachamps]

Miller > Hutchins > Henry > Diener > DJ > Cadougan > Derrick

Which one doesn't belong?

[wadesworld]

Miller > Hutchins > Henry > Diener > DJ > Cadougan > Derrick

Which one doesn't belong?

Well you forgot Buycks in there...

And Marcus Jackson.

[forgetful]

Well you forgot Buycks in there...

And Marcus Jackson.

Also forgot Acker/Cubilan

[4everwarriors]

Add in Tony Barone too.

[brewcity77]

Miller > Hutchins > Henry > Diener > DJ > Cadougan > Derrick

Which one doesn't belong?

Why you hating on Diener?

[NersEllenson]

I'm not sure Cadougan would fix the problems on this team. I'm not even convinced he would be better for this team than DeWil is. Wilson isn't turning the ball over, though he is showing similar inconsistencies to Cadougan with how he can be very good one game and mediocre the next (though in different ways).

We miss Blue. What he brought to the table is exactly what this team is lacking. I think there's a very good chance had Vander come back that we'd still be undefeated. I know people will point to the Ohio State game, but the combination of Vander's ability to create transition opportunities and get to the rim would have completely changed what we could do on offense. No doubt in my mind he's the missing link.

Wow...not sure Cadougan would be better for this team than Derrick Wilson??  Might have to take a poll and see how the scoop community feels on this one.  I can appreciate your die hard support and bleeding blue and gold, as I do too - yet, come on man....Derrick is a big part of what ails this team, and to suggest he may be a better option than Cadougan for this team is over the top.