Less than 24 hours removed from one of the most heartbreaking moments in recent MU history...SC Live anchor Josh Elliott, finished off the MU/UCONN highlights by saying, "Maurice Acker, it's up to you."
Given the success of the team this year, we know that statement isn't entirely true, but for the basis of my post, it is.
It was painfully obvious how hesitant Mo was from pulling the trigger last night and much of this season. I don't know about you guys, but after Mo's 3 hit the rim for what felt like 50 times before bouncing in, I believe (and hope) that that was a sign that Mo's struggles this year are in the past.
I've stayed away from this board for much of the day, in pure shock and sadness at what transpired with DJ last night. What's done is done. Can't do anything about it, but pick up the pieces, and move on.
With limited options at the point, it's time for Mo to step up. His time is now...and this team needs him to perform with confidence.
No excuses moving forward. As echoed on this board by many...this season is not over. We have a lot to play for, and it resumes this Sunday in Louisville.
In the epic words of Damon Wayans...Mo Money, Mo Money, Mo Money!
Talking about those threes. Last night that first one scared me, the 2nd three...I knew it was going in and he swished it. I think he might get some confidence if he is given a larger role (starting PG), which could lead to him knocking down threes like we've seen in the past. This is the only positive that we might see with Mo over James...there is a possibility to have a threat behind the arc from our PG.
Agreed completely! Time for Mo to step up. We're looking for limited turnovers, enough defense to get by, and some offensive production, no matter how small (can't have another guy getting big minutes who's not a threat to score even a couple). There's no reason he can't do it.
I was very glad to see MO get a couple shots knocked down...if he can regain the late season from he had last year, it will be a REALLY big boost. I think the same way about Cubes, too, he just needs a shot or two to go down, and get it going.
Quote from: TJ on February 26, 2009, 03:24:38 PM
Agreed completely! Time for Mo to step up. We're looking for limited turnovers, enough defense to get by, and some offensive production, no matter how small (can't have another guy getting big minutes who's not a threat to score even a couple). There's no reason he can't do it.
+1. Give us 20 minutes a game, knock down a couple open looks, hit your free throws, don't turn the ball over, and play decent enough defense like you did at the end of last season and we should still have a decent chance.
Quote from: The General on February 26, 2009, 03:55:35 PM
Give us 20 minutes a game, knock down a couple open looks, hit your free throws, don't turn the ball over, and play decent enough defense like you did at the end of last season and we should still have a decent chance.
Who plays the other 20 minutes at the point? McNeil?
Quote from: mu77vegas on February 26, 2009, 06:51:37 PM
Who plays the other 20 minutes at the point? McNeil?
McNeal?
Quote from: MUhoops12 on February 26, 2009, 07:32:05 PM
McNeal?
And Matthews. 20-25 minutes, whatever; I just don't think that Acker is going to be that effective, particularly defensively, if he's gotta play 30+ like he did last night. Squeeze 5-7 out of Cooby right now, and find a few minutes to throw Hazel/Fulce in there at the 4/5 so we don't have to wear Lazar or Butler out at the 5 spot too when Burke goes out. We can survive.
Quote from: The General on February 26, 2009, 09:13:10 PM
And Matthews. 20-25 minutes, whatever; I just don't think that Acker is going to be that effective, particularly defensively, if he's gotta play 30+ like he did last night. Squeeze 5-7 out of Cooby right now, and find a few minutes to throw Hazel/Fulce in there at the 4/5 so we don't have to wear Lazar or Butler out at the 5 spot too when Burke goes out. We can survive.
I agree 100 percent
Quote from: The General on February 26, 2009, 09:13:10 PM
And Matthews. 20-25 minutes, whatever; I just don't think that Acker is going to be that effective, particularly defensively, if he's gotta play 30+ like he did last night. Squeeze 5-7 out of Cooby right now, and find a few minutes to throw Hazel/Fulce in there at the 4/5 so we don't have to wear Lazar or Butler out at the 5 spot too when Burke goes out. We can survive.
I'm so tired of statements like this. "we will survive" "the world isn't over", "we still have a chance" Can you people put some thoughts into actual basketball language?
I don't even know if i disagree. Yes we won't all be dead. Yes the sun will rise. Yes we aren't mathematically eliminated. BUT we aren't making a final 4 with a 5'7 pg and no frontcourt.
What the hell does "We can survive" mean in actual literal basketball speak. That we will win one of our final 3 regular season games? That we will win 1-2 in march? Or are you just letting us know there is a chance that most or all of the team will not be dead by next fall?
I think Buzz will have to let the team fall back into zone more often. Also, I think if he can get Acker to do what a lot of people on this site - me included - said they wanted James to do. That is, run the offense and don't be a shoot first PG. Obviously he doesn't have the athleticism of James, but if he runs the offense and plays like a "system" QB in the NFL, the team will be fine.
I'm thinking Acker gets 25 mpg now, Cubi plays 5 at the PG and that leaves 10 to Matthews or McNeal. Cubes will have to step up and get some time now...I hope. I think. WHo knows what goes on in practice though.
Let's not forget that Reese was an MVP of sorts for a couple of games early in conference play. Granted, we weren't playing the likes of Loserville and Pitt, but still, we can be OK here...
Tom Crean brought in Acker because he was thinking that James would go to the NBA after the sophmore season. Acker can play, no doubt. Him and McNeal being buds will help.
I believe in #2.
I also believe it will be hard for #2 to deal with double teams.
I'm wondering if Maurice is seeing the remaining games of this season as his opportunity to stake a claim on starting at PG next year. If he plays solidly, almost regardless of how the team ultimately fares, I think it builds his confidence for next year and lessens the pressure on Buzz (and Junior) to toss a freshman into the fire from the get go.
EDIT: spelling correction
I think Rawdog is right. They will probably drop to #5 in the BE and win a game in the BE tournament. Probably end up as a 5 seed and may slip into the Sweet 16. Too many holes on the team right now.
But that being said, that doesn't mean we can't enjoy the next few weeks. Our expectations just have to be realistic.
Disagree. I think we'll win at least 1 of our remaining BE games, get the double bye and be a 4 seed in the NCAA tourney.
To enlarge on that point, at the beginning of our final 5 BE games many posters said they would be thrilled if we went 2-3. We are 1-1 with every opportunity to still make that prediction.
Quote from: RawdogDX on February 26, 2009, 10:11:07 PM
I'm so tired of statements like this. "we will survive" "the world isn't over", "we still have a chance" Can you people put some thoughts into actual basketball language?
I don't even know if i disagree. Yes we won't all be dead. Yes the sun will rise. Yes we aren't mathematically eliminated. BUT we aren't making a final 4 with a 5'7 pg and no frontcourt.
What the hell does "We can survive" mean in actual literal basketball speak. That we will win one of our final 3 regular season games? That we will win 1-2 in march? Or are you just letting us know there is a chance that most or all of the team will not be dead by next fall?
That's funny, because I'm getting tired of statements that say we can't win this year anymore. There's plenty of talent on this team to continue winning games.
Quote from: ATWizJr on February 27, 2009, 08:24:24 AM
To enlarge on that point, at the beginning of our final 5 BE games many posters said they would be thrilled if we went 2-3. We are 1-1 with every opportunity to still make that prediction.
I'm still hoping for 3-2. This team was leading UConn with like 5 minutes left. Given time to actually prepare for the situation, are they really going to do worse? Steal a road game, win the home game and go into the BE Tournament with a 3-2 record through the "gauntlet." That would have been acceptable even with a fully healthy team.
Quote from: RawdogDX on February 26, 2009, 10:11:07 PM
What the hell does "We can survive" mean in actual literal basketball speak. That we will win one of our final 3 regular season games? That we will win 1-2 in march? Or are you just letting us know there is a chance that most or all of the team will not be dead by next fall?
Sometimes things happens that defy logic and cannot be explained in words. Having a team inspired and driven to win (1. to stick it to Crean, 2. now, to win it for 'Nic) can be more powerful than how short the new point guard is or anything else that's changed for the 'worse' now that we don't have James ON THE COURT.
Those movies you watch about sports teams winning against all odds ... many of those are based on true stories. Sometimes teams win when logic would tell you to count them out.
Am I optimistic ... yes. Do I think it's going to be a lot harder ... yes. Do I think our guys can rise to the occasion ... yes. Have faith my friend.
Keith
Quote from: TJ on February 27, 2009, 08:39:34 AM
I'm still hoping for 3-2. This team was leading UConn with like 5 minutes left. Given time to actually prepare for the situation, are they really going to do worse? Steal a road game, win the home game and go into the BE Tournament with a 3-2 record through the "gauntlet." That would have been acceptable even with a fully healthy team.
That works both ways. Other teams will now be prepping for our team sans James. Lou will be pressing every time up the court.
Quote from: Niv Berkowitz on February 26, 2009, 10:34:19 PM
I think Buzz will have to let the team fall back into zone more often. Also, I think if he can get Acker to do what a lot of people on this site - me included - said they wanted James to do. That is, run the offense and don't be a shoot first PG. Obviously he doesn't have the athleticism of James, but if he runs the offense and plays like a "system" QB in the NFL, the team will be fine.
I'm thinking Acker gets 25 mpg now, Cubi plays 5 at the PG and that leaves 10 to Matthews or McNeal. Cubes will have to step up and get some time now...I hope. I think. WHo knows what goes on in practice though.
1) I doubt very strongly that Acker will get 25 minutes a game. His minutes will probably increase 5 fold, but that still probably gives him only 10-15 minutes a game, max. If I'm wrong, I think we are really going to struggle, barring some miracle turnaround in Acker's 3 point shooting percentage when he's forced to take open looks. He's simply incapable of playing defense against Big East guards.
2) Can we PLEASE stop with the Cubillan nonsense? He's not a PG, and he will NOT see any time there. Honestly, we would be much better off with Butler at the point. Cubillan is not the same player he was 2 years ago, meaning that he can't shoot anymore and can't really play defense, despite his "pesky" demeanor. His contributions are not going to change just because James went down. I wish Cubillan nothing but the best, but that's reality.
I would be very surprised if Matthews doesn't see at least 25-30 minutes of running the point, with Acker and McNeal sharing the rest. We are probably going to be even more of a 1 on 1, slash-to-the-hoop offense now. Matthews will still be guarding the opposing 3 or 4, but I suspect we will see a lot more zone.
What an opportunity for Acker though...if he can come in and play well and help keep this thing rollin', he could reach legendary status at MU, and position himself well for next season.
I think there is less presure on Aker now as far as shooting goes. He does not have to worry about Buzz sending him to the bench for the rest of his life if he misses.
Quote from: RawdogDX on February 27, 2009, 11:36:29 AM
That works both ways. Other teams will now be prepping for our team sans James. Lou will be pressing every time up the court.
In most sports, if a key player goes down, it changes the gameplan, chemistry ets. Teams prep and practice the game plan leading up to the game with the "pieces" they have. certainly, Acker was one of those pieces before the UConn game. But we all know his role changed dramatically when Dom went down. So, neither UConn nor MU had "gameplanned" for Dom playing 4 minutes and Mo playing 33 - or whatever he played.
So, thinking "we hung in there until the last 5 minutes with the #2 team in the country without our point guard" can be dangerous. That is a true statement, no doubt. But, what does that mean? We had emotion on our side during the game (although some could argue Stanley Robinson had a little emotion of his own). What this may mean is that UConn was less prepared to deal with the change in circumstances than we were.
Louisville, Pitt and Syracuse will be watching the last 36 minutes of game film while prepping for us. There were some things that I saw with mo in there, that they will see and try to exploit. Those things have been pointed out already on this board (height disadvantage, defensive shortcomings, inexperience, etc.)
Love MU! Optimistic about our chances at every tip off. Let's raise some eyebrows tomorrow!
Quote from: RawdogDX on February 26, 2009, 10:11:07 PM
I'm so tired of statements like this. "we will survive" "the world isn't over", "we still have a chance" Can you people put some thoughts into actual basketball language?
I don't even know if i disagree. Yes we won't all be dead. Yes the sun will rise. Yes we aren't mathematically eliminated. BUT we aren't making a final 4 with a 5'7 pg and no frontcourt.
What the hell does "We can survive" mean in actual literal basketball speak. That we will win one of our final 3 regular season games? That we will win 1-2 in march? Or are you just letting us know there is a chance that most or all of the team will not be dead by next fall?
Couldn't agree more. This team was limited at full strength. But now, though DJ had many basketball flaws, don't expect more than 1 win in the Tourney. Basically, in basketball terms, this season is over.
Quote from: TJ on February 27, 2009, 08:33:47 AM
That's funny, because I'm getting tired of statements that say we can't win this year anymore. There's plenty of talent on this team to continue winning games.
you just responded with the same kind of statement. Sure we have talent to 'continue winning games' but not the next two games. Possibly cuse. Possibly 1 or 2 in the BE tourny. Possibly 1 or 2 in the 64. That is this teams ceiling, and that's not so bad, it's a pretty good team.
With james you can add 4 to 6 wins on to that because we'd be a really good team. And i'm bummed abot not getting a chance to see that happen. And I morn the loss of not getting to rub it in bilu's face.
I don't think that is being overly negative, and i don't know why people respond with: 'don't say the world is going to end, we're not dead. sure the sky is falling to right?' statments like that aren't constructive.
"2) Can we PLEASE stop with the Cubillan nonsense? He's not a PG, and he will NOT see any time there. Honestly, we would be much better off with Butler at the point. Cubillan is not the same player he was 2 years ago, meaning that he can't shoot anymore and can't really play defense, despite his "pesky" demeanor. His contributions are not going to change just because James went down. I wish Cubillan nothing but the best, but that's reality."
Could not agree more. His defense drives me nuts - hyper, robotic, slow, can't stay between his man and the basket, constantly beat off the dribble, others have to constantly provide help defense for his shortcomings. Just because you jump up and down, slap the floor, wave your arms around - doesn't mean you play good "D". Some fans seem to be fooled by this "matador" style of defense. If he can't drain an open 3 (which he can't), he has no business playing in the Big East. I understand his injuries may be a cause of this, and he appears to be a great teammate. But, the reality is that he is not going to win us any games.
Quote from: RawdogDX on February 28, 2009, 12:53:57 PM
you just responded with the same kind of statement. Sure we have talent to 'continue winning games' but not the next two games. Possibly cuse. Possibly 1 or 2 in the BE tourny. Possibly 1 or 2 in the 64. That is this teams ceiling, and that's not so bad, it's a pretty good team.
With james you can add 4 to 6 wins on to that because we'd be a really good team. And i'm bummed abot not getting a chance to see that happen. And I morn the loss of not getting to rub it in bilu's face.
I don't think that is being overly negative, and i don't know why people respond with: 'don't say the world is going to end, we're not dead. sure the sky is falling to right?' statments like that aren't constructive.
I guess we'll just have to play the games and find out who's right. I just don't see how switching from James to Acker on this team changes it from a team that can win 3-4 games in the NCAA tournament to a team that might win 1. I mean to take nothing away from James, but this team was not a 1 person show. There are still 3 very talented players on the court 35+ minutes a game. Certainly Acker has to perform better than he has most of this season so far, but I am willing to hope he can do it rather than just assume on March 1st that we're 1 and done in the NCAA tournament.
Quote from: TJ on March 01, 2009, 01:03:54 AM
I guess we'll just have to play the games and find out who's right. I just don't see how switching from James to Acker on this team changes it from a team that can win 3-4 games in the NCAA tournament to a team that might win 1. I mean to take nothing away from James, but this team was not a 1 person show. There are still 3 very talented players on the court 35+ minutes a game. Certainly Acker has to perform better than he has most of this season so far, but I am willing to hope he can do it rather than just assume on March 1st that we're 1 and done in the NCAA tournament.
Have you figured out how replacing an all BE pg with a horizon league pg on a team with no inside game might have that effect yet?
Right. And yet there are those who think Acker should start next season. I don't get it. He's not capable of running an offense fulltime playing alongside Wesley and Jerel, so how could removing those two from the equation help his game or his ability to improve the flow of the offense? Cadougan can't enroll fast enough.
Quote from: RawdogDX on March 05, 2009, 11:10:44 AM
Have you figured out how replacing an all BE pg with a horizon league pg on a team with no inside game might have that effect yet?
What was DJ going to do last night to stop Blair?
Quote from: TJ on March 05, 2009, 12:22:56 PM
What was DJ going to do last night to stop Blair?
Make it more difficult to get the ball to him, for one. Keep Fields under wraps better to allow the other guards to provide help, for another.
But that's relatively small potatoes and you're right, he really wouldn't have made much difference last night. Pitt overwhelmed us inside. I was actually rooting for them to make their second free throws because I'd rather they score one than the inevitable two plus maybe a foul off the offensive rebound if they missed.
I don't think it's debatable that james is needed in ever aspect of these games.
Quote from: TJ on March 05, 2009, 12:22:56 PM
What was DJ going to do last night to stop Blair?
Was he the guy who beat us all three of these games?
You said you coldn't "see how switching from James to Acker on this team changes it from a team that can win 3-4 games in the NCAA tournament to a team that might win 1"
If you haven't figured that out yet i understand, somepeople take longer than others. Let me know when you get here.
The team is fine with Acker out there. He did do well in the Horizon League, and that could be who we play in the tourney the first game. He is still better than a lot of Big Ten PGs too. He knocked down some shot against Pitt and didn't really turn it over against L'Ville.
Acker plays hard and plays good D. Beats Joe Chapman or Fitz out there.
Quote from: HoopsMalone on March 05, 2009, 04:22:12 PM
Acker plays hard and plays good D. Beats Joe Chapman or Fitz out there.
Huh? Good D? He cannot guard anyone unless they are 1) very short or 2) short and slow. He does not do his job as well as either Chapman or Fitz did theirs.
He is an acceptable backup PG for 6-8 minutes/game. Anything more and he hurts a team that already has too many holes. He seems like a good fellow and a good teammate and a hard worker and all that, but he just isn't a very good high D-1 PG.
Quote from: CTWarrior on March 05, 2009, 05:08:58 PM
Huh? Good D? He cannot guard anyone unless they are 1) very short or 2) short and slow. He does not do his job as well as either Chapman or Fitz did theirs.
He is an acceptable backup PG for 6-8 minutes/game. Anything more and he hurts a team that already has too many holes. He seems like a good fellow and a good teammate and a hard worker and all that, but he just isn't a very good high D-1 PG.
He did a hell of a job on McAlarney when we played ND, but aside from that, you're somewhat right. He's certainly not the defender that DJ is.
Quote from: RawdogDX on March 05, 2009, 01:31:17 PM
Was he the guy who beat us all three of these games?
You said you coldn't "see how switching from James to Acker on this team changes it from a team that can win 3-4 games in the NCAA tournament to a team that might win 1"
If you haven't figured that out yet i understand, somepeople take longer than others. Let me know when you get here.
We're not as good. I get that. I also underestimated the impact it would have on the other guys' minutes and fatigue factor - which I get now. But you said we "might" win 1 game in the tournament, as opposed to 3-4 with James. I still don't think that we lost so much that we can't beat a top 40 team (IF we drop to a 7 seed!). I still don't see it and I won't until it doesn't happen. More likely it's a top 44 team and then a top 12 team. After playing 2 of 3 top 6 teams close given no prep time, you can say right now that we don't have any chance in round 2 and little chance in round 1? How?
I may be overly optimistic, but there is far too much over-pessimism around here too. The truth is somewhere in the middle.
Ok, now you are just flat out miss-reading me. I said "Possibly 1 or 2 in the BE tourny. Possibly 1 or 2 in the 64"
Not that we don't have a chance in round 2 and not that we have a little chance in round 1. I think we'll probably win round 1 but there is a good chance we'll be up against a 2 or 3 seed in round 2. It would take incredibly lucky match ups to take us deep.