[PaintTouches]Marquette: Who will bring back the defensive mojo?

[PaintTouchesSays]

Marquette: Who will bring back the defensive mojo?

When Buzz Williams secured a commitment from graduate transfer Trent Lockett in 2012, it appeared to be a match made in heaven. A strong defender with an efficient offensive skill set (think Jimmy Butler) was the quintessential player in Williams' system, and the 13.3 points per game he averaged in his final two seasons at [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=painttouches.com&blog=28348875&post=11891&subd=painttouches&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />

Source: Marquette: Who will bring back the defensive mojo?

[Nukem2]

Mayo should benefit from changes in defensive strategy.  Buzz's protect the paint defense Asti evolved was not a good fit for Todd as it got him out of position and then trying to recover as the ball went to the wings. Much better as a straight up defender.

[NersEllenson]

I'll be highly shocked if we see anything like Buzz's offense/defense subbing he tried to do with Gardner/Otule last year, with regard to Carlino/Derrick.  You don't do that at the PG position. 

But yes, I agree Mayo and Burton will play huge roles on the team not just offensively, but defensively as well.  IT is these two guys, combined with a greatly reduced role for Derrick..and more Carlino, JJJ, Duane and Dawson that have me bullish on this upcoming season.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I don't expect a Gardner/Otule type switch. I do think there will be a 30/10 split between Carlino and Derek.

I'm excited to see what Burton, Mayo, and Juan can do in a defense focused on creating turnovers and getting fastbreak points. I think they are the three who were held back the most by Buzz' defensive scheme.

[NersEllenson]

I don't expect a Gardner/Otule type switch. I do think there will be a 30/10 split between Carlino and Derek.

I'm excited to see what Burton, Mayo, and Juan can do in a defense focused on creating turnovers and getting fastbreak points. I think they are the three who were held back the most by Buzz' defensive scheme.

I believe Buzz held Todd Mayo back a ton...on both sides of the ball...with the way he coached Todd.  I'm expecting that Mayo will average 16-18ppg this season, with 3-4 assists per game...given consistent, non-choppy blocks of playing time amounting to 30-33 minutes per game.  I see Burton averaging 16-18ppg as well, 5 rebounds.  Very bullish on the team because of those two guys.

Will be really interesting to see what happens with Derrick - Wojo has no allegiance to the kid as a result of recruiting him - yet Wojo certainly will see and find Derrick to be a high character, hard working kid, with some limitations - and in that regard Wojo may see some of himself in Derrick.  I'm hoping (unless Derrick shows a ton of improvement early on), that Derrick's role is a 10 minute per game sub.  If he truly earns minutes beyond that, then fine..so long as he is having to be defended everywhere on the floor, and teams can't just pack it in.

[GGGG]

The only person that held Todd Mayo back was Todd Mayo.

That being said, I hope he has matured and can develop into what you think he can become because MU would benefit greatly if he becomes THE guy.

[Stronghold]

The only person that held Todd Mayo back was Todd Mayo.

That being said, I hope he has matured and can develop into what you think he can become because MU would benefit greatly if he becomes THE guy.

The maturity thing should be huge for him.  He's 23 years old now and has been around college basketball for quite a while.  I'm not sure if Buzz and Todd always saw eye to eye and I'm sure that it played a role in his sometimes diasappointing play.  I agree Todd is probably responsible for any shortcomings he may have had thus far, but with maturity should come the ability/responsibility to be able to get past things he hasn't before.  I hope Wojo pushes him hard and Todd is up to the calling. 

[Stronghold]

I believe Buzz held Todd Mayo back a ton...on both sides of the ball...with the way he coached Todd.  I'm expecting that Mayo will average 16-18ppg this season, with 3-4 assists per game...given consistent, non-choppy blocks of playing time amounting to 30-33 minutes per game.  I see Burton averaging 16-18ppg as well, 5 rebounds.  Very bullish on the team because of those two guys.

Will be really interesting to see what happens with Derrick - Wojo has no allegiance to the kid as a result of recruiting him - yet Wojo certainly will see and find Derrick to be a high character, hard working kid, with some limitations - and in that regard Wojo may see some of himself in Derrick.  I'm hoping (unless Derrick shows a ton of improvement early on), that Derrick's role is a 10 minute per game sub.  If he truly earns minutes beyond that, then fine..so long as he is having to be defended everywhere on the floor, and teams can't just pack it in.

Derrick has had shining moments, and he should be allowed to ride those out and rack up the minutes when they come.  However, when he's not in the flow and playing poorly he should just play a back-up role like you stated.  That's one thing I think Buzz failed to do with many of his teams over the years; let players play who are feeling it.  It doesn't matter who had the best week of practice.  Sure that kid should get the start but if they put in 5 lousy minutes and a sub comes in and gives you 2-3 great minutes, you don't yank him right away just to get back to your premeditated line-up you thought you were going to be playing most of the game.

[willie warrior]

Derrick will bring the defensive mojo, because he was an elite gamechanger according to Buzz. And the Sultan says that Buzz is very intelligent and a great coach. So it must be Derrick from those lofty recommendations.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Derrick will bring the defensive mojo, because he was an elite gamechanger according to Buzz. And the Sultan says that Buzz is very intelligent and a great coach. So it must be Derrick from those lofty recommendations.

Still feeding Buzz' ego by talking about him constantly huh?

[Nukem2]

The only person that held Todd Mayo back was Todd Mayo.

That being said, I hope he has matured and can develop into what you think he can become because MU would benefit greatly if he becomes THE guy.

Todd may have been late for a practice last year, but he has been kind of a role model for the last year and one half or more.  Sorry, but you are wrong.  Yeah, he had issues earlier.  But, not recently.

[GGGG]

Todd may have been late for a practice last year, but he has been kind of a role model for the last year and one half or more.  Sorry, but you are wrong.  Yeah, he had issues earlier.  But, not recently.

Well if by "recently" you mean the last six to nine months then sure.  But Todd was engaging in many of the same behaviors that got him in trouble in the first place both after he returned from suspension in Spring 2013 as well as Fall 2013.

[NersEllenson]

Well if by "recently" you mean the last six to nine months then sure.  But Todd was engaging in many of the same behaviors that got him in trouble in the first place both after he returned from suspension in Spring 2013 as well as Fall 2013.

My only question with regard to player conduct/discipline under Buzz, was, how did Vander basically go without any type of punishment - with regard to playing time, etc. - for punching another student in the face?  Todd's had issues, but none have involved the law.

[Nukem2]

Well if by "recently" you mean the last six to nine months then sure.  But Todd was engaging in many of the same behaviors that got him in trouble in the first place both after he returned from suspension in Spring 2013 as well as Fall 2013.

As I said, it's been a lot longer than 6 to 9 months.  Buzz was too much on the Jake front last year.  Todd as been solid since the academic issue in his soph season.  As to the late practice,  Buzz just went overboard as he did with Junior and DJO.  Look at his VT experience already.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

My only question with regard to player conduct/discipline under Buzz, was, how did Vander basically go without any type of punishment - with regard to playing time, etc. - for punching another student in the face?  Todd's had issues, but none have involved the law.

I was actually present for that situation. I think Vander "got off easy" because the kid who got punched absolutely deserved it. Drunk frat boy who thought it would be funny to call Vander something you don't call someone of African american decent.

[NersEllenson]

I was actually present for that situation. I think Vander "got off easy" because the kid who got punched absolutely deserved it. Drunk frat boy who thought it would be funny to call Vander something you don't call someone of African american decent.

Wow.....that's a different version of the story I heard....you sure there was a racial slur used?  I've never heard that in having heard many people's accounts of the incident.  Wasn't he called Vander Orange?  Personally, I think regardless of circumstances, punching a kid and getting an assault/battery charge that lands in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel...is a little worse than a kid being late to practice a few times...struggling academically, etc.

Mayo went to 5 different high schools for God's sakes - can't imagine what his upbringing was prior to high school either.  Academics can be a much greater struggle for one human being than another...and ultimately Todd paid the price by virtue of the NCAA rules whereby he had to sit out for half a year.  Don't think additional punishment by Buzz was really necessary.

[willie warrior]

Still feeding Buzz' ego by talking about him constantly huh?

No, I am just the counterpoint to you and the Sultan blabbering and defending him ALL the time.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

No, I am just the counterpoint to you and the Sultan blabbering and defending him ALL the time.

I don't see any blabbering or defending in this thread. With as huge of an ego as Buzz has, I'm sure he would love to know that you are still so upset with him that you feel the need to bring him up constantly. Trust me, you really want to get back at Buzz, act like he never existed.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Wow.....that's a different version of the story I heard....you sure there was a racial slur used?  I've never heard that in having heard many people's accounts of the incident.  Wasn't he called Vander Orange?  

Vander Orange was said. It wasn't the only thing said. It wasn't so much a slur as much as it was something you shouldn't say. The Vander Orange comment was used along the lines of saying he wasn't "black enough" so he might as well be Vander Orange. Drunk frat boy also felt the need to get in Vander's face. I'm not saying it's right. But I probably would have at least shoved the guy if I was in Vander's situation.

[swoopem]

I was actually present for that situation. I think Vander "got off easy" because the kid who got punched absolutely deserved it. Drunk frat boy who thought it would be funny to call Vander something you don't call someone of African american decent.

Drunk frat boy? He was the bouncer at Murphy's and wouldn't let Vander (underage) in. I know the guy and yeah he probably deserved it, but Vander thought he'd get royal treatment for being on the bball squad.

[4everwarriors]

Classic he said, he said, hey?

[Galway Eagle]

Drunk frat boy? He was the bouncer at Murphy's and wouldn't let Vander (underage) in. I know the guy and yeah he probably deserved it, but Vander thought he'd get royal treatment for being on the bball squad.

And I heard it took place at qdoba.  Wow the game of telephone is interesting. 

[Brewtown Andy]

I'll be highly shocked if we see anything like Buzz's offense/defense subbing he tried to do with Gardner/Otule last year, with regard to Carlino/Derrick.  You don't do that at the PG position. 

You might for a possession or two late in the game, though.

[swoopem]

And I heard it took place at qdoba.  Wow the game of telephone is interesting. 

Which is across the street from Murphy's. Vander did a "if you're so tough meet me over here" (qudoba parking lot) the bouncer followed and got what he deserved.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Drunk frat boy? He was the bouncer at Murphy's and wouldn't let Vander (underage) in. I know the guy and yeah he probably deserved it, but Vander thought he'd get royal treatment for being on the bball squad.

In fairness, I didn't know if he was drunk. I just assumed because I knew him because he was always drunk and he was in frat. I know it happened outside Qdoba like Piper said. And I know frat boy was mouthing off to Vander. I don't know how the confrontation started. I was walking him from Real Chili in time to see the fireworks