The two junior leaders were both bad today. Both got the looks we are accustomed to seeing them make. I think they are both beat up, mentally and physically. Too many minutes. Markus trying to do everything as a 5'11 guard and getting beat up every single game. Sam playing all of those minutes while recovering from hip surgery. I don't know what the answer is at this point. It isn't like MU is going to win a game with those two playing less. Not now.
Water found it's level
Markus is a truly abysmal late game player. Unless its OT
He legit cannot do one thing properly.
TO's, forced bricks, missed free throws.
In the context of what we have seen Markus do, he forced very few shots today. Shooting tear drops is not forcing. Getting to the rack and missing lay ups (where is the call?) is not forcing.
Quote from: tower912 on March 09, 2019, 04:03:35 PM
In the context of what we have seen Markus do, he forced very few shots today. Shooting tear drops is not forcing. Getting to the rack and missing lay ups (where is the call?) is not forcing.
he forced a few shots today...
Quote from: tower912 on March 09, 2019, 04:03:35 PM
In the context of what we have seen Markus do, he forced very few shots today. Shooting tear drops is not forcing. Getting to the rack and missing lay ups (where is the call?) is not forcing.
Exactly, McDung was getting every call while Markus was being mugged.
Not many. Nothing we haven't seen him hit before.
Quote from: MUfanatic45 on March 09, 2019, 04:01:15 PM
Markus is a truly abysmal late game player. Unless its OT
He legit cannot do one thing properly.
TO's, forced bricks, missed free throws.
1. Made a nice dish to Anim that led to two free throws
2. Made a nice dish to Joey that led to a three pointer
3. Made 3/4 FTs down the stretch
4. Made a three pointer to cut it to 1
All in the last three minutes.
He had a bad turnover and missed a FT but today was not an example of him "not doing one thing properly" late in a game.
Quote from: TAMU Eagle on March 09, 2019, 04:08:26 PM
1. Made a nice dish to Anim that led to two free throws
2. Made a nice dish to Joey that led to a three pointer
3. Made 3/4 FTs down the stretch
4. Made a three pointer to cut it to 1
All in the last three minutes.
He had a bad turnover and missed a FT but today was not an example of him "not doing one thing properly" late in a game.
Make the free throw and the 3 ties the game.
Guy chokes...every single game.
Quote from: tower912 on March 09, 2019, 04:06:40 PM
Not many. Nothing we haven't seen him hit before.
Does that make it a good shot then since he has hit them in the past?
Numbers don't lie, Markus has been missing his shots like Sam, however at least sam takes his shots in stride. Markus gets 3's drilled in his face then takes the ball down the other end of the court and chucks it up without the ball touching another players hands
Quote from: MUpilot on March 09, 2019, 04:10:04 PM
Does that make it a good shot then since he has hit them in the past?
Numbers don't lie, Markus has been missing his shots like Sam, however at least sam takes his shots in stride. Markus gets 3's drilled in his face then takes the ball down the other end of the court and chucks it up without the ball touching another players hands
...like Powell.... like Ponds......
Quote from: tower912 on March 09, 2019, 04:16:07 PM
...like Powell.... like Ponds......
Powell and ponds can finish games...
So because those two do it, it makes it ok if Markus does even though he has a history of being bad with the ball at the end of games? Ponds and Powell abused Markus. There's really zero comparison
In the 4 losses:
Markus: 29-76 FG (38%); 13-42 3FG (31%)
Sam: 17-46 FG (37%); 10-31 3FG (32%)
During that time, Markus and Sam accounted for 55% of FGs taken, and 69% of 3FGs taken. Those percentages, multiplied by that efficiency and you will lose 90% of the time.
The offense has been very reliant on iso sets all season. A ton of Markus's and Sam's shots have been stepping up off the dribble. Just look at BB's green light today for how much that is taught as part of the offense. But defenses have adjusted, and its too late to install a ton of new offense. (Defenses have also taken away the only other weapon in that duo's arsenal by eliminating Markus's drive and floater game.)
The only feasible plan the rest of the season is to continue to install as much motion offense as is reasonable over the next two weeks (all of Markus's best looks today were off the catch after coming through screens on the baseline) and to increase Sacar's usage in isolation going to the basket. During the losses Sacar has only attempted 31 FGs. He should have 12-15 FGA per game the rest of the way, 75% of which should be attacking 1v1 going at the rim. That'll help moderate the peaks and valleys a bit as he gets to the line and will limit runouts off missed threes. Hopefully it also draws a little attention and helps open a couple looks up for Markus and Sam to get back on track. Then next season, more motion offense and looks for Markus and Sam off the catch.
Markus goes 8 for 25, makes a terrible turnover towards the end of game and gets absolutely schooled by a freshman guard who had 25 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and only 2 turnovers and some try to justify his play today. He would even probably tell you he was not very good. Last game he shot 2 for 11 and was outplayed by Seton Hall's Cale. Just not happening with him now and it is very, very bad timing.
Quote from: MUfanatic45 on March 09, 2019, 04:09:38 PM
Make the free throw and the 3 ties the game.
Guy chokes...every single game.
So if he's not perfect he chokes! 🙄
I marvel at the Markus hate. As recently as two weeks ago, many were lamenting that he wasn't more highly rated as a NPOY candidate. He was scoring at an unprecedented rate. His defense had improved. Many were speculating he was gone to the NBA. Two games ago, he scored half of MU's points. He has the highest scoring games in Big East history and has carried MU to a number of wins this year. We marveled at his step back 3's, his tear drops, his 90%+ free throw rate. He scored most of MU's points down the stretch today and fed Joey for a 3.
And now... he can't finish games. He has a history of being bad at the end of games. We don't want him taking shots we have seen him make countless times. Meanwhile, Sam has sucked just as bad and not a word. I feel like Jan Brady.... 'Markus, Markus, Markus'. If you are going to blame him for all of this, does he get credit for when the team was 23-4 and on a 20-2 run?
He is beat up. The other teams are plotting all sorts of defenses and being as physical as the refs will let them.
Quote from: nyg on March 09, 2019, 04:23:04 PM
Markus goes 8 for 25, makes a terrible turnover towards the end of game and gets absolutely schooled by a freshman guard who had 25 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and only 2 turnovers and some try to justify his play today. He would even probably tell you he was not very good. Last game he shot 2 for 11 and was outplayed by Seton Hall's Cale. Just not happening with him now and it is very, very bad timing.
No one is saying that he played well. But pretty soon he's going to be arrested for the Kennedy assassination and shooting down Amelia Earhardts plane with the amount of blame scoop wants to dump on him
Quote from: tower912 on March 09, 2019, 04:03:35 PM
In the context of what we have seen Markus do, he forced very few shots today. Shooting tear drops is not forcing. Getting to the rack and missing lay ups (where is the call?) is not forcing.
It's not the tear drops that are forced. It's the leaning, off balance, not even necessarily well defended shots with 20 seconds on the shot clock that you know are not going in unless lightning strikes and Markus is on an absolute tear. He hit 75% of his on balanced shots today. He hurt us by taking the other kind and always thinking shoot first.
Need more Markus dribble drive kick to Sam and Joey or a cutting Sacar or John. He will learn and we will be a better team for it either this year or next.
Quote from: tower912 on March 09, 2019, 04:28:16 PM
I marvel at the Markus hate. As recently as two weeks ago, many were lamenting that he wasn't more highly rated as a NPOY candidate. He was scoring at an unprecedented rate. His defense had improved. Many were speculating he was gone to the NBA. Two games ago, he scored half of MU's points. He has the highest scoring games in Big East history and has carried MU to a number of wins this year. We marveled at his step back 3's, his tear drops, his 90%+ free throw rate. He scored most of MU's points down the stretch today and fed Joey for a 3.
And now... he can't finish games. He has a history of being bad at the end of games. We don't want him taking shots we have seen him make countless times. Meanwhile, Sam has sucked just as bad and not a word. I feel like Jan Brady.... 'Markus, Markus, Markus'. If you are going to blame him for all of this, does he get credit for when the team was 23-4 and on a 20-2 run?
He is beat up. The other teams are plotting all sorts of defenses and being as physical as the refs will let them.
It's not a personal attack on Markus, but it's true. I've never ever said Markus was going to the NBA for one
I like Markus a lot, but being critical of him doesn't make me a hater. He's been bad at end of the game situations. He is very good in overtime, however
Quote from: MUpilot on March 09, 2019, 04:31:12 PM
It's not a personal attack on Markus, but it's true. I've never ever said Markus was going to the NBA for one
I like Markus a lot, but being critical of him doesn't make me a hater. He's been bad at end of the game situations. He is very good in overtime, however
Do you think overtime is played at the beginning of a game or something? 🤔
Quote from: Fluffy Blue Monster on March 09, 2019, 04:33:08 PM
Do you think overtime is played at the beginning of a game or something? 🤔
Oh, shoot, you're right...... that's what I meant..
Quote from: TAMU Eagle on March 09, 2019, 04:29:40 PM
No one is saying that he played well. But pretty soon he's going to be arrested for the Kennedy assassination and shooting down Amelia Earhardts plane with the amount of blame scoop wants to dump on him
Never said hating Markus, thought thru the year he has been fantastic and has provided some incredible moments. Last two games he has been terrible and it is just bad timing for two very crucial games. Especially today in a very winnable game. Maybe he turns it around in BE Tournament.
Quote from: tower912 on March 09, 2019, 04:28:16 PM
I marvel at the Markus hate.
I have a weird view of Markus. He does a lot of things I don't like and always has. He's more than a bit of a ball stopper and the ball movement I love to watch isn't always there when he's controlling the ball so much. He takes shots that are just horrible.
But the thing is, what I normally consider a horrible shot isn't necessarily a horrible shot for Markus. He makes plenty of them. I can't count how many times he takes a shot and I think "No!" but it goes in. He can go to a place where he is so tremendous that it is pure joy to watch.
So I really dislike the way he plays but I love watching him, if that makes sense.
Quote from: tower912 on March 09, 2019, 04:28:16 PM
I marvel at the Markus hate. As recently as two weeks ago, many were lamenting that he wasn't more highly rated as a NPOY candidate. He was scoring at an unprecedented rate. His defense had improved. Many were speculating he was gone to the NBA. Two games ago, he scored half of MU's points. He has the highest scoring games in Big East history and has carried MU to a number of wins this year. We marveled at his step back 3's, his tear drops, his 90%+ free throw rate. He scored most of MU's points down the stretch today and fed Joey for a 3.
And now... he can't finish games. He has a history of being bad at the end of games. We don't want him taking shots we have seen him make countless times. Meanwhile, Sam has sucked just as bad and not a word. I feel like Jan Brady.... 'Markus, Markus, Markus'. If you are going to blame him for all of this, does he get credit for when the team was 23-4 and on a 20-2 run?
He is beat up. The other teams are plotting all sorts of defenses and being as physical as the refs will let them.
I agree with this except for the bolded. Stepping into half a dozeen contested threes per game was not a sustainable model, and we were probably lucky to live by that as long as we did. Defenses have extended even further, denied him the ball well beyond the three point arc, and put larger, physical defenders on him. The counterpunch has to be to create more space for him, primarily with offball screens. Dragging a second large defender to him to set on ball screens isn't going to solve the problem. I'm with you that the Markus hate is wild, but the scheme has to change to adjust to give him a puncher's chance.
Howard is the greatest scorer in school history and that is a fact. That said, he is far way from being a top five guard in school history. He is what he is. I am happy he is here. Without him this team would be a NIT team at best.
Will anyone touch the third rail and say something negative about Sam?
Quote from: tower912 on March 09, 2019, 05:14:14 PM
Will anyone touch the third rail and say something negative about Sam?
Sam needs to demand the ball more. He shouldn't act like second fiddle to Markus. His pass to Markus at the end of the game was almost a disaster (not like it matters now)
This team has completely lost its collective confidence. Teams smell blood in the water and no one has responded. Sam has wilted. He hasn't risen to the occasion. How many chances do they need to take the conference?
They are good players and good kids. They just haven't gotten it done. Today's Senior Day ceremony puts things in perspective...they are kids, with families, trying their best.
I'm disappointed but I also have a full liquor cabinet and dinner reservations. All the teams I root for are mediocre at best so I've resigned myslef.
Quote from: MUpilot on March 09, 2019, 05:19:47 PM
Sam needs to demand the ball more. He shouldn't act like second fiddle to Markus. His pass to Markus at the end of the game was almost a disaster (not like it matters now)
His inability to score off the bounce is a problem. Especially in late game situations.
Quote from: tower912 on March 09, 2019, 05:14:14 PM
Will anyone touch the third rail and say something negative about Sam?
I generally stay away from too much Sam criticism because I think he's always asked to do a million different things. He is the mortar that makes this thing tick, but as a result is just left to handle that, so his role feels ill defined. In turn, it's tough to know what exactly to criticize him for from game to game.
No one's left to handle worse incoming passes or left alone in the corner or sliding over to cover for beat defenders more than Sam. I'd like to see plays drawn up for him more often that feed him in the post with smaller defenders on him or have him catching at the elbow. The game at GTown showed what he can do when he's emphasized in the offense, but he's not going to just improvise that on his own. An offense with so much perimeter iso doesn't play to his strengths.
Markus seems "off" the past four games or so. He lost his quickness. His shot is "off." It's tough to watch.
Quote from: tower912 on March 09, 2019, 04:00:14 PM
The two junior leaders were both bad today. Both got the looks we are accustomed to seeing them make. I think they are both beat up, mentally and physically. Too many minutes. Markus trying to do everything as a 5'11 guard and getting beat up every single game. Sam playing all of those minutes while recovering from hip surgery. I don't know what the answer is at this point. It isn't like MU is going to win a game with those two playing less. Not now.
addressed this in the other thread. this is a ridiculous assertion. every good player on every team plays "all those minutes" why are those 2 any different. Coaches have made adjustments against us, we haven't responded, plain and simple. nothing to do with being tired, you are better than that Tower.
Quote from: tower912 on March 09, 2019, 05:14:14 PM
Will anyone touch the third rail and say something negative about Sam?
Sam hasn't hit open shots like he usually does and that has hurt a lot of late. I don't criticize him much because he usually does the right thing and makes the smart basketball play. He had that miserable stretch to start the Creighton game. He's got to shoot better if we're going to win much.
I'm going to say it again. I think they are both beat up mentally and physically. And I predict that after the season is over, there injuries will be made public. I further predict that some here will see that as 'excuses' rather than 'reasons'.
Quote from: tower912 on March 10, 2019, 01:19:42 PM
I'm going to say it again. I think they are both beat up mentally and physically. And I predict that after the season is over, there injuries will be made public. I further predict that some here will see that as 'excuses' rather than 'reasons'.
beat up from playing a lot of minutes as you suggested is much different than being injured.
Quote from: hairy worthen on March 10, 2019, 01:31:06 PM
beat up from playing a lot of minutes as you suggested is much different than being injured.
In my mind, they go hand in hand. I think Markus hurt his wrist at the end of the Providence game. I think he is still nursing a sore groin. I think Sam's hip is bothering him. I think that the minutes Sam has played has led to this. I think that being a 5'11, 175 lb PG with the ball in his hand all the time and Big East defenses testing to see how much they can bump him and get away with it while playing a ton of minutes has contributed to Markus' injuries.
Quote from: tower912 link=topic=58151.msg1103465#:) Yuri date=1552243517
In my mind, they go hand in hand. I think Markus hurt his wrist at the end of the Providence game. I think he is still nursing a sore groin. I think Sam's hip is bothering him. I think that the minutes Sam has played has led to this. I think that being a 5'11, 175 lb PG with the ball in his hand all the time and Big East defenses testing to see how much they can bump him and get away with it while playing a ton of minutes has contributed to Markus' injuries.
Markus has played slower the past bunch of games. He seems worn out or beat up.
And he hasn't hit any and tried very few of his patented step back 3. Which tells me either he doesn't trust his legs or he doesn't trust his wrist.
Quote from: MUpilot on March 09, 2019, 04:31:12 PM
It's not a personal attack on Markus, but it's true. I've never ever said Markus was going to the NBA for one
I like Markus a lot, but being critical of him doesn't make me a hater. He's been bad at end of the game situations. He is very good in overtime, however
Define end of game. You may be quite surprised at the stats depending on your answer. Is end of game the final media timeout to the end of the game? Or it is only the last 30 seconds, last minute? If so, why does the entire overtime 5 minute period count?
Quote from: tower912 on March 11, 2019, 02:58:00 PM
And he hasn't hit any and tried very few of his patented step back 3. Which tells me either he doesn't trust his legs or he doesn't trust his wrist.
Yup. Almost none of them since the groin injury. He is hurt. It is why I posed maybe sitting him for Nova. He looks hurt, isn't doing what he was prior to that injury. The explosiveness is not there.
Unrelated to Markus, but it feels like the Hausers are starting to see the wall that comes with having a primarily rehab off-season. Not a knock on strength and conditioning, not a knock on them. But with how long and a drag this season is, you need the full offseason to get into the shape you need to weather the full season. They're tired and hitting a wall, which means teams can really key in on Markus--which in turn ends up with him beat up and tired as well.
I don't know the solution other than rest. But at the same time, the team needs confidence back before the tourney kicks off. Let's win the BEast tourney and hope for a Friday draw where we win in a laugher.
Just for fun, I looked at Markus' "end of game" stats in our close games. I defined "end of game" as the last 5 minutes, and "close" as all games that went to OT or were decided by 9 points or less. That made for 12 "close" games.
Here's what I found:
FGs: 9-38 (.236)
3-pt:4-22 (.182)
FTs: 17-19 (.895)
Ast: 4
TO: 10
Since I was reading through the play-by-play, I could very well have missed one or two things. But generally, it doesn't look great except for his FTs. And the performance was pretty consistently off, with the two notable exceptions being the wins @CU and @X (collectively 5-8 FG, 3-4 3-pt, 6-6 FT). Even in those good games, he had 1 assist and 4 TOs.
I love Markus. He is our best player, deserves BE POY and second team AA, and I hope he returns for his senior season. But the stats bear out that, for whatever reasons, he doesn't generally close games well.
IMHO, that's just one more reason to have Sam and/or Sacar bring the ball up court and run much of the offense. Maybe that helps conserve a bit of ATP for the end?
Markus was 5-6 on threes during the last 5 min & OT in the win at Creighton.
So that makes him -1 of 16 in the rest of the games?
Unless you were counting only the final 5 minutes of regulation and not looking at OT.
Quote from: oldwarrior81 on March 11, 2019, 05:55:06 PM
Markus was 5-6 on threes during the last 5 min & OT in the win at Creighton.
So that makes him -1 of 16 in the rest of the games?
I didn't count the OTs - just the last 5 minutes of regulation.
Quote from: tower912 on March 11, 2019, 02:58:00 PM
And he hasn't hit any and tried very few of his patented step back 3. Which tells me either he doesn't trust his legs or he doesn't trust his wrist.
Which is why he needs to implement "the thing". His shot is not falling. Defenses are still going to be in his face even if he's missed his last 3 deep shots. Get to the FT line...help your team in other ways.
It's tourney time...gotta do whatever is necessary to get the W.
when looking at all games that were within 10 points with 5:00 minutes remaining in regulation.
Over the remainder of the game, I was surprised to see Marquette increased the lead in 13 of those games. Only lost points in 4 games (those haven't healed yet), and maintained a 7 pt lead against UTEP.
13-4-1 is an impressive record over the last 5min+OT. Again, shocked by that number, especially considering the past couple weeks.
Markus was 8-28 (29%) on threes. 1-10 over the last 4 games. 39% in the earlier games.
FTs: 50-57 (88%). Over the last 4, 5-8. Earlier games, 92%
Overall 99 points scored in just about 90 minutes of playing time. Not very efficient, but his use rate is huge down the stretch.