MBB thoughts

BryceC · 02-08-2007, 12:44 PM

I know I've probably been really whiney about basketball lately, so I thought I'd share some of what I've been thinking about with future of the team. CrossCyed had an excellent find in his tremendous blog (http://www.crosscyed.blogspot.com/) on Diante Garrett. It's a Wisconsin prep hoops forum and it's a thread discussing the player of the year candidates in Wisconsin before the season started this year and there were some great quotes about Garrett in there in comparison to another highly sought after prep. As crosscyed points out in his blog, a lot of the discussion has centered around Brackins but I think Garrett is the most important recruit of McD's young tenure. Here are some quotes from the thread regarding Diante:

In my very honest opinion, I would love to start a program with Diante because he gives 100% the whole time he's on the court and elevates each and every other player on the court with him. He keeps the other players involved and is like the General on the court where with Korie the other players seem to stand around an awful lot

I've seen both many, many times.

Both are high major players.

Diante Garrett is a skilled ball handler, but his perimeter jump shot needs a bit of work. He is incredibly adept at getting to the basket and using his length to score. He is also a pretty solid defender. The thing that excites most people about Diante is his potential for growth as he adds weight and strength while also improving his perimeter jump shot.

I would take Garrett because he is more coachable and his work ethic is stronger. Gosz will tell you about that.

Both great players, I like Diante Garret - I think his growth potential is greater. His game will get stronger and he will be more polished game after game. Will be fun to watch.

No offense to Brackins, because he is obviously a huge recruit that created a lot of buzz around the program and makes me think that McD really can do this. I think they will both play very important roles next year and I think there is little doubt they will both step right into major minutes (25+ per game).

I do think that getting a floor general that can lead a winning team is very important though and something this squad is really lacking. From all accounts that is what Diante can bring to the table.

BryceC · 02-08-2007, 12:46 PM

Also, I do have a question for anybody in the know. How bad is Brackins' knee injury. There were some reports I read about his play that made it sound like it was still affecting him.

ISUFan22 · 02-08-2007, 12:51 PM

Nice find and good job of analyzing his comments.

Another reason that I really need to bookmark CrossCyed's blog and read it often!

PsychedClone · 02-08-2007, 04:53 PM

Originally Posted by ISUFan22

Nice find and good job of analyzing his comments.

Another reason that I really need to bookmark CrossCyed's blog and read it often!

Last week the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported that Diante is the current front runner for Wisconsin's Mr. Basketball title. Here is an excerpt.

MR. BASKETBALL SHOWDOWN: Two of Milwaukee's candidates for Wisconsin's coveted Mr. Basketball award squared off last week. Bay View's Dwight Buycks and Milwaukee Vincent's Diante Garrett went head-to-head for most of the game, each guarding the other. Garrett got the better of Buycks in the first half, using his length to bother shots and frustrate Buycks. But the Bay View senior had some payback with an 11-point third quarter in which he delighted the crowd with some acrobatic shots. Garrett is still considered a favorite for the award, along with Madison Memorial's Keaton Nankivil, over Buycks.

The article makes no mention of the highly-acclaimed Korie Lucious.

CrossCyed · 02-08-2007, 05:02 PM

I'm a little slower this semester with updates...sorry.

ce1 · 02-08-2007, 05:30 PM

A scoring threat at the PG and SF position will go a LONG way to helping this team. Teams are taking the SF defender and moving him onto Taylor, as it appears he gets frustrated with defenders that are bigger than him, and lacks the skills to break them down. Teams are also sagging, double teaming up top, and help-defending him with the PG defender, since McIntosh is not much of a threat to score.

Essentially, scoring at either of these two positions would go a long way to helping stop Taylor's turnovers and improving his Effective FG%.

isuhoops121 · 02-08-2007, 05:33 PM

Brackins knee is fine. I believe he had a pretty good game recently.

Wesley · 02-08-2007, 06:09 PM

One more month of bball frustration and then we can plan for Diante.

pthebutcher · 02-09-2007, 01:44 PM

I noticed in Cy's blog it mentioned we are looking at SG Marcus Denmon? Is he a recruit for 2007 or 2008?

tigershoops31 · 02-09-2007, 02:32 PM

Originally Posted by pthebutcher

I noticed in Cy's blog it mentioned we are looking at SG Marcus Denmon? Is he a recruit for 2007 or 2008?

He's a junior so he'd be class of '08.

cycloneworld · 02-09-2007, 02:34 PM

We are done in 2007 correct?

hursts · 02-09-2007, 03:04 PM

Let's hope Diante and Brackins get into school, I believe neither of them have qualified yet.

PsychedClone · 02-09-2007, 03:10 PM

Originally Posted by cycloneworld

We are done in 2007 correct?

Maybe, maybe not.

C.John · 02-09-2007, 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by PsychedClone

Maybe, maybe not.

Gee..thanks for being so decisive with your answer.

PsychedClone · 02-09-2007, 03:57 PM

Originally Posted by C.John

Gee..thanks for being so decisive with your answer.

I don't think there is a definite answer to that question because we don't know if all the players currently on the roster will be back. It is certainly quite possible that one or two scholarship players may not return next year for whatever reason. I'm sure the staff is still looking at '07 players in case that happens.