At this point

[MerrittsMustache]

Sultan and Merrits,

Please answer my question: Would you rather have this year's offense or last year's?

Last year's offense was more aesthetically pleasing, but statistically, they're basically the same. Admittedly though, I'd take last year's offense because of one player: Vander Blue.

I'll ask you right back: Would you rather have this year's defense or last year's?

[MerrittsMustache]

Sultan, you give off the vibe that you are a huge Derrick advocate. You have stated that unequivocally he will be the starting pg next year for this team. For an average at best player this doesn't make a lot of sense to me. Are we trying to be average or are we trying to be great?

Will there be a "great" PG on the roster next season?

[Wojo'sMojo]

Will there be a "great" PG on the roster next season?

We don't know, because the one guy who has that potential doesn't get the playing time to develop into one. I know for a fact that Derrick will be average on his best days and we have had almost a full season as evidence to that.

[Windyplayer]

Last year's offense was more aesthetically pleasing, but statistically, they're basically the same. Admittedly though, I'd take last year's offense because of one player: Vander Blue.

I'll ask you right back: Would you rather have this year's defense or last year's?

Based on Pomeroy's Defensive Efficiency comparison from last to this year--46 to 48, respectively (thanks Ners) balanced with the more premier offenses that we faced last year compared to this year, I'd honestly say last year's defense with Blue and Lockett being big reasons for my decision. I can't really point to anyone this year that has really stepped up on the defensive end.    

[mattyv1908]

Merritt

I don't think asking either question independently of each other has much weight as the offense and defense don't operate in a vacuum.

Let's look at it from a standpoint of which players on our roster are playing a significantly different role this season compared to last and which are playing a similar role.

Otule, Gardner, and Jamil are all playing the same roles they did last season for the most part.  Mayo is still coming off the bench to provide offense like last year (with a recent uptick in minutes).  Anderson is still a situational player.  Taylor is battling an injury but he was a deep bench player as a freshman and has been this year.

Blue, Cadougan and Lockett all departed and have been replaced with the freshman of Dawson, Burton and Johnson.  None of the freshman are seriously contributing and despite their upside are probably rightfully sitting at this point in the season.

That leaves Jake Thomas and Derrick Wilson as the only two guys on the roster who have seen their roles change and increase exponentially from last season.

I'm perfectly fine with accepting that this is the team we have this year, but that doesn't require me to not acknowledge we have a terrible starting back court for a major college basketball team.  Now admittedly there are people on this board who don't understand how difficult it is to maintain the level of consistency of a perennial NCAAT team.  I know that's true because look at where our current streak of appearances ranks right now.  That still doesn't negate our glaring weakness in the quality of our back court and to expect more production from them even in the midst of a 'down' year for our program.

[NersEllenson]

Ners, if you want to hang your hat on relative rankings of teams based on adjusted offensive efficiency, go right ahead.  But I am sure you realize that this is simply one stat, one you you are using in comparison to other teams and not on its own, and that other stats tell other stories.

And as for "my guy," here in review is what I have said:

**He is an average at best point guard
**He is the best point guard on the roster
**He is getting an inordinate share of the blame for the problems of this team.

That's it.  If that makes you think that I am a big Derrick Wilson advocate, you would be wrong however.  I would hope that someone could play better next year, but we will just have to wait and see.

The reality is, he isn't the best PG on the roster.  There has been just 1 game Dawson was given an equal opportunity as Derrick (30 minutes) - Georgetown.  The other game that comes to mind is Grambling - pretty equal stats..and one guy playing in just his 2nd game of college.  Dawson has a much higher ceiling...would have loved to seen that tapped into this year....because if it were....he'd be better for next year...and the team certainly would have still made the NIT this year...as it is going to at this rate..

Buzz hitched his wagon hell or high water to Derrick...and it was evident with the bear hug he gave him during the Xavier game, just how badly he is dying to see Derrick show some signs of rewarding his loyalty...because there have been so few signs.

Additionally, Buzz should have let Mayo go 30 minutes per game from the start of the year..period.  NO reason Jake Thomas should get more minutes than Mayo.  None.  And I'm not a total Jake hater...as he can at least provide value in spacing the floor, and being a good threat from 3...

[GGGG]

The reality is, he isn't the best PG on the roster.

Fine.

Take it up with Buzz.

[GGGG]

Sultan and Merrits,

Please answer my question: Would you rather have this year's offense or last year's?

Frankly I would rather have neither to be honest.

[GGGG]

Sultan, you give off the vibe that you are a huge Derrick advocate. You have stated that unequivocally he will be the starting pg next year for this team. For an average at best player this doesn't make a lot of sense to me. Are we trying to be average or are we trying to be great?

I think he will start at the beginning of the year.  If someone is better than him, then they will take over his minutes. 

Despite what Ners is saying, he isn't playing Derrick out of loyalty.  He is playing him because he is the best option.  He will do the same with Duane or John next year.

[NersEllenson]

I think he will start at the beginning of the year.  If someone is better than him, then they will take over his minutes. 

Despite what Ners is saying, he isn't playing Derrick out of loyalty.  He is playing him because he is the best option.  He will do the same with Duane or John next year.

Question: Did you think Dawson would have "earned" more than 9 minutes against Villanova - which was the next game after Georgetown?

The only explanation for why Buzz is playing Derrick 30+ minutes per game is for defensive purposes...which...if we were winning games against decent/good teams....would be fine...if the defensive route was working....but clearly it isn't.  15-11...in a watered down Big East.  So, maybe it would make just a little sense to see what would happen if he went to a more offensively capable lineup...no reason not to...other than pure stubbornness. 

[79Warrior]

The reality is, he isn't the best PG on the roster.  There has been just 1 game Dawson was given an equal opportunity as Derrick (30 minutes) - Georgetown.  The other game that comes to mind is Grambling - pretty equal stats..and one guy playing in just his 2nd game of college.  Dawson has a much higher ceiling...would have loved to seen that tapped into this year....because if it were....he'd be better for next year...and the team certainly would have still made the NIT this year...as it is going to at this rate..

Buzz hitched his wagon hell or high water to Derrick...and it was evident with the bear hug he gave him during the Xavier game, just how badly he is dying to see Derrick show some signs of rewarding his loyalty...because there have been so few signs.

Additionally, Buzz should have let Mayo go 30 minutes per game from the start of the year..period.  NO reason Jake Thomas should get more minutes than Mayo.  None.  And I'm not a total Jake hater...as he can at least provide value in spacing the floor, and being a good threat from 3...

Having sat in on as many Marquette practices as you have, it is clear Buzz is just plain foolish playing DW. It must be so disturbing for you to know that the weeks and weeks you have been sitting in the Al watching Dawson destroy DW gets completely ignored by the Head Coach and in spite of Dawson's efforts, Buzz refuses to play him. Thank God you have spared us having to endure the same frustration. The good news for you is the season is winding down. Perhaps then you and Buzz can go out to dinner and you can explain to him how to utilize his players. Maybe you can include the assistant coaches too, because I'm sure Jerry is very intereseted in your analysis.

[Niv Berkowitz]

I'm so sick of every topic on this board turning into a "DW/JT Sh!tfest" (TM 2014) (formerly "Tom Crean Sh!tfest" 2006-13, TM). Totally ruins the fun and readability of damn near every topic on this board. We got three/four people that just despise DW and make it known on every effing thread. If you even try to show some rationale opinion on DW, it's just 'damn the torpedos'. I mean, it's not even worth debating/arguing about anymore.

This is a social media board and yeah, I guess that's what it's for...but this is my "mad as hell and I'm not gonna take it anymore!" moment here at MUScoop. Just so sick of this.

[reinko]

Folks have already forgotten about the Ners Enabler Pledge? 

Just stop people.

[Windyplayer]

Frankly I would rather have neither to be honest.

You get pinned down and this is your response? Total cop-out. I'll assume that you would take last year's offense given your deflection.

[GGGG]

Question: Did you think Dawson would have "earned" more than 9 minutes against Villanova - which was the next game after Georgetown?

The only explanation for why Buzz is playing Derrick 30+ minutes per game is for defensive purposes...which...if we were winning games against decent/good teams....would be fine...if the defensive route was working....but clearly it isn't.  15-11...in a watered down Big East.  So, maybe it would make just a little sense to see what would happen if he went to a more offensively capable lineup...no reason not to...other than pure stubbornness. 

You keep ignoring two facts.

1. Buzz sees more of this team than you or I do by a factor of ten, is a successful professional in his industry, and has come to the conclusion that your idea wouldn't work.  That doesn't make him stubborn.

2.  The offense has gotten better since he has done the exact opposite of what you are suggesting.  You're like the George Costanza of basketball coaches.

[Windyplayer]

We got three/four people that just despise DW

This is wrong. Nobody despises Derick Wilson. I think he's a great kid in a tough situation. I'm annoyed with (I don't despise) people that continually defend his play and downplay his negative impact on the offense.

[GGGG]

You get pinned down and this is your response? Total cop-out. I'll assume that you would take last year's offense given your deflection.

Oh grow up.  It doesn't matter to me.  They are both about the same and they are both pretty substandard compared to Buzz's offense in previous years.

But I would certainly take last year's team over this year's.

[brandx]

This is wrong. Nobody despises Derick Wilson. I think he's a great kid in a tough situation. I'm annoyed with (I don't despise) people that continually defend his play and downplay his negative impact on the offense.

I think a lot of people here need to take a year sabbatical. Next year DW and Juan will be the leaders on this team assuming neither leaves. I don't how that will translate as far as minutes on the floor. My guess is that DW's will go down and Juan's will go up.

And personally, I think they both will be outstanding leaders considering their mental makeups. One of our big shortcomings this year was lack of leadership from the seniors and I think it showed in DW's reluctance in the 1st half of the season. Next year, we will have senior leadership.

[NersEllenson]

You keep ignoring two facts.

1. Buzz sees more of this team than you or I do by a factor of ten, is a successful professional in his industry, and has come to the conclusion that your idea wouldn't work.  That doesn't make him stubborn.

2.  The offense has gotten better since he has done the exact opposite of what you are suggesting.  You're like the George Costanza of basketball coaches.

Would Bellicheck have put Brady in if not for the injury to Bledsoe?  Coaches don't always have it right...and at times can remain too loyal for too long to a guy...

And as for point #2 - What's changed is something I and others have long argued for - play Mayo 30+ and stop with the head games..yanking him in and out...let him play 15 minutes+ straight.

Yes, however, Derrick has played a little better too...as a result of the insertion of Mayo..but I still can't get excited over it as being anything beyond the word "serviceable" at best.

[NersEllenson]

This is wrong. Nobody despises Derick Wilson. I think he's a great kid in a tough situation. I'm annoyed with (I don't despise) people that continually defend his play and downplay his negative impact on the offense.

+1000 - It isn't a personal dislike of Derrick in any way....it's the other side of the coin here who try to suggest his play is the least of our problems...

[MerrittsMustache]

Final point on this whole issue...

Marquette's offense has been ugly this year and many fans have commented on how the offense is holding this team back, but statistically it's been basically the same as last year's offense (which isn't saying much). This year's primary issues have been on the defensive end. THAT is where the team has really taken a step backwards this season. Does that absolve the offense from any blame? Of course not. That simply means that sacrificing defense to help the offense isn't the answer.

Defense carried this team to the Elite 8 last year and defense is likely leading this team to the NIT this year.

[brandx]

Final point on this whole issue...

Marquette's offense has been ugly this year and many fans have commented on how the offense is holding this team back, but statistically it's been basically the same as last year's offense (which isn't saying much). This year's primary issues have been on the defensive end. THAT is where the team has really taken a step backwards this season. Does that absolve the offense from any blame? Of course not. That simply means that sacrificing defense to help the offense isn't the answer.

Defense carried this team to the Elite 8 last year and defense is likely leading this team to the NIT this year.

Good point on defense. We only have one strong man to man defensive player (whom a lot of people here don't even want to have on the floor).

Look at the shooting percentages we are giving up lately. Generally speaking, that points to one thing - bad 'D'.

[NersEllenson]

Final point on this whole issue...

Marquette's offense has been ugly this year and many fans have commented on how the offense is holding this team back, but statistically it's been basically the same as last year's offense (which isn't saying much). This year's primary issues have been on the defensive end. THAT is where the team has really taken a step backwards this season. Does that absolve the offense from any blame? Of course not. That simply means that sacrificing defense to help the offense isn't the answer.

Defense carried this team to the Elite 8 last year and defense is likely leading this team to the NIT this year.

LOL -  Compared to last year - we've regressed 2 spots nationally on defense this year....but 64 spots on the offensive end....but all of what ails the team this year is defense???  And we've upgraded significantly from a defensive perspective at PG...which I don't argue one bit Derrick is a much better defender than Junior...

Vander knew what the hell he was doing getting out of MU...as playing alongside Derrick would have handicapped him tremendously...and he likely would have had a statistical regression and hurt his draft stock.

[MerrittsMustache]

This is what makes Ners so great 

Me: "Does that absolve the offense from any blame? Of course not."

Ners: "all of what ails the team this year is defense???" 

[madtownwarrior]

awesome - we now have Derrick Wilson responsible for Vander leaving.   

Ners - I generally agree with taking issue to posters defending Derrick Wilson as the least of MU's problems.  This, however, is ridiculous.

What next - Derrick Wilson responsible for the Polar Vortex and the US Speedskating failures?

LOL -  Compared to last year - we've regressed 2 spots nationally on defense this year....but 64 spots on the offensive end....but all of what ails the team this year is defense???  And we've upgraded significantly from a defensive perspective at PG...which I don't argue one bit Derrick is a much better defender than Junior...

Vander knew what the hell he was doing getting out of MU...as playing alongside Derrick would have handicapped him tremendously...and he likely would have had a statistical regression and hurt his draft stock.