Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on February 08, 2025, 09:47:00 PMShow up to the game on Tuesday with this quote written on a sign. Send a statement to the team.

It's on the Internet, how much more real can it get???

Quote from: BM1090 on February 08, 2025, 09:47:12 PMI don't think we have final four talent. It could happen because like Wades says crap happens in the tournament.

But we need a secondary creator. I've harped on this a lot but Sean being out really limited our ceiling. If Kam is not creating there isn't halfcourt offense. And Sean would have been able to at least create penetration.

But if we can get healthy there's a shot. Parham and Lowery are playing a lot better. We have 7 legit contributors. 8 when Tre puts in a few buckets.

Lots of good signs, but ones we'll likely have to wait until next year to fully see.

It'll be funny next year when Scoop is complaining about Sean's game

Half of Scoop would rapture if Sean came back next year sporting a mid-range game.

Two years ago, UConn looked awesome in non-con, then staggered to a 4th place Big East finish, losing not just to tourney teams (Marquette, Xavier) but non-tourney teams as well (St John's, Seton Hall). Then as a 4-seed, they went to the Final Four and discovered two 5-seeds and an 8 waiting for them.

I'm not expecting a UConn type finish. If I'm guessing, I'd say we likely finish 4th, go 1-1 at MSG, and win a game or two in the tournament, with a first round upset more likely than an Elite Eight or further. But the same guys that made us a top-10 team are still here. And turning it around after a midseason swoon wouldn't be unprecedented.

Has this stretch sucked and caused us to level set expectations a bit lower? Sure. But the season's not over and as UConn proved, you don't have to be a 1-seed to have postseason success.

I think it's very hard to progress past a sweet 16 without big men who are physical or athletic. We may not have either. Think we can make it to sweet 16 but ceiling is limited. One variable would be a hot 3 pt shooting team. Our last FF team had Robert Jackson at 6'9 260 and a PF who was athletic (forgot his name). Also trying to think of another FF team in the past with a roster like our current team? Regardless, hope we get back to winning and challenge for BE title.

Quote from: Captain Quette on February 09, 2025, 09:38:14 AMI think it's very hard to progress past a sweet 16 without big men who are physical or athletic. We may not have either. Think we can make it to sweet 16 but ceiling is limited. One variable would be a hot 3 pt shooting team. Our last FF team had Robert Jackson at 6'9 260 and a PF who was athletic (forgot his name). Also trying to think of another FF team in the past with a roster like our current team? Regardless, hope we get back to winning and challenge for BE title.

Exactly. Seems like it has been a few years since we have had a solid big.

Quote from: Captain Quette on February 09, 2025, 09:38:14 AMI think it's very hard to progress past a sweet 16 without big men who are physical or athletic. We may not have either. Think we can make it to sweet 16 but ceiling is limited. One variable would be a hot 3 pt shooting team. Our last FF team had Robert Jackson at 6'9 260 and a PF who was athletic (forgot his name). Also trying to think of another FF team in the past with a roster like our current team? Regardless, hope we get back to winning and challenge for BE title.

Scott Merritt.

Quote from: 79Warrior on February 09, 2025, 09:47:18 AMExactly. Seems like it has been a few years since we have had a solid big.

Oso graduated in 2014

That's him Sultan, good memory. Perhaps Shaka revisits the portal to get some big man in the off season. That and a 3 pt shooter would be very helpful. Have some good other pieces.

Quote from: willie warrior on February 08, 2025, 06:13:47 PMThis team needs a hell of a lot more than a win, but that is a start. Not hearing much about a 2 seed these days.

He's right as usual

Quote from: NickelDimer on February 09, 2025, 10:11:37 AMHe's right as usual

When Marquette is winning, which they have done WAY more than lose under Shaka and he doesn't say anything, only showing up to complain and bitch during the rough patches, is he wrong then?

Quote from: Captain Quette on February 09, 2025, 10:07:28 AMThat's him Sultan, good memory. Perhaps Shaka revisits the portal to get some big man in the off season. That and a 3 pt shooter would be very helpful. Have some good other pieces.

He was just mentioned on the board the other day because he was abruptly fired as the women's coach at Gardner-Webb.

Having right-sized my expectations and knowing I can be an optimist:

5-2 seems reasonable. A win v STJ or UC can happen just like a loss in any of the other 5.

We get a 4 seed unless we win the BET. Then 3.

Sweet 16 - of course there's that matchup magic that can help you or kill you in March but on average, sweet 16

E8 and FF are all about the luck of the draw and a game with a great 3%. We shouldn't get there but we always hope like every year.

Quote from: brewcity77 on February 09, 2025, 09:25:39 AMTwo years ago, UConn looked awesome in non-con, then staggered to a 4th place Big East finish, losing not just to tourney teams (Marquette, Xavier) but non-tourney teams as well (St John's, Seton Hall). Then as a 4-seed, they went to the Final Four and discovered two 5-seeds and an 8 waiting for them.

I'm not expecting a UConn type finish. If I'm guessing, I'd say we likely finish 4th, go 1-1 at MSG, and win a game or two in the tournament, with a first round upset more likely than an Elite Eight or further. But the same guys that made us a top-10 team are still here. And turning it around after a midseason swoon wouldn't be unprecedented.

Has this stretch sucked and caused us to level set expectations a bit lower? Sure. But the season's not over and as UConn proved, you don't have to be a 1-seed to have postseason success.

Since the end of last season I felt like this years Marquette squad might be one of those Shaka type teams that is a bit under-seeded compared to the previous iterations but makes a deep run due to that underdog turn you over with good defense and length mentality.

It's easy to be under-seeded when the last 2 seasons brought two seeds, and if this team gets it right mentally and the ball goes thru the hoop they will definitely have a chip on their shoulder.

To me, it's mostly mental with this team. I say that with supreme confidence when I see someone like Stevie pass up open shot after open shot and then his senior co-leader Jop refuse to pass him the ball when he's wide open so he can take an in your face contested shot. I'm not blaming Jop either, as he knows in that moment that Stevie doesn't want to shoot.
You see two guys trying to screen the same Creighton player, etc etc.
There has been a lot of this as of late, because the confidence is rattled.
Hate to see it with a veteran team that has been together for so long, but it happens during a rough stretch.

That said, I've mentioned a few times that I really expect this teams shooting to show up when it matters most this season.
Why? Mostly based off my instinct but also because they are better shooters than they've shown and all Marquettes reach equilibrium.
When the shots start falling the confidence will rise, the defense will swarm, Kam will look more like Kam, and all will be right again.

Y'all gonna think I'm crazy but I'm still of the opinion that an Elite Eight trip is much more likely for this squad than a first round exit.
They have to figure it out asap though because they can't let that seed continue to tumble

Quote from: DoctorV on February 09, 2025, 11:34:44 AMSince the end of last season I felt like this years Marquette squad might be one of those Shaka type teams that is a bit under-seeded compared to the previous iterations but makes a deep run due to that underdog turn you over with good defense and length mentality.

It's easy to be under-seeded when the last 2 seasons brought two seeds, and if this team gets it right mentally and the ball goes thru the hoop they will definitely have a chip on their shoulder.

To me, it's mostly mental with this team. I say that with supreme confidence when I see someone like Stevie pass up open shot after open shot and then his senior co-leader Jop refuse to pass him the ball when he's wide open so he can take an in your face contested shot. I'm not blaming Jop either, as he knows in that moment that Stevie doesn't want to shoot.
You see two guys trying to screen the same Creighton player, etc etc.
There has been a lot of this as of late, because the confidence is rattled.
Hate to see it with a veteran team that has been together for so long, but it happens during a rough stretch.

That said, I've mentioned a few times that I really expect this teams shooting to show up when it matters most this season.
Why? Mostly based off my instinct but also because they are better shooters than they've shown and all Marquettes reach equilibrium.
When the shots start falling the confidence will rise, the defense will swarm, Kam will look more like Kam, and all will be right again.

Y'all gonna think I'm crazy but I'm still of the opinion that an Elite Eight trip is much more likely for this squad than a first round exit.
They have to figure it out asap though because they can't let that seed continue to tumble

I think you're crazy because this isn't a great defensive team. If they don't turn you over, you get good shots against this team. Not a prescription for a deep run.

Quote from: BM1090 on February 08, 2025, 09:47:12 PMI don't think we have final four talent. It could happen because like Wades says crap happens in the tournament.

But we need a secondary creator. I've harped on this a lot but Sean being out really limited our ceiling. If Kam is not creating there isn't halfcourt offense. And Sean would have been able to at least create penetration.

But if we can get healthy there's a shot. Parham and Lowery are playing a lot better. We have 7 legit contributors. 8 when Tre puts in a few buckets.

Lots of good signs, but ones we'll likely have to wait until next year to fully see.

Not going to be good times next year as we will have to rely a lot on frosh wing shooters with no bangers underneath. Of course we will have the New Zealand nifty knife to slice up opposing teams. Shaka better find at least one banger in the off season.

Scoop is the same every year during Marquette's yearly late season collapse.   Groundhog's day.  😂😂😂

Quote from: Farley36 on February 09, 2025, 12:59:30 PMScoop is the same every year during Marquette's yearly late season collapse.   Groundhog's day.  😂😂😂

How would you know? Don't you only show up when Marquette loses?

Hey! Another long dormant poster heard from.  Woot!

Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on February 08, 2025, 09:48:47 PMWe have a 1st team All American and 7 to 8 legit contributors? but not Final Four talent. This is confusing.

What is confusing is a 6 11 center that can't score or rebound. Such a deal!

Quote from: The Sultan on February 09, 2025, 11:48:21 AMI think you're crazy because this isn't a great defensive team. If they don't turn you over, you get good shots against this team. Not a prescription for a deep run.

Marquette has given up 75+ points only 4x this season, twice in the last 3 games. 1-3 in those 4 games (DePaul the only win).
Up to this point last season they had allowed 75+ 7x.

Marquette has scored under 70 5x this season, 0-5 in those games.
3x up to this point last season, 0-3.

I disagree with your premise that this isn't a great defensive team, I think it is. I will agree that it can give up some good shots, but most of those are after offensive boards or just a negative side effect of the ultra aggressive nature of the D.
I also think this team will become better defensively given healthier bodies and more efficient offense.

I do not worry about Marquettes ability to hold teams under 75 in the NCAAt, I worry about their ability to score above 70.
If the shots start to fall the way some of these guys are capable this team will again be a big time threat.
You can win a lot of games when you hold teams in the 60s and low 70s consistently, but you can't win those if the offense is rubbish

Quote from: rocky_warrior on February 08, 2025, 09:43:14 PMI still believe Marquette has at least sweet 16 talent (more like final 4). 

No way does this team have Final 4 talent.  Last year's team had Final 4 talent but not this year.  TK was simply a better floor general than Kam is and TK had the P&R which was virtually unstoppable with Oso.  And Oso had a much better overall game than this year's BG and probably next years as well.  The problem with this years team is the offense is either ball handler drives all the way to the hoop OR someone makes a kick out three and since everyone seems to be slumping from 3 the offense is way too 1 dimensional.  If they get a lot of live ball turnovers as they did in the non-con the offense looks great but high level competition late in the season does a better job of taking care of the ball.
Its great that Shaka recruits guys that are willing to play great defense but in addition to that you have to have players that elite offensive skills as well.  By this time 3 seasons ago you could already see Kam had elite scoring skills.  To some extent Joplin as well.  Who of the underclassmen have shown that? I had hoped that Owens would be that guy but he seems to have regressed since the start of conference.  Again if you're talking about Final 4 or Sweet 16 level you can't have your bench and for that matter your starting center being able to "just hold down the defensive end".  There have to be guys that can give you a scoring lift.
 
 

All year long, I have said the keys are get healthy, stay healthy, make 3s, develop the bench.  Doctor V, I believe a healthy enough MU team, shooting 35% from 3, with contributions off the bench, doesn't need to fear anyone.

Now, they just have to get healthy enough and hit more 3s.  The bench is starting to show.

Quote from: Uncle Rico on February 09, 2025, 10:35:10 AMWhen Marquette is winning, which they have done WAY more than lose under Shaka and he doesn't say anything, only showing up to complain and bitch during the rough patches, is he wrong then?

No he's not wrong then. Matter of fact he's never wrong.

Quote from: DoctorV on February 09, 2025, 02:08:51 PMMarquette has given up 75+ points only 4x this season, twice in the last 3 games. 1-3 in those 4 games (DePaul the only win).
Up to this point last season they had allowed 75+ 7x.

Marquette has scored under 70 5x this season, 0-5 in those games.
3x up to this point last season, 0-3.

I disagree with your premise that this isn't a great defensive team, I think it is. I will agree that it can give up some good shots, but most of those are after offensive boards or just a negative side effect of the ultra aggressive nature of the D.
I also think this team will become better defensively given healthier bodies and more efficient offense.

I do not worry about Marquettes ability to hold teams under 75 in the NCAAt, I worry about their ability to score above 70.
If the shots start to fall the way some of these guys are capable this team will again be a big time threat.
You can win a lot of games when you hold teams in the 60s and low 70s consistently, but you can't win those if the offense is rubbish

Disagree all you want. But unless they create a turnover, it's a lay-up line. They rank 217th in the country in FG defense. That's just not good enough.