That Lineup

[chapman]

Derrick Wilson, Thomas, Mayo, Burton, Otule.

Got four of the five best defenders, four of the five steals leaders, the two best shot blockers, the two best 3PT shooters and three of the four highest field goal percentages.  Not sure that lineup can run with everybody, but pieced together they were a very interesting combination.

[BallBoy]

Derrick Wilson, Thomas, Mayo, Burton, Otule.

Got four of the five best defenders, four of the five steals leaders, the two best shot blockers, the two best 3PT shooters and three of the four highest field goal percentages.  Not sure that lineup can run with everybody, but pieced together they were a very interesting combination.

Any lineup looks good when you make shots.  If they can consistently bring that effort and success then it might be the one that sticks.  Unfortunately, I think Buzz will have to continue to piece line ups together based on match ups.   

[GooooMarquette]

Might be the first time this season that the team looked like more than just the sum of its parts.  Good synergy.  We'll see....

[denverMU]

I'd like to see one change, switch Dawson fot Derick and see what happens.

[MUeng]

While I agree that lineup was awesome tonight, wasn't some of that based on match-ups with Butler?  How does that lineup stack up against Creighton, X, Villanova?  Jamil and Gardner need to log big minutes as well for us to be successful.  We'll see how it shakes out though

[connie]

Any lineup looks good when you make shots.  If they can consistently bring that effort and success then it might be the one that sticks.  Unfortunately, I think Buzz will have to continue to piece line ups together based on match ups.   

I hope you are right, but consistency has been one of our biggest problems.

[Lennys Tap]

I'd like to see one change, switch Dawson fot Derick and see what happens.

A big part of that run was Derrick's D on Dunham, his 5 steals and most of his 8 assists. That lineup didn't need another 3 point shooter. Mayo (inside and outside) and Thomas for that, Burton inside, Otule and D Wilson to pass, seal and play D.

[NersEllenson]

But Todd Mayo is a cancer....has a bad attitude....this team would be better off without him....he's nowhere near the player Vander Blue was...

Pretty scary to think what this team would look like without Todd.  Funny some felt basketball minds here felt the above to be true.  

Todd's had to endure as much crap from the MU fanbase as Derrick has....the attacks on Todd have largely been character attacks...more than attacks/critiques on his game.  

[NersEllenson]

A big part of that run was Derrick's D on Dunham, his 5 steals and most of his 8 assists. That lineup didn't need another 3 point shooter. Mayo (inside and outside) and Thomas for that, Burton inside, Otule and D Wilson to pass, seal and play D.

Lenny....I can almost agree and go along with you on all of this.  I did think Derrick's D tonight was really good.  Would still like to see Dawson in that lineup...but it worked well tonight with Derrick...yet Mayo was simply brilliant creating a lot of that on his own.

Burton on the other hand...a little TOO trigger happy...but is just too much of a physical force to NOT have on the floor for 20 minutes a game at this point.  Kid needs to play.

[jesmu84]

Lenny....I can almost agree and go along with you on all of this.  I did think Derrick's D tonight was really good.  Would still like to see Dawson in that lineup...but it worked well tonight with Derrick...yet Mayo was simply brilliant creating a lot of that on his own.

Burton on the other hand...tough TOO trigger happy...is just too much of a physical force to NOT have on the floor for 20 minutes a game at this point.  Kid needs to play.

His steals/deflections are unbelievable. For his occasional defensive lapses, I think his forcing turnovers is worth it.

[Lennys Tap]

But Todd Mayo is a cancer....has a bad attitude....this team would be better off without him....he's nowhere near the player Vander Blue was...

Pretty scary to think what this team would look like without Todd.  Funny some felt basketball minds here felt the above to be true.  

Todd's had to endure as much crap from the MU fanbase as Derrick has....the attacks on Todd have largely been character attacks...more than attacks/critiques on his game.  

I don't believe in attacking either, but you've got to admit going after a guy because he's a poor shooter is different from going after a guy who has had serious academic and behavioral problems (multiple suspensions). Those were problems Todd brought on himself.

[BallBoy]

But Todd Mayo is a cancer....has a bad attitude....this team would be better off without him....he's nowhere near the player Vander Blue was...

If Mayo brought his game consistently.  In a game like today he looked unstoppable.  In other games, not so much. 

As I have mentioned before, everyone on the team is an incomplete player.   Mayo is included in that. 

[NersEllenson]

I don't believe in attacking either, but you've got to admit going after a guy because he's a poor shooter is different from going after a guy who has had serious academic and behavioral problems (multiple suspensions). Those were problems Todd brought on himself.

I know you don't ever attack anything related to MU hoops Lenny (perhaps other than Crean)...you are a GREAT fan through and through.  Don't ever recall you attacking Todd...

Regarding Todd - his "life story" as Buzz would tell it, has been pretty hellacious...and far less stable than a kid like Derrick who comes from a 2 parent/military father household.  Yes, Todd has had some academic and behavioral problems at MU...yet his path to MU largely explains those challenges/character issues.  I've said before, Todd could have bailed on MU and Buzz many times...lots of D-1 programs wanted him when there was the offseason acrimony of him being sent him to W.V.  Aki tried to get him to go to Memphis....so for Todd sticking it out...for that alone I applaud him.

As for critiquing guys basketball games - well - they are all a hell of a lot better than all of us...but with the full ride scholarship they earn for basketball...I don't feel it is entirely off limits to be critical of their basketball skills...if warranted/deserved.

[denverMU]

A big part of that run was Derrick's D on Dunham, his 5 steals and most of his 8 assists. That lineup didn't need another 3 point shooter. Mayo (inside and outside) and Thomas for that, Burton inside, Otule and D Wilson to pass, seal and play D.

Hard to win too many games with 2 starters(DWilson/Jake) playing a combined 64 minutes, going 2-11 from the field, 2-4 from ft line, 6 to's, 10 assts, 7 Rebs, and 5 stls. Good assts and stls but no help offensively.

[Lennys Tap]

Hard to win too many games with 2 starters(DWilson/Jake) playing a combined 64 minutes, going 2-11 from the field, 2-4 from ft line, 6 to's, 10 assts, 7 Rebs, and 5 stls. Good assts and stls but no help offensively.

They were on the court for the entire comeback, where we turned a 10 point deficit into an easy win. A lot of our points were the direct result of defense, something those guys were playing exceptionally well. So, no.

[BallBoy]

Hard to win too many games with 2 starters(DWilson/Jake) playing a combined 64 minutes, going 2-11 from the field, 2-4 from ft line, 6 to's, 10 assts, 7 Rebs, and 5 stls. Good assts and stls but no help offensively.

Assists by definition are helping offensively.  

[PGsHeroes32]

Assists by definition are helping offensively.  

technically, by definition....it isn't.

But your point is accurate.

[MU82]

The select few who constantly harp on Otule -- right down to saying they don't think he should ever see the court -- where are they?

I of course love what Gardner brings offensively, but it was a dunk and layup festival when he was in the game. Otule comes in ... and all of a sudden Butler has to earn its baskets. No, we can't depend on him to score, so if others aren't hitting, he can't be in there. But if a few guys are making shots, Otule is a valuable player.

Unlike, say, Derrick and Jake, who would get little playing time for top programs during good seasons -- kind of like Marquette last season, when they combined to average 15 minutes in BE play -- a 6-11 guy who moves well and can block shots would find a spot in the rotation of LOTS of teams.

I'm still glad we have him.

[Lennys Tap]

I know you don't ever attack anything related to MU hoops Lenny (perhaps other than Crean)...you are a GREAT fan through and through.  Don't ever recall you attacking Todd...

Regarding Todd - his "life story" as Buzz would tell it, has been pretty hellacious...and far less stable than a kid like Derrick who comes from a 2 parent/military father household.  Yes, Todd has had some academic and behavioral problems at MU...yet his path to MU largely explains those challenges/character issues.  I've said before, Todd could have bailed on MU and Buzz many times...lots of D-1 programs wanted him when there was the offseason acrimony of him being sent him to W.V.  Aki tried to get him to go to Memphis....so for Todd sticking it out...for that alone I applaud him.

As for critiquing guys basketball games - well - they are all a hell of a lot better than all of us...but with the full ride scholarship they earn for basketball...I don't feel it is entirely off limits to be critical of their basketball skills...if warranted/deserved.

You are correct on Todd's background. It's one of the reasons I've pulled so hard for him. He took this year's suspension to heart AND he has said all the right things in interviews since. I hope he's already turned that corner and that tonight he turned one on the court. Nothing would make me happier.

[We R Final Four]

I of course love what Gardner brings offensively, but it was a dunk and layup festival when he was in the game. Otule comes in ... and all of a sudden Butler has to earn its baskets. No, we can't depend on him to score, so if others aren't hitting, he can't be in there. But if a few guys are making shots, Otule is a valuable player.

So you like what DG brings offensively, but not defensively........and you like what CO brings defensively, but not offensively.

...and so goes the off for def playing time that Buzz was referring to.  When CO/Burton/Dawson/Mayo/Thomas etc. have a good game.......they all should play '20+ min a game" when they stink......"inexperienced"...."he cant catch the ball"..."bad attiitude"..."not high major talent" etc.  Its been this way since the first game---on the court and on this board.

[chapman]

His steals/deflections are unbelievable. For his occasional defensive lapses, I think his forcing turnovers is worth it.

And if any lineup was going to minimize his defensive liability it's this one.  D Wil, Jake, Todd are the best perimeter defenders, Otule is tough to deal with inside.  If that liability can be minimized, you get to reap the beneifts of the guy who leads the team in steals and is second on the team in blocks despite being eighth in minutes.

[TSmith34, Inc.]

I'd like to see one change, switch Dawson fot Derick and see what happens.

Defense got us back into that game, and DW was essential to that defense IMO.  I don't think Dawson would have been nearly as effective.  Perhaps on a night when Mayo's shot isn't working as well as it was and you need a little more on the offensive side that makes sense, but last night the turnaround was all around the D and the plethora of stops and steals thay managed.

[GGGG]

Hard to win too many games with 2 starters(DWilson/Jake) playing a combined 64 minutes, going 2-11 from the field, 2-4 from ft line, 6 to's, 10 assts, 7 Rebs, and 5 stls. Good assts and stls but no help offensively.

<facepalm>

[frozena pizza]

That group was able to dominate defensively against a team that frankly doesn't have much offensive firepower.  Once Mayo got on a roll that was the winning formula.  On most nights we will need to rely more on Gardner and Jamil, who were both very good. 

Also, I really miss the days when we dominated the free throw line.  Could have been a much easier win if we make FTs.

[Wojo'sMojo]

Hard to win too many games with 2 starters(DWilson/Jake) playing a combined 64 minutes, going 2-11 from the field, 2-4 from ft line, 6 to's, 10 assts, 7 Rebs, and 5 stls. Good assts and stls but no help offensively.

If we get that kind of production from our starting backcourt, we are going to lose a lot of games. We were able to get by last night against arguably the worst team in the BE. It was still a struggle and we needed Mayo to put his superman cape on to bail us out. Against the good teams, that kind of production is not going to cut it and has proven true with our record this year.