Derrick Walton Jr. - 1ST TEAM ALL BIG TEN

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Blue from Ohio

March 11th, 2017 at 3:19 PM ^

Yeah no disrespect to Nate Mason but I think Derrick Walton showed why he's better than Mason.  Mason's a great guard but anyone can look good with enough volume. Walton doesn't succeed by volume but instead does what need's to be done to win.  Great game.

The2nd_JEH

March 11th, 2017 at 3:35 PM ^

Those of you who have the game DVR'd or access to a replay. When Derrick makes those back to back 3's: The second one after the crossover, listen to the ball go through the net and then the crowd erupt. Absolutely beautiful

Michifornia

March 11th, 2017 at 3:36 PM ^

Yesterday it was Mo. This is a very solid TEAM. Oh and D Dub. Unbelievable Sr Point guard leading and carrying this team.



Let's win the title!

GO BLUE!!

KAYSHIN15

March 11th, 2017 at 3:40 PM ^

If this was Walton's Freshman or Sophomore year he would be playing himself into being an NBA first rounder. The fact that he's a senior will make scouts overlook his obvious NBA potential.

Mr. Yost

March 11th, 2017 at 3:54 PM ^

Let's pump the breaks he's balling out of control, but he's still 6' tall on his best day. NBA is about potential.

Remember Marcus Paige from UNC? Exact same thing. Check out his stats as a sophomore...and on a high profile team. He had to play all 4 years and was a late 2nd rounder.

Walton will likely be the same, IMO.

EDIT: That said, he absolutely should be 1st Team All-B1G and he should have a ton of votes for B1G POY. Hopefully he gets tournament MVP and 1st team all tourney team after a championship win tomorrow.

KAYSHIN15

March 11th, 2017 at 4:12 PM ^

That's the exact reason why so many players are busts. GMs ignore production for what "might be". You named Page, but I'll respond with Yogi Ferrel (Dallas) and Isaiah Thomas. Both kids were extremely productive in college but overlooked come draft time. Yes Isaiah was drafted but with the final pick in the draft.

gmoney41

March 11th, 2017 at 4:24 PM ^

100%^^. I was going to say the same thing about yogi. I knew Yogi would carve out a role on an NBA team, the guy was just a ball player at IU, and his game is complete. Walton has to find the right fit, but he could carve a role somewhere. Just like jabrill and his stock falling to the end of the first round, whatever team gets him is getting a ball player, period.

Mr. Yost

March 11th, 2017 at 5:45 PM ^

No one is saying Walton isn't going to carve out a role. I don't see how this is even a point. I never said anything about his performance in the NBA. I just said he's not going to get drafted high and playing at this level earlier wouldn't change that.

Personally, I feel NBA should draft more on production, but that's not what we're discussing here.

Mr. Yost

March 11th, 2017 at 5:44 PM ^

Who's arguing that potential is the reason why there are so many busts? I 100% agree with you on that.

And you literally just proved my point. He's not going to get drafted high and even if he was a freshman or a sophomore he wouldn't. You just mentioned two guys and neither was drafted high despite strong careers.

Walton could be a GREAT NBA player, but he's not going to get drafted high and playing like he's playing 2 years ago wouldn't have changed that.

Case and point...every name we've mentioned thus far.

Playing at this level 2 years ago changes NOTHING is my point. Just like Paige...he was playing at this level his sophomore year. He had to return. If Walton was playing like this as a sophomore, he'd be back for his junior year too (or be a 2nd round pick).

All I was saying is the NBA drafts potential and Walton playing at this level at a younger age changes nothing. Only that he comes back to Michigan as a preseason POY (like Ferrel).

Wolverine Devotee

March 11th, 2017 at 4:24 PM ^

He's become everything we hoped for when he got here. At the perfect time. 

He's a better distributor than Trey Burke. And rebounds, too.

pryoo

March 11th, 2017 at 4:30 PM ^

just playing out of his mind.. his jumper reminds me a bit of former Warriors great Tim Hardaway, Sr. 

He doesn't have elite quickness, but don't underestimate his heart, leadership, smarts and strength. Given the right circumstance, a coach would absolutely feel comfortable with Derrick running a team off the bench next year. 

Jameer Nelson or Patty Mills are good comparisons in my mind, and I'm hoping he gets a chance as a late draft pick/ FA signee next year. 

Not wanting to bash Trey Burke, but I think Walton is a better defender, rebounder, and leader overall.

 

LSAClassOf2000

March 11th, 2017 at 4:54 PM ^

Yeah, I was upset when Walton did not make the list initially, but now that we've seen our way to the Big Ten Touranment finals thanks in no small part to the leadership and play of Derrick Walton, Jr., I am simply flabbergasted as to the reason for the snub. I truly don't see what, well, they don't see, if you will.