Biggest Surprise Player 2014-2015?

[MU82]

So in your opinion, was Junior's freshman year well spent after he didn't take a redshirt? Was it worth not having him last season? Because I think many would agree that if we had Junior last year, we might have been a tournament team.

There are many solid criticisms of Buzz. Benching JJJ/Taylor, overusing Derrick, taking Burton out in the Xavier game, the alleged sexual assualts, the McIlvaine interview, the DJ Newbill situation, his alleged refusal to flush his own dookies. Redshirtting Duane is not one of them. I'm gonna be ecstatic that he is suiting up for us in the 17-18 season. I think you will be too, if you look at it objectively. If things shake out with Henry (and he doesn't go pro) that starting lineup will be Noskowiak, Duane, Cohen, Levin, and Henry all as upperclassmen. With Cheathem, Heldt, Flory and whatever 2016 and 2017 kids we scrounge up coming off the bench. That is a final four caliber team right there. Isn't that more important than making the NIT last season?

TAMU, TAMU, TAMU ... using facts and logic to combat Joyless Willie. When will you every learn?

[Marquette84]

So in your opinion, was Junior's freshman year well spent after he didn't take a redshirt? Was it worth not having him last season? Because I think many would agree that if we had Junior last year, we might have been a tournament team.

On the other hand, the extra work he put in to get back into the lineup his freshman year might have made him a more effective player next season and beyond than he otherwise would have been. 

Plus, you have to base the redshirt argument on a foundation that the coach is incapable of recruiting an equivalent or  better player before the added year four years hence. For example, in order to argue that it was wise to redshirt Duane in 2014 so he'll still be available in 2018-19, it presupposes that Buzz (or Wojo) could not possibly recruit an equal or better player between now and then.

If you have faith that Wojo is capable of landing an equal or better player by 2018, then it was a mistake by Buzz to redshirt Duane in 2014 because he probably could have helped us win last year, and won't give us anything in 2018 that we won't otherwise achieve.

[Spotcheck Billy]

nothing wrong with good depth at the point, esp. if 1 is a senior and say the other a soph

[WarriorInNYC]

On the other hand, the extra work he put in to get back into the lineup his freshman year might have made him a more effective player next season and beyond than he otherwise would have been. 

Plus, you have to base the redshirt argument on a foundation that the coach is incapable of recruiting an equivalent or  better player before the added year four years hence. For example, in order to argue that it was wise to redshirt Duane in 2014 so he'll still be available in 2018-19, it presupposes that Buzz (or Wojo) could not possibly recruit an equal or better player between now and then.

If you have faith that Wojo is capable of landing an equal or better player by 2018, then it was a mistake by Buzz to redshirt Duane in 2014 because he probably could have helped us win last year, and won't give us anything in 2018 that we won't otherwise achieve.

Thats a good thought that I had not considered. 

But on that note, would the other player that would then be recruited be better as a 4 year senior vs Duane as a 5 year senior with the extra year of work?  I'm throwing out the year that Duane would be gone vs the year this "other recruit" would be there just as it may not be a fair comparison from a development standpoint.

[GGGG]

On the other hand, the extra work he put in to get back into the lineup his freshman year might have made him a more effective player next season and beyond than he otherwise would have been. 

Plus, you have to base the redshirt argument on a foundation that the coach is incapable of recruiting an equivalent or  better player before the added year four years hence. For example, in order to argue that it was wise to redshirt Duane in 2014 so he'll still be available in 2018-19, it presupposes that Buzz (or Wojo) could not possibly recruit an equal or better player between now and then.

If you have faith that Wojo is capable of landing an equal or better player by 2018, then it was a mistake by Buzz to redshirt Duane in 2014 because he probably could have helped us win last year, and won't give us anything in 2018 that we won't otherwise achieve.

The assumption behind this is that Duane could have been a contributor toward the end of last year.  Was he healthy enough to break into the rotation?  Was he good enough at that point?  We don't really know.

For instance, the value we could have gotten with an extra year of Junior Cadougan IMO was greater than the very little experience he gained by played toward the end of his freshman year.  I don't think we would have wanted a repeat of that.