John Dawson Time...

[NersEllenson]

The time has come....make the change.  If we are going to get blown out by 18 points to Creighton, and continue to lose every game against a Top 50 team - let's see what the future looks like with John Dawson running the point.

I simply believe that it cannot get any worse with putting Dawson in for 30 minutes and seeing what happens.  Obviously, what we've been doing, simply is not working - and it is killing the effectiveness of Gardner, our most talented and consistent offensive player.

It's pretty much been a disaster with Derrick running the point - let's just see if Dawson could give the team a spark, a spark it clearly needs.

Who's on board here?

[MU72491]

Wilson should come off the bench and we should start J Wilson Juan burton JJJ and otule and bring jake and d Wilson off the bench. Jake and d Wilson should still get minutes but it's time to switch it up. Have J Wilson at point (last resort on this team) and start those others and have mayo keep playing, I'm fine with him taking the ball to the hoop at least he has some offensive potential

[Markusquette]

I would also like to see Dawson get the minutes for a couple games to see how he performs.  I'm curious.  But I think it could be a lot worse.  Worst case scenario is that he doesn't spell any of Wilson's offensive struggles plus turns the ball over and plays poor defense.  

But if Dawson was lighting it up in practice and making plays....wouldn't he be out there more?  I just don't think he's ready.  There's no telling us that our heralded PG Duane would be ready (although I think he would be making a big difference).

[77ncaachamps]

Defense is going to suffer with the freshmen out there, but if we're going to lose, at least give them the experience they need.

[79Warrior]

I would also like to see Dawson get the minutes for a couple games to see how he performs.  I'm curious.  But I think it could be a lot worse.  Worst case scenario is that he doesn't spell any of Wilson's offensive struggles plus turns the ball over and plays poor defense.  

But if Dawson was lighting it up in practice and making plays....wouldn't he be out there more?  I just don't think he's ready.  There's no telling us that our heralded PG Duane would be ready (although I think he would be making a big difference).

This. Dawson clearly is not ready or Buzz would play him.

[Nevada233]

The time has come....make the change.  If we are going to get blown out by 18 points to Creighton, and continue to lose every game against a Top 50 team - let's see what the future looks like with John Dawson running the point.

I simply believe that it cannot get any worse with putting Dawson in for 30 minutes and seeing what happens.  Obviously, what we've been doing, simply is not working - and it is killing the effectiveness of Gardner, our most talented and consistent offensive player.

It's pretty much been a disaster with Derrick running the point - let's just see if Dawson could give the team a spark, a spark it clearly needs.

Who's on board here?

+100 agree

[mileskishnish72]

The definition of insanity is supposedly doing the same thing over and over and expecting it to come out differently. Now I don't think anyone's really insane here but it sure doesn't seem as if the current personnel, playing as they have thus far, offer a realistic chance of much more than a .500 or so year. This concept is disappointing, to say the least. We've gotten a little spoiled.

[tower912]

I watched the IUPUI and Samford games.   It could get a lot worse.  Marcus Jackson, Niv Berkowitz, Joe Chapman bad.   Losing to Louisville by 40 because they kept pressing up 30 bad. 

[ATL MU Warrior]

The time has come....make the change.  If we are going to get blown out by 18 points to Creighton, and continue to lose every game against a Top 50 team - let's see what the future looks like with John Dawson running the point.

I simply believe that it cannot get any worse with putting Dawson in for 30 minutes and seeing what happens.  Obviously, what we've been doing, simply is not working - and it is killing the effectiveness of Gardner, our most talented and consistent offensive player.

It's pretty much been a disaster with Derrick running the point - let's just see if Dawson could give the team a spark, a spark it clearly needs.

Who's on board here?

nobody with any sense.

[tower912]

BTW, Gardner is killing Gardner.   Otule's numbers haven't suffered.   How come he is still able to get passes on the block?   Oh, that's right, because he works hard for position every time, doesn't pout when he doesn't get the ball, and works for offensive rebounds on misses by someone other than himself.   All while playing defense. 

[ATL MU Warrior]

BTW, Gardner is killing Gardner.   Otule's numbers haven't suffered.   How come he is still able to get passes on the block?   Oh, that's right, because he works hard for position every time, doesn't pout when he doesn't get the ball, and works for offensive rebounds on misses by someone other than himself.   All while playing defense. 

Perfectly said. 

[MerrittsMustache]

BTW, Gardner is killing Gardner.   Otule's numbers haven't suffered.   How come he is still able to get passes on the block?   Oh, that's right, because he works hard for position every time, doesn't pout when he doesn't get the ball, and works for offensive rebounds on misses by someone other than himself.   All while playing defense. 

Agree. DG has been his own worst enemy this season.

[GooooMarquette]

BTW, Gardner is killing Gardner.   Otule's numbers haven't suffered.   How come he is still able to get passes on the block?   Oh, that's right, because he works hard for position every time, doesn't pout when he doesn't get the ball, and works for offensive rebounds on misses by someone other than himself.   All while playing defense.  

Yep.  If Derrick was the main problem, Chris' numbers would have fallen too.  They haven't.

I wonder how long it'll be until people start blaming Derrick for Davante's FT% falling from 84% to 66%.  Or Jamil's for falling from 74% to 51%.  Our seniors are being looked to for leadership - Chris is doing his best, but Davante, Jamil and Jake have been disappointing.

If we're going to make a switch in the starting lineup, I'd much rather see JJJ start in front of Jake.

[tower912]

JJJ for Jake is option A.   Option B is Deonte for Juan.   Option C is Todd for Jake.   Option D is to give Davante's minutes to STjr. 

[NavinRJohnson]

Yep.  If Derrick was the main problem, Chris' numbers would have fallen too.  They haven't.

I wonder how long it'll be until people start blaming Derrick for Davante's FT% falling from 84% to 66%.  Or Jamil's for falling from 74% to 51%.  Our seniors are being looked to for leadership - Chris is doing his best, but Davante, Jamil and Jake have been disappointing.

If we're going to make a switch in the starting lineup, I'd much rather see JJJ start in front of Jake.

You guys really need to stop pointing stuff like this out. It makes it so much harder for those seeking easy answers.

[tower912]

Nobody listens to Buzz.   In October, he said there was a leadership problem with this team.  None of the seniors had led in September and Jamil and CO were only then belatedly trying to lead.   He said that Gardner is always looking for the shortcut in practice.   He said that replacing 90 MPG was going to be tough.  He said that there were only two players on this team who had ever done anything.   
Having watched this team play for the last 7 weeks, what part of this isn't true?     

[Hards Alumni]

BTW, Gardner is killing Gardner.   Otule's numbers haven't suffered.   How come he is still able to get passes on the block?   Oh, that's right, because he works hard for position every time, doesn't pout when he doesn't get the ball, and works for offensive rebounds on misses by someone other than himself.   All while playing defense. 

I agree.  He has bought into his own hype a little too much.  

Disagree that we should be playing Dawson 30 minutes per game.  What we see is the results on the court.  What Buzz sees is practice everyday plus results on the court.  Dawson hasn't proven himself to be significantly better than Wilson on the hardwood in a game situation.  I am frustrated with Derrick Wilson's play also, but what have we seen from Dawson to prove that he brings anything more than Wilson?  1/8 from 3?  Who is going to respect that anymore than Wilson?

[WarriorFan]

Teams are all doubling Gardner hi/low or side to side.  They're not doubling OToule.  Sagging/collapsing yes, but not doubling.  Makes a big difference.  Yes DG's head is not in it, but the comparison made above is not apples to apples.

[tower912]

Disagree.   Otule makes himself big when he posts.   Spreads his legs, puts up two hands, drops his butt.   Gardner puts up one hand.   Also, Otule does a much better job of getting offensive rebounds off of other people's misses.    Gardner only gets his own.   Otule misses, hustles back on defense, comes back to the offensive end and puts forth the exact same effort.   Gardner throws up his hands, gets back on defense slowly, then comes back to the offensive end and puts up one hand.  


As I posted elsewhere, in Gardner's defense, a lot of his points game off of penetration by Cadougan and Blue.   They would make the defense move, and with his great hands he would catch the dump off and power up against a recovering defender.   

[GGGG]

Yes.  Let's put in the back up point guard who has shown less offensive ability than our starting point guard.  That'll work.

[wadesworld]

This again 

Of ALL the lineup/minute changes we could complain about, we are asking for more John Dawson. Hilarious.

Magic Johnson is riding our bench.

[MerrittsMustache]

What many fans are overlooking is that Dawson wasn't signed to be the star PG. His role at MU is likely to be "the next Derrick Wilson." He's a back-up PG. Ideally, Duane would be seeing 25-28 mpg at the point with Derrick seeing the remainder and Dawson getting some garbage time PT. As years progress, Duane will continue to run the point with Dawson and Noskowiak battling for back-up minutes.

Derrick saw about 9 mpg as a frosh because he had a Big East body and the ability to play solid D and mistake-free basketball. Dawson has none of those things at this point in his career. He'll get there, but he's not there right now.

[WarriorFan]

Disagree.   Otule makes himself big when he posts.   Spreads his legs, puts up two hands, drops his butt.   Gardner puts up one hand.   Also, Otule does a much better job of getting offensive rebounds off of other people's misses.    Gardner only gets his own.   Otule misses, hustles back on defense, comes back to the offensive end and puts forth the exact same effort.   Gardner throws up his hands, gets back on defense slowly, then comes back to the offensive end and puts up one hand.  


As I posted elsewhere, in Gardner's defense, a lot of his points game off of penetration by Cadougan and Blue.   They would make the defense move, and with his great hands he would catch the dump off and power up against a recovering defender.   

Good points all.  Those PLUS no double team = greater success for Otule than Gardner this year.  As I posted elsewhere, however, Gardner could have more success away from the basket because he can shoot.  I'd like to see him get more touches outside the post and give him the green light to shoot.

[CTWarrior]

What we see is the results on the court.  What Buzz sees is practice everyday plus results on the court.

I'll bet Dawson guards Derrick Wilson like he's a regular PG in practice (after all, Dawson is working on his defense) which makes Derrick seem more effective.  I don't think Dawson or Derrick is the answer.  I say try playing without a true PG and let JJJ, Mayo and Jamil share ballhandling.

It's frustrating because we have so many guys who talented but are 50-75% of the player we need them to be.  Derrick defends and is secure with the ball but doesn't initiate any offense.  Burton looks like he is going to be a great scorer, but is not yet interested in being a facilitator or finding the open man and shaky on D.  JJJ can score, but is young and turnover prone and shaky on D.  Jake Thomas is tough and can shoot, knows the defensive schemes and is effective on D, but is not a skilled ball handler and can't penetrate or get himself a shot.  Dawson is raw and untested.  Mayo is athletic, talented but very streaky and not a great passer.  Somehow, Buzz has to turn that collection of players into 3 effective guard/wings at a time.

[GGGG]

It's frustrating because we have so many guys who talented but are 50-75% of the player we need them to be.  Derrick defends and is secure with the ball but doesn't initiate any offense.  Burton looks like he is going to be a great scorer, but is not yet interested in being a facilitator or finding the open man and shaky on D.  JJJ can score, but is young and turnover prone and shaky on D.  Jake Thomas is tough and can shoot, knows the defensive schemes and is effective on D, but is not a skilled ball handler and can't penetrate or get himself a shot.  Dawson is raw and untested.  Mayo is athletic, talented but very streaky and not a great passer.  Somehow, Buzz has to turn that collection of players into 3 effective guard/wings at a time.

That is very well put.