The future is bright... Today was dark, really dark

[buckchuckler]

They gave up those points for two reasons. First, they were missing shots which kept the defense from getting set. Second, the refs were calling a tight game so any contact sent Butler to the line.
If we were making shots, the defense would have been set and we would have had better position so we might not have fouled as much. However if we were also driving, we would have had easier shots from close range, would have also been able to get to the line, and would have been able to compete with Butler at their own game.

The problems may have been ending on the defensive end, but they were starting on the offensive end.

I may be wrong here, but I think they scored 39 points in the 2nd half.  Again, I may be wrong, but I believe that is only 2 fewer points than they scored in the 1st half.  The big difference in halves was not the offense. 

[HutchwasClutch]

1 shot attempt for Fischer today from the field.  Your senior big gets 1 attempt.  Nice job today Wojo.

[CTWarrior]

An interesting comment from Wojo after the game.  I think he gets it.  Don't understand why he can't get his players to grasp it.

"Obviously, I got to do a lot better job. I take full responsibility for anything that happens with our team," Marquette coach Steve Wojciechowski said.

"At times when teams have made a run on us in the second half where we have had leads, our answer is always `call my play and I'll bail us out with the basket," he said. "Butler's answer to adversity tonight was to play better defense. The way they answer adversity is the way you win. The way we try to answer adversity is the way you lose."

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

An interesting comment from Wojo after the game.  I think he gets it.  Don't understand why he can't get his players to grasp it.

"Obviously, I got to do a lot better job. I take full responsibility for anything that happens with our team," Marquette coach Steve Wojciechowski said.

"At times when teams have made a run on us in the second half where we have had leads, our answer is always `call my play and I'll bail us out with the basket," he said. "Butler's answer to adversity tonight was to play better defense. The way they answer adversity is the way you win. The way we try to answer adversity is the way you lose."

Mind positing the link? Can't find it

[HutchwasClutch]

An interesting comment from Wojo after the game.  I think he gets it.  Don't understand why he can't get his players to grasp it.

"Obviously, I got to do a lot better job. I take full responsibility for anything that happens with our team," Marquette coach Steve Wojciechowski said.

"At times when teams have made a run on us in the second half where we have had leads, our answer is always `call my play and I'll bail us out with the basket," he said. "Butler's answer to adversity tonight was to play better defense. The way they answer adversity is the way you win. The way we try to answer adversity is the way you lose."

So whose fault is it in how they try to answer adversity as he explains it?!?!  Who's running things?

[tower912]

Sounds like a scooper.  Players have to make plays on defense.  See: Crowder, Jae.  James, Dominic.  Blue, Vander.  Butler, Jimmy.

[brewcity77]

I may be wrong here, but I think they scored 39 points in the 2nd half.  Again, I may be wrong, but I believe that is only 2 fewer points than they scored in the 1st half.  The big difference in halves was not the offense.

The 38-18 run to put Butler up 63-59 buried us. That's when we didn't adjust quickly enough on offense.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

So whose fault is it in how they try to answer adversity as he explains it?!?!  Who's running things?

Ah, right you're back again after loss to drone on about the same crap as always.

Gotta be honest, I really didn't miss your presence.

[HutchwasClutch]

Ah, right you're back again after loss to drone on about the same crap as always.

Gotta be honest, I really didn't miss your presence.

I'm frustrated.  I've let several losses go by also w/o saying anything, and until today, I've advocated and defended Wojo.   But today's game was egregiously bad coaching.    So where am I wrong?

[buckchuckler]

The 38-18 run to put Butler up 63-59 buried us. That's when we didn't adjust quickly enough on offense.

Please re-read your sentence.  The offense not adjusting did us in?  When they blew a 16 point half time lead.  Ok if this is what you are going to stick with ok.  To me, this game didn't scream offensive problems, but to you obviously it did.  We can agree to disagree. 

[KampusFoods]

Please re-read your sentence.  The offense not adjusting did us in?  When they blew a 16 point half time lead.  Ok if this is what you are going to stick with ok.  To me, this game didn't scream offensive problems, but to you obviously it did.  We can agree to disagree.

Isn't it clear that the offense sucked for not keeping pace with a 63 point second half?

[HutchwasClutch]

Isn't it clear that the offense sucked for not keeping pace with a 63 point second half?

 

[Golden Avalanche]

Please re-read your sentence.  The offense not adjusting did us in?  When they blew a 16 point half time lead.  Ok if this is what you are going to stick with ok.  To me, this game didn't scream offensive problems, but to you obviously it did.  We can agree to disagree.

From another angle, Marquette scored 10 points in the first eight minutes of the second half. This was a second half that saw liberal use of the whistle from the officials. Unlike Butler, there was no concerted effort from the Warriors to exploit the proclivities of the three men in stripes.

Not making that adjustment was an issue and allowed Butler to enjoy all the advantages: scoring with a stopped clock; racking up fouls on MU guards; easier defensive possessions.

[Buzz Williams' Spillproof Chiclets Cup]

the bright spots:
1a. you can see Wojo's offense beginning to take shape

Oh, phew. It only took 83 games at the helm. How reassuring.

[KampusFoods]

Oh, phew. It only took 83 games at the helm. How reassuring.

Can we stop acting like his first season should be considered in any judgment of his coaching abilities?

[GE911]

Those teams were probably down 30 and didn't foul the last 90 seconds. They scored 6 or 7 at free throw line. Also, the refs called ticky tack sh*t to start the half and they were in bonus with 14:30 to go! The hell you want Wojo to do about Luke grabbing 1 rebound? What does Wojo do about Hauser, Rowsey, Wilson and Howard getting destroyed off the dribble? Or Howard being careless with the ball during the 17-2 run. Want them to go zone? Defensive rebounding is atrocious in man.

Just accept it, they're young and soft on defense. They need to get way stronger to handle the physical teams. Not sure why you and others expect anything different. Just wait until John, Eke and hopefully the transfer from SMU get going. Team is missing toughness and Rim protection. No help on the backside and no rebounding presence. It'll change, give Wojo some time.

Did you read the title of this thread? That whole "the future looks bright" thing. That's me giving wojo time

[Buzz Williams' Spillproof Chiclets Cup]

Can we stop acting like his first season should be considered in any judgment of his coaching abilities?

Point taken.

Oh phew, we can finally see Wojo's offense beginning to take shape in the 18th game of the season. How reassuring. How's that for evaluating his coaching abilities?

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Really?!  Just the seniors??  No, it was every player.  Which happens when you're coach is being made to look like a fool by the other teams coach.

Please explain to me how Holtmann was making Wojo look like a fool. I'm not saying you are wrong, but please show your work.

[fjm]

I'm frustrated.  I've let several losses go by also w/o saying anything, and until today, I've advocated and defended Wojo.   But today's game was egregiously bad coaching.    So where am I wrong?

Yawn... not interested in trolls today.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Point taken.

Oh phew, we can finally see Wojo's offense beginning to take shape in the 18th game of the season. How reassuring. How's that for evaluating his coaching abilities?

You didn't see his offense against Vanderbilt? We've been a top 20 offense all season. If you are just seeing his offense now than your evaluating skills are questionable.

[GWSwarrior]

Yawn... not interested in trolls today.

+1

[warriorfan 14]

Our defense has sucked all year. Hasn't improved much at all. Someone is to blame, either coaches or players. This is college ball and thus I think the blame goes to the coaches

[warriorfan 14]

completely agree, i think we are still 2 years away from a tournament birth. However, we can finally see what it is that wojo wants to build, at least offensively.

or 3 years away, maybe 4, for sure 5...........

[willie warrior]

More Duane Wilson. He can at least guard on the perimeter and could have slowed down the parade of lay-ups. Butler absolutely abused Rowsey in the 2nd half and Howard didn't fair much better. Wilson isn't going to be confused for a defensive stopper...well, unless you compare him to Rowsey.

But wait...the other day I heard the FS1 color guy say that wilson is one of the better defenders in BEast. Do agree that Rowsey is a big proponent of the ole' defense.

[Newsdreams]

I wonder, did Wojo study how to coach defense under Coach K, or Paul Westhead?   Just go zone all the time, even a crappy coach's team can't screw up a zone too bad.  Not to the tune of 70% defensive FG% for a half.

Do not have enough length to go zone all the time. Will have more trouble rebounding and good shooters will feast over our small guards. Good for change of pace but not primary D for this team.