Ners is right...

[ChicosBailBonds]

I'm a marquette graduate and a season ticket holder. Yes I am new to the scoop, but a longtime follower of the program.

That's fine....I found your statement about being happy about Senior Day to be odd.  Some fans seem to be entitled that we should finish at a certain level each year. 

[NersEllenson]

Here is what a good college basketball coach does in Ners' World

1.  Fires up the laptop.
2.  See who Scout ranks in the top 100.
3.  Recruits as many of those players as possible.
4.  Develops a complex matrix whereby those who are ranked the highest get the most minutes.
5.  Rolls out the basketball.

He has said it often.  He think Wojo was left with a lot of talent and screwed it up.  Despite pretty much everyone predicting that this season wouldn't be pleasant. 

If someone told me prior to the season starting that even though Duane Wilson and Matt Carlino are on this year's team, that Derrick Wilson would play 35+ minutes per game in conference play - I would have predicted this season to again be brutal and a last place finish.

Most preseason prognosticators got it wrong the year before, and predicted MU to win the conference - yet we so underperformed expectations last season we not only didn't win Big East or make the NCAA - we didn't even make the NIT.  How did last season go SO incredibly awry?  

So of course we lost 70% of our scoring going into this season, yet considering Carlino and Duane were coming on board, and it was clear as day to anyone with a pulse what ailed last year's team - to think that we would be relieved of that burden was by itself enough to project better things than the doom and gloom some forecast.  Then of course Wojo doesn't play Burton much, Dawson at all, and they transfer.  We get down to #8strong.  Then he nails Cohen to the bench for a game against DePaul.  Then JJJ against Xavier.  Only constant?  Once again Derrick Wilson playing 30+ minutes per game.

[ChicosBailBonds]

 Only constant?  Once again Derrick Wilson playing 30+ minutes per game.

Which tells me clearly there are no other viable options anyone is comfortable with....two different staffs have made the same decision.

[NersEllenson]

Which tells me clearly there are no other viable options anyone is comfortable with....two different staffs have made the same decision.

And how has that decision worked out for both staffs?  Yet, Buzz didn't have the option to play Duane or Carlino at PG last year - so in reality, it isn't as though two different staffs made the SAME decision.

[mu-rara]

And how has that decision worked out for both staffs?  Yet, Buzz didn't have the option to play Duane or Carlino at PG last year - so in reality, it isn't as though two different staffs made the SAME decision.

Buzz and Wojo is have one thing in common.  Neither is interested in winning, obviously.

[Jables1604]

I'm curious Ners. You seem to give JjJ a pass for his poor play this season because he is "only a sophomore." When it comes to Derrick Wilson you constantly talk about how awful he was his junior year (even conceding in recent posts at he's played better this year than last). If JjJ does show marked improvement next season what will you say? Will it be Wojo's fault?

[Jables1604]

Typo. Meant to say "doesn't show marked improvement"

[ChicosBailBonds]

And how has that decision worked out for both staffs?  Yet, Buzz didn't have the option to play Duane or Carlino at PG last year - so in reality, it isn't as though two different staffs made the SAME decision.

You are again pretending to think Carlino or Duane are better than Derek.  Just as you thought Dawson was.  A bunch of coaches (assistant and head coaches) have said that isn't the case.

Believe me, I've always been of the feeling that a point guard is the most important position in college hoops and generally if you have good guards, you have a chance all the time.  That's why I was such a fan of Diener, the three amigos, Yogi \ Blackmon, etc.   I get it.  DW isn't the guy to do it, but as much as I feel Buzz is an arse hat scuzzy coach, he's still a smart coach...he made that decision.  Wojo made the same decision.  Assuming input from the staffs as well.  None of them want to lose, they would put in the best players they thought that could win games.

Buzz didn't use Dawson for that role.  Neither did Wojo.  Buzz was not thrilled with Duane at all last year prior to the injury, in terms of his ability in that role.  Wojo hasn't thrown him into that role this year.  There are obvious reasons.

[#UnleashSean]

-posted on accident-

[NersEllenson]

I'm curious Ners. You seem to give JjJ a pass for his poor play this season because he is "only a sophomore." When it comes to Derrick Wilson you constantly talk about how awful he was his junior year (even conceding in recent posts at he's played better this year than last). If JjJ does show marked improvement next season what will you say? Will it be Wojo's fault?

Huh?  Derrick is a TICK better than he was last year.  He's once again devolving in Big East play just as he did last season.  He shoots slightly better from the 3, though is it really hard to improve from 7%?  I think those who support Derrick are grasping for any and every straw they can find to try to justify their support/belief. 

As for JJJ's "poor play."  His poor play, is so much better than Derrick's it isn't even comparable.  As I've said, give JJJ 25+ minutes and he'll perform a HELL of a lot better than Derrick.  Does it mean JJJ won't have a clunker of a game like he did against Creighton?  No.  But on the whole, JJJ is FAR more talented than Derrick and will post better numbers.

I expect JJJ will improve next season, as he'll gain strength, and have another offseason of work. He was a Top 30 recruit.   He has a foundation of natural ability that points toward the ability to be a good/very good player at this level. I won't "blame" Wojo for that.  (Not sure what your point is with that statement anyway?)  I blame Wojo for playing Derrick Wilson 30+ minutes per game - especially considering Derrick actually isn't much improved over last year, when he was awful.

[willie warrior]

Huh?  Derrick is a TICK better than he was last year.  He's once again devolving in Big East play just as he did last season.  He shoots slightly better from the 3, though is it really hard to improve from 7%?  I think those who support Derrick are grasping for any and every straw they can find to try to justify their support/belief. 

As for JJJ's "poor play."  His poor play, is so much better than Derrick's it isn't even comparable.  As I've said, give JJJ 25+ minutes and he'll perform a HELL of a lot better than Derrick.  Does it mean JJJ won't have a clunker of a game like he did against Creighton?  No.  But on the whole, JJJ is FAR more talented than Derrick and will post better numbers.

I expect JJJ will improve next season, as he'll gain strength, and have another offseason of work. He was a Top 30 recruit.   He has a foundation of natural ability that points toward the ability to be a good/very good player at this level. I won't "blame" Wojo for that.  (Not sure what your point is with that statement anyway?)  I blame Wojo for playing Derrick Wilson 30+ minutes per game - especially considering Derrick actually isn't much improved over last year, when he was awful.

Ners--a word to the wise. You will not change the minds of the Derrick advocates even when facts prove their speculation/opinion wrong. I feel your frustration, but accept that in some people's minds Derrick is a stud and deserves his 35+ minutes a game, even though that dream comes from lala land. Sort of like people believe that their favorite corrupt politician is a stud and deserves to be re-elected, in spite of the evidence that the place may be burning to the ground around him. Such is the "circle of life". As Roseanna Bandanna used to say
"Well, Jane it just goes to show you--it's always something."
Nothing will change with those 10-20 Derrickers.

[Jables1604]

So you don't understand what I mean by asking if you'll blame JjJ's poor play (should he in fact play poorly next year which is far from what I want) on Wojo?  That's what you've done all year.  If JjJ has a bad game it's because he's not getting minutes (Wojo's fault), or it's that he doesn't get a long enough leash (Wojo's fault) or because his head is being played with (wojo's fault).  On the occasions that he does get your arbitrary 25+ minutes and lays an egg (like he's been doing recently) you justify it by saying "he's only a sophomore."

I'm asking you a simple question.

You have been critical of Derrick Wilson's play for his entire junior and senior year.  I get it.  He's not good.  But if JjJ's play doesn't improve markedly are you going to be just as critical of him or are you going to be (in you're own words) a "slurper" who will look to lay the blame on anything and everything else?

As for Wilie (who is quite obviously a Ners "slurper" or maybe it's vice versa) I will invite you to find one single post where I praised Derrick.  Just because someone doesn't post obsessively and ad nauseum about how awful a player is doesn't mean that they are enamored of the guy.  But that wouldn't fit into your narrow agenda of calling out everyone who isn't a vocal critic.  You and Ners seem to turn every single comment about the team into an indictment of Derrick, regardless of the topic.  In politics they call that the "pivot."

[hairy worthen]

Ners--a word to the wise. You will not change the minds of the Derrick advocates even when facts prove their speculation/opinion wrong. I feel your frustration, but accept that in some people's minds Derrick is a stud and deserves his 35+ minutes a game, even though that dream comes from lala land. Sort of like people believe that their favorite corrupt politician is a stud and deserves to be re-elected, in spite of the evidence that the place may be burning to the ground around him. Such is the "circle of life". As Roseanna Bandanna used to say
"Well, Jane it just goes to show you--it's always something."
Nothing will change with those 10-20 Derrickers.

I don't remember many if any people calling Derrick a stud. We are down to 7 available players. Who is the better alternative to get minutes at the point? 

[willie warrior]

Derrick is not good. About 6 games left--the season is lost. Cut his minutes to say 20, distribute those minutes to Sandy/JJJ at the 2Guard and have Duane and Carlino absorb the reduced minutes at PG. This furthers the development of Sandy and JJJ, and gives everybody a better definition if Duane can handle the Point. Nothing lost by doing this except the egos of those that think Derrick is the only answer, if this proves successful. Absolutely no downside by doing this and furthers the development of three key players for next year.

But hey, that makes too much sense--sort of like having a 1page Income tax form that most people would appreciate, but would really tick off bureaucrats.

[mattyv1908]

What Willie is suggesting brings up a discussion that began last season in regards to when to pull the plug and play for the future.  Last year we really weren't out of it until our multi game, multi overtime losses ended our chances.

This season we have no hope of an at large being 3-10 in last place.  It may be time to play for the future since this season is over.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

What Willie is suggesting brings up a discussion that began last season in regards to when to pull the plug and play for the future.  Last year we really weren't out of it until out multi game, multi overtime losses ended our chances.

This season we have no hope of an at large being 3-10 in last place.  It may be time to play for the future since this season is over.

Unfortunately for us that looks a lot like the last 2 games....

[rocky_warrior]

He's sloppy with that ball? I don't see that.

He has a 1.1 A/TO ratio, which puts him at  950th in the country, and 37th in the conference.

If you go with conference only games, he's got a 0.9 A/TO ratio which is tied for 44th in the conference.

In conference games Derrick, Matt, JaJuan and Sandy have a better A/T ratio.  Outside of conference games, he and JaJuan are tied, with everyone else above them.  So yes.  He's sloppy with the ball.  Especially compared to the rest of our guards.

[muwarrior69]

Derrick is not good. About 6 games left--the season is lost. Cut his minutes to say 20, distribute those minutes to Sandy/JJJ at the 2Guard and have Duane and Carlino absorb the reduced minutes at PG. This furthers the development of Sandy and JJJ, and gives everybody a better definition if Duane can handle the Point. Nothing lost by doing this except the egos of those that think Derrick is the only answer, if this proves successful. Absolutely no downside by doing this and furthers the development of three key players for next year.

But hey, that makes too much sense--sort of like having a 1page Income tax form that most people would appreciate, but would really tick off bureaucrats.

Which cannot come fast enough so we can put all this nonsense to rest!

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Derrick is not good. About 6 games left--the season is lost. Cut his minutes to say 20, distribute those minutes to Sandy/JJJ at the 2Guard and have Duane and Carlino absorb the reduced minutes at PG. This furthers the development of Sandy and JJJ, and gives everybody a better definition if Duane can handle the Point. Nothing lost by doing this except the egos of those that think Derrick is the only answer, if this proves successful. Absolutely no downside by doing this and furthers the development of three key players for next year.

But hey, that makes too much sense--sort of like having a 1page Income tax form that most people would appreciate, but would really tick off bureaucrats.

Any development that comes from these changes over 6 games will be minimal.  Let me make this perfectly clear - this is not a defense of Derrick.  I don't care if his minutes are cut.  However, any material improvement from Duane, JJJ, and Sandy will come over the offseason and not because they get 5-10 more MPG overall or in different positions for these last 6 games.   

Furthermore, Duane and Carlino are NOT point guards.  At best they are combo guards but each is more of a two.  We are so inept offensively that either of them playing PG and looking to distribute may not be the best solution.   

[tower912]

Against Creighton, we finally had Duane and JJJ in the backcourt together with no Derrick and no Carlino.  Layup, layup, layup for Creighton.    Wojo had to bring Derrick back into the game. 

[GGGG]

Against Creighton, we finally had Duane and JJJ in the backcourt together with no Derrick and no Carlino.  Layup, layup, layup for Creighton.    Wojo had to bring Derrick back into the game. 

As I recall, off fairly simple pick and rolls too.

[mattyv1908]

Against Creighton, we finally had Duane and JJJ in the backcourt together with no Derrick and no Carlino.  Layup, layup, layup for Creighton.    Wojo had to bring Derrick back into the game. 

I guess my question at this point Tower would be what difference does it make?

When we were 2-2 to start Big East play with a couple of close losses I felt differently about it, but at this point I think it's time to let the youth suffer through the growing pains in hopes that the experience gained translates to improvement.

[GGGG]

I guess my question at this point Tower would be what difference does it make?

When we were 2-2 to start Big East play with a couple of close losses I felt differently about it, but at this point I think it's time to let the youth suffer through the growing pains in hopes that the experience gained translates to improvement.

As Vander said above, how much development is going to be gained from experience playing 5-10 more minutes over the next six games?  I think people just want their own curiosity satisfied more than anything.

[mattyv1908]

As Vander said above, how much development is going to be gained from experience playing 5-10 more minutes over the next six games?  I think people just want their own curiosity satisfied more than anything.

If the outcome isn't likely to change then at this point the emphasis has to shift in favor of the players returning.

[tower912]

Is Carlino going to play?    JJJ and Duane are seeing 30 mpg with him out, so I really am not sure where you want Derrick's minutes to go.    Just run JJJ, Duane, Sandy out there until they drop, foul out, or the team is down by 30?   Which, against Nova, may be early in the second half against that line up.