Absolutely awful.
Maybe they get it together, but this was a must win in my opinion. Syracuse is not a great team and it was at home.
No sugarcoating...this team is awful...right now (http://marquettebasketball.blogspot.com/)
I'm not sure I'm enjoying the fact that I've been able to watch the least two games on TV -- I can only hope we win one of the next 5 consecutive TV games.
Buckle your seatbelt though - this bandwagon appears to be primed for a bumpy ride...
We start out 0-5 in the Big East and I can guarantee the BC will be about half full for the rest of the year. We are looking at one of the worst seasons in recent memory, and that includes the monumental collapse of '04, but at least that team had an injury excuse.
how does it go from 55-55 and then end up 70-58? is 'cuse really good enough to go on a 15-3 run in the final 2:00 minutes on our home court? granted some of those are free throws, but unacceptable.
Yup -- but I am sure some people will be criticizing the people complaining about this performance.
Can't beat a zone, we knew it was coming. Other observations:
1) Haward started. That's great, and he played pretty well. Then he sits for long stretches. WOnderful subsitution pattern there coach.
2) James continues to jack up threes -- and a number of them were WAY behind the line. What the hell is he thinking. He can't hit them, so stop. At least Crean sat him for a while.
3) McNeal played well, he had turnovers, but he also did a lot for this team.
4) Free throws, free throws, free throws. We win this game if our guards hit FTs like they should. Missing three in a row is unacceptable, even for Shaq.
5) Syracuse had a short bench, and had players in foul trouble. Do we take advantage of that, or even try? Nah, why bother -- we have people jacking up thirty footers.
The first part of the game was pretty good, lots of energy and the team played well. Of course it appears Boeheim made changes and, well, we didn't as usual. Wouldn't want to do that mid-game.
Anyone want to give me some sense that we don't start Big East play 0-6 at this point? Right now, this team doesn't make the NCAA (which is completely unacceptable).
Spare the bandwagon talk, this team deserves to be criticized at this point.
This team always commits a really dumb mistake on pretty much every other possession. It gets so frustrating to watch. What's even more frustrating is most of their mistakes are unforced. They are never going to be able to win a game in the Big East like this. Hopefully, they can get a win soon, but it sure is going to be pretty dam tough.
Most frustrating is that this was a VERY winnable game. Syracuse wasn't hitting free throws, wasn't shooting particularly well, wasn't dominating inside, and didn't have a strong offensive game. Unlike Providence (where as the game unfolded, it was clear they were dominating us inside and we had no chance), this game was one they SHOULD have won. And didn't. SYraucse wasn't that impressive.
the game is close and we miss 5 stright free throws....how many second chance points did they have it was incredible.
My ten year old said " Dad every time they dont score we turn it over" Frustrating.
Quote from: Final Four or Bust on January 07, 2007, 09:22:27 PM
Spare the bandwagon talk, this team deserves to be criticized at this point.
Criticize away, in fact, I will as well. I was just pointing out that if the team continues playing this way there will be a lot less interest in the MU program. Most that post on these boards are excluded from that group - we (mostly) follow the program regardless of how bad it gets :'(
I just returned from the game. The most frustrated I have been with a MU team in years. Fitz turns doen at least 4 open 3's. Grabs someones shoulder as he goes by hinm. DJ decides to shoot 3's instead of driving (from 3-5 feet outside the line). DJ missed 3 straight free throws. The pro talk has gone to his head. for the first time since coming to MU he is showing is age. Crean even mentioned that they are not listening, and they are not working after hours on their shooting. Right now, Jerel is the only player on this team with any "heart". The fans are coming to the game with more passion than the players.
Very dissapointed in the players and the coaching!!! I am a diehard, it is hard to say that!!!!
Very winnable is exactly correct. It is very hard to stomach one of those at home as I don't anticipate any other Big East team returning that favor to us on the road this year.
Although I can't say I'm terribly disappointed with Crean over the loss, I'm disgusted with the performances of DJ and Fitz.
While I think this team struggles on a variety of levels, the hardest is lack of chemistry, determination, and heart. We are missing the mindset of a trully competitive basketball team..I hope to see them turn it around. We have more than a wake up call now. This team needs to put things together or its going to be a tough season, especially tough due to high expectations. Have faith..
Quote from: HoopDreams on January 08, 2007, 01:07:52 AM
While I think this team struggles on a variety of levels, the hardest is lack of chemistry, determination, and heart. We are missing the mindset of a trully competitive basketball team.
McNeal, Matthews and Cubillan have this -- DJ is in a funk though.
Somewhere along the way, this became Jerel's team......he' leads by example with energy and guts. Despite his maddening propensity for turnovers -- the team feeds off him more than DJ