Buie

[clarificationcat]

Has there ever been a player in football or basketball that has gone from being as disliked as Buie was to being as beloved as Buie is? I can’t figure out how to word it but you know what I mean. A lot of people on this board and in the stands could not stop ripping on him through his first 3 seasons. His mistakes were almost all they could focus on.

I can’t think of anybody like him in the past 35-40 years. Maybe Kafka if we win the bowl game.

 

[SmellyCat]

He played an All-American game tonight. We'll forgive underclassman mistakes if we get an All-American on the other side of it.

I never disliked him, but I was definitely frustrated with him and no matter how good he looked in spurts those years, it was beyond my imagination that he would ever be quite this good.

 

[xxxbobxxx]

I remember his Chuck the Ball routine three feet beyond the arc w 25 on the clock to a clang only to return and do it again and again.

The kid has grown into a player from just a baller. He is a team manager, time manager, shot maker, shot creator. And he looks like he is having fun. All the time.

I’m one of those you refer to. And he has won my heart and respect. Him and Shurna are my top two.

 

[clarificationcat]

I remember his Chuck the Ball routine three feet beyond the arc w 25 on the clock to a clang only to return and do it again and again.

The kid has grown into a player from just a baller. He is a team manager, time manager, shot maker, shot creator. And he looks like he is having fun. All the time.

I’m one of those you refer to. And he has won my heart and respect. Him and Shurna are my top two.

I really am not looking to rehash old arguments on such a great night. I promise. I don’t think some folks understood how difficult it is to run the team and have to score every night. The level of difficulty on his drives is as high as ever. It’s remarkable how much better he has gotten around the basket. He used to be a poor finisher. Tonight was crazy.

 

[SmellyCat]

I watched highlights of the last victory over no. 1 Purdue (I love that you now have to specify which time that happened) today and one thing I saw was he had two or three shots blocked by Edey he never should have taken so deep in the paint. And that was when he was good last year and NU won.

Tonight he adjusted, often releasing his shots much earlier. And he may have just played the best game of his career. He is getting better and better.

 

[The Purple Knight]

Has there ever been a player in football or basketball that has gone from being as disliked as Buie was to being as beloved as Buie is? I can’t figure out how to word it but you know what I mean. A lot of people on this board and in the stands could not stop ripping on him through his first 3 seasons. His mistakes were almost all they could focus on.

I can’t think of anybody like him in the past 35-40 years. Maybe Kafka if we win the bowl game.

Buie has matured into a killer. He used to play recklessly, loose handling the ball and prone to turnover's and taking bad shots.
All those things are gone and he has become one of the best guards in the country! Really really impressed !

 

[CSCatFan1]

Buie has matured into a killer. He used to play recklessly, loose handling the ball and prone to turnover's and taking bad shots.
All those things are gone and he has become one of the best guards in the country! Really really impressed !

Is that a product of coaching? Does CCC get any credit for Buie’s maturation?

 

[clarificationcat]

Buie has matured into a killer. He used to play recklessly, loose handling the ball and prone to turnover's and taking bad shots.
All those things are gone and he has become one of the best guards in the country! Really really impressed !

His assist to turnover ratio was good by his sophomore season when folks were still ripping on him.

Buie has matured into a killer. He used to play recklessly, loose handling the ball and prone to turnover's and taking bad shots.
All those things are gone and he has become one of the best guards in the country! Really really impressed !

He was not more prone to loose handling of the ball or turnovers than any other guy who handles the ball on every possession. His assist to turnover ratio was competitive with almost any point guard we have had beginning in his sophomore season. He averaged 4 assists and 2 turnovers a game his sophomore season. He improved it to 4.3 to 1.9 his junior year. Braden Smith is currently averaging 3 turnovers a game as a sophomore. Tyler Kolek is averaging 2.7 turnovers a game this year and averaged 2.5 turnovers in the two prior seasons.. Folks saw was they wanted to see and not what actually happened on the court. The most dramatic difference in his game is his ability to finish at the rim. He basically shot the same on 3's and shots inside the arc his sophomore year. We were better off having having him chuck 3's than drive to the basket. Now he is over 50% at the rim. It has dramatically changed his game and opened things up for him and his teammates. I agree that his ball handling and decision making have become extraordinary.

 

[TheC]

His assist to turnover ratio was good by his sophomore season when folks were still ripping on him.

He was not more prone to loose handling of the ball or turnovers than any other guy who handles the ball on every possession. His assist to turnover ratio was competitive with almost any point guard we have had beginning in his sophomore season. He averaged 4 assists and 2 turnovers a game his sophomore season. He improved it to 4.3 to 1.9 his junior year. Braden Smith is currently averaging 3 turnovers a game as a sophomore. Tyler Kolek is averaging 2.7 turnovers a game this year and averaged 2.5 turnovers in the two prior seasons.. Folks saw was they wanted to see and not what actually happened on the court. The most dramatic difference in his game is his ability to finish at the rim. He basically shot the same on 3's and shots inside the arc his sophomore year. We were better off having having him chuck 3's than drive to the basket. Now he is over 50% at the rim. It has dramatically changed his game and opened things up for him and his teammates. I agree that his ball handling and decision making have become extraordinary.

Thank you for that clarification!

 

[GOUNUII]

Is that a product of coaching? Does CCC get any credit for Buie’s maturation?

Yes and Yes.

 

[SmellyCat]

I don’t know what his brother specifically did, but that can’t be discounted either. I want to give CC and BB most of the credit but Battle surely deserves credit as well.

 

[clarificationcat]

Buie has matured into a killer. He used to play recklessly, loose handling the ball and prone to turnover's and taking bad shots.
All those things are gone and he has become one of the best guards in the country! Really really impressed !

Yes and Yes.

It could also partly be because Collins gave him the freedom to fail and figure things out. Buie has a ton of experience - a lot of it negative. Last year, a lot of people criticized Collins for not calling a time out in a close game we lost. Instead, Buie dribbled up and ended up losing the ball. I didn’t see anybody criticize Collins for not calling a time out last night at the end of regulation. You have to trust your best players. And you have to put the ball in their hands at the end of games for good and bad. It’s not hero ball. It’s give yourself the best chance to win ball.

 

[GatoLouco]

Part of the animosity had to do with playing on a losing team, compounded by the feeling the team underperformed to (low NU) expectations.

 

[AdamOnFirst]

Is that a product of coaching? Does CCC get any credit for Buie’s maturation?

Considering that Buie personally frequently credits Collins, and their close relationship, to his success, yes.

 

[PurpWildCatNation]

I remember his Chuck the Ball routine three feet beyond the arc w 25 on the clock to a clang only to return and do it again and again.

The kid has grown into a player from just a baller. He is a team manager, time manager, shot maker, shot creator. And he looks like he is having fun. All the time.

I’m one of those you refer to. And he has won my heart and respect. Him and Shurna are my top two.

Same. I might have to amend my list now and have Buie over Pardon depending on if we go dancing again 2 straight years in a row.

 

[clarificationcat]

Funny thing - if it’s a loss and one of us blames CCC, the klan complains that we always blame ccc. Yet they refuse to acknowledge they try to credit cccc for the Sun rising and falling every day…

I don’t really see all that much praise for Collins on this board. I think he has done a great job of building chemistry and getting the guys to play hard almost every night the past few seasons. I think he was humbled after the first tournament team and I think he has adjusted his coaching style (at least in games). He used to scream at the players almost every play. Now he is a lot more strategic. I always thought he was a good X’s and O’s coach. If both teams are playing hard, it usually comes down to talent. We currently have an all-conference point guard who also happens to be pretty clutch in finishing games since last year. Same plays but better results because we have better players. Combine that with an improved defense and we are winning close games. I mentioned we have winning streaks against Purdue, Indiana, Michigan State and Wisconsin. None of those teams offered a single player on our team. Credit having a veteran team. Credit Lowery. Certainly credit Buie. But you have to credit Collins. He was able to keep the team motivated and united through some really difficult stretches. And he’s doing it with players nobody else wanted. It’s a long season and I know folks can turn on Buie and Collins quickly but the team seems to be in a really good place.

 

[clarificationcat]

Part of the animosity had to do with playing on a losing team, compounded by the feeling the team underperformed to (low NU) expectations.

Wasn’t all his fault. Audige was hurt and had a really bad year. Nance had a very good year but was not clutch. Buie struggled to finish at the rim but did a pretty good job of protecting the ball and running the offense. If we had made some free throws at the end of games we could have won 10 conference games 2 years ago. Better than almost every other season we’ve had.

 

[SDakaGordie]

Funny thing - if it’s a loss and one of us blames CCC, the klan complains that we always blame ccc. Yet they refuse to acknowledge they try to credit cccc for the Sun rising and falling every day…

You do realize we will sometimes lose games, right? He deserves a lot of credit for getting us in position to beat #1 and he frankly does not (in almost all cases) deserve a lot of blame when we lose a close game to a very good team. Close losses (which we had for years leading up to last year) are a good sign - yet you never see this. Also, we’ve never, ever beaten a #1 team in 120 years, and now we’ve beaten one twice in 10 months. You (we) are always entitled to comment and criticize, but what does it take to stop the CCC hating?

 

[xxxbobxxx]

I don’t really see all that much praise for Collins on this board.

Lost me here but got a quick like from SD, which is odd cuz he never has anything positive to say about CCC….

 

[xxxbobxxx]

You do realize we will sometimes lose games, right? He deserves a lot of credit for getting us in position to beat #1 and he frankly does not (in almost all cases) deserve a lot of blame when we lose a close game to a very good team. Close losses (which we had for years leading up to last year) are a good sign - yet you never see this. Also, we’ve never, ever beaten a #1 team in 120 years, and now we’ve beaten one twice in 10 months. You (we) are always entitled to comment and criticize, but what does it take to stop the CCC hating?

Your perception. I haven’t ‘hated’ on CCC since the turn around. Now, I applaud Gagg’s scolding and I attribute most of the D attributes to Lowery. But I acknowledge that CCC is the CEO and deserves credit when the team performs well just as he deserves blame when it doesn’t. That simple. You can call me a hater all you want - doesn’t make it true and doesn’t change a thing

 

[rmndcat]

Is that a product of coaching? Does CCC get any credit for Buie’s maturation?

Certainly some of both. I'd like to think the culture of a developmental program is part of what distinguishes NU...in BB, FB and everything else, particular in the era of NIL. It's what Braun has said he wants to focus on and Collins already seems to be doing it.

 

[SDakaGordie]

Your perception. I haven’t ‘hated’ on CCC since the turn around. Now, I applaud Gagg’s scolding and I attribute most of the D attributes to Lowery. But I acknowledge that CCC is the CEO and deserves credit when the team performs well just as he deserves blame when it doesn’t. That simple. You can call me a hater all you want - doesn’t make it true and doesn’t change a thing

The point is you hated on him before the turnaround. Anyone can not hate on him since the turnaround. But facts don’t change a thing in your view.

 

[xxxbobxxx]

The point is you hated on him before the turnaround. Anyone can not hate on him since the turnaround. But facts don’t change a thing in your view.

He was a failing coach that earned a pink slip. Given a public last chance, he made the best of it. I’m good with all of that.

 

[The Purple Knight]

Is that a product of coaching? Does CCC get any credit for Buie’s maturation?

Yes CC and staff have been part of the development. Also Boo is a veteran with a lot of experience and better surrounding cast.

 

[Hungry Jack]

Collins screams less because Beran is gone and we have good, experienced players. The defensive coaching has transformed this team. Kudos to Collins for figuring out recruiting, which laid the groundwork for our current success.

 

[clarificationcat]

Collins screams less because Beran is gone and we have good, experienced players. The defensive coaching has transformed this team. Kudos to Collins for figuring out recruiting, which laid the groundwork for our current success.

He stopped several years ago. He is much more judicious in screaming at players. I think that was a result of down years and a couple of guys transferring out of the program.

Kudos to Boo Buie for becoming a really good player in his senior year and a great player this year. We had two senior guards last year and 3 this year. Put these guys on the team 2 years ago (with their current games) and we win at least 10 conference games.

 

[Catreporter]

Detroit doubled Buie every time he touched the ball. Interesting strategy which forced other Cats to step up yesterday. Boo had to become more of a distributor rather than looking for his own shot and he really couldn't drive into the paint. I wonder if we'll see more of that going forward.

 

[TheC]

Detroit doubled Buie every time he touched the ball. Interesting strategy which forced other Cats to step up yesterday. Boo had to become more of a distributor rather than looking for his own shot and he really couldn't drive into the paint. I wonder if we'll see more of that going forward.

We scored 91 points and had multiple other guys go for 20+. Let 'em try it!!

 

[rogerkim]

He used to scream at the players almost every play. Now he is a lot more strategic.

What I have noticed, both on TV and in-person (especially yesterday at WRA), is that instead of yelling at the players, he turns to his assistant coaches and says something to them instead. It appears to have been an intentional shift, to give him an outlet for his frustrations without screaming at the players.

I would love to know the content of these comments to the assistants, since I'm not a lip-reader...

 

[Katatonic]

Don't think that anyone really  disliked Boo, but rather were disappointed in his undisciplined play early on (compared to the high standards of Juice and BMac)

I remember his Chuck the Ball routine three feet beyond the arc w 25 on the clock to a clang only to return and do it again and again.

This is reminiscent of Demps driving everyone nuts until he started making clutch 3s later on in his NU career.

The point is you hated on him before the turnaround. Anyone can not hate on him since the turnaround. But facts don’t change a thing in your view.

Don't think Ignore hated on CC, as much as gave legit criticisms.

If it takes another 6 years for the next post season appearance (don't think that's going to happen), the criticisms would again be legit.

 

[SDakaGordie]

Not sure what you intend by using “legit”. He’s allowed to say what he wants to within the rules - that’s “legit”. If you want to talk about accuracy, that’s a different story. I argued at the time that the criticisms were inaccurate. He has maintained all along, and re-stated it recently, that he would have fired CCC. That’s not a good nor an accurate decision, I think we can (almost) all agree.

 

[xxxbobxxx]

Don't think that anyone really  disliked Boo, but rather were disappointed in his undisciplined play early on (compared to the high standards of Juice and BMac)



This is reminiscent of Demps driving everyone nuts until he started making clutch 3s later on in his NU career.





Don't think Ignore hated on CC, as much as gave legit criticisms.

If it takes another 6 years for the next post season appearance (don't think that's going to happen), the criticisms would again be legit.

Your demos comparison is spot on though I think Boo is more pivotal. And remind me - did demos leave early?

 

[xxxbobxxx]

Not sure what you intend by using “legit”. He’s allowed to say what he wants to within the rules - that’s “legit”. If you want to talk about accuracy, that’s a different story. I argued at the time that the criticisms were inaccurate. He has maintained all along, and re-stated it recently, that he would have fired CCC. That’s not a good nor an accurate decision, I think we can (almost) all agree.

I would have fired ccc instead of giving him the dress down. And rightly so. But ccc took it to heart and made some changes and I’m back at reset. Back then there were many issues - players development, player utilization, keeping players, the vassar thing.

He has a really good assistant in Lowry. I think Mac is proving to be an asset. He is deploying assets in logical fashion. I even like the recruiting - as I have said forget the stars, find system players and develop them.

While I credit Lowry for the D, I give a lot of credit to ccc for: swallowing pride, changing recruiting course, better in game coaching. He’s not HOF material yet, but I’m impressed in his willingness to change unlike a former FB HC.

If fitz has gone the ccc route a few years ago, he would have remained unfireable. But he went oppo - stood hard on assistant coaches, snubbed fans, media and was simply an arrogant sob while losing.

So good for ccc. I hope he achieves even more success here at NU. I’ll still call out flaws when I see them.

 

[xxxbobxxx]

Not sure what you intend by using “legit”. He’s allowed to say what he wants to within the rules - that’s “legit”. If you want to talk about accuracy, that’s a different story. I argued at the time that the criticisms were inaccurate. He has maintained all along, and re-stated it recently, that he would have fired CCC. That’s not a good nor an accurate decision, I think we can (almost) all agree.

btw, I think of I search the archives, I’ll find posts by you and your kin that swore ccc would leave if he succeeded as a result of the dress down.

You may still be right but so far I find his humility quite refreshing.

 

[clarificationcat]

Don't think that anyone really  disliked Boo, but rather were disappointed in his undisciplined play early on (compared to the high standards of Juice and BMac)



This is reminiscent of Demps driving everyone nuts until he started making clutch 3s later on in his NU career.





Don't think Ignore hated on CC, as much as gave legit criticisms.

If it takes another 6 years for the next post season appearance (don't think that's going to happen), the criticisms would again be legit.

That’s revisionist history on Boo. Many folks absolutely despised him. I don’t feel like searching but people found ways to blame him for almost every loss. The idiots sitting behind me at games couldn’t wait to jump on every mistake. McIntosh averaged almost 1 turnover more his junior season than Boo in his junior season, but McIntosh wasn’t careless with the ball because we had a great season.

This board is all about results. Make the tough shot at the end of the game and you’re a hero. Miss it and your playing hero ball. “Why doesn’t Collins run plays” “Why didn’t he call a time out and set something up?” Collins in-game coaching hasn’t changed much. Boo is just executing at a very high level at the end of games. Next year it is very likely that Collins in-game coaching will be criticized a lot more.

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

That’s revisionist history on Boo. Many folks absolutely despised him. I don’t feel like searching but people found ways to blame him for almost every loss. The idiots sitting behind me at games couldn’t wait to jump on every mistake. McIntosh averaged almost 1 turnover more his junior season than Boo in his junior season, but McIntosh wasn’t careless with the ball because we had a great season.

This board is all about results. Make the tough shot at the end of the game and you’re a hero. Miss it and your playing hero ball. “Why doesn’t Collins run plays” “Why didn’t he call a time out and set something up?” Collins in-game coaching hasn’t changed much. Boo is just executing at a very high level at the end of games. Next year it is very likely that Collins in-game coaching will be criticized a lot more.

NU Coaches are great after every win and suck after every loss.

 

[GatoLouco]

Collins in-game coaching hasn’t changed much.

I fully admit that success goggles might play a role here. But I see differences:

1) The rotation is not as fast and furious. Long gone are the 5 different players on the floor by minute 6
2) We don't change to zone at signs of difficulty. We worked on improving the man to man and he is basically Matt Painter, who I have never seen defend in a zone a single possession
3) He is, albeit modestly, trying to give a little playing time to the guys with clear potential. I don't think Hunger or Clayton see any playing time a couple of seasons ago. Nicholson didn't, Barnhizer didn't.
4) We are not playing stall ball at the end of games. No clear five out for long periods
5) There's just more willingness to change. Which is even more remarkable when winning would suggest less reasons to change. He will sit Matt down if he's not playing well, same for Berry for example. In the past Beran could be 0 for 100 and he would be out there playing. That seemed to change as last season unfolded. To me it felt he moved from stubborn until I am proven right to adapting to the reality in front of me

 

[NUCat320]

Kudos to Boo Buie for becoming a really good player in his senior year and a great player this year. We had two senior guards last year and 3 this year. Put these guys on the team 2 years ago (with their current games) and we win at least 10 conference games.

Boo took a leap midway through his junior season; we were too focused on Nance to notice.

Boo started taking and making better shots. I think he also finally decided that, four stars and all, Nance wasn’t the leader the team needed. It was Boo’s job to step up and fill the void.

Compare the Wake Forest overtime game in Nance’s final season at NU — pretty sure NU ran about four failed isolations for Nance down the stretch — to what Boo did against Indiana last season. Night and day.

For all the struggles of CCC’s teams, the prospect of a senior season with Boo as top dog was enough that I was … supportive of the coach holding a job for one (presumably) final season in 22-23. Worked out great.

 

[NUCat320]

I fully admit that success goggles might play a role here. But I see differences:

1) The rotation is not as fast and furious. Long gone are the 5 different players on the floor by minute 6

Second straight Nance comment: without fail, Nance was pulled before the under-16 timeout, then reinserted after the break. It was this weird rule — sit your best guy, as quickly as possible, when he’s not yet tired — that I’ve never seen anywhere else, and it was ironclad.

Boo will be among the league leaders in minutes again this year. CCC is letting his dogs play more than he did for a long time.

 

[UpsetAlert]

Second straight Nance comment: without fail, Nance was pulled before the under-16 timeout, then reinserted after the break. It was this weird rule — sit your best guy, as quickly as possible, when he’s not yet tired — that I’ve never seen anywhere else, and it was ironclad.

Boo will be among the league leaders in minutes again this year. CCC is letting his dogs play more than he did for a long time.

That’s an NBA substitution pattern.