From the JS--McNeal: "You take out someone like 'Nic, who was the biggest component of our offense, it's hard just to stay in sync at all times. A lot of times we miss his playmaking ability more than anything. Getting in the lane, making things happen, getting other people open shots. It's a situation now where I'm forced to do it a little bit more, Wes needs to do it a little bit more.
"It's a little bit weird, and it's definitely harder because defenses are able to key in on us a lot more now with 'Nic being out. It's a tough spot, but we still have some stretches where we're pretty good offensively."
Losing DJ is like an NFL team losing its starting QB. In most instances, you're hopelessly screwed.
We are also forced to play more zone because we have NO inside players outside of Burke. Look at the shooting percentages, we allow teams to consistently shoot 50 percent or higher, 63 percent last night! Forces us to front low post players and go underneath screens, which allows for WIDE open shots all game long. Again, the 3 point shot is not a difficult shot when you're set and open, which is why we have allowed 35 three pointers the last 4 games....thats 9 a game! Its just sad that weren't able to put serviceable front court players around the big 3.....biggest waste of talent. 4 1500 point scorers and they didn't see the second weekend of the NCAAs. SAD.
Quote from: esotericmindguy on March 05, 2009, 10:05:28 AM
4 1500 point scorers and they didn't see the second weekend of the NCAAs. SAD.
I know I'm hopelessly optimistic. If that's a prediction, you may be entirely correct. However, you stated it as a fact - and we have a couple weeks to figure out if these guys will see the 2nd weekend or not.
Just sayin...
i hope I'm wrong, but they could get as bad as an 8 seed if they lose their last two games. NEED a win vs. Cuse to solidify a 5-6 seed. So at best they play a 4 seed in the second round, which would be a Nova, Purdue, Xavier type team. Its possible, but its going to be tough.
Wouldn't it be mind boggling to consider we were talking about a two seed two weeks ago and see them seeded 8 or 9.
In today's JS, Lunardi said MU is likely a 6-7 seed without DJ.
Steve Lavin, in last night's post-mortem, said that MU would benefit greatly from getting out of the Big East in the NCAAs...meaning that we just got battle testing from three straight #1 or #2 seeds, and the NCAA games will seem easy in comparison.
Quote from: BrewCity on March 05, 2009, 11:10:05 AM
In today's JS, Lunardi said MU is likely a 6-7 seed without DJ.
Steve Lavin, in last night's post-mortem, said that MU would benefit greatly from getting out of the Big East in the NCAAs...meaning that we just got battle testing from three straight #1 or #2 seeds, and the NCAA games will seem easy in comparison.
Totally agree with Lavin's statement. And I don't think a 4 or 5 is unrealistic at all if we beat Syracuse and get one win in the BE tourney.