St. John's

[Hubert Davis]

BEAT ST. JOHN'S! Pointing out the obvious here but Tuesday is an absolute must-win game for the Warriors. Coming off a huge home win in front of great crowd, we all need to build off the Xavier win-fans included-and carry that momentum into Tuesday's game. We need to show up. Students need to bring it and we need to help this team win. We all know by now that this team is the epitome of inconsistency. Lets help lift them to a huge win and give us more hope for the ever so precious NCAA tourney bid! Lets make Marquette basketball great again.

Show up. Buy a beer. Be loud. And lets just win baby!

[wadesworld]

Biggest game of the year.

[goldeneagle91114]

So what's the best way for Marquette to beat St. Johns? obviously shoot well from behind the arc, but what can we exploit, and how do we get our shooters open. Also, what the best way to guard them?

[wadesworld]

So what's the best way for Marquette to beat St. Johns? obviously shoot well from behind the arc, but what can we exploit, and how do we get our shooters open. Also, what the best way to guard them?

Control the basketball.  If you do that you don't let them get out in transition, you don't let them get momentum, and you make a bunch of athletes beat you in the half court.  When they are playing over aggressive defensively, be strong with the dribble and blow by them.  Make the defense collapse and then hit the open man on the kick out.  Get to the free throw line.  Rebound.

[MarquetteDano]

So what's the best way for Marquette to beat St. Johns? obviously shoot well from behind the arc, but what can we exploit, and how do we get our shooters open. Also, what the best way to guard them?

Well I hope Wojo learned them driving us off the three point line into shot blockers.  We need to be wary of drives all of the way to the basket and going against their bigs.  What happened to Luke's little 12 foot shot?  Would like to pull one of their bigs out of the paint.  Also need to kick out when the defense closes in the paint.

Defensively I have no idea.  We are so bad there I have little advice.

[skianth16]

So what's the best way for Marquette to beat St. Johns? obviously shoot well from behind the arc, but what can we exploit, and how do we get our shooters open. Also, what the best way to guard them?

Personally, I really think we need to have JJJ back on the floor against St. John's. They're a longer, more athletic team, and we'll need him defensively. Let's hope the benching got the message across and that he responds well tomorrow night.

[muguru]

Zone them, that eliminates the penetration and forces them to live on the perimeter. That's not going to work for them.

[MarquetteDano]

Zone them, that eliminates the penetration and forces them to live on the perimeter. That's not going to work for them.

Maybe a little but if we play zone more than 20 possessions they will figure it out and score at wiil

[muguru]

Maybe a little but if we play zone more than 20 possessions they will figure it out and score at wiil

That's why you keep changing it up.
2-3, 1-3-1, man. They're young, it will throw them off.

[real chili 83]

So what's the best way for Marquette to beat St. Johns? obviously shoot well from behind the arc, but what can we exploit, and how do we get our shooters open. Also, what the best way to guard them?

I think we should score more points.

[jesmu84]

Control the basketball.  If you do that you don't let them get out in transition, you don't let them get momentum, and you make a bunch of athletes beat you in the half court.  When they are playing over aggressive defensively, be strong with the dribble and blow by them.  Make the defense collapse and then hit the open man on the kick out.  Get to the free throw line.  Rebound.

I seem to remember STJ getting away with a lot of the defensive end. Tons of hand checks on dribblers and "bodying" of cutters. Hopefully we'll get a few calls early when they're on defense that will make them timid

[amen426]

Offensively, I'm curious to see how the Howard/Rowsey look will change things.

Last game, they were able to force everyone into the paint. But we didn't see Howard/Rowsey on the floor together much in that game.

Very difficult to force both of these two off the 3 point line. Especially if Reinhardt or Hauser are on the floor at the same time.

Protecting the ball will be key. Season high 17 turnovers in the 1st matchup, but of the 17, "only" 9 were St Johns steals.

Cheatham played incredibly hard vs. X, but he still had 4 of our 9 turnovers. He had 5 t/o's in the first game vs STJ, so if he can't protect the ball we can't have him out there in this game.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

This is the only game on the schedule where I would be okay with a zone. We are better when we play man. But St. John's is abysmal at attacking the zone. Their disadvantage against the zone is bigger than our disadvantage playing it.

[Marcus92]

St. John's is actually better than average from behind the arc, not so good inside it (just 246th in the country in 2-point FG%). Playing a lot of zone could be dangerous if they're passing well and finding the open man — Mussini (44.8% from 3), LoVett (40.5%) and Ellison (39.4%) are all excellent shooters.

They play at a fast tempo (18th in the country). But they're just 12-15 for the season, so it's not like they're running most teams off the court.

On the defensive side, eFG% is below average. They allow offensive rebounds like crazy. Not so good against the 3 (252nd in the country). Xavier hung 97 points on them. Nova scored 92. Butler just beat them 110-86.

The first game against them at Madison Square Garden may have been an anomoly. They shot 52% on 2-pointers, while MU hit just 33%. Mussini, LoVett and Ellison were 7-13 from behind the arc. We also committed 17 turnovers (a lot of which were converted into easy layups and dunks).

My prescription: protect the ball, be patient on offense, take good shots, and keep running fresh players into the game to run down every ball rotation on defense.

[21rooster]

Given our problems with shot blockers last game, I wonder if we'll see some small ball to draw the defenders outside a bit.  We'll suffer on the defensive end, but it may be worth it to wear down their big guys and open up the middle for some drives.  Besides, another ball handler would come in handy - get Katin involved in beating the press. 

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Look closer at their 3P shooting in conference. It has been terrible. They have been more focused on working the ball inside and penetrating and have been better for it. St. John's doesn't have good passing. They are an ultra athletic bunch with no discipline. They out-athlete opponents. I haven't checked since we played them, but going into our last game they were 0-5 when they shot 24 3s or more in a game. Turn them into a shooting team and you win.

[HoopsterBC]

The MU guard play was horrendous that game.  I am sure that Rowsey and Howard ever played against that quickness in the backcourt, were not prepared.  I might
have Duane or Cheatham handle the ball more.  Or when Reinhardt is in the game let him bring the ball up.  Have to get the lead early and there guards will start
jacking up bad shots, not the smartest team in the BE as they are so young. 

[21rooster]

If you remember Cheatham's performance the last time they played, you don't want him handling the ball.  This is a tough matchup for him.  We should get a healthy dose of Duane this game.   

[Marcus92]

Look closer at their 3P shooting in conference. It has been terrible.

Interesting. They're 6th in the Big East from behind the arc (34.3%), 7th from 2-point range (49.0%), 8th in eFG% (49.9%). I'm not so worried about their offense. And their defense isn't very good, either — except for the fact that they lead the conference in forcing turnovers.

We played right into their hands last game. If we can cut down on the turnovers and run our offense, we should get the win.

[Spaniel with a Short Tail]

I'd like to see us make them PAY a few times when we do beat their press rather than pull the ball out and run the offense. If we don't make them pay with a few layups or dunks then there's no downside to keep pressing us.

[brewcity77]

That's why you keep changing it up.
2-3, 1-3-1, man. They're young, it will throw them off.

Agreed. Mixing zones will help stop penetration and make it easier to get someone in front of the drivers. Force them into jump shots when they come inside. I would even like a little 3/4 court pressure, especially if LoVett is bringing it up. Not regularly, maybe a handful of possessions, but just to keep them off balance.

But to do that, we have to make shots. When they chase us off the line, make the extra passes to find an open man. Making shots allows the defense to get set. Our offense is our best weapon, need that working to get the defense going.

If we play our game, we could beat them by 25. But if we fall into the mistakes of last time, they could steal it.

[vogue65]

I seem to remember STJ getting away with a lot of the defensive end. Tons of hand checks on dribblers and "bodying" of cutters. Hopefully we'll get a few calls early when they're on defense that will make them timid

Is this comment making my point?  I recall we lost by 14 at "the garden", now we are 9 point favorites in Milwaukee, what's up?  Does the emperor have any clothes on?

[MuMark]

You don't know how point spreads work huh?

[Newsdreams]

You don't know how point spreads work huh?

He has no clue about most of anything here or is pretending to have no clue.

[Herman Cain]

Personally, I really think we need to have JJJ back on the floor against St. John's. They're a longer, more athletic team, and we'll need him defensively. Let's hope the benching got the message across and that he responds well tomorrow night.

I agree with this analysis.

[MuMark]

I'm good with JJ playing if Wojo decides it's best......but he isn't a good defender so not sure why we would need him defensively .. .....good JJ can help on offense......he can get boards if he is motivated....but he hurts more then he helps on D most of the time.

[bilsu]

The MU guard play was horrendous that game.  I am sure that Rowsey and Howard ever played against that quickness in the backcourt, were not prepared.  I might
have Duane or Cheatham handle the ball more.  Or when Reinhardt is in the game let him bring the ball up.  Have to get the lead early and there guards will start
jacking up bad shots, not the smartest team in the BE as they are so young.

You must not have watched Cheatham handle the ball against St. John's. He had the ball stolen several times from him. It made me realize how bad we were at point guard last year.

[vogue65]

I was embarressed to be at the St. John's game, took more abuse than on MUScoop.

[Herman Cain]

I was embarressed to be at the St. John's game, took more abuse than on MUScoop.

We will improve next time we play in the Garden.

[WarriorFan]

5 out.
Occasional Heldt.
JJJ for first 4 mins.  If it's good JJJ, he plays more.  if it's bad JJJ he sits.
Should have had time last week to install a press break.  I look for Katin and Du to have a big role. 
Lots of zone.
I think St. John's is dangerous.  They shoot well, they drive well, they have good size, they have good coaching.

[vogue65]

5 out.
Occasional Heldt.
JJJ for first 4 mins.  If it's good JJJ, he plays more.  if it's bad JJJ he sits.
Should have had time last week to install a press break.  I look for Katin and Du to have a big role. 
Lots of zone.
I think St. John's is dangerous.  They shoot well, they drive well, they have good size, they have good coaching.

 

They have a very good coach, interesting to watch him coach, I don't get it.  He has charisma or something, he wills victory.   Mullin must do the work in practice or something because he doesn't appear to  coach much during the game.   I suppose he knows his players and they are a combination of skill set and playground, they really bring it.

Our best/only chance is a closely officiated game, if the refs allow sandlot, we lose.  And I agree, they are very dangerous and they appear to have a lot of fun playing the game. 

[cheebs09]

I thought Mullin was regarded as a poor coach. His assistants seem to do most of the coaching and he watches. Maybe he's improved this year.

[Stretchdeltsig]

I think we should score more points.

Agree. N

[Golden Avalanche]

I thought Mullin was regarded as a poor coach. His assistants seem to do most of the coaching and he watches. Maybe he's improved this year.

Mullin is the candy that attracts talent. Abdelmassah is the guru who charms it. St. Jean handles the bench coaching.

[BallBoy]

I think St John's is a bad matchup for us.  I thought it was optimistic to think we were going to sweep them.  St John's presents a problem because they have a very athletic big...Luke struggles against athletes.  With the fact, St John's has this rim protector, their guards can play out closer to the three.  With the length at guard they can then challenge the three. 

I don't think that JJJ really helps in this situation unless he develops a pull up jumper.  The curl to the right, head down until the basket plays into that strength.  A potential solution would be to go with a small line-up with Katin or Hauser playing the 4-5 and getting St John's into a Zone or getting the big out of the middle by forcing him to switch to a smaller guard.

[21rooster]

Anyone else completely baffled by the MU-9.5 line? 

[Golden Avalanche]

Anyone else completely baffled by the MU-9.5 line?

I don't see the cover either.

[barfolomew]

Anyone else completely baffled by the MU-9.5 line?

Didn't you see us against X? We're an unstoppable juggernaut. Nary a chink in the armor.
Impossible to make this spread too high.
Vegas knows which way the wind blows, baby.

Also, Heldtasaurus Rex with the triple double is also close to a can't-miss prop bet.

[Nukem2]

I thought Mullin was regarded as a poor coach. His assistants seem to do most of the coaching and he watches. Maybe he's improved this year.

Mostly its better talent with Ponds, Lovett, Ahmed and Owens.

[Lennys Tap]

Anyone else completely baffled by the MU-9.5 line?

Not saying I like our side of the bet, but why would this line baffle you? We're home and by the numbers a much better team.

[21rooster]

It's a team we don't match up well against due to their ability to press, block our shots and crowd the three point line.  We're talking about a 24 point projected swing for a team that has played one good game since Nova.  I think we win, but 9.5 is a lot. 

[Goose]

Lot of points to lay. MU with the win and will not cover, IMO.

[MUBigDance]

I think we should score more points.

Or maybe we should make them score less points...perspective

[Coleman]

Anyone else completely baffled by the MU-9.5 line?

Yeah, that really surprised me. No way I'd take that bet.

We win tonight, but do not cover.

It would have to be like -4.5 for me to think about betting on MU tonight.

[brewcity77]

Anyone else completely baffled by the MU-9.5 line?

No, not at all. St John's beat Providence and DePaul away, but lost their other 5 conference games by an average margin of 18.6 ppg. The closest margin in any of those games was 13 points.

I'm not saying tonight will be indicative of that, but generally, when St John's drops a road Big East game, they don't just lose, they get crushed.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

Anyone else completely baffled by the MU-9.5 line?

I think MU fans that watched the game at MSG, and have maybe caught a few minutes of SJU games other than that game, have a bit of warped sense of SJU.  They played about as well as they can play against MU the first time.  MU played right into their hands.  But they're not nearly that good, and have been pretty awful on the road.  I get the 9.5 line, though I wouldn't bet on it. 

[MUBigDance]

No, not at all. St John's beat Providence and DePaul away, but lost their other 5 conference games by an average margin of 18.6 ppg. The closest margin in any of those games was 13 points.

I'm not saying tonight will be indicative of that, but generally, when St John's drops a road Big East game, they don't just lose, they get crushed.

expanding on this. Pretend to be an objective observer...you're a Nebraska fan.

STJ is 2-5 away as mentioned with two fairly close wins 5 or 6 pts.
MU is 5-2 at home with two squeaker losses.

STJ is 2-3 in last 5 coming off a bad away loss.
MU is 2-3 in the last 5 coming off a good win at home.

Betting on MU....and pretty happy about the huskers win over Ohio State

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Don't make the mistake of thinking St. John's is a good team. They aren't. They win by getting teams to play a game of street ball instead of executing their offense or defense. MU let them dictate the game from beginning to end last time. Markus and Haanif got their lunches eaten as they combined for 11 of the team's 17 turnovers. I don't think that happens again. If I'm Wojo, I'm telling the team to commit to the offensive plan, make the extra pass and take the open shot when you have it. I tell Luke that Yakwe and Owens go for the block every time and bite on every shot fake. If he fakes before he makes his move he will be able to go up and get the foul or spin right around them for an easy bucket. On defense, this is the one game where I'd advocate for zone. Use an aggressive 2-3 and make them a jumpshooting team. They simply don't have the discipline to beat a zone and will take a lot of bad shots and drive into traffic.

I'm feeling a double digit win tonight. If Marquette executes, it will be a blowout. If they play like they did in MSG, they will lose, but not by much. SJU is an entirely different beast on the road.

[MUBigDance]

I tell Luke that Yakwe and Owens go for the block every time and bite on every shot fake. If he fakes before he makes his move he will be able to go up and get the foul or spin right around them for an easy bucket.
...
I'm feeling a double digit win tonight.
...

Especially agree with this.

[GoldenDieners32]

Big game tonight lets get this win

[ski44]

MU now -10 which means the $$$ is going MU's way.

[jaygall31]

Anyone that plans on taking it weak to the rack tonight might as well stay on the bench. We have to compete for every rebound,  knockdown shots,  and finish plays, and then we will be fine.

[willie warrior]

5 out.
Occasional Heldt.
JJJ for first 4 mins.  If it's good JJJ, he plays more.  if it's bad JJJ he sits.
Should have had time last week to install a press break.  I look for Katin and Du to have a big role. 
Lots of zone.
I think St. John's is dangerous.  They shoot well, they drive well, they have good size, they have good coaching.

So do we. No problemo.

[Benny B]

Not sure what you guys are looking at, but I'm looking at the big board at Wm Hill/Silver Legacy in Reno and MU opened and remains at -5.5


EDIT. Never mind. I'm looking at first half.  Line is -9.5/-9.5 here.

[barfolomew]

Not sure what you guys are looking at, but I'm looking at the big board at Wm Hill/Silver Legacy in Reno and MU opened and remains at -5.5


EDIT. Never mind. I'm looking at first half.  Line is -9.5/-9.5 here.

No worries, Benny.
They don't always keep the big board updated at the Mustang Ranch, I hear.

[muwarrior69]

I think MU fans that watched the game at MSG, and have maybe caught a few minutes of SJU games other than that game, have a bit of warped sense of SJU.  They played about as well as they can play against MU the first time.  MU played right into their hands.  But they're not nearly that good, and have been pretty awful on the road.  I get the 9.5 line, though I wouldn't bet on it.

Well when you play no defense even a team that plays pretty awful on the road can look like they are National Champions.

[jsglow]

The line is now -10.

[Lennys Tap]

Don't make the mistake of thinking St. John's is a good team. They aren't. They win by getting teams to play a game of street ball instead of executing their offense or defense. MU let them dictate the game from beginning to end last time. Markus and Haanif got their lunches eaten as they combined for 11 of the team's 17 turnovers. I don't think that happens again. If I'm Wojo, I'm telling the team to commit to the offensive plan, make the extra pass and take the open shot when you have it. I tell Luke that Yakwe and Owens go for the block every time and bite on every shot fake. If he fakes before he makes his move he will be able to go up and get the foul or spin right around them for an easy bucket. On defense, this is the one game where I'd advocate for zone. Use an aggressive 2-3 and make them a jumpshooting team. They simply don't have the discipline to beat a zone and will take a lot of bad shots and drive into traffic.

I'm feeling a double digit win tonight. If Marquette executes, it will be a blowout. If they play like they did in MSG, they will lose, but not by much. SJU is an entirely different beast on the road.

Good call,TAMU!

Markus and Haanif had their proverbial lunch eaten again, but the rest of the boys (especially Matt) came through.

[GoldenDieners32]

"Live ball turnovers"

[4everwarriors]

Frankly, Howard is not quick enough to deal wit da St. John's playas, hey?