X thoughts

[mattyv1908]

Agree that this is a factor, disagree that it is the main factor. Xavier made it a point to have someone in Jake's pocket all night. They didn't with Mayo. This is why Jake on the floor is essential. He spaces out the floor. Makes it 4 on 3. Gives us driving room and room to work the post

I corrected you.  In theory you're correct but you have to account for a sagging defender off of our PG who wouldn't garner a response from the defense if he pump faked from 3.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

11. based off his demeanor and lack of engaggement during time outs, JJJ has mentally quit on this team, matter of time before the transfer announcement,.

I saw a very engaged and excited JJJ. Not sure what you saw

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I corrected you.  In theory you're correct but you have to account for a sagging defender off of our PG who wouldn't garner a response from the defense if he pump faked from 3.

Fair enough

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

11. Mayo got a few possessions as the point guard. They didn't go well. However, it gives me hope that Buzz is willing to try it. If Mayo could work on it during the offseason....I would love him at the 1 and Derrick back as the backup

[slingkong]

11. Mayo got a few possessions as the point guard. They didn't go well. However, it gives me hope that Buzz is willing to try it. If Mayo could work on it during the offseason....I would love him at the 1 and Derrick back as the backup

It would be awesome if it comes to fruition. I think Todd has the ability, he just needs to get used to playing at the 1 and the major differences between that spot and the 2. If Du. Wilson is as good as advertised, that could be a really fun backcourt.

[willie warrior]

It would be awesome if it comes to fruition. I think Todd has the ability, he just needs to get used to playing at the 1 and the major differences between that spot and the 2. If Du. Wilson is as good as advertised, that could be a really fun backcourt.

Not going to happen with Buzz--he will hang with Derrick--has to, because of the stand he has taken.

[Wojo'sMojo]

Not going to happen with Buzz--he will hang with Derrick--has to, because of the stand he has taken.

I can hear Buzz now " we aren't a very good team, but we have a game changer at pg and he's the best defensive player I have ever coached and I am going ride him as long as I can, because he plays to my scouting report and he practices hard which gives us our best chance to win games"

[MU82]

Agree that this is a factor, disagree that it is the main factor. Xavier made it a point to have someone in Jake's pocket all night. They didn't with Mayo. This is why Jake on the floor is essential. He spaces out the floor. Makes it 4 on 4. Gives us driving room and room to work the post

They didn't with Mayo ... or they couldn't with Mayo because he didn't just stand in one spot for 5, 10 seconds at a time.

Probably a little of each.

[CTWarrior]

It would be awesome if it comes to fruition. I think Todd has the ability, he just needs to get used to playing at the 1 and the major differences between that spot and the 2. If Du. Wilson is as good as advertised, that could be a really fun backcourt.

At the beginning of the year I was hoping Mayo would start playing some real minutes at the point, but he is so darned loose with the ball/bordering on careless, I can understand why Buzz was reticent about doing it.  Something had to be done to make room for our scorers, and we never could find the right combination consistently.  I keep coming back to the fact that DeWil was not the PG we needed, and we didn't have anyone else that Buzz thought was better.  And after watching Mayo, Dawson and JWil try it, I'm not sure he was wrong, though Dawson has a chance to be a pretty good one in a year or two.

[CTWarrior]

They didn't with Mayo ... or they couldn't with Mayo because he didn't just stand in one spot for 5, 10 seconds at a time.

Probably a little of each.

You can't just get up in Mayo's grill because he can blow by you.  No such worries when guarding Thomas. 

[slingkong]

At the beginning of the year I was hoping Mayo would start playing some real minutes at the point, but he is so darned loose with the ball/bordering on careless, I can understand why Buzz was reticent about doing it.  Something had to be done to make room for our scorers, and we never could find the right combination consistently.  I keep coming back to the fact that DeWil was not the PG we needed, and we didn't have anyone else that Buzz thought was better.  And after watching Mayo, Dawson and JWil try it, I'm not sure he was wrong, though Dawson has a chance to be a pretty good one in a year or two.

I agree with his looseness. I'm glad Buzz tried it but I think everyone saw that Mayo at 1 was not the solution. But it's a long time between now and November, lots of time to tighten things up. Hell, if Mayo really wants to try for the NBA he needs to do that anyway because he is not sized for 2 in that league.

[mug644]

I agree with his looseness. I'm glad Buzz tried it but I think everyone saw that Mayo at 1 was not the solution. But it's a long time between now and November, lots of time to tighten things up. Hell, if Mayo really wants to try for the NBA he needs to do that anyway because he is not sized for 2 in that league.

While I think Mayo's looseness could impact his performance as a point guard, I think the bigger issue is that he is generally a 'me first' kind of player. I can't see him evolving into a solid passing PG, simply as he tends to make things happen by attacking the basket and shooting, not passing. He has a scorer's mentality, not a passer's.

In this way, it reminds me a bit of Jerel playing some PG. He, too, was an aggressive slashing 2 whose handle was sometimes loose. When he played some PG, he didn't really succeed, in part because he seemed to often be looking to create for himself rather than for others.

It's ok to have a PG that is a scorer, but I think a PG has to first look to create for his team. My fantasy is that Duane Wilson becomes both for MU, if not at the beginning of next season then as the season progresses.