Recruiting as of 5/15/25

[MU82]

This isn't difficult. If you play in the NBA, you're an NBA player.

It could be a single minute in a single game. You can debate how good Vander Blue is compared to others in the NBA. But there's absolutely no debating that he's an NBA player.

Well, it depends if "he's" is a contraction for "he is" or "he was."

If Vander is on an NBA roster, he IS an NBA player.

If Vander was on an NBA roster but no longer is, he WAS an NBA player.

To deny that Vander ever was an NBA player, as bilsu appears to be doing just because he was on 10-day contracts, is of course wrong. If a person has ever had a stat -- even if the only stat was 1 minute of play -- he has been an NBA player.

But to say Vander IS an NBA player also seems wrong, since IS implies NOW.

I mean, do you say Oscar Robertson IS an NBA player or WAS an NBA player?

Yes, that's right, I'm putting The Big O and The Skinny V in the same category: FORMER NBA players. Which is exactly what Vander is unless and until a team signs him again.

[Marcus92]

Well, it depends if "he's" is a contraction for "he is" or "he was."

If Vander is on an NBA roster, he IS an NBA player.

If Vander was on an NBA roster but no longer is, he WAS an NBA player.

To deny that Vander ever was an NBA player, as bilsu appears to be doing just because he was on 10-day contracts, is of course wrong. If a person has ever had a stat -- even if the only stat was 1 minute of play -- he has been an NBA player.

But to say Vander IS an NBA player also seems wrong, since IS implies NOW.

I mean, do you say Oscar Robertson IS an NBA player or WAS an NBA player?

Yes, that's right, I'm putting The Big O and The Skinny V in the same category: FORMER NBA players. Which is exactly what Vander is unless and until a team signs him again.

Obviously, the basics of grammar and verb tense apply. If your definition of an NBA player is one who's currently on an NBA roster, then Vander is a former NBA player. My bigger point was (and is) that you're either an NBA player or you're not. Play in the NBA and you're an NBA player. Simple.

[MU82]

Obviously, the basics of grammar and verb tense apply. If your definition of an NBA player is one who's currently on an NBA roster, then Vander is a former NBA player. My bigger point was (and is) that you're either an NBA player or you're not. Play in the NBA and you're an NBA player. Simple.

Kind of like a person who retired from the U.S. Senate 20 years ago, people still call him or her Senator Smith. So from now till his death, Vander will be NBA Player Blue.

[TSmith34, Inc.]

I think this was a classic case where the family had a very good feeling about Iowa State, and they didn't want to string us along.

Posting things from your imagination as if they were facts

[TSmith34, Inc.]

You would have to Duane's father to believe he was somehow misused or treated unfairly last year. He played almost 29 minutes a game and got numerous opportunities in tight games to make impact plays. He won a few and lost a few.

Completely agree.  That sad fact about Freeport's information is that it certainly appeared to me that Duane got more than a fair shake last year and that Wojo gave him more than enough chances to succeed.  Whether due to a nagging injury or something else, Duane underperformed last year.  At times it appeared that even with my thrice surgically repaired right knee I could have gotten into the lane with ease on him.  Whether or not I could have thrown down a Ners-rific dunk is another matter.

Truly hoping Duane plays so well this year that Wojo can't take him off the court.

[bilsu]

Semantics.  If you want to discuss 'making the NBA, does this count?' there's a new thread waiting for you.

It is a matter or perspective. Did Blue play in the NBA? That answer would be yes. However, 10 day contract players are emergency fill ins that are dropped as soon as the emergency is over. Therefore, he played in the NBA, but has not made the NBA as a regular player.

[Nukem2]

It is a matter or perspective. Did Blue play in the NBA? That answer would be yes. However, 10 day contract players are emergency fill ins that are dropped as soon as the emergency is over. Therefore, he played in the NBA, but has not made the NBA as a regular player.

Thats my take on the subject. 

[GGGG]

It is a matter or perspective. Did Blue play in the NBA? That answer would be yes. However, 10 day contract players are emergency fill ins that are dropped as soon as the emergency is over. Therefore, he played in the NBA, but has not made the NBA as a regular player.

You just conveniently added the "regular" qualifier.

[brandx]

Completely agree.  That sad fact about Freeport's information is that it certainly appeared to me that Duane got more than a fair shake last year and that Wojo gave him more than enough chances to succeed. 

You are probably right, TSmith.

But the issue is how his father perceived it. Just because we all see something one way, doesn't mean a family member will see it the same.

[Dr. Blackheart]

You are probably right, TSmith.

But the issue is how his father perceived it. Just because we all see something one way, doesn't mean a family member will see it the same.

Duane and Deonte were All Big East freshman. One under Buzz, one under Wojo, but both recruited by Buzz.  Duane was the top scoring rookie in Big East play.  He was Buzz's future point guard, and would have started in Big East play if not for the fracture.  Buzz talked him into a red shirt because of the Junior experience.

Because of the red shirt year, he really couldn't transfer.  Wojo got Carlino late with Derrick as his PGs, sliding Duane into the shooting guard slot where he earned All Big East.  His sophomore year, Wojo moved two freshmen into the PG role, one who had a high a high assist rate, one who didn't, but both were turnover machines. In addition, the top recruit wanted to be a point forward and hung out on the perimeter.  Duane, a playmaker his whole life, hung on the perimeter, but then would try to take over at the end with the game on the line, with mixed success.  Why Wojo didn't play Duane at PG is a question to ask, right or wrong?

Year 3, Wojo has six players who have played point on the roster and a bevy of shooting guards. He was recruited over again for his third season under Wojo.  Why is the family's sentiment a surprise? Duane is loyal to Marquette, but if not for the red shirt year, he would be gone...and he will be in all likelihood.

[real chili 83]

It is a matter or perspective. Did Blue play in the NBA? That answer would be yes. However, 10 day contract players are emergency fill ins that are dropped as soon as the emergency is over. Therefore, he played in the NBA, but has not made the NBA as a regular player.

Vander played on an NBA team. He saw playing time.  99.876% of D1 players never get that opportunity.  He's an NBA player. 

[Nukem2]

Vander played on an NBA team. He saw playing time.  99.876% of D1 players never get that opportunity.  He's an NBA player.

I would say he got the chance to play in 5 NBA games.  Does that make him an NBA player, technically yes.  But, reality is he is and has been a D-League player.

[Da 'Lanche]

Duane and Deonte were All Big East freshman. One under Buzz, one under Wojo, but both recruited by Buzz.  Duane was the top scoring rookie in Big East play.  He was Buzz's future point guard, and would have started in Big East play if not for the fracture.  Buzz talked him into a red shirt because of the Junior experience.

Because of the red shirt year, he really couldn't transfer.  Wojo got Carlino late with Derrick as his PGs, sliding Duane into the shooting guard slot where he earned All Big East.  His sophomore year, Wojo moved two freshmen into the PG role, one who had a high a high assist rate, one who didn't, but both were turnover machines. In addition, the top recruit wanted to be a point forward and hung out on the perimeter.  Duane, a playmaker his whole life, hung on the perimeter, but then would try to take over at the end with the game on the line, with mixed success.  Why Wojo didn't play Duane at PG is a question to ask, right or wrong?

Year 3, Wojo has six players who have played point on the roster and a bevy of shooting guards. He was recruited over again for his third season under Wojo.  Why is the family's sentiment a surprise? Duane is loyal to Marquette, but if not for the red shirt year, he would be gone...and he will be in all likelihood.

I have often been curious as to why Duane did not develop into the point guard many thought he would be in college.  I remember he was compared (and I think ranked closely) to Koenig at UW coming out of hight school as pgs.   I thought his freshman year that we would see 4 years of Koenig vs. Duane at the point in our matches with UW.     I respect your opinions on this and you asked a relevant question on why Wojo did not play Duane at the point.   Do you think Wojo wanted a different skill set at pg?   Do you think Duane just did not develop the ball handling skills or ability to run the offense?   Do you think he filled a void at shooting guard that was needed?   Or, was he just over rated?   Maybe it is simple and maybe complicated but I am glad you brought this up because it resonates with some of the questions in my head as well.   Again, coming out of HS,  I thought he compared well to Koenig and actually spend a good deal of energy bragging to my UW annoying relatives that Duane would turn out to be a better pg than their prize Bronson boy.    Thanks for any further thoughts and insights you can offer!

[PBRme]

The vander nba controversy

[GGGG]

Duane and Deonte were All Big East freshman. One under Buzz, one under Wojo, but both recruited by Buzz.  Duane was the top scoring rookie in Big East play.  He was Buzz's future point guard, and would have started in Big East play if not for the fracture.

I am not sure this last statement is correct.  I don't really think in retrospect that Duane is a point guard.  Yeah he played it in high school because he was the best ball handler on the team.  Not sure I can say that about him now.

[brewcity77]

I am not sure this last statement is correct.  I don't really think in retrospect that Duane is a point guard.  Yeah he played it in high school because he was the best ball handler on the team.  Not sure I can say that about him now.

Just because Duane isn't a point guard doesn't mean that he wasn't Buzz's point guard of the future.

[GGGG]

Just because Duane isn't a point guard doesn't mean that he wasn't Buzz's point guard of the future.

He may have been, but that doesn't mean he would have started the BE season as a freshman had he not been injured. 

[MU82]

I have often been curious as to why Duane did not develop into the point guard many thought he would be in college.  I remember he was compared (and I think ranked closely) to Koenig at UW coming out of hight school as pgs.   I thought his freshman year that we would see 4 years of Koenig vs. Duane at the point in our matches with UW.     I respect your opinions on this and you asked a relevant question on why Wojo did not play Duane at the point.   Do you think Wojo wanted a different skill set at pg?   Do you think Duane just did not develop the ball handling skills or ability to run the offense?   Do you think he filled a void at shooting guard that was needed?   Or, was he just over rated?   Maybe it is simple and maybe complicated but I am glad you brought this up because it resonates with some of the questions in my head as well.   Again, coming out of HS,  I thought he compared well to Koenig and actually spend a good deal of energy bragging to my UW annoying relatives that Duane would turn out to be a better pg than their prize Bronson boy.    Thanks for any further thoughts and insights you can offer!

Both this and Dr. B's comment are very thought-provoking, the kind of interesting stuff we don't have enough of here.

Thanks to both of you.

[Freeport Warrior]

Duane and Deonte were All Big East freshman. One under Buzz, one under Wojo, but both recruited by Buzz.  Duane was the top scoring rookie in Big East play.  He was Buzz's future point guard, and would have started in Big East play if not for the fracture.  Buzz talked him into a red shirt because of the Junior experience.

Because of the red shirt year, he really couldn't transfer.  Wojo got Carlino late with Derrick as his PGs, sliding Duane into the shooting guard slot where he earned All Big East.  His sophomore year, Wojo moved two freshmen into the PG role, one who had a high a high assist rate, one who didn't, but both were turnover machines. In addition, the top recruit wanted to be a point forward and hung out on the perimeter.  Duane, a playmaker his whole life, hung on the perimeter, but then would try to take over at the end with the game on the line, with mixed success.  Why Wojo didn't play Duane at PG is a question to ask, right or wrong?

Year 3, Wojo has six players who have played point on the roster and a bevy of shooting guards. He was recruited over again for his third season under Wojo.  Why is the family's sentiment a surprise? Duane is loyal to Marquette, but if not for the red shirt year, he would be gone...and he will be in all likelihood.

That's mic drop stuff right there. Spot on.

[HoopsterBC]

In High School, Duane was really quick off his feet, and seemingly jumped out of the gym, very explosive.  He really has not shown that at MU, looked like he could not
jump at all last year, and his quickness was lacking as well. I believe he was hurt.  Secondly, he never looked comfortable as the point,  he always has played as a 2.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

He may have been, but that doesn't mean he would have started the BE season as a freshman had he not been injured.

More to the point, just because he wouldn't have been the starting PG doesn't mean that Duane and Co. doesn't believe that he would have been the starting PG.

[GGGG]

More to the point, just because he wouldn't have been the starting PG doesn't mean that Duane and Co. doesn't believe that he would have been the starting PG.

Right.  That's really the whole issue isn't it?  It's all about perception. 

In reality what we are seeing is why players transfer when new coaches come on board. 

[Herman Cain]

Official visit schedule for ESPN 100 forward Xavier Tillman:
Purdue: 8/26
Michigan State: 9/2
Florida: 9/9
Marquette: 9/23

@Rookiedunker

I like that we are at the end of the visit list. He will have gone to three straight big school football games, so hopefully that excitement wears off. He can come here and appreciate the upside for him that we bring to the table.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I like that we are at the end of the visit list. He will have gone to three straight big school football games, so hopefully that excitement wears off. He can come here and appreciate the upside for him that we bring to the table.

I'm feeling pretty confident about Tillman. Just got to make sure Izzo doesn't make him a priority. I think Tillman might actually be a better recruit than John. Want them both for sure, but I want Tillman more.

[Da 'Lanche]

Both this and Dr. B's comment are very thought-provoking, the kind of interesting stuff we don't have enough of here.

Thanks to both of you.

That is nice of you to say...thank you.  This is why I peruse MUscoop and why I don't always comment....I like the insights and discussion and not the other stuff that brings dialogue down to sparring.  But, that has its purpose and fulfillment too and I don't judge if that is what posters like to do on a message board.

Interesting, looking back, Rivals and ESPN had Duane rated ahead of Koenig for pg.....and pretty high nationally.   Not like it was a challenging concept that he would be a pg in college....why he transitioned to combo or sg is still curious to me.   Maybe Buzz had a different thought process than a pure "playmaker" and wanted someone who could run the point and score.   I mean, he was going to put Vander at point his senior year but I see Vander as a much better slasher than Duane.   Who knows? 

Perhaps the lines between traditional roles have truly blurred in defining who does what on a basketball court.   It truly is a guards game in college (I really believe that) so maybe interchangeable parts are a good thing at the Guard position.