The first game in the Big East is going to really important for this team. After seeing what the Big East is doing this year, can MU compete. I am not sure there is a team
in the Big East that MU can beat with there athleticism. They may be offensively as good as some, but rebounding is going to be more of a problem then any of us think.
Most of the mid-majors we have played have some players that are just quicker jumpers and play over the rim. Can Luke defend? Can the midget backcourt play against
some of these teams? Can JJJ play hard for 40 minutes? Georgetown will be very interesting, as we know they have some bodies, and quickness. There not a great team, very beatable, but so is MU. Have to win to have any chance this year, as after that playing Villy, no chance, and the Hall twice, will decide the season.
I doubt that most Scoopers are underestimating rebounding as a potential problem. I am quite concerned about it, as are most folks who talk about our lads' strengths and weaknesses.
I do agree that, more than most seasons, the first game (and, as you said, the first stretch of games) really could have an oversized bearing on how the conference season goes for us.
Yeah, the schedule is kind of front-end loaded with the games you mentioned, but it doesn't really get any easier when you look at X, Creighton and Butler, as well as Nova and SHU. How many of those 10 games can we realistically win? 2-3? We'd better TCOB with the remainder of the league.
Rebounding hasn't been a problem this season. MU is 45th in the country at defensive rebounding %. Making the other team miss is by far the bigger issue.
Must win game for Wojo. He knows it too.
Make Marquette great again!
I'll be there. That'll help us win... right?
Quote from: mileskishnish72 on December 22, 2016, 11:48:49 AM
Yeah, the schedule is kind of front-end loaded with the games you mentioned, but it doesn't really get any easier when you look at X, Creighton and Butler, as well as Nova and SHU. How many of those 10 games can we realistically win? 2-3? We'd better TCOB with the remainder of the league.
I agree, but you start 0-4, and that will be the end of any chance going to the NCAA. Because like you said, the next few games are not easy either. Well, we will know
in 2 weeks what the team is made out of.
It'll be telling. We definitely need a W. Have to protect our home court.
GT at home is a must win. Of course any way we get to 10-8 is ok with me (I know many think 11-7)...but whatever, if we drop the must wins we have to start thinking about beating good teams away and even better at home.
Must wins for me are:
GT home
STJ home/away
DP home/away
PV home
SH home
7 musts plus 3 more from the rest...GT, PV, SH away are candidates as well as XV, CR, BT at home. NOVA looks too tough to think about and XV, CR, BT away also seem hard to count possible.
But it all starts with GT at home as a must win.
Georgetown is huge. I'd put this as a must-win game. My biggest worry is that GT is really good at getting to the line. If Luke and Matt get into foul trouble, it could be a long night.
Quote from: brewcity77 on December 22, 2016, 04:47:54 PM
Georgetown is huge. I'd put this as a must-win game. My biggest worry is that GT is really good at getting to the line. If Luke and Matt get into foul trouble, it could be a long night.
Huge, they are not that good but very athletic and Thompson has changed the offensive system, in the past he ran that backdoor offense, and held the ball majority of
the time, then Rivera had to jack up a bad shot, but when they were on, tough to beat. Reminded me of Al's teams, Al's teams were physically gifted, so is GT, but Al
had Hank so they had some coaching, not sure GT can coach. Have to get a lead so they start jacking up bad shots, they do not play that well together, yet. Have talent for sure.
Georgetown is bizarre. They can be downright terrible, but at times look like they can take on anyone (beating Oregon, the first 39:20 against Maryland). I'd love to see us focus on pounding the paint. Govan and Agau are both foul prone and Luke could take advantage of that. Get one of them in trouble and we'll see more of Hayes and/or Derrickson, who aren't nearly as good of players.
Quote from: MU82 on December 22, 2016, 11:42:21 AM
I doubt that most Scoopers are underestimating rebounding as a potential problem. I am quite concerned about it, as are most folks who talk about our lads' strengths and weaknesses.
I do agree that, more than most seasons, the first game (and, as you said, the first stretch of games) really could have an oversized bearing on how the conference season goes for us.
Not concerned about rebounding as the roster make-up already determined that. Luke will be targeted to get in foul trouble like he was in 50% of last year's Big East games. Anything favorable here is upside.
More corcerned about paint defense with Wojo's scheme to push out to the perimeter, leaving that vulnerability. Was very impressed last night with the team effort and wont to mix up looks (the mechanics and communication vs. cupcake ability--all relative).
We can score with the best of them. Will MU be out-physicalled?
"Will MU be out-physicalled?"
Pretty much every night.......lol
Interior defense is going to be a struggle until we get some depth in the post. Hopefully next year will start to help that, then 2018-19 we'll have some actual experienced depth there. But I definitely feel good about our rebounding. Sam and Jajuan have proven to be very good defensive rebounders. Haanif, Fischer, and Heldt do enough to contribute and even the backcourt guys get to some regularly.
This year, we are a better rebounding team without Henry than we were last year with him. Granted, if he were still here, we'd probably be even better than we are now, but it speaks volumes to the effort these guys put on the glass that we lost a rebounder of Ellenson's caliber and still got markedly better.
Quote from: brewcity77 on December 22, 2016, 06:51:40 PM
Interior defense is going to be a struggle until we get some depth in the post. Hopefully next year will start to help that, then 2018-19 we'll have some actual experienced depth there. But I definitely feel good about our rebounding. Sam and Jajuan have proven to be very good defensive rebounders. Haanif, Fischer, and Heldt do enough to contribute and even the backcourt guys get to some regularly.
This year, we are a better rebounding team without Henry than we were last year with him. Granted, if he were still here, we'd probably be even better than we are now, but it speaks volumes to the effort these guys put on the glass that we lost a rebounder of Ellenson's caliber and still got markedly better.
True.....I give our guys lots of credit.....I will be interested to see if it continues in conference play.
I'm not convinced it will.
Quote from: MuMark on December 22, 2016, 06:38:49 PM
"Will MU be out-physicalled?"
Pretty much every night.......lol
I think Luke is a handful for a lot of Big East teams. Not Georgetown but they play at Luke's pace and style. Sam is a wild card as he is so fundamentally sound and a very good defensive rebounder. But, he can't create his own shoot and needs his teammates for that. If they are chucking and not sharing, that hurts Sam and Luke on both ends as their strengths are neutralized.
Quote from: MUBigDance on December 22, 2016, 01:43:10 PM
GT at home is a must win. Of course any way we get to 10-8 is ok with me (I know many think 11-7)...but whatever, if we drop the must wins we have to start thinking about beating good teams away and even better at home.
Must wins for me are:
GT home
STJ home/away
DP home/away
PV home
SH home
7 musts plus 3 more from the rest...GT, PV, SH away are candidates as well as XV, CR, BT at home. NOVA looks too tough to think about and XV, CR, BT away also seem hard to count possible.
But it all starts with GT at home as a must win.
Completely disagree on Nova.
Are they really damn good? Yes. Are they much better then us overall? Yes.
But I think we match up with them nicely. This is finally a year where I think we are capable of stealing one from them. We have similar teams so if we shoot bonkers and Hart is cold. Got a shot.
It's Creighton I think that will be much, much tougher for us to beat head to head.
Quote from: brewcity77 on December 22, 2016, 05:30:17 PM
Georgetown is bizarre. They can be downright terrible, but at times look like they can take on anyone (beating Oregon, the first 39:20 against Maryland). I'd love to see us focus on pounding the paint. Govan and Agau are both foul prone and Luke could take advantage of that. Get one of them in trouble and we'll see more of Hayes and/or Derrickson, who aren't nearly as good of players.
Maryland ain't that good this year. Oregon ain't that good this year without Dillon Brooks. Syracuse ain't that good this year (All IMHO of course).
I think the simplest answer is that Georgetown is pretty average. They can beat other average teams on good nights and lose to them on bad nights.
Crash the boards and pressure them defensively and we win. Wisconsin absolutely, completely annihilated them on the glass, and every time I've turned a game of theirs on I've seen teams pressuring them in the backcourt and Georgetown looking like they're a 7th grade team trying to break a college press.
Georgetown is very turnover prone. Their offense is ranked 248th in the country for TO% (20.4%) and 252nd for STL% allowed (9.5%) according to KenPom. That could really play in our favor — especially if we're able to create havoc in the passing lanes and get the running game going.
Their 3-point percentage defense is also poor, ranked 231st. Another possible huge weakness for Marquette to exploit.
That said, the Hoyas are big, they're a pretty good shooting team, they draw a ton of fouls and get to the line like crazy. Pryor and Peak are studs.
I think we get our first Big East win on Wednesday.
Quote from: PFsHeroes32 on December 22, 2016, 09:02:44 PMIt's Creighton I think that will be much, much tougher for us to beat head to head.
So far this season, Creighton actually looks somewhat similar to Marquette. Great offense (9th in AdjO according to KenPom) with a high tempo and insane 3-point shooting, not-so-great defense (74th in AdjD).
Georgetown's strength of schedule 46
MU's strength of schedule 170
Hayes did not play the first four games.
MU no longer has Carter.
This is a must win for both teams.
I saw part of the second half last night and Govan had close to 20 at the break and finished with 20. As well as rebounding. That was a function of the competition for sure...but ...definitely dont want that with us. Could be a foul battle in the first half...Govan or Fischer.
Quote from: MUBigDance on December 23, 2016, 07:01:50 AM
I saw part of the second half last night and Govan had close to 20 at the break and finished with 20. As well as rebounding. That was a function of the competition for sure...but ...definitely dont want that with us. Could be a foul battle in the first half...Govan or Fischer.
I'd prefer Govan to get in foul trouble. Please make it so!
Quote from: wadesworld on December 22, 2016, 10:22:56 PM
Crash the boards and pressure them defensively and we win. Wisconsin absolutely, completely annihilated them on the glass, and every time I've turned a game of theirs on I've seen teams pressuring them in the backcourt and Georgetown looking like they're a 7th grade team trying to break a college press.
Kenpom agrees. They are 321st in the nation in opponent's Offensive rebound%. They also turn the ball over a lot on offense, which we could exploit.
The one thing that worries me is that they get to the line ALOT
Quote from: MuEagle1090 on December 23, 2016, 09:15:50 AMThey are 321st in the nation in opponent's Offensive rebound%.
I'd rather we make our shots. Offensive rebounding isn't so important if most of them go in.
Quote from: Marcus92 on December 22, 2016, 10:59:34 PM
So far this season, Creighton actually looks somewhat similar to Marquette. Great offense (9th in AdjO according to KenPom) with a high tempo and insane 3-point shooting, not-so-great defense (74th in AdjD).
Yes they are very similar but the offense is super efficient and they have a true big man that I think poses problems for our D.
And their D is considerably better with Patton on the floor so if he isn't in foul trouble it's gonna be tough.
I just think we actually have a realistic shot of knocking off Nova for once
Quote from: bilsu on December 23, 2016, 06:39:37 AM
This is a must win for both teams.
It's is a "must win" for neither team.
Quote from: Dr. Vinnie Boombatz on December 23, 2016, 09:29:47 AM
It's is a "must win" for neither team.
When it comes to a NCAA bid, I think it could be argued that all our winnable home games are must win. There's always the "win the conference tourney" or "still plenty of time" arguments, but in reality these games are just as important as those in February and March.
Unless this team is a lot better than most of us think, the margin for error will be pretty slim.
What's the injury status on reindhart?
Quote from: hoyasincebirth on December 23, 2016, 09:58:47 AM
What's the injury status on reindhart?
Should be healthy. Was held out for concussion protocol, but it'll be 18 days between games.
No, that was Markus, don't know about Reindhart. Thought he had a leg injury.
Most important game of the year. Until the 28th at about 10 PM.
I'm going to hang my hat on the fact that we have the resume of a 13th seed, so that bodes really well against Georgetown
Quote from: GB Warrior on December 23, 2016, 10:33:03 AM
I'm going to hang my hat on the fact that we have the resume of a 13th seed, so that bodes really well against Georgetown
Shut it down!
Quote from: brewcity77 on December 23, 2016, 10:03:26 AM
Should be healthy. Was held out for concussion protocol, but it'll be 18 days between games.
Reinhardt was a lower leg injury, but Wojo said he anticipates he'll be good to go next week.
Quote from: brewcity77 on December 22, 2016, 06:51:40 PM
But I definitely feel good about our rebounding. Sam and Jajuan have proven to be very good defensive rebounders. Haanif, Fischer, and Heldt do enough to contribute and even the backcourt guys get to some regularly.
This year, we are a better rebounding team without Henry than we were last year with him. Granted, if he were still here, we'd probably be even better than we are now, but it speaks volumes to the effort these guys put on the glass that we lost a rebounder of Ellenson's caliber and still got markedly better.
Sorry I can't agree with you. Against the 5 non-cupcakes on our schedule, Fischer, jjj, and Hauser combine for 10 defensive rebounds a game. That doesn't cut it. Especially when we don't have a strong rebounder on the bench.
We are going to need a lot of threes to counteract their put=backs on offense.
Quote from: brandx on December 23, 2016, 11:17:19 AM
Sorry I can't agree with you. Against the 5 non-cupcakes on our schedule, Fischer, jjj, and Hauser combine for 10 defensive rebounds a game. That doesn't cut it. Especially when we don't have a strong rebounder on the bench.
We are going to need a lot of threes to counteract their put=backs on offense.
The stats just don't support this. We outrebounded Vanderbilt and Georgia, and are ranked 45th in the country in Defensive Rebounding%
Could it be an issue going forward? Sure, I guess. But it hasn't been an issue at all so far. Pitt and Wisconsin out-rebounded us, but barely. Michigan is the only game where we really got beat bad on the glass, and frankly that was just because our defense was so bad and they were so hot that there were limited defensive rebounding opportunities.
What are we doing?
Starting the after-game complaining before we play the game.
Geez, you guys are depressing. Enjoy the season and start the bitching after the game... if there is reason.
You may be pleasantly surprised.
Quote from: Dr. Vinnie Boombatz on December 23, 2016, 09:29:47 AM
It's is a "must win" for neither team.
Both teams non-conference records make this a must win.
Quote from: MuEagle1090 on December 23, 2016, 10:43:52 AM
Reinhardt was a lower leg injury, but Wojo said he anticipates he'll be good to go next week.
On post game show Wojo mentioned Achilles and that it was improving with rest.
Quote from: bilsu on December 23, 2016, 11:36:14 AM
Both teams non-conference records make this a must win.
Nope. Whoever loses the game can still make the postseason. Not a must win by definition.
Quote from: Dr. Vinnie Boombatz on December 23, 2016, 11:42:02 AM
Nope. Whoever loses the game can still make the postseason. Not a must win by definition.
Sorry, but the "no game has meaning until the Big East Tournament" argument is completely nonsensical because you play for an at-large bid, not rolling the dice in one and done games.
Sure, we could go 0-30 and still win the national title, but denigrating the importance of the regular season ignores the hope for an at-large bid and the idea that there are successful seasons that end with a loss.
Quote from: brewcity77 on December 23, 2016, 11:46:16 AM
Sorry, but the "no game has meaning until the Big East Tournament" argument is completely nonsensical because you play for an at-large bid, not rolling the dice in one and done games.
Sure, we could go 0-30 and still win the national title, but denigrating the importance of the regular season ignores the hope for an at-large bid and the idea that there are successful seasons that end with a loss.
Who said anything about going 0-30? Even for an at large bid, losing the first game of the conference season is in no way a "must win."
Quote from: Dr. Vinnie Boombatz on December 23, 2016, 11:51:38 AM
Who said anything about going 0-30? Even for an at large bid, losing the first game of the conference season is in no way a "must win."
This.
MU needs to win this game, but if they don't all hope isn't lost. They just need to win another game we maybe have marked down as an L now.
Ideally MU takes care of business at home outside of Nova. But if they drop a game like vs Gtown, they can get it back w a road win over someone not named DePaul or SJU.
Quote from: Dr. Vinnie Boombatz on December 23, 2016, 11:51:38 AM
Who said anything about going 0-30? Even for an at large bid, losing the first game of the conference season is in no way a "must win."
You did by default when you said whoever loses can still make the postseason. That would be true at 0-30 heading to MSG.
When you really need 11 league wins to feel comfortable about getting in and are projected to win 9, you need to get all the winnable ones and steal a couple more. I don't think calling this must win is overstating its importance.
This is the exact type of game that when you miss out on Selection Sunday, you look back at as a likely reason why.
Georgetown is not a must win. It is however the 4th or 5th most winnable game of the conference season. Losing this one would mean having to win a more difficult game down the road to make up for it.
Quote from: TAMU Eagle on December 23, 2016, 12:50:12 PM
Georgetown is not a must win. It is however the 4th or 5th most winnable game of the conference season. Losing this one would mean having to win a more difficult game down the road to make up for it.
Normally I would agree with your statement until I saw the schedule. Starting out 1-6 or 1-7 is not going to give the team confidence. Winning at home is really important, as then you go on the road for 2 against 2 good teams, an then have to play Hall again. Hall is very athletic, something MU is not.
Quote from: brewcity77 on December 23, 2016, 10:03:26 AM
Should be healthy. Was held out for concussion protocol, but it'll be 18 days between games.
I thought that was Markus. Katin had the Achilles, I maybe wrong.
Quote from: Loose Cannon on December 23, 2016, 01:39:50 PM
I thought that was Markus. Katin had the Achilles, I maybe wrong.
That's correct, mixed up my injuries. Hopefully the last time that happens this season.
Quote from: HoopsterBC on December 23, 2016, 01:08:03 PM
Winning at home is really important, as then you go on the road for 2 against 2 good teams, an then have to play Hall again.
We'll just have to go 4-0 then.
At which point critics will complain that Wojo didn't win 5 of the first 4 games.
Quote from: brewcity77 on December 23, 2016, 02:27:13 PM
That's correct, mixed up my injuries. Hopefully the last time that happens this season.
You're are Almost spot on for all your posts. You are a must read for me, Thanks.
Quote from: HoopsterBC on December 23, 2016, 01:08:03 PM
Normally I would agree with your statement until I saw the schedule. Starting out 1-6 or 1-7 is not going to give the team confidence. Winning at home is really important, as then you go on the road for 2 against 2 good teams, an then have to play Hall again. Hall is very athletic, something MU is not.
"Would really like to win" or "it would sure make ncaas easier or more likely if we win" is different than "must win". No game is "must win" until we have 7 (or 8) conference losses.
Quote from: 1SE on December 23, 2016, 04:16:11 PM
"Would really like to win" or "it would sure make ncaas easier or more likely if we win" is different than "must win". No game is "must win" until we have 7 (or 8) conference losses.
Plus tax
This is a huge game for either team as they are projected to be at the same range. MU's early loss at home to Creighton last season haunted us all the way to the NIT snub.
#defendthehomecourt
Quote from: Dr. Blackheart on December 23, 2016, 04:26:42 PM
This is a huge game for either team as they are projected to be at the same range. MU's early loss at home to Creighton last season haunted us all the way to the NIT snub.
#defendthehomecourt
Ageed, though that game was 2/13. So, not that early.
Quote from: Loose Cannon on December 23, 2016, 04:11:47 PM
You're are Almost spot on for all your posts. You are a must read for me, Thanks.
LOL. Thanks, though I was referring to hoping it's the last time we get injuries confused this season, because we can't afford many. I'm sure I'll be wrong plenty more times ;)
As far as Georgetown being must win, here's my elaborating on that. If we don't win, it puts us in the position of needing to go get a less likely game. We'll have to win at Seton Hall, or Xavier, or beat Nova. Small margins of error mean that losing these must win games makes the task ahead of us monumentally larger.
Last year, we needed 22-23 wins to be considered. Losing to Belmont and DePaul made that more difficult because it put us in the position of needing to win tougher games, and that was a task too tall. Entering February, we realistically needed to go at least 7-2 to earn a bid. That was with trips to Seton Hall, Xavier, and Butler on the schedule and home tilts with Nova and Providence. We had to go 3-2 in those games and sweep the rest, largely because of those two earlier must win losses. We went 1-4 and had no chance.
Get the two earlier and the season closer at Butler would've been a lot more meaningful. That's how I view Georgetown. Lose this and it makes the task a lot more difficult and likely means important games in two months will be rendered meaningless. It's must win because we don't have the margin to lose games like this at home.
Quote from: brewcity77 on December 23, 2016, 05:01:26 PM
LOL. Thanks, though I was referring to hoping it's the last time we get injuries confused this season, because we can't afford many. I'm sure I'll be wrong plenty more times ;)
As far as Georgetown being must win, here's my elaborating on that. If we don't win, it puts us in the position of needing to go get a less likely game. We'll have to win at Seton Hall, or Xavier, or beat Nova. Small margins of error mean that losing these must win games makes the task ahead of us monumentally larger.
Last year, we needed 22-23 wins to be considered. Losing to Belmont and DePaul made that more difficult because it put us in the position of needing to win tougher games, and that was a task too tall. Entering February, we realistically needed to go at least 7-2 to earn a bid. That was with trips to Seton Hall, Xavier, and Butler on the schedule and home tilts with Nova and Providence. We had to go 3-2 in those games and sweep the rest, largely because of those two earlier must win losses. We went 1-4 and had no chance.
Get the two earlier and the season closer at Butler would've been a lot more meaningful. That's how I view Georgetown. Lose this and it makes the task a lot more difficult and likely means important games in two months will be rendered meaningless. It's must win because we don't have the margin to lose games like this at home.
I agree, the earlier the better. But as someone on this board who is fond of saying "The next game is the most important". I tend to focus on the next game because I don't have any level of confidence in my overview of MU Conference team by team match ups.
That why I appreciate yours and other posters opinions of the overview. Thanks
Quote from: TAMU Eagle on December 22, 2016, 09:42:42 PM
Oregon ain't that good this year without Dillon Brooks.
Oregon has Dillon Brooks, and he played against Georgetown. I'm missing your point.
Quote from: kchoya on December 23, 2016, 08:01:02 PM
Oregon has Dillon Brooks, and he played against Georgetown. I'm missing your point.
Point was probably that Georgetown was the first game he played after not playing all season due to injury.
Oregon may end up being good at the end of the year, but when Georgetown played them, they were playing with their key best player operating on one wheel.
Not exactly something to hang your hat on as a big win.
Quote from: forgetful on December 23, 2016, 08:06:12 PM
Point was probably that Georgetown was the first game he played after not playing all season due to injury.
Oregon may end up being good at the end of the year, but when Georgetown played them, they were playing with their key best player operating on one wheel.
Not exactly something to hang your hat on as a big win.
except no one will remember or care about his presence or absence at the end of the year, they'll just see the top 25 win on the resume.
Going back to some earlier points. The Hoyas have been terrible on the defensive glass this year, but luckily Marquette will be the second worst offensive rebounding team we've faced this year, so I'm less worried about that being exploited. Hoyas have played 3rd, 11th, 23rd, 24th, 63rd, and 85th best offensive rebounding teams nationally. Marquette has only faced the 11th, and 83rd best offensive rebounding teams to date.
Quote from: hoyasincebirth on December 23, 2016, 10:51:06 PM
except no one will remember or care about his presence or absence at the end of the year, they'll just see the top 25 win on the resume.
Going back to some earlier points. The Hoyas have been terrible on the defensive glass this year, but luckily Marquette will be the second worst offensive rebounding team we've faced this year, so I'm less worried about that being exploited.
Unfortunately for them the only thing worthy of getting them into the NCAAs that they could possibly dream of putting on their resume by the end of the year is a BE Tourney title, and that isn't happening.
Quote from: wadesworld on December 23, 2016, 10:54:44 PM
Unfortunately for them the only thing worthy of getting them into the NCAAs that they could possibly dream of putting on their resume by the end of the year is a BE Tourney title, and that isn't happening.
? Georgetown is absolutely a bubble team right now.
Georgetown has good wins over Oregon (current RPI 25, Projected RPI 25 Kenpom 25) on a neutral court, @ Syracuse (Current RPI 199, Projected RPI 101, Kenpom 45), and La Salle (Current RPI 73, Projected RPI 96, Kenpom 102) on a neutral court.
We have no losses that look bad on paper. Worst loss is to Arkansas St (Current RPI 42, Projected RPI 66, Kenpom 129).
Again this is just the numbers Cuse and LaSalle don't look like impressive wins right now, but on paper they're quality wins. If Hoyas go 10-8 in BE play we're in easily 9-9 would get us in with a win or two in the BET.
Quote from: hoyasincebirth on December 23, 2016, 11:04:14 PM
? Georgetown is absolutely a bubble team right now.
Georgetown has good wins over Oregon (current RPI 25, Projected RPI 25 Kenpom 25) on a neutral court, @ Syracuse (Current RPI 199, Projected RPI 101, Kenpom 45), and La Salle (Current RPI 73, Projected RPI 96, Kenpom 102) on a neutral court.
We have no losses that look bad on paper. Worst loss is to Arkansas St (Current RPI 42, Projected RPI 66, Kenpom 129).
Again this is just the numbers Cuse and LaSalle don't look like impressive wins right now, but on paper they're quality wins. If Hoyas go 10-8 in BE play we're in easily 9-9 would get us in with a win or two in the BET.
The fact that you include LaSalle and Syracuse as good win says everything you need to know about the quality of your resume.
Quote from: wadesworld on December 23, 2016, 11:09:14 PM
The fact that you include LaSalle and Syracuse as good win says everything you need to know about the quality of your resume.
Also beat LaSalle on a neutral court
Quote from: wadesworld on December 23, 2016, 11:09:14 PM
The fact that you include LaSalle and Syracuse as good win says everything you need to know about the quality of your resume.
It's better than Marquette's best three wins: @ Georgia (current RPI 56 projected RPI 62 Kenpom 56), Neutral vs Vanderbilt (Current RPI 86 projected RPI 92 Kenpom 74), Home vs Fresno St (Current RPI 195, Projected RPI 150, kenpom 146).
Quote from: hoyasincebirth on December 24, 2016, 06:19:12 PM
It's better than Marquette's best three wins: @ Georgia (current RPI 56 projected RPI 62 Kenpom 56), Neutral vs Vanderbilt (Current RPI 86 projected RPI 92 Kenpom 74), Home vs Fresno St (Current RPI 195, Projected RPI 150, kenpom 146).
Which is why no Marquette fans are going over to Hoyascoop and talking about what the selection committee will see about their resume or predicting a 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament with an outside chance of a 1 seed.
Just because MU doesn't have an NCAA Tournament resume doesn't mean Georgetown does.
Quote from: hoyasincebirth on December 24, 2016, 06:19:12 PM
It's better than Marquette's best three wins: @ Georgia (current RPI 56 projected RPI 62 Kenpom 56), Neutral vs Vanderbilt (Current RPI 86 projected RPI 92 Kenpom 74), Home vs Fresno St (Current RPI 195, Projected RPI 150, kenpom 146).
Marquette also didn't lose to a buy game opponent.
I get Ark State is decent, but that's still an awful loss. Their computer numbers won't be pretty by the end of the year.
It is a must win for both teams, because they are presumably fighting for the Big East's 6th bid. Realistically, they are not likely to finish higher than 6th. It is a bigger must win for MU, because it is a home game.
Quote from: hoyasincebirth on December 23, 2016, 10:51:06 PM
except no one will remember or care about his presence or absence at the end of the year, they'll just see the top 25 win on the resume.
Going back to some earlier points. The Hoyas have been terrible on the defensive glass this year, but luckily Marquette will be the second worst offensive rebounding team we've faced this year, so I'm less worried about that being exploited. Hoyas have played 3rd, 11th, 23rd, 24th, 63rd, and 85th best offensive rebounding teams nationally. Marquette has only faced the 11th, and 83rd best offensive rebounding teams to date.
FWIW... there's a better version of this where I've weighted opponents based on offensive rebounding opportunities in each individual game, but that one is too valuable to share on here. Quick version is below...
Season to date thus far.. comparing a team's defensive OR% against the average of its opponents' OR%... gets you the following (lower difference = better):
Team Diff
Xavier -5.5
Villanova -5.1
Seton Hall -4.8
Marquette -4.8
Providence -3.6
Butler -2.3
Creighton -0.7
DePaul 0.2
St. John's 1.4
Georgetown 2.2
Georgetown is still the worst using a basic average opponent OR% calc... their opponents' OR% - at an average of 33.0% - has been the most difficult for any BEast team to face... most close teams are Seton Hall and Providence at 31.4%. MU is at 30.3%, right in the middle of the pack. Nova - 28.7% - has had the easiest go thus far.
Quote from: kchoya on December 23, 2016, 08:01:02 PM
Oregon has Dillon Brooks, and he played against Georgetown. I'm missing your point.
Where's the G'town watch party in KC? I may crash it.
Not sure what everyone else is saying....didn't read the whole thread.
But...GT is playing better lately...means more than the earlier fails that might make their rankings lesser.
Also, I don't like the long layoff for our guys...I just feel we take longer to warm up. GT has a layoff also but not sure how they will react to it.
Concerned about who will have foul trouble...Govan or Fischer or both or neither. I'm hoping its Govan.
Despite my concerns...we are a 80+ point team. GT will have to keep up. 84-78 MU.
Sure rebounding will be a problem but let's not forget it will be a challenge to defend against fast guards
and protect the ball. Also against a strong big this season JJJ will run into a wall and not sure if he has learned to have an outlet and Luke will do the best he can defending. Just some reasons why this is a must win.
We are going to learn quickly this season if this team can progress and Wojo has MOJO. He will need something more than what he has shown so far which is we can shoot the three well.
These threads are fun to look back at. Scoop pretty much got it right and Hoyas didn't. This was a big win in defending the home court against a peer and by shoring up the interior defense. If Pryor wasn't on fire from just inside half court, this was a blow out.