Dear, David Joplin

[MU82]

That was beautiful.  Oso is such a great passer.

Another thing that stands out for me is how well all nine guys in the rotation can handle the ball.  What other team has its two biggest players be able to do what Oso and Gold can do?  Makes us so dangerous.

Oso got the ball stolen off his dribble once yesterday and I was like, "Wait, what?" It happens so rarely that I'd forgotten that it could ever have happen to him. He has spoiled us!

[Jockey]

Brew...those numbers count for who else is in the rotation? 

The eye test was unfriendly to Stevie yesterday...they didn't pretend to guard him...and his guy chased the ball all over the court.  Teams aren't worried about his ability to drive and dish...and they had a rim protector and length that made it impossible for Stevie. 

Yes. That is why we were only able to muster 89 points.

[Uncle Rico]

Stevie isn't losing minutes to Joplin

[TSmith34, Inc.]

I miss hero ball.

On this we agree. Markus deserves all the accolades, great student athlete, great person, amazing scorer...and I never want to watch that sort of offense again.

[DoctorV]

We spent an entire week debating whether Joplin should lose minutes to Ben.

Now we are debating whether Stevie should lose minutes to Jop.

Some great analytical points made in the thread on Stevie's value, and as MU82 always says it seems very obvious that Shaka has the perfect pulse on this team and who should play when.

To keep it much simpler- you don't change a starting lineup when you are on a roll, creeping up on a top 10 ranking and top 3/4 seed, and in line at a potential BE Title.

Worst case scenario would be Kam missing a game, and in that case we will see either David or Chase slide into the starting lineup. Otherwise you don't mess with happy

[Dr. Blackheart]

We spent an entire week debating whether Joplin should lose minutes to Ben.

Now we are debating whether Stevie should lose minutes to Jop.

Some great analytical points made in the thread on Stevie's value, and as MU82 always says it seems very obvious that Shaka has the perfect pulse on this team and who should play when.

To keep it much simpler- you don't change a starting lineup when you are on a roll, creeping up on a top 10 ranking and top 3/4 seed, and in line at a potential BE Title.

Worst case scenario would be Kam missing a game, and in that case we will see either David or Chase slide into the starting lineup. Otherwise you don't mess with happy

This.  Having the extra PG has really helped Tyler in particular and with making the offense elite.  Shaka even goes with three PGs at times.  A seam penetrator and a key transit point distributor really prevents the defense from just keying on Tyler like they did last season.

1977 had Bill Neary. 2003 had Todd Townsend.  Underappreciated glue guys.

[Uncle Rico]

This.  Having the extra PG has really helped Tyler in particular and with making the offense elite.  Shaka even goes with three PGs at times.  A seam penetrator and a key transit point distributor really prevents the defense from just keying on Tyler like they did last season.

1977 had Bill Neary. 2003 had Todd Townsend.  Underappreciated glue guys.

Both of you gentleman are correct. 

[Goose]

IMO, Stevie brings far more to the table than Neary or Todd brought to their teams. That is meant as a compliment to Stevie and not a bash on the other two. Stevie is a big part of this team and gets the minutes he should get. I would not be making many adjustments to playing time, other than when someone is going off like Joplin did yesterday.

[Elonsmusk]

Our number one rated offense really needs some tweaking.

This summed it up quite well.  Stevie is very valuable to this team.  Jop has really stepped up his effort defensively and has been rebounding the ball better of late.  Jop is a great asset off the bench for instant offense - and is now trending the right way defensively.

I don't see a need to make any change in our lineup/rotation, however it could be possible that Stevie and Chase's minutes start to even out a bit more.

[PointWarrior]

This program has come along ways when the hot debate is Stevie vs Jop minutes. 

As opposed to Derrick Wilson vs Magic Dawson

[wadesworld]

you mean the 6'8 dead eye shooter with an nba body playing very well in his first full season of action is shtick?

You just don't know ball

He played in 32 of MU's 32 games last season. Last year was his first full year of action.

Having said that, if you want Ben Gold playing more than him are you a hater?

[panda]

He played in 32 of MU's 32 games last season. Last year was his first full year of action.

Having said that, if you want Ben Gold playing more than him are you a hater?

He played like three minutes/game in conference. Role is just slightly different this year.

[wadesworld]

He played like three minutes/game in conference. Role is just slightly different this year.

In other words, not his first full year of action.

[panda]

In other words, not his first full year of action.

Incorrect phrasing initially - but the point remains the same

[JakeBarnes]

IMO, Stevie brings far more to the table than Neary or Todd brought to their teams. That is meant as a compliment to Stevie and not a bash on the other two. Stevie is a big part of this team and gets the minutes he should get. I would not be making many adjustments to playing time, other than when someone is going off like Joplin did yesterday.

Stevie being slightly dangerous from 3 would be a boon for this team. Hoping he is in the gym working on it this week.

[Goose]

Jake

He looked like he was gaining a lot of confidence shooting a few weeks ago and I was hoping it would continue. He seems to be a bit tentative the past few games.

[LloydsLegs]

With Jop now at 10.5, the team has 5 double-digit scorers.  Nice. 

[cheebs09]

With Jop now at 10.5, the team has 5 double-digit scorers.  Nice.

The most amazing thing is that for sure means we are averaging 50 points per game.

[The Sultan]

The most amazing thing is that for sure means we are averaging 50 points per game.

Oooo. Look at math guy over here. 

[The Thing]

Yeah that's about Wisconsin's total points average right?

[tower912]

Marquette 59 points in a half on the road.
Wisconsin 51 points in a game at home.



Aaahhhhhhh

[JakeBarnes]

Marquette 59 points in a half on the road.
Wisconsin 51 points in a game at home.



Aaahhhhhhh

I know we dislike them anyways, but as a sport fan, watching b10 basketball games where wisconsin is a participant is mind-numbing. Scoring is fun. And those games are  bereft of scoring.

[Daniel]

Stevie being slightly dangerous from 3 would be a boon for this team. Hoping he is in the gym working on it this week.

Stevie had that one game where he was hot so he can do it.   I was happy he was tak8ng shots vs DePaul.   They didn't drop but he is capable

[cheebs09]

I know we dislike them anyways, but as a sport fan, watching b10 basketball games where wisconsin is a participant is mind-numbing. Scoring is fun. And those games are  bereft of scoring.

Well, the people that enjoy it chose to go to school at UW (or buy the shirt at KMart). So we aren't talking about people with the greatest taste.

[pbiflyer]

We spent an entire week debating whether Joplin should lose minutes to Ben.

Now we are debating whether Stevie should lose minutes to Jop.

Some great analytical points made in the thread on Stevie's value, and as MU82 always says it seems very obvious that Shaka has the perfect pulse on this team and who should play when.

To keep it much simpler- you don't change a starting lineup when you are on a roll, creeping up on a top 10 ranking and top 3/4 seed, and in line at a potential BE Title.

Worst case scenario would be Kam missing a game, and in that case we will see either David or Chase slide into the starting lineup. Otherwise you don't mess with happy

Highlighted part is just nutso talk. You are really going to take the word of a guy with decades of coaching experience who spends hours a day with these guys for months and years over the ideas of random internet guys who "know ball"
Ban dis guy.