Buzz needs to sit Derrick Wilson

[NersEllenson]

Ners

I am well aware of Derrick's limitations. But, again, what is it about Dawson that makes you so enamored of him? He's young, inexperienced, didn't really play top notch competition in high school, wasn't ranked in the top 125 out of high school and hasn't distinguished himself on the court yet at MU. If Burton or JJJ played the point I could see the "controversy" but Dawson gives no indication to me that he's remotely ready. Am I missing something?

I just feel Dawson's ceiling is much higher than Derrick's.  We've only gotten very limited looks at Dawson.  He's performed similarly in to Derrick in the games he's gotten comparable minutes.  The difference being, Dawson is only 4 months into the MU program, Derrick about 30+ months.  Dawson is a much more fluid athlete, has shown great vision and feel for the transition game, passing angles, and in general just much greater creativity as a PG than Derrick.

Derrick is a very serviceable back-up type caliber PG at this level.  Think Dawson can be a very effective PG - maybe we won't see it this year, but I suspect (if Dawson sticks around) that by his Junior year, he'll look drastically different than what we've seen out of Derrick thus far as a Junior.

All this said, I know Derrick is a great kid, hard worker, high character guy - and that is worth something for sure.

[bilsu]

One of Dawson's assists yesterday illustrates the main problem with Derrick Wilson.  At one point Dawson caught the ball on the wing and the defender doubling on Gardner flew out to guard Dawson, who threw a simple entry pass back to Gardner for the easy one on one bucket.  That's a pass Derrick Wilson can't make because no defender is going to fly out to guard him when he has the ball at the 3 point line.

That said, I still think Derrick should start, but I like how he was used yesterday, with lesser minutes and other players rotating through to give us multiple looks.

That was a very nice entry pass. However, if you are going to determine the starting point guard on the basis of one pass JJJ had a significantly nicer pass in the the second half.

[GGGG]

Derrick is a very serviceable back-up type caliber PG at this level.  Think Dawson can be a very effective PG - maybe we won't see it this year, but I suspect (if Dawson sticks around) that by his Junior year, he'll look drastically different than what we've seen out of Derrick thus far as a Junior.

I think that very well might be the case.  But what does that have to do with *right now?*

[NersEllenson]

I think that very well might be the case.  But what does that have to do with *right now?*

Just think that you have a guy with a lot of potential in Dawson, that could improve a ton if given more minutes, and perhaps help the team achieve a higher ceiling come March.

Nonetheless, as long as Buzz pairs Derrick less with Jake, Otule and possbily Juan (he looked good last game of course), we can still be okay.  Just need Derrick on floor with better offensive players, as it will help negate some of his limitations.

If you were an opposing coach facing our starting lineup - who are you going to look to take away?  Clearly Jamil.  Makes Jamil's life much tougher.  Think Jamil has looked better of late, largely due to playing more minutes with more talented offensive guys - Gardner, Mayo, Burton, on the floor along with Derrick.

[4everwarriors]

Derrick has already exceeded my expectations for him.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Just think that you have a guy with a lot of potential in Dawson, that could improve a ton if given more minutes, and perhaps help the team achieve a higher ceiling come March.

John Dawson will get the minutes he earns everyday.

/end scene.

[Wojo'sMojo]

Derrick has already exceeded my expectations for him.

You must have had pretty lofty goals for him lol!! Worst offensive PG I have seen in my 33 years watching MU.

[Lennys Tap]

You must have had pretty lofty goals for him lol!! Worst offensive PG I have seen in my 33 years watching MU.

Off the top of my head, 3rd best defensive point guard in 33 years (behind Dominique James and maybe Tony Miller).

[willie warrior]

Off the top of my head, 3rd best defensive point guard in 33 years (behind Dominique James and maybe Tony Miller).

Don't forget about Mandy Johnson--a real steal stud defensively.

[Wojo'sMojo]

Off the top of my head, 3rd best defensive point guard in 33 years (behind Dominique James and maybe Tony Miller).

While I agree he is above average defensively, I don't feel he is this lock down defender some make him out to be and top 3 all time is really a pretty big stretch. He hasn't shut down the good PG's he's guarded this year and on at least 2 occasions was a defensive sieve.

[CTWarrior]

That was a very nice entry pass. However, if you are going to determine the starting point guard on the basis of one pass JJJ had a significantly nicer pass in the the second half.

I actually agree that Derrick Wilson at this point is our best bet.   Just lamenting that we don't get that kind of pass from our regular PG, as there was absolutely nothing special about that pass.  It is standard PG 101 type stuff that is made possible by the defense respecting what the passer might do.

[CTWarrior]

Don't forget about Mandy Johnson--a real steal stud defensively.

+1

[GooooMarquette]

I think that very well might be the case.  But what does that have to do with *right now?*

And that is the key.  Whether Dawson's eventual upside is higher than Derrick's is irrelevant.  The only relevant factor is which guy is going to help this year's team more right now.  The answer - even though many here don't want to hear it - is Derrick.

[bilsu]

There are only two possibilities why Dawson is not playing:
1. He has not shown Buzz he should play significant minutes, or
2. Buzz hates this board and will stubbornly not play Dawson just to spite the Dawson supporters on MUScoop.

I believe 1. is correct, but I could see Buzz becoming stubborn about this, so I will not put 2. in teal.

[ATL MU Warrior]

I actually agree that Derrick Wilson at this point is our best bet.   Just lamenting that we don't get that kind of pass from our regular PG, as there was absolutely nothing special about that pass.  It is standard PG 101 type stuff that is made possible by the defense respecting what the passer might do.

We DO get that kind of pass from Derrick.  The level of selective amnesia on this board regarding Derrick is unbelievable.  Maybe you are just being hyperbolic, or do you really believe that of Derrick's 41 assists, there have been none that have been a standard post entry pass to either Chris or DG? 

[Lennys Tap]

Don't forget about Mandy Johnson--a real steal stud defensively.

Good catch Willie. Mandy was a stud defensively. I stand corrected.

[Wojo'sMojo]

We DO get that kind of pass from Derrick.  The level of selective amnesia on this board regarding Derrick is unbelievable.  Maybe you are just being hyperbolic, or do you really believe that of Derrick's 41 assists, there have been none that have been a standard post entry pass to either Chris or DG? 

I'm sure that there have been a handful of entry passes to the post from Derrick. I think his issue is he doesn't create for others and 90% of his assists come from standing on the perimeter and passing to someone for a long jumpshot. That is where he gets his assists.

[GGGG]

I'm sure that there have been a handful of entry passes to the post from Derrick. I think his issue is he doesn't create for others and 90% of his assists come from standing on the perimeter and passing to someone for a long jumpshot. That is where he gets his assists.

I'd love to see where you got this information...mostly because this team can't shoot all that well from distance.

[willie warrior]

Lots of discussion continuously about Derrick and Dawson. Frankly, I haven't seen enough of Dawson to form an opinion of him, and Buzz does not play him much. Frankly, I have seen plenty of Derrick. He is what he is: a back up role player that should play 10-15 minutes per game. The fact that he plays more is the Coach's decision. You know--in Buzz we trust.

What about Du. Wilson? Will Buzz ever give him a shot? I am beginning to wonder. At any rate, it is kind of interesting that Derrick's minutes are now being eaten up somewhat by Jamil. Strange to say the least.

[GGGG]

What about Du. Wilson? Will Buzz ever give him a shot? I am beginning to wonder.

Were you unaware that he was injured?

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

What about Du. Wilson? Will Buzz ever give him a shot? I am beginning to wonder. At any rate, it is kind of interesting that Derrick's minutes are now being eaten up somewhat by Jamil. Strange to say the least.

Announcers said during the game tonight that he "didn't look anywhere near 100%" My guess is Buzz is still weighing his options with the medical redshirt

[raul]

Derrick had a nice game tonight and maybe the first of many who knows? Dawson is still learning the ropes.

[Nevada233]

Derrick had a nice game tonight and maybe the first of many who knows? Dawson is still learning the ropes.

Wilson is the present

Dawson is the Future... Pretty much

[CTWarrior]

Ball State defended Derrick Wilson like he was a regular PG tonight, guarding him closely all aorund the floor, and he was able to use that to penetrate.  Let's hope more defenses play him like that.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

Derrick played a great game last night. Anybody saying otherwise is a total buffoon.