MUScoop

Right now, if everything stays the same for next year, we have 12 scholarships accounted for. Here's the roster for 2016-17:

Freshman: Sam Hauser (SF)
Sophomores: Henry Ellenson (PF), Haanif Cheatham (SG), Traci Carter (PG), Sacar Anim (SF), Matt Heldt (C)
Juniors: Andrew Rowsey (SG), Duane Wilson (SG), Sandy Cohen (SF)
Seniors: Luke Fischer (C), Jajuan Johnson (SF), Wally Ellenson (SF)

With that in mind, we have one true point guard in Carter and three other guys who could possibly fill the role if needed in Cheatham, Wilson, and Rowsey. By the same token, we have one true power forward in Henry Ellenson and three other guys who could possibly fill the role if needed in Anim, Cohen, and Wally.

We have one scholarship available. If Wojo goes into the graduate transfer market, which would you prefer? A veteran point guard that could come in and run the offense or a power forward that could be that bruising, physical, rebounding presence we often seem to be lacking?

Maybe it's too early to discuss this, just wondering which need we feel is more pressing.

It's more than one position. I think PG is fine, because you can get away without a scoring PG. You absolutely CANNOT win in college basketball without the 3 point shot. MU was 0-9 until Ellenson hit that 3 with 2 minutes left. Obviously Seton Hall wasn't hitting either, but they rebounded nearly every 3 they missed. Unless you can recruit NBA talent at nearly every position like Duke, UNC, Kentucky, etc, But even those programs don't win championships without excellent 3 point shooters. Fortunately Wojo gets that, buzz did not.

That said, I think the team will be fine. They missed a lot of shots they normally hit and SH got in a Groove. SH is a good team.

Hutspah. Swagger. Solid and consistent shooting.  Playing with their hair on fire for 40 minutes.

Guards aplenty next year.  Give me a rebounding beast.

PF and it isn't even close.

And this is assuming Henry is back(he won't be).

I was never super thrilled with Rowsey but many people have been saying hes looked great.

Carter has a lot of time to improve. Duane will be an upperclassman. Haanif is already a stud at his game, maybe he does slowly add the PG element. He's a talented enough kid. And then there is a vet in Rowsey who will shoot and maybe be a good BE PG.

PF...we don't even have reasonable options. PG may come with a lot of "ifs". But at least there are options.

I'd like both. Wojo needs to widen his horizon a bit on he grad transfers next year. Go for the top tier, but keep guys in the next tier in mind as well.

Quote from: JamilJaeJamailJrJuan on December 31, 2015, 02:49:20 PM
I'd like both. Wojo needs to widen his horizon a bit on he grad transfers next year. Go for the top tier, but keep guys in the next tier in mind as well.

This assumes HE leaves, which I fully expect.

We need a Novak or Diener quality shooter!  This is getting so frustrating watching these guys bang shots off the rim. Meanwhile we don't get the rebound because we are running back on defense.

Rowsey is a Diener-esque shooter. 

Heart!

One thing that has been proven at MU beyond any doubt is that College B-ball is a guard's game.  All through the Crean era and much the Buzz's tenure we had great guards (especially point guards) but undersized front courts.  We used to always complain, "if we had a true center, if we had some size up front, yada yada".  We now we have it but don't have the good guard play and look at what happens.  Exhibit B is Buzz's last season.  The best scoring big man we've had in years backed up by a 6 year 6'10" center and another 6'7"low post player and what does it get us, a 500 season and no post season.  Its a guards game period.  If Traci was able to play like D James as a freshman or Diener as a freshman we'd be just fine.  Good tough guards can rebound but 6-10 guys can't drive and create.  That's what is missing.  Look at how often a SH guard drove and dished for an easy layup by anther player.  I like Haanif but once he goes to the lane he never passes.  Traci, well I hate to say it but, Derek would have created more shot opportunities than Traci did last night.  We realized that the biggest concern was experience at the point and we had to hope Traci was the second coming of DJ.  He's not and I'm very concerned that by the time he gets there the front court power will be gone. 

I've read the various responses and honestly, when I started this I didn't know what my own answer was. Thinking about it, I'd now say a power forward.

While we may lack an elite PG, I have confidence Traci will develop and we at least have viable alternatives in Duane, Haney, and Rowsey. I'm confident we'll have enough options at the point to compete next year. On the other hand, we don't have any alternatives at PF (Sandy, Anim, and Wally are very poor man's PFs) and no one at all that gives this team toughness.

If we added a PG, it'd be adding one guy to a group of players that can already play PG. If we added a gritty PF with toughness, it'd be adding one guy who was gritty with toughness to a group that has very little of that.

In recent years, we've really lost that toughness. This year, last year, even 2014, the guys we had up front (Otule, Jamil) were really nice guys and it showed. Gardner had the attitude, but it only carried through on one end. It's been a long time since we had guys like Crowder, Lockett, Butler, Hayward, and Burke, the guys who did the little things, the big things, and just loved to beat you. We need some grit.

C.) Student section

Quote from: NotAnAlum on December 31, 2015, 03:28:12 PM
One thing that has been proven at MU beyond any doubt is that College B-ball is a guard's game.  All through the Crean era and much the Buzz's tenure we had great guards (especially point guards) but undersized front courts.  We used to always complain, "if we had a true center, if we had some size up front, yada yada".  We now we have it but don't have the good guard play and look at what happens.  Exhibit B is Buzz's last season.  The best scoring big man we've had in years backed up by a 6 year 6'10" center and another 6'7"low post player and what does it get us, a 500 season and no post season.  Its a guards game period.  If Traci was able to play like D James as a freshman or Diener as a freshman we'd be just fine.  Good tough guards can rebound but 6-10 guys can't drive and create.  That's what is missing.  Look at how often a SH guard drove and dished for an easy layup by anther player.  I like Haanif but once he goes to the lane he never passes.  Traci, well I hate to say it but, Derek would have created more shot opportunities than Traci did last night.  We realized that the biggest concern was experience at the point and we had to hope Traci was the second coming of DJ.  He's not and I'm very concerned that by the time he gets there the front court power will be gone.

Derrick would have created more shot opportunities, played better man defense, probably pulled down 5 rebounds.   But he wouldn't have made a jumper (oh wait, the entire team made 1 last night) and would have been vilified.    Having said that, I look forward to watching Traci develop. 

Quote from: tower912 on December 31, 2015, 03:46:24 PM
Derrick would have created more shot opportunities, played better man defense, probably pulled down 5 rebounds.   But he wouldn't have made a jumper (oh wait, the entire team made 1 last night) and would have been vilified.    Having said that, I look forward to watching Traci develop. 

(https://static1.fjcdn.com/thumbnails/comments/4581839+_4fe5cced07ab20421c3df1c8dbf260c9.gif)

Uh-huh...yea....um....

I looked at what Derrick did in the three games against Seton Hall last year.
First game, which we lost 10pts, 7 rbs, 8 assists
Second game (win) 1 pt, 6 rbs, 5 assists
Big East tournament win 7 pts, 4 rbs, 14 assists.

We have PG options I. Duane, Traci, Haanif & Andrew. 

All we have for PF is Henry and it's no guarantee he's back. 

It's PF as the #1 need and it's not even close. 

Game Coach

Quote from: esotericmindguy on December 31, 2015, 01:20:53 PM
It's more than one position. I think PG is fine, because you can get away without a scoring PG. You absolutely CANNOT win in college basketball without the 3 point shot. MU was 0-9 until Ellenson hit that 3 with 2 minutes left. Obviously Seton Hall wasn't hitting either, but they rebounded nearly every 3 they missed. Unless you can recruit NBA talent at nearly every position like Duke, UNC, Kentucky, etc, But even those programs don't win championships without excellent 3 point shooters. Fortunately Wojo gets that, buzz did not.

Yep

It's not just the points which come off made threes, it also helps provide spacing so that defenses can't just pack the paint and make it harder for bigs to score.

Doesn't matter if it's college ball or the NBA, if a team consistently struggles to shoot from the perimeter, they are going to struggle to beat quality teams who can shoot.

The Bucks have a similar problem. In their starting lineup, MCW, Monroe, Giannis, and Parker all score best in the paint, but aren't good jump shooters. No surprise they are struggling to win.

Marquette has a roster full of smaller players who mainly want to score in the paint off the dribble and two bigs who want to score inside. Opposing coaches can obviously see this and thus are fine with just letting our players shoot jumpers so defenders can help inside.

A better game plan and an alternative GP for the second half.

I have a feeling the team got a dressing down during half time, you know, grow up, man up, fight more, be more agressive, show some spunk, etc., etc.

Time would have been better spent working on a game plan, we did the same thing in the second half empty did in the first, only SH changed their game plan.

Well, if the guards we have can't score from outside, perhaps they could learn to make effective entry passes to the bigs we now (uncharacteristically) have. It seemed that  the entry passes that got there were outnumbered by those taken away. The second problem was that once the bigs got the rock down low, they couldn't finish well with contact. That half was stone-face ugly and there was no change or adjustment in the face of it, which is on Wojo and his staff. Can't throw these guys under the bus but I'm getting the idea that lots and lots of patience is going to be required.

Quote from: vogue65 on January 01, 2016, 05:19:06 AM
I have a feeling the team got a dressing down during half time, you know, grow up, man up, fight more, be more agressive, show some spunk, etc., etc.

I think the "timeouts" that are broadcast are the worst thing for every coach.  What you hear there is NOT what coaches usually talk to the team about.  For the love of god, Willard was talking about Luke having a picnic or something.  It's OK if you don't like Wojos coaching, but don't believe for a second that the timeout look-ins are coaching.

Better student section.

This guy might be the point guard....... 8-)

http://www.sports360az.com/2016/01/markus-howard-sets-official-visits-possible-reclassification/

Not if he pulls an Ellenson, hey?

Quote from: 4everwarriors on January 01, 2016, 01:12:59 PM
Not if he pulls an Ellenson, hey?

Man, if central Arkansas lands a top 30 player

Nah, they develop forwards der, not point guards, ai na?

Quote from: TAMU Eagle on January 01, 2016, 01:50:59 PM
Man, if central Arkansas lands a top 30 player

No way, Northern Arizona got in on him earlier.

Biggest need for a graduate transfer?  Power forward.  However, I voted for PG because I got snuckered by the thread title into thinking that the pole was about right this instant.

Brewcity77, do I detect a bias against Rowsey's ability to play the point?  You've got him mentioned after our two current point guards and Duane, as well.

A 6-9 or 6-8 240 lb power forward with decent athletic ability, who likes to mix it up under the boards.
Example--build of Charlie Thomas at Wisconsin.

Quote from: Crean to Ann Arbor on January 01, 2016, 04:42:25 PMBrewcity77, do I detect a bias against Rowsey's ability to play the point?  You've got him mentioned after our two current point guards and Duane, as well.

There was no particular order to the player listing. As far as Rowsey, personally I just view him as a shooting guard. He led Asheville in percentage of shots taken both of his years there. Maybe he can adapt to playing the point, but his play tendencies is to be more a scorer than a provider.

Quote from: rocky_warrior on January 01, 2016, 10:26:32 AM
I think the "timeouts" that are broadcast are the worst thing for every coach.  What you hear there is NOT what coaches usually talk to the team about.  For the love of god, Willard was talking about Luke having a picnic or something.  It's OK if you don't like Wojos coaching, but don't believe for a second that the timeout look-ins are coaching.

During the after game "interview" coach talked about the young team and lack of playing toughness, apparently that was on his mind.  He could have talked about hook shots missed, or failure to get the ball into the post, our the closing of driving lanes in the second half, or something  about the game plan, but he didnt.

I think we can all agree that D.Willis the JUCO originally from Mad Memorial would have been a major coup for Wojo next year.

 :o Who in the heck said PG????????????????????

REALLY?

PG is NOT this teams problem. Are you kidding me? Do you watch the game?

They are fine at PG. It is the power positions they lack depth and scoring if not someone to take hard fouls.

PG? 38 people said that. What in the world am I missing here? Explain that to me.  This poll should have been obvious.

Easily PF. EASILY.

Quote from: Earl Tatum on January 01, 2016, 06:04:19 PM
A 6-9 or 6-8 240 lb power forward with decent athletic ability, who likes to mix it up under the boards.
Example--build of Charlie Thomas at Wisconsin.

absolutely. I WAS GOING TO SAY THIS BEFORE...but did not want to say Badgers players on this board...now I will.

They need a Vito Brown and Nigel Hayes type players....put both of them on this team now it is an Elite 8 team.   

They need some wide bodied grunts....who can post up and or hit the mid range if left open and crash the boards.

Quote from: mileskishnish72 on January 01, 2016, 06:25:24 AM
Well, if the guards we have can't score from outside, perhaps they could learn to make effective entry passes to the bigs we now (uncharacteristically) have. It seemed that  the entry passes that got there were outnumbered by those taken away. The second problem was that once the bigs got the rock down low, they couldn't finish well with contact. That half was stone-face ugly and there was no change or adjustment in the face of it, which is on Wojo and his staff. Can't throw these guys under the bus but I'm getting the idea that lots and lots of patience is going to be required.

Delusions. I watch that game and saw no bad entry passes. You are all nuts.

It is the Bigs getting manhandled that they are being pushed off the block and can't catch the ball. The PG can't catch it for them too.

If that is how you all feel about the PG play hell, Traci should just shoot the ball if they are not set up. SHOOT IT or take it yourself.

Plays break down and they have to do it themselves because the big's stop working when they are pushed.... 

I watched that entire game and purposefully watch the entry passes. Not one was off...I have no idea what any of you are talking about.

Quote from: NotAnAlum on December 31, 2015, 03:28:12 PM
One thing that has been proven at MU beyond any doubt is that College B-ball is a guard's game.  All through the Crean era and much the Buzz's tenure we had great guards (especially point guards) but undersized front courts.  We used to always complain, "if we had a true center, if we had some size up front, yada yada".  We now we have it but don't have the good guard play and look at what happens.  Exhibit B is Buzz's last season.  The best scoring big man we've had in years backed up by a 6 year 6'10" center and another 6'7"low post player and what does it get us, a 500 season and no post season.  Its a guards game period.  If Traci was able to play like D James as a freshman or Diener as a freshman we'd be just fine.  Good tough guards can rebound but 6-10 guys can't drive and create.  That's what is missing.  Look at how often a SH guard drove and dished for an easy layup by anther player.  I like Haanif but once he goes to the lane he never passes.  Traci, well I hate to say it but, Derek would have created more shot opportunities than Traci did last night.  We realized that the biggest concern was experience at the point and we had to hope Traci was the second coming of DJ.  He's not and I'm very concerned that by the time he gets there the front court power will be gone. 

Can I ask you a question...seriously? WHAT SHOT OPPORTUNITES could Traci create for others with the Bigs getting manhandled? Answer me that?

If anything Traci should have took the ball to the hoop more once he saw them back down from the Hoyas. You blaming this on a freshman PG when its not him.

Well, if we could get an elite PG -- Diener-quality at the very least, but preferably Chris Paul, ha! -- I'd say PG.

But ...

We already have a young PG who plays decently and should get better. And we already have a couple decent PG options (and another coming in). If Henry goes, however, we have zero PFs. Zero.

I'm kind of like most NFL GMs -- I go for the best player available. So if the choice is just some PF or an excellent PG, I go for the excellent PG. If it's a very good PF or an okay PG, I go for the very good PF.

If it's a decent PG or a decent PF, I go for the decent PF simply because of the need. We already have decent PGs.

Quote from: tower912 on December 31, 2015, 03:04:38 PM
Rowsey is a Diener-esque shooter.

I hope you are right, tower. We heard similar comparisons for Thomas. God knows we could use a shooter on this team.

Quote from: brewcity77 on January 01, 2016, 07:11:05 PM
There was no particular order to the player listing. As far as Rowsey, personally I just view him as a shooting guard. He led Asheville in percentage of shots taken both of his years there. Maybe he can adapt to playing the point, but his play tendencies is to be more a scorer than a provider.

I have attributed Rowsey's percentage of shots taken as a result of him being the only high major quality player on his team.  I must admit that I had an erroneous impression that he averaged more than 3 assists a game though.  One of my pet peeves is people assuming what position a player will play based solely on a physical attribute like height.  This time maybe I fell into that trap.  It will certainly be easier to get Rowsey on the floor if he does have or is developing PG skills since MU is thinner at that position, but wishing won't make it so.  Maybe this coaching staff can.

Need someone who can strap it on, hey?

more wins

Buzz Williams

We eek out a win against 248th St. John's, while Buzz is in a dogfight against #5 North Carolina losing by 5.

But, our team now does have the nicer, more clean cut, traditional appearance that some wanted.  Ugh.

Quote from: Meathead on January 24, 2016, 08:53:05 PM
Buzz Williams

We eek out a win against 248th St. John's, while Buzz is in a dogfight against #5 North Carolina losing by 5.

But, our team now does have the nicer, more clean cut, traditional appearance that some wanted.  Ugh.

VA Tech lost a home game in which they never had a win probability of greater than 40% and for the majority of the game were short of 25%.

Their transfers helped keep it from being a blowout, but VA Tech now projects to have a worse W-L record in 2015-16 than does MU. *shrug*

Quote from: Meathead on January 24, 2016, 08:53:05 PM
Buzz Williams

We eek out a win against 248th St. John's, while Buzz is in a dogfight against #5 North Carolina losing by 5.

But, our team now does have the nicer, more clean cut, traditional appearance that some wanted.  Ugh.

Is your family proud of your casual racism, or do they just put their heads in their hands often when you speak?

Quote from: PTM on January 25, 2016, 08:23:32 AM
Is your family proud of your casual racism, or do they just put their heads in their hands often when you speak?

A little harsh, no?  The appearance of the team is vastly different since Buzz was here.  There is no denying that.  I don't think that means a damn with respect to performance on the court...Wojo will be fine and has a really really strong young core.  Just looks like we'll have to wait another year to get back to the dance, which sucks balls.

Quote from: Marqevans on December 31, 2015, 02:55:41 PM
We need a Novak or Diener quality shooter!  This is getting so frustrating watching these guys bang shots off the rim. Meanwhile we don't get the rebound because we are running back on defense.

Ding! Ding! Ding! I don't care what position....just score from the perimeter.

Quote from: muwarrior69 on January 25, 2016, 09:51:18 AM
Ding! Ding! Ding! I don't care what position....just score from the perimeter.

Yes, a guy like either would be great. Novak? 6'10" and daggers from 3. Those guys come around every decade or so, so maybe our time to get another is due. It ain't HE.

Quote from: Meathead on January 24, 2016, 08:53:05 PM
Buzz Williams

We eek out a win against 248th St. John's, while Buzz is in a dogfight against #5 North Carolina losing by 5.

But, our team now does have the nicer, more clean cut, traditional appearance that some wanted.  Ugh.

When I saw this post had been bumped, I was going to respond with something facetious like, "We need more Scoopers to call for Wojo to be fired."

But I didn't have to, because dopes like you do it for me.

Quote from: JamilJaeJamailJrJuan on January 25, 2016, 09:50:25 AM
A little harsh, no?  The appearance of the team is vastly different since Buzz was here.  There is no denying that.  I don't think that means a damn with respect to performance on the court...Wojo will be fine and has a really really strong young core.  Just looks like we'll have to wait another year to get back to the dance, which sucks balls.

Considering his posting history, not harsh enough.

Quote from: PTM on January 25, 2016, 10:45:16 AM
Considering his posting history, not harsh enough.

Fair enough, not too familiar with it.

Quote from: JamilJaeJamailJrJuan on January 25, 2016, 10:47:51 AM
Fair enough, not too familiar with it.

It's Ners, in his newest reincarnation.

Dedication to defense and a determination to get fouled when aggressively getting into the lane.

Where's a Gabe Levin when you really need one?

Quote from: keefe on January 25, 2016, 09:18:24 PM
Where's a Gabe Levin when you really need one?

Funny, he's actually playing pretty decent for Long Beach State. Granted it's the Big West but still.

Quote from: ChitownSpaceForRent on January 25, 2016, 09:43:53 PM
Funny, he's actually playing pretty decent for Long Beach State. Granted it's the Big West but still.

I think if you formed a team of Marquette transfers it would whip this team's ass

Quote from: keefe on January 25, 2016, 09:51:47 PM
I think if you formed a team of Marquette transfers it would whip this team's ass

It'd be three guys..

Edit 5: how could I forget Johnny Dawson and the almighty Jamal Furguson averaging 15 MPG for NC Central

Quote from: JamilJaeJamailJrJuan on January 25, 2016, 11:00:36 PM
It'd be three guys..

McKay, Levin, Burton, Dawson, nice start, the black hole played well tonight for Iowa St., Matt Thomas would be a nice 5th player on that team, did MU try and get
him?  Levin is averaging about 10 pts. a game, would be 6th man easily and might have started, moving Henry to the small forward position.

      if henry stays where he's at skill wise and stat wise, the pragmatic move would be to stay one more year.  yes, i know, double-double machine... but if you really track his games, there is a subtle inconsistency.  am i nit-picking?  yes.  i say this because he can and will be much better.  he just needs to hone his game while he continues to learn his limitations.  when to take charge, when to put the pedal to the metal and to watch/see his moments and opportunities. there have been times when henry has hurt himself a little by pressing when the team is down, trying to take charge and forcing some action.  i understand this may be the better of the next 2 years to come out due to the talent levels available, but for him personally, one more year would benefit both him and the school. 

    now that i've thrown that out there, i'd love a point forward, but they don't grow on trees and they can be difficult positions to learn.  most of the guards we have, with the exceptions of rousey, wilson and carter are tall(6'5'')  i'd say we push for a robert jackson type.  a guy with a big caboose to nuzzle down under and pound the boards baby.  open up the lane for hannif and henry while keeping the defenses honest with rousey and cohen and hauser drilling from the arc.

my vote-a round mound of rebound

Quote from: JamilJaeJamailJrJuan on January 25, 2016, 11:00:36 PM
It'd be three guys..

Edit 5: how could I forget Johnny Dawson and the almighty Jamal Furguson averaging 15 MPG for NC Central

6.

PG: John Dawson
SG: Deonte Burton
SF: Gabe Levin
PF: Steve Taylor
C: Jameel McKay

Bench: Jamal Ferguson

I think we still win with our current lineup. McKay would transfer from this team because he had to play center.

Quote from: ChitownSpaceForRent on January 25, 2016, 09:43:53 PM
Funny, he's actually playing pretty decent for Long Beach State. Granted it's the Big West but still.

9% OR% and 16% DR% from a 6'7" player... MU could use that this year.

Quote from: TAMU Eagle on January 26, 2016, 07:22:45 AM
6.

PG: John Dawson
SG: Deonte Burton
SF: Gabe Levin
PF: Steve Taylor
C: Jameel McKay

Bench: Jamal Ferguson

I think we still win with our current lineup. McKay would transfer from this team because he had to play center.

LOL!  Well played.

If I were a betting man, I'd bet on the transfer team.  I mean just think about it.  Two of those guys have legit nicknames: Awesome Dawson and Bodybag.

Quote from: TAMU Eagle on January 26, 2016, 07:22:45 AM
6.

PG: John Dawson
SG: Deonte Burton
SF: Gabe Levin
PF: Steve Taylor
C: Jameel McKay

Bench: Jamal Ferguson

I think we still win with our current lineup. McKay would transfer from this team because he had to play center.

That sentence made my day  8-)

....

Quote from: TAMU Eagle on January 26, 2016, 07:22:45 AM
6.

PG: John Dawson
SG: Deonte Burton
SF: Gabe Levin
PF: Steve Taylor
C: Jameel McKay

Bench: Jamal Ferguson

I think we still win with our current lineup. McKay would transfer from this team because he had to play center.

Hilarious about McKay, TAMU!

For that matter, I think we would crush this team. McKay, Taylor and Levin are major wusses who wanted P.T. handed to them and weren't willing to fight for it. Wusses don't win. Depending upon which story you believe, Burton might fall into that category, too.

I don't worry about who we don't have. They're gone, so eff 'em.

I love our team next year if Henry decides he wants another year of the MU experience and another year with his bro, and I really like our team next season even if Hankster leaves.

Quote from: TAMU Eagle on January 26, 2016, 07:22:45 AM
6.

PG: John Dawson
SG: Deonte Burton
SF: Gabe Levin
PF: Steve Taylor
C: Jameel McKay

Bench: Jamal Ferguson

I think we still win with our current lineup. McKay would transfer from this team because he had to play center.

Any chance MU could get him?  ;)