Duane Wilson to redshirt

[martyconlonontherun]

Well I guess there is always the option to remove the redshirt.  

I was thinking the same thing. 2 months from now if he is completely healthy, kicking ass in practice and we are a bubble team with the other D.Wilson not improving......I could see Buzz throwing him into the fire.


I agree the decision is on the player on rather to actually redshirt or not, but I don't think they get that option unless that is what Buzz really wants. In other words Buzz won't make anyone redshirt, but I doubt he lets someone redshirt if he wants them on the court this year or doesn't feel that player is worth 5 years of scholarships.

[GooooMarquette]

It has nothing to do with throwing in the towel, and everything to do what Duane and his family think is in his best interest.  I wish him well in his recovery.

[Big Papi]

Let's not confuse "talent" with athleticism or potential.

This team struggles with the basics. Defensive positioning, shooting, passing have all been bad. Talented teams don't struggle with those things.

So last year's team that made the elite 8 was talented and this year's team is not?

I find it hard to believe that J. Wilson, D. Wilson, Gardner, Otule, Thomas, Taylor and Anderson lost talent over the course of the summer and the freshmen who many want to see play additional minutes don't have any.

Individually, this team is extremely talented, they are just not meshing together at the moment and might not all year.

[4everwarriors]

Diamond will only be at Marquette for two years.

I'm figurin' he's a one and done playa. Also, don't think Duane is gonna complete his 4 years of eligibility either.

[MUfan12]

So last year's team that made the elite 8 was talented and this year's team is not?

I find it hard to believe that J. Wilson, D. Wilson, Gardner, Otule, Thomas, Taylor and Anderson lost talent over the course of the summer and the freshmen who many want to see play additional minutes don't have any.

Individually, this team is extremely talented, they are just not meshing together at the moment and might not all year.

What I'm saying is that this team's talent level is hugely overrated. Last year, they played above it. But they also worked a hell of a lot harder than this team.

They've shown flashes. Potential. Athletic plays. But flashes do not win games.

[Big Papi]

Maybe a bit strong, but I think if this team were 10-2 or 9-3 the decision would have been much tougher.

I don't know if you can make that statement.  I could just as easily say that being 7-5 made this decision a lot tougher.  At 10-2 or 9-3, we are having a successful season with a great chance of making the tournament without Duane so why rush him onto the court when he is not needed.  Redshirt him and you get 4 years.

At 7-5 and a huge weakness at the pg position, if Duane is as good as advertised, he could turn our weakness into a strength and be hitting his stride at the end of the year when we might need that extra push to get us into the tournament.  It makes that decision to redshirt a lot tougher.

Its obvious that he is not ready to make a contribution any time soon and might have even had a setback if they are declaring him a redshirt before conference play begins.

[martyconlonontherun]

It has nothing to do with throwing in the towel, and everything to do what Duane and his family think is in his best interest.  I wish him well in his recovery.

So if Buzz thought Duane was the difference between making the tourney and not making the tourney, he would let Duane and his family decide what's best for the individual including creating another year on scholarship?

I can almost guarantee Buzz has a huge say on whether or not Duane would be allowed another year on scholarship. If Buzz said "No, Duane. I have plans for that 5th year on another player." Duane would still be redshirting? Buzz created the options and then let Duane decide if he wanted to come back for a fifth year or not. Buzz can't force him to redshirt, but he can say there is no point to redshirting.

[Big Papi]

What I'm saying is that this team's talent level is hugely overrated. Last year, they played above it. But they also worked a hell of a lot harder than this team.

They've shown flashes. Potential. Athletic plays. But flashes do not win games.

I don't know if this team works just as hard, harder or less harder than last year's team but there are 7 players from last year's team that are on this year's team and the main core have been here going on at least 3 years, so I would think they know how hard they should be working and are probably working just as hard as last year.

You are correct that flashes don't win games.  Teams win games and right now, this very talented group of individuals are not meshing together and playing as a team. 

[nyg]

I think it's the right decision.  I think his impact would have been minimal this season.

I agree also.  I would have liked to see him play with Otule, Gardner and Wilson and observe how he passes into the bigmen up front.  Next year, no bigmen, so that is out.  Let him get healthy, stronger and maybe he gets some time next year behind Derrick Wilson.  Practice counts....

[GooooMarquette]

So if Buzz thought Duane was the difference between making the tourney and not making the tourney, he would let Duane and his family decide what's best for the individual including creating another year on scholarship?

I can almost guarantee Buzz has a huge say on whether or not Duane would be allowed another year on scholarship. If Buzz said "No, Duane. I have plans for that 5th year on another player." Duane would still be redshirting? Buzz created the options and then let Duane decide if he wanted to come back for a fifth year or not. Buzz can't force him to redshirt, but he can say there is no point to redshirting.

Sounds like you think Buzz's life lessons and talk about the interest of the players is just a bunch of stuff for the press.

I don't.  I think if the player and family believe redshirting is in his best interest, Buzz would support him and not threaten to pull the scholarship.  

[🏀]

I'm figurin' he's a one and done playa. Also, don't think Duane is gonna complete his 4 years of eligibility either.

Like all great state of Wisconsin, McDonalds big men, he will redshirt.

[madtownwarrior]

Good decision for Duane.

The downside for fans is we will get to hear another year of how he is not ready to replace DeWilson next year.  I can hear it now "how can Buzz take minutes away from super defensive stud senior De Wilson for a redshirt freshman who has never played a minute yet."

[mr.MUskie]

Diamond will only be at Marquette for two years.

So he's a 2 and through?  As opposed to a 3 and flee?  Not to mention a 4 and out the door?  

We won't discuss Otule.

[77ncaachamps]

This is the best decision for the student-athlete, who's goal is to make the League.

John Dawson, improve quickly!

[MUWarrior4Life]

I think it was a great decision for Duane and his fam, he's a smart kid.

[Untucked]

Good decision in the long run.

NIT, HERE WE COME!! With D Wilson running the show, this year is a waste.

[MU82]

1. I'm happy for Duane because, in the long term, I think this was the most prudent decision. Buzz had input, I'm sure (as he should have) but the decision almost certainly was predominantly Duane's -- just as the decision to play was predominantly Junior's five years ago.

2. I'm sad for me and those like me because I wanted to see him play and, even if he never replaced Derrick, we could use the outside shooting.

3. But I'm happy for me and those like me because now I don't have to see 2 new topics posted per week (and all the unsubstantiated speculation that follows) on Duane's imminent return.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

IMHO this is the best decision for Duane and the program.

And no, this happening does not mean that we are throwing in the towel

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

3. But I'm happy for me and those like me because now I don't have to see 2 new topics posted per week (and all the unsubstantiated speculation that follows) on Duane's imminent return.

+100

[MU82]

Good decision in the long run.

NIT, HERE WE COME!! With D Wilson running the show, this year is a waste.

I guess you don't subscribe to the life-is-the-journey school of thought.

Curious, though: At what point does a season become "a waste"?

If we had lost to Davidson, would last season have been a waste -- or was it a waste anyway because we didn't make the Final Four? Is every season in which the team doesn't make the NCAAs a waste? Was 2003 a waste because we got blown out in the Final Four and didn't achieve the ultimate goal of a championship? Were the careers of Wade, Novak and Diener a waste because, between them, they only had one season with any NCAA tourney wins (and they didn't win the title that year, either)?

Can't a person enjoy watching their favorite team if that team doesn't reach the NCAA tournament, or do only "losers" enjoy rooting for their alma mater just because?

[Hards Alumni]

I guess you don't subscribe to the life-is-the-journey school of thought.

Curious, though: At what point does a season become "a waste"?

If we had lost to Davidson, would last season have been a waste -- or was it a waste anyway because we didn't make the Final Four? Is every season in which the team doesn't make the NCAAs a waste? Was 2003 a waste because we got blown out in the Final Four and didn't achieve the ultimate goal of a championship? Were the careers of Wade, Novak and Diener a waste because, between them, they only had one season with any NCAA tourney wins (and they didn't win the title that year, either)?

Can't a person enjoy watching their favorite team if that team doesn't reach the NCAA tournament, or do only "losers" enjoy rooting for their alma mater just because?

I think the waste is that we may not make the tourney despite having the best front court that we've had in a long time.  We have Jamil Wilson, Davante Gardner, and Chris Otule who are really good players, and it is disappointing that we may not make the tourney. 

[Archies Bat]

3. But I'm happy for me and those like me because now I don't have to see 2 new topics posted per week (and all the unsubstantiated speculation that follows) on Duane's imminent return.

One of those two available topics will likely be diverted to a variation of Derrick's good/bad, the other a similar thread about Jake.

[tower912]

Probably the proper decision for Duane.   After all of the time he missed, it was unlikely he was going to be able to make a huge contribution this year.   Plus, if a season-ending injury happens to somebody else, it can always be pulled. 

[GGGG]

So if Buzz thought Duane was the difference between making the tourney and not making the tourney, he would let Duane and his family decide what's best for the individual including creating another year on scholarship?

I can almost guarantee Buzz has a huge say on whether or not Duane would be allowed another year on scholarship. If Buzz said "No, Duane. I have plans for that 5th year on another player." Duane would still be redshirting? Buzz created the options and then let Duane decide if he wanted to come back for a fifth year or not. Buzz can't force him to redshirt, but he can say there is no point to redshirting.

What plans would Buzz conceivably have for the 5th year on another player?  Said player would be a freshman in high school right now.  Of course Buzz is allowing him to redshirt, but it's not like it's some difficult decision on his part.

[Earl Tatum]

Why can't we put Jamil at the PG. At least he passes the ball inside. Might make OX play harder.
Lately, I think he looks lost.