Moving on to the 19-20 Season

[muguru]

Reasonable point, guru. We absolutely will miss the Hausers' 3-point shooting. The ability to adequately space the floor -- and actually hit long jumpers -- is probably my biggest concern next season.

Hopefully, several players who want to be Warriors will be able to help in this regard. Koby, Sacar, BB, etc. But they have much to prove, and much respect to earn. If I were the opposing coach, I would hound Markus relentlessly and otherwise pack my defense into the lane until a few Marquette players prove they can hit shots consistently.

This is a homerun post MU82..it's easy to say "they will be more of a driving team next year", but as you so aptly stated, driving is MUCH MUCH easier when you have guys that can stretch the floor and allow the adequate spacing to drive. Your opposing defensive philosophy is also spot on...why wouldn't anyone play this MU team that way?? If I'm an opposing Coach and I can get Markus to give up the ball as much as possible..I'm going to take my chances with that every single time.

Sure, Sacar, Bailey etc will have games where they seemingly can't miss from 3(it happens), but as you say, the worry is the consistency from 3 that Sam and Joey brought from behind the arc.

My biggest concern next year is shooting in general, and even moreso 3 point shooting.

[TSmith34, Inc.]

I am not sold on Joey yet.  Plays below the rim, decent moves not great, will shoot the ball much better in 2 years.  Sort of slow a foot.

This could pretty much describe Sam after his freshman year as well.

[BCHoopster]

Agree, Joey did a little bit more than Sam did as a freshman, but Sam had a certain confidence factor that Joey does not have.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

On the three point shooting. We have been spoiled the past three seasons. We have been an ELITE three point shooting team. Among the best in the country every year.

We most likely will not be an elite three point shooting team next season. But that does not mean we will be a bad three point shooting team. The average team 3P% last season was around 34%. Just because we won't be hitting 39-42% of our 3Ps next season doesn't mean our 3P shooting will be  a weakness.

[Herman Cain]

I think the quality of our three point shots this coming season will go up.  This years  team will be moving the ball around  a lot more to the open man . Markus ,in particular ,is going to get cleaner looks. Greg, Jamal, Sacar and Koby can all make open threes. 

[muguru]

On the three point shooting. We have been spoiled the past three seasons. We have been an ELITE three point shooting team. Among the best in the country every year.

We most likely will not be an elite three point shooting team next season. But that does not mean we will be a bad three point shooting team. The average team 3P% last season was around 34%. Just because we won't be hitting 39-42% of our 3Ps next season doesn't mean our 3P shooting will be  a weakness.

But they have been dependent on that elite 3 pt shooting the last three years, and were going to be again this year. The % WILL drop off, so then what?? That has to be made up for somehow

[Silent Verbal]

During this year’s Nova game at Fiserv, Sacar hit a couple consecutive shots from deep.  Jay Wright’s reaction to this was to look back at his assistant coaches and laugh mockingly.  This, to me, sums up what opposing coaches will think of us this year.  They’ll give everyone not named Markus open shots all day, every day until someone proves they can hit with consistency.  And none of our other guys are half as good as Sam was from deep, and they’re all worse than Joey was, too.  Maybe Bailey can get to Joey’s level this year.  But I understand where guru is coming from.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

But they have been dependent on that elite 3 pt shooting the last three years, and were going to be again this year. The % WILL drop off, so then what?? That has to be made up for somehow

Better defense, better driving, better post play, better ball control, better ball movement...etc.

Not saying that it will be made up for, just pointing out that just because our 3P shooting gets worse, doesn't mean it will be bad. I think it will be average to above average this season.

[brewcity77]

But they have been dependent on that elite 3 pt shooting the last three years, and were going to be again this year. The % WILL drop off, so then what?? That has to be made up for somehow

By driving, by getting to the line, by putting back offensive boards, by having other guys make threes, literally any way the basketball is scored. Or, more likely, there will be falloff. And if so, too bad, so sad, but the point of the thread is "Moving on".

[muguru]

By driving, by getting to the line, by putting back offensive boards, by having other guys make threes, literally any way the basketball is scored. Or, more likely, there will be falloff. And if so, too bad, so sad, but the point of the thread is "Moving on".

Honestly, you confuse me sometimes Brew...YOU have said that our expectations for next year can't be lower because of what happened, and because MU was "pimping" out all the preseason ranking stuff etc". I'm wondering how they adjust this coming year(19-20), which is the title of the thread, right?? I just don't get how you can get on me for wondering about next year and how they will live up to the expectations you yourself said can't be lowered?? By your own admission above you say "too bad, so sad" that they won't be as good, you're right, they won't be...and that's where the confusion sets in...if the expectations are to be a top 10 team(again YOU were the one saying expectations can't be lowered), then how can you just say "they won't be as good", but still have the expectation(s) that they will be?? 

[Uncle Rico]

Honestly, you confuse me sometimes Brew...YOU have said that our expectations for next year can't be lower because of what happened, and because MU was "pimping" out all the preseason ranking stuff etc". I'm wondering how they adjust this coming year(19-20), which is the title of the thread, right?? I just don't get how you can get on me for wondering about next year and how they will live up to the expectations you yourself said can't be lowered?? By your own admission above you say "too bad, so sad" that they won't be as good, you're right, they won't be...and that's where the confusion sets in...if the expectations are to be a top 10 team(again YOU were the one saying expectations can't be lowered), then how can you just say "they won't be as good", but still have the expectation(s) that they will be?? 

I believe this is what you are looking for.  They’re going to stink because the Hausers are gone and it’s impossible to replicate their scoring and any attempt at it is foolhardy.  /fin

[JakeBarnes]

Ed looking like hes got a smooth shot in the MUBB insta

[muguru]

I believe this is what you are looking for.  They’re going to stink because the Hausers are gone and it’s impossible to replicate their scoring and any attempt at it is foolhardy.  /fin

Not at all what I'm looking for...I don't want them to stink. I'm "discussing" next year. Trying to figure out how they replace what they lost, is discussing next year. It's no different then discussing how they will replace Markus, Sacar and Ed when they leave. I hope Brew will have the same snarky response to someone that brings that up when the time comes. Don't see how it would be any different, or should be.

[Uncle Rico]

Not at all what I'm looking for...I don't want them to stink. I'm "discussing" next year. Trying to figure out how they replace what they lost, is discussing next year. It's no different then discussing how they will replace Markus, Sacar and Ed when they leave. I hope Brew will have the same snarky response to someone that brings that up when the time comes. Don't see how it would be any different, or should be.

And folks are laying out a way to be fine on offense without Sam and Joey, not dissimilar to the arguments they can’t be better without them.

Both are valid arguments because we haven’t seen them play without them.  I’m skeptical they are a better offensive team but I’m bullish on the defensive side of the ball and believe they can run a lot more.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Honestly, you confuse me sometimes Brew...YOU have said that our expectations for next year can't be lower because of what happened, and because MU was "pimping" out all the preseason ranking stuff etc". I'm wondering how they adjust this coming year(19-20), which is the title of the thread, right?? I just don't get how you can get on me for wondering about next year and how they will live up to the expectations you yourself said can't be lowered?? By your own admission above you say "too bad, so sad" that they won't be as good, you're right, they won't be...and that's where the confusion sets in...if the expectations are to be a top 10 team(again YOU were the one saying expectations can't be lowered), then how can you just say "they won't be as good", but still have the expectation(s) that they will be?? 

Because no matter what happens next season, we theoretically would have been better with the Hausers. That is impossible to change so there is no point in talking about it over and over again. That doesn't mean that we can't still have a very good (maybe even meeting those high expectations) season next year.

[tower912]

Every team loses something every year.  The nature of college basketball.   You see hopelessness, I see opportunity.  If Sam had stayed, a year from now you would be saying there is no way to replace Sam and Markus.  And the answer would be the same.  Somebody steps up.  Somebody improves.   Offenses and defenses get tweaked to reflect personnel.   Every new season is an unknown.  7 weeks ago, some we're forecasting Marquette to be a top 10 team.  There were no unknowns.  Now there are unknowns.  And opportunities to step up.


I believe 19-20 ends up approximately the same as 18-19.  Bottom of the top 25, top 3 in the Big East.

[brewcity77]

Honestly, you confuse me sometimes Brew...YOU have said that our expectations for next year can't be lower because of what happened

Expectations should be the same. The reality is the results likely won't be. If they get where they should, which is a top-10 team & top-3 seed, they'll have to do it differently. That will most likely be on the defensive end. Matching the offense will require offensive changes. It won't be plug and play.

The bar for a successful season has not changed. The likelihood of reaching that bar and the way we do it has. Whining won't change any of that.

[Marcus92]

Marquette has had some amazing three-point shooting and offense the past 3 seasons. But that's also contributed to the team's imbalance.

On the offensive end, we've relied heavily on the three. When shots fell, we could beat just about anybody in the country. But we struggled against quicker, longer teams that made it tough for Markus, Sam and company to get open looks. If threes weren't falling, look out. More misses from long range were often compounded by more opponents getting more long rebounds -- giving them a head start toward high-percentage transition baskets.

On the defensive end, our roster has been undersized and slow at several positions: Markus Howard, Andrew Rowsey and Joseph Chartouny at guard, Sam and Joey Hauser at forward, Matt Heldt at center.

While we'll definitely miss Sam and Joey's offensive production, I'm curious to see how this longer, quicker, more athletic and still very experienced lineup pulls together. MU might be less perimeter-focused on offense. But it should be an even better defensive squad than last season (I think Top 25 in defensive efficiency is possible), with better ball-handling (Koby and Greg seem like a clear upgrade from Chartouny), better slashers and better offensive rebounding.

Threes are awesome. But they're not enough to build a high-level winning team. You need other ways to score. And you need the right roster and game plan to can keep you in the game defensively when the offense inevitably struggles.

[forgetful]

Every team loses something every year.  The nature of college basketball.   You see hopelessness, I see opportunity.  If Sam had stayed, a year from now you would be saying there is no way to replace Sam and Markus.  And the answer would be the same.  Somebody steps up.  Somebody improves.   Offenses and defenses get tweaked to reflect personnel.   Every new season is an unknown.  7 weeks ago, some we're forecasting Marquette to be a top 10 team.  There were no unknowns.  Now there are unknowns.  And opportunities to step up.


I believe 19-20 ends up approximately the same as 18-19.  Bottom of the top 25, top 3 in the Big East.

If we are top 3 in the Big East, I think we end up top 15. Next year's BE is going to be a blood bath, possibly 7 teams making the NCAAs.

[muguru]

And folks are laying out a way to be fine on offense without Sam and Joey, not dissimilar to the arguments they can’t be better without them.

Both are valid arguments because we haven’t seen them play without them.  I’m skeptical they are a better offensive team but I’m bullish on the defensive side of the ball and believe they can run a lot more.

I don't disagree they will be better defensively. I also agree they can run more and perhaps create more/easier opportunities to score by creating more steals etc. One of the big unknowns though is Will Wojo do those things?

I don't say that as a criticism of him, but the truth is..we just don't know if he will adjust accordingly, or if he will do things the same way.

He's had elite 3 point shooting for 3 years now to hang his hat on..that's been their calling card. Now that they won't have that..does he know how to..or will he revamp the scheme to fit the personnel?

[MU82]

All I'm saying is that the vast majority of successful teams in college basketball have a legitimate threat of hitting 3s, unless they are freaky stars like Duke had last season.

We have been an elite 3-point shooting team. If we have a small falloff as some have suggested, still hitting 35%-plus to force opponents to defend us "honestly," this will be less of a concern. But until a bunch of unproven players show they can do that, it is my biggest concern. Most everybody has one "biggest concern" or another; that's mine.

But yes, I do have hope that we can make up for some of the 3-point falloff with transition baskets caused by a long, active, quick defense -- the kind of hoops that were pretty much non-existent last season -- as well as offensive rebounding and just good solid defense.

We have much to prove, and, as always, I am hopeful that we will again be a competitive, successful, entertaining team.

Being an optimist doesn't mean I can't have legit concerns, though.

[tower912]

I'm not as optimistic as I was.  I actually agreed with the top 10 projections. 

[muguru]

I'm not as optimistic as I was.  I actually agreed with the top 10 projections.

I echo this...I felt the top 10 ranking(s) were totally legit. Hopefully, we can be pleasantly surprised this next year.

[Uncle Rico]

http://www.barttorvik.com/trankpre.php

Interestingly, Marquette 14th in offensive efficiency projections and 60th in defensive efficiency projections.

[Dr. Blackheart]

http://www.barttorvik.com/trankpre.php

Interestingly, Marquette 14th in offensive efficiency projections and 60th in defensive efficiency projections.

With Sam leaving, there is not a lot of chance of MU moving up in offensive efficiency.  I can see the reverse actually (better on D, worse on O). Overall, mid 30s is about right.