Oso planning to go pro
I loved the passing but seriously, it was Arkansas Pine-Bluff. Let's see how we do against a team not ranked #353 by KenPom.
Cautiously optimistic. Let’s see how they play against Eastern Illinois who lost by ten to the badgers. Blow the doors off them like apb and I start to get more optimistic for that badger game.
I get the optimism because it was such a decisive opener. The only better opening performance we've seen from a Wojo team was 2016-17 when we drilled Vanderbilt at the Naval Academy. But while we held them to 0.75 ppp, this is a team that had an adjusted offensive efficiency of 79.0 last year, which was the worst out of any team of the past 5 years (more than 1,700 teams). Eastern Illinois and Oklahoma State will be far better barometers of how good we are. Plenty of mediocre Marquette teams have drilled inferior competition. Alabama A&M in 2014-15, Grambling in 2015-16, American in 2017-18 were all resounding wins over teams that were simply overmatched, but it didn't get Marquette a NCAA bid.
Yeah said I wasn’t sold on their speed. You telling me they’re speedy isn’t going to do it for me either.
It was APB - we're not going to look that good every night. But even before getting to see the product on the court I really liked it on paper.There have definitely been better players on Wojo's watch, but is this the best overall TEAM? There are just so many pieces that I love.Theo - a MAN's body. Senior leadership. A beast in the paint. Maybe learning how to play within himself? Who knew being able to use two hands would matter.DJ - a true PG. 'nough said.Dawson - a super-stretch 4. A Steve Novak that can get to the rim and defend.Jose - Another man's body in a wing.Quality senior leadership and offensive spark in Koby and Jamal - on any given night either could pop for 20.Quality depth at almost all positions - Greg, Symir, Oso, Justin I just can't think of any piece that is missing from this team. I think it's the best top to bottom team we've seen in Wojo's tenure.It will be a major shame if we don't see how far this team and develop/go. It will also be a major indictment if Wojo can't make this team more than the sum of its parts. This is the year to do it.
lets reconvene after the UW game
Badgers were up 23 at the half. They let off the gas obviously.
Agreed with the comparisons to other blow out wins against inferior opponents. However, watching the new components of this team yesterday was encouraging. I also agree that the Eastern Illinois game and Oklahoma State games will be telling. If we play well and win those games it will start to feel like the beginning of something better than I was expecting. These next few games have a Great Alaskan shootout feeling to them for me. I like the look of multiple players on this team. Do it against better competition and I’m in.
We had a pretty good "team" in 2016-17. Ellenson was gone and Markus was not yet MARKUS! Five guys averaged between 10.8 and 13.2 ppg, and seven guys averaged at least 8.7. Those same seven guys averaged between 6.3 and 9.3 FGA.We didn't play very good D, we were too young in a few spots, and we got an unfortunate NCAA assignment -- a very good (eventual FF) SCaro team in Greenville -- but the guys got along and played well together. And Wojo, in Year 3, seemed to have the program on a very good trajectory.This season's team has the potential to be quite a bit better in all facets. We'll see.
Most impressed with the newcomers. I expected Dawson to be good but his touch inside and passing from the high post is going to be really helpful. DJ is quick and seems to have a pulse on the offense and how to run the show. Once he gets more comfortable I really like what he adds. Lewis has a knack for the ball and a nice touch around the hoop too.Dare I say Theo John might be a decent free throw shooter now? What was he, 8/9?
9/10. Really impressive from him. I'll be overjoyed if he stays north of 70%.
I’m still not sure about that 2 position. I think it’s the biggest question mark on the team. Someone needs to claim it. Will it be Kobe? Jose? Dexter? Greg?
I'll stick with my opinion on Gold. He'll be in foul trouble within the first eight minutes.
Xavier is not very good.