Disjointed...

[NersEllenson]

Was a must win game today and we laid an egg.  This season is on Buzz.  Been totally disjointed in his rotation/lineups ALL season long.  No synergy - other than generally playing the same 2 in the backcourt the most/consistent minutes...that have had their share of struggles and limitations.

Was evident early on the season was going to be a struggle if major changes weren't made.  None of these guys are getting into a rhythm in games, they aren't playing alongside the same guys 90% of the time.  Just impossible to get into a flow, and get some results.

The rotation needs to be pared to 8-9 guys...should have been done a long time ago...start your 5 most talented guys...and then you have your 3 and 4 subs who basically come in and sub for the same guy over and over.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Natives are restless

[77ncaachamps]

Was a must win game today and we laid an egg.  This season is on Buzz.  Been totally disjointed in his rotation/lineups ALL season long.  No synergy - other than generally playing the same 2 in the backcourt the most/consistent minutes...that have had their share of struggles and limitations.

Was evident early on the season was going to be a struggle if major changes weren't made.  None of these guys are getting into a rhythm in games, they aren't playing alongside the same guys 90% of the time.  Just impossible to get into a flow, and get some results.

The rotation needs to be pared to 8-9 guys...should have been done a long time ago...start your 5 most talented guys...and then you have your 3 and 4 subs who basically come in and sub for the same guy over and over.

I'm going to extend it to the coaching staff and their inability to develop players.

Or maybe the problem is, what Buzz always tries to recruit, that this team lacks the "chip" on their shoulders.

The freshmen have been aggressive and, though they haven't deserved the minutes, they don't play entitled like this year's senior class.

I've been disappointed in Jamil, Ox, and Otule greatly. This is...was?...their team.
As seniors, they needed to take this team on their shoulders.
They've been reluctant warriors...

[Nevada233]

Luke Fish

Duane Wilson

Ahmed Hill

Shayok

Sandy Cohen

the future is bright..... This current team is forgettable...

[NickelDimer]

This team sucks. The WHOLE team.  It's become very easy these days to simply blame coaching.  It's convenient. But it's usually miguided.  This is one everyone.  Players and coaches. 

[willie warrior]

This team sucks. The WHOLE team.  It's become very easy these days to simply blame coaching.  It's convenient. But it's usually miguided.  This is one everyone.  Players and coaches. 

It is the coach. He picked the players, he develops the game plans. He is to develop the players, he has the resources and the big bucks salary. Those are just kids out there trying. Except Otule--he is eligible for Social Security, so he cannot be called a kid anymore.

[NickelDimer]

It is the coach. He picked the players, he develops the game plans. He is to develop the players, he has the resources and the big bucks salary. Those are just kids out there trying. Except Otule--he is eligible for Social Security, so he cannot be called a kid anymore.

Moronic...at best.  So simple huh willie? You're awesome amn.  You really get it

[Niv Berkowitz]

To say buzz can't develop players? Seriously STFU. All u reactionaries out there that suddenly we are worthless and have worthless players is ludicrous.

That being said, this definitely hasn't been a well coached season by Buzz. Teams/coaches have bad seasons. Lets stop throwing the baby out with the bath water.

College hoops is a guards game. We don't have em this year, and, we don't have solid seniors. Simple as that. Look at previous seasons and how hard the seniors busted their hump. This year pales in comparison.

[MarquetteDano]

The rotation needs to be pared to 8-9 guys...should have been done a long time ago...start your 5 most talented guys...and then you have your 3 and 4 subs who basically come in and sub for the same guy over and over.

The season is on Buzz but not for the reasons you state.  Recruiting left us with poor guards and you can't have poor guards in college b-ball.

Silver bullet rotations changes would have given us one more win at this point.  I don't care what rotation you come up with Ners.  It would not have been good enough given the guard play.

Next year will be better.

[chapman]

I'm going to extend it to the coaching staff and their inability to develop players.

On that note and without attempting to dissect individual shortcomings, I'd be shocked if there isn't assistant turnover for next year. 

[jesmu84]

On that note and without attempting to dissect individual shortcomings, I'd be shocked if there isn't assistant turnover for next year. 

I wonder if Jerry's corpse will still be here. 

[79Warrior]

To say buzz can't develop players? Seriously STFU. All u reactionaries out there that suddenly we are worthless and have worthless players is ludicrous.

That being said, this definitely hasn't been a well coached season by Buzz. Teams/coaches have bad seasons. Lets stop throwing the baby out with the bath water.

College hoops is a guards game. We don't have em this year, and, we don't have solid seniors. Simple as that. Look at previous seasons and how hard the seniors busted their hump. This year pales in comparison.

+1. Effort is not there by the upperclassmen. Guard play is suspect and we Zero three point capability from anyone. Tough to win without a consistent three point threat.

[brandx]

Was a must win game today and we laid an egg.  This season is on Buzz.  Been totally disjointed in his rotation/lineups ALL season long.  No synergy - other than generally playing the same 2 in the backcourt the most/consistent minutes...that have had their share of struggles and limitations.

Was evident early on the season was going to be a struggle if major changes weren't made.  None of these guys are getting into a rhythm in games, they aren't playing alongside the same guys 90% of the time.  Just impossible to get into a flow, and get some results.

The rotation needs to be pared to 8-9 guys...should have been done a long time ago...start your 5 most talented guys...and then you have your 3 and 4 subs who basically come in and sub for the same guy over and over.

While I have agreed with you on your assessment of our guard play, maybe derrick showed his real value today. as the other upperclassmen gave up on the tam and coaches today, Derrick tried to take over in the 2nd half. Hopefully that will have good consequences down the road. I think he has been very hesitant to take charge deferring to the seniors this year, but maybe this game turned a corner for him

[MattyWarrior]

Otules only job should be Rebounding and Defense,his reactions to the ball are so slow! His numbers are awful for
a grown man with his size.

[NersEllenson]

While I have agreed with you on your assessment of our guard play, maybe derrick showed his real value today. as the other upperclassmen gave up on the tam and coaches today, Derrick tried to take over in the 2nd half. Hopefully that will have good consequences down the road. I think he has been very hesitant to take charge deferring to the seniors this year, but maybe this game turned a corner for him

Hope you are right...just wish I could put stock into the performance given St. John's essentially called off the dawgs the last 7 minutes of the game and that's when we saw some point production from D-Will.  I've never felt Derrick didn't play hard...felt he's always given max effort - so that's not my concern.  Same with Jake...plays hard, max effort guy.  But, it takes more than just playing hard to win games.

[Big Papi]

The overall guard play has not been good this year, period.  That includes Derrick Wilson, Thomas, Mayo, Dawson and JJJ.  None are worthy starters for a NCAA tourney team and all should be getting spot minutes at best.

This has nothing to do with Buzz's inability to coach or his substitution patterns.  Buzz just needs to recruit better guards.  Its not that our guards are not talented but their flaws are fatal.  Derrick can't shoot.  Thomas lacks athletic ability to get his shot off.  Dawson and JJJ need to improve their defense by a ton and stop chucking shots.  Mayo well I can't figure him out and apparently neither can anyone else.

Hopefully Buzz brings in some legit well rounded guards over the next few years.

[jesmu84]

The overall guard play has not been good this year, period.  That includes Derrick Wilson, Thomas, Mayo, Dawson and JJJ.  None are worthy starters for a NCAA tourney team and all should be getting spot minutes at best.

This has nothing to do with Buzz's inability to coach or his substitution patterns.  Buzz just needs to recruit better guards.  Its not that our guards are not talented but their flaws are fatal.  Derrick can't shoot.  Thomas lacks athletic ability to get his shot off.  Dawson and JJJ need to improve their defense by a ton and stop chucking shots.  Mayo well I can't figure him out and apparently neither can anyone else.

Hopefully Buzz brings in some legit well rounded guards over the next few years.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/nFSxfi5mb4k?hl=en_US&amp;amp;version=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/nFSxfi5mb4k?hl=en_US&amp;amp;version=3</a>

[ChicosBailBonds]

The overall guard play has not been good this year, period.  That includes Derrick Wilson, Thomas, Mayo, Dawson and JJJ.  None are worthy starters for a NCAA tourney team and all should be getting spot minutes at best.

This has nothing to do with Buzz's inability to coach or his substitution patterns.  Buzz just needs to recruit better guards.  Its not that our guards are not talented but their flaws are fatal.  Derrick can't shoot.  Thomas lacks athletic ability to get his shot off.  Dawson and JJJ need to improve their defense by a ton and stop chucking shots.  Mayo well I can't figure him out and apparently neither can anyone else.

Hopefully Buzz brings in some legit well rounded guards over the next few years.

It's a guards game.  Amen brother, amen!

[GGGG]

Was a must win game today and we laid an egg.  This season is on Buzz.  Been totally disjointed in his rotation/lineups ALL season long.  No synergy - other than generally playing the same 2 in the backcourt the most/consistent minutes...that have had their share of struggles and limitations.

Was evident early on the season was going to be a struggle if major changes weren't made.  None of these guys are getting into a rhythm in games, they aren't playing alongside the same guys 90% of the time.  Just impossible to get into a flow, and get some results.

The rotation needs to be pared to 8-9 guys...should have been done a long time ago...start your 5 most talented guys...and then you have your 3 and 4 subs who basically come in and sub for the same guy over and over.

I would agree if players on this team would show some consistency.  But they don't.  So Buzz is mixing and matching to win games.

[bilsu]

The only way it is on Buzz is that he recruited the players. The announcers talked about how Buzz made a point in practice not to leave Harrison open and the team left him open and he got hot. That is not on Buzz, it is on the players not doing what Buzz prepared them to do. However, the way they played you have to wonder if it was a good idea to take the team to a Broadway play last night.

[NersEllenson]

I would agree if players on this team would show some consistency.  But they don't.  So Buzz is mixing and matching to win games.

I would hypothesize that the players on this team might show more consistency - if they had a consistent role/minutes.  It's been a clusterf*ck all year with all but 1-2 guys getting consistent minutes.  I would surmise that the guys feel a lot of pressure coming in games, thinking...I have to produce, and produce right away in the game when I get in..not make a mistake....or I know I'm coming out, and could be out the rest of the game.

Rafferty yesterday was beside himself at how ineffective we were at getting the ball to Gardner.  Said, you talk to other coaches, and the first guy they worry about on scouting report is Gardner - so yes, teams want to take him away...but we have to be able to capitalize on that attention, by not consistently choosing to play 4 on 5.

[GGGG]

Rafferty yesterday was beside himself at how ineffective we were at getting the ball to Gardner.  Said, you talk to other coaches, and the first guy they worry about on scouting report is Gardner - so yes, teams want to take him away...but we have to be able to capitalize on that attention, by not consistently choosing to play 4 on 5.

I can't believe you are still trotting out the 4 on 5 line.  That was the same lineup and same subbing philosophy that Buzz used the game before....you know where we jumped out to the big lead...the one where Davante was our leading scorer...and the one who shall not be named lead us in +/-.

Yeah, it's amazing why Buzz would do the exact same thing.

[Dawson Rental]

Hope you are right...just wish I could put stock into the performance given St. John's essentially called off the dawgs the last 7 minutes of the game and that's when we saw some point production from D-Will.  I've never felt Derrick didn't play hard...felt he's always given max effort - so that's not my concern.  Same with Jake...plays hard, max effort guy.  But, it takes more than just playing hard to win games.

I would really like to believe in brandx's point that maybe Derrick has turned a corner, but your observation about St. John's calling off the dogs fits what I saw too.  I saw Derrick driving on the hoop against only token opposition.  A big change from earlier in the game when St. John's dominated in the paint.

[Buzz Williams' Spillproof Chiclets Cup]

I'm going to extend it to the coaching staff and their inability to develop players.

That's right. If there's one thing this coaching staff sucks at, it's developing guys like Vander Blue, Jimmy Butler, Darius Johnson-Odom, Jae Crowder, Dwight Buycks...

[GGGG]

I would really like to believe in brandx's point that maybe Derrick has turned a corner, but your observation about St. John's calling off the dogs fits what I saw too.  I saw Derrick driving on the hoop against only token opposition.  A big change from earlier in the game when St. John's dominated in the paint.

Yeah, I don't take any stock in what happened in the second part of the second half of that game.  Complete garbage time.

[NersEllenson]

I can't believe you are still trotting out the 4 on 5 line.  That was the same lineup and same subbing philosophy that Buzz used the game before....you know where we jumped out to the big lead...the one where Davante was our leading scorer...and the one who shall not be named lead us in +/-.

Yeah, it's amazing why Buzz would do the exact same thing.

Looks like Burton and JJJ played the best in the beginning of this game...then went away from it. Definitely shook things up the last couple of games starting JJJ and Burton...mixed bag results...Do you really dispute the 4-5 notion?  +/- in this game looks quite different than the Providence game...

http://statsheet.com/mcb/games/2014/02/01/marquette-59-st-johns-74/plus_minus

[RushmoreAcademy]

I understand the frustration. It's not fun to watch, but I don't understand the short memories.  We've been a pretty charmed fanbase recently and Buzz has done a great job putting us on the tournament run we've been on.
It's college basketball.  There are going to be seasons like this one.  Unless you're Duke or Kentucky it's going to happen to everybody.

[GGGG]

Looks like Burton and JJJ played the best in the beginning of this game...then went away from it. Definitely shook things up the last couple of games starting JJJ and Burton...mixed bag results...Do you really dispute the 4-5 notion?  +/- in this game looks quite different than the Providence game...

http://statsheet.com/mcb/games/2014/02/01/marquette-59-st-johns-74/plus_minus

They pretty much all sucked yesterday.  Jamil and Todd were no-shows.  Davante looked disinterested on defense.  By far I thought the biggest problem is that those three, who were supposed to be "the guys" heading into this year, seem unable or unwilling to take that next step.

Davante played with JFB.  Jamil practiced him him and played with Jae.  Todd played with Jae.  

However not a single one of them have stepped to provide the examples that both of them set.  So much so that Buzz thought it would be better to play Juan Anderson  and two freshmen in their place on a nationally televised game at MSG.

[tower912]

A team goes as far as it's leaders/best players take it.   This year, that is supposed to be Jamil, Todd, and Davante.   Buzz was critical of their leadership as far back as October. 

[NersEllenson]

They pretty much all sucked yesterday.  Jamil and Todd were no-shows.  Davante looked disinterested on defense.  By far I thought the biggest problem is that those three, who were supposed to be "the guys" heading into this year, seem unable or unwilling to take that next step.

Davante played with JFB.  Jamil practiced him him and played with Jae.  Todd played with Jae.  

However not a single one of them have stepped to provide the examples that both of them set.  So much so that Buzz thought it would be better to play Juan Anderson  and two freshmen in their place on a nationally televised game at MSG.

Agree...I had some optimism coming into the game, based on Providence...but we just got spanked yesterday.  Jamil was awful.  Todd wasn't good.  Davante not good either.  I do feel DG is extremely frustrated, and is trying to battle through that.  You and I have agreed that Jamil has some talent, and has the look, yet isn't overly athletic and has challenges being a go to guy.  I still feel Buzz should have picked 8-9 guys by mid-Decmeber and said...these are my guys, these are your roles, and this is the substitution pattern.  There's been no consistency to anything (other than Derrick generally getting 28 minutes per game) for the team and players and their playing time/on floor teammates...thus the word disjointed...

[NYeagle]

I understand the frustration. It's not fun to watch, but I don't understand the short memories.  We've been a pretty charmed fanbase recently and Buzz has done a great job putting us on the tournament run we've been on.
It's college basketball.  There are going to be seasons like this one.  Unless you're Duke or Kentucky it's going to happen to everybody.

Happens to even Kentucky. Last year. We natives need to chill.

[4everwarriors]

The only way it is on Buzz is that he recruited the players. The announcers talked about how Buzz made a point in practice not to leave Harrison open and the team left him open and he got hot. That is not on Buzz, it is on the players not doing what Buzz prepared them to do. However, the way they played you have to wonder if it was a good idea to take the team to a Broadway play last night.

What did they see, "A Midsummer's Night Dream"?

[madtownwarrior]

glad I did not see the crapshow yesterday - had other commitments, DVR'd the game and just hit delete after reading the board...

been disjointed all year..   wonder what continuity Buzz can find the rest of the year - maybe focus on developing the younger guys?

[GooooMarquette]

Hope you are right...just wish I could put stock into the performance given St. John's essentially called off the dawgs the last 7 minutes of the game and that's when we saw some point production from D-Will.  I've never felt Derrick didn't play hard...felt he's always given max effort - so that's not my concern.  Same with Jake...plays hard, max effort guy.  But, it takes more than just playing hard to win games.

Garbage time...sure.  But it was still nice to see one or two MU players who gave 100% from the opening tip until the final buzzer.  

Next year's senior class will include Derrick, Todd and Juan.  I have no idea what to expect from Todd, but the other two, while they have clear limitations, may very well become the leaders by example that this team has sorely lacked.

[4everwarriors]

Actually it's a "players" game. Fact is this team doesn't have enough elite level players to win, as they've done in previous years. Just not enough talent as this roster is constituted.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

It's chicken or the egg.

Are guys disjointed because Buzz keeps changing, or is Buzz making changes because guys aren't very good?

Several posters have demanded changes to the line-up, but now there are posters saying Buzz makes too many changes? It's not likely both, is it?

Truthfully, I suspect that Buzz would love to roll out 8 high performing players and win a bunch of games. Unfortunately, he doesn't have 8 high performance players who show up every game, so he has to mix and match.

Now, WHY aren't the guys consistent every night, and how can Buzz re-install consistency as part of MU's culture? Now that's in interesting topic... and I would bet that's what keeps Buzz up at night.

[NersEllenson]

Garbage time...sure.  But it was still nice to see one or two MU players who gave 100% from the opening tip until the final buzzer.  

Next year's senior class will include Derrick, Todd and Juan.  I have no idea what to expect from Todd, but the other two, while they have clear limitations, may very well become the leaders by example that this team has sorely lacked.

There is nothing stopping Derrick and Juan and Jake from being leaders by example this year...yet their hard work doesn't translate into victories due to their limitations as players.   I'd much rather see a lineup that has the talent and potential to WIN games, that may not be as Johnny Hustle as the less talented guys.  We've seen the Johnny hustle team this year with Derrick, Jake, Juan, Otule being starters...the results weren't pretty.

I don't feel Jamil, Otule or Davante haven't played hard at most points throughout the year either.  I think they are beyond frustrated...Jamil and DG  don't initiate offense.  They are reliant in many ways on the perimeter players being effective.  They are like receivers in football to an extent - they are reliant on a QB to get them the ball.  You can have a hard working QB who wants to get the ball to his receivers...yet just doesn't have the tools necessary to play the position.  And as hard working as that QB may be - when the guys lining up around him don't have confidence in his abilities - due to him consistently showing his limitations - its hard for that QB's leadership and hard work ethic to have any cred in the locker room.

[NersEllenson]

It's chicken or the egg.

Are guys disjointed because Buzz keeps changing, or is Buzz making changes because guys aren't very good?

Several posters have demanded changes to the line-up, but now there are posters saying Buzz makes too many changes? It's not likely both, is it?

Truthfully, I suspect that Buzz would love to roll out 8 high performing players and win a bunch of games. Unfortunately, he doesn't have 8 high performance players who show up every game, so he has to mix and match.

Now, WHY aren't the guys consistent every night, and how can Buzz re-install consistency as part of MU's culture? Now that's in interesting topic... and I would bet that's what keeps Buzz up at night.

There is ONE major change that Buzz hasn't been willing to make all year..so all of the other tinkering that hasn't worked...well....maybe by process of elimination Buzz will figure it out.  The ONE guy on the team who's role basically hasn't changed at all for the entire season, and who has gotten max minutes is the PG.  The ONE game he wasn't given max minutes, and reduced to 30, we somehow win on the road at Georgetown.  All of the other lineup tinkering..hasn't changed a damn thing...the losses continue, we look like a hockey team sending lines of players out there, guys going in and out every minute, guys playing with different guys alongside them - you just don't see that happening on other successful teams.  And no, getting 10 minutes a game of action to show your value when broken up into 2-3 stints of run....does not reflect what you will produce in 30 minutes.

[MU82]

Buzz successfully recruited two guards sought by dozens of high-major programs: JJJ and Duane Wilson. In Hill and Cohen, next year's recruiting class includes two highly rated guards. For 2015, Buzz already has a verbal commitment from the No. 7-rated PG (Noskowiak) and even one for 2017 (Flory)! He also recruited Vander and Junior from high school and DJO and Buycks from J.C. Not a shabby lot.

So for anybody to claim that Buzz "can't recruit guards" is as silly as it is untrue.

Now, it is true that there have been plenty of bumps in the road, from Reggie Smith to T.J. Taylor to Jamal Ferguson. And through either misfortune, mediocre recruiting or both, this year's team has been caught shorthanded in the guard department. Because I agree with Chicos (and plenty of others more knowledgeable than both of us) that college basketball is a guard's game, this has left us S.O.L. for this season.

But I refuse to join misguided, uninformed yahoos who have issued a blanket indictment of Buzz's ability to recruit guards.

[GGGG]

There is ONE major change that Buzz hasn't been willing to make all year..so all of the other tinkering that hasn't worked...well....maybe by process of elimination Buzz will figure it out.  The ONE guy on the team who's role basically hasn't changed at all for the entire season, and who has gotten max minutes is the PG.  The ONE game he wasn't given max minutes, and reduced to 30, we somehow win on the road at Georgetown.  All of the other lineup tinkering..hasn't changed a damn thing...the losses continue, we look like a hockey team sending lines of players out there, guys going in and out every minute, guys playing with different guys alongside them - you just don't see that happening on other successful teams.  And no, getting 10 minutes a game of action to show your value when broken up into 2-3 stints of run....does not reflect what you will produce in 30 minutes.

So just because you don't mention Derrick by name, you feel you are living up to your moratorium?

Just because *you* haven't seen Dawson play 30+ minutes, doesn't mean that he should.  Buzz isn't responsible for your curiosity.

[Archies Bat]

So just because you don't mention Derrick by name, you feel you are living up to your moratorium?

Agree, hated to do it, cuz Ners adds a lot, but I had to go to the ignore button for a bit and hope it passes.

[bilsu]

There is ONE major change that Buzz hasn't been willing to make all year..so all of the other tinkering that hasn't worked...well....maybe by process of elimination Buzz will figure it out.  The ONE guy on the team who's role basically hasn't changed at all for the entire season, and who has gotten max minutes is the PG.  The ONE game he wasn't given max minutes, and reduced to 30, on the road we somehow win at Georgetown.  All of the other lineup tinkering..hasn't changed a damn thing...the losses continue, we look like a hockey team sending lines of players out there, guys going in and out every minute, guys playing with different guys alongside them - you just don't see that happening on other successful teams.  And no, getting 10 minutes a game of action to show your value when broken up into 2-3 stints of run....does not reflect what you will produce in 30 minutes.

We beat Georgetown, because  they were in the middle of a five game losing streak  and they allowed us to get the game into overtime.

[NersEllenson]

So just because you don't mention Derrick by name, you feel you are living up to your moratorium?

Just because *you* haven't seen Dawson play 30+ minutes, doesn't mean that he should.  Buzz isn't responsible for your curiosity.

And nor has Buzz seen him play 30 GAME minutes other than once...and even that wasn't going to happen if Derrick didn't tell Buzz to leave Dawson in the game!  Just find it funny that Buzz has made all the other tweaks..virtually every conceivable tweak he could make except this one.

Okay...I'll shut up now...as I realize this treads on/against my self imposed moratorium.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Wait a minute...Buzz can't recruit guards? I remember hearing last year that he can't recruit bigs! He must not be able to recruit anybody!

[NersEllenson]

We beat Georgetown, because  they were in the middle of a five game losing streak  and they allowed us to get the game into overtime.

Umm....okay.  Sound logic indeed.

[79Warrior]

Actually it's a "players" game. Fact is this team doesn't have enough elite level players to win, as they've done in previous years. Just not enough talent as this roster is constituted.

You are exactly right. Buzz has been trying every combination he can and the result is basically the same. The talent level is just not there and it's wishful think that it will magically appear.

[GGGG]

And nor has Buzz seen him play 30 GAME minutes other than once...and even that wasn't going to happen if Derrick didn't tell Buzz to leave Dawson in the game!  Just find it funny that Buzz has made all the other tweaks..virtually every conceivable tweak he could make except this one.

He has increased Dawson's playing time with decidedly mixed results.

[willie warrior]

OK. it is not Buzz's fault--it is the players. So you all give Buzz a pass, even though they are his players, strategy, game plan, etc. So, because he us such a stud coach he gets a pass for his down year.

Now what will the excuses be next year?

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

OK. it is not Buzz's fault--it is the players. So you all give Buzz a pass, even though they are his players, strategy, game plan, etc. So, because he us such a stud coach he gets a pass for his down year.

Now what will the excuses be next year?

I don't think anyone is giving him a pass. We are all disappointed with the results he has given us. We just have hope for next season. All coaches have bad years. You weather them and do better then next season.

[GooooMarquette]

So just because you don't mention Derrick by name, you feel you are living up to your moratorium?

Just because *you* haven't seen Dawson play 30+ minutes, doesn't mean that he should.  Buzz isn't responsible for your curiosity.

Yeah, that moratorium didn't last long....

[GGGG]

OK. it is not Buzz's fault--it is the players. So you all give Buzz a pass, even though they are his players, strategy, game plan, etc. So, because he us such a stud coach he gets a pass for his down year.

Buzz is ultimately responsible of course.  But that doesn't mean that the players are completely absolved of any responsibility.  Just like Buzz doesn't deserve 100% of the credit...he doesn't deserve 100% of the blame.

[jesmu84]

There is nothing stopping Derrick and Juan and Jake from being leaders by example this year...yet their hard work doesn't translate into victories due to their limitations as players.   I'd much rather see a lineup that has the talent and potential to WIN games, that may not be as Johnny Hustle as the less talented guys.  We've seen the Johnny hustle team this year with Derrick, Jake, Juan, Otule being starters...the results weren't pretty.

I don't feel Jamil, Otule or Davante haven't played hard at most points throughout the year either.  I think they are beyond frustrated...Jamil and DG  don't initiate offense.  They are reliant in many ways on the perimeter players being effective.  They are like receivers in football to an extent - they are reliant on a QB to get them the ball.  You can have a hard working QB who wants to get the ball to his receivers...yet just doesn't have the tools necessary to play the position.  And as hard working as that QB may be - when the guys lining up around him don't have confidence in his abilities - due to him consistently showing his limitations - its hard for that QB's leadership and hard work ethic to have any cred in the locker room.

oh bullcrap. if davante is going to whine and be a selfish, immature baby on the defensive end because he isn't getting ball on offense, get him off the freaking floor. i dont care if a QB can't get the ball to a WR. that WR better sure as hell be blocking on a running play. otherwise i wouldn't want them on my team. the team/program is bigger than your self-interests.

[willie warrior]

Buzz is ultimately responsible of course.  But that doesn't mean that the players are completely absolved of any responsibility.  Just like Buzz doesn't deserve 100% of the credit...he doesn't deserve 100% of the blame.

I agree. The players are who Buzz picked. Their problems are Buzz's to correct. If they cannot be corrected, then they sit or move on.

[Lennys Tap]

And nor has Buzz seen him play 30 GAME minutes other than once...and even that wasn't going to happen if Derrick didn't tell Buzz to leave Dawson in the game!  Just find it funny that Buzz has made all the other tweaks..virtually every conceivable tweak he could make except this one.

Okay...I'll shut up now...as I realize this treads on/against my self imposed moratorium.

Thanks for limiting this lifting of your self imposed moratorium to 3 posts instead of 333 like your last one.

[GGGG]

oh bullcrap. if davante is going to whine and be a selfish, immature baby on the defensive end because he isn't getting ball on offense, get him off the freaking floor. i dont care if a QB can't get the ball to a WR. that WR better sure as hell be blocking on a running play. otherwise i wouldn't want them on my team. the team/program is bigger than your self-interests.

It's also a bunch of BS that doesn't hold up in the stats.  As I posted last week, Davante is getting more touches per minute, and shooting better, than he was last year.

And Jamil gets plenty of touches.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

There is ONE major change that Buzz hasn't been willing to make all year..so all of the other tinkering that hasn't worked...well....maybe by process of elimination Buzz will figure it out.  The ONE guy on the team who's role basically hasn't changed at all for the entire season, and who has gotten max minutes is the PG.  The ONE game he wasn't given max minutes, and reduced to 30, we somehow win on the road at Georgetown.  All of the other lineup tinkering..hasn't changed a damn thing...the losses continue, we look like a hockey team sending lines of players out there, guys going in and out every minute, guys playing with different guys alongside them - you just don't see that happening on other successful teams.  And no, getting 10 minutes a game of action to show your value when broken up into 2-3 stints of run....does not reflect what you will produce in 30 minutes.

#1 Nice moratorium. Well done.

#2 I wasn't even referring to Derrick in my previous post. I was referring mostly to Jake and Juan, who several posters bemoaned earlier in the year. "We need more JJJ and Burton!" Well, yesterday we got more JJJ and Burton, and it looked disjointed, (as you correctly pointed out.)

#3 My hunch is that it's looked disjointed in practice as well, which is why Buzz had been depending upon Jake/Juan and even *gasp* DW. The other guys just weren't doing things correctly, and now we know what that looks like. If guys aren't playing correctly in practice, it's hard for Buzz to find rolls for them in a game.

#4 This team has talent. This team is deep. This team is inconsistent, and lacks the star power to cover for inconsistency.

[MU82]

#1 Nice moratorium. Well done.

#2 I wasn't even referring to Derrick in my previous post. I was referring mostly to Jake and Juan, who several posters bemoaned earlier in the year. "We need more JJJ and Burton!" Well, yesterday we got more JJJ and Burton, and it looked disjointed, (as you correctly pointed out.)

#3 My hunch is that it's looked disjointed in practice as well, which is why Buzz had been depending upon Jake/Juan and even *gasp* DW. The other guys just weren't doing things correctly, and now we know what that looks like. If guys aren't playing correctly in practice, it's hard for Buzz to find rolls for them in a game.

#4 This team has talent. This team is deep. This team is inconsistent, and lacks the star power to cover for inconsistency.

No. 4 is a point that isn't emphasized enough.

If one would bring up the lack of star power or go-to guy back in October, one would get the whole tired refrain: "People said we'd lack a go-to guy after Lazar left but Jimmy stepped up; they said we'd lack one after Jimmy left but Jae stepped up; they said we'd lack one after Jae left but Vander stepped up; and now they say we'll lack one after Vander left but somebody will step up -- probably Jamil -- because somebody always does."

Well Jamil didn't. Neither did anybody else. Trends are not facts. Not that trend, and not the trend that "we always start slow, have one horrible loss, right the ship, contend for the title." When the trend gets broken, and it always does, it leaves fans in a cranky mood and looking for people to blame.

How about next season? Will we have a star and/or go-to guy? We certainly haven't seen evidence that we can count on that from anybody on this year's team, although Burton seems to have the mental make-up to be that guy. I do hope he (and all of us fans) realize that our go-to guy often also sets the tone as a defender (Jimmy, Jae and Vander, for example), and Deonte seems to need a LOT of work there.

The closest we have to a go-to guy this season has been Mayo, but while he has come through in the clutch a couple of times, he is simply too inconsistent and obviously isn't trusted enough by Buzz. The other top option is Davante, but it's very difficult for low-post players to truly fill that role because they depend upon somebody else to get them the ball. Although Lazar, Jimmy and Jae all were forwards, each could go get the ball at midcourt or on the wing and then do something with it.

Best case scenario next season is for either Burton, JJJ or Duane to emerge as that guy. I'd throw Mayo into the mix, but who knows how dependable he'll be or even if he'll be back?

While folks have tossed out all kinds of reasons for our problems -- starting with PG, and I'm on board there, too -- the fact that Jamil never was willing or able to take over the Lazar/Jimmy/Jae/Vander role severely hurt our chances, especially in the close games.

I'm not saying it's Jamil's "fault," I'm just saying it turned out to not be something he's capable of doing.

Here's hoping somebody is capable next season, because every great team (and even every good team) needs a go-to guy, a star or both.

[Eldon]

He has increased Dawson's playing time with decidedly mixed results.

They are mixed now, but the results will only improve. Hopefully enough in time for the BE tourney

[GGGG]

They are mixed now, but the results will only improve. Hopefully enough in time for the BE tourney

How can you be sure that the results will only improve?

[jesmu84]

How can you be sure that the results will only improve?

Because things can't get any worse than what Derrick has done! Jeez Sultan, don't you pay attention to what's said around here?

[Eldon]

Because things can't get any worse than what Derrick has done! Jeez Sultan, don't you pay attention to what's said around here?

No no, im sticking to the Ners Moratorium Accord II.

I mean that the results with dawson at the point will only improve (i'll hedge, "most likely" improve) relative to the previous results we have been getting when dawson is in the game. In this instance i didnt mean relative to derrick.

To be clear, i meant comparing results with dawson over time, not dawson compared to derrick, as this latter case has been beaten to death.