Bailey

[tower912]

I don't expect this many points every game, but I hope the confidence with which he played today is the new normal.   Has all the tools.  Could probably initiate the offense if he had to.  A bright spot on a dreary day.

[Herman Cain]

I don't expect this many points every game, but I hope the confidence with which he played today is the new normal.   Has all the tools.  Could probably initiate the offense if he had to.  A bright spot on a dreary day.

Brendan has very good court awareness.  Is consistently in the right spots on the floor at the right time. We saw that a little bit last year and today those tools really worked in his favor. I think he will continue to make steady improvement.

[GoldenDieners32]

Should we start a thread for every player?

[JakeBarnes]

Brendan has very good court awareness.  Is consistently in the right spots on the floor at the right time. We saw that a little bit last year and today those tools really worked in his favor. I think he will continue to make steady improvement.

Seeing him do the Sam pick and pop made me happy. If he can hit 3s near this clip, we will be in good shape.

[mu.n8ball]

love his high effort hustle plays too. got beat, able to tip the press intended for his man, stays with it and recovers the ball. and the hustle for long offensive boards is nice too. love to see he and the team playing hard.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

Great to see him do so well. He is a guy that can create his own shot.  So desperately needed if we want a solid season this year. 

[MUEng92]

I think all of his shots today were with his feet set or at least facing the basket, unlike the last few games.  That tends to increase the likelihood of making the shot.  I hope he keeps up this footwork

[CountryRoads]

Would like to see Bailey setting more ball screens for Howard like Sam Hauser did. Sam just killed teams on that pick and fade and we actually saw Bailey do the same thing today and swish a three from the wing. More of that would be nice. The bigs setting screens up there seems pretty useless to me.

[StillWarriors]

love his high effort hustle plays too. got beat, able to tip the press intended for his man, stays with it and recovers the ball. and the hustle for long offensive boards is nice too. love to see he and the team playing hard.

Agree completely. Right from the start of the game he was making hustle plays, getting deflections and tracking down loose balls. Nice to see that kind of effort and fight. Had to be so nice for him to see all those shots go down. Huge potential. Will be nice down the road to have 6'8" and 6'11" threats from outside.

[MU82]

If Bailey plays like this most of the time for the rest of the season -- accepting that just about player has a bad game or three -- we will have a heck of next four months. Making the shots, of course, was fantastic, but I loved the way he hustled, rebounded and did some of the other things he did.

[Silkk the Shaka]

I think all of his shots today were with his feet set or at least facing the basket, unlike the last few games.  That tends to increase the likelihood of making the shot.  I hope he keeps up this footwork

Footwork definitely key with him. It has looked either rushed or an awkward angle for most of the season. Timing and placement much better today, hope he keeps it up

[skianth16]

Seeing him do the Sam pick and pop made me happy. If he can hit 3s near this clip, we will be in good shape.

Last year he shot 25% from 3. In the firs 6 games of this season, he shot 28%. He's not likely to replicate today's 60% rate again soon. If he even shoot 35%, that will be a significant improvement over from his first 40 games. So, while it's great to see him knock down threes with confidence today, I don't think the odds are strong that he'll continue to hit threes near today's rate.

But, if he can hit them consistently enough and then know when to shoot and when to drive, he can be a dangerous player on offense.

[Markusquette]

Makes me feel good about a contributor after Markus and Sacar leave. No hesitation shooting. Pretty good touch driving to the hoop. Active on D.

[MU82]

Last year he shot 25% from 3. In the firs 6 games of this season, he shot 28%. He's not likely to replicate today's 60% rate again soon. If he even shoot 35%, that will be a significant improvement over from his first 40 games. So, while it's great to see him knock down threes with confidence today, I don't think the odds are strong that he'll continue to hit threes near today's rate.

But, if he can hit them consistently enough and then know when to shoot and when to drive, he can be a dangerous player on offense.

Agree with all of this. That's why I said I liked the way he went after loose basketballs, rebounds, etc. His on-ball D was still somewhat lacking, but this was encouraging.

[Earl Tatum]

I knocked Bailey and Sacar for not doing much. Glad to see Bailey play
well. His shooting was exceptional over what Markus did.

[PGsHeroes32]

The 3s today were nice. I wont expect days like this often or maybe ever agin this year but I do open he can confidently knock down the wide open 3 at a decent rate. And I really hope he can get a consistent mid range jumper especially if teams go zone on us.

He can be lethal if he can get a solid jumper going. Really hope he does because we will become a lot tougher to stop

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Bailey needed a lid lifter more than any player I have ever seen. I hope this does it for him and he starts to be the 9-14 point a game scorer that I thought he could be.

[Cheeks]

Last year he shot 25% from 3. In the firs 6 games of this season, he shot 28%. He's not likely to replicate today's 60% rate again soon. If he even shoot 35%, that will be a significant improvement over from his first 40 games. So, while it's great to see him knock down threes with confidence today, I don't think the odds are strong that he'll continue to hit threes near today's rate.

But, if he can hit them consistently enough and then know when to shoot and when to drive, he can be a dangerous player on offense.

No one will consistently hit at 60%, and certainly not BB...I agree.  But I'm guessing we will start to see him hit 35% to 40% regularly rest of the year.  Well, that's my hope anyway.

[DoctorV]

I don't expect this many points every game, but I hope the confidence with which he played today is the new normal.   Has all the tools.  Could probably initiate the offense if he had to.  A bright spot on a dreary day.

Here’s the thing though- guy hit everything. Bright spot on a dreary day ya right, but unfortunately as I thought to myself this could be one of his best performances ever. Do we want more? Sure. Will we get more? Yea, but I’m not sure that we will get many or any advice good. That’s the difference between what dudes like Markus and Bailey do

[WarriorFan]

He's good in the "Sam" role.  Do I dare say better than Sam?  Seems longer, better D, got to some hustle balls that maybe wouldn't have been retrieved last year.  If he can continue nailing the 3's and driving occasionally MU won't miss Sam.

[skianth16]

He's good in the "Sam" role.  Do I dare say better than Sam?  Seems longer, better D, got to some hustle balls that maybe wouldn't have been retrieved last year.  If he can continue nailing the 3's and driving occasionally MU won't miss Sam.

Sam was a likely All Big East first teamer this year. He averaged 15 points and 7 boards last year. Brendan has averaged about 3.5 points and 2.5 rebounds per game before today's game. Even with this big outing, his numbers won't go up too much.

This was a great game by Brendan today, and it showed what his ceiling might be. But until we see this kind of outing more than once a year, it's awfully premature to say he is or could be better than Sam.

[Lennys Tap]

He's good in the "Sam" role.  Do I dare say better than Sam?  Seems longer, better D, got to some hustle balls that maybe wouldn't have been retrieved last year.  If he can continue nailing the 3's and driving occasionally MU won't miss Sam.

So Brendan is better than Sam and Joey sucked balls so he won't be missed. We added a C better than Theo or Morrow and a PG who's the second best player on the team in practice. Markus is a first team AA and likely POY. GE is finally healthy and Sacar is poised for that "senior leap" (see Novak, Mathews). Put it in a blender and it comes out Big East champs/3 seed. Why am I not feelin' it?

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Im excited about bailey's play today. Jayces as well. But just like the Wisconsin game didn't mean the season was over, today doesn't mean they are stars or even starters going forward.

And I would take Sam Hauser over Bailey every day and twice on Sunday. But that's not an option so that wish is just a fart in the wind.

[MUHoopsFan2]

Sam was a likely All Big East first teamer this year. He averaged 15 points and 7 boards last year. Brendan has averaged about 3.5 points and 2.5 rebounds per game before today's game. Even with this big outing, his numbers won't go up too much.

This was a great game by Brendan today, and it showed what his ceiling might be. But until we see this kind of outing more than once a year, it's awfully premature to say he is or could be better than Sam.

You have to remember last year was a 'get my legs back' year for Brendan.
After two years off from playing high level basketball because of his 2 year commitment it would take him this long to see what he could be and do.

Last year it looked like a player just trying to get back in the swing of the speed and demands of the game. But you saw that the wind in the lungs, and the game legs are back!

Good to see. Lets see what the next two games, two weeks, two months and   maybe two years brings...Good game BB!

[D'Lo Brown]

Should we start a thread for every player?

I mean. It's really not a terrible idea

[WarriorFan]

So Brendan is better than Sam and Joey sucked balls so he won't be missed. We added a C better than Theo or Morrow and a PG who's the second best player on the team in practice. Markus is a first team AA and likely POY. GE is finally healthy and Sacar is poised for that "senior leap" (see Novak, Mathews). Put it in a blender and it comes out Big East champs/3 seed. Why am I not feelin' it?

Maybe picking nits, but I have never been a Hauser basher and my post was not meant as such.  I like BB in the Sam role and think it fits him well.  That's all. 

[MU82]

Im excited about bailey's play today. Jayces as well. But just like the Wisconsin game didn't mean the season was over, today doesn't mean they are stars or even starters going forward.

And I would take Sam Hauser over Bailey every day and twice on Sunday. But that's not an option so that wish is just a fart in the wind.

Ding ding ding.

[BCHoopster]

It was nice to see BB breakout, but it is one game.  Constitency is the key, do it once lets see him do it twice, starting Wednesday.  This should
give him some confidence but you never know.  Need at least 10-12 points a game which would be great, same from Koby.  See what happens.

[Silkk the Shaka]

It was nice to see BB breakout, but it is one game.  Constitency is the key, do it once lets see him do it twice, starting Wednesday.  This should
give him some confidence but you never know.  Need at least 10-12 points a game which would be great, same from Koby.  See what happens.

Agreed on the one game extrapolation. HOWEVER, he also played very efficiently in the Davidson & Robert Morris games (120 & 125 ORtg, 8 & 10 points apiece). I would take those types of numbers in a heartbeat, and 3 out of the past 4 games at good to great level leaves me cautiously optimistic. Here's hoping for him getting into a rhythm over the rest of the cupcake schedule that takes him into a nice conference season.

[MU82]

Agreed on the one game extrapolation. HOWEVER, he also played very efficiently in the Davidson & Robert Morris games (120 & 125 ORtg, 8 & 10 points apiece). I would take those types of numbers in a heartbeat, and 3 out of the past 4 games at good to great level leaves me cautiously optimistic. Here's hoping for him getting into a rhythm over the rest of the cupcake schedule that takes him into a nice conference season.

You beat me to this, EFR. I've liked the way he has played the last couple of weeks -- even above and beyond him getting hot from 3 yesterday -- and look for more.

[Dawson Rental]

Wasn’t Bailey compared to Reggie Miller as a High Schooler?

There’s a reason he started at the beginning of last year.  My theory is that he was better in practice then in games.

Yesterday won’t likely be the new normal, but it should be the start of a player who is dialed in to the point that he becomes a consistent offensive threat.

He always seemed to me to be close, but just a little off - like he was just a little bit short on confidence or focus.  Hopefully, the corner is turned, and he’ll contribute offensively on a regular basis.

Worst case scenario, he was “playing out of his head”, and he climbs back in there.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Wasn’t Bailey compared to Reggie Miller as a High Schooler?

Really no one should ever pay attention to what Hall of Famer some high school kid is compared to.  It will only lead to disappointment.

[MUEng92]

Wasn’t Bailey compared to Reggie Miller as a High Schooler?

You know, if he shaved his head, he would actually remind me of Reggie Miller.  Same lankiness and movements.  Of course that's where the comparison would end.  And I don't consider that an insult of Bailey.

[MU82]

Reggie averaged 5 ppg as a UCLA frosh, followed by 15, 26 and 22. If you told me today that Bailey would get to 65-75% of that, I'd take it.

I like BB's ceiling. I hope he reaches it. Would make this team much better and would be great for future editions of the Warriors.

As an aside ... the only year the 3 was in play for Reggie was his senior season, when he shot 44%.

[onepost]

He's good in the "Sam" role.  Do I dare say better than Sam?  Seems longer, better D, got to some hustle balls that maybe wouldn't have been retrieved last year.  If he can continue nailing the 3's and driving occasionally MU won't miss Sam.

Stop

[Lennys Tap]

Reggie averaged 5 ppg as a UCLA frosh, followed by 15, 26 and 22. If you told me today that Bailey would get to 65-75% of that, I'd take it.

I know was "rusty", but Bailey was also 21 as a freshman. Reggie was likely 18.

[skianth16]

Agreed on the one game extrapolation. HOWEVER, he also played very efficiently in the Davidson & Robert Morris games (120 & 125 ORtg, 8 & 10 points apiece). I would take those types of numbers in a heartbeat, and 3 out of the past 4 games at good to great level leaves me cautiously optimistic. Here's hoping for him getting into a rhythm over the rest of the cupcake schedule that takes him into a nice conference season.

I think there's a big difference between an efficient game a good game. If you're going to call the Davidson game - 8 points with 1 RB while fouling out - a good game, then the bar is awfully low. His game against Robert Morris was pretty good, and I'd be happy to have a 10 and 5 contribution from him every game. But I would hope that would leave him as our 4th option on offense.

[tower912]

There’s a reason he started at the beginning of last year.  My theory is that he was better in practice then in games.

Played better defense, moved the ball better.   Eventually, Joey got on a scoring  streak while Brendan couldn't throw the ball in Lake Michigan.   But yes, Brendan started over Joey at the start of last season.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Played better defense, moved the ball better.   Eventually, Joey got on a scoring  streak while Brendan couldn't throw the ball in Lake Michigan.   But yes, Brendan started over Joey at the start of last season.

The plan was always to start Bailey and have Joey spell Sam when he needed a breather and spell Bailey when we needed more offense. But you are right, Bailey's rough start last season trashed that plan. Good chance we would have tried that plan again at the start of this season had they stayed.

[MU82]

I know was "rusty", but Bailey was also 21 as a freshman. Reggie was likely 18.

Makes no difference to me, Lenny. If he's 23 as a junior and averages 70% of what Reggie did (25 ppg), I'd take it. That's all I said, and I stand by it.

[GoldenDieners32]

Makes no difference to me, Lenny. If he's 23 as a junior and averages 70% of what Reggie did (25 ppg), I'd take it. That's all I said, and I stand by it.

he barely played basketball the 2 years he was on his mission

[jsglow]

The plan was always to start Bailey and have Joey spell Sam when he needed a breather and spell Bailey when we needed more offense. But you are right, Bailey's rough start last season trashed that plan. Good chance we would have tried that plan again at the start of this season had they stayed.

All while VSS thought he should have been the centerpiece of the gameplan. 

[Lennys Tap]

The plan was always to start Bailey and have Joey spell Sam when he needed a breather and spell Bailey when we needed more offense. But you are right, Bailey's rough start last season trashed that plan. Good chance we would have tried that plan again at the start of this season had they stayed.

Yeah, seriously doubt that was "the plan". Bailey started 3 games (the same number as Jamal Cain), Joey 31 0f 34. Joey played 29.2 MPG, Brendan played fewer than Joe Chartouny. BTW, Markus and Sam didn't immediately start their freshman years, either. Markus started 27-31 games and Sam 28-32. Markus played 7 mpg less than Joey as a freshman and Sam played almost 3 mpg less. Wonder who M and S were supposed to back up that year.

[tower912]

I felt then and still do that giving Joey that many minutes in December and January led to him hitting the freshman wall and playing so poorly down the stretch.   Wojo would have been better served getting Bailey and Cain more run.

[Lennys Tap]

I felt then and still do that giving Joey that many minutes in December and January led to him hitting the freshman wall and playing so poorly down the stretch.   Wojo would have been better served getting Bailey and Cain more run.

I agree.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Yeah, seriously doubt that was "the plan". Bailey started 3 games (the same number as Jamal Cain), Joey 31 0f 34. Joey played 29.2 MPG, Brendan played fewer than Joe Chartouny. BTW, Markus and Sam didn't immediately start their freshman years, either. Markus started 27-31 games and Sam 28-32. Markus played 7 mpg less than Joey as a freshman and Sam played almost 3 mpg less. Wonder who M and S were supposed to back up that year.

Lenny, which three games did Bailey start? The first three. Which games did Joey start? The last 31. Do you think Wojo just started Bailey for sh*ts and giggles? The plan was to start Bailey and have Joey come off the bench. Joey outplayed Bailey and took his starting spot. If Bailey had outplayed Joey, that starting lineup wasn't changing.

You'll notice I'm saying "starting" not "play more minutes."

[Eldon]

Reggie is an all timer at UCLA, so yeah, I can see it.

[bilsu]

Wasn’t Bailey compared to Reggie Miller as a High Schooler?

There’s a reason he started at the beginning of last year.  My theory is that he was better in practice then in games.

Yesterday won’t likely be the new normal, but it should be the start of a player who is dialed in to the point that he becomes a consistent offensive threat.

He always seemed to me to be close, but just a little off - like he was just a little bit short on confidence or focus.  Hopefully, the corner is turned, and he’ll contribute offensively on a regular basis.

Worst case scenario, he was “playing out of his head”, and he climbs back in there.

He was the better player in practice, but he was not producing in games while Joey was. Bailey needed to slow down as he was rushing his shots in games. I think we will see him average double figures this year.

[IrwinFletcher]

We need someone, anyone, to become a consistent threat to take some of the pressure off of Markus.  Koby showed signs early, Bailey is improving and GE is someone we are all hoping can take a couple of steps in December.

We need to make teams pay when they commit to shutting Markus down.

[real chili 83]

Yesterday, Bailey took an “extra” tenth of a second to position his feet better and square up. All the difference in the world.  And, he did it against a very, very good Maryland team.

Yesterday, Maryland played great, and our play was not cohesive. We will have better outings if we can sync.

[Elonsmusk]

If Brendan can give this team 10-15ppg on a consistent basis and do it while shooting 35% from 3?  Massively helpful.

Kid needed a confidence booster, and he sure got one against Maryland.  I don't see the high ceiling on Brendan some do (as in going down as an all-time great at MU), but his performance yesterday sure was special and gave me much more optimism about his potential ceiling.

[Lennys Tap]

Lenny, which three games did Bailey start? The first three. Which games did Joey start? The last 31. Do you think Wojo just started Bailey for sh*ts and giggles? The plan was to start Bailey and have Joey come off the bench. Joey outplayed Bailey and took his starting spot. If Bailey had outplayed Joey, that starting lineup wasn't changing.

You'll notice I'm saying "starting" not "play more minutes."

Do you think Markus didn't start the first 4 games as a freshman for "sh*ts and giggles"? Do you think Wojo planned to have Markus come off the bench that year? Or was he easing him in? At least 2 of the games Bailey started were against cupcakes. Do you really think Wojo chucked his season's plans on that small a sample? That would be the world's shortest leash - hard for me to believe.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Do you think Markus didn't start the first 4 games as a freshman for "sh*ts and giggles"? Do you think Wojo planned to have Markus come off the bench that year? Or was he easing him in?

Markus started the first game of his freshman year.

At least 2 of the games Bailey started were against cupcakes. Do you really think Wojo chucked his season's plans on that small a sample?

Yes. It's not like he couldn't adjust later in the season if it didn't work.

That would be the world's shortest leash - hard for me to believe.

You can believe it or not but it is the truth. The plan was always to have Bailey start and have Joey come off the bench. That doesn't mean Bailey was better than Joey (he's wasn't). That doesn't mean Bailey was going to get more minutes than Joey (he probably wouldn't have). That meant that Joey and Sam together were redundant. They created elite shooting and solid rebounding but problems on defense and made the offense less diverse. The hope was that Bailey could be an athletic defensive stopper to compliment the rest of the starters. In reality, Bailey got stagefright, Joey was game ready, and Wojo adjusted as a good coach should. It worked really well until it didn't. It could be argued that Wojo should have adjusted back at the end of the season.

[NorthernDancerColt]

Markus started the first game of his freshman year.

Yes. It's not like he couldn't adjust later in the season if it didn't work.

You can believe it or not but it is the truth. The plan was always to have Bailey start and have Joey come off the bench. That doesn't mean Bailey was better than Joey (he's wasn't). That doesn't mean Bailey was going to get more minutes than Joey (he probably wouldn't have). That meant that Joey and Sam together were redundant. They created elite shooting and solid rebounding but problems on defense and made the offense less diverse. The hope was that Bailey could be an athletic defensive stopper to compliment the rest of the starters. In reality, Bailey got stagefright, Joey was game ready, and Wojo adjusted as a good coach should. It worked really well until it didn't. It could be argued that Wojo should have adjusted back at the end of the season.

It worked out phenomenally. Brendan worked hard in the off-season knowing the team would need him all the more in Joey’s absence. The kid with the pouty attitude, slow feet, and high floor/low ceiling is gone and replaced by a bought-in young man who is smiling all the time, long and athletic, with a very high ceiling, who is just starting to hit his stride. Don’t be surprised if in a year , teams are game-planning to stop Brendan and an MU freshman has the kind of game Mr Bailey just had as a result of the focus on Markus.

[IrwinFletcher]

It worked out phenomenally. Brendan worked hard in the off-season knowing the team would need him all the more in Joey’s absence. The kid with the pouty attitude, slow feet, and high floor/low ceiling is gone and replaced by a bought-in young man who is smiling all the time, long and athletic, with a very high ceiling, who is just starting to hit his stride. Don’t be surprised if in a year , teams are game-planning to stop Brendan and an MU freshman has the kind of game Mr Bailey just had as a result of the focus on Markus.

I think we might be getting ahead of ourselves here after a single game.  Bailey looked great for sure and we are all hoping that this leads to more impact, but I am nowhere close to think he could be the focal point for an opponent. 

[Lennys Tap]

Markus started the first game of his freshman year.

You can believe it or not but it is the truth. The plan was always to have Bailey start and have Joey come off the bench.

And then didn't start the next 4. And then started again the rest of the season. An "always" grand plan written in very light #2 pencil on a cocktail napkin. Kind of like the "always" grand plan that was junked almost immediately so that two players who were "redundant" could end up being on the court together most of the time - while we won 23 of our first 27. When guys start 3 games out of 34 it's due to an injury, an attempt to light a fire under another player (Joey H?) or some other temporary "changeup"(Jamal Cain, like BB, also started 3 games last year). A really brief experiment (IMO) isn't a plan.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Lenny, you can choose to believe that but you are incorrect. There was no injury. There was no reason to light a fire under any butts. The coaching staff thought that Bailey starting and Joey coming off the bench was going to give us the best chance to win. When it wasn't working they adjusted. Im nor sure why this is such an impossibility to you.

[Elonsmusk]

Lenny, you can choose to believe that but you are incorrect. There was no injury. There was no reason to light a fire under any butts. The coaching staff thought that Bailey starting and Joey coming off the bench was going to give us the best chance to win. When it wasn't working they adjusted. Im nor sure why this is such an impossibility to you.

Yea.  This coaching staff has been totally on point with their playing time decisions and starting lineup personnel.  In fact on point is probably an understatement, Wojo has been brilliant in this department!

[Dr. Blackheart]

Lenny, I am with TAMU on this one. Bailey started as MU spent their entire summer on defense, and he was the better defensive player in practice. Joey was recovering from rehab as was being eased in. Then, IU happened and it was clear that the BB solution wasn’t working...especially when Joey had a good shooting game when Markus was swarmed by IU.

By the end of the year, Bailey was back in the rotation with heavier minutes because of his defense (and Joey’s lack of it). It purely was a defense for offense swap (and in reverse) as MU had Sam and his firepower.

[Silent Verbal]

Lenny, you can choose to believe that but you are incorrect. There was no injury. There was no reason to light a fire under any butts. The coaching staff thought that Bailey starting and Joey coming off the bench was going to give us the best chance to win. When it wasn't working they adjusted. Im nor sure why this is such an impossibility to you.

In 1925, a slumping Wally Pipp was replaced in the Yankees’ starting lineup by Lou Gehrig.  In 1926, I wonder if some joe in the stands at a Yankees game told whoever would listen, “The plan last year, the plan you see, was to start Wally Pipp over Lou Gehrig!”  If he did, I’m not sure why anyone would care or what point this joe was even trying to make.  The better player ended up with more playing time.  Maybe this joe was just trying to show off his insider knowledge or something.  If that was his purpose, I hope someone pinned a star on him!

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Yea.  This coaching staff has been totally on point with their playing time decisions and starting lineup personnel.  In fact on point is probably an understatement, Wojo has been brilliant in this department!

Ners, I never said anything about the quality of the plan, just that it was the plan. Bailey wasn't ready and they adjusted quickly.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

In 1925, a slumping Wally Pipp was replaced in the Yankees’ starting lineup by Lou Gehrig.  In 1926, I wonder if some joe in the stands at a Yankees game told whoever would listen, “The plan last year, the plan you see, was to start Wally Pipp over Lou Gehrig!”  If he did, I’m not sure why anyone would care or what point this joe was even trying to make.  The better player ended up with more playing time.  Maybe this joe was just trying to show off his insider knowledge or something.  If that was his purpose, I hope someone pinned a star on him!

Or was trying to point out that the coaching staff saw something in that player to make them think that he could be an effective starter but kudos to the other guy for seizing the opportunity when it presented itself.

[MU82]

Yea.  This coaching staff has been totally on point with their playing time decisions and starting lineup personnel.  In fact on point is probably an understatement, Wojo has been brilliant in this department!

If only Wojo had your very large coaching brain at his disposal, Ners, we'd have won 8 of our first 7 games.

I think your 64th "permanent" ban came after you spent weeks arguing that Wojo's game-tying play against Creighton was stoopid, and that anybody who pointed out that the play worked was even more stoopider.

[Elonsmusk]

If only Wojo had your very large coaching brain at his disposal, Ners, we'd have won 8 of our first 7 games.

I think your 64th "permanent" ban came after you spent weeks arguing that Wojo's game-tying play against Creighton was stoopid, and that anybody who pointed out that the play worked was even more stoopider.

Are you referencing the game where Wojo had the best shooter in college basketball who'd scored 53 in the game, inbounding the ball with 1 seconds left, down one?

As for the "play," are you referencing the one where Sam just floated back to 28' away from the basket, for Markus to execute the super high degree of difficulty pass?, and for Sam to throw in a prayer?

No doubt it "worked," yet I'd postulate that is more a result of a blind squirrel finding a nut, than sound coaching.  But hey, agree to disagree.

That aside, I'm happy to say we certainly could be doing worse had we hired a different coach. Hopefully Wojo has acquired enough "experience" now in Year 6 to guide us to our first NCAA tourney win under his leadership.  I thoroughly enjoyed the USC game and was more excited to tune in to the Maryland game than perhaps any other since he took over.

[Pakuni]

If only Wojo had your very large coaching brain at his disposal, Ners, we'd have won 8 of our first 7 games.

I think your 64th "permanent" ban came after you spent weeks arguing that Wojo's game-tying play against Creighton was stoopid, and that anybody who pointed out that the play worked was even more stoopider.

Wojo couldn't dunk in high school.

[TSmith34, Inc.]

If only Wojo had your very large coaching brain at his disposal, Ners, we'd have won 8 of our first 7 games.

I think your 64th "permanent" ban came after you spent weeks arguing that Wojo's game-tying play against Creighton was stoopid, and that anybody who pointed out that the play worked was even more stoopider.

You really didn't need to give Ners the opening to re-litigate this for the 973rd time.

[Eldon]

Wojo couldn't dunk in high school.

Probably true.

[tower912]

You really didn't need to give Ners the opening to re-litigate this for the 973rd time.

May be tossing out the bait to see if the Asian carp will start down the path to another banning.

[jesmu84]

How many permabans does it take to get someone legitimately permanently banned?

[BM1090]

How many permabans does it take to get someone legitimately permanently banned?

Too many.

[mu03eng]

How many permabans does it take to get someone legitimately permanently banned?

All of them

[Lennys Tap]

Lenny, you can choose to believe that but you are incorrect. There was no injury. There was no reason to light a fire under any butts. The coaching staff thought that Bailey starting and Joey coming off the bench was going to give us the best chance to win. When it wasn't working they adjusted. Im nor sure why this is such an impossibility to you.

TAMU

Perhaps you're right. If so, my apologies. It still sounds more like a brief experiment than "the plan all along", but no big deal.

[mu03eng]

Not to be the pessimist because I think Bailey will deliver more consistently this season but keep in mind that Bailey "flashed" during the road Georgetown game last season when Markus went down and then never delivered that level of performance again.

Trying to be positive though, outside of the Wisconsin game he has definitely looked better overall on offense which tells me he is trending upward. Expectations would be something like averaging a hilly(pops of 20 and lulls of 5) 13ppg over the season with something like 36% 3pt shooting. And quite frankly if Koby and Sacar can play to their potential on offense that is plenty out of Bailey.

Where I'm most excited for Bailey? When he slides down to the 3 next year.

[TSmith34, Inc.]

Not to be the pessimist because I think Bailey will deliver more consistently this season but keep in mind that Bailey "flashed" during the road Georgetown game last season when Markus went down and then never delivered that level of performance again.

I'm going to optimistically hope he has turned the corner into a steady upward trend and not an Amoroso-at-the-Great-Alaska-Shootout abberation.

[MarquetteDano]

not an Amoroso-at-the-Great-Alaska-Shootout abberation.

Or Duane Wilson's 30 at exactly the same venue.

Though Wilson ended up averaging 11. Guess I would take that from Bailey.

[MU82]

How many permabans does it take to get someone legitimately permanently banned?

Good question.

hoopaloop already invited Ners to an All-Permaban Society meeting in Texas somewhere. No doubt they'll laugh at how easy it is to get un-Permabanned.