Marquette Golden Eagles (21-6)
The Eagles are slumping of late with back-to-back losses at Georgetown and DePaul, and I'm starting to get worried. They still might be the Big East's most dangerous tournament team, but really, how far can they go when no one in their vaunted backcourt trio is shooting over 30 percent from three-point land? It's the main reason Marquette's offense lags so far behind its excellent D; Dominic James (28.6 percent), Jerel McNeal (27.6) and Wes Matthews (27.9) have attempted a combined 288 treys but have made just 81. The Eagles would be wise to allow forward Dan Fitzgerald -- their best three-point shooter, at 44.3 percent -- to get even more looks down the stretch. He's taken 88 attempts this season, an average of 3.3 per game.
Next three: 2/17 vs. Louisville, 2/19 vs. Villanova, 2/24 at Notre Dame.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/luke_winn/02/15/power.rankings/2.html
I don't have the stats in front of me but it does seem like Fitz is putting the ball up more and more. Definitely a lot more aggressive since the second half of the West Virginia game.
He took 10 shots last night. I think he could have shot even more. In fact, I think early in the game Crean yanked him for a very short time for not shooting. He's definitely coming on. I have always liked his game.
Fitz is playing aggressive and intelligent. I think the light officially came on with him and I don't expect it to go out. Last night, he made a couple of great plays. He swatted a rebound from the hoop out to our guards on the perimeter, thus saving the possession. He also had a fantastic board on that missed free throw late in the game, and he quickly converted the hoop with a nifty move. He's becoming a lot more vocal on the court, too. Look for him to could provide some of the leadership that we miss at times as we come down the stretch here.
dan has been my favorite player since he put on a marquette uniform. he does so many of the intagibles and now that he has settled into one role (opposed to 4 last year) he has really come on. he puts up huge hustle points everygame, which is also why he is a target for BS fouls. that was the nail in the coffin last night when he fouled out. i can't wait to see that kid as a senior next year.
don't jump on me here by reading too much into this. he is not steve novak, but if you remember how novak struggled with confidence and taking his shot most of junior year. well fitz has gone through the same thing. i like fitz out there because he is really starting to create his own shot from the outside which is nice to see. I really liked the pump fake on the three and a couple dribble for a pull up J that he hit last night.
i can't wait till our DANNNNNNNNNN FITZZZZZZZZZ GERALDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD catches on in the crowd. every game my buddies get 1 or 2 more people yelling it. Listen for it on saturday and join in.
how do you elongate a 'd' ?