DBrown- Jeckyll & Hyde

[mostly harmless]

And for the love of all that is holy, Love must dunk the ball. He is further than where I thought he would be, but when you are 6'9 with long arms and a big wingspan with at least marginal athletic ability, stop trying to lay the ball in. Especially on the back to back possessions (the two before they finally called a foul sending Love to the line) where he missed bunnies and at the point when he caught the ball he was alone for a split second, take the ball up and jam it. Then you get the two points even if the foul is not called. I know he can dunk the ball fairly easily and it is the highest percentage shot on the court. Duncan is even dunking lately. Send it in Jerome!

[LA Muskie]

Miller was VERY direct in his postgame comments as to how unhappy he was with Brown re that late turnover. He said Brown has to show more maturity and brains, and not make that kind of big mistake in a close game. From his comments, it seemed like he had had this conversation with Brown on previous occasions.

Of course he was! It was a bonehead play. But I'm sure Miller was also THRILLED that Brown's aggressive play scored the game-winning basket at .1 seconds. Miller choses his post-game comments to motivate the team. One would not be wise to take what he says post-game as his ONLY thoughts on the game, the player, or any particular play.

[mhettel]

Agree totally about Brown.

It seems like that explosive athleticism is demonstrated on the break, or when getting a chance to cut right to the basket without the ball.

When handling the ball, it seems like he has more trouble getting launched (there are exceptions).

He's playing like a soph, which is fine since he's a soph. We need him to play like an upperclassman by march, and play like a senior next year.

i'm more worried about love. he hasn't been close to what he showed us early this year. He's the starting center, yet he's fouling guys like he's a 3rd string stiff brought into the game late to make them go to the line. he's gotta be much smarter than that.

Love has done a great job on the offensive boards, has scored a lot of "opportunity" baskets and has really improved from the line.

Dumb fouls are gonna hurt his development. i wonder if he's getting worn down a bit???

[xuhuh!]

I think Love has been frustrated the last few games with some quick peeps against him, then some no calls under his backboard (Repeatedly) It happens. Brown and Love got pinned too deep some vs. St Louis. I think Love will be OK, just needs to get some confidence back. He was able to hit 2 free throws when needed. I was impressed by Duncan's inside offensive scoring. I've been howling for DUNKS at 1ft. and in from the bigs. Love and Brown need to join in on what Duncan is learning to do. It demoralizes the opponent. Brown lost his balance and unloaded the crosscourt pass with nothing on it. Thanks be to Drew to keep the final possession himself to make that sweet little pass off the glass to.....D. Brown

[wkrq59]

But overall Xavier loses quite a bit this season without Duncan's outstanding play. Remember people, these are college players, not pros. I don't care if they're sophomores or seniors, they're human.
And what would you prefer? Josh playing perfect but not scoring or passing or grabbing key rebounds? Or Derrick not soaring majestically from the free throw line for a tip that in a split second sent 10,000-plus screaming Billikens fans home crying "If only..."?
I submit that Tyler Hansboro, Paulos, and a whole string of other ballyhooed basketball players are no different from Derrick Brown, Josh Duncan and a whole lot of other Xavier players and contemporaries--they are human. But they are also subject--on this board for sure--to "made for posting criticism."
I don't know about some of us, but I watched with bated breath as Drew drove for that shot, a shot he makes more often than not, and watched even before he started his drive as Derrick got himself in position to make a play if he missed which he did but Brown didn't miss. What's the result if the St. Louis player steps in front of Brown and blocks him out? What's the result if the St. Louis player takes a dive and gets a charge as had been called so wrongly earlier in the game???
Naw, didn't happen. Xavier still won the game because one guy had the guts to drive the lane and put up the tough shot, hero or goat time, and Brown had the anticipation and the guts to tip that baby home with 0.1 seconds on the clock for a victory.
Go Muskies, beat those cotton-picking Hawks.

[xumadman]

a Great post Q.

[Theo Huxtable]

Let me help all of you guys out. D Brown is Curtis Bostick. He is a great athlete but thats it. He can dunk and he can rebound and thats all we need from him this year. He will never be a James Posey. There should never be a thread about D Brown. He is what he is and he will never be more. If you don't want to believe me then go back a few years and read my threads about Wolf and Duncan and then maybe you will believe me. Theo knows his crap Now if D Brown can learn how to shoot a J then he will be great but hitting 2 three pointers isn't going to change my opinion on him. The kid has 2 years to improve but right now he is just a great rebounder and dunker and thats all we need from him this year. Next year he has to step up.

[LA Muskie]

Let me help all of you guys out. D Brown is Curtis Bostick. He is a great athlete but thats it. He can dunk and he can rebound and thats all we need from him this year. He will never be a James Posey. There should never be a thread about D Brown. He is what he is and he will never be more. If you don't want to believe me then go back a few years and read my threads about Wolf and Duncan and then maybe you will believe me. Theo knows his crap ;) Now if D Brown can learn how to shoot a J then he will be great but hitting 2 three pointers isn't going to change my opinion on him. The kid has 2 years to improve but right now he is just a great rebounder and dunker and thats all we need from him this year. Next year he has to step up.

Horrible post, Theo. Just horrible. And flat out wrong.

[LA Muskie]

Duncan's passing in the last 2 games has been rather suspect.

Coach is smart enough to know that every player is motivated differently, and Coach always uses his post-game interviews to send messages to players. He is more direct and blunt with Derrick; you can see it on the sideline and in his post-game comments. He is more gentle with Duncan, whom I think most would agree seems to be more emotional. He's somewhere in the middle with regard to Drew, Stan, BJ, CJ and Love.