08/09 Surprise Player of the Year

[MUCam]

It seems like every year, someone steps up and surprises us with his play. Generally, the person stepping up has been a senior. Admittedly, last year none of the seniors really "surprised" us with their play. If anyone sort of fit that category, it was sophomore Lazar Hayward. In recent years past, Chris Grimm, Marcus Jackson and John Harris have shown surprisingly stepped-up play in their final year. Who will surprise us this year? Might it be a non-poll-listed incoming JUCO or frosh? Or will it be one of the lesser heralded upperclassmen? Thoughts?

[dwaderoy2004]

I think maybe a better way of putting it, is which player will make "the leap" next year.  not sure if lazar's success was a huge surprise, but he definitely made the leap from role player to game changer.

I vote for Burke.  The guy showed flashes last year.  Consistency is all he needs, and he will be given every opportunity to do so this year.

[shaquilvaine]

Big Joe Fulce is my pick.  He can be a lockdown defender and play the 2,3 or 4.  I picture him doing all the little things- a lunch pail kind of guy that we have been lacking. 

[nola03]

If it's surprise, I'd go with Butler. He will bring much needed size to the guard position and he has SEC athleticism. If he can be even a streaky shooter (similar to SH's Hazell) it gives us a dimension we haven't had in two years.

If it's improvement, I'll go with Mbakwe since his potential is so high and his production so low due to the injury that he really only has up to go. Considering the coaching staff's long record on developing big men ( ) I imagine they'll be able to teach him some inside tricks to go along with the improved jumper.

[Pakuni]

If it's improvement, I'll go with Mbakwe since his potential is so high and his production so low due to the injury that he really only has up to go. Considering the coaching staff's long record on developing big men ( ) I imagine they'll be able to teach him some inside tricks to go along with the improved jumper.

In all fairness, this coaching staff - particularly Layer and Benford - have a solid track record of developing big men.

[MuMark]

Fulce

[AlumKCof93]

Novak!

[NCMUFan]

Good post! I will take any and all good surprises.

[detroitwarrior]

Joseph Fulce

[Untucked]

I o

It seems like every year, someone steps up and surprises us with his play. Generally, the person stepping up has been a senior. Admittedly, last year none of the seniors really "surprised" us with their play. If anyone sort of fit that category, it was sophomore Lazar Hayward. In recent years past, Chris Grimm, Marcus Jackson and John Harris have shown surprisingly stepped-up play in their final year. Who will surprise us this year? Might it be a non-poll-listed incoming JUCO or frosh? Or will it be one of the lesser heralded upperclassmen? Thoughts?

I object to Chris Grimm stepping up his play his final year. He never even got his toe on the curb!!

[77ncaachamps]

Fulce (since he's an unknown quantity to our viewing eyes)...

then Hayward. He's DUE for an explosion!

[mosarsour]

I o
I object to Chris Grimm stepping up his play his final year. He never even got his toe on the curb!!

Grimm displayed lots of toughness in his last year that MU didn't have during his time here.

You should see the guy now. He's a beast! 6'10 and is a solid 280 lbs. I know this because I just saw him about 3 hours ago.

[nyg]

Fulce.  Hazel does not even make it off the bench. 

[MUCam]

For the record, my vote is for Burke. I have always thought he showed flashes of potential. He is a big body in a position of need with three years of experience and some of that senior magic hopefully tucked away. I also think that Hazel looked good at times on the floor last year and could be a surprise, although PT will be tougher for him to come by.

I agree with some of the posters that the "biggest surprise" and "biggest improvement" may be different things. That is why I said Lazar sort of fit the category of "biggest surprise" last year. That said, even Wes Matthews or Dominic James or Jerel McNeal can have a surprising season. I would say that any of those being a first team all-american/naismith finalist would be a "surprise." There is an argument to be made for anyone. Again, my money rides with Burke who may finally get a chance to show his wares on a consistent basis.

[Sir Lawrence]

Cubillan.  I'll be surprised if he's still on the team at the end of the season. 

[Ready2Fly]

I voted other for Fulce as well.  I think he'll play the Dan Fitzgeral role, only much better.  Not as far as shooting threes, but in terms of the versatility factor Fitz was supposed to provide.

[drbeauch]

Time to give Jimmy Butler some love - gives us some length and athleticism at the 2G spot off the bench that we have not had - will surprise not only us but our Big East opponents as well.

[Doctor V]

to me the most important player on the team other than the big 4 will be mbakwe. before his injury last year, this kid was considered to be the next great 'big' at MU. so, I hope he is the biggest suprise- close to a double double type player (10p 8r would be fantastic)

looking at the squad and the depth, its really hard to not get excited. hopefully the guys get better instead of worse

[bilsu]

I am expecting Burke to improve significantly, so he cannot surprise me. The surprise would be if Hazel stepped up.

[Rollout-the-Barrel]

I have absolutely no basis for this, but I have a feeling Hazel will be productive compared to his previous contributions.  But that's not saying much.

[CAINMUTINY]

I think the nod should go to either Butler or Mbakwe; and give Fitzgerald a break.....the guy played point for us his first year when we had NO ONE, I mean how many guys at 6'9 do you see taking the ball up the court? He may have not lived up to potential but is a great guy (incredibly well spoken and sharp) and I imagine he will become one of the most successful basketball alums. 

I am just so pumped about MU's future with all the talent we have coming in; we're in for some good solid teams in the future as Buzz seems like a "players coach" and I don't foresee a mass exodus of players for totally bogus reasons.

[Ready2Fly]

I think the nod should go to either Butler or Mbakwe; and give Fitzgerald a break.....the guy played point for us his first year when we had NO ONE, I mean how many guys at 6'9 do you see taking the ball up the court? He may have not lived up to potential but is a great guy (incredibly well spoken and sharp) and I imagine he will become one of the most successful basketball alums. 

I am just so pumped about MU's future with all the talent we have coming in; we're in for some good solid teams in the future as Buzz seems like a "players coach" and I don't foresee a mass exodus of players for totally bogus reasons.

Never once said he wasn't a good guy.  Also, his first season with eligibility was '05/'06, which was also James' first season, so we didn't exactly have NOBODY at pg.  Yes, he played point in practice during his redshirt year, but we also had that guy named Travis Diener on the roster.  At no point in his MU tenure did we have NOBODY at point. 

I was merely referring to the fact that all we heard from the coaching staff was that he was supposed to bring crazy versatility, playing the 1-4 on offense and guarding the 1-4 on defense.  As is turned out, he was a three-point specialist.  Every team needs a three-point specialist, it's just not what he was billed as by the coaching staff.  I think Fulce will fill that role, being able to guard and play multiple positions (2-4), not being a three point specialist.  That was my only point.

[ecompt]

I don't think Hazel ever sees more than garbage time this year, and Cubillan will be on a short leash. Acker shouldl get a lot of the minutes that Cubes got early last year.  

[MR.HAYWARD]

Acker got Cubi's minutes down the stretch becuase he was hitting shots and Cubi was not.  Cubi hits shots this year and his playing time will go back up. period.

i like Burke to have a good year, while he did not run the court as well as ooze, i always have liked him more than ooze.  there is something refreshing about simply seeing a guy catch a pass or a rebound cleanly.

[Big Papi]

Why no love for Cubes?  If healthy and that is a big if at this point in time, he is our best 3 point shooter.  I know he didn't prove it during the conference season last year but he was injured which affected his shot and ultimately his confidence.  Plus he is a very good defender and a whole heck of a lot better defender than Acker.

Hazel in his very limited time on the court last year impressed me.  I see him picking up more playing time than Otule or Liam who while both taller or bigger projects then Hazel.