Looks like Hayward had a nice game

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

Good sign. Hopefully, he's rounding into form. I like what I've seen from him lately.

[SoCalwarrior]

Yep.  I'm a big fan as well, especially given the fact he started the season with only one or two practices under his belt.  Once he starts hitting the three ball like he is suppose to, he can be a special player.

[MUDPT]

He was lost defensively tonight and the coaches let him know about it.  I think he will have to play better defense to get minutes.

[HoopDreams]

Give him the ball

[MUshrooms]

being in the stands, i wasnt all that impressed with his performance tonight.  I was surprised to see that he had 8 points

[State]

Yep.  I'm a big fan as well, especially given the fact he started the season with only one or two practices under his belt.  Once he starts hitting the three ball like he is suppose to, he can be a special player.

These quotes always baffle me!!!  It is not like the guy had his hands tied behind his back the whole time he was ineligible...he needs to start shooting and making his shots.

[StillAWarrior]

Yep.  I'm a big fan as well, especially given the fact he started the season with only one or two practices under his belt.  Once he starts hitting the three ball like he is suppose to, he can be a special player.

These quotes always baffle me!!!  It is not like the guy had his hands tied behind his back the whole time he was ineligible...he needs to start shooting and making his shots.

I know that there is a lot of "unofficial" practicing before Marquette Madness, but it's simply untrue to say that Hayward had "only one or two practices under his belt" when the season began.  Hayward was cleared to begin practicing with the team on October 13 -- the official start of practice.  If I recall correctly, he wasn't allowed to travel to one practice, but other than that, I think he's been able to participate in all of the team's official practices.  I think he even was cleared in time to go to the scrimmage at Kansas State.  I don't intend to minimize the importance of the "unofficial" practices, but Hayward was working with the team nearly a month before the exhibition opener.

Hayward is going to be a great one, but he's a freshman and is still adjusting.  We were spoiled last year with freshmen who immediately contributed at a very high level and now we expect that -- and Cubillan is only adding to our heightened expectations for frosh -- but, I don't think that is the norm.  Although I'm anxious to see a fully-developed Hayward, I think he's doing just fine after seven games.

[Chili]

Differences btwn what everyone had that Lazar didnt, they could use all the facilities at the Al and workout together well Lazar was at the Rec Center with students.

[StillAWarrior]

Differences btwn what everyone had that Lazar didnt, they could use all the facilities at the Al and workout together well Lazar was at the Rec Center with students.

I don't disagree that there were differences, and I think they were probably fairly significant.  My only points were that there's no reason to exaggerate the differences (e.g., "only one or two practices under his belt") and that I think Hayward is performing about where I would expect a freshman to perform.

Edited to add:  on a top-10 team, Hayward is averaging 13.9 minutes, 6.9 points and 3.6 rebounds.  I think that's pretty impressive performance for a freshman.

[tower912]

Lazar had a real nice feel around the basket.  He would find a hole in the zone, get the ball, take a couple of dribbles (or not) and make a little jump hook/one hander.   Very active and looked very comfortable down low.   Probably the one guy who didn't play solid defense all night.

[MarquetteVol]

Lazar might be our best true post player right now. He looks very comfortable with his back to the basket. Barro has been great in the alley, but in the post, he needs to limit his dribbling and cut down on those big strides to the hoop. Overall, though, Barro was fantastic last night. I'ver never seen him jump so high for rebounds. 

[tckmu24]

I do not think Hayward played well at all.  He did get a couple nice boards and make a few baskets, but as everyone else has said he didn't play good D.  He also seems to have the mentality that he needs to "get his" because every time he got the ball in the short corner vs that zone he put up a shot.  Some went in and some didn't but either way they weren't all good shots.  I like the idea of him posted in the short corner but that could allow for a lot of kick outs or passes to cutters IF he squares up.  He had he back to the basket the whole time.  I heard he was the next sharpshooter at MU but I haven't seen it.  I know it sounds like I am bashing him, but he is only a freshman and will improve.  Right now he has to focus on finding his role on the team and not overdoing it.