it's too bad Xavier's offense is such a dud as only the 28th best in the country on www.kenpom.com. Marquette is one of four big east teams among the 17 best offenses in the country try. Not just a great conference, but an exciting one.
http://www.gomarquette.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/121516aab.html
Through the first 10 games of the season, the Golden Eagles are averaging an impressive 86.4 points per game (18th in nation through games of Dec. 14) thanks in large part to impressive shooting from all areas of the court.
Marquette is currently knocking down 49.9 percent (17th in nation) of its shots from the field overall, including a 40.1 percent effort from behind the 3-point line. MU is also tops in the BIG EAST and third in the nation in free throw percentage (.813).
MU has only averaged over 80.0 points per contest for a season on three previous occasions, most recently during the 1970-71 campaign (81.7 ppg.). Should Marquette be able to maintain its current level of production, it would break the program's single-season mark of 84.2 points per game in 1954-55.
Sadly, unless there is a radical change in how MU plays defense, even if MU averages 86.4 PPG the rest of the way they may still finish .500 in the Big East.
Quote from: tower912 on December 18, 2016, 04:59:02 PM
Sadly, unless there is a radical change in how MU plays defense, even if MU averages 86.4 PPG the rest of the way they may still finish .500 in the Big East.
Take a look at the top 25 scoreboard on any given night. Scores are consistently into the 80s. This is basketball for you. There's a reason every year they're coming out with new emphases and they're blowing the whistle a lot more often. Scoring sells. They want scoring. Hence reducing the shot clock as well. That's just the way the game has gone.
Points per game is such a useless metric. Marquette averages that because as much because of the pace they play at (75.5 possessions per game, 20th in the country) as their offensive efficiency. I'm willing to be Villanova, St. Mary's, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Baylor all average significantly fewer points than we do despite having better offensive efficiencies.
Quote from: wadesworld on December 18, 2016, 05:13:45 PM
Take a look at the top 25 scoreboard on any given night. Scores are consistently into the 80s. This is basketball for you. There's a reason every year they're coming out with new emphases and they're blowing the whistle a lot more often. Scoring sells. They want scoring. Hence reducing the shot clock as well. That's just the way the game has gone.
The overall increase in scoring doesn't demean MU getting into the top 20 overall in scoring, though.
UK 103, UNC 100.
Quote from: 4everCrean on December 18, 2016, 08:13:34 PM
The overall increase in scoring doesn't demean MU getting into the top 20 overall in scoring, though.
I just meant that the inability to stop good teams from scoring a lot of points isn't something unique to MU.
Quote from: tower912 on December 18, 2016, 04:59:02 PM
Sadly, unless there is a radical change in how MU plays defense, even if MU averages 86.4 PPG the rest of the way they may still finish .500 in the Big East.
Jay Bilas would agree with you - this from his discussion of the top 68 teams in the country:
39. Marquette Golden Eagles
The Golden Eagles have good depth and good pieces and are going to be very good down the road. This team is solid offensively and can put points on the board, especially Luke Fischer, who is shooting better than 70 percent from inside the arc.
To be a contending team in the Big East, Marquette must be more difficult to score upon. In its three losses to Michigan, Pittsburgh and Wisconsin, Marquette has given up an average of 84 PPG.
Other Big East schools on his list -
1. Villanova
15. Creighton
16. Xavier
19. Butler
35. Seton Hall
45. Providence
63. Georgetown
Quote from: MomofMUltiples on December 19, 2016, 09:59:53 AM
Jay Bilas would agree with you - this from his discussion of the top 68 teams in the country:
39. Marquette Golden Eagles
The Golden Eagles have good depth and good pieces and are going to be very good down the road. This team is solid offensively and can put points on the board, especially Luke Fischer, who is shooting better than 70 percent from inside the arc. To be a contending team in the Big East, Marquette must be more difficult to score upon. In its three losses to Michigan, Pittsburgh and Wisconsin, Marquette has given up an average of 84 PPG.
Other Big East schools on his list -
1. Villanova
15. Creighton
16. Xavier
19. Butler
35. Seton Hall
45. Providence
63. Georgetown
8 BE schools in the top 68
The two missing are the two largest markets ... Depaul and St. Johns.