Problem wasn't height...

[brandx]

I guess it is simply a way of looking at life. For many on this thread there is only the negative view coupled with unrealistic expectations. Oh yes, didn't someone say Kaminsky was going to score 40 and it was going to be a blow-out?  OK, I got it Wisconsin sucks since we all know MU sucks and, therefore, if UW was any good they would have beaten us by 40.  I guess some can not accept the simple reality that, while this team has flaws, it is very tough and will not give up. That my friends is character. Win or loose this team deserves our respect.

+ + +

[brandx]

http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?gameId=400588356

In fact, if you take out Kaminsky and Steve Taylor, the final score is 34-32 Wiscy.   Not to mention 6 blocks to 0 in favor of Wiscy.   Skilled size matters.  

I know you are just trying to make a point - but I guarantee the score would NOT have been 34-32 if Kaminsky and Taylor were not in the game.

[brewcity77]

Not with Derrick Wilson in that 3 point shoring contest on our side of the ball. Ha. We had size last year. Didn't matter. UW pretty much dominated us that whole game last season. Why so you feel it is vital to have Derrick on the floor 35 minutes when we have Duane and Carlino on the floor...as we've faced limited full court pressure and are now playing zone D?

You are putting words in my mouth. I never said that. In fact, I didn't mention Derrick at all. I said we need balanced scoring and needed more strength inside. We really could have used someone like Otule today on offense. Hopefully Luke can add that. We won't beat good teams if we can't be effective inside and out.

[brandx]

Trust me...there is a good chunk of out fan base too that is very tired of now 2 coaches ignoring the actual production of the player on the floor. If we are going to be a zone team, you eliminate Derricks one asset - on ball man to man D. We aren't getting pressed. Carlino and Duane shown they can take care of the rock as needed. We don't need a ball protector on the floor with Duane and Carlino. We need a guy who can knock down shots to help with the spacing. For the last time WI sagged off Derrick...which allowed his guy to hedge toward Carlino and Duane making it even more difficult to get decent looks fr the perimeter. The midgets team certainly was able to hear good teams and it was much smaller than the current MU team. Why??  Because Mo, Cooby could make shots.

Really??? Every thread?

We voted to get rid of you!!!

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Ners, we're in agreeance that Derrick shouldn't play 35 a game. But until JJJ and Burton step up, I'm not sure what choice we have.

I would also tone down the "Wojo will learn" comments. Definitely makes you come off in the wrong way. Probably distracts from you message. Also, I noticed you made a post about how Duane, JJJ, and Burton had rough games. Thank you for acknowledging multiple players having issues. Now maybe if you could spend more of your time on those issues, instead of beating this one into the ground, you might get more people listening.

[Texas Western]

Again, who are you putting in there instead of Derrick?  JjJ?  He has been brutal the last couple of games, was terrible on defense and drove the lane with no plan whatsoever.  Cohen?  He's going to be great but he's a freshman and just hasn't put it together yet.  Dawson?  I think we've said enough there.

Derrick was in no way the problem today and I can't believe we are having this argument again.  Derrick didn't help but he was not the issue.

I would rather see JJJ or Deonte in there. They are a threat to score and open things up for the rest of the team.

[mu03eng]

When did I say Duane Wilson wasn't bad tonight for going to the rim. However he didn't airball literally every shot he took. I found that part kind of funny and I found it kind of sad.

Duane and Derrick played almost the exact same game today and including air balls (Duane put at least one into the side of the backboard).  To dismiss Derrick because of your perspective without applying the same standard to Duane means you are just doing your best Ners impression.

[brandx]

Ners, we're in agreeance that Derrick shouldn't play 35 a game. But until JJJ and Burton step up, I'm not sure what choice we have.

I would also tone down the "Wojo will learn" comments. Definitely makes you come off in the wrong way. Probably distracts from you message. Also, I noticed you made a post about how Duane, JJJ, and Burton had rough games. Thank you for acknowledging multiple players having issues. Now maybe if you could spend more of your time on those issues, instead of beating this one into the ground, you might get more people listening.

Ners is just impatient that a guy like Wojo isn't as astute as him when it comes to coaching.

He is just becoming a condescending poster not only to everyone here, but also to coaches and experts.

[#UnleashSean]

Duane and Derrick played almost the exact same game today and including air balls (Duane put at least one into the side of the backboard).  To dismiss Derrick because of your perspective without applying the same standard to Duane means you are just doing your best Ners impression.

Derrick's the one who put it into the side of the backboard =(

And no I'm not being Ners, I'm just stating an opinion on I found it incredibly funny that Derrick literally didn't touch the rim today with the ball.

[mu03eng]

I would rather see JJJ or Deonte in there. They are a threat to score and open things up for the rest of the team.

I mean this seriously, go back and watch this game when JjJ was in there.  I like the kid and think he will put it together but he was awful on both ends of the floor.  If we think Derrick's drives were wayward, JjJ was all over the place and never helped the offense.  He was almost worse on the defensive end.

Burton, I'd be fine with but for some reason he is just not playing aggressively right now.  However, I'd be fine with Burton getting some of Derrick's minutes but I don't think it's a cure all.

Playing Derrick less than 35 minutes is something I'd like to see, but it's not going to result in MU playing better at this point given the other options.....pretty sure Wojo would have done that if it was the case.

[brandx]

Derrick's the one who put it into the side of the backboard =(

And no I'm not being Ners, I'm just stating an opinion on I found it incredibly funny that Derrick literally didn't touch the rim today with the ball.

Believe me, no one will mistake you for Ners. There is certainly criticism to be made  - fairly - of players' games.

With Ners it is just Derrick 24 / 7 / 365

[mu03eng]

Derrick's the one who put it into the side of the backboard =(

And no I'm not being Ners, I'm just stating an opinion on I found it incredibly funny that Derrick literally didn't touch the rim today with the ball.

Duane did as well.  And had at least 3 shots that didn't get to the rim.

And what's funny is his two free throws hit the rim so you aren't even right about that...pretty funny stuff though.

[wadesworld]

Really??? Every thread?

We voted to get rid of you!!!

No kidding.  He was going to leave.  Or so he said.

[tower912]

No kidding.  He was going to leave.  Or so he said.

Ric Flair move. 

[BallBoy]

I read threads like this and I can't help but wonder if people actually watch the game.

Sagging on Derrick - fiction in this game.  If you say that you are blatantly lying or you don't know who was guarding him. Let me help you out. The Wisconsin defenders were guarding Derrick to the three point line as you would expect. The only defenders who were not were Kaminski and Dekker. Why because the don't need to guard him close nor should they.   They have him by a foot so the were playing his speed knowing they could block a shot if needed. Anyone who has played basketball knows this how you defend

Both Duane and Derrick had trouble finishing in the lane. Derrick had bad shots but his number of air balls were in line as to others

JJJ did nothing today. He took bad shots. He turned the ball over.  This game proved why he hasn't been getting PT. Saying he should more time is ridiculous. There is no way you can honestly look at this game and say he needs more time

When MU had Cohen, Burton and JJJ on the court MU went on a 5 minute drought.

We get that you don't like Derrick but at least don't make up bs.  The biggest detriment to the team was height and bad shot selection. There is zero credibility left if you say this lose was on Derrick. Zero. zilch and it screams of someone trying to prove themselves right versus true game breakdown and screams in the face of facts.

[MarquetteDano]

I found it incredibly funny that Derrick literally didn't touch the rim today with the ball.

Well he made a free throw that caught rim.  He also shot a three that caught rim.  And I believe one his wild layup attempts rolled off the rim too.  So not exactly.

[#UnleashSean]

Duane did as well.  And had at least 3 shots that didn't get to the rim.

And what's funny is his two free throws hit the rim so you aren't even right about that...pretty funny stuff though.

Free throws aren't shots though, they are free throws. And only one hit the rim, he swished the other one through surprisingly. Maybe he felt bad for how hard the ball hit the rim on the first shot and didn't want to touch it anymore.

[Texas Western]

I mean this seriously, go back and watch this game when JjJ was in there.  I like the kid and think he will put it together but he was awful on both ends of the floor.  If we think Derrick's drives were wayward, JjJ was all over the place and never helped the offense.  He was almost worse on the defensive end.

Burton, I'd be fine with but for some reason he is just not playing aggressively right now.  However, I'd be fine with Burton getting some of Derrick's minutes but I don't think it's a cure all.

Playing Derrick less than 35 minutes is something I'd like to see, but it's not going to result in MU playing better at this point given the other options.....pretty sure Wojo would have done that if it was the case.

I will admit I cringed when JJJ sagged down to triple team and they kicked out the ball to his guy for an open 3. Yes his drives were not a thing of beauty, however my point is he can actually get the drives off and he demands someone to guard him. Same with Deonte. They just give us more threats to score and when they were in the game we did make a fairly decent run.

Derrick has a big role for sure but I just think it should be more narrowly focused.

[#UnleashSean]

Well he made a free throw that caught rim.  He also shot a three that caught rim.  And I believe one his wild layup attempts rolled off the rim too.  So not exactly.

Derrick didn't make a shot today though. One of his wild layups got scooped up by taylor and put back in, which I think should have been counted as an alley opp. Gotta give the kid a break eh?

[MarquetteDano]

Derrick didn't make a shot today though. One of his wild layups got scooped up by taylor and put back in, which I think should have been counted as an alley opp. Gotta give the kid a break eh?

Changing what you stated.  You exact quote above is:

*Derrick literally didn't touch the rim today with the ball*

I guess three's don't count either?

[GGGG]

I read threads like this and I can't help but wonder if people actually watch the game.

Sagging on Derrick - fiction in this game.  If you say that you are blatantly lying or you don't know who was guarding him. Let me help you out. The Wisconsin defenders were guarding Derrick to the three point line as you would expect. The only defenders who were not were Kaminski and Dekker. Why because the don't need to guard him close nor should they.   They have him by a foot so the were playing his speed knowing they could block a shot if needed. Anyone who has played basketball knows this how you defend

Both Duane and Derrick had trouble finishing in the lane. Derrick had bad shots but his number of air balls were in line as to others

JJJ did nothing today. He took bad shots. He turned the ball over.  This game proved why he hasn't been getting PT. Saying he should more time is ridiculous. There is no way you can honestly look at this game and say he needs more time

When MU had Cohen, Burton and JJJ on the court MU went on a 5 minute drought.

We get that you don't like Derrick but at least don't make up bs.  The biggest detriment to the team was height and bad shot selection. There is zero credibility left if you say this lose was on Derrick. Zero. zilch and it screams of someone trying to prove themselves right versus true game breakdown and screams in the face of facts.

This is pretty much how I saw it.  UW pushed their defense on every guard out as far as they could.  MU drove past them repeatedly but couldn't do anything cause of the size issues.

But of course that's Derrick's fault.  

[brewcity77]

Was Derrick bad on offense? Yeah. But outside of Carlino, who wasn't? We couldn't make layups. Derrick couldn't, Duane couldn't, Steve couldn't, some of these guys couldn't even get into the lane. So what was it about driving into that lane that made everyone outside Carlino so inefficient? Freaking size. We constantly drove into the trees as though we expected them to give. This game was all about size.

Honestly, anyone not encouraged by today, I seriously question what they were expecting. We hung with this team. Give us a couple late threes and we could have won. We didn't, they made foul shots, too bad, so sad.

Put Chris Otule out there today and we would have won. We had no physical presence down low. That was the difference.

But again, what did you honestly expect?

[Texas Western]

I mean this seriously, go back and watch this game when JjJ was in there.  I like the kid and think he will put it together but he was awful on both ends of the floor.  If we think Derrick's drives were wayward, JjJ was all over the place and never helped the offense.  He was almost worse on the defensive end.

Burton, I'd be fine with but for some reason he is just not playing aggressively right now.  However, I'd be fine with Burton getting some of Derrick's minutes but I don't think it's a cure all.

Playing Derrick less than 35 minutes is something I'd like to see, but it's not going to result in MU playing better at this point given the other options.....pretty sure Wojo would have done that if it was the case.

I will admit I cringed when JJJ sagged down to triple team and they kicked out the ball to his guy for an open 3. Yes his drives were not a thing of beauty, however my point is he can actually get the drives off and he demands someone to guard him. Same with Deonte. They just give us more threats to score and when they were in the game we did make a fairly decent run.

Derrick has a big role for sure but I just think it should be more narrowly focused.

[tower912]

Exactly.   Wiscy perimeter players extended their defense because of their height advantage at the rim.   MU's guards kept challenging and kept losing.   Height made a lot of difference.   Now, if someone wanted to make the argument that our guys needed to do a better job of kicking it out once they got past their man and into the teeth of the defense, requiring a recovery and getting the defense shifting, a la the 09-10 team, that would be an interesting discussion.     Because today, our guards (and Juan) would get into the paint and make the decision (inevitably futile) to challenge the, wait for it, height.  Which turned out to be a problem.  

[NersEllenson]

Believe me, no one will mistake you for Ners. There is certainly criticism to be made  - fairly - of players' games.

With Ners it is just Derrick 24 / 7 / 365

You want to be fair critiquing player's games??  Then start being fair on Derrick.  I wasn't on Derrick after TN game - praised his performance.  Yet, because it is such an outlier of a performance, and it was 11 points with 2 assists and 2 rebounds - it felt like a holy grail of a game for those of you who have stood by him.  Yet, let's get real  - 11 points, 2 assists and 2 rebounds is about what you SHOULD expect out of a 30-35 minute per game PG.  With Derrick it's a major outlier.

No kidding.  He was going to leave.  Or so he said.

I'm sure you and the other clowns who continue to prop up Derrick's shoddy performances would love it if I left - because for roughly 28 out of 32 games - you look idiotic for suggesting he isn't the primary problem with last year's team, and now this years..

I've never seen a player produce less in 30 years of playing/watching basketball given as many minutes as Derrick has gotten this year and last.  Never seen it before.  Not to mention continuing to be given all that playing time as a 40% FT shooter and 10% 3pt shooter at the PG position.