Haanif to announce on 9/5

[MU82]

Gardner was an elite caliber offensive player at the college level.  Vander Blue was not an elite defender, nor an elite offensive player at any point in his career.  Finding an elite offensive player at this level is a hell of a lot harder than finding a really good defender.  Yes, Blue was a better defender.  Vander made great strides his Junior year and turned into a very good player.  

I never said Vander was an awful player - other than his freshman year - he was given AMPLE opportunity to play - 20 minutes a game - and his production was poor.   And his defense as a freshman?  Okay, average maybe?  Certainly not Jerel McNeal good.  Here's Gardner and Blue as freshman.  

http://statsheet.com/mcb/players/compare?add=davante-gardner&davante-gardner=2010-2011&i=1&p1=vander-blue&vander-blue=2010-2011

And let's hope today is a good day for MU...come on down Hannif!

First of all, I liked Gardner and I actually said that, based on his 4 years in the program (to Vander's 3), he probably was the "better" player. I don't want to slam Davante, but when your center pretty much only gets rebounds by accident, can't block a shot, can't defend 1-on-1 and can't make a dunk, we're not talking about an all-around player.

Second, in this comment, you say: "I never said Vander was an awful player - other than his freshman year ... "

Just a few comments earlier, however, you said: "Blue was awful as a freshman. Not much better as a sophomore."

I guess, technically, you "never" said Blue was awful, except as a freshman. But you did say he was "not much better" than awful as a sophomore, which of course isn't true.

I just don't understand what joy you get out of tearing down Blue at pretty much every opportunity. He was a valuable contributor to a S16-S16-E8 team, as was Davante. Is it impossible for you to make an argument for your case without completely trashing somebody?

Ners, you know I don't usually rip you. I do poke fun sometimes but I actually agree with you more times than not. I just wish you could find a way to make your points without being so over the top.

[GGGG]

Vander wasn't awful as a freshman.  He was awful on the offensive side, but he was a better than average defender.  No he wasn't McNeal good then...but he was a better defender than Jerel by the time he was a junior.

But as I said earlier, it is hard to compare two players with opposite strengths and weaknesses that play opposite positions.  Marquette doesn't make last year's E8 without either one of them.

[ATL MU Warrior]

Vander wasn't awful as a freshman.  He was awful on the offensive side, but he was a better than average defender.  No he wasn't McNeal good then...but he was a better defender than Jerel by the time he was a junior.

But as I said earlier, it is hard to compare two players with opposite strengths and weaknesses that play opposite positions.  Marquette doesn't make last year's E8 without either one of them.

This is true.

I think an interesting hypothetical question regarding last year's team is:

Would the team have been better with Blue but without Gardner than it was without Blue but with Gardner? 

[MU82]

This is true.

I think an interesting hypothetical question regarding last year's team is:

Would the team have been better with Blue but without Gardner than it was without Blue but with Gardner? 

I'm glad we didn't have to find out!

I'm also not a big fan of hypotheticals because there is no right or wrong answer but lots of folks think they know the right answer.

Having said all that ... last season's team had Gardner but no Blue. A lot more went into us biting the big one, but that fact is indisputable.

[ATL MU Warrior]

I'm glad we didn't have to find out!

I'm also not a big fan of hypotheticals because there is no right or wrong answer but lots of folks think they know the right answer.

Having said all that ... last season's team had Gardner but no Blue. A lot more went into us biting the big one, but that fact is indisputable.

I don't generally like these types of "debates" either for exactly the reason you stated.

[LAMUfan]

we would have been way better last season with blue and not Gardner.  Otule would have been serviceable with more PT.  No question. 

[MUWarrior4Life]

Does anyone know if the announcement will be televised? Or on radio?

[tower912]

Blue probably gets a lot of time at the point last year.    Without Gar ner, maybe McKay sticks around.  

[Johnny B]

Blue probably gets a lot of time at the point last year.    Without Gar ner, maybe McKay sticks around.  

McKay would be playing a lot if he was here, how's he
Doin at isu

[dw3dw3dw3]

Does anyone know if the announcement will be televised? Or on radio?

http://www.highschoolcube.com/event/haanif-cheatham-college-commitment-day-september-5-358552

[willie warrior]

http://www.highschoolcube.com/event/haanif-cheatham-college-commitment-day-september-5-358552

Getting to be a real soap opera, when a HS kid announcing his commitment to a college gets TV coverage.
Sort of like the Real Housewives of Anywhere.

[Texas Western]

Getting to be a real soap opera, when a HS kid announcing his commitment to a college gets TV coverage.
Sort of like the Real Housewives of Anywhere.

It is a big event for the high school and the family. Technology makes a lot of things possible today. The kids at the school get to produce an event etc.

I can remember when I went to Earvin Johnsons press conference to announce where he would go to school. In those stone age times there were probably 100 press people and others in a high school auditorium and the local TV channels had their film teams there.  It was fun .

[slack00]

You call this TV coverage?  I think it's just the new normal where it's very easy to "broadcast" anything on the Internet.

http://www.highschoolcube.com/future

I will now get off your lawn.

[brandx]

Gardner was an elite caliber offensive player at the college level.   

Not even close to elite. He was a good offensive player.

[Lennys Tap]

What are there, 355 D1 teams? Ask those 355 coaches this question - if you were starting your program from scratch and your first pick had to be Blue or Gardner who would you take? The final score would be Blue 355, Gardner 0. No way any of them would take a one way, out of shape part time player over an all around guy who's a borderline NBA player. Not one.

[MUMonster03]

I know it doesn't mean anything until after 2PM but the crystal ball is now 100% Marquette.

http://247sports.com/PlayerInstitution/Haanif-Cheatham-at-Pembroke-Pines-Charter-38899/CurrentExpertPredictions

[Wojo'sMojo]

What are there, 355 D1 teams? Ask those 355 coaches this question - if you were starting your program from scratch and your first pick had to be Blue or Gardner who would you take? The final score would be Blue 355, Gardner 0. No way any of them would take a one way, out of shape part time player over an all around guy who's a borderline NBA player. Not one.

I disagree. It is much more difficult to find a post player than it is an athletic guard. You are making it sound like Gardner was some scrub. How many game plans do you think revolved around stopping Blue...I would venture more teams were worried about stopping Gardner than Blue.

[MUCrew]

I know it doesn't mean anything until after 2PM but the crystal ball is now 100% Marquette.

http://247sports.com/PlayerInstitution/Haanif-Cheatham-at-Pembroke-Pines-Charter-38899/CurrentExpertPredictions

Has a player ever been 100% 1 school on that site and NOT chosen the school he was predicted for?

[wadesworld]

I disagree. It is much more difficult to find a post player than it is an athletic guard. You are making it sound like Gardner was some scrub. How many game plans do you think revolved around stopping Blue...I would venture more teams were worried about stopping Gardner than Blue.

And yet when we have "elite" big men we miss the NCAA and NIT, and when we have elite guards we make runs into the 2nd weekend of NCAA Tournaments.  So I think the guard would go first.

[Tums Festival]

I believe ESPNU is covering George Campbell's announcement today of where he'll be playing football next season.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

http://www.highschoolcube.com/event/haanif-cheatham-college-commitment-day-september-5-358552

I've announced a few games on the cube.

[MU Buff]

Has a player ever been 100% 1 school on that site and NOT chosen the school he was predicted for?

Rarely, but I know I've seen it.

[ChicosBailBonds]

What are there, 355 D1 teams? Ask those 355 coaches this question - if you were starting your program from scratch and your first pick had to be Blue or Gardner who would you take? The final score would be Blue 355, Gardner 0. No way any of them would take a one way, out of shape part time player over an all around guy who's a borderline NBA player. Not one.

I don't think that is accurate at all.  You have to evaluate character, maybe you want the kid for 4 years and not shorter, what does he provide on the defensive end, how much easier is it to find another guard that may not be as good but pretty close vs finding another post player that is pretty close.

[GoldenWarrior11]

ZOMG IT'S 12:52!!!!

[ChicosBailBonds]

My G'Town peeps at work say he's going to MU.