Which would give you more confidence about this teams ability to win some games in the NCAA tournament, what we saw today - a one point loss (we should have won), to a likely 3 seed with Jimmy Butler and Mo Acker leading the way and McNeal and Matthews playing poorly? Or, getting the win today, with McNeal and Matthews having a more typical game, and not getting much from Acker and Butler?
As I said before, the loss doesn't really bother me much. What we saw today was a team with multiple guys who can contribute, and I think Matthews and McNeal are gaining some confidence in their teammates.
Doesn't really matter. These guys have left me confident that the seniors will at least get their 2nd NCAA tournament win.
So I guess in that sense, I would have preferred the win today.
A winning team, not one which just suffered a devastating defeat at the buzzer and losers of 5 of 6.
We're much better when Butler and Acker get to contribute. When it's Wes and Jerel holding the ball and trying to create their own (usually poor) shots, we will not win even if they manage to score 20 each. I mean, even Len Elmore realized we were a better team when the others were involved. If that means we need to play in a more structured offense to make sure Acker, Butler, and Cubillan get some chances to shoot then do it, because it doesn't work when you have two players forcing shots (and Hayward anytime he gets it in the paint).
It was nice to see the team with 5 in double figures. Acker and Butler were awesome. If we can put together a few games where they are on, and Jeral and/or Wes are on, with Lazar steady - wow. They proved today they can compete with anyone.
Go Marquette!!
A team well rested...and who will shoot better than 16% on 2PFG's...making many more than 6.