A whole week off

[willie warrior]

I'm really having trouble believing you are as old as you claim to be....

And I am having trouble that you believe the HC's BS.

[GGGG]

I am not sure why people think JJJ should play more.  Of all the freshmen, he clearly is the one that looks like he is over his head at this point.  If you look at his game log, he hasn't done anything against the best competition.

[Aughnanure]

Dawson
Thomas
Mayo
Jamil
Oxtule

This is our best lineup. If you want to argue for Derrick, fine. But Dawson has earned a fair split.

[NersEllenson]

Agree that we will see some additional changes, as (contrary to past years when he has shortened the bench in conference play) Buzz is still looking for answers, BUT, anyone that thinks we are not going to see a significant amount of Derrick Wilson is kidding themselves.  Buzz went out of his way to praise his defense today.  He called him a "game changer" and maybe the best defender he has "ever coached."  While most on the board think that his game changing abilities only apply when we are on offense, Buzz loves what Derrick brings to the defense.  You don't have to like it, and I hate the 4 on 5 as much as anyone, but I just don't see this changing much this year.

It's funny - I saw several instances yesterday where Derrick's man blew by him and got into the lane.  I am totally blown away by Buzz's continued allegiance to Derrick.  We won by 1 freaking point at home over a depleted Seton Hall team.  1-7 against Top 75 teams.  Team played much better against X with Dawson in lineup.  1 point deficit with 5 minutes left against X, brings Derrick back in and we go down 8 in just 2:45 seconds against X.

Minute distribution needs to be:

Dawson 25, Derrick 15
Mayo 32  JJJ 8
Jake 15-20, Burton 20-25
Jamil 30, Juan 10
Gardner 30
Otule 10

[NersEllenson]

Buzz talked about that in the post game pressed with Mac and Homer ... Said teams will double Ox in the paint and he will never see an entry pass (except for DePaul and we saw what happened).  So Buzz is moving him around to where he can get the ball.

Ox sure as hell isn't going to get many entry passes when Derrick is running the point and teams lay off Derrick 5' and pack the paint.

Buzz's insistence on Derrick getting max minutes just blows my mind.  Gardner getting doubled and being as good of passer as he is could have real benefit to the team - if they surrounded Gardner consistently with Todd, Jake, and Dawson - all of whom have good shooting strokes.  You can't help off of Jake, don't think many teams would double DG using Mayo's defender, likely would try to use Dawson's defender - but Dawson has shown he's capable and willing to take and make 3's.

Derrick has made 2, 3 point field goals in his entire MU career.

[rocket surgeon]

i'd like to see buzz bring gardner out to free throw line a little more, draws there big out a little, if not, he hits 8 0f 10 from there.  move him up and down.  he also can dish to mayo or thomas off a pick for the trey.  lots of options from that spot

[GGGG]

Ox sure as hell isn't going to get many entry passes when Derrick is running the point and teams lay off Derrick 5' and pack the paint.

Buzz's insistence on Derrick getting max minutes just blows my mind.  Gardner getting doubled and being as good of passer as he is could have real benefit to the team - if they surrounded Gardner consistently with Todd, Jake, and Dawson - all of whom have good shooting strokes.  You can't help off of Jake, don't think many teams would double DG using Mayo's defender, likely would try to use Dawson's defender - but Dawson has shown he's capable and willing to take and make 3's.

Derrick has made 2, 3 point field goals in his entire MU career.

Derrick has a higher EFG%...higher OR...better defender.  Sure Dawson is shooting about 20% from 3...versus 11% from Derrick.  Neither is much of a threat at this point.

Not sure why it "blows your mind."  You (and others) continue to use nothing but confirmation bias to determine your point of view.

Dawson should get back up minutes at point.  Get Jamil off of there.

[mileskishnish72]

13-5??? Give me a hit of that stuff. Can't see it.

[NersEllenson]

Derrick has a higher EFG%...higher OR...better defender.  Sure Dawson is shooting about 20% from 3...versus 11% from Derrick.  Neither is much of a threat at this point.

Not sure why it "blows your mind."  You (and others) continue to use nothing but confirmation bias to determine your point of view.

Dawson should get back up minutes at point.  Get Jamil off of there.

I simply don't put a lot of merit into Dawson's EFG and OR at this point, given such limited stints of playing time.  I would bet my left and right nut, that if Dawson got 30 minutes per game, his EFG and OR would greatly exceed Derrick's through 16 games.  But, fair enough on your point - I just want to see more Dawson to get a better pulse on how he and the team would perform with him getting 20 minutes....I am convinced it wouldn't make the team worse than its been thus far.

What blows my mind is that Buzz continues to think the team's struggles are somehow going to evaporate or go away, if he keeps playing Derrick 30+ minutes.  I mean a 1-point win at home against Seton Hall, and major struggles against DePaul at home with as much talent as this team has on the roster??

[MU82]

It's funny - I saw several instances yesterday where Derrick's man blew by him and got into the lane.

As I was reading Buzz's quotes lavishing praise on Derrick, I thought this exact same thing. Derrick is a good defensive player, nothing more. Look at the point totals of every good PG we've played against this season. Now, I know Derrick wasn't defending each of them every minute both players were on the floor, but he was defending them enough to lose the "lock-down defender" label.

We lose the PG battle almost every game, and lose it significantly against the good teams with the good PGs. It's not easy to win when you're staring a 17-2 or 24-4 or 28-6 deficit at PG before the opening tip!

Furthermore, like 1B in baseball, PG should be an offense-first position. Any time the 1B scoops a bad throw from the SS, it's a bonus; I'll take a 1B who can make the routine plays and hits 40 HR and knocks in 120 over a defensive 1B who saves a few runs but goes 10-70. And so would every manager in the majors.

And I'll take a PG who goes for 16-6 and is an average defender over a defense-first PG who is such a liability on offense that even his coach admits the team is playing 4-on-5 and is such a bad FT shooter that he has to be benched in the final minute of a close game.

I'm not even criticizing Buzz for playing Derrick more than Dawson. I'm just tired of hearing about Derrick's world-class defense as justification for him getting 30+ minutes.

[NersEllenson]

As I was reading Buzz's quotes lavishing praise on Derrick, I thought this exact same thing. Derrick is a good defensive player, nothing more. Look at the point totals of every good PG we've played against this season. Now, I know Derrick wasn't defending each of them every minute both players were on the floor, but he was defending them enough to lose the "lock-down defender" label.

We lose the PG battle almost every game, and lose it significantly against the good teams with the good PGs. It's not easy to win when you're staring a 17-2 or 24-4 or 28-6 deficit at PG before the opening tip!

Furthermore, like 1B in baseball, PG should be an offense-first position. Any time the 1B scoops a bad throw from the SS, it's a bonus; I'll take a 1B who can make the routine plays and hits 40 HR and knocks in 120 over a defensive 1B who saves a few runs but goes 10-70. And so would every manager in the majors.

And I'll take a PG who goes for 16-6 and is an average defender over a defense-first PG who is such a liability on offense that even his coach admits the team is playing 4-on-5 and is such a bad FT shooter that he has to be benched in the final minute of a close game.

I'm not even criticizing Buzz for playing Derrick more than Dawson. I'm just tired of hearing about Derrick's world-class defense as justification for him getting 30+ minutes.

Well said.  And, hearing in the last week Buzz comparing Derrick to Aaron Craft at OSU - just further evidence he is totally overreaching trying to support Derrick.  Aaron Craft will get All American votes, and will be All Conference in the Big 10 at minimum.  If Derrick sniffs an All Conference vote from an opposing coach/journalist - I'll quit Scoop forever.  Then again, they may give him votes in the hopes Buzz continues to roll him out there, as that makes coaching against MU so much easier!

[connie]

Well said.  And, hearing in the last week Buzz comparing Derrick to Aaron Craft at OSU - just further evidence he is totally overreaching trying to support Derrick.  Aaron Craft will get All American votes, and will be All Conference in the Big 10 at minimum.  If Derrick sniffs an All Conference vote from an opposing coach/journalist - I'll quit Scoop forever.  Then again, they may give him votes in the hopes Buzz continues to roll him out there, as that makes coaching against MU so much easier!

  Nice, but potentially true.  I didn't understand the DW love last year, and while I can understand the necessity argument this year, I don't get the deep devotion.

[NotAnAlum]

I really don't like the "Jumbo" package to start the game.  We've had two home games in a row with this package and its resulted in turn overs in the first couple possession.  SH would have started with a bigger lead yesterday if they hadn't been shooting so poorly.  I can't help but believe that Buzz in his obsessing over possessions doesn't want to give up the center tip.  Well guess what, if you get the tip but then come down and turn the ball over you've lost the advantage.
I would start Ox, J Wilson, Mayo, Jake and Derrick.  Let J Wilson do the tip if you have to.  I believe that Ox and Mayo both benefit physiologically from the hype of the starting intro.  That is a lineup that should stretch the floor with 2 3 point threats, a low post scorer and a wild card in Jamil.
I like what's been suggested about using Mayo at the point but I think PG is such a "mind meld" position for Buzz that he will never put Mayo ( a guy he just can't completely connect with) at that position.  

[ATL MU Warrior]

It's funny - I saw several instances yesterday where Derrick's man blew by him and got into the lane.  

Ners, in your estimation, who is the best one on one perimeter defender to ever play the game?  I'm just curious, because I would like to know how many times the guy they were defending got by them?  Hundreds, if not thousands.  Who was the greatest shot blocker to ever play the game?  You mean to tell me that he didn't block every shot ever attempted against him and that some of those shots actually went in?  The horror.

It happens.  There is another player out there that is trying really hard and is probably pretty talented too.  They make plays.  Sometimes they win the battle, sometimes you win the battle.

Your obsession with blaming Derrick for everything that is wrong with this team is maddening.  However, I am done with the argument as it is clear there is no convincing you otherwise. 

[Texas Western]

I am not sure why people think JJJ should play more.  Of all the freshmen, he clearly is the one that looks like he is over his head at this point.  If you look at his game log, he hasn't done anything against the best competition.

Watch carefully when he is in the game, he has a very quick first step , looks to drive and create for others. He has made beuatiful passes to Dawson in the last two games. Also, as Todd Mayo says JJJ is a pure scorer. Buzz needs to leave him in the game for a while. Yesterday he took a bone headed three pointer and got yanked, I guess that is one way to coach but I think it puts unnecessary pressure on a player. On defense he is looking to make the breakaway steal,which is something we are sorely missing. Plus the kid has spirit and joy when he plays which is something that can be contagious.

[willie warrior]

  Nice, but potentially true.  I didn't understand the DW love last year, and while I can understand the necessity argument this year, I don't get the deep devotion.

Buzz is not overreaching--he is spreading manure, which he considers himself an expert at. Comparing him to Craft? Calling him a game changer?

Hey, come to think of it, Derrick is a game changer--at the FT line. Buzz must be on to something there.

[willie warrior]

I really don't like the "Jumbo" package to start the game.  We've had two home games in a row with this package and its resulted in turn overs in the first couple possession.  SH would have started with a bigger lead yesterday if they hadn't been shooting so poorly.  I can't help but believe that Buzz in his obsessing over possessions doesn't want to give up the center tip.  Well guess what, if you get the tip but then come down and turn the ball over you've lost the advantage.
I would start Ox, J Wilson, Mayo, Jake and Derrick.  Let J Wilson do the tip if you have to.  I believe that Ox and Mayo both benefit physiologically from the hype of the starting intro.  That is a lineup that should stretch the floor with 2 3 point threats, a low post scorer and a wild card in Jamil.
I like what's been suggested about using Mayo at the point but I think PG is such a "mind meld" position for Buzz that he will never put Mayo ( a guy he just can't completely connect with) at that position.  

But wait..Otule starts to win the tip. What are the stats on that this year? Since we are 10-7, doubt that it matters.

[GGGG]

Watch carefully when he is in the game, he has a very quick first step , looks to drive and create for others. He has made beuatiful passes to Dawson in the last two games. Also, as Todd Mayo says JJJ is a pure scorer. Buzz needs to leave him in the game for a while. Yesterday he took a bone headed three pointer and got yanked, I guess that is one way to coach but I think it puts unnecessary pressure on a player. On defense he is looking to make the breakaway steal,which is something we are sorely missing. Plus the kid has spirit and joy when he plays which is something that can be contagious.

He has had plenty of time to show what he can do.  He has flashes no doubt, but he simply disappears for the most part.

[GGGG]

I simply don't put a lot of merit into Dawson's EFG and OR at this point,

Of course you don't.  It doesn't support your POV.

Look, at best Derrick is a fair PG.  Buzz's comments IMO are clearly of the "coach him up" variety.  But the idea that he cannot improve, or what you have seen is all you are going to get, is wrong.  Junior improved quite a bit from this point in his junior year to the end of last year.

He is the best PG on the roster now.  That is all I have been saying.

[jesmu84]

He has had plenty of time to show what he can do.  He has flashes no doubt, but he simply disappears for the most part.

Doesn't matter what any of us think, or even the coaching staff or fellow players think, about JJJ. We've already been informed by an insider that he's transferring after this season, remember?

[Texas Western]

As I was reading Buzz's quotes lavishing praise on Derrick, I thought this exact same thing. Derrick is a good defensive player, nothing more. Look at the point totals of every good PG we've played against this season. Now, I know Derrick wasn't defending each of them every minute both players were on the floor, but he was defending them enough to lose the "lock-down defender" label.

We lose the PG battle almost every game, and lose it significantly against the good teams with the good PGs. It's not easy to win when you're staring a 17-2 or 24-4 or 28-6 deficit at PG before the opening tip!

Furthermore, like 1B in baseball, PG should be an offense-first position. Any time the 1B scoops a bad throw from the SS, it's a bonus; I'll take a 1B who can make the routine plays and hits 40 HR and knocks in 120 over a defensive 1B who saves a few runs but goes 10-70. And so would every manager in the majors.

And I'll take a PG who goes for 16-6 and is an average defender over a defense-first PG who is such a liability on offense that even his coach admits the team is playing 4-on-5 and is such a bad FT shooter that he has to be benched in the final minute of a close game.

I'm not even criticizing Buzz for playing Derrick more than Dawson. I'm just tired of hearing about Derrick's world-class defense as justification for him getting 30+ minutes.

Derrick is shooting 48.8 percent from the free throw line. It is simply impossible to win the close games with a point guard who shoots this poorly. For all of his faults Junior shot 71.9 from the line last year.

[Lennys Tap]

Derrick is shooting 48.8 percent from the free throw line. It is simply impossible to win the close games with a point guard who shoots this poorly. For all of his faults Junior shot 71.9 from the line last year.

It is more difficult, not "simply impossible". We won close games with Tony Miller (he made less than 1 more FT in 10 than Derrick) and DJ (he was actually worse than Derrick -46%- in 2008-09) at PG. That said, a PG who makes 90% is really valuable down the stretch and one who shoots 50% is a liability. When it comes to "automatic fouling" time, Derrick has to be on the bench.

[Aughnanure]

It is more difficult, not "simply impossible". We won close games with Tony Miller (he made less than 1 more FT in 10 than Derrick) and DJ (he was actually worse than Derrick -46%- in 2008-09) at PG. That said, a PG who makes 90% is really valuable down the stretch and one who shoots 50% is a liability. When it comes to "automatic fouling" time, Derrick has to be on the bench.

DJ had a terrible start to his senior year, but he was clutch by the end. Just a very odd slump for a player who was otherwise a decent FT shooter and very clutch in his career.

[NersEllenson]

It is more difficult, not "simply impossible". We won close games with Tony Miller (he made less than 1 more FT in 10 than Derrick) and DJ (he was actually worse than Derrick -46%- in 2008-09) at PG. That said, a PG who makes 90% is really valuable down the stretch and one who shoots 50% is a liability. When it comes to "automatic fouling" time, Derrick has to be on the bench.

Yes, but Tony Miller could absolutely SLAY defenses both in press situations and the half court.  Made all the guys around him better.  Tony's performance against Kentucky in 1994 remains a highlight of all time for me in my MU fan days.

Go back and watch Tony play, and contrast to Derrick - totally different levels of skill, confidence and ability.  Of course I know you weren't trying to make the point Derrick is anywhere near as good as Tony Miller - yet to just point out a slight disparity in their FT shooting percentage, doesn't tell near the full story of the disparity in their basketball ability.

[77ncaachamps]

I didn't realize we disdained DW this much!

http://wiki.muscoop.com/doku.php/men_s_basketball/derrick_wilson