Sam M & Andrew W....

[houstontxbrave]

Sam will be a solid 4 year guy, and I like his as a player, but a BU great is a big, big stretch. Next year he doesn't project out to start, or even necessarily be the first guard off the bench. AW is twice the talent Sam is, and will have twice the career. If given the choice between the two, 10 of 10 MVC coaches would take AW. This comparison is silly, really.

BB You know your BU basketball, but it doesnt take awhole lot of watching BU basketball to understand that SM will start, play lots of minutes and will be a huge factor on the court for Bradley the next 2 years... regardless of who is on our roster.

SM, as I have said over and over is JL's boy and he trusts him, expects him to lead this program and is the focal point of our team on both ends of the court. I dont care if AW is better or will have a career equal too Hawks, SM is still going to see all kinds of court time both his junior and senior year.

Everyone just needs to understand this, embrace it and move on.

[braves12]

Sam played a very good game last night. Along with TW, DC and CR. Sam probably will start next year, and he brings many positives to the team. My only concern is that he may struggle to guard the quick point guards on some of the other teams in the Valley. If he can improve his defense....great. Or, BU will have to play 2 small guards at the sametime, or Sam will have to guard a bigger guard. We will see what happens. I think EM is and will be a better defender, especially of the crucial point guard position. I am not down on Sam, he has been a very valuable player at BU and will continue to be for 2 more years. I just see a concern when it comes to cutting off the head of the other teams offense.

[amckillip]

I also believe AW would be chosen by 10 - 10 coaches in this league over SM.

Those same coaches would take DRuff over JC too, but you really look at who was more valuable to the team, really look a the glue, it was JC. You need players who do the little things, great coaches know this. Look at the Creighton teams of the past. How's Nate Funk doing in 'the league'? Deron Williams from Illinois is having an amzing career in the NBA, but you the the Illini go 34-2 without Dee Brown, their heart and soul? I don't think anyone here is saying SM is more talented, or even a better play right now than AW, but the whole SM<AW so SM shouldn't start equation is bogus. SM does the little things that win games, he wants the ball at the end of the game, and works so hard in practice, he makes the others around him work harder.

And for all those looking to say Sam shouldn't start next year, lets look at an EM vs. SM debate. The backcourt's a lot shallower now than it was last year and EM's still no where near Sam's performance.

[ER3]

BB You know your BU basketball, but it doesnt take awhole lot of watching BU basketball to understand that SM will start, play lots of minutes and will be a huge factor on the court for Bradley the next 2 years... regardless of who is on our roster.

SM, as I have said over and over is JL's boy and he trusts him, expects him to lead this program and is the focal point of our team on both ends of the court. I dont care if AW is better or will have a career equal too Hawks, SM is still going to see all kinds of court time both his junior and senior year.

Everyone just needs to understand this, embrace it and move on.

I don't understand the implication that the only reason SM plays as much as he does is because he is "JL's boy"...implying that if he weren't white and 5'11", he'd be hanging out at the end of the bench with AT and the walk-ons or something to that effect. You act as though Maniscalco is Chris Mroz or something.
Give the guy some credit...I think he's more than earned the playing time he has gotten and will continue to get...He was a god player in high school and succeeded as the only option against much better players than he faces in the Valley, and he's made countless big shots and great plays for us through a year and 2/3 at BU so far...that's why he is getting PT, not because of some physical similarity to JL.
I think some of you have bought way too far into the whole 'athleticism or bust' approach. Athletes are great, but you need to have basketball palyers, too...and pure and simple, SM is a quality basketball player...

[VeveJones007]

All those stats say is that SM had a better Freshman year than AW, and that AW had a better Sophomore year than SM.

I think people need to keep in mind that neither of them are Kobe or Lebron. Neither are going to single-handedly win games for this team next year or the year after. We will need both to contribute.

[Scouter]

And SM played behind Ruffin his freshman year......

He also started 15 games (many because Ruffin was hurt) and played a more prominent role in the rotation.

SM freshman -- 1,034 minutes
SM soph -- 858 minutes (more to come)

AW freshman -- 458 minutes (zero games started)
AW soph -- 993 minutes (would've been more if not for the hand injury)

[Out of Balance]

I hear ya. I said it before and I'll say it again, Sam M. is this year's MVP. TW is the most outstanding player but Sam M. is most valuable, IMO

Agreed

[SFP]

Those same coaches would take DRuff over JC too.

I may disagree here. It would depend on their need. I like SM a lot and I love the team play, grit and heart that he brings to every game and play. These are qualities that do make the team better. IMHO I believe AW is a superior basketball talent.

I also believe the starting lineup next year will be:

EM
SM
AW
TB
WE if healthy enough.

[egib52]

I am hoping CR sees the light and improves enough to get in to the starting lineup next year, as his athleticism could be huge defensively.

[BradleyBrave]

Our best backcourt next year will have McCain, Dunson, and Warren in it. Sam will be a great 4th guard off the bench, but the 3 guys mentioned above are all better at what they do than Sam is and will be starting. He'll be a great combo guard off the bench next year.

[SFP]

Our best backcourt next year will have McCain, Dunson, and Warren in it. Sam will be a great 4th guard off the bench, but the 3 guys mentioned above are all better at what they do than Sam is and will be starting. He'll be a great combo guard off the bench next year.

If DD works on his funky outside shot and can hit it consistantly I agree but right now SM is a bigger offensive threat then DD and EM. EM also needs to work on his outside shot and needs to be able to step up and take it from the top of the key when he is left open. Until then because we suffer on scoring consistantly SM will start this year and next year over both of them.

[BradleyBrave]

If DD works on his funky outside shot and can hit it consistantly I agree but right now SM is a bigger offensive threat then DD and EM. EM also needs to work on his outside shot and needs to be able to step up and take it from the top of the key when he is left open. Until then because we suffer on scoring consistantly SM will start this year and next year over both of them.

It's not all about offense. Dodie is our best defender at guard. He's big, he's strong, and can guard other team's bigger scoring guards. Sam cannot. EM is a better and more natural true point guard than Sam. Andrew Warren is an all-conference shooting guard who was among the league leaders in scoring heading into this year. No one is getting time over AW, you can book that. Sam does a lot of things well, but nothing great. That's why he's the perfect guy off the bench. He will spell EM at the point from time to time, and can spell Dodie when we need some instant offense. On a very good team, Sam comes off the bench and gives you whatever you need for 20-25 minutes and is an invaluable cog. On an average team he's starting, logging 30+ minutes a game, and taking shots in crunch time. Which do you prefer?

[SFP]

BB I'm with you but historically speaking SM will do everything he can do over the summer to improve his deficiencies and JL will reward him for it. We will need another scorer to take the pressure from AW. I agree that AW is a sure starter! That is not even up for discussion IMO. In a perfect world CR would step up in the off season and start at the 3 and push AW to the 2 but we know that will not happen.

[houstontxbrave]

I don't understand the implication that the only reason SM plays as much as he does is because he is "JL's boy"...implying that if he weren't white and 5'11", he'd be hanging out at the end of the bench with AT and the walk-ons or something to that effect. You act as though Maniscalco is Chris Mroz or something.
Give the guy some credit...I think he's more than earned the playing time he has gotten and will continue to get...He was a god player in high school and succeeded as the only option against much better players than he faces in the Valley, and he's made countless big shots and great plays for us through a year and 2/3 at BU so far...that's why he is getting PT, not because of some physical similarity to JL.
I think some of you have bought way too far into the whole 'athleticism or bust' approach. Athletes are great, but you need to have basketball palyers, too...and pure and simple, SM is a quality basketball player...

I say he is JL's boy because he is a player JL sees himself in. A leader, hardworker and an over achiever.

I say that in a very positive way, he has earned his minutes. I use the phrase because if you look at the two they are both very similar in who they are/were as basketball players.

Thank you for pointing it out. It probably does come off as saying he only plays because he is white. No he plays because he is very good, but his game, attitude and the way he carries himself is very similar to Les. They both are overachievers and leaders.

[BradleyBrave]

Thank you for pointing it out. It probably does come off as saying he only plays because he is white. No he plays because he is very good, but his game, attitude and the way he carries himself is very similar to Les. They both are overachievers and leaders.

Agree 100%.