Point Guard

[Spotcheck Billy]

That would be tragic, as the entirety of the interwebs likely would follow suit, leaving the world in total darkness!

solves that net neutrality matter though

[NersEllenson]

Dear Lord.  There have been some incredibly stupid arguments made on MUScoop before, and some of them were made by Ners (a college coach looking for a new job throwing games, to start...that's smart, ADs love those guys as their next basketball coach).  But I have never heard anything as stupid as a college coach deciding to play a player he considers worse because he himself wasn't that great in college.  That is absolutely absurd.

I have now figured out the player that Ners was.  Beyond babysitting the 6th graders during MU's basketball camps while actual coaches and players coach them up, Ners was the 5'7" guard who chucked and ducked his way through freshman and sophomore basketball and then was the 13th man on the varsity team and couldn't understand why he wasn't getting more time.  The 6'2" starting point guard went on to a mid major school and Ners still believes that if he just wasn't unfairly sat on the bench he would be in the NBA right now.  His coach was throwing the season and in turn ruined his career.

Nice effort Wades.  Think you just offered up one of the most incredibly stupid posts in Scoop history.  But to clarify:

Your obviously active imagination led you astray in that:
1) I never said Wojo was playing Derrick because he feels he's worse.  I said that there are parallels that can be drawn from Wojo's own personal experience in college that mirror Derrick's to an extent - and that Wojo improved tremendously as a senior after being challenged by Coach K to improve after his junior season.  Derrick, like Wojo, is a hard worker, high character guy...and as a senior and the incumbent at the position, he'll be given the opportunity to start and prove he's improved to the point he doesn't hurt the team, but actually helps it win games (unlike last season) much like Wojo did his senior year.

2) Let me know if you'd ever like to meet so you can set yourself straight on my height and basketball ability. I'll be in MKE for the Villanova game.  I look forward to your PM and meeting you.  If you'd like to play 1 on 1, I'd gladly meet you at the Rec for a game - even though you are 13 years younger than me, I feel confident you'll get a slice of humble pie you, like many young punks, need.

[wadesworld]

Nice effort Wades.  Think you just offered up one of the most incredibly stupid posts in Scoop history.  But to clarify:

Your obviously active imagination led you astray in that:
1) I never said Wojo was playing Derrick because he feels he's worse.  I said that there are parallels that can be drawn from Wojo's own personal experience in college that mirror Derrick's to an extent - and that Wojo improved tremendously as a senior after being challenged by Coach K to improve after his junior season.  Derrick, like Wojo, is a hard worker, high character guy...and as a senior and the incumbent at the position, he'll be given the opportunity to start and prove he's improved to the point he doesn't hurt the team, but actually helps it win games (unlike last season) much like Wojo did his senior year.

2) Let me know if you'd ever like to meet so you can set yourself straight on my height and basketball ability. I'll be in MKE for the Villanova game.  I look forward to your PM and meeting you.  If you'd like to play 1 on 1, I'd gladly meet you at the Rec for a game - even though you are 13 years younger than me, I feel confident you'll get a slice of humble pie you, like many young punks, need.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Can't tell if this is fun or a tire fire. Either way in before the lock.

[g0lden3agle]

The old Ners challenging someone to 1:1.  Haven't seen that move in a while.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I just hope that either Derrick or Dawson comes out this season and is clearly better than the other one. I don't care which way it goes as long as it puts the matter to bed.

[Nukem2]

I just hope that either Derrick or Dawson comes out this season and is clearly better than the other one. I don't care which way it goes as long as it puts the matter to bed.

Dawson will not be playing PG.  That's between Matt, Derrick and Duane.

[Lennys Tap]

Dawson will not be playing PG.  That's between Matt, Derrick and Duane.

This is what I've heard too. Wojo (like his predecessor) has determined that John D can't play the point at this level.

[Skatastrophy]

popcorn.gif

[bilsu]

Nice effort Wades.  Think you just offered up one of the most incredibly stupid posts in Scoop history.  But to clarify:

Your obviously active imagination led you astray in that:
1) I never said Wojo was playing Derrick because he feels he's worse.  I said that there are parallels that can be drawn from Wojo's own personal experience in college that mirror Derrick's to an extent - and that Wojo improved tremendously as a senior after being challenged by Coach K to improve after his junior season.  Derrick, like Wojo, is a hard worker, high character guy...and as a senior and the incumbent at the position, he'll be given the opportunity to start and prove he's improved to the point he doesn't hurt the team, but actually helps it win games (unlike last season) much like Wojo did his senior year.

2) Let me know if you'd ever like to meet so you can set yourself straight on my height and basketball ability. I'll be in MKE for the Villanova game.  I look forward to your PM and meeting you.  If you'd like to play 1 on 1, I'd gladly meet you at the Rec for a game - even though you are 13 years younger than me, I feel confident you'll get a slice of humble pie you, like many young punks, need.

I think you guys will need a referee, if you play one on one. Let me know and I will bring a whistle.

[River rat]

Hey as annoying as Ners is I can still deal with the guy.  He might be me MUScoops version of the great1 or murf on the scout board in that he will argue tirelessly to try to convince everyone that he is correct.  He will argue to the point that he contradicts himself continuously and in most cases just comes out looking sillier and sillier the more he tries.  He is easily baited and will turn any string that mentions anything to do with MU into his soapbox opportunity to champion John Dawson and deride Derrick.  The horse has been beaten into a puddle of glue but he still pounds it like an obsession.  
However, as I said, I can deal with the guy,  As delusional and as obsessed as he is at least he is all in for MU basketball, while he may commandeer a thread at least it isnt a passive -aggressive anti MU agenda.  

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Nice effort Wades.  Think you just offered up one of the most incredibly stupid posts in Scoop history.  But to clarify:

Your obviously active imagination led you astray in that:
1) I never said Wojo was playing Derrick because he feels he's worse.  I said that there are parallels that can be drawn from Wojo's own personal experience in college that mirror Derrick's to an extent - and that Wojo improved tremendously as a senior after being challenged by Coach K to improve after his junior season.  Derrick, like Wojo, is a hard worker, high character guy...and as a senior and the incumbent at the position, he'll be given the opportunity to start and prove he's improved to the point he doesn't hurt the team, but actually helps it win games (unlike last season) much like Wojo did his senior year.

Wouldn't it just be simpler to say that Wojo thinks Derrick is his best option at PG? (for now anyways).

No need for a narrative then.

[MUfan12]

Wouldn't it just be simpler to say that Wojo thinks Derrick is his best option at PG? (for now anyways).

No need for a narrative then.

Works for me.

One aspect of the exhibition game I found interesting is the speed in which MU got into their secondary action, and then if nothing was there, into their offense. Obviously it will be tougher against better competition, but last year it took forever for them to get into things. Saturday, the players were moving and so was the ball. Hopefully that will cut down on the amount of times the offense stalls out when teams sag off of Derrick.

[wadesworld]

Works for me.

One aspect of the exhibition game I found interesting is the speed in which MU got into their secondary action, and then if nothing was there, into their offense. Obviously it will be tougher against better competition, but last year it took forever for them to get into things. Saturday, the players were moving and so was the ball. Hopefully that will cut down on the amount of times the offense stalls out when teams sag off of Derrick.

+1.  I said it elsewhere, when you don't have players who can create their own shots you need an efficient offense to create open looks for players and get the ball into good spots to score from.  That, not Derrick Wilson, was the problem last year.  Buzz didn't know how to coach an offense, he just let his athletes go to work.  When he didn't have the guards who could create their own opportunities and break down their defenders, he was lost, and as a result the team was lost too.  It is refreshing to see actual set plays run in the exhibition, and it was the first time I felt like we might be better this year than we were last year.

[MU82]

Wouldn't it just be simpler to say that Wojo thinks Derrick is his best option at PG? (for now anyways).

No need for a narrative then.

This obviously is preferable. However ...

I do some coaching, too, albeit at a MUCH lower level. And I have had players who have reminded me of favorite players from past teams or of one of my kids or even of myself during my playing days. And I will say that I do look kindly at the familiar. That's just human nature.

As for actually choosing a starting PG based on that, or sticking with an inferior player who is not helping me win just because he reminds me of something from my past, I like to think Wojo will be above that once the season gets rolling.

[GGGG]

Wouldn't it just be simpler to say that Wojo thinks Derrick is his best option at PG? (for now anyways).

No need for a narrative then.

But the entire house of cards Ners has built up for the past year comes crashing down without the narrative.

[NersEllenson]

But the entire house of cards Ners has built up for the past year comes crashing down without the narrative.

There's no house of cards on my end...only one built last season was the one built by you and the 5 others who die hard supported Buzz and what was the worst coaching performance turned in by an MU coach in a LONG time.

If John Dawson is SO bad as a PG that it would have resulted in us playing 3.5 on 5 last year...I'd concede.  Yet, I know that a guy who can make shots, and needs to be defended everywhere, and is a threat to shoot and score from the perimeter, though perhaps more turnover prone - isn't creating a 1-man deficit everytime down the floor.

The house of cards Buzz and those of you who stood by him built last season was to think he could coach us to victories while conceding and acknowledging he chose to play 4 on 5. 

[wadesworld]

There's no house of cards on my end...only one built last season was the one built by you and the 5 others who die hard supported Buzz and what was the worst coaching performance turned in by an MU coach in a LONG time.

If John Dawson is SO bad as a PG that it would have resulted in us playing 3.5 on 5 last year...I'd concede.  Yet, I know that a guy who can make shots, and needs to be defended everywhere, and is a threat to shoot and score from the perimeter, though perhaps more turnover prone - isn't creating a 1-man deficit everytime down the floor.

The house of cards Buzz and those of you who stood by him built last season was to think he could coach us to victories while conceding and acknowledging he chose to play 4 on 5.  

Simple yes or no answer will suffice: If Derrick plays over say 20 minutes per game and Dawson plays less (you even admit he has an advantage because he can play more than just the point guard position) is Wojo coming in and intentionally throwing the season in season one?

Simple yes or no answer will also suffice: In that exact same scenario, does your high school basketball playing experience then qualify you more than Coach Wojo, a guy who was a top recruit in the nation out of high school, played at Duke, played professionally overseas for a year, and is getting paid millions of dollars to make these decisions, and who also has multiple assistants who played high level college and professional basketball next to him giving him their input?

Can't wait to see the excuses this year.

[GGGG]

There's no house of cards on my end...only one built last season was the one built by you and the 5 others who die hard supported Buzz and what was the worst coaching performance turned in by an MU coach in a LONG time.

If John Dawson is SO bad as a PG that it would have resulted in us playing 3.5 on 5 last year...I'd concede.  Yet, I know that a guy who can make shots, and needs to be defended everywhere, and is a threat to shoot and score from the perimeter, though perhaps more turnover prone - isn't creating a 1-man deficit everytime down the floor.

The house of cards Buzz and those of you who stood by him built last season was to think he could coach us to victories while conceding and acknowledging he chose to play 4 on 5. 

Uh....no.

If Derrick plays more minutes than Dawson without significant improvement, you will then have a second coach that has done so.  You have already given excuses for Buzz making the decision he did (to screw with the administration), and now you are laying the groundwork for Wojo (he was a senior who worked hard too.)

You won't admit that Derrick might actually be better.

[NersEllenson]

+1.  I said it elsewhere, when you don't have players who can create their own shots you need an efficient offense to create open looks for players and get the ball into good spots to score from.  That, not Derrick Wilson, was the problem last year.  Buzz didn't know how to coach an offense, he just let his athletes go to work.  When he didn't have the guards who could create their own opportunities and break down their defenders, he was lost, and as a result the team was lost too.  It is refreshing to see actual set plays run in the exhibition, and it was the first time I felt like we might be better this year than we were last year.

You are never going to have an efficient offense when one of your guards doesn't need to be defended within 5 feet on the perimeter.  How are you going to create good looks for others when the opposition essentially has a "rover" defender?  I mean do you actually believe this stuff you write?  You say Derrick Wilson wasn't the problem last year...yet say that Buzz was a good coach when he had guys who could break people down off the dribble?  So, how was Derrick not a problem last year when he was a guy who couldn't break anyone down off the dribble, and due to all of his offensive limitations allowed the opposition to have a rover defender to stifle any "efficient offense" strategy you speak of.

Let's hear what offensive system you would have employed last season that would have worked?

And btw...Buzz knew how to coach offense - his 5 prior teams were all Top 50 nationally in O-Rating.  The one outlier??  Last season....and we were in the bottom tier of all schools in O-Rating.  No coach could or would expect to win with what Buzz rolled out there last year.  Combine that with all the goofy substitutions at all the other positions, and now you don't even create any team defensive efficiency...but instead create total chaos on the team defensively.

[TSmith34, Inc.]

2) Let me know if you'd ever like to meet so you can set yourself straight on my height and basketball ability. I'll be in MKE for the Villanova game.  I look forward to your PM and meeting you.  If you'd like to play 1 on 1, I'd gladly meet you at the Rec for a game - even though you are 13 years younger than me, I feel confident you'll get a slice of humble pie you, like many young punks, need.

Awww, jeeeez, not this sh1t again.

Lock it

[NersEllenson]

Simple yes or no answer will suffice: If Derrick plays over say 20 minutes per game and Dawson plays less (you even admit he has an advantage because he can play more than just the point guard position) is Wojo coming in and intentionally throwing the season in season one?

Simple yes or no answer will also suffice: In that exact same scenario, does your high school basketball playing experience then qualify you more than Coach Wojo, a guy who was a top recruit in the nation out of high school, played at Duke, played professionally overseas for a year, and is getting paid millions of dollars to make these decisions, and who also has multiple assistants who played high level college and professional basketball next to him giving him their input?

Can't wait to see the excuses this year.

For the LAST time:  Derrick Wilson will NOT play more than 20 minutes per game by mid January if up to that point we see a repeat performance of last season.  He's worked hard to improve.  He's a good kid.  He's the incumbent.  He's a senior.  He'll be given the chance to show his hard work paid off.  But, if we start seeing teams defending him once again as they did last year...I guarn-god-dang-tee you Wojo won't be playing him 20+, much less 33 minutes a game...or 47 minutes like what we saw from Buzz in the OT games at end of last season.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

For the LAST time:  Derrick Wilson will NOT play more than 20 minutes per game by mid January if up to that point we see a repeat performance of last season.  He's worked hard to improve.  He's a good kid.  He's the incumbent.  He's a senior.  He'll be given the chance to show his hard work paid off.  But, if we start seeing teams defending him once again as they did last year...I guarn-god-dang-tee you Wojo won't be playing him 20+, much less 33 minutes a game...or 47 minutes like what we saw from Buzz in the OT games at end of last season.

Agreed.

Derrick is the best option (for now).

If Derrick plays poorly, Wojo will try to get some performance out of another PG (exact player TBD).

(No need for all of the proclamations and narratives, it just muddies the water)

[NersEllenson]

Uh....no.

If Derrick plays more minutes than Dawson without significant improvement, you will then have a second coach that has done so.  You have already given excuses for Buzz making the decision he did (to screw with the administration), and now you are laying the groundwork for Wojo (he was a senior who worked hard too.)

You won't admit that Derrick might actually be better.

Exactly.  And I never will.  As for what Buzz did last season generally MOST coaches will make an adjustment if they see game after game after game their starter isn't getting the job done - and the losses racking up - and when the starter is not just not getting it done...but being totally and completely disrespected by the opposition.  The saying goes:  If it aint broke, don't fix it.  To clearly see it is broke, and do nothing to try to fix it was ridiculous - and rolling Jamil to PG for a few possessions in a few games isn't exactly taking measures to fix it.  You have to go all in on the change.

[GGGG]

Exactly.  And I never will. 

Clearly.

But just understand that one, successful college coach disagrees with you.  And a second one very well might this year.

You can't blame me and the "five other diehards" for siding with the successful coach rather than the anonymous message board guy who challenges people to 1-on-1 games.