One of the noticeable differences in this year's team has been it's vast improvement in FT opportunities against those allowed. Last year we allowed 22.6 FTA pg and this year it's down to 18.4. In terms of attempts we've bumped it up from 22.6 to 27.7. That's a huge increase of +9.3 differential per game. While our FT% has slightly improved to 71.1% that converts to about 6.5 ppg over 2007.
Obviously the FT improvement speaks loudly for our record but, more importantly, it is often the difference maker at tourney time. It also means that the big 4 have spent less time on the bench because of foul trouble. I give huge credit to Buzz for changing the numbers.
thanks for putting some number down dacoach, i had not loked the stats up but what you state has been clear. all the points you make are dead on, however you did fail to mention that it often puts the other team in foul trouble and their key players on the bench. Last year and in years past we were much more of a jump shooting team. this year s team plays much better and much smarter attributable to Buzz and a veteran staff that he will actually listen too. Part fot he reason on the other post i said we would be 11-5 right now under Cream. also in years past when the other team had a player in foul trouble you would think we would run a set to go at that player but we seemingly never did.
lastly, sort of a nother topic but DJ has fouled out his opposing point guard in every Big East game so far except for todat but took Truck completely ou the game none theless
Mr Hayward....your points are dead on. Regarding your comments on DJ, his play this year is remarkably improved from past campaigns. To my mind, he's clearly the MVP so far. He is the glue on court. Not only is his defense on their point a difference maker, he always seems in control of the offense. Given Buzz's style of letting the offense determine their opportunities, he is coming into his own. Rather than Crean's set plays forcing the athletes to play under his style which was often too predictable, DJ relishes the opportunities to play his role as floor leader. However, it remains to be seen what happens next year with freshmen stacking the lineup. But for this year, I'm enjoying Buzz's evolution as coach.
I credit the bump up of FTs to the players looking for more opportunities to get the "and 1" but mostly due to Wes's explosion. He's a foul magnet this year...and I'm glad he can hit them too.
The TV commentators stated that Buzz's offense offered Wes greater opportunities when compared to Crean's set-play centric approach. The theory being that Wes would be the 3rd to 4th option on any given Crean set play, resulting in fewer touches / opportunities. Seems plausible to me, though I don't know if Wes was *always" a low option within Crean's sets.
Quote from: DaCoach on January 10, 2009, 05:58:32 PM
One of the noticeable differences in this year's team has been it's vast improvement in FT opportunities against those allowed. Last year we allowed 22.6 FTA pg and this year it's down to 18.4. In terms of attempts we've bumped it up from 22.6 to 27.7. That's a huge increase of +9.3 differential per game. While our FT% has slightly improved to 71.1% that converts to about 6.5 ppg over 2007.
Obviously the FT improvement speaks loudly for our record but, more importantly, it is often the difference maker at tourney time. It also means that the big 4 have spent less time on the bench because of foul trouble. I give huge credit to Buzz for changing the numbers.
Absolutely agree on this one. The FT differential has been huge this year and I tip my hat to Buzz and the seniors for their aggressiveness in this area. It's been huge. Would that have happened this year with a different coach....who knows....but it is happening and we should tip our hat to the staff and team for that. Nice job.
anyone else get the impression that dacoach and MR. HAYWARD are one and the same? ?-( ?-( ?-(
Quote from: mosarsour on January 10, 2009, 08:04:26 PM
anyone else get the impression that dacoach and MR. HAYWARD are one and the same? ?-( ?-( ?-(
Murf=fail0ne=Mr. Hayward=DaCoach.
Unless Mr. Hayward lives in Houston, I'd think that some folks might be outrageously incorrect. On the other hand if anyone wants to suggest a similarity to Brad Pitt, be my guest.
Quote from: mosarsour on January 10, 2009, 08:04:26 PM
anyone else get the impression that dacoach and MR. HAYWARD are one and the same? ?-( ?-( ?-(
i was thinking the same thing. imagine a chatroom with murf, hayward and dacoach.
Quote from: mviale on January 10, 2009, 09:42:35 PM
i was thinking the same thing. imagine a chatroom with murf, hayward and dacoach.
All they would do is commend each other on how their posts are "dead on"! lol
Sorry guys, I know this is off topic, but damn if I don't see a similarity in their style of writing.
mosarsour....for some unknown reason you are obsessed with a conspiracy theory. I've been posting to Rosiak's blogs for years under my same DaCoach pen name. Yet you, in your infinite wisdom make a leap of reason and conclude I'm someone else based upon 5 postings. Perhaps you haven't had your meds refilled. Maybe you just had a bad weekend. In any case, grow up. If you want to take issue with something I write, please be my guest. Otherwise, find another conspiracy to get your adrenalin flowing. Your childishness is growing old.
Anybody that thinks DaCoach is the same as some of these other guys is crazy. With only a limited number of posts, they're much more intelligible than Haywards, and far less repetitive than Murfs (though if you can get through the antics/writing of those guys - they have great points too).
Back to the original topic. I absolutely love the relatively foul-free D we've been playing this year. Buzz is to credit for that. Getting to the line more, may be more a factor of the players - but Buzz's offense certainly gives them the opportunities too.
Regardless, I do believe it's giving us more potential for winning close games than Crean's plans for offense and defense.
Quote from: DaCoach on January 11, 2009, 04:02:15 PM
mosarsour....for some unknown reason you are obsessed with a conspiracy theory. I've been posting to Rosiak's blogs for years under my same DaCoach pen name. Yet you, in your infinite wisdom make a leap of reason and conclude I'm someone else based upon 5 postings. Perhaps you haven't had your meds refilled. Maybe you just had a bad weekend. In any case, grow up. If you want to take issue with something I write, please be my guest. Otherwise, find another conspiracy to get your adrenalin flowing. Your childishness is growing old.
I wouldn't call it an obsession, it's more of an observation. No need to be hostile, MR. HAYWARD...or whoever you are. ;D
I wouldn't call it an obsession, it's more of an observation. No need to be hostile, MR. HAYWARD...or whoever you are.
Obviously you refuse to accept the fact that you're completely wrong. If you wish to remain childish, so be it. As such, you are reduced to the level of irrelevant. It's a shame the Jesuit seeds have fallen on barren ground.
Good God, Dacoach. Get off your almighty thrown. He clearly was just making a joke.
If you are sensitive after just a few posts, this is probably not the right place for you.
You know it's not Murf when there isn't a sentence with "--------" in it.
Calm down all....
We have all week to enjoy MU's wins and await the pummeling of Providence!
Lets quit the negative vibes and enjoy.
Quote from: Badgerhater on January 11, 2009, 08:10:20 PM
Calm down all....
We have all week to enjoy MU's wins and await the pummeling of Providence!
Lets quit the negative vibes and enjoy.
Here here! I'm all for that.
I was trying to be funny and I'm sorry if I offended anyone.
I guess I just get a little too high/giddy when our team is successful.