Derrick Walton Jr is fantastic
Lost in the adoration for Jordan Morgan, I think, is the great play of Derrick Walton. He was executing the two man game with Morgan to perfection and was disecting Tennessee all night.
The announcers talked about how much better he is than in December. I agree. Looking at his numbers, they're better than Darrius Morris's freshman year and more efficient than Trey Burkes':
| Season | School | Conf | G | MP | FG | FGA | FG% | 2P | 2PA | 2P% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009-10 | Michigan | Big Ten | 32 | 24.3 | 1.6 | 4.0 | .406 | 1.4 | 2.8 | .506 | 0.2 | 1.2 | .179 | 0.9 | 1.4 | .630 | 1.8 | 2.6 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 1.6 | 1.9 | 4.4 |
| 2010-11 | Michigan | Big Ten | 35 | 34.8 | 5.7 | 11.7 | .489 | 5.3 | 9.9 | .533 | 0.5 | 1.8 | .250 | 3.1 | 4.3 | .715 | 4.0 | 6.7 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 2.9 | 2.1 | 15.0 |
| Season | School | Conf | G | MP | FG | FGA | FG% | 2P | 2PA | 2P% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-12 | Michigan | Big Ten | 34 | 36.1 | 5.2 | 12.0 | .433 | 3.5 | 7.2 | .490 | 1.7 | 4.8 | .348 | 2.7 | 3.7 | .744 | 3.5 | 4.6 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 2.8 | 1.6 | 14.8 |
| 2012-13 | Michigan | Big Ten | 39 | 35.3 | 6.6 | 14.4 | .463 | 4.7 | 9.3 | .506 | 1.9 | 5.1 | .384 | 3.4 | 4.3 | .801 | 3.2 | 6.7 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 2.2 | 1.9 | 18.6 |
| Season | School | Conf | G | MP | FG | FGA | FG% | 2P | 2PA | 2P% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-14 | Michigan | Big Ten | 34 | 26.4 | 2.5 | 5.8 | .434 | 1.4 | 3.0 | .461 | 1.1 | 2.8 | .404 | 1.9 | 2.5 | .786 | 3.0 | 2.9 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 1.6 | 1.6 | 8.1 |
Here are their rankings for reference:
Walton: 45(composite)
Burke: 147(rivals)
Morris: 77 (rivals)
Morris (the Butterfly) and Burke blew up their second year in Beilein's system. I think Walton will, too. I think he will be better than Morris, and in some ways could be better than Trey - though I'm not predicting a NPOY. I think for sure he'll make an all big ten team, and a darkhorse for B1G player of the year.
March 29th, 2014 at 12:56 PM ^
He's done well for what they ask him to do, but to compare him to either Burke or Morris is kind of silly. The talent and familiarity with this offense of everyone around him is on another level from what Morris or Burke had as freshmen. Even Burke last year, when all of these guys were freshmen and were deferring, didn't have the options that Walton has on the floor.
He gets to run a few pick and rolls a game, and otherwise sit on the wing and shoot open threes. He doesn't even initiate the offense all of the time. I think he'll be pretty good when all is said and done, but he isn't the straw that stirs the drink on this team.
Walton will never be the same player that Burke was because he isn't. Burke was the superstar point guard because that's just who he is. Walton does not appear to fit that same mold. He has superstars that he can dish to, so he might never be the guy like Burke was because frankly the team does not need him to be.
They both play the same position, but they are two very different players. I can see Walton developing a better jump shot than Burke, and play better defense than Burke, and have a similar A/TO margin. His usage on offense will most likely not come close to what Burke's was thus he will most likely never be the NPOY, or have the accolades that Burke had.
The mark of a great player, and person really, is recognizing your gifts and talents and understanding how to make those talents improve others. This team needs Walton to fill a much different role than last years team needed out of Burke. Realizing that is what will make Walton great and the team great.
One of the more interesting things about Derrick Walton to me is that he is one of six players on the team with more than 100 total rebounds and four players with a 3FG% better than 40% who have made more than 100 attempts. At an average of 26 minutes, he's not out there quite all the time, but he is vital when he is out there. I really like what I have seen and am excited to see what he will be next season (let's finish this one out nicely, of course).
I love the growth we've seen in Walton's game over the past year, but we can't compare him to Burke at the moment. Much less is asked of him right now. He is much more of a role player in the offense. Burke was the focal point, the equivalent of Stauskas now.
there's a hidden upside; Spik will still be a senior and can compete/mentor/be insurance for our next freshman PG, who can then start as a sophomore.
Whereas if Walton goes pro after his junior year, Spike will have graduated (unless Spike redshirts before his Senior year, which rarely happens but is actually a decent idea), and we'll go into the next season with nothing but a freshman PG there.