This year will make Buzz a better coach...

[MU82]

I agree with Goose's general thesis: If Buzz could bring in a truly dynamic PG -- a Shane Larkin or Tyler Ennis type -- it would make those fine, athletic switchables and the occasional talented big that much better.

It doesn't mean Buzz can't win without a Larkin, and I don't believe Goose (or any other intelligent observer) ever said that. Because we have had a nice run under Buzz without one.

It just means that such a PG could take us to the next level -- and isn't that what it's supposed to be about?

[tower912]

An elite PG does make everyone around him better.    So does an elite shooter.   So does an elite big.     Next year, assuming no changes(of course there will be roster turnover, I just refuse to engage in that speculation) , I see Derrick, Dawson, Duane, Cohen, and possibly Hill as players who have played the point at some point.   NN is in the offing.      All any coach can do is get the best players he is able to and coach them up.   On paper, going into the season, there was plenty of talent at all positions.   Injury to Duane, injury to Taylor, McKay walks and the rest of the pieces haven't quite meshed. 

[Lennys Tap]

I agree with Goose's general thesis: If Buzz could bring in a truly dynamic PG -- a Shane Larkin or Tyler Ennis type -- it would make those fine, athletic switchables and the occasional talented big that much better.

It doesn't mean Buzz can't win without a Larkin, and I don't believe Goose (or any other intelligent observer) ever said that. Because we have had a nice run under Buzz without one.

It just means that such a PG could take us to the next level -- and isn't that what it's supposed to be about?

Hardly a revelation that having a point guard who will play 10 years in the NBA (Larkin, Ennis) would help us (or any) team. We don't have that kind of player at any position right now. Our only NBA point guard in the last 30 years was Travis, so they're not all that easy to find - and he (with another long time NBA player on the team) couldn't  even get us into the tournament as our "leader" (junior and senior seasons, post Wade).

[Goose]

Lenny

Agreed they are hard to find without a doubt. My point is a great PG makes everyone better. Buzz knows more about this any of us, but IMO without a high level PG it is more difficult to reach high levels of success. The need for great offensive rebounder is less if more points are scored in transition.

David Boone was one of my all time favorite players and if he played in uptempo offense I never would have appreciated his knack of getting every offensive rebound. I will take my chances with elite PG in uptempo style and day of the week.

[MU82]

Hardly a revelation that having a point guard who will play 10 years in the NBA (Larkin, Ennis) would help us (or any) team. We don't have that kind of player at any position right now. Our only NBA point guard in the last 30 years was Travis, so they're not all that easy to find - and he (with another long time NBA player on the team) couldn't  even get us into the tournament as our "leader" (junior and senior seasons, post Wade).

Who said it was a revelation?

Have you had revelations here on Scoop? Has anybody?

Goose was just making an accurate statement and I was defending it after some kickback, that's all.

Jeesh. If every comment on here is only deemed worthy because it showcases "original thought," might as well shut down Scoop right now.

[BenCat12]

Hardly a revelation that having a point guard who will play 10 years in the NBA (Larkin, Ennis) would help us (or any) team. We don't have that kind of player at any position right now. Our only NBA point guard in the last 30 years was Travis, so they're not all that easy to find - and he (with another long time NBA player on the team) couldn't  even get us into the tournament as our "leader" (junior and senior seasons, post Wade).

The point is, under Buzz the point guard position has taken a major downturn.  Now that can and probably will change with the additions of Dawson, Duane, Nic etc....but there is no denying the position seems to be secondary to Buzz when compared to "switchables."  I don't think this team needs an NBA pg, but a Miller, Hutchins, Henry, James, even Acker would make this team significantly better.  Again, I have been a critic of Buzz, this season, but I think in the long run he will learn from his mistakes.  He is already a very good coach and will only get better with experience, both in recruiting and coaching.  Perhaps we need to wait 10 years for a full evaluation    Based on his success so far, I'd have no problem doing that. 

[MerrittsMustache]

The point is, under Buzz the point guard position has taken a major downturn.  Now that can and probably will change with the additions of Dawson, Duane, Nic etc....but there is no denying the position seems to be secondary to Buzz when compared to "switchables."  I don't think this team needs an NBA pg, but a Miller, Hutchins, Henry, James, even Acker would make this team significantly better.  Again, I have been a critic of Buzz, this season, but I think in the long run he will learn from his mistakes.  He is already a very good coach and will only get better with experience, both in recruiting and coaching.  Perhaps we need to wait 10 years for a full evaluation    Based on his success so far, I'd have no problem doing that. 

Cadougan was the 9th ranked PG in his class. Reggie Smith was 39th. Derrick was 30th. Duane was 12th. Noskowiak is currently 7th.

Much like with bigs, it's easy to say that MU needs to bring in a stud PG but the fact of the matter is that there just aren't that many out there.

[Goose]

Merritt

Aside from Duane Wilson none of the others pass the eye test. If you are not athletic and have ability to score in transition your rating means little. Our last two PG's did not possess those skills at high school level.

[MerrittsMustache]

Merritt

Aside from Duane Wilson none of the others pass the eye test. If you are not athletic and have ability to score in transition your rating means little. Our last two PG's did not possess those skills at high school level.

Duane Wilson, who has not played a second of D1 basketball, passes the "eye test" of being a stud college PG, but Junior Cadougan who was the starting PG for two Sweet 16 teams, an Elite 8 team and a conference champion does not?

[Goose]

Exactly Du Wilson passes the eye test. He can run baseline to basline dribbling a ball at high speed, he can jump and touch the rim and can bury the three. No comparison on eye test in this case. To your point, Du Wilson has athletic skills Junior did not, time will tell if he has toughness Buzz said Junior had. My gut tells me toughness might be why Wilson did not play this year.

[MerrittsMustache]

Exactly Du Wilson passes the eye test. He can run baseline to basline dribbling a ball at high speed, he can jump and touch the rim and can bury the three. No comparison on eye test in this case. To your point, Du Wilson has athletic skills Junior did not, time will tell if he has toughness Buzz said Junior had. My gut tells me toughness might be why Wilson did not play this year.

Toughness may have kept Duane out this year. Or perhaps it was the fact that he had a BROKEN F-ING LEG! Eh, I guess it's a horse a piece.

[Goose]

Merritt
BD said Wilson was ready to go for UW game. More to the story, but I am sure you know.

[MerrittsMustache]

Merritt
BD said Wilson was ready to go for UW game. More to the story, but I am sure you know.

Well then, Big Daddy was wrong. Duane was cleared to return to practice on December 5 and was only practicing between 12-20 minutes at the time. The Wisconsin game was December 7 so Duane playing in that game wasn't realistic. On December 12, Buzz said: "I think the right thing to do is go through practice for a week and see how his body absorbs it. I think he's paying attention and trying to pick things up. I appreciate his attitude, but I want to see how his body handles it and then see how he's doing emotionally and mentally." Two weeks later, it was announced that Duane would redshirt.

I'll believe Buzz over an occasionally-correct "insider."

[Goose]

Merritt


So that is the story of why he redshirted or the facts as you read them in newspaper?

[4everwarriors]

Some folks become larger in life when they pass. Others, like Cadougan, become All-Americans when they graduate.

[MerrittsMustache]

Merritt


So that is the story of why he redshirted or the facts as you read them in newspaper?

Your statement was that Big Daddy said Duane was ready to go for the UW game. However, he was only able to practice about 15 minutes a day for 3 days prior to that game (after missing 6 weeks). It's hard to imagine he would actually be ready to play in that game given those circumstances. Maybe your gut is right and he's just not tough enough to play through the pain of a healing stress fracture. Personally, I think that he wasn't fully comfortable and didn't want to "waste" a year of eligibility playing spot minutes over a few games and hoping he was ready to contribute for the final third of the season.

Feel free to enlighten us on where your gut gets its info though.

[Goose]

Merritt

My gut is my gut, but reading between the lines of BD's posts things just did not line up with me. He sure sounded like the UW or game after was a slam dunk on Wilson playing. Was just curious if you knew if anything more than injured leg kept him out for season. Most youngs would have picked playing if ready to go on Dec 5 or whatever.