Marquette Synergy: Individual defensive numbersAverages and statistics mean little just three games into the season, though they do still mean something. While it's difficult to make definitive statements — especially when two opponents were SWAC members — it's still worth noting how players have fared in the early going, and may provide some insight toward Buzz Williams' rotation that [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=painttouches.com&blog=28348875&post=9512&subd=painttouches&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />
Source: Marquette Synergy: Individual defensive numbers (http://painttouches.com/2013/11/18/marquette-synergy-individual-defensive-numbers/)
So if our PG is 93rd percentile and our SG is 90th percentile, we might have the top defensive backcourt in the nation. I'd be interested to see the top 5 "averages" of the two positions. It might mean that the +/- with these two is worth it even if they cannot shoot.
Good to see Mayo up so high as well. He's been both a "big play" defender as well as a good solid possession defender.
I don't think this team is going to be what Marquette fans want. It's not what they have become accustomed to. This is going to be a defense-first team that could very well try to limit possessions, similar to what we see 60 miles to the west, or like what we saw in 2009-10. As I said earlier this year, I don't believe any coach in the country is better at adjusting his style of play to the players he has on his team. Buzz will figure out how to use outstanding defenders like Derrick to his advantage.
This also brought to mind another article someone shared with me:
http://basketball.realgm.com/blog/230738/From-the-Champions-Classic-to-Cupcake-Week
This article talks about how one of the problems with Marquette's offensive performance was the number of low percentage shots they took. However, if MU hits the 6 "easy inside baskets" (12 points) and half of the 6 uncontested threes (9 points), we win the game. And I have no doubt the staff will be working hard to increase the number of high percentage shots we are taking. That's one of Buzz's calling cards.
I get that people won't like some of what they see on the court. Buzz said as much less than a month ago. But the guy knows how to adapt to his team and knows how to get results. If we end up with the best defensive backcourt in the country and Buzz can even get slightly-below-average offensive results out of these guys (and expected production out of guys like Mayo, Jamil, and Gardner) this team can be very good. It may not be as flashy as teams with guys like Jae, DJO, and Vander, but that doesn't mean they will be less effective or successful.
Also...this is great work by Paint Touches. As noted, it's early, but it's nice to see someone else trying to put some actual perspective on this team and the positives that have been displayed on the court (even in an ugly loss) rather than simply pouting "woe is us".
Quote from: brewcity77 on November 18, 2013, 09:13:01 AM
I don't think this team is going to be what Marquette fans want. It's not what they have become accustomed to. This is going to be a defense-first team that could very well try to limit possessions, similar to what we see 60 miles to the west, or like what we saw in 2009-10. As I said earlier this year, I don't believe any coach in the country is better at adjusting his style of play to the players he has on his team. Buzz will figure out how to use outstanding defenders like Derrick to his advantage.
This also brought to mind another article someone shared with me:
http://basketball.realgm.com/blog/230738/From-the-Champions-Classic-to-Cupcake-Week
This article talks about how one of the problems with Marquette's offensive performance was the number of low percentage shots they took. However, if MU hits the 6 "easy inside baskets" (12 points) and half of the 6 uncontested threes (9 points), we win the game. And I have no doubt the staff will be working hard to increase the number of high percentage shots we are taking. That's one of Buzz's calling cards.
I get that people won't like some of what they see on the court. Buzz said as much less than a month ago. But the guy knows how to adapt to his team and knows how to get results. If we end up with the best defensive backcourt in the country and Buzz can even get slightly-below-average offensive results out of these guys (and expected production out of guys like Mayo, Jamil, and Gardner) this team can be very good. It may not be as flashy as teams with guys like Jae, DJO, and Vander, but that doesn't mean they will be less effective or successful.
I agree with a lot of what you say, but this would potentially cause me even more confusion as to why Jake was getting so many minutes. The defensive "drop-off" between Jake and Todd is relatively negligible, and is certainly more than negated when you look at the offensive contribution from Todd versus Jake. So then why so much Jake?
To answer my own question, as Joe and I mentioned in the podcast yesterday, a lot of the time Jake and Todd were playing TOGETHER, instead of Todd for Jake. So I think the answer to generally a better performance is for Juan, Deonte, and especially Jamil to step up. Those guys under performing forced Buzz to go smaller and play Todd at the 3 which shifted everything. I think we got to light a fire under Jamil somehow because he just isn't bringing to date.
Two comments on Jamil.
#1 - if you look at the Pomeroy website, Jamil is currently listed as a role player (#6 contributor)
#2 - if you look at the trends for Jamil the last two years, he didn't really start turning it on until half-way through the season.
(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee41/roblowe14/Jamilv2.png) (http://s228.photobucket.com/user/roblowe14/media/Jamilv2.png.html)
Quote from: Henry Sugar on November 18, 2013, 10:25:37 AM
Two comments on Jamil.
#1 - if you look at the Pomeroy website, Jamil is currently listed as a role player (#6 contributor)
#2 - if you look at the trends for Jamil the last two years, he didn't really start turning it on until half-way through the season.
(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee41/roblowe14/Jamilv2.png) (http://s228.photobucket.com/user/roblowe14/media/Jamilv2.png.html)
That's a luxury we can not afford if we want to excel.
Quote from: ATWizJr on November 18, 2013, 10:35:03 AM
That's a luxury we can not afford if we want to excel.
Why not? What's the worst case scenario? We lose 5 non-con games? That won't keep us out of the Dance as long as we get 20-22 wins before Selection Sunday, and if we've learned anything in the last 5 years, all you have to do is get there. I have no doubt Buzz could get this team to a Final Four from a 13 seed, a 9 seed, or a 2 seed. As long as the team becomes what he wants.
Quote from: brewcity77 on November 18, 2013, 10:40:10 AM
Why not?
My sanity and ability to remain married while screaming endlessly at the tv and/or court.
Better question, why the trend. What is it about Jamil that seems to generate this curve? Besides the if we fritter away non-con opportunities that leaves us little to no room for margin in the conference season.
Quote from: mu03eng on November 18, 2013, 11:01:36 AM
My sanity and ability to remain married while screaming endlessly at the tv and/or court.
Better question, why the trend. What is it about Jamil that seems to generate this curve? Besides the if we fritter away non-con opportunities that leaves us little to no room for margin in the conference season.
LOL at the first ;D
And I don't know at the second. I hoped that the last 15 or so games of last season were indicative of the light going on for Jamil and he could pick up where he left off. Instead, he's back to being a role-player on a team where he's supposed to be THE guy.
I don't think we'll lose 5 non-con games. I still think we'll win 10 before we fly to Omaha. But we do need Jamil to establish himself for that to happen. In the first two games, he did enough to fill the scoresheet in games that were never really in jeopardy. And as we learned against Ohio State, that won't be enough against high-major opponents. As much as people are hemming and hawing about Derrick and Jake, no one really expected them to be scoring leaders on this team. Jamil's play is of far greater concern to me than anyone at the guard positions, especially when you see Taylor ripping down rebounds like a beast alongside him.
Steve Taylor is nationally ranked at offensive rebounding, defensive rebounding, and protecting the ball.
#FREESTEVETAYLOR
Steve Taylor....does anybody know if his ability to play a lot of minutes is still compromised by his off season surgery? If he is still compromised, does anyone know the time frame for recovery?
Earlier a good point was raised as I had forgotten that Mayo and Todd played together for some time during the game on Saturday even when Derrick was still on the court. (DeWil did get a couple minute second half rest as I recall when Todd took the point.) I think that says a lot about our lack of production so far at the #3 where both Juan and Jamil need to elevate their game. Oh, and why Steve's minutes were limited in the second half is beyond me. The man owns the boards as a Sophomore and I'm optimistic that offensive put backs will be added to 'one and done' defense as time goes on.
Funny. I was typing when the two prior comments posted. Great minds think alike.
I'm replying all to the last comments...except that doesn't exist.
If Jamil can become the man at the 3, with Juan spelling him that gives the 4 to Steve Taylor where he belongs and allows Todd to play the 2 exclusively. Say whatever you will about DeWil, but without Jamil stepping up the rest doesn't matter. DeWil will still be a very effective pg, IF, he's not playing next to Jake 20 minutes a game. And with the current make-up the only way to reduce Jake's minutes is to increase Juan and Jamil's minutes at the 3. Hopefully that is a point of emphasis for Buzz.
Quote from: ATWizJr on November 18, 2013, 10:35:03 AM
That's a luxury we can not afford if we want to excel.
Agree.
Derrick is taking a lot of heat... but Jamil is the guy that MU needs to be successful.