I only saw the last 4 minutes. By that time, it was all but over. So I have nothing. Talk amongst yourselves.
Quote from: tower912 on February 27, 2016, 03:15:39 PM
I only saw the last 4 minutes. By that time, it was all but over. So I have nothing. Talk amongst yourselves.
Lol.
Not a lot, but way more than the nothing you promised. Decent game. Just couldn't slow them down enough.
Nova daughter on way to spring service trip so she couldn't watch. Texted her periodic updates. Last exchange:
Me: ugh. Just fouling and free throws w you guys up 10 under a minute.
Her: doable?
Just evil. Yet I'm proud.
Can never operate at your level Tower, but my thoughts:
1. Wally is better than Cohen.
2. JJJ needs the ball more
3. 2nd half Traci was not bad
4. Henry was shut down... doubled every time he got the ball, but still 13/6
5. Luke..... Luke? Where are you Luke?
6. We got Bad Duane today
7. Big East refs suck
8. Villanova is REALLY good.
It was a great game to watch.
Think wojo should consider benching Fischer and having him come off the bench at the 16 min mark or so. He just gets in foul trouble too frequently. Kind of like what they did with Erik Williams a few years back.
As expected, their guards way better and seasoned than our guards. Clutch shooters. Too many turnovers on our end. We had our moments on defense, then typically forced a shot we didn't have to.
The ref's really emphasized the "travel" call in this game. More than I've seen whistled in any game this year. The one on JJJ at the end, down 8 was a nail in the coffin.
Statistically we matched them in almost every area. They beat us in FG% 30-52 to 27-52 and shot an absurd 22-25 from the line. We shot a normal 18-25.
Watched most of it,I wish they all played as hard as Cheatham. I think the coaches should
have tweaked our offense a little by not having the ball always go through Ellenson first.
So many empty possesions, it seems most of the wings hesitate with the ball before making
a decision to shoot or drive, leading to turnovers. Even if we had won,the refs sucked..
1) Fischer picked up 4th foul with ten to go. Never saw floor again, strange....Maybe matchups, but what?
If he continues this foul trouble aspect next year, MU in big trouble with out Henry.
2) Henry took three shots thru eleven minutes, had six total.
Fischer took three shots
Wally took six shots.
Anytime Wally has the same as Henry and more than Fischer, well.
3) Duane was 1 for 8 with two turnovers and not his best
4) Carter played tough with seven points, ten assists, three steals, but five turnovers.
5) JJJ and Cheatham showed up, but not enough. Great effort there.
6) Cohen with minimal minutes again, looks like Wally is now getting his time.
Nova can play with best of them, play as a team and well rounded. 22 for 25 from free throws is excellent. Still like Xavier to win BE, but Nova just a tough matchup for MU.
http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/boxscore?gameId=400840293
I see that Luke never shot and that Duane shot poorly. Congrats to Wally on an 11 pt game. I did see traveling calls on JJ and Traci in the last 3 minutes when trying to come back.
Even without Henry, we're going to be good next season. Our guards continue to improve. And our defense has gotten so much better since Iowa. Would love to get to 9-9. And make a run at MSG. It's been 19 years, we're due!
-- Love what JJJ is becoming
-- Duane, ugh. Forget the offensive woes, the kid can't play a lick of defense
-- Cheatham was a fantastic recruit
-- Once Traci cuts down on the TOs he will be a fantastic recruit as well
- Villanova came in #1 for a reason.
- Nova did a great job on Henry. Virtually a non-factor by his standards.
- We should have gone zone earlier, but Nova made their shots.
- Great crowd, and 7th largest in Marquette history.
- The Marquette Lights intro was awesome.
- Honestly, we played well. But that's not enough against Villanova.
- Haanif and Jajuan were very good. Had the comeback happened, those were the SOTG candidates.
- Too many turnovers again. We limited them in the last 10 minutes, but the damage was done by that time.
- Luke's foul trouble was a killer. We needed to attack Ochefu but couldn't with him on the bench.
- I think Josh Hart just scored again.
- Any NCAA hopes ended today, barring a BET title.
- The atmosphere was great for recruits. Hopefully it plays well with Howard and Joey.
Simply put. A young, inexperienced team lost to a really good one. JJJ and Haanif played very well. There are seeds of a good team there. They continue to grow.
I don't understand the complaints about the refs.
Quote from: The Sultan of Sunshine on February 27, 2016, 03:42:07 PM
I don't understand the complaints about the refs.
Agreed, I thought they actually called a good, and consistent, game today. Not a factor in the result
Quote from: nyg on February 27, 2016, 03:30:36 PM
6) Cohen with minimal minutes again, looks like Wally is now getting his time.
You do realize Cohen missed last game, and was a GTD all week?
Nevertheless, Wally played well off the bench. But I wouldn't go as far to say that he took Cohen's minutes. If anything, he took Fischer's minutes - since he missed half of the game in foul trouble.
1. My dream is to see an MU team that can defend the pick and roll.
2. Traci showed me some grit today. Still not the greatest press-breaker, and needs to learn how to stay on the floor.
3. HE looked gassed 2nd half, shortarming FT's even. Wonder how healthy he was. Once again, a good defensive team limited his impact.
4. Hani could go by Jerel.
5. JJJ good effort, esp. on D. Not that he was bad on O.
6. Luke pretty much got schooled.
7. The thought I had was nailed by WarriorFan - today we got Bad Duane. The airball early in the possession was ugly.
8. Good for Wally - he always busts his ass.
9. Sandy - MIA. Gotta wonder about his future here.
10. Good effort, they are a better team than we are - not #1 for nothing.
11. Disappointed in early part of second half after we had kept it close - it opened right back up at a time when one would hope the coaches would have had them better prepared.
12. Let's get to 9-9!
Are we 0-for-Archie?
Quote from: amen426 on February 27, 2016, 03:44:30 PM
You do realize Cohen missed last game, and was a GTD all week?
Nevertheless, Wally played well off the bench. But I wouldn't go as far to say that he took Cohen's minutes. If anything, he took Fischer's minutes - since he missed half of the game in foul trouble.
Very well aware. Cohen played five minutes in the previous game, suspended last game and probably played 6 to 7 today. Prior to this, when Fischer got in trouble, Cohen would play majority of Fischer's time with Henry at center, and Heldt a minute or so. Today it was Wally, not Sandy. Lets see what happens vs Georgetown.
Offense was good (outside of the turnovers) but defense was really bad. Some of that has to do with Nova being a really hard team to defend. Of all the years, I think this is the year they might make a nice run in the Tourney. They shoot well, but they play off of that even better.
We finish 0-6 against the "big three" (Villanova, X and Seton Hall). Bummer.
JJJ, HC, Traci & MH looking very improved! Another year of experience...!
Let's see if we can finish 9-9 and get hot in NYC!
Wish we would have attacked the corners more. They, along with the baseline were both wide open all game long.
Quote from: wadesworld on February 27, 2016, 04:12:33 PM
Offense was good (outside of the turnovers) but defense was really bad. Some of that has to do with Nova being a really hard team to defend. Of all the years, I think this is the year they might make a nice run in the Tourney. They shoot well, but they play off of that even better.
I see what wojo wants to happen with the pressing man to man. We got a ton of steals and points in transition. But until we can do that and keep the other team from shooting over 50% from the floor, Im not sure it's the best plan. Give this team a year to mature and it could be deadly
Quote from: TAMU Eagle on February 27, 2016, 04:26:13 PM
I see what wojo wants to happen with the pressing man to man. We got a ton of steals and points in transition. But until we can do that and keep the other team from shooting over 50% from the floor, Im not sure it's the best plan. Give this team a year to mature and it could be deadly
Exactly. I see what Wojo wants to do. He just can't quite do it yet.
We may just see them again at the garden and figure out how to beat them. We got some good film from the game......and it showed that HE might do better staying around for another year or two.
Quote from: vogue65 on February 27, 2016, 04:33:48 PM
We may just see them again at the garden and figure out how to beat them. We got some good film from the game......and it showed that HE might do better staying around for another year or two.
Are we really going to bring that debate into this thread too?
Great overall games by JJJ and Haanif
Henry played Ok, but far from his best
Traci and Wally played a nice second half
Duane, Sandy and Luke will want to forget this one
Nova is good
Wojo needs to simple leave Haanif and JJJ on the floor unless Foul trouble or they are completely gassed.
Game kept getting away from us playing lineups without those two and the bench guys in.
Quote from: HaywardsHeroes32 on February 27, 2016, 05:11:58 PM
Wojo needs to simple leave Haanif and JJJ on the floor unless Foul trouble or they are completely gassed.
Game kept getting away from us playing lineups without those two and the bench guys in.
They both played 31 minutes.
Quote from: The Sultan of Sunshine on February 27, 2016, 05:21:06 PM
They both played 31 minutes.
That's not enough. Last game they were over 35. Simply has to happen if able.
Lineups of Sandy, Traci and Wally do not work.
It's the end of the season gotta ride what you got.
Sandy is fading similar to last year. He looks like the BE is too much for him. Perhaps he should consider transferring if he can't compete at this level.
Quote from: Stretchdeltsig on February 27, 2016, 05:45:35 PM
Sandy is fading similar to last year. He looks like the BE is too much for him. Perhaps he should consider transferring if he can't compete at this level.
Give him another year. His issue is confidence not ability
Quote from: The Sultan of Sunshine on February 27, 2016, 04:34:50 PM
Are we really going to bring that debate into this thread too?
What debate? Has there really been talk about Henry going pro after this year? I've never heard any of that!
just curious but the CBS box score listed the attendance at over 19k. Was it a sell out? Or basically a sell out? Really good crowd none the less
Quote from: The Lens on February 27, 2016, 03:36:22 PM
Even without Henry, we're going to be good next season. Our guards continue to improve. And our defense has gotten so much better since Iowa. Would love to get to 9-9. And make a run at MSG. It's been 19 years, we're due!
Losing HE will be huge. We will be better, but not strong enough to get into the top 4 in the league unless Wojo lands a stud.
Quote from: Johnny B on February 27, 2016, 06:18:48 PM
just curious but the CBS box score listed the attendance at over 19k. Was it a sell out? Or basically a sell out? Really good crowd none the less
It was a sellout, but not 100% full. Though at the peak almost every seat was full.
Quote from: ChitownSpaceForRent on February 27, 2016, 04:22:22 PM
Wish we would have attacked the corners more. They, along with the baseline were both wide open all game long.
So true. Cheathem and Wally seem very comfortable shooting from there as well.
Quote from: TAMU Eagle on February 27, 2016, 03:28:21 PM
Statistically we matched them in almost every area. They beat us in FG% 30-52 to 27-52 and shot an absurd 22-25 from the line. We shot a normal 18-25.
FG% and certainly FT% no matta.
Nova shot 64.4% eFG against us.. we were a very good 58.6%, our fifth best of the year. They shot their fourth best of the year.
This game was very simple. We gave up too many easy baskets. Simple as that. To an alarming degree.
Quote from: TAMU Eagle on February 27, 2016, 05:57:45 PM
Give him another year. His issue is confidence not ability
You sure about that?
Quote from: MUfan12 on February 27, 2016, 07:44:24 PM
You sure about that?
Yeah, I am not sure about that either. I see a guy who does a lot of things well against inferior competition, but doesn't due one thing great so he can stand out come BE time. Seems over-matched.
Quote from: The Sultan of Sunshine on February 27, 2016, 07:48:09 PM
Yeah, I am not sure about that either. I see a guy who does a lot of things well against inferior competition, but doesn't due one thing great so he can stand out come BE time. Seems over-matched.
Explained all this 3 years ago to wadsworld in PM IIRC. No surprise with what you're seeing.
Quote from: Jay Bee on February 27, 2016, 07:57:17 PM
Explained all this 3 years ago to wadsworld in PM IIRC. No surprise with what you're seeing.
Do you see an upside for Sacar? More athletic?
Quote from: The Sultan of Sunshine on February 27, 2016, 07:58:38 PM
Do you see an upside for Sacar? More athletic?
Will PM. I love Sacar. My recruiting notes for the masses ... sometimes I share, usually I do not. Not that anyone cares. Unless they like exquisite knowledge, a''inal?
JJJ and Cheat have me looking forward to next year. Honestly, I would rather see Hauser getting Sandy 's minutes. The kid can flat out shoot. I liked that they came out snapping the passes around for layups. I think Cheat needs to look for his shots more , catch and shoot. He seems to hesitate and then it's gone.
Fischer is what he is. . A banger.
Quote from: Jay Bee on February 27, 2016, 07:38:53 PM
FG% and certainly FT% no matta.
Nova shot 64.4% eFG against us.. we were a very good 58.6%, our fifth best of the year. They shot their fourth best of the year.
This game was very simple. We gave up too many easy baskets. Simple as that. To an alarming degree.
I'm aware, but a few minutes after the game I haven't had a chance to plug in the numbers so all I've got is espn box score
I think JJJ will have a huge senior year. Villanova was too physically strong for us.
What I saw from Section 423 today:
1) Traci Carter showed flashes of life.. even brilliance. Not sure if this was the result of a home game against the home folks but I saw some passion in him that excited me.
2) Until we learn to defend the paint, we're hopeless. I nearly gagged at the number of cheap, easy baskets against us in the paint. No wonder they shot 60+ percent.
3) Henri is a great college player. He has skills that will make him millions in the Association. But he's not even close yet. He needs at least another year of college basketball to tune his game and get him ready.
4) Still too much high school-style, I'm putting things on my back and I'll do it, rather than team work. We're better than we were early in the season but there still is maturity waiting to happen.
5) Luke, Luke, Luke? You're no good to us on the bench.
The main issues I had with the refs was Brunson dodging his 4th and 5th fouls multiple times. He fouled out but had at least 7 fouls, not missed calls, but fouls on him given to other people
Quote from: dgies9156 on February 27, 2016, 08:25:34 PM
4) Still too much high school-style, I'm putting things on my back and I'll do it, rather than team work. We're better than we were early in the season but there still is maturity waiting to happen.
Nova shows us what having a team with years and years of experience and reps together looks like vs. our guys who are just finishing up their first year together. Clean, crisp passing leading to easy wide open buckets. Made me very jealous.
Quote from: The Sultan of Sunshine on February 27, 2016, 07:48:09 PM
Yeah, I am not sure about that either. I see a guy who does a lot of things well against inferior competition, but doesn't due one thing great so he can stand out come BE time. Seems over-matched.
To be fair, we said this about JJJ the last 2 years as well.
Quote from: jesmu84 on February 27, 2016, 08:43:29 PM
To be fair, we said this about JJJ the last 2 years as well.
But.. there were reasons to project JjJ higher...
Quote from: dgies9156 on February 27, 2016, 08:25:34 PM
3) Henri is a great college player. He has skills that will make him millions in the Association. But he's not even close yet. He needs at least another year of college basketball to tune his game and get him ready.
I agree with the above, but you need to remember that they are not looking to draft HE, because he is ready for the NBA, I doubt anyone thinks that.
They are drafting him, because of his potential in the NBA 2-3 years from now.
Quote from: jesmu84 on February 27, 2016, 08:43:29 PM
To be fair, we said this about JJJ the last 2 years as well.
Actually I don't agree with that. JJJ to me always seems like a very athletic guy who struggled with the basic fundamentals. You could always see flashes, but it always came with a lot of mistakes. Sandy might be the exact opposite.
Nova's offense was sooooooo smooth. At one point in the first half, they ran the double high screen where Arci had a choice in which direction he went. He went right, threw cross court to the opposite wing 3 point line, to Jenkins?. Jenkins was open, but immediately passed into Ochefu who was already posting. I think we fouled that possession, but had no chance, even with the quickest rotations. Really running some high level stuff compared to us.
Quote from: The Sultan of Sunshine on February 27, 2016, 08:50:16 PM
Actually I don't agree with that. JJJ to me always seems like a very athletic guy who struggled with the basic fundamentals. You could always see flashes, but it always came with a lot of mistakes. Sandy might be the exact opposite.
That's why this coaching staff is perfect for him. They got him to buy in, he improved leaps and bounds this year.
I actually expect another huge improvement next year. He could be similar to Wesley, really growing into the player he was meant to be as a senior.
Quote from: TAMU Eagle on February 27, 2016, 05:57:45 PM
Give him another year. His issue is confidence not ability
I respectfully disagree.
My thoughts on Sandy are basically that I'd like to see him stick around and hopefully be a key piece as an upperclassman.
But at the same time if he did transfer down in competition I'd be "ok, bye Sandy and good luck". Wouldn't really bum me at this point.
Quote from: Jay Bee on February 27, 2016, 08:04:46 PM
Will PM. I love Sacar. My recruiting notes for the masses ... sometimes I share, usually I do not. Not that anyone cares. Unless they like exquisite knowledge, a''inal?
Wasn't Sacar the Minny player of the year?
Quote from: VegasWarrior77 on February 27, 2016, 09:55:19 PM
Wasn't Sacar the Minny player of the year?
He was, for sure MVP of the state championship. Man amongst boys in that game.
Quote from: real chili 83 on February 27, 2016, 10:03:36 PM
He was, for sure MVP of the state championship. Man amongst boys in that game.
I also thought he was on the all-tourney team along with Henry for the tourney they have in January in Minny(?).
In case anyone is wondering, the corner 3/baseline drive is still open.
1. We had to play a perfect game today to beat a ligit #1. We played well but not perfect.
2. Traci did a great job of dribbling through the press but he still had a costly turnovers particularly the travel driving in too deep at about the 2:00 minute mark. Again we had to be perfect.
3. The new strategy on defending HE is to rough him up and make the refs calls fouls. Creighton did it and so did Nova. Expect more the next 2 games. HE is going to have to elevate his game and make them pay.
4. Sure does seem like Ochefu gets away with a lot of fouls. Luke got called for a rebounding foul in the first half where Ochefu was over his back. In the second half the block called on Luke should have been a charge on Ochefu.
5. This team has come a long way from the team that got blown out by Iowa and got smoked early in conference play. Maybe the long stretch of non-competitive play which started with Buzz's last year is finally coming to an end.
Quote from: NotAnAlum on February 27, 2016, 11:45:17 PM
4. Sure does seem like Ochefu gets away with a lot of fouls. Luke got called for a rebounding foul in the first half where Ochefu was over his back. In the second half the block called on Luke should have been a charge on Ochefu.
Was watching on tv. Luke had Ochefu around the arm. Looked like an ochefu foul until I saw the replay. Ochefu did lower the shoulder but it looked to me like Luke was in the circle. There wasn't a replay so I can't be sure
Marquette was hurt really bad by the incredible flopping abilities of Nova. I saw 3 on tv that looked like clear fouls (maybe even hard fouls). Only on replay, we realized there was nothing there. One was on a strong drive to the hoop when someone appeared to run into a brick wall known as Wally. Only on tv in slo-mo you could see there was always a visible gap between the two. On another one, I think it was JJJ was stepping up to guard his man on the wing. His man kind of flinched falling backwards and collapsed to the ground. The was also one on Fischer as well.
Speaking of fouls, I'm not sure which is worse--Fischer picking up ticky-tack fouls or HE refusing to play physical defense.
Last thought, what has happened to Cohen? He was a sharpshooter and lock-down defender early in the year. Now he gets the ball and instantly tries to pass it. Maybe Wojo needs to run some plays for the kid, but he looks lost out there.
oops, one more thought....Henry with 6 shots. Really?? That's been the story way too much this year.
Quote from: VegasWarrior77 on February 27, 2016, 09:55:19 PM
Wasn't Sacar the Minny player of the year?
Not sure what that means really. TJ Bray was Wisconsin player of the year at one point, but that doesn't necessarily mean he was a high D1 player. (Not saying Sacar isn't by any means but he is clearly an unproven commodity.)
Quote from: AZMarqfan on February 28, 2016, 01:34:34 AM
oops, one more thought....Henry with 6 shots. Really?? That's been the story way too much this year.
Wut? He averages 13 shots per game, 3 more than anyone else on the team.
1. First ten minutes of both halves: Gameplan
2. Turnovers, again
3. Experience and match-ups matter
4. Great home environment but this team struggles at home. Odd
5. This is a physical league.
6. JJJ has really improved.
7. This was a blowout but it didn't seem like one.
8. Haanif is a keeper
9. The Curious Case of the Shrinking Violets continues.
Quote from: NotAnAlum on February 27, 2016, 11:45:17 PM
5. This team has come a long way from the team that got blown out by Iowa and got smoked early in conference play. Maybe the long stretch of non-competitive play which started with Buzz's last year is finally coming to an end.
With all due respect, Buzz's last team went 9-9 in conf with multiple OT losses. Being "competitive" was not the issue.
Quote from: NotAnAlum on February 27, 2016, 11:45:17 PM
1. We had to play a perfect game today to beat a legit #1.
3. The new strategy on defending HE is to rough him up and make the refs calls fouls.
5. This team has come a long way from the team that got blown out by Iowa and got smoked early in conference play.
One was the most obvious and best comment of the day. We did play reasonably well, but we dug ourselves a hole so deep early in the second half that we were peeking out at China.
Item 3 is why Henry isn't close to being ready for the NBA. OK, I get it. He could make lots of money in a weak draft. But, he's nowhere near the player he needs to be or could become.
Item 5 is the hopeful piece of this year. Those of us who entered the year with unrealistic expectations (defendant writer here pleads guilty), can legitimately see the improvement and are optimistic about next year
Quote from: forgetful on February 27, 2016, 09:24:18 PM
That's why this coaching staff is perfect for him. They got him to buy in, he improved leaps and bounds this year.
I actually expect another huge improvement next year. He could be similar to Wesley, really growing into the player he was meant to be as a senior.
Absolutely Right, if D Wilson had 4 years under these guys, I think he's a much better player.
Quote from: dgies9156 on February 28, 2016, 07:55:15 AM
3. The new strategy on defending HE is to rough him up and make the refs calls fouls. Creighton did it and so did Nova. Expect more the next 2 games. HE is going to have to elevate his game and make them pay.
Item 3 is why Henry isn't close to being ready for the NBA. OK, I get it. He could make lots of money in a weak draft. But, he's nowhere near the player he needs to be or could become.
Actually, Item 3 is a strong reason why Henry should choose to leave for the NBA. The way he would be primarily used as a pro is out of the lane. There will be more open court and less physical pounding. He also won't be the focal point of his team's offense.
There are many college players who actually are better pros for those reasons.
And in the unlikely event that Henry would get clutched and grabbed and fouled in the NBA ... well ... at least he would be getting paid to take the abuse.
Believe me, I'm not advocating for Henry to leave. I hope he stays for sure. I'm just telling you that the way he is being mugged in college actually is a very sound reason for him to leave.
Quote from: dgies9156 on February 28, 2016, 07:55:15 AM
Item 3 is why Henry isn't close to being ready for the NBA. OK, I get it. He could make lots of money in a weak draft. But, he's nowhere near the player he needs to be or could become.
Of course he isn't. No one claimed that he would be a finished product by any means.
Quote from: AZMarqfan on February 28, 2016, 01:31:13 AM
Speaking of fouls, I'm not sure which is worse--Fischer picking up ticky-tack fouls or HE refusing to play physical defense.
I think Henry knows when he is beat and does not compond it with a stupid foul. Fischer gets a lot of stupid fouls.
Quote from: MU82 on February 28, 2016, 05:06:29 PM
There are many college players who actually are better pros for those reasons.
I believe Glenn Rivers fell into this category. The zone defenses played in college at the time stifled him. My recollection was that it was thought he would perform more effectively as a pro than as a collegian because pros did not play zone defenses at the time.
Quote from: dgies9156 on February 28, 2016, 10:00:31 PM
I believe Glenn Rivers fell into this category. The zone defenses played in college at the time stifled him. My recollection was that it was thought he would perform more effectively as a pro than as a collegian because pros did not play zone defenses at the time.
At the time, I thought it was Hank who stifled him!
Quote from: Dr. Blackheart on February 28, 2016, 07:27:57 AM4. Great home environment but this team struggles at home. Odd.
We're just 11-7 at home this season, including 3-5 in Big East play — versus 4-4 on the road versus conference opponents.
That's baffling. I recently heard about a study on home court (and home field) advantage. The basic conclusion was that it's not due to teams playing better on their own court. It's about referee bias. Over the course of a game, the influence of the crowd leads refs to make a couple more calls in favor of the home team versus the visitors.
http://blog.philbirnbaum.com/2011/01/scorecasting-is-home-field-advantage.html
Not sure if that's relevant at all. But our struggles at home have mystified me all year. I'd love to know the explanation — or simply have one that sounds plausible.
Quote from: Marcus92 on February 28, 2016, 11:37:40 PM
We're just 11-7 at home this season, including 3-5 in Big East play — versus 4-4 on the road versus conference opponents.
That's baffling.
Not sure if that's relevant at all. But our struggles at home have mystified me all year. I'd love to know the explanation — or simply have one that sounds plausible.
Home losses in conference: Nova, X, Seton Hall... top teams in the conference. Nothing baffling there. All three swept us, home and away. Creighton loss... the DePaul loss was awful.
Road wins in conf: DePaul, St. John's.. nothing baffling there. We swept St.J's. Creighton, Providence.
We're not that good. In general, beating bottom-half teams, losing to top teams.
.
Quote from: Marcus92 on February 28, 2016, 11:37:40 PM
Not sure if that's relevant at all. But our struggles at home have mystified me all year. I'd love to know the explanation — or simply have one that sounds plausible.
It must be the fans in the seats.
Quote from: Jay Bee on February 29, 2016, 03:48:02 AMHome losses in conference: Nova, X, Seton Hall... top teams in the conference. Nothing baffling there. All three swept us, home and away. Creighton loss... the DePaul loss was awful.
We're not that good. In general, beating bottom-half teams, losing to top teams.
Fair point. Guess I generally expect us to have a better record at home.
I also expected us to come away with at least 1 win against Nova, Xavier or Seton Hall. Even with a 20% win probability in each matchup, odds are pretty good you steal one of those 6 games. Nova lost to Providence at home. Xavier lost to Georgetown at home and Creighton on the road. Seton Hall lost to Creighton and Butler at home.
In other words, Butler, Creighton, Georgetown and Providence — the 4 other teams bunched up with MU in the middle of the conference standings — all got at least one win against Nova, Xavier or Seton Hall. We didn't.
Winning at DePaul and Creighton while losing to them at home is still pretty baffling to me — but perhaps simply the mark of a young, inexperienced and inconsistent team. And for whatever reason, we had Providence's number this year.
Maybe the most encouraging thing is that we're soooooo close to being a pretty good team.
Even if we lose Henry's services next season, we have a lot of experience and talent coming back. Just cutting down on turnovers (1 or 2 a game) and hitting more from outside (we're 8th in the conference in made 3s) will make a huge difference on both ends (more efficient offense, fewer easy transition baskets by opponents).
If we can get 1 or 2 wins against the top 3, and avoid the home losses to teams like Belmont, DePaul and Creighton, I could definitely see us winning at least 23 games and going 11-7 or better in conference.
Granted, that's a million hypotheticals. And this season isn't even over. But the glass sure looks half full to me.
My two cents on Cohen
Last year: ORtg of 93 / Usage of 15.6%
This year: ORtg of 106 / Usage of 13.5%
From his freshman year to his sophomore year, he's gone from being a below average role player to a slightly above average role player.
Conference play:
Last year: ORtg of 83
This year: ORtg of 89
In conference play, he's still a below average contributor. However, lots of guys struggle more in conference play. When I look at the details, he has had more above average games this year (6/15) than last year (4/18). And last year, if you believe it, his ORtg average over his last ten games was an abysmal 40.
At MU, Cohen will almost certainly never be more than a role player. That's fine... teams need role players. Will he be a "quality" role player, with an ORtg over 100, his junior and senior years? It's unclear, but at least he is improving over last year.
Quote from: Marcus92 on February 28, 2016, 11:37:40 PM
We're just 11-7 at home this season, including 3-5 in Big East play — versus 4-4 on the road versus conference opponents.
That's baffling. I recently heard about a study on home court (and home field) advantage. The basic conclusion was that it's not due to teams playing better on their own court. It's about referee bias. Over the course of a game, the influence of the crowd leads refs to make a couple more calls in favor of the home team versus the visitors.
http://blog.philbirnbaum.com/2011/01/scorecasting-is-home-field-advantage.html
Not sure if that's relevant at all. But our struggles at home have mystified me all year. I'd love to know the explanation — or simply have one that sounds plausible.
I continue to be the ringleader of the group who believes, based on your definition of "home court advantage", we have none.
I don't have any explanation for it. I once believed it was because Wojo was a young coach (gotta "earn" your ref allegiances) and we had young players (who didn't know how to "work" the refs in-game). Now? I have no idea. I've dismissed the two previous reasons as there are young coaches and young players on teams that do indeed appear to have a home court advantage.
Baffling.
Ohio State has a team younger than MU's. Yesterday, against Iowa, their arena was absolutely rocking from start to finish. Other games I have watched, the arena is packed and rocking. (OK, subdued against Sparty, but Sparty won by a ton). I know how much larger tOSU's student body and alumni base are. I recognize that Columbus is a 1.5 sport town. (Buckeyes... and then, ten spots later, the Blue Jackets) I understand every reason and argument about why MU isn't drawing as well this year. But they are excuses. People living in the area and not going to games while not accepting youth as a reason for the lack of team success? Yeah, you guys. Go to the freaking games. Even if it is Stetson on a week night. Do it for those of us who live 5 hours away and would kill to be able to make more games. Do it so that in a couple of years, when this team is really good, you can smugly say 'I was there at the beginning'.
I was very impressed with Carter in the second half. He was blowing past Nova's guards at will the last 10 minutes. I think he and Cheatham are going to be a good to great backcourt for the duration of their time at MU.
After the game, my basic thought was, "Well, we played well and we keep getting better. Just got beat by a much better team."
Luke was no match for Ochefu, man against a boy. I agree with those that say if HE leaves as expected, we will most likely be something like a bubble team at best unless Wojo finds a PF ready to play in the Big East.
Quote from: Marcus92 on February 28, 2016, 11:37:40 PM
That's baffling. I recently heard about a study on home court (and home field) advantage. The basic conclusion was that it's not due to teams playing better on their own court. It's about referee bias. Over the course of a game, the influence of the crowd leads refs to make a couple more calls in favor of the home team versus the visitors.
http://blog.philbirnbaum.com/2011/01/scorecasting-is-home-field-advantage.html
"Scorecasting" is a really good book. I enjoyed it a lot.