Originally Posted by
BLT
The root of Buzz's problems aren't these misses, as he has made these up with JJJ, Duane and perhaps Dawson. The root of our problems this year are circumstances. Buzz has stated in the past he wants to recruit a PG every year. That didn't happen in 12-13 as he had two early commits for two spots in Ferguson and Taylor and he thought he was covered with Smith, DeWilson and Blue as a combo. He then made up for it by taking two in 13-14 class, with a combo in Cohen for next year.
When I say circumstances, I mean off the court stuff. Smith, enough said. Vander would be playing PG right now, which was his goal. Duane, who would be starting at some point, was injured preseason. As a result, MU has one PG option: DeWilson, with Jamil as a backup. Not ideal.
In terms of SG...Taylor, enough said. Mayo, a volume scorer, but off court issues hold him back from his potential (attitude, knee injury, broken nose). Vander as combo took a flyer. So left with Jake and JJJ. Not ideal.
In terms of shooting forward...should be Jamil's spot, with Taylor, McKay and Gardner playing the PF spot. Steve Taylor started at the four, but injury holding him back. McKay would be starting now, but his service here broke down after four days of practice. Gardner doesn't play defense well and is a matchup disadvantage, especially when no one can get him the ball on offense in a position to score. And then, Jamil is stretched having to play backup point guard. So Juan starts at the shooting forward role because of his energy and rebounding efficiency. He isn't a scorer. Burton is looking good when Jamil switches over to PG, but mainly as a four, taking touches away from Gardner who's playing the five.
So, Buzz is left with three great kids to start, who give it their all, and are experienced. The problem is, they are in roles critical to scoring on offense, either through creation or shooting. The PG is good at controlling the ball but not creating for others. That would be fine if the starting 2G or SF could create on their own, but they are situational role players being asked to be volume scorers. They aren't. Big hole, so Buzz moves Jamil to PG to create any offense. Mayo is in/out of his zone. Buzz holds back minutes on JJJ and Dawson for freshman reasons.
So, what is left? MU is very good on defense (even yesterday), and substandard on offense. Blue, TJ Taylor, Smith, McKay, etc are long gone. DuWilson, Mayo and Steve Taylor are hampered or idle. What does Buzz do? He has been trying to win with defense, but the offensive hole is too big. If you look at usage statistics and compare them to minutes, DeWilson, Jake and Juan are considered role or limited players by Pomeroy, yet they start. MU's three of four most offensively efficientl players come in off the bench, as does Burton who can create points. Simply, if MU is to reverse this slide (and it is now officially a slide), Buzz needs to get more offense into his line ups.
I am not there at practice or in study hall or in the same state, but as an armchair fan, here is who I would start: Derrick, JJJ, Burton, Jamil and Chris. Derrick gives a steady hand with two freshmen in there, and JJJ is very effective for threes or dribble penetration. Chris and Jamil can cover up defensive lapses.
Off the bench, I would play Todd at PG, with Jake, Juan, Gardner and Jamil. Both Todd and Jamil can create offense for Jake or Gardner, or themselves. Juan gives energy and rebounding. Steve can spell Jamil until healthy, and JJJ and Burton can be worked in here as could Dawson in spot minutes as he can feed the post.
Buzz has consistently said this team is over rated. He was right. Time is now, though, to play for the future and not the present as the circumstances have dictated it. There are talented pieces.