Where's Duane Wilson?

[Tugg Speedman]

Was at the game early in the blue/gold room ... Ran into Buzz.  Asked him if Duane would see action, he said "no, he's still hurting."

Not sure what that means (what exactly is hurting, his foot or the flu) but it's obvious the plan all along was no Duane or Steve Taylor last night.

[tower912]

Yes, dammit.   Pull him from his sickbed, take the IV's out his arm, put extra towels around the floor, give him some gatorade, and send his flu-weakened carcass out there!    Willie, are you sure you aren't trying for satire?

He is suited up and been medically cleared, so all the rest of your BS is that---BS!!!!!

No, it's not.   Announcers for last night's game said that they watched him during shoot around, that he has beautiful form on his jumper, but that he is still clearly not ready.   People with no dog in the fight.   But what do they know.

[Silkk the Shaka]

Was at the game early in the blue/gold room ... Ran into Buzz.  Asked him if Duane would see action, he said "no, he's still hurting."

Not sure what that means (what exactly is hurting, his foot or the flu) but it's obvious the plan all along was no Duane or Steve Taylor last night.

It means nothing - absolutely nothing - stacked up against willie warrior's weapons-grade stupidity.

[brewcity77]

We sure as hell should, against Cupcake City. If not, that speaks volumes about the Leader.

That's Dear Leader to you 

My guess is the staff and Wilson's family are having a long talk about a redshirt. It will be harder to break the rotation at this point of the season and I'm sure no one wants this to be a wasted year for Wilson. If he comes back at this point, he burns the redshirt. Any further injury won't matter, his chance to take a redshirt will be gone.

If he's not clearly a guy who can earn minutes based on practice play, there's no reason for him to come back.

[hairy worthen]

That's Dear Leader to you 

My guess is the staff and Wilson's family are having a long talk about a redshirt. It will be harder to break the rotation at this point of the season and I'm sure no one wants this to be a wasted year for Wilson. If he comes back at this point, he burns the redshirt. Any further injury won't matter, his chance to take a redshirt will be gone.

If he's not clearly a guy who can earn minutes based on practice play, there's no reason for him to come back.

Is this a wild ass guess or an educated guess or do you have inside info?  How do you know how he is doing or will do in practice?  It's not like we are loaded and super talented at point guard. He should be able to get into the rotation and he brings something to the position that Der. Wilson does not.

[GGGG]

Is this a wild ass guess or an educated guess or do you have inside info?  How do you know how he is doing or will do in practice?  It's not like we are loaded and super talented at point guard. He should be able to get into the rotation and he brings something to the position that Der. Wilson does not.

What I have heard: He was struggling in practice even before he had to sit.  Nothing terrible.  Just similar to a lot of freshmen who don't fully understand how to play defense at this level.

My guess: I was thinking similar to brew, that you won't see either Duane or Taylor v. New Mexico, and that would give them the break over Christmas to have conversations with their families about redshirts.

[brewcity77]

Is this a wild ass guess or an educated guess or do you have inside info?  How do you know how he is doing or will do in practice?  It's not like we are loaded and super talented at point guard. He should be able to get into the rotation and he brings something to the position that Der. Wilson does not.

Just go on what we know...places on court are given based on practice, minutes are earned with defense. That means Duane will likely be behind the 8-ball trying to break into what is currently a 9.5 man rotation. He has only recently started practicing regularly, so he has to climb past Dawson just to crack that 9.5, and if Buzz tightens the roster like he usually does come Big East play, he will have to play even more impressively to unseat the rapidly ascending JJJ and Burton or one of the more experienced guards, likely Jake or Todd.

No one has to like it, but Derrick is going to get 28+ the rest of the year. Right now, Jamil and Dawson are taking the remainder. Could Duane fight past Dawson to become the primary backup point off the bench? Sure. But at the same time, Dawson seems like the player most likely to have his minutes slashed come December 31, so Duane could easily come back, spend 2 weeks fighting his way into the rotation, only to see that rotation spot disappear.

Now the rest of this is wild ass guess, but if Derrick were to go down, I'm pretty sure Jamil would get 25 minutes or more at the point. That's the only way there'd be significant minutes for a freshman at the point. Could Duane come in and get those minutes? Maybe. But again, he'd have to get past Dawson and anyone else Buzz wanted to experiment with, like Juan or another guard. But the only way I think Duane would be guaranteed to get a chance at minutes (and that's just a chance, not a guarantee of minutes) would be an injury to Derrick. Is it worth burning the redshirt for that?

[MU82]

Just go on what we know...places on court are given based on practice, minutes are earned with defense. That means Duane will likely be behind the 8-ball trying to break into what is currently a 9.5 man rotation. He has only recently started practicing regularly, so he has to climb past Dawson just to crack that 9.5, and if Buzz tightens the roster like he usually does come Big East play, he will have to play even more impressively to unseat the rapidly ascending JJJ and Burton or one of the more experienced guards, likely Jake or Todd.

No one has to like it, but Derrick is going to get 28+ the rest of the year. Right now, Jamil and Dawson are taking the remainder. Could Duane fight past Dawson to become the primary backup point off the bench? Sure. But at the same time, Dawson seems like the player most likely to have his minutes slashed come December 31, so Duane could easily come back, spend 2 weeks fighting his way into the rotation, only to see that rotation spot disappear.

Now the rest of this is wild ass guess, but if Derrick were to go down, I'm pretty sure Jamil would get 25 minutes or more at the point. That's the only way there'd be significant minutes for a freshman at the point. Could Duane come in and get those minutes? Maybe. But again, he'd have to get past Dawson and anyone else Buzz wanted to experiment with, like Juan or another guard. But the only way I think Duane would be guaranteed to get a chance at minutes (and that's just a chance, not a guarantee of minutes) would be an injury to Derrick. Is it worth burning the redshirt for that?

Yep, I guess our backcourt is doomed due to too much talent!

I'm just funnin'. I think Duane has a difficult decision to make and I wish him luck.

[brewcity77]

Yep, I guess our backcourt is doomed due to too much talent!

I'm just funnin'. I think Duane has a difficult decision to make and I wish him luck.

LOL

In all honesty, it's somewhat the truth. Not the doomed part, but this team is really starting to show its depth.

PG - Derrick is going to get minutes, whether people like it or not. Jamil is proving more and more to be a quality option swinging back there, and Dawson is at least showing he can get a few minutes. Not sure that will continue come conference play, but he isn't an automatic turnover and he's got some definite offensive upside. Though we would be in trouble if he had to play 20+ mpg.

2/3 - We have Juan, Jake, Mayo, Burton, and JJJ to divvy up 80 minutes per game, with Juan flexing up to the 4 some. Plenty of talent and depth.

4 - Jamil will get the bulk, Juan will get some time as will Oxtule when they are both out there.

C - I still think Oxtule is one of the best 1-2 punches at the 5 in the country. Jamil can play up there in a pinch.

This is a really deep team. That should serve us well as the season goes on, provided everyone is able to stay healthy. But it makes it harder for someone like Duane to come in and get immediate minutes, especially as we only have 1 cupcake left.

[ecompt]

What I have heard: He was struggling in practice even before he had to sit.  Nothing terrible.  Just similar to a lot of freshmen who don't fully understand how to play defense at this level.

My guess: I was thinking similar to brew, that you won't see either Duane or Taylor v. New Mexico, and that would give them the break over Christmas to have conversations with their families about redshirts.

It would be very tough to redshjrt Steve since he's already played in eight games.

[hairy worthen]

Just go on what we know...places on court are given based on practice, minutes are earned with defense. That means Duane will likely be behind the 8-ball trying to break into what is currently a 9.5 man rotation. He has only recently started practicing regularly, so he has to climb past Dawson just to crack that 9.5, and if Buzz tightens the roster like he usually does come Big East play, he will have to play even more impressively to unseat the rapidly ascending JJJ and Burton or one of the more experienced guards, likely Jake or Todd.

No one has to like it, but Derrick is going to get 28+ the rest of the year. Right now, Jamil and Dawson are taking the remainder. Could Duane fight past Dawson to become the primary backup point off the bench? Sure. But at the same time, Dawson seems like the player most likely to have his minutes slashed come December 31, so Duane could easily come back, spend 2 weeks fighting his way into the rotation, only to see that rotation spot disappear.

Now the rest of this is wild ass guess, but if Derrick were to go down, I'm pretty sure Jamil would get 25 minutes or more at the point. That's the only way there'd be significant minutes for a freshman at the point. Could Duane come in and get those minutes? Maybe. But again, he'd have to get past Dawson and anyone else Buzz wanted to experiment with, like Juan or another guard. But the only way I think Duane would be guaranteed to get a chance at minutes (and that's just a chance, not a guarantee of minutes) would be an injury to Derrick. Is it worth burning the redshirt for that?

Fair enough,

I see Duane as a viable back up to Der Wil, even if he had not been injured, that is what he would have been. From the team's perspective, if his role ends up being the same as it would have been had he not been injured, then why red shirt him? Let him gain some game experience albeit in a limited role. Duane and his family, with input from Buzz will have to decide what is best for him and do what is in his best interest.   As it stands now, we really don't have a viable back up at point guard.  I would hope Du. Wil quickly jumps past Dawson and Jamil Wil as back -up point.

I think it is a different situation than we had with Cadougan who should have red shirted in my opinion.

[mu03eng]

It would be very tough to redshjrt Steve since he's already played in eight games.

Not tough at all....if they can show his injury got worse he's under the requirement of games played he should be fine.  The only reason Steve doesn't redshirt this year is if Juan or Jamil get hurt

[chapman]

This is a really deep team. That should serve us well as the season goes on, provided everyone is able to stay healthy. But it makes it harder for someone like Duane to come in and get immediate minutes, especially as we only have 1 cupcake left.

Yep, the extended minutes did a ton for Burton and Johnson's impact as the rotation tightens up.  Very difficult decisions  regarding Duane's role (and Steve too).  

It would be very tough to redshjrt Steve since he's already played in eight games.

Could be, we really haven't been given enough information on his prognosis.  Is another surgery on the table, or can we get an NCAA-respected doctor's opinion that he requires three more months of rest and rehab and shouldn't be playing?  Can probably get the redshirt then.  If it's just being hurt at the wrong time and now he's going to miss the rotation, then he's not getting the extra year out of it.

[brewcity77]

Fair enough,

I see Duane as a viable back up to Der Wil, even if he had not been injured, that is what he would have been. From the team's perspective, if his role ends up being the same as it would have been had he not been injured, then why red shirt him? Let him gain some game experience albeit in a limited role. Duane and his family, with input from Buzz will have to decide what is best for him and do what is in his best interest.   As it stands now, we really don't have a viable back up at point guard.  I would hope Du. Wil quickly jumps past Dawson and Jamil Wil as back -up point.

I think it is a different situation than we had with Cadougan who should have red shirted in my opinion.

I heard the same as Sultan from a few sources regarding Duane struggling a bit in practice even before the injury. So in regards to that question, I would respond in the form of a question: If the role he would have had was as the third point behind Derrick and Dawson (not to mention Jamil taking minutes), is it worth burning a redshirt to come back and have to fight from behind 2.5 guys with half the season gone and the rotation already established?

Further, the more he misses these cupcakes, the less likely he'll be able to make an impact on games that matter. We have seen how Buzz goes based on who has shown they can be trusted on the court. Maybe that led to too much Junior in the past and obviously many feel that's leading to too much Derrick this year, but if Duane comes in and plays less than 10 minutes against Samford, that burns the redshirt and it's entirely possible he won't play much more than that combined in the remaining 20-25 games.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

I heard the same as Sultan from a few sources regarding Duane struggling a bit in practice even before the injury. So in regards to that question, I would respond in the form of a question: If the role he would have had was as the third point behind Derrick and Dawson (not to mention Jamil taking minutes), is it worth burning a redshirt to come back and have to fight from behind 2.5 guys with half the season gone and the rotation already established?

Further, the more he misses these cupcakes, the less likely he'll be able to make an impact on games that matter. We have seen how Buzz goes based on who has shown they can be trusted on the court. Maybe that led to too much Junior in the past and obviously many feel that's leading to too much Derrick this year, but if Duane comes in and plays less than 10 minutes against Samford, that burns the redshirt and it's entirely possible he won't play much more than that combined in the remaining 20-25 games.

I have a VERY VERY hard time believing Buzz would allow that to happen. If he comes back against Samford, Buzz will find time for him in Big East play.  He may not be in the main rotation, but he is going to play more than 10 minutes over the course of 25 games.  I am not really sure what is the best decision at this point - I was really hoping to see him last night. I would still side with letting him play if he is healthy.

[hairy worthen]

I heard the same as Sultan from a few sources regarding Duane struggling a bit in practice even before the injury. So in regards to that question, I would respond in the form of a question: If the role he would have had was as the third point behind Derrick and Dawson (not to mention Jamil taking minutes), is it worth burning a redshirt to come back and have to fight from behind 2.5 guys with half the season gone and the rotation already established?

Further, the more he misses these cupcakes, the less likely he'll be able to make an impact on games that matter. We have seen how Buzz goes based on who has shown they can be trusted on the court. Maybe that led to too much Junior in the past and obviously many feel that's leading to too much Derrick this year, but if Duane comes in and plays less than 10 minutes against Samford, that burns the redshirt and it's entirely possible he won't play much more than that combined in the remaining 20-25 games.

Well, right but I guess I don't buy your premise that he would be behind Dawson and Jamil. That's the unknown.

[tower912]

If Duane wants to red-shirt, that decision is his to make.   I hope that even if he chooses that route, he keeps working hard in practice.  If something were to happen to Derrick, a la Diener, I would want Duane to be as ready as possible, because he and JD would have to grow up fast. 

[MU82]

Well, right but I guess I don't buy your premise that he would be behind Dawson and Jamil. That's the unknown.

I have been increasingly unimpressed with Dawson. Now, I know it's tough to play in only short stints, but he doesn't seem very comfortable out there.

Maybe it comes down to if Buzz thinks Duane will move past Dawson on the depth chart this year. If Duane is going to be behind Dawson at the 1 and just be in the jumble for scraps at the 2, it makes little sense for him to give up a year.

[brewcity77]

I have a VERY VERY hard time believing Buzz would allow that to happen. If he comes back against Samford, Buzz will find time for him in Big East play.  He may not be in the main rotation, but he is going to play more than 10 minutes over the course of 25 games.  I am not really sure what is the best decision at this point - I was really hoping to see him last night. I would still side with letting him play if he is healthy.

Well, that's why I'm starting to think the redshirt is a lot more likely. Buzz won't just play Duane because he's healthy and eligible. He'll play him because he's ready to contribute. If Duane is the 4th option in a 3-man rotation, is it worth trying to get back? I believe Jamail had 14 DNPs as a freshman after conference play started. Ferguson had 17. Erik had 9. Is it inconceivable that Duane would get a DNP in half or more of our remaining games and limited minutes in the chances he got, especially as at least 19 of our remaining games will be meaningful?

I'm all for Duane and hope he has a great career here. I just worry that rushing back to play in a season that's nearly half-gone might end up being a wasted one.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

Well, that's why I'm starting to think the redshirt is a lot more likely. Buzz won't just play Duane because he's healthy and eligible. He'll play him because he's ready to contribute. If Duane is the 4th option in a 3-man rotation, is it worth trying to get back? I believe Jamail had 14 DNPs as a freshman after conference play started. Ferguson had 17. Erik had 9. Is it inconceivable that Duane would get a DNP in half or more of our remaining games and limited minutes in the chances he got, especially as at least 19 of our remaining games will be meaningful?

I'm all for Duane and hope he has a great career here. I just worry that rushing back to play in a season that's nearly half-gone might end up being a wasted one.

I understand your concern.  I think everyone on this board shares your concern.  But the season is less than half over - and the games that really count have not even started.  "IF" Duane is healthy, and "IF" Buzz thinks he has a chance at decent minutes, he needs to be out there.  I don't see Duane as the 4th option at PG, but I also haven't seen him play since this past summer.  In Buzz I trust, but I think throwing the rest of Duane's season down the tube in hopes that he'll stick around for a 5th year is far too conservative with the make-up of the PG position on this squad.  We shall see.  

[GGGG]

I understand your concern.  I think everyone on this board shares your concern.  But the season is less than half over - and the games that really count have not even started.  "IF" Duane is healthy, and "IF" Buzz thinks he has a chance at decent minutes, he needs to be out there.  I don't see Duane as the 4th option at PG, but I also haven't seen him play since this past summer.  In Buzz I trust, but I think throwing the rest of Duane's season down the tube in hopes that he'll stick around for a 5th year is far too conservative with the make-up of the PG position on this squad.  We shall see. 

Redshirting Duane is not a one time answer of course.  If he agrees to redshirt, he still practices with the team.  He just doesn't play.  If for whatever reason (injury, lack of performance by another player, etc.) they need him to play, he can go ahead and play.

That would be different than Steve and a medical redshirt though.

[willie warrior]

Was at the game early in the blue/gold room ... Ran into Buzz.  Asked him if Duane would see action, he said "no, he's still hurting."

Not sure what that means (what exactly is hurting, his foot or the flu) but it's obvious the plan all along was no Duane or Steve Taylor last night.

Let's see: Buzz says last week he has full medical clearance, the announcers said he looked to have beautiful form (implying there was no sign of pain). The kid is suited up but Dr. Buzz says no he is still hurting. Then why is he suited up? Something not right with this picture. Why can't Buzz clear the air and say what the hell is going on? But then all the kool aid drinkers will blindly come forward and call anybody that raises those types of concerns any name they can think of. As the illustrious Frank Drebben said "Nothing to see here"

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

I have been increasingly unimpressed with Dawson. Now, I know it's tough to play in only short stints, but he doesn't seem very comfortable out there.

Maybe it comes down to if Buzz thinks Duane will move past Dawson on the depth chart this year. If Duane is going to be behind Dawson at the 1 and just be in the jumble for scraps at the 2, it makes little sense for him to give up a year.

Dawson is fine. He's not a blue-chip frosh. It's going to take some time and hard work before he can contribute.

He's not going to play much (if at all) in conference play.

Buzz was really working Jamil at PG last night trying to get him ready to play 10min. of PG per game so he can get Derrick down to 30mpg. (instead of 38+ against the best opponents)

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Let's see: Buzz says last week he has full medical clearance, the announcers said he looked to have beautiful form (implying there was no sign of pain). The kid is suited up but Dr. Buzz says no he is still hurting. Then why is he suited up? Something not right with this picture. Why can't Buzz clear the air and say what the hell is going on? But then all the kool aid drinkers will blindly come forward and call anybody that raises those types of concerns any name they can think of. As the illustrious Frank Drebben said "Nothing to see here"

Duane will play when Buzz thinks he's ready.

Air. Cleared.

[brewcity77]

Well, right but I guess I don't buy your premise that he would be behind Dawson and Jamil. That's the unknown.

I wonder, if Duane was from Oklahoma City, or Dallas, or Boston, would people feel as confident that he was going to come in and get minutes right away? If we've learned anything from freshmen over the past few years, it's that many of them aren't going to contribute heavily in their first year. And when a freshman suffers a major setback, it only decreases that likelihood. I know a lot of people watched Duane in high school, but the average freshman has a ton to adjust to when they come to this level, Duane's injury is significantly more than that.