[F_DA_POParticipant]

I hear he started behind Harrison Barnes in high school. I don’t know if he’s getting much hype, but this guy is putting up insane stats. Shot 18-23 with 44 points on saturday, is shooting 63% from the field and 58% from behind the arc while scoring 25 ppg and getting 8 rbpg. Crazy stats no matter who you’re playing for.

[Dale WorthingtonParticipant]

He may be the best player in college hoops. I know Creighton plays a soft schedule but 25 and 8 on the wing is incredible.

Creighton’s gonna be fun to watch come Tourney Time baby. The entire teams pops 3s like balloons.

[B FreeParticipant]

 He started with Barnes in highschool, and you’re right his numbers don’t lie he is a good shooter but not a great athlete, he is very Adam Morrison-ish, college wise that is.

[radartrade]

 he is the new kyle korver-white, from creighton, 6-7 210 and can shoot 3’s lights out

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

Have to say, Doug is not like Kyle Korver. He is not quite the shooter Kyle was, even while putting up these unbelievable numbers, but he is more versatile and can actually hit the boards. Not surprised he is doing really well this year and I think he is kind of a tweener at the next level, but he definitely gets drafted by somebody. Really liked him since seeing him play a few times last year and I think he played with Harrison Barnes and was a reason their team was unbeaten that last year. 

[JoeWolf1]

 There are some common misconceptions about McDermott I’d like to clear up.

1. Creighton plays a weak schedule: FALSE: Creighton’s SOS is #36 in the nation and they play in a conference with two teams capable of making an NCAA birth ( Missouri State and Wichita State).  They did not have the biggest names in their non-conference schedule, but they beat major conference schools such as Northwestern, Iowa, SDSU and Nebraska (3-0 in the Big 10).  They don’t have a top 25 SOS ranking, but 36 is very respectable with rematches with WSU ( beat UNLV) and MSU coming up in conference play.

2. Doug McDermott plays a lot like Adam Morrison or Kyle Korver: FALSE: McDermott plays power forward for Creighton and is a very skilled post player.  He does not force shots and works very much within the flow of the offense.  McDermott also is a gritty player with a high motor.  He shots turn arounds, hooks and jukes down on the block better than a number of NBA centers, but can also step out and hit 25 footers.  His biggest weakness is ball handling, since he’ll be playing SF in the NBA.  He can work the perimeter, but doesn’t hang out on the perimeter like Morrison not does he operate heavily off screens like Korver.

The truth of the matter:

McDermott is a very skilled, tough nosed player, that despite very average athletic ability plays with a very high motor and basketball IQ.  He doesn’t have to dominate the ball to be effective, he works very well moving without the ball and isn’t a chucker.  He is a great shooter, but his shot selection (evident of his IQ) is the reason for his insanely high shooting percentages.  He doesn’t shoot 3’s if he’s not open, he doesn’t hit a 3 and then start chucking them and he has post moves that allow him to get the ball on the block and create a high percentage shot by faking out or operating well down low.

At an NBA level his biggest weakness, is a big one, he’s not a great ball handler and he’s going to need to be to play SF at the next level.  He’ll be okay as a pick and pop player, right now, but to maximise his ability in the NBA he needs to get better at putting the ball on the deck.  His athleticism doesn’t translate to being a good defender at an NBA level, but that isn’t too concerning because he is a guy who puts forth a lot of effort to defend.  He may get burnt, but he’s going to be trying his damnest to stop his guy.  I’d much rather have that than a great athlete not trying.

I love McDermott as a college player, he’s not Morrison, he’s not Korver, he’s more of a throw back.  He could come out this season and be brought along as a bench player and pick and pop threat, but he’s kind of a tweener right now because he plays like a power forward.  If he develops his ball handling he could be a very solid NBA player maybe a starter or 6th man type. If he doesn’t he’ll still find a spot on someone’s bench because of his shooting and high motor.  This season, I think he’d be a 25-35 pick.

[JunkYardDogParticipant]

I never watched him play…. but he seems to be an interesting player.

can we compare him to wally szczerbiak ? or he’s more like luke harangody ?

[JoeWolf1]

 Not as good of a ball handler as Szczerbiak.  It’s been forever since I saw Wally play in college, but I remember him being able to bang in the post like Doug, but I remember Wally being more well rounded.

Not like Gody at all, Gody was a pretty low percentage shooter in his day.  McDermott plays a different role and is a smarter player IMO.  He’s also a better athlete, with a higher motor although Gody is much stronger and bulkier.

I can’t think of anyone currently in the NBA who I’d compare him to, the best I can say is that he’s a throwback….maybe 1 part Rambis 1 part McHale with a consistant 3 pointer, lol. 

[ckelley015Participant]

 Thank you JoeWolf1.  You hit those misconceptions right on the nose.  He is not KK or Adam Morrison.  As a CU fan who watches every game I can, he is not even remotely close to either player.  Generally, he makes his 3pt shots off a little slip screen or by simply drifting out for a kick-out. Not running off screens like KK.  Mcdermotts most valuable and remarkable skill is his post footwork.  His footwork allows him to seal out in the post like I have never seen, he gets shots off on pretty much anyone just by knowing where his man, the ball, and the rim are. It doesn’t hurt that he can finish with both hands equally and runs his @ss off in transition.

This CU team is very good on offense with Grant Gibbs (gonzaga transfer) playing somewhat like a point forward and greg enchenique (rutgers transfer) playing with the physicality of the Big-East.  Everyone else on the floor WILL make you pay if you sag off them on the 3 pt line. This team also only has one senior! Their defense is mediocre to say the least but watch out if they can figure that out before tourney time.

Here is a video of Doug’s 44 point game with all shots/FT’s included. You can see it looks like a lot of easy shots but thats because of how hard he works to wait for time to outposition his defender and seal him to the hoop.

http://sports.omaha.com/2012/01/08/doug-mcdermotts-44-point-highlight-reel/

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