1. Worried about Theo's knee. Warrior, though.
2. Somebody needs to take charge on the floor. Who is the alpha? Alpha's put the team on their back when the opponent makes a run.
3. Cain was not good. Made a couple shots, had a few boards, but on balance, ugh.
4. Announcers said any team counting on freshmen as much as MU is going to be inconsistent. Duh.
5. Watson made Lewis look like a freshman. But Lewis didn't quit. Nice follow dunk. And he finally made a 3.
6. Garcia is good and only getting better. Would love for tonight to be the new normal. The difference tonight.
7. I really like how Cooley changes up defense. And that flex offense is unique in this era of 4 out and dribble drive.
8. MU got the first one it needed. Woot.
Marquette was the beneficiary of some really bad calls but I'll take it.
Nice win...got a little dicey but must have had the lead for 35-38(ish) minutes of game time? Essentially a wire to wire win back a desperate team in conference I'll sign up for any day.
Time to start stacking up the wins. Need Carton to take it to another level this weekend against Johnnies. Not in point production necessary but handling the backcourt pressure we'll see.
We needed it (desparately), we got it. Gotta make some hay with the weak sisters coming up.
Dawson was a stud. DJ had some nice moves, but has a disturbing tendency to get cornered and give up his dribble. One wonders what the nature of the knee problem (dating from OSU) is with Theo.
We are just not sharp in our h-c offense Tower. It starts with Carton but we need to make a concerted effort to move the rock and find more space with our screens off the ball. Get Garcia more inside touches. When DJ attacks downhill and kicks we can also get quality looks. For some reason we really struggle passing off the bounce and creating open space.
Needed that one and we got it. Wasn't always pretty and we probably got a little hope from the zebras.
The alpha dog debate is a good one. Carton can be that. McEwen can be that. Hell, even Lewis can be that for spurts. Garcia has the skills but hasn't shown it in crunch time yet. The problem is consistency. Any or all of those guys could just not show up. Then we're screwed.
Another big point in today's game was turnovers. We only had 8 (good) and we managed to force 10 (for us, good). But I can't remember so many pick-pocket steals from an MU team in a while. Maybe Wojo read that PT article.
On to the next one.
Cain and Elliott literally cannot dribble the basketball. Does everyone cringe like I do when they start.
Koby and Carton dribble too much.
Symir at the end of bench now, looks like Dexter getting a second chance.
Lewis and Cain's threes were huge, but Garcia's two tips off missed free throws and the gracious non goal tending call were the difference in the end.
Lewis good comeback game (except for a few defense against Watson). 11 points, 6 rebounds, 3 blocks.
Yikes! Just looked at the box - 7 for 24 is definitely not going to do it. That includes 3 for 13 from our starting backcourt. Surprised that Theo only had 3 assts. - he looked like Stockton for a spell.
Yes...cringe is the right word. I'm nor sure why they and others seem to be in a rush when they have the ball and space to attack. There's a difference between playing with pace to increase tempo and being out of control and in a rush. It has always dumbfounded me.
To me, the key to the game was Marquette matching their physicality and hustle. We took that early lead but then PU outplayed us for a long stretch to go ahead. They were getting all the 50-50 balls and they were just playing tougher than we were.
But there was a TV timeout and after that we matched their intensity the rest of the way, and actually surpassed it for some long stretches. Don't know whether that was Wojo, his assitants, the seniors or some combination thereof, but we need to have that all the time.
Theo got away with two goaltends, including one that should have been an easy call. But them's the breaks. We've been on the wrong end of bad calls plenty of times, too.
In the second half, Cooley did a nice job of keeping Garcia from getting the ball where he wanted it. We needed others to step up, and DJ and Lewis did.
Not one of Jamal's better games. Every time he dribbled, I winced, and usually for good reason. And he couldn't hit a 3 most of the night (nor could anybody else). But that late 3 he hit was extremely important, and he also had a put-back when we were having trouble scoring.
I'm a little worried about Koby's FT shooting in winning time. He missed some against GT, and now missed a bunch here. After one, he tapped his chest and said, "My bad." No foolin'! But he played really hard and well, especially on D.
That game had the feel of a must-win. Wojo seemed amped, as did Cooley. It was nice to see the guys respond to a game that obviously was important.
Time to take on the Johnnies in a game that won't be easy.
Dawson is making a lot of really good decisions the last few games.
I need Justin Lewis to stay engaged more often. I know he's a freshman, but it's noticable when he decides he wants to play or not. Him figuring that out might be the difference between a tourney bid or no bid.
Although we did get some calls going our way late I thought earlier the calls were all going against MU. I felt there were at least three layups that could have been fouls on Providence.
82,
I think that dust-up scrum led into that time out. MU responded physically especially Lewis. PC was definitely trying to push the BE chippiness and MU responded.
We are our own worst enemy at times. Stupid turnovers and stupid shot selections after little to no offensive movement. We should of won this game comfortably but we let them hang around. Thankfully things went our way the last few minutes even with our awful free throw shooting the last few minutes.
I'll take 8 turnovers from this team in a game any time.
Quote from: cheese ball chaser on January 12, 2021, 10:14:42 PM
Marquette was the beneficiary of some really bad calls but I'll take it.
One bad call.
Quote from: mufanatic on January 12, 2021, 10:35:23 PM
We are our own worst enemy at times. Stupid turnovers and stupid shot selections after little to no offensive movement. We should of won this game comfortably but we let them hang around. Thankfully things went our way the last few minutes even with our awful free throw shooting the last few minutes.
I agree on the shot selection tonight, but this is a weird one to harp on turnovers. Think we set a season low tonight. Since the Villanova debacle, we have seen the team tighten up its handle more every game.
Quote from: mufanatic on January 12, 2021, 10:35:23 PM
We are our own worst enemy at times. Stupid turnovers and stupid shot selections after little to no offensive movement. We should of won this game comfortably but we let them hang around. Thankfully things went our way the last few minutes even with our awful free throw shooting the last few minutes.
We were 3 point favorites
Quote from: Newsdreams on January 12, 2021, 10:43:19 PM
We were 3 point favorites
The Vegas line is a lot less meaningful in terms of assumed margin of victory than the 15/16 point lead we had late in the first half . I'm sure that's what mufanatic was referring to.
I like the inside emphasis - we have finishers down there as well as a athletic rebounders but let's see some more kick outs per game - I counted only two tonight - these guys all seem like better catch and shoot from long range as opposed to the shake and bake - I know wojo has always encouraged to get out and run but when we're in HC let's play inside out a few more times a game - helps reduce TOs and we're a good FT bunch too
Quote from: Dr. Blackheart on January 12, 2021, 10:33:59 PM
82,
I think that dust-up scrum led into that time out. MU responded physically especially Lewis. PC was definitely trying to push the BE chippiness and MU responded.
Works for me! I thought Koby really set the tone there, but several of our guys picked up the intensity. Nice to see.
Quote from: BM1090 on January 12, 2021, 10:40:30 PM
One bad call.
Theo should have been called for goaltending twice. The one, where Theo slapped it off the backboard after it already hit the board, should have been easy and would have been a huge hoop for PU.
Also, Providence lost about 7-8 seconds they never should have lost after a made basket with a minute to go.
But as I said earlier, I'm not gonna cry for Providence. We've been on the wrong end many a time, and will be again.
Quote from: MU82 on January 12, 2021, 10:55:55 PM
Also, Providence lost about 7-8 seconds they never should have lost after a made basket with a minute to go.
The refs stopped the game and reset the clock there.
Quote from: Dr. Blackheart on January 12, 2021, 11:00:41 PM
The refs stopped the game and reset the clock there.
No they didn't. They confirmed the correct call. The ball was through the hoop before the 1 minute mark in which case the clock runs.
Quote from: RideMyBuycks on January 12, 2021, 11:03:29 PM
No they didn't. They confirmed the correct call. The ball was through the hoop before the 1 minute mark in which case the clock runs.
They stopped the game and reset the clock. Feel free to rewatch it.
PIP+FTM 54-34 in MU's advantage, led by 16-3 in fast break points.
Quote from: Dr. Blackheart on January 12, 2021, 11:04:57 PM
The stopped the game and reset the clock. Feel free to rewatch it.
I invite you to do the same.
Hmm. I'll have to re-watch that, and also review the rule. Thanks for the conversation, guys.
NM - Repost
Quote from: skianth16 on January 12, 2021, 10:50:10 PM
The Vegas line is a lot less meaningful in terms of assumed margin of victory than the 15/16 point lead we had late in the first half . I'm sure that's what mufanatic was referring to.
LOL was just being sarcastic on how people complain when we win but don't cover.
RideMyBuycks is correct. The refs stopped to check if the shot went in before or after the 1 minute mark. It went in before meaning the clock kept running. No time was put back on the clock.
If Garcia plays like this the rest of the season, we'll be lucky if he comes back next year. He was everything we thought he'd be tonight--20 points, 1-3 from 3, 5-5 from the line, and 6 boards.
We crashed the offensive glass when it mattered the most.
Watson is a really good player for Providence.
Quote from: TAMU Eagle on January 12, 2021, 11:19:17 PM
RideMyBuycks is correct. The refs stopped to check if the shot went in before or after the 1 minute mark. It went in before meaning the clock kept running. No time was put back on the clock.
I stand corrected. I thought Bardo said as they replayed it they added the time back.
Quote from: Dr. Blackheart on January 12, 2021, 11:21:35 PM
I stand corrected. I thought Bardo said as they replayed it they added the time back.
He did say that. Or he said that it was why the refs were at the monitors and never corrected himself.
Quote from: TAMU Eagle on January 12, 2021, 11:19:17 PM
RideMyBuycks is correct. The refs stopped to check if the shot went in before or after the 1 minute mark. It went in before meaning the clock kept running. No time was put back on the clock.
Yep. That was the correct call.
The second missed goaltend on Theo was terrible. The first one was probably the wrong call, but no worse than the "foul" that was called on the same shot attempt.
Quote from: Silent Verbal on January 12, 2021, 11:19:45 PM
If Garcia plays like this the rest of the season, we'll be lucky if he comes back next year. He was everything we thought he'd be tonight--20 points, 1-3 from 3, 5-5 from the line, and 6 boards.
We crashed the offensive glass when it mattered the most.
Watson is a really good player for Providence.
There is not a single member of this team even remotely ready for NBA basketball, including Dawson. He has plenty to work on before even thinking about playing at that level. He will absolutely be back next season.
Quote from: Dr. Blackheart on January 12, 2021, 11:21:35 PM
I stand corrected. I thought Bardo said as they replayed it they added the time back.
He did, but was incorrect. I only know the rule because we were probably on the other end of it some other time. Cooley asked the bench if it was the correct call and no one seemed to know.
Quote from: TAMU Eagle on January 12, 2021, 11:19:17 PM
RideMyBuycks is correct. The refs stopped to check if the shot went in before or after the 1 minute mark. It went in before meaning the clock kept running. No time was put back on the clock.
Thanks, TAMU. Appreciate that. Nice call, RMB.
Speaking of calls, I think the no call when Justin stayed vertical defending I think it was Duke's drive when there was a lot of contact was correct and crucial. If I'm not mistaken, that was the same sequence where Justin got the put back slam in transition to grab momentum back.
Quote from: Silent Verbal on January 12, 2021, 11:19:45 PM
If Garcia plays like this the rest of the season, we'll be lucky if he comes back next year. He was everything we thought he'd be tonight--20 points, 1-3 from 3, 5-5 from the line, and 6 boards.
We crashed the offensive glass when it mattered the most.
Watson is a really good player for Providence.
We'll cross the Garcia/NBA bridge when it matters to do so. I'll take a dozen great games like that from him and worry about whatever later.
When we lived in Chicago, the folks across the street were our best friends. Watson is their nephew. He was real little when we lived there and he came to visit his aunt, but I remember him as a nice kid. He's become a real good player.
Quote from: bradforster on January 12, 2021, 11:28:50 PM
There is not a single member of this team even remotely ready for NBA basketball, including Dawson. He has plenty to work on before even thinking about playing at that level. He will absolutely be back next season.
You're right about Dawson not being close to ready for the NBA, and the others too. However ...
It doesn't matter if they're ready or not. It matters whether they - and/or the people who talk to them - believe they are ready.
Quote from: RideMyBuycks on January 12, 2021, 11:29:11 PM
He did, but was incorrect. I only know the rule because we were probably on the other end of it some other time. Cooley asked the bench if it was the correct call and no one seemed to know.
Hat tip. Thanks for saving me as I thought I was having a senility moment there. I can now blame Bardo.
Btw, I love those nuanced discussions on rules and calls. I am always interested to understand more.
I think the thing that impressed me the most was that while we let a 16 point lead slip all the way down to a 1 point lead, we never gave up the big run. During Providence's comeback that started with around 3:30 left in the first, the Friars never scored more than 6 unanswered points (which happened twice). We didn't counter with a run of our own until the end, but we landed enough hits and stopped them enough times to slow their comeback and keep them from ever
taking the lead. With about 3 minutes left we finally ripped off a 7-0 run over own and that was all she wrote. Took some grit by the players to win this one.
Quote from: The Thing on January 12, 2021, 10:38:41 PM
I'll take 8 turnovers from this team in a game any time.
Agree having only 8 Turnovers was huge.
Loved the recap title. Witty as ever, Tower. Ingenious too, as it relates to a criticism some have had here of Coach, myself included. Wojo showed his true colors, I believe. Not a hint of Duke soft, if that's even a real thing. Whatever it's called, we don't have that luxury or margin, ever.
I posted last week how Coach needs to light a fire under some guys, and it appears he did. Guys were doing what they were recruited for: Carton was driving, Dawson was attacking inside and out, Dustin was asserting himself. Coach also seemed more demonstrative on the bench. Less afraid of getting on a young team. I liked McEwen taking it personal and talking right back or glaring at Duke. He backed it up. The push-back mentality has to consistently be there.
Garcia had a very nice game tonight. I am not concerned about him leaving for the NBA after this season. Imo he has a long ways to go before ready to play at next level. That said, hope he proves me wrong and ends up breaking the bank.
Quote from: tower912 on January 12, 2021, 10:11:41 PM
1. Worried about Theo's knee. Warrior, though.
2. Somebody needs to take charge on the floor. Who is the alpha? Alpha's put the team on their back when the opponent makes a run.
3. Cain was not good. Made a couple shots, had a few boards, but on balance, ugh.
4. Announcers said any team counting on freshmen as much as MU is going to be inconsistent. Duh.
5. Watson made Lewis look like a freshman. But Lewis didn't quit. Nice follow dunk. And he finally made a 3.
6. Garcia is good and only getting better. Would love for tonight to be the new normal. The difference tonight.
7. I really like how Cooley changes up defense. And that flex offense is unique in this era of 4 out and dribble drive.
8. MU got the first one it needed. Woot.
Very good assessment. We needed this win. Agree that our seniors need to step up, dominate and lead. We cannot have a successful season if there's no alpha with experience.
Something about Providence seems to bring the grit out in our team , that is why I like the series so much.
Overall a very solid team effort with all the guys contributing .
Team played hard for the full 40 minutes , that is what it takes to win in the Big East
Quote from: Dr. Blackheart on January 12, 2021, 11:21:35 PM
I stand corrected. I thought Bardo said as they replayed it they added the time back.
Bardo also was calling Nate Watson...."Nate Mason" and sometimes just flat out "Mason" last night. Guy lost his mind long ago.
Nate Mason was a PG for the gophers a couple years ago. Not even relevant team or position.
Two thoughts.
1. They really played hard. As opposed to the UConn game, they matched the opponent's effort when it mattered.
2. Every time Cain put the ball on the floor, PC swarmed. He just isn't great when he does that.
Quote from: bradforster on January 12, 2021, 11:28:50 PM
There is not a single member of this team even remotely ready for NBA basketball, including Dawson. He has plenty to work on before even thinking about playing at that level. He will absolutely be back next season.
Quote from: MU82 on January 12, 2021, 11:35:33 PM
You're right about Dawson not being close to ready for the NBA, and the others too. However ...
It doesn't matter if they're ready or not. It matters whether they - and/or the people who talk to them - believe they are ready.
NBA drafts on potential rather than actual talent most of the time. That is why there are so many stories like Henry and Wesley.
Quote from: pbiflyer on January 13, 2021, 08:08:36 AM
NBA drafts on potential rather than actual talent most of the time. That is why there are so many stories like Henry and Wesley.
And because they draft on potential, it might actually be better for players to go early. They get the contract, they work with NBA coaches on their game, and if it doesn't pan out you have a head start earning $$$. But if they don't improve their game much during their college career, the NBA may no longer see potential for growth.
Had Henry stuck around for four years, where would he be now? Probably along a similar path but three years behind where he is now. Or perhaps he tops out in college and doesn't get drafted at all.
Think a big positive is we won shooting under 30% from 3 while they were 9/19.
When we play them again we have to further focus on pounding the paint vs them and winning the glass again.
Strong win. It feels good to win those tough battles. Refs missed a big one late in the game off of Theo's block, but it is nice to be on the positive end of a missed call. Cooley is such a strong ambassador for Providence and the Big East; his involvement in that Milwaukee story is amazing. If there is a team I would root for to have a deep tournament run on behalf of the conference, it would be Providence because of Cooley.
As previously mentioned, the next several games are all very winnable. MU could definitely position itself to be in the top-half if all things fall right. Need to stay healthy, hungry and strong.
Quote from: Fluffy Blue Monster on January 13, 2021, 08:15:03 AM
And because they draft on potential, it might actually be better for players to go early. They get the contract, they work with NBA coaches on their game, and if it doesn't pan out you have a head start earning $$$. But if they don't improve their game much during their college career, the NBA may no longer see potential for growth.
Had Henry stuck around for four years, where would he be now? Probably along a similar path but three years behind where he is now. Or perhaps he tops out in college and doesn't get drafted at all.
Not disagreeing.
Quote from: pbiflyer on January 13, 2021, 08:08:36 AM
NBA drafts on potential rather than actual talent most of the time. That is why there are so many stories like Henry and Wesley.
Exactly.
And yet we have the same routine over and over here.
Scooper 1 says: I sure hope Player X doesn't leave early for the NBA.
Scooper 2 responds: Player X is nowhere near ready for the NBA.
Well, history has shown time and again that readiness for the NBA often does not matter to Player X. It didn't matter to Henry, who was going to get drafted, and it didn't matter to Vander, who was told he almost surely wasn't going to get drafted. This applies to dozens (hundreds probably) of players from just about every P6 school for years and years.
I hope Garcia and DJ don't leave early for 2 reasons: 1, I don't think either will be able to compete at an NBA level for quite some time, if ever; 2, Selfishly, I want to see them play at least one more season at Marquette.
But I wouldn't blame either or both for leaving for the exact reason Sultan mentioned. And if either left, I would root for him to have a great pro career. I want whatever will make them happy (as long as it's legal!).
Quote from: MU82 on January 13, 2021, 11:54:45 AMWell, history has shown time and again that readiness for the NBA often does not matter to Player X. It didn't matter to Henry, who was going to get drafted, and it didn't matter to Vander, who was told he almost surely wasn't going to get drafted. This applies to dozens (hundreds probably) of players from just about every P6 school for years and years.
I hope Garcia and DJ don't leave early for 2 reasons: 1, I don't think either will be able to compete at an NBA level for quite some time, if ever; 2, Selfishly, I want to see them play at least one more season at Marquette.
But I wouldn't blame either or both for leaving for the exact reason Sultan mentioned. And if either left, I would root for him to have a great pro career. I want whatever will make them happy (as long as it's legal!).
Dawson and DJ might not be ready, but they might also benefit from full-time development. I feel both have skillsets that give them NBA potential, and if you can get paid, I get going for it as soon as you think there will be a place for you. I don't begrudge them the decision, but I don't expect either would get regular minutes next year if they did go.