Opponents Point Guards

[Nukem2]

In the 3 "quality" games MU has played, the opponents point guards have been a huge factor in MU losing. Last night, Thames went for 27 points. ASU's Carson went for 25 points and 5 assists. OSU's Craft had a double-double with 10 points and 10 assists.

While Derrick has been noted as a good defender, has that truly been the case against better opponents this year? Derrick did not guard these player full-time, but he certainly takes some of the heat for their success?

As a side note, SDSU really plays Thames at PG with a lot of long forwards around him. SDSU will be in deep trouble if he gets hurt or has foul problems as there really is not another PG on their roster. Jameel McKay would have helped a lot last night against all those active/long forwards....?

[WindyCityGoldenEagle]

Each of the pg's you referenced also happen to be the best player on their respective teams. Derrick can apparently only do so much and to ask him to shut down the opponents best player is probably asking too much of him as he just physically cant do it himself (as your examples show). At what point is it up to Buzz to make an adjustment either pregame or during the game to slow the opponent's best player down? Seems like Buzz has been a bit off in his game planning for the opponent's best player--esp in the examples you provide.

[warriorfan4life]

Each of the pg's you referenced also happen to be the best player on their respective teams. Derrick can apparently only do so much and to ask him to shut down the opponents best player is probably asking too much of him as he just physically cant do it himself (as your examples show). At what point is it up to Buzz to make an adjustment either pregame or during the game to slow the opponent's best player down? Seems like Buzz has been a bit off in his game planning for the opponent's best player--esp in the examples you provide.

I think the defense was good overall in the OSU game. In the other games, not having a healthy Mayo (and Wilson getting hurt in SDSU game) limited our options. In the ASU game, you could have put a healthy Mayo on Carson for stretches and swung Wilson over to Marshall. Against SDSU, you could have had Mayo on Thames and put Wilson on the one armed O'Brien (where we hid Burton on defense). The only big game where he have had a healthy, full deck was OSU, and frankly that game was too early in the year for this team.