WAYY Too Early Impressions

[Silkk the Shaka]

Oh I forgot, Shaka wearing a shirt so long it could be a smock. The anti-Buzz.

A nod to Crean's long ties perhaps? Is Shaka subtly honoring our history?

[Dr. Blackheart]

My take away theme is "velocity".

Shaka employed a lot of different line-ups to start, all very different, which provides him situational flexibility. He will go deep into his bench.

Next was defense. He showed many different schemes and looks. All with high energy to be applied in the fluidity of the game. I was a bit surprised with so many looks this early (there is a lot to clean up), but I am excited that a MU team will play a "stop" pressure defense this season.

So if velocity is speed over time, this game achieved its goal. A deep bench who consistently play with high energy. The previous regime would go (too often) many possessions without stops or many games in a row without wins or start second halves with long opponent runs.

Offense: We'll see after Illinois.

[MUfan12]

Next was defense. He showed many different schemes and looks. All with high energy to be applied in the fluidity of the game. I was a bit surprised with so many looks this early (there is a lot to clean up), but I am excited that a MU team will play a "stop" pressure defense this season.

Offense: We'll see after Illinois.

I was a little surprised as well, but I guess you want to see how it looks against different uniforms. The halfcourt zone looked bad. Saw a variety of ball screen coverages based on personnel, which I don't know if we saw in the last 7 years. They did well with those. Kuath chased at the perimeter more than I'd like on occasion. Good teams would punish that.

In the press defense I couldn't tell if it was meant to be a 1-2-1-1 like he played at VCU, or a 1-2-2. Either way, they're gonna have to tighten some things up. It forced turnovers, but there were some jailbreaks as well. Kur snuffed a few out.

Agree on the offense. They got away with some passes that would have been pick sixes against HM opposition. Got some good looks, moved it well. I'd zone the crap out of MU, personally. Outside of Kolek none of them are terribly reliable outside shooters. Only hunted mismatches a few times with Justin and O-Max.

[Spotcheck Billy]

Like others, I'm excited that defense will be key.
Regarding Shaka's goal of 32 deflections/game, this was interesting:
During the game a team manager held up a sign with the number of deflections during every timeout.
The Golden Eagles far surpassed the expected number.
"We had 54 deflections," Smart said. "Which is, I think, the highest number I've ever had.
"Now, it is an exhibition game against a Division II team, so we'll see how many deflections we have on Tuesday. Our goal is 32, so anytime our guys are that active it really affects the defensive end and the offensive end for us."

[Mr. Nielsen]

Very nice student turnout last night. Let's hope that continues.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

Very nice student turnout last night. Let's hope that continues.

My niece told me since they game wasn't streamed they had to go!

[Mr. Nielsen]

My niece told me since they game wasn't streamed they had to go!

Yet, I'm willing to bet most students wouldn't have by the book stream.

[Dr. Blackheart]

My niece told me since they game wasn't streamed they had to go!

All the Vesties didn't show as there was no parking.

[Skatastrophy]

I looked at the box score and noticed that Kam Jones is a chucker.

[GOO]

 It will be odd to lose games this year due to lack of scoring, but that is what I expect, especially if Morsell isn't able to score consistently. We are going to need him to be a scoring threat as others on the floor won't be scoring threats already. Can't have someone playing a guard or SF position who doesn't score.   

Still the energy on the floor should make it exciting and result in some fan engagement that has been missing. Having some defensive take aways and stops and the pushing the ball in transition will be nice.  Intense energy like some of Buzz's teams will be nice.

I really liked the Cubby/Lazar team with the great ball movement.  It will be nice to see constant effort and movement like that team (not at that level, I realize, and not with the same ability to shoot the 3, but still the effort and movement).  And, my favorite all time MU player is Diener.  Have a guy (Kolek) with a little bit of Diener in him will be fun to watch.  It has been a while, a gamer.  Everyone always underestimated Diener.  Even when he had proven himself, it was well how good will he be without Wade etc. He's too small.  He's too slow, etc.  He was just a gamer.  I hope for some version of that from Kolek, even if not at the same level. We shall see.

[jfp61]

I looked at the box score and noticed that Kam Jones is a chucker.

Shaka "the only time i pulled Kam was when he passed up an open shot."

[Markusquette]

https://gomarquette.com/sports/mens-basketball/stats/2021-22/bowie-state-exhibition-/boxscore/9061

Thank you.

[Billy Hoyle]

Oh I forgot, Shaka wearing a shirt so long it could be a smock. The anti-Buzz.

the days of coaches wearing suits is going away after last year.  I just hope he doesn't wear a garbage bag like Huggins.

Ralph Willard not a fan of the casual dress but when Jay Wright says it's good, the other coaches listen:  https://www.nj.com/setonhall/2021/11/seton-halls-willard-wants-to-wear-suits-but-jay-wright-big-east-coaches-are-leaning-toward-casual-dress.html

[TheREALwrk]

Too early against too poor of an opponent to judge anything. Biggest takeaway is that is was fun to be back at the forum in person.

boooooooooo

[Skatastrophy]

We should reserve judgement for at least 5 years.

[Dr. Blackheart]

the days of coaches wearing suits is going away after last year.  I just hope he doesn't wear a garbage bag like Huggins.

Ralph Willard not a fan of the casual dress but when Jay Wright says it's good, the other coaches listen:  https://www.nj.com/setonhall/2021/11/seton-halls-willard-wants-to-wear-suits-but-jay-wright-big-east-coaches-are-leaning-toward-casual-dress.html

Is Ralph still alive?

[Marquette Overload]

Is Ralph still alive?

Don’t know about Ralph Willard but Fred Willard died.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Don’t know about Ralph Willard but Fred Willard died.

Ditto Willard Scott.

[brewcity77]

Thoughts...

• Offense will be a challenge, but 72 of the 74 shots were either threes or twos in the paint. Those are high percentage shots. Both mid-range shots were missed, which will help Nevada Smith reinforce the threes and dunks/layups offensive plan. I don't think this is a great offensive team, but a great offensive strategy will minimize their deficiencies.
• The defensive intensity was something else. Totally different than Wojo. They were still pressuring and diving with a 40+ point lead. I saw Joplin go to the floor with about 4 minutes left. Once they get the team concepts, they'll be really good.
• Kur Kuath is a difference maker. Uses his length well, smart shot blocker, tries to dunk everything. He's never averaged more than 17 minutes, but he platooned with a very good Brady Manek last year. I'm hoping he can average 25 mpg. In games where he played 25+ mpg, Kuath averaged 9.2 ppg/4.7 rpg/2.5 bpg with 4/6 games at a 119 ORtg or better.
• The most ready freshmen on this team are Wojo's recruits. Both Mitchell & Jones look like day one contributors. Joplin, Ellis, & Itejere (RS) aren't there yet.
• O-Max needs to find consistency. He was average at best last night after being great in the open practice. He started, so I assume he is at least showing flashes in practice too.
• This team is fun to watch. The quick inbounds, constantly looking for a good shot, pushing the pace, creating turnovers, this team plays the modern game, just need the experience and talent to deliver results.

[Dr. Blackheart]

• Offense will be a challenge, but 72 of the 74 shots were either threes or twos in the paint. Those are high percentage shots. Both mid-range shots were missed, which will help Nevada Smith reinforce the threes and dunks/layups offensive plan. I don't think this is a great offensive team, but a great offensive strategy will minimize their deficiencies.

Great observations, but this one needs a call out. Many of us may be sleeping on MU’s offense, but the Nevada Smith NBA philosophy, focused on efficiency, will be interesting to see play out. The fact that only two of 74 shots were mid-range against a cupcake where garbage time can get sloppy, shows the focus of the coaching staff on efficiency. Shaka was not pleased with 13 turnovers, but MU had only four after halftime once the nerves settled down.

This is something to track as the opponents get better in November. We mostly all wanted a modern day coaching staff focused analytics and efficiency, and we got it. Let’s see if it’s a difference maker.

[Newsdreams]

I looked at the box score and noticed that Kam Jones is a chucker.

Write a letter

[tower912]

I thought I read/heard during the radio broadcast that MU never once fed the post.    Is this accurate? 

[MuggsyB]

I thought I read/heard during the radio broadcast that MU never once fed the post.    Is this accurate?

Seriously?  There may be some concerns in our h-c offense.

[Dr. Blackheart]

I thought I read/heard during the radio broadcast that MU never once fed the post.    Is this accurate?

Not a priority unless a dunk

[JTJ3]

I thought I read/heard during the radio broadcast that MU never once fed the post.    Is this accurate?

Hopefully.