Give Mayo some props

[MU82]

It is extremely difficult to come off the bench cold after not playing for a very long stretch and absolutely drill a game-tying 3-pointer in the closing seconds.

If we finish the season strongly from here, Mayo's shot will have been the biggest of the season.

Hell, even if we don't win another game, it was the biggest shot for Marquette since Vander's winner against Davidson.

Kudos to Mayo. Didn't sulk. Kept his head in the game. Shook off an otherwise poor performace to come through when it counted.

[forgetful]

It is extremely difficult to come off the bench cold after not playing for a very long stretch and absolutely drill a game-tying 3-pointer in the closing seconds.

If we finish the season strongly from here, Mayo's shot will have been the biggest of the season.

Hell, even if we don't win another game, it was the biggest shot for Marquette since Vander's winner against Davidson.

Kudos to Mayo. Didn't sulk. Kept his head in the game. Shook off an otherwise poor performace to come through when it counted.

Honestly, with the clock winding down Mayo is the one I want taking the shot.  He presses too much (which is where he made his mistakes tonight), but he has that shooters/leader mentality of I want the ball.

I liked the line of him asking what play they were running and Jamie told him doesn't matter just get the ball and shoot it.

[JakeBarnes]

Yep. Mayo is the one with the best trigger on the team. He is stone cold when you need him to be (and to some on the board, even when you don't want him to be).

[MU82]

And while I'm at it ...

Props to Derrick, too.

Once he came out of the game in the first half and Dawson took his place for pretty much the rest of the game, Derrick stayed engaged. He was the first off the bench to meet the guys coming off the floor during timeouts. And he was fresh enough to play some very nice defense on a couple of possessions in OT.

This is Derrick's best role: 8-15 minutes as a backup PG and defensive stopper.

If that can be his role for the rest of this season and all through next season, we will be a far better team for two reasons.

1. Somebody else (in tonight's case, Dawson) has shown Buzz he can be the better option.

2. Derrick will be fresh to play when Buzz calls on him to do his thing.

[brandx]

And while I'm at it ...

Props to Derrick, too.

Once he came out of the game in the first half and Dawson took his place for pretty much the rest of the game, Derrick stayed engaged. He was the first off the bench to meet the guys coming off the floor during timeouts. And he was fresh enough to play some very nice defense on a couple of possessions in OT.

This is Derrick's best role: 8-15 minutes as a backup PG and defensive stopper.

If that can be his role for the rest of this season and all through next season, we will be a far better team for two reasons.

1. Somebody else (in tonight's case, Dawson) has shown Buzz he can be the better option.

2. Derrick will be fresh to play when Buzz calls on him to do his thing.

+1000

Defense has to play honest with JD on the floor. I expect there will be some games where John struggles and we may need more minutes from Derrick, but the flow is completely different with Dawson on the floor.

[mugrack]

Ice water in his veins...LOVE IT

[Coleman]

Not taking anything away from Mayos shot, but every time the camera showed him in overtime he looked like he was sulking. Had a grim face, wasn't cheering, even when MU went on the run to pull ahead for good...

[tower912]

+1000

Defense has to play honest with JD on the floor. I expect there will be some games where John struggles and we may need more minutes from Derrick, but the flow is completely different with Dawson on the floor.

The flow was completely different LAST NIGHT with Dawson on the floor.   

[MerrittsMustache]

Not taking anything away from Mayos shot, but every time the camera showed him in overtime he looked like he was sulking. Had a grim face, wasn't cheering, even when MU went on the run to pull ahead for good...

He looked that same way when he hit the shot! That's just his personality.

[CTWarrior]

He looked that same way when he hit the shot! That's just his personality.

Besides, he wants to play!  Who can blame him?

[slingkong]

Not taking anything away from Mayos shot, but every time the camera showed him in overtime he looked like he was sulking. Had a grim face, wasn't cheering, even when MU went on the run to pull ahead for good...

Oh noes! But did he exchange slap of fives appropriately?

[Coleman]

Whatever. I just noticed it..its a small complaint. I like Todd, I think he has the most upside of anyone on this team.

But its just nice when you see bench leaders and guys getting jacked up for the team. Everyone wants to play. But part of being on a team is supporting the team and not acting like a kid who didn't get the Christmas presents on his list while you are on the bench

[WellsstreetWanderer]

When Todd has the ball his movement looks like he is ready to explode to the rack. Teams have to be on their toes. When he is not in there they can sit back on their heels and watch our passes from their  zone, jump our angles or anticipate screens. He just gives us a different dimension with his quick ball handling. He often doesn't have time to warm up in the rotation given  the short times he is out there.

[PGsHeroes32]

Whatever. I just noticed it..its a small complaint. I like Todd, I think he has the most upside of anyone on this team.

But its just nice when you see bench leaders and guys getting jacked up for the team. Everyone wants to play. But part of being on a team is supporting the team and not acting like a kid who didn't get the Christmas presents on his list while you are on the bench

I get what you're saying but that is simply not an attribute of all guys. Someone like Juan will always be energetic and pumped up throughout the game. Todd is more laid back and
Emotionless. Both types of personalities have benefits. Someone with Todd's demeanor is who you want shooting it with game on the line because you know he's calm and wants it.

[tower912]

There is a picture on jsonline just after Dawson hit the 3.   Dawson has that triumphant angry face going, the rest of the bench is losing their minds, Todd is visible over Dawson's shoulder.   He is up clapping, but his face is utterly impassive.   The same look he had after hitting the 3.   Just who he is.

[kira67]

The Shot 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uPvxE6L7r0

[Markusquette]

The Shot 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uPvxE6L7r0

Hey nice video!  Thanks for sharing

[JakeBarnes]

There is a picture on jsonline just after Dawson hit the 3.   Dawson has that triumphant angry face going, the rest of the bench is losing their minds, Todd is visible over Dawson's shoulder.   He is up clapping, but his face is utterly impassive.   The same look he had after hitting the 3.   Just who he is.

Deonte's "ghost jumper" behind dawson when he shot it is AMAZING. I wish I could find video of that.

[tower912]

Check out paint touches. 

[willie warrior]

Props to Mayo. That 3 was huge and got us to OT.

[Daniel]

Great shot!  Looked like a Steve Taylor screen/switch for Todd to get the shot. Ice!

[keefe]

There is a picture on jsonline just after Dawson hit the 3.   Dawson has that triumphant angry face going, the rest of the bench is losing their minds, Todd is visible over Dawson's shoulder.   He is up clapping, but his face is utterly impassive.   The same look he had after hitting the 3.   Just who he is.

Jim Rice, Eddie Murray, Connie Hawkins, Maurice Lucas, Thurman Munson, Chuck Yeager, Robin Olds, et al...were stone faced. But nobody doubted their commitment or leadership.

Some of the finest leaders I have known were not particularly expressive. But you would follow them into combat through a wall of fire. Not everyone is motivated by jumping and screaming u-rah-rah. And let's be honest - a lot of that "enthusiasm" is contrived. Todd Mayo is good in my book.