Biggest Surprise Player 2014-2015?

[NersEllenson]

Thought this would be an interesting topic to debate.  I left out Carlino and Burton - because I think everyone expects pretty good performance out of them. Left Cohen and Fischer out due to no MU experience to go off - though the same can be said about Duane Wilson - he has been in the program now for over a year...and entered the program with pretty high expectations.

I'm really excited to see how this year plays out.  Think actually all of the guys in this poll have the ability to exceed general expectations we all might have for them...yet which guy will exceed expectations the most?

[Galway Eagle]

put derrick wilson just because I knew itd tick you off lol

[jesmu84]

Let's see.. how can we spin this...

If people pick Derrick, it's obviously because everyone acknowledges that he was terrible and he can't get any worse.
If no one picks Derrick, it's obviously because everyone knows he sucks and will be the player he always has been.

[Anti-Dentite]

Derrick Wilson, no doubt.

[77ncaachamps]

Jjj

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

I don't know this Steve guy. Did you perhaps mean Teve? Cause Teve is gonna have a monster year.

[GB Warrior]

I don't know this Steve guy. Did you perhaps mean Teve? Cause Teve is gonna have a monster year.

Dark horse for meme of the year.

[NersEllenson]

I think it's going to be Steve Teve Taylor.  He'll have a lot of minute opportunity, and also think he's got a chip on his shoulder from last season's mindf$ck Buzz gave him. 

Think Steve could be a 10ppg and 8rpg kind of player this year.

Looks like a lot are either sleeping on Dawson, or already expect good things from him.  I couldn't vote for JD, as I expect he'll have a nice year - so it wouldn't come as a surprise.

I look forward to seeing what JJJ can do with good minute opportunity as well.  Lots of talent there.

I also expect Juan and Derrick to be better than they were last year - with both being used in roles that best fit what they bring to the table:  Hustle, energy, hard nosed players off the bench come conference play.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I trust BigDaddy when he says "Steve (Teve) is about to paint his masterpiece." I also think JJJ has the talent to surprise a lot of people.

Personally, I hope all of the surprise me (in a good way)

[GGGG]

STJ.  He showed flashes as a freshman and I think was hurting for a good portion of last year.  He will get plenty of playing time to prove himself this year.

I also think Juan is going to impress simply because expectations are low.  I don't expect him to be a huge statistics guy, but I think could fill the Trent Lockett role on this team.  Experienced senior, good attitude, who will also get the playing time.

[CTWarrior]

STJ is the guy I have the highest hopes for compared to his MU accomplishments, so I answered him.  I just have the feeling that he is going to be really good, but I don't have a lot to back that up with.

[MU82]

Looks like a lot are either sleeping on Dawson, or already expect good things from him.  I couldn't vote for JD, as I expect he'll have a nice year - so it wouldn't come as a surprise.

Wait ... you like Dawson? I never knew that!

[bilsu]

I voted with the idea that it was the biggest surpise to us collectively. I am sure there are several people here who think Taylor, JJJ, Dawson or Anderson are going to have a big step up in their games or that Duane will have a very good year. There are very few here that even think Derrick will even see significant playing time. Therefore the answer has to be Derrick, if his game improves.

[WarriorInNYC]

STJ.  He showed flashes as a freshman and I think was hurting for a good portion of last year.  He will get plenty of playing time to prove himself this year.

I also think Juan is going to impress simply because expectations are low.  I don't expect him to be a huge statistics guy, but I think could fill the Trent Lockett role on this team.  Experienced senior, good attitude, who will also get the playing time.

Agreed.  I voted Juan for the exact reasons you list above.  Due to the lack of size we will have, he will get some good minutes, and I just think he is ready to become a steady contributor.  Not going to fill up the stat sheet, but be solid.

I didn't vote Steve mainly because I think there is a general consensus that he will be a high contributor.  I would not be surprised to see him be a high performer this year.

[Skatastrophy]

I believe that Duane Wilson is about to set the world on fire.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

I think it's going to be Steve Teve Taylor.  He'll have a lot of minute opportunity, and also think he's got a chip on his shoulder from last season's mindf$ck Buzz gave him. 

Think Steve could be a 10ppg and 8rpg kind of player this year.

Looks like a lot are either sleeping on Dawson, or already expect good things from him.  I couldn't vote for JD, as I expect he'll have a nice year - so it wouldn't come as a surprise.

I look forward to seeing what JJJ can do with good minute opportunity as well.  Lots of talent there.

I also expect Juan and Derrick to be better than they were last year - with both being used in roles that best fit what they bring to the table:  Hustle, energy, hard nosed players off the bench come conference play.

Django Teve Unchained!

[Silkk the Shaka]

I voted Juan because no one expects anything out of him, but there were a couple games against cupcakes last year where it looked like things were finally clicking for him. He was all over the court making an impact everywhere. Then he came down weird on his ankle in one of those games and he didn't look the same after. Combine that with the ususal senior performance bump and I think he'll outperform his relatively low expectations more than anyone else.

EDITED TO CLARIFY:

I expect big things out of Duane, JJJ, Steve, and Dawson this year. My expectations are low/muted for Juan and Derrick, so to surprise on the upside, all Juan has to do is be a solid 15 minute role player. I think he can achieve that if healthy.

[willie warrior]

I believe that Duane Wilson is about to set the world on fire.

This sort of reminds me about the rumors a year ago of the MU recruit who allegedly set some girl's hair on fire. Wow!

[Tums Festival]

I voted Triple J merely because we really haven't heard much about him this off season. There are posts here from time to time saying one player or another has looked good in workouts or that someone has taken 20,000 shots over the summer, but there hasn't really been much of anything said about Triple J.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

I voted Triple J merely because we really haven't heard much about him this off season. There are posts here from time to time saying one player or another has looked good in workouts or that someone has taken 20,000 shots over the summer, but there hasn't really been much of anything said about Triple J.

J cubed.

[MU82]

Luke ... because if he is a surprise player, he will be the biggest on the roster!

[OhioGoldenEagle]

Or similar to last season, everyone will underachieve (more or less) and we will struggle to break 0.500. 

[Galway Eagle]

J cubed.

Tre J

[THRILLHO]

I voted Juan because no one expects anything out of him, but there were a couple games against cupcakes last year where it looked like things were finally clicking for him. He was all over the court making an impact everywhere. Then he came down weird on his ankle in one of those games and he didn't look the same after. Combine that with the ususal senior performance bump and I think he'll outperform his relatively low expectations more than anyone else.

EDITED TO CLARIFY:

I expect big things out of Duane, JJJ, Steve, and Dawson this year. My expectations are low/muted for Juan and Derrick, so to surprise on the upside, all Juan has to do is be a solid 15 minute role player. I think he can achieve that if healthy.

I also voted Juan for similar reasons. He's a guy that I think could benefit from the skills-focused offseason work. I think his confidence in his outside shot gradually eroded under Buzz to the extent that he almost looked afraid to shoot last year. Being able to shoot at range at his height is an advantage, and could open up some space, allowing him to drive and pass, which he was expected to be able to do coming out of high school.

[Dawson Rental]

Taylor or JJJ?  Taylor or JJJ?  I overcame my first inclination for Steve, and went with JJJ.  So much talent, so little used last year.  (Both of them, really).

#3?  Hologram Al who will show up for the Villanova game to shut down Ryan Arcidiacono, just like he used to shut down Bob Cousy!

"He's a hologram Ryan, just dribble through him!"  Says an exasperated Jay Wright.