What does Junior Cadougan bring to the court, especially on offense?

[Marquette84]

Do you really not understand the difference in maturity and talent between high school and college basketball?  He's playing against MEN now.  If anything "happened" to him it's that he's returning from a devastating, potentially career-ending injury that has slowed his development.

I think the "inexperience" and "maturity" excuse is hogwash.

First, we have had a long history of seeing players contribute from day one--point guards especially--Dominic James, Tony Miller, Cordell Henry.

And the point guards that were not starters in their first game of their freshman year were certainly effective at the start of their second year, and didn't start because they were 2nd on the depth chart--Travis Diener behind Henry, Aaron Hutchins behind Miller.

We're now in the middle of Cadougan's sophomore year, and he's still being treated with kid gloves with a "he's really only a freshman" excuse--as if our history is that it takes our PGs a couple of years to adjust to college ball.

Cadougan didn't miss 52 weeks with his injury--he went out in mid-September, and was back in the lineup by late January--only about 14 weeks missed.  He practiced with the team in late January and all through February and March, participated in all the normal post-season and summer activities.  Yes, that put him behind other players in his class, but not by a full year as so many seem to think.  

I don't know what the issue is.  Maybe he just had a lower ceiling than expected.  Maybe his injury caused irreparable harm to his game and he'll never be able to rise to the expectations set by our PGs over the last 20 years.  Maybe he hasn't been unleashed yet.  

I don't know what the real issue is, but chalking it up to inexperience and maturity isn't consistent with our 20+ year history with point guards.

[warriors1965]

You're a buffoon. Junior had a great game last night.

I'm not sure he had a great game, but he was good enough that MU made their charge when he was at the point.  His ball handling does tend to go south near the end of a game, though.  

[Tugg Speedman]

First, we have had a long history of seeing players contribute from day one--point guards especially--Dominic James, Tony Miller, Cordell Henry.

This list has a player with a long NBA career, the number 2 all-time scorer in MU history.

Was this the expectation coming in?

[Boone]

20 minutes
0 for 2 from the field
2 for 4 from the line
zero assists
2 turnovers

Has the bar been set so low on his expectations that that line score qualifies as a "great game?"

[CTWarrior]

Has the bar been set so low on his expectations that that line score qualifies as a "great game?"

Not a great game, but we did have our run with him in the game.  He gets better each time out.  A good backup is what he is now.  I like what I see in terms of his maturation.  He's becoming more assertive, trying to get to the hoop.  You can see him actively adjusting his game and figuring out what he can be.  Its actually interesting to watch.

[willie warrior]

20 minutes
0 for 2 from the field
2 for 4 from the line
zero assists
2 turnovers

Has the bar been set so low on his expectations that that line score qualifies as a "great game?"

Well. that's where many have set the bar for Otule

[nyg]

Well. that's where many have set the bar for Otule

Just think, Junior and Otule will probably be in MU's starting five next year. 

[Tugg Speedman]

Just think, Junior and Otule will probably be in MU's starting five next year.  


Outle is now.

Vander and DJO will be the starting back court next year.

Crowder and TBD in the front court (Jamil Wilson?).

Dodds interviewed Benford on the other site and he says that Jamil Wilson can handle the ball so well that they can use him at PG in certain situations.

How about this for size 6' 7" PG!

[Stretchdeltsig]

Why did Buzz play Cadugan and Blue during crunch time when we need to score?  Buzz lost this game for the team.  Why would he play two players who cannot score????  It seems like Buzz is single handedly throwing the games this year.  Don't get it.  It doesn't make sense why he isn't playing his best offensive and defensive players.  Why sit DJO so long?  Why sit Buycks so long?  Why sit Crower?  Why not play Otule and Gardner more?  They can score and defend the other team's "bigs."  Buzz is losing the games big time!

[nyg]

Outle is now.

Vander and DJO will be the starting back court next year.

Crowder and TBD in the front court (Jamil Wilson?).

I said probably.  I would love to see Vander as the starting point guard, but we'll see what Buzz thinks.  Wilson will take Butler's spot.

[Boone]

Otule's performance has been nothing to write home about either lately. How a 6'11" 260 lber. could grab a rebound only once every 8.3 minutes and shoot just 7 of 23 from the field in BE play is beyond me.

[willie warrior]

Why did Buzz play Cadugan and Blue during crunch time when we need to score?  Buzz lost this game for the team.  Why would he play two players who cannot score????  It seems like Buzz is single handedly throwing the games this year.  Don't get it.  It doesn't make sense why he isn't playing his best offensive and defensive players.  Why sit DJO so long?  Why sit Buycks so long?  Why sit Crower?  Why not play Otule and Gardner more?  They can score and defend the other team's "bigs."  Buzz is losing the games big time!

Pretty easy on Cadougan. he is the best passer we have. If we need to score, he will get it to the open man

I agree that Otule and Gardner should split the time at Post. That is not Crowder or Fulce's position.

[nyg]

Otule's performance has been nothing to write home about either lately. How a 6'11" 260 lber. could grab a rebound only once every 8.3 minutes and shoot just 7 of 23 from the field in BE play is beyond me.

That was my point.  Their box scores are very poor and will probably be in next year's starting lineup. 

[GGGG]

Why did Buzz play Cadugan and Blue during crunch time when we need to score? 

Second half
Junior subs in for DJO at 14:26 down 48-44
Junior subs out at 7:33 UP 60-55

(Blue was on the floor this entire time.)

So let's review....with Junior and Vander on the floor at the same time, MU went on a 16-7 run over an almost seven minute time frame.  After Junior subed out (for DB), we gave up five straight and the game quickly ended after that.

[Stretchdeltsig]

We stunk when we played Blue and Cadugan together.  We should play our best players when it comes to crunch time.  We lost our momentum.  Blue and Cadugan can not score.  Not really sure what they can do right now.

[Tugg Speedman]

We stunk when we played Blue and Cadugan together.  We should play our best players when it comes to crunch time.  We lost our momentum.  Blue and Cadugan can not score.  Not really sure what they can do right now.

Did you read one post above?  Those facts make your statements wrong.

[dwaderoy2004]

our best lineups last night always had junior on the floor.  If you watched the game, I'm not sure how you could dispute that.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

I dont' care about JC's stats. I was at the game. He played a great game. He was one of the few players who wasn't out of control on breaks. I like him at the point.

[Norm]

I dont' care about JC's stats. I was at the game. He played a great game. He was one of the few players who wasn't out of control on breaks. I like him at the point.

A point guard who has no assists and 2 points (from free throws) in 20 minutes did not play a great game. He may have played with energy, enthusiasm, and hustle, but it is not a great performance.

[Ari Gold]

he's Canadian, we should be happy he knows what basketball is eh

[4everwarriors]

He's another guard, along with Blue, who can't shoot to save their asses yet play significant minutes. Couple that with two complete stiffs in the posts and the talent level isn't good enough to compete with the upper half of the BE. Wouldn't matter if Phil Jackson were the coach.

[lurch91]

Cadougan played a good game last night.  He played his ass off, although what he did didn't show in teh box scores.  He and Blue were awesome on defense.  Anyone realize that when DJO came in to sub Blue with 7 minutes left, he lost his man on baseline screens almost on 3 straight UCONN posessions?  I love DJO, but I don't think he adjusted as well as Blue did to the constant screens.

But in our society we reward results, not effort.  The team, coaches included, lost the game last night for multiple reasons.  But to single out Junior and Blue is just plain stupid.

[MU Avenue]

You're a buffoon. Junior had a great game last night.

PuertoRicanNightmare, good to see you presenting smart, well-reasoned, logical replies here that do not include personal attacks.

You say I am a buffoon?

I am? Why?

You insist that “Junior had a great game” against Connecticut?

A great game? How so?

Always good to include name-calling in your hyperbolic replies, PuertoRicanNightmare. It brings great credibility.

[Tugg Speedman]

He's another guard, along with Blue, who can't shoot to save their asses yet play significant minutes. Couple that with two complete stiffs in the posts and the talent level isn't good enough to compete with the upper half of the BE. Wouldn't matter if Phil Jackson were the coach.

So your complaint is MU needs a better offense.  I thought we ranked among the best in the country.  I thought the problem was defense.

Tough to keep up

[Golden Avalanche]

Second half
Junior subs in for DJO at 14:26 down 48-44
Junior subs out at 7:33 UP 60-55

(Blue was on the floor this entire time.)

So let's review....with Junior and Vander on the floor at the same time, MU went on a 16-7 run over an almost seven minute time frame.  After Junior subed out (for DB), we gave up five straight and the game quickly ended after that.

I'm glad you got the details.

Last night I was shocked when Junior was subbed out after the under-8 media timeout. Thought he was doing well getting into the lane. He's better at dropping off passes there than anyone else on the team. And, generally, he seems to be the only one with awareness on the court (maybe not much considering the team this year).