What do you think of Vander Blue at this point?

[trebby123]

While Marquette was trying to blow its second half lead at Seton Hall, I saw a tweet that featured "#CurseOfVander." It kind of irked me. I'm over it and don't blame him for this season, and never really did.

I don't know if people have really been able to sit back and appreciate what he did for the team while at Marquette, especially last season. Curious what immediately pops into people's head when they hear or read the name "Vander Blue."

http://www.anonymouseagle.com/2014/2/13/5409580/he-made-a-decision-you-didnt-like-but-lets-appreciate-vander-blue

[Dawson Rental]

While Marquette was trying to blow its second half lead at Seton Hall, I saw a tweet that featured "#CurseOfVander." It kind of irked me. I'm over it and don't blame him for this season, and never really did.

I don't know if people have really been able to sit back and appreciate what he did for the team while at Marquette, especially last season. Curious what immediately pops into people's head when they hear or read the name "Vander Blue."

http://www.anonymouseagle.com/2014/2/13/5409580/he-made-a-decision-you-didnt-like-but-lets-appreciate-vander-blue

Gone in the first round of the NCAA tournament instead of making the elite eight.

[Galway Eagle]

Overly cocky...

Ever since he stepped foot on campus that's all that I ever thought of him.  Damn good player but not as good as he thinks he is.  Probably could've been with this year but we'll never know because he was overly cocky and left.

[TallTitan34]

Last weekend I was watching the Butler and Miami tournament games.  He is exactly what we need this year.

[Henry Sugar]

He could have been a legend.

[trebby123]

So you'll always think of what could have been instead of what actually was? Not trying to sound like an @$$ there. Genuinely curious.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

Frankly, other than a phenomenal game in the tournament against Butler, I thought he was just OK (as Buzz said recently). A horrible shooter, a so-so ball handler and a good defender. Overall, a disappointing career as an individual. For some reason people seem to talk about him like he was some legendary player...he most certainly was not.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

He was a solid role player his first 2 years that played great defense that broke out his junior year. We all know what he was. Were going to speculate because he could have had a major impact on this years team. With him I dont think were a bubble team and a solid 5 seed.

[Hards Alumni]

Frankly, other than a phenomenal game in the tournament against Butler, I thought he was just OK (as Buzz said recently). A horrible shooter, a so-so ball handler and a good defender. Overall, a disappointing career as an individual. For some reason people seem to talk about him like he was some legendary player...he most certainly was not.

He did put the team on his back on more than a few occasions and drove us to the elite eight last year.

Vander is who Vander was when he was in High School.  Immature, but an amazing athlete.

[GGGG]

Overly cocky...

Ever since he stepped foot on campus that's all that I ever thought of him.  Damn good player but not as good as he thinks he is.  Probably could've been with this year but we'll never know because he was overly cocky and left.

Was a little immature when he got to campus.  He grew quite a bit while he was at Marquette.  Yeah he was cocky...but he is a good guy.

Trebby, this was a real good article.  I don't think he was near the caliber of Lazar, JFB or Jae, but he was solid.  I think one big thing they are missing with his absence is his leadership.  He was very much a leader off the floor last year, and I think that would have obviously continued into this year.

[Coleman]

Overall, I see the negatives and positives together. Net-net he was a good MU player, but will not be someone we talk about as a legend in 15 or 20 years.

Two years below expectations.

One year that exceeded them.

Some off the court issues, some of which were exaggerated. Some not.

I don't hold him responsible for this year's lackluster season (the players on the court are responsible), but he certainly could have cemented a legacy for himself at MU had he stayed. It's a shame that didn't happen.

[Henry Sugar]

So you'll always think of what could have been instead of what actually was? Not trying to sound like an @$$ there. Genuinely curious.

Yes, that's the first thing that pops into my head when I think of Vander.

Since you asked about what Vander actually was, he was a below average player for the first 2.5 years at MU. He stepped up big time the 2H of last year. I understand why he decided to leave and harbor no ill will against his decision.

But he could have been a legend

[keefe]

Bottom line with VB is he came to MU to play basketball in preparation for what he is doing today. He did what was best for VB and I don't blame him one bit. And the reality is that he is now living that dream.

Does anyone here really believe that VB was ever going to end up in a cube farm doing debits on the left or schlepping a bag a la Willie Loman? I hope he someday completes his education for the sake of accomplishment but at this stage in his life it is a very minor objective. I cannot fathom the animosity for a man who added a sparkling chapter to the story of Marquette basketball.

The shallow only see his departure. The enlightened picture those game winning shots against SJU and BU and thank him for such memories.

[Rudy]

Vander was always a very good defender. As a junior, he stepped that up. He also picked up the pull up jumper and hit some huge threes late in some huge games. He is missed this year, but he was really good last year. I like the article and the premise. Thanks Vander!!

[mu_hilltopper]

Frankly, other than a phenomenal game in the tournament against Butler, I thought he was just OK (as Buzz said recently). A horrible shooter, a so-so ball handler and a good defender. Overall, a disappointing career as an individual. For some reason people seem to talk about him like he was some legendary player...he most certainly was not.

Co-sign.  The start of his final season, after the first few games, anyone could have observed "Same old Vander .." with his lack of a shooting touch and inability to finish in the paint.  

Then he had a great final ~20 games (although not without clunkers) but most of his prior ~70 games were usually forgettable.

Would he have been quite fantastic in his senior year?  Likely.

[trebby123]

I don't think he was near the caliber of Lazar, JFB or Jae, but he was solid.  I think one big thing they are missing with his absence is his leadership.  He was very much a leader off the floor last year, and I think that would have obviously continued into this year.

I agree. He wasn't. I know some judge players based on postseason success, and he led a team further than those guys did. Interesting discussion. Unfortuantely, it appears his legacy at Marquette will always be one full of what ifs.

[MerrittsMustache]

One word: Underappreciated.

When Vander set foot on campus, fans' expectations for him were unrealistic. Many fans got down on him early for his offensive struggles. He had ditched UW to come to MU so many wanted him to be a superstar from day one for that reason alone. He was a very good defender and role player as a freshman. He had a strong all-around soph season (4th in scoring, 3rd in reb, assists and steals), but because he wasn't a big scorer many viewed him as a bust, and still do. His junior year, he embraced being "the man" offensively and led the team to a Big East title and an Elite 8 run.

Was he the next Dwyane Wade or even Jerel McNeal? No, but he was a very good player for 3 years who unfortunately didn't, and won't, get the credit he deserved.

[MUSF]

When I think of VB I think of a very good MU player that was also responsible for two great moments in MU bball history. I also think that he could have been remembered as one of the greats if he stayed for his final year. That stated, I respect his decision and hope like hell that he realizes his NBA dream. If he does, I will be very proud and excited that another MU player has succeeded at the next level.

[MUSF]

I don't think he was near the caliber of Lazar, JFB or Jae, but he was solid.

This may be true, but I would argue that he was probably more important to the team than Lazar, Jimmy, or Jae were in their junior years.

[MU31]

I am a Vander fan, as noted the bar was set high for him at Marquette and he struggled to reach it at times, but never because of a lack of effort.  For the first couple years it seemed like he could always get the basket but often couldn't quite finish, how frustrating that was.  When he finally reached the point where he could finish consistently he apparently was ready to move on. 

I stumbled across a NBDL game on the satellite a few days ago and watched Vanders 87ers play against Maine.  It was interesting to watch Vander play again, different system but his personal style was similar. What I noticed was Vander makes the offense better, he drives and dishes and makes defenses move around, but at the same time he still often tried to do too much, trying to make the highlight play instead of the easy dish off or pull up, and on this day he struggled to finish.

I think having Vander would have made our half court offense much more fun to watch, it would have been fun to watch Vander play with the athletic Freshmen, and I think they could have learned a lot from him about what he went through during his time at Marquette.

[Galway Eagle]

This may be true, but I would argue that he was probably more important to the team than Lazar, Jimmy, or Jae were in their junior years.

I'll agree with Jae and Zar but I don't think we even make the NCAA tournament without Jimmy's Jr year. 

[We R Final Four]

Davidson.  Needed to score and VB scored--no early exit.

[Golden Avalanche]

Overly cocky...

Ever since he stepped foot on campus that's all that I ever thought of him.  Damn good player but not as good as he thinks he is.  Probably could've been with this year but we'll never know because he was overly cocky and left.

What does crap like this even mean? Man, talk about a panties mindset. And it's easy for you to say if he stayed he would've been good because you have no basis for it and will never be wrong about the assertion. Course, considering the displeased view you have of him I can't imagine Vander could do anything, short of laying a whore in your lap, to shake you off the self-righteous "he was cocky and now has paid for it" stance.

By the way, were you one of the cognoscenti in October who said unquestionably this version of MU basketball would be better off without Vander Blue?

[EnderWiggen]

Curious what immediately pops into people's head when they hear or read the name "Vander Blue."

A great recruit and a great player.  Not the best we have ever had at MU, but certainly a very good player who gave MU his all for three years.  I wanted him to stay and thought it was a mistake for him to leave at the time.  Now that he is getting some limited NBA time, I might be wrong.  Either way, I wish him the best and am very happy that he spent his time at MU and that he will always be a welcome member of our community. 

[Goose]

Big fan of Vander and pulling for him. Hope he reaches the goals he has set for himself. While not a all time great he provided some great memories for MU fans. He did not do alone last year but was definitely the difference maker. On selfish note I wish he were here this season. Loved watching him play D and push it up the court.