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Impressions of Marquette and moreby: Fran Fraschilla
posted: Wednesday, November 7, 2007 | Print Entry
I just returned from watching Marquette this weekend. It was fun to watch two practices, a pre-game walk-though, an exhibition game vs. Northern State (S.D.), a recruiting visit and an NBA game, all in 72 hours. Here are a few observations:
• The season-ending knee injury to 6-7 freshman Trevor Mbakwe is a huge blow and basically puts the Golden Eagles in the same position as they were a season ago. They are loaded in the backcourt but thin up front. The ability to play a Villanova-like four-guard line-up will depend entirely on whether they can rebound effectively with it.
• While Jerel McNeal is the Big East's reigning Defensive Player of the Year, I was really impressed with Dominic James' on-ball defense, as well. If he shoots with consistency, he should be back in the mix for All-American consideration.
• Wes Matthews is easily one of the most underrated players in the Big East.
• Tom Crean is not leaving Marquette in the near future, if ever. Outside of Kentucky and maybe a couple of other programs, there may not be any place that has invested more into basketball, in terms of commitment, facilities and support, than Marquette.
• There may be a couple of teams that may practice as hard as Marquette, but nobody practices any harder and with more purpose than these guys. Ask a couple of NBA scouts that came through this weekend.
• Northern State's coach, Don Meyer, may not be a household name to many basketball fans, but he is a giant in the coaching profession. Heading toward 900 wins, Meyer is already the fifth-winningest college basketball coach ever. And, he is well-known on the clinic and camp circuit. In fact, in nine years at Northern, he's attracted more than 10,000 to his Coaching Academy.
• Kansas State coach Frank Martin was equally impressed as I was with Jerel McNeal's defensive prowess when the Wildcats scrimmaged the Golden Eagles two weeks ago. It got me thinking of the best perimeter defenders going into the season, so here are ten of my favorites:
1. Garrett Temple, LSU
2. Marcus Dove, Oklahoma State
3. Darren Collison, UCLA
4. Jerel McNeal, Marquette
5. Brandon Rush, Kansas
6. Mario Chalmers, Kansas
7. Kyle Weaver, Washington State
8. Jerel McNeal">Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, UCLA
9. Stefhon Hannnah, Missouri
10. DeMarcus Nelson, Duke
I would not be too surprised if matthews led the team in scoring and james was a first team all big east defender, to go along with first or second team all american. James will be more well rounded this year and like fran said if he shoots well enough he may have all american written all over him. Matthews can average 17-20 ppg, esp will all the ft attempts. My confusion is where does that leave mcneal? Obviously one of the best defenders again, but I dont think he will handle the ball as much with all the good ball handlers and hes not really a jump shooter, so he may get fewer attempts than the other two. Hopefully he doesnt get frustrated if the other two get the hype, because something tells me fan favorite wont do it for him
As long as McNeal is defender of the year again, he'll be happy. He loves defense. If he doesn't get it. Watch out for his senior year.
Quote from: mudimitri on November 07, 2007, 04:50:51 PM
Matthews can average 17-20 ppg, esp will all the ft attempts.
Are you KIDDING me? I love Matthews, but 20 points a game? Not in a million years. I don't have the media guide in front of me, but I doubt that he's scored 20 more than 3 times since he's been at MU. If he has, I certainly don't remember.
Hence the breakout year prediction. Im not saying he will, just saying he can if he has a breakout year. He is the best shooter of the 3 guards, or atleast was supposed to be the best, and gets to the line the most. Now, everyone knows he had subpar first 2 seasons compared to what is expected of him. If he scores 5-7 ppg from the line (can easily get 3 or 4 more during garbage time cause he should be getting the ball whenever possible during that time) whats to say that he cant get 10 more points from layups/dunks, jump shots, or 3's? Just cause he has not done it doesnt mean he cannot do it. Also, dont forget that if he gets hot he will see a ton of open looks with all the good ball handlers and his ability to drive and get to the line.
My guess is he averages 14-15ppg, but thats if his shooting hasnt greatly improved. If it has i can see him averaging 17-18 pts
Matthews in the 17-20 point range...
Nov 30, 2005 @Nebraska - 18
Dec 19, 2005 Oakland - 21
Mar 4, 2006 Providence - 18
Nov 20, 2006 Texas Tech - 20
Dec 30, 2006 Savannah State - 22
Jan 15, 2007 @Louisville - 17
Jan 24, 2007 Seton Hall - 22
Feb 24, 2007 @Notre Dame - 17
Mar 3, 2007 Pittsburgh - 20
Mar 8, 2007 @Pittsburgh - 19
So uh, he certainly has the ability to do it. Home, road, and versus top opponents. I don't think the prediction is all that off. Frosh he averaged 9ppm, Soph 12.6, so if he has the same increase he'll be at 16.2. You focused on 20, but I don't think an average of 17ppg is that far off...
Quote from: rocky_warrior on November 07, 2007, 05:10:49 PM
Matthews in the 17-20 point range...
Nov 30, 2005 @Nebraska - 18
Dec 19, 2005 Oakland - 21
Mar 4, 2006 Providence - 18
Nov 20, 2006 Texas Tech - 20
Dec 30, 2006 Savannah State - 22
Jan 15, 2007 @Louisville - 17
Jan 24, 2007 Seton Hall - 22
Feb 24, 2007 @Notre Dame - 17
Mar 3, 2007 Pittsburgh - 20
Mar 8, 2007 @Pittsburgh - 19
So uh, he certainly has the ability to do it. Home, road, and versus top opponents. I don't think the prediction is all that off. Frosh he averaged 9ppm, Soph 12.6, so if he has the same increase he'll be at 16.2. You focused on 20, but I don't think an average of 17ppg is that far off...
I agree that he has the talent to avg. 17/game (especially when you consider his FT shooting), but we have to realize that those points have to come from somewhere.
I mean, MU could just average way more points this year (possible), but there is only 1 ball to go around... and if Hayward is much improved as well, I don't know that Matthews will get enough attempts to score 17/game.
If all of the players are really that much improved, it will be interesting to see how the attempts really lay out. You might see several guys in that 15pt range (matthews, james, mcneal) and several others in that 8-11 point range (fitz, lazar, ous) and some guys in that 6-8 point range (cooby, acker,)
That's around 85 points, folks. That's a lot of points.
Also, keep in mind that all of these guys have shown the ability to score in bunches, and on any given night go for 20 (yes, even ooz could get in the teens).
Coaching will really come into play so they can identify who is hot (and has a good match-up) and how to utilize that player for that game.
EDIT: Also, I'm realizing that increased defensive pressure from MU could create more offensive possessions for MU, and thus creating additional shots. So, while there is only 1 ball to go around, several players could still increase their scoring averages.
• The season-ending knee injury to 6-7 freshman Trevor Mbakwe is a huge blow and basically puts the Golden Eagles in the same position as they were a season ago. They are loaded in the backcourt but thin up front. The ability to play a Villanova-like four-guard line-up will depend entirely on whether they can rebound effectively with it.
That may be the most telling comment from Fran.
Quote from: 79Warrior on November 07, 2007, 07:52:53 PM
• The season-ending knee injury to 6-7 freshman Trevor Mbakwe is a huge blow and basically puts the Golden Eagles in the same position as they were a season ago. They are loaded in the backcourt but thin up front. The ability to play a Villanova-like four-guard line-up will depend entirely on whether they can rebound effectively with it.
That may be the most telling comment from Fran.
Totally agree...the loss of Mbakwe is huge and makes us basically the same team we were last year. Hopefully, Ooze and some guys on the bench step up and fill the void and Acker is a stud. Otherwise, we are a little overrated
it really makes my day that MU gets the approval of an espn talking head
It is the same team from last year except they all have one more year of experience which isnt a huge deal for the amigos but for cubs, lazar, ooze, and Acker its pretty big
Quote from: tomcrean4pres on November 07, 2007, 10:55:11 PM
It is the same team from last year except they all have one more year of experience which isnt a huge deal for the amigos but for cubs, lazar, ooze, and Acker its pretty big
Personally, I think it's a fairly big deal for the amigos as well as for Fitz/Ouse. In my opinion, one of the issues that caused inconsistency with the team last year was that there wasn't any significant senior leadership. Therefore, MU had three sophomores who struggled with being leaders as well as delivering their own expectations on the floor. With the amigos being juniors, and having two years of starting experience, that leadership role will come more into play.
Let's also not discount the experience factor on Fitz/Ouse. I don't know what it is under Crean, but seniors always seem to make some sort of significant impact. The range can be from Novak's senior year to Chapman's steady leadership and shots to Chris Grimm having one or two great games. I'm looking for that senior contribution from Fitz and Ouse.
"• Tom Crean is not leaving Marquette in the near future, if ever. Outside of Kentucky and maybe a couple of other programs, there may not be any place that has invested more into basketball, in terms of commitment, facilities and support, than Marquette."
It's funny how this comment doesn't spark a lot of comments, but the mere suggestion that Crean would leave sparks tons or reaction. Crean ain't leaving until he retires.
That comment also tells us Crean was never actually offered the Kentucky job