At this point

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

The stuff on Juan would be great except for the fact that he has STARTED games this year and has been on the floor several times with DWill, Jake and Chris. It's nothing per se against Juan, but he has lost all confidence in his crap.

He starts as a reward for his hard work and attitude. He then gets pulled and sits for the most of the game. I don't really care about who starts, I care about who get's starter's minutes which is Derrick, Mayo, Thomas, Jamil, and Gardner.

The stats on Juan don't prove he's a great bench player, I was just trying prove how ridiculous it is to say that he wouldn't sniff 9.5 mpg on any other top 100 team.

[ecompt]

He starts as a reward for his hard work and attitude. He then gets pulled and sits for the most of the game. I don't really care about who starts, I care about who get's starter's minutes which is Derrick, Mayo, Thomas, Jamil, and Gardner.

The stats on Juan don't prove he's a great bench player, I was just trying prove how ridiculous it is to say that he wouldn't sniff 9.5 mpg on any other top 100 team.

I didn't say he wouldn't sniff 9.5, I asked how many Top 100 teams would give him that time. And the answer, I was told, was 73.

[Wojo'sMojo]

I disagree that Derrick Wilson does not have upside. At beginning of year he could not make a layup and now is easily making 3 a game. I of course do not know if he will improve much from the outside, but I would think he would spend the whole summer working on his outside shot. Cadougan's shot improved from his junior to senior year. Blue's outside shot improved from his sophomore to junior year. McNeal did not really have an outside shot until his senior year. Players improve there shooting all of the time. I would also expect Derrick's passing to improve as he is teamed with better players.

So his first 3 years he didn't work on his shot?? Maybe if he moves his game out a foot an offseason, he will get to the 3pt line by the time he's forty  and easily make 3 lay ups a game?? He doesn't even average 6 pts a game 

[ATL MU Warrior]

Clown, here. See links below...

http://statsheet.com/mcb/players/compare?add=derrick-wilson&junior-cadougan=2011-2012&p1=junior-cadougan

http://statsheet.com/mcb/players/compare?derrick-wilson=2011-2012&p2=derrick-wilson&p3=john-dawson&remove=junior-cadougan

I don't see "Basic Assists" or "Perimeter Assists" on these reports.  How could they miss such crucial nuances of the game and not bother to report on them?

[Wojo'sMojo]

I don't see "Basic Assists" or "Perimeter Assists" on these reports.  How could they miss such crucial nuances of the game and not bother to report on them?

Do you know what else you don't see? Derrick's defender camped out 6 ft away from him, sitting and clogging up the lane.

[GGGG]

Do you know what else you don't see? Derrick's defender camped out 6 ft away from him, sitting and clogging up the lane.

lame.

[mattyv1908]

lame.

It may be lame, but it also was the truth.  I don't know why other teams don't follow Creighton's game plan guarding Wilson.  I would if  I was coaching against this team.  It's smart basketball on Creighton's part.

Next year I hope Wilson shoots a couple of threes early every game.  Hopefully a few drop.  At least teams would have to play him honest then.  It would make his dribble penetration more effective.

[Nevada233]

It may be lame, but it also was the truth.  I don't know why other teams don't follow Creighton's game plan guarding Wilson.  I would if  I was coaching against this team.  It's smart basketball on Creighton's part.

Next year I hope Wilson shoots a couple of threes early every game.  Hopefully a few drop.  At least teams would have to play him honest then.  It would make his dribble penetration more effective.

Derrick can make 2 three pointers in a row in a game, teams would be hesitant about guarding him and would continue to pack the paint. His 2 previous seasons 3 including this one are who he is. Every dog finds a steak every now and again.

But since he doesnt require a defender and cant get the ball to Gardner whos almost double teamed the whole night by his and the pgs defender.

Things look the way they do.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

It may be lame, but it also was the truth.  I don't know why other teams don't follow Creighton's game plan guarding Wilson.  I would if  I was coaching against this team.  It's smart basketball on Creighton's part.

Next year I hope Wilson shoots a couple of threes early every game.  Hopefully a few drop.  At least teams would have to play him honest then.  It would make his dribble penetration more effective.

+1

Derrick needs to work on his shot during the offseason. If he could shoot even 20% from three....teams would have to play him honest

[MUfan12]

Derrick needs to work on his shot during the offseason. If he could shoot even 20% from three....teams would have to play him honest

This might sound dumb, but I think he was screwed by not taking any jumpers his first two years.

He can take and make all the shots he wants at practice, but nothing can replicate shooting at game speed, in a game environment. He's taken so few attempts that I don't think he's even close to comfortable with it.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

Derrick can shoot, he just won't. It's like a Steve Sax thing.

[GGGG]

It may be lame, but it also was the truth.  I don't know why other teams don't follow Creighton's game plan guarding Wilson.  I would if  I was coaching against this team.  It's smart basketball on Creighton's part.

It's lame because the offense wasn't the problem against Creighton.

Derrick, and the offense, has gotten much better since the beginning of the season.  Despite the fact that he is "average at best," he has managed to make the offense work and score with more regularity.

What is so incredibly annoying is that *once again* Derrick Wilson put up a decent game with a good statline, AND STILL gets bashed.  He was not the problem.  As Sugar pointed out, the problem was the single worst defensive effort in the Buzz Williams era.

Do you realize that even up until last year, scoring 70 points was pretty much a guaranteed victory?

The simplistic "4-on-5" and "my daughter can even see them sagging off" is crap because you are only focusing on one part of what is a MUCH bigger problem.  

[NersEllenson]

This might sound dumb, but I think he was screwed by not taking any jumpers his first two years.

He can take and make all the shots he wants at practice, but nothing can replicate shooting at game speed, in a game environment. He's taken so few attempts that I don't think he's even close to comfortable with it.

Are you not aware that it is in practice where players improve?  Playing in games has no benefit.  (Or so we are told here by some resident posters who feel the freshman and program don't benefit from getting game action.)

[jesmu84]

Are you not aware that it is in practice where players improve?  Playing in games has no benefit.  (Or so we are told here by some resident posters who feel the freshman and program don't benefit from getting game action.)

I can't speak for anyone else. But you and I have gone back and forth on freshmen and related topics. And I am 99.9% sure I never made the statement that "playing in games has no benefit [for the freshmen or the program]"

[NersEllenson]

It's lame because the offense wasn't the problem against Creighton.

Derrick, and the offense, has gotten much better since the beginning of the season.  Despite the fact that he is "average at best," he has managed to make the offense work and score with more regularity.

What is so incredibly annoying is that *once again* Derrick Wilson put up a decent game with a good statline, AND STILL gets bashed.  He was not the problem.  As Sugar pointed out, the problem was the single worst defensive effort in the Buzz Williams era.

Do you realize that even up until last year, scoring 70 points was pretty much a guaranteed victory?

The simplistic "4-on-5" and "my daughter can even see them sagging off" is crap because you are only focusing on one part of what is a MUCH bigger problem.  

I'll agree that our defense was the big problem against Creighton.  Also feel Creighton simply is a better team than we are.  Yet, I think it is naive to say that a decent stat line of 10 points, 6 assists, in 40 minutes on 2-7 FT shooting, negates the reality that the oppositions defense sags so far off Derrick....that it absolutely causes problems for us on the offensive end - regardless of if we scored 70 against a marginal defensive Creighton team (#73) in country per Pomroy.

Don't think we would have won a shootout game against Creighton either...if Buzz were to have tried to go with the offensive lineup....think Creighton is simply better...regardless...but will not discount the point that it is very, very difficult to win basketball games against good teams when being defended as Creighton, Seton Hall, and most intelligent teams have defended us - sagging way off Derrick.

I just want Derrick to launch 4-5 3 pt shots a game...he's capable of being a 20% shooter from 3..and making just 1 out of 5, and being a threat to shoot...I feel would help him and the team more than it does to have him not shoot 3's, even though there is a low percentage of success..

[NersEllenson]

I can't speak for anyone else. But you and I have gone back and forth on freshmen and related topics. And I am 99.9% sure I never made the statement that "playing in games has no benefit [for the freshmen or the program]"

No Jesmu84....you haven't tried to make that assertion/insinuation....I may not agree with all of your positions, but I respect how you present your arguments....and some I agree with..

[MerrittsMustache]

Are you not aware that it is in practice where players improve?  Playing in games has no benefit.  (Or so we are told here by some resident posters who feel the freshman and program don't benefit from getting game action.)

Where has anyone said that?

[GGGG]

Where has anyone said that?

He's building strawmen again.

I said that the vast majority of their improvement that will have an impact on next season will come over this upcoming summer...not in the five or so remaining games.

[MerrittsMustache]

He's building strawmen again.

I said that the vast majority of their improvement will come over this upcoming summer...not in the five or so remaining games.

Improvement by throwing the frosh out there for 30 minutes is the new improvement by redshirting.

[Windyplayer]

The simplistic "4-on-5" and "my daughter can even see them sagging off" is crap because you are only focusing on one part of what is a MUCH bigger problem.  

You do realize that Buzz is dead-set on paint touches in offensive sets, right? Further, you realize that when D Wilson's defenders sag on him--which is ALL THE TIME--that it makes it damn near impossible to feed the post or just get paint touches, one way or another, without a tremendous amount of pressure that disrupts the offense? I think you underestimate the impact of D Wilson's defender always hedging. Our top scoreres get a lot of their buckets, or should get a lot of their buckets, in the paint--J Wilson and Gardner--yet that avenue is often too cluttered to get anything done. How can you argue that this is only part of a MUCH bigger problem. This is, in fact, a large part of the foundation of our offensive struggles.

We were not a great shooting team last year yet we miraculously got to the Elite 8 because, in part, we had a point guard that kept his defender honest and opened things up in the paint allowing Buzz to rack up paint touches and in doing so, consistently make more FTs than the opponent attempts. This is Buzz's offense and with a capable point guard it works quite well.  

[MerrittsMustache]

You do realize that Buzz is dead-set on paint touches in offensive sets, right? Further, you realize that when D Wilson's defenders sag on him--which is ALL THE TIME--that it makes it damn near impossible to feed the post or just get paint touches, one way or another, without a tremendous amount of pressure that disrupts the offense? I think you underestimate the impact of D Wilson's defender always hedging. Our top scoreres get a lot of their buckets, or should get a lot of their buckets, in the paint--J Wilson and Gardner--yet that avenue is often too cluttered to get anything done. How can you argue that this is only part of a MUCH bigger problem. This is, in fact, a large part of the foundation of our offensive struggles.

We were not a great shooting team last year yet we miraculously got to the Elite 8 because, in part, we had a point guard that kept his defender honest and opened things up in the paint allowing Buzz to rack up paint touches and in doing so, consistently make more FTs than the opponent attempts. This is Buzz's offense and with a capable point guard it works quite well.  

MU averages more PPG this season than last (71.1 vs 68.1)

MU shoots a slightly worse FG% this year (44.3% vs 45.7%)

MU shoots a slightly better 3P% this year (30.5% vs 29.6%)

MU's offensive rating is basically the same as last year (105.7 vs 105.9)

MU averages more FT attempts this season (24.4 vs 21.6)

MU's FT attempts to Opp FT attempt ratio is basically the same (1.22 vs 1.24)

MU averages more assists this season (14.5 vs 13.8)

MU averages fewer TOs this season (11.8 vs 13.4)

MU has a higher A:TO ratio this season (1.23 vs 1.03)

In other words, MU's offense is statistically equal to or better than last year's offense in nearly every category. Perhaps the "offensive woes" have been a bit overblown because MU's starting PG isn't much of a threat offensively.

Defensively...

MU allows more PPG this season (66.1 vs 62.6)

MU allows a higher FG% this season (41.7% vs 40.4%)

MU allows a higher 3P% this season (35.7% vs 32.3%)

MU allows opponents to shoot more FTs this season (20.0 vs 17.4)

MU's defensive rating is worse this season (98.3 vs 97.4)

The numbers appear to show that this team's issues aren't necessarily offense-related. But how can that be?!

[GGGG]

You do realize that Buzz is dead-set on paint touches in offensive sets, right? Further, you realize that when D Wilson's defenders sag on him--which is ALL THE TIME--that it makes it damn near impossible to feed the post or just get paint touches, one way or another, without a tremendous amount of pressure that disrupts the offense? I think you underestimate the impact of D Wilson's defender always hedging. Our top scoreres get a lot of their buckets, or should get a lot of their buckets, in the paint--J Wilson and Gardner--yet that avenue is often too cluttered to get anything done. How can you argue that this is only part of a MUCH bigger problem. This is, in fact, a large part of the foundation of our offensive struggles.

LOL...did you just time warp here from a month or two ago?

You do realize right that we have pretty much negated much of our "offensive struggles" since we have gone all in on Derrick, Jamil, Todd, et al.  Offense hasn't been *as much* of a problem since then.  And they have been getting numerous paint touches in the past few weeks.

But I addressed that all in the post you quoted...you know...the one you snipped?

[GGGG]

MU averages more PPG this season than last (71.1 vs 68.1)

MU shoots a slightly worse FG% this year (44.3% vs 45.7%)

MU shoots a slightly better 3P% this year (30.5% vs 29.6%)

MU's offensive rating is basically the same as last year (105.7 vs 105.9)

MU averages more FT attempts this season (24.4 vs 21.6)

MU's FT attempts to Opp FT attempt ratio is basically the same (1.22 vs 1.24)

MU averages more assists this season (14.5 vs 13.8)

MU averages fewer TOs this season (11.8 vs 13.4)

MU has a higher A:TO ratio this season (1.23 vs 1.03)

In other words, MU's offense is statistically equal to or better than last year's offense in nearly every category. Perhaps the "offensive woes" have been a bit overblown because MU's starting PG isn't much of a threat offensively.

Shhhhh....stop disrupting the narrative!!!

[Wojo'sMojo]

MU averages more PPG this season than last (71.1 vs 68.1)

MU shoots a slightly worse FG% this year (44.3% vs 45.7%)

MU shoots a slightly better 3P% this year (30.5% vs 29.6%)

MU's offensive rating is basically the same as last year (105.7 vs 105.9)

MU averages more FT attempts this season (24.4 vs 21.6)

MU's FT attempts to Opp FT attempt ratio is basically the same (1.22 vs 1.24)

MU averages more assists this season (14.5 vs 13.8)

MU averages fewer TOs this season (11.8 vs 13.4)

MU has a higher A:TO ratio this season (1.23 vs 1.03)

In other words, MU's offense is statistically equal to or better than last year's offense in nearly every category. Perhaps the "offensive woes" have been a bit overblown because MU's starting PG isn't much of a threat offensively.

Defensively...

MU allows more PPG this season (66.1 vs 62.6)

MU allows a higher FG% this season (41.7% vs 40.4%)

MU allows a higher 3P% this season (35.7% vs 32.3%)

MU allows opponents to shoot more FTs this season (20.0 vs 17.4)

MU's defensive rating is worse this season (98.3 vs 97.4)

The numbers appear to show that this team's issues aren't necessarily offense-related. But how can that be?!

Those stats are great and all, but the one stat that means the most is wins and losses...we are 15-11 and barring a miraculous run will be in the NIT.

[MerrittsMustache]

Those stats are great and all, but the one stat that means the most is wins and losses...we are 15-11 and barring a miraculous run will be in the NIT.

True. But posters constantly harp on the "offensive woes" of this team without realizing that, from a numbers standpoint, this team is better offensively than last year's Elite 8 team. Defense has been more of an issue for this team.