I know I'm a few days too late, but better late then never I guess. Some thoughts on the first game.....
1. Lazar Hayward is going to see his points drop this year. We forgot with the three amigos how easy it was for Hayward to drift out behind the three point line, wait for james, matthews, or mcneal to drive and kick, and have that perfect 3 pointer there for the taking. Thats not happening this year. Teams are gonna key on hayward, and hes not gonna have those easy threes he got the first 3 years of his career. Also, the one thing that lazar has always seemed to have a problem with are offenseive fouls. When he drives he is aggressive, and sometimes overly so. It is going to be interesting to see how he adapts this year to having to create his own shot.
2. Butler might be one of the best rebounders for his size I have ever seen. he is relentless, especially on the offensive boards, and although he isn't the size of a 4 or 5, he rebounds like one. I feel like half of his points were 2nd chance opportunities he got off of offenseive rebounds. I also noticed that he is a really great free throw shooter, something I remember him doing well at the big east tournament, and is continuing to do so far this year.
3. Erik Williams has to play more. I know I am gonna catch a lotta flack for this, and if you were in the gameday chat on friday, you heard me yell a lot about this, but there is no reason a top 100 recruit can't get in for more than a minute of garbage time against a soon to be D 3 school. I don't care how raw he is, Fulce brought nothing to the table on Friday, and in the one minute that Williams did play at the end, he actually looked aggressive, snagging a rebound, and getting to the line. I have a feeling Williams is a guy that plays much better in games then he looks in practice, and if given the opportunity to play more, willshine by years end.
4. Acker can handle the point for this team. He was more aggressive offensively, he seemed confident, and will be more then adequate as the season progresses. granted he won't score 10 a game every night out, and he is undersized, but he brings experience, confidence that is carrying over from the end of last year, and leadership. Cubillian did not impress, and that shot, that used to be so pretty, is now very ugly.
5. Maymon looked completely lost in the beginning, but seemed tio get his rhythm as the game progressed. it will be interesting to see how he progresses. Buycks also seemed to get more confident as the game went on, but I felt like he settled for jumpers too much, and needs to start trying to penetrate to give this team a backcourt threat.
On Tarik Black, losing this one really does hurt. granted he was from memphis, and granted it was not likely that Marquette would have signed him away from memphis, but Marquette seems like it may be doomed to repeat the folly of the 4 great years of the three amigos. In order to compete in the big east, or in the ncaa tournament, quality big men are required. Marquette has not recruited a quality big since Robert jackson, 8 years ago. In order for this team to be taken seriously by national media and big east columnists, it MUST get a quality big man in this years class. Whether that is Pinkston, or some other prospect with less notoriety, starting 4 guards and an undersized 5 will only bring 4 more years of heartbreak. You can't say "Aww shucks, we'll just wait for the next one to come around." the reason the memphis's, the UNC's, and the conneticuts of the world good year in and year out is due to quality big men. Are guards the last 3 years mjatched up with anyones in the country. Guards are abundant. Good big men r not. In order for this program to get to the next leverl, a good big man has to be recruited in this class, and fast.
I say we go the route of a bag of cash in order to lock down a solid big man
Quote from: KipsBayEagle on November 16, 2009, 10:01:22 AM
3. Erik Williams has to play more. I know I am gonna catch a lotta flack for this, and if you were in the gameday chat on friday, you heard me yell a lot about this, but there is no reason a top 100 recruit can't get in for more than a minute of garbage time against a soon to be D 3 school. I don't care how raw he is, Fulce brought nothing to the table on Friday, and in the one minute that Williams did play at the end, he actually looked aggressive, snagging a rebound, and getting to the line. I have a feeling Williams is a guy that plays much better in games then he looks in practice, and if given the opportunity to play more, willshine by years end.
Except Buzz obviously has things he's looking for from guys in practices for them to get PT, and if everyone except Williams & Frozena got in the game before garbage time....
I have to agree with KipsBayEagle re: Erik Williams.
First off, he looked pretty decent. That is not to say that he has or has not been lighting it up in practice, but he looked decent and active during the game.
Second, I don't see how any one recruit could be playing so poorly in practice that he gets nothing but garbage time against a clearly inferior opponent; that belief has to be especially true when it is a newcomer. Let him take to the floor and show what he has. In the second half, the game was essentially decided. I really don't understand how Buzz doesn't get him in, if even only for a few minutes in the first half and a few more earlier in the second half. We are talking about a freshman here. Even if he doesn't get it, reward his hard work in practice with something more than garbage time.
Third, we played against Centenary right? Not Conneticut or Villanova? Get the kids some meaningful minutes. Otherwise, the kid might start to perceive that he is unfairly being singled out. It doesn't matter whether that is the truth or not, but the 18 year old mind perceives things in strange ways.
At every level of basketball (ok, the NBA may be an exception) the coach wields the ultimate power of playing time. There are only 200 precious minutes to go around each game, and they should earned. If EWill is not getting it done in practice, or Buzz doesn't think he's ready, or whatever, you don't just hand him minutes. EWill needs to earn the minutes, and apparently whatever he's done up to now isn't good enough.
Student Section was solid, especially for the exhibition and 1st game. Hopefully, another strong showing tomorrow.
But more importantly, Jumpin' Guy was in mid-season form.
Ewill is just so long when he goes up for a rebound, and he shoots from a high point with those long arms. A lot of upside and his offense appears to be there... however, you have to play defense in order to play. He can't seem to guard anyone, and looks like a bull fighter letting a bull past except that he uses his hands instead of a cape...(especially in the time that he was in for the exhibition game, I noticed this, as away from the basket players could just drive by him)... so, he is about where Butler was last year at this time. Let's hope he is working hard and is tough, and gets better just like Butler did last year. He seems to have the ability, now he just has to learn how to use it, especially on D.
I believe Butler will lead MU in scoring this year. However, I do not thinlk Hayward's scoring average will fall. He did not score much against Cenentary, because he got in foul trouble. Two weak foul calls and two charges.
Hayward will still lead this team in scoring. However, I think Butler may not be far behind. I would not be surprised if they average 16 and 15 between them. Remember Hayward can score outside, mid-range, and close in. Plus he is a good free throw shooters. Guys like that score at least 15ppg, 3 amigos or not.
The key on the offensive end will be like years past... outside shooting. Acker, Cubes, DJO, Hayward, and Buycks will all have to hit some threes to keep teams honest.
Defensively this team has a way to go. That is why Fulce is in the game versus Williams. Sans Hayward and Butler, we are not that good defensively right now. Thus, Fulce is the best option defensively. Maymon, Williams, and Buycks all look a little raw defensively at this point. Acker is below average defensively too. I didn't key in on DJO enough but I presume he has a way to go too.
That is why Cubillan and Fulce will get playing time in the interim... they are the best defensive options for their positions. Hopefully, by mid-season some of our players who are currently defensive liabilities will be much improved.
Quote from: Muhoops85 on November 16, 2009, 04:46:16 PM
Student Section was solid, especially for the exhibition and 1st game. Hopefully, another strong showing tomorrow.
It's sad that halfway up the upper deck on a Friday night still qualifies as a solid turnout.
Quote from: Brewtown Andy on November 16, 2009, 08:00:23 PM
It's sad that halfway up the upper deck on a Friday night still qualifies as a solid turnout.
It was against Centenary... give them a break, getting drunk at a bar watching the game sounds better than that as well.
Quote from: ChuckyChip on November 16, 2009, 04:42:06 PM
At every level of basketball (ok, the NBA may be an exception) the coach wields the ultimate power of playing time. There are only 200 precious minutes to go around each game, and they should earned. If EWill is not getting it done in practice, or Buzz doesn't think he's ready, or whatever, you don't just hand him minutes. EWill needs to earn the minutes, and apparently whatever he's done up to now isn't good enough.
Yes. I know this is different, but when I coach my son's youth team, if the kid with the least amount of talent has a good week of practice by hustling, etc., he will be rewarded with playing time above a more talented kid that is screwing around.