The maturation of Vander Blue

Entering this season, the question for Marquette was who would replace the offense of DJO and Jae Crowder who were one of the nation's best 1-2 combos last season. My initial thought waas it would be Jamil Wilson who'd take the Lazar, Jimmy, Jae role. Instead, it's been significant minutes and touches from Davante Gardner, steady play from Junior Cadougan at the point and a much improved offensive player in Vander Blue.

Coming out of Madison, Blue a was blue chipper who many expected big things from the minute he stepped on campus. As a Freshmen, Blue played a limited role. He played a lot more his Sophomore year but was at best, an average offensive player.

But what Blue did in his second season was defend and rebound the ball. He had an offensive rebounding rate of 7.4% and a defensive rebounding % of 11.7%, not bad for a 6' 4" shooting guard. He had a steal % of 2.6% and an overall rebounding average of 4.5 pg. Blue contributed in a way to make the team better and defered offensively to the more polished and consistent Jae and DJO. Still, most fans saw a player only scoring 8.4ppg. Worse yet, he had a poor effective FG% of 43%. From the field he shot 44% on 2's and 26% on 3's, making 8 of 31. He shot a respectable 70% from the free throw line. While those numbers weren't good, it was his rebounding as a guard that made him a contributor to a team that earned a 3 seed and made a trip to the Sweet 16.

Fast forward to this season and we see a completely different player. The rebounding rate and numbers are down but that void has been filled by a healthy Chris Otule and Gardner. Otule missed nearly all of last season. What Blue has done, has become next to Junior and maybe Davante at the line, the teams most consistent offensive player. His effective FG% is now up to 51%, a very good improvement and his ability to get to the rim has increased his 2pt shooting % to 53%. His 3pt shooting is barely better, an okay 30% but he's making more as he has 31 on the year, 3 times as many as last year which means you have to respect his ability to drive or shoot making him an even more dangerous offensive threat. His ability to attack and get to the line helps offset Marquette's weak 3pt shooting. Blue is now a 76% FT shooter. A rebounder and defender last year, Blue has become the offensive player this year many thought he could be.

What Vander Blue has shown is what has helped sustain Marquette as a top level Big East school under Buzz Williams. He could have bailed like his HS teammate and buddy Jerrone Maymon. Instead, he bought in like the players before him and currently with him. In doing so, he's contributed in a myriad of ways and is a better basketball player and Marquette is continuing to hum along sans Butler, DJO, Jae, etc.