What difference would McKay have made?

[GGGG]

On the one hand, he is long and athletic.  Gifted rebounder and interior scorer.  On the other hand, he really can't shoot much from the outside.

I am left thinking that this team would not have been very different with him.  But next year's team would have started out better.  (Although if we still had McKay, would we have Fischer?  I would much rather have 2.5 years of Fischer instead of 1 year of McKay after this year.)

[NavinRJohnson]

The simple fact he left, suggests to me that he wasn't all that good, and may not have contributed much. I don't know that, just the sense I got.

[NotAnAlum]

Could he play point guard, drive and distribute?
Could he consistently hit the 3 to stretch the defense?
Would he have been the Senior Leader?
Nope, wouldn't have made any difference at all, probably wouldn't have even gotten off the bench.  Was probably smart to transfer.  Could have used him next year but that's it.

[Galway Eagle]

I think he might've been a game changer in Madison being tall and athletic enough to stop Kaminsky from outside.  Also while he may have not been able to change the outcome of the Creighton games, I do think he'd have been able to run out and stop Wragge. 

[GGGG]

I think he might've been a game changer in Madison being tall and athletic enough to stop Kaminsky from outside.  Also while he may have not been able to change the outcome of the Creighton games, I do think he'd have been able to run out and stop Wragge. 

These are good points.  I think he would have brought some length to the defense.

I wonder if he would have kept Burton on the bench more than he already has been.

[willie warrior]

I think he might've been a game changer in Madison being tall and athletic enough to stop Kaminsky from outside.  Also while he may have not been able to change the outcome of the Creighton games, I do think he'd have been able to run out and stop Wragge. 

No, according to Buzz, the game changer is Derrick. And he always will be that.

[g0lden3agle]

No, according to Buzz, the game changer is Derrick. And he always will be that.

You are literally the only person on this board that thinks that Buzz was being dead serious when he said that.

[Dawson Rental]

If he was a new recruit for next year, the smart money would all be saying let's wait and see.  I can't see anointing him the missing link on defense just because he left.  I tend to agree that if would have been able to help much, he would have stayed.

[GOO]

He would be at the end of the bench.  I think he was a redshirt candidate and was behind way to many players.  Next year is when we will miss him, maybe, but not this year.  He would have been a non-factor.

[MarsupialMadness]

I think Duane Wilson would have made a bigger impact this year. 

[4everwarriors]

We don't need more hairy, wet cats, a'ina?

[Big Papi]

I think we would have been a better team with him here. 

I don't think he would have been a game changer but his length and rebounding would have helped especially earlier in the year when Taylor was hurt and I would have liked to have seen his height guarding Wragge on the perimeter.  I think the games against Creighton with Mckay would have been a lot closer just with his ability to take Wragge out of Creighton's offense.

[Nukem2]

Think McKay would have given this team  some things it lacks, especially on defense and rebounding and athleticism.  MU could have actually played a good zone with him at the top.  Also, he plays with a very high motor, something we did not see on Sunday at Nova.

[mr.MUskie]

No, according to Buzz, the game changer is Derrick. And he always will be that.

That's true, just not in a good way,

[keefe]

We don't need more hairy, wet cats, a'ina?

Doc, that's where you and I have to differ. Frankly, I believe that a man can never have enough kitten.

[willie warrior]

You are literally the only person on this board that thinks that Buzz was being dead serious when he said that.

Really--he said it and was serious, because he has said it more than once. So riddle me this: if he wasn't serious, then he is a BSer, isn't he? And then who knows what to believe with the guy. "I will stay at MU as long as they want me"; "Derrick is the best defender I have ever coached" and many more Buzzisms. So what is it? And if you do not believe he was serious, the Brooklyn Bridge is out there for you.

[NavinRJohnson]

Really--he said it and was serious, because he has said it more than once. So riddle me this: if he wasn't serious, then he is a BSer, isn't he? And then who knows what to believe with the guy. "I will stay at MU as long as they want me"; "Derrick is the best defender I have ever coached" and many more Buzzisms. So what is it? And if you do not believe he was serious, the Brooklyn Bridge is out there for you.

Here's one for you...why do you care?

[GGGG]

willie wants Buzz to speak in generic sound bites like every other coach apparently.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I think this transfer affected us more than anyone wants to admit. We would have been able to redshirt Taylor after his recovery was setback. He could have brought some energy when Jamil was being lackluster. He could have all but replaced Juan. His length, athleticism, and motor would have gone a long way, especially against teams like Creighton and Nova.

[79Warrior]

He would be at the end of the bench.  I think he was a redshirt candidate and was behind way to many players.  Next year is when we will miss him, maybe, but not this year.  He would have been a non-factor.

Hard to believe he could not contribute more than ST or JA have this year. If he is behind them then he was right to transfer.

[Golden Avalanche]

Hard to believe he could not contribute more than ST or JA have this year. If he is behind them then he was right to transfer.

This.

ST has never been healthy and always half speed whereas JA's best talent is being a really, really nice kid. Hard to imagine McKay was that less a real option than either.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Another interesting thing to think about is how Luke Fischer may have affected things if McKay had stayed. Many speculated that one of the primary reasons for McKay transferring was that he was going to have to play out of position at the 5 next season. Maybe if he knew that Fischer was coming the following season....perhaps he wouldn't have transferred. A semester out of position is not so bad.

Still, I think he was set on leaving.

[Texas Western]

I definitely think he was missed. He would have contributed on both the offensive and defensive end. Probably 10-11 points a game 5-6 boards . Would have made a big difference in the non conference losses . My understanding was that he had trouble adapting to the militaristic daily schedule that Buzz operates under. Iowa State watched this guy up close for two years and jumped all over him on the transfer.

[jesmu84]

I definitely think he was missed. He would have contributed on both the offensive and defensive end. Probably 10-11 points a game 5-6 boards . Would have made a big difference in the non conference losses . My understanding was that he had trouble adapting to the militaristic daily schedule that Buzz operates under. Iowa State watched this guy up close for two years and jumped all over him on the transfer.

First time I had heard that. Honestly, it's good to hear as well. I'm sure not every guy who comes to campus would be able to handle it - heck, not sure if I could.

[NCMUFan]

McKay would of gave us 5 extra fouls.  What could of been .