Disappointing game. Somewhat worrying that the offense has been pretty bad the last couple games. The defense looked good against some poor opponents.
But we have been so much better than I ever expected, so I'm still enjoying this ride.
I don't see the lack of effort that people are complaining about in the game thread. They're playing hard. They're just having their strengths taken away and are getting sped up. Hesitant to shoot and make things happen.
What are adjustments to what we're seeing?
Can OMax do something besides straight line drives, mostly to the right? Teams will dare him to shoot the 3, they won't close hard to him and let him get a step. Then he gets stuck in no man's land. What's his counter?
Teams are playing Kolek to score, even though he's proven he can do that much better this year. Can he now start finishing on the right side of the hoop? Teams will continue to stay home on their man and not collapse on him.
Teams are sagging off of Oso and not letting him get any wiggle room. They're defending the back cut and we don't have much else out of his mid post touches.
Teams are sticking to Kam like glue and collapsing on his drives. Need to run him on a handoff at the top of the key off of Oso. Maybe run some pick and roll between him and Kolek as well.
Gold and Sean Jones gave us some good minutes off the bench. That can change our offense if they can continue to provide those contributions.
I agree with your analysis. Good summary of where things are right now. My biggest concern is the book being out on how to defend Oso.
UConn entered the game 6th in the nation in KenPom with top-10 offense and defenses despite an uneven Big East. They're a very good team and a team capable of winning the national title.
They're also the 10th best offensive rebounding team in the nation. They typically shoot 36% from 3 and are 10-19 tonight.
They're good 🤷🏼♂️
We are starting to see similar things to the second half of the BE season last year. The ball isn't moving and we are doing too much isolation. Teams are daring us to shoot (except Kam and Jop) and by and large it is working.
Quote from: The Sultan of Semantics on February 07, 2023, 07:20:37 PM
We are starting to see similar things to the second half of the BE season last year. The ball isn't moving and we are doing too much isolation. Teams are daring us to shoot (except Kam and Jop) and by and large it is working.
8 February games last year:
83 points on 71 possessions
72 on 68
79 on 69
77 on 69
82 on 74
64 on 68
80 on 81
85 on 77
Don't ask about March
Quote from: Uncle Rico on February 07, 2023, 07:24:57 PM
8 February games last year:
83 points on 71 possessions
72 on 68
79 on 69
77 on 69
82 on 74
64 on 68
80 on 81
85 on 77
Don't ask about March
Maybe I should look things up instead of relying on my 55 year old memory.
The second time through the top teams in the big east will tell us a lot about this team and coaching staff.
They did well vs Providence. Now this vs UConn.
Xavier and Creighton loom
Quote from: The Sultan of Semantics on February 07, 2023, 07:20:37 PM
We are starting to see similar things to the second half of the BE season last year. The ball isn't moving and we are doing too much isolation. Teams are daring us to shoot (except Kam and Jop) and by and large it is working.
Just an fyi, don't bring up past seasons around here. People find it triggering.
UConn had been top ten Kenpom for months for a reason. They will be a tough out the rest of the way.
Teams are making adjustments playing us now. What can we do to counter? First thing is we need to shoot better - we were the number 1 offense. Last 4 games no where close. Rebounding - well, we don't do that well. And that is the only thing that looks like we don't make an effort. We don't all crash the boards like Shaka has said so many times
But yes. Adjustments need to be made
I honestly don't know the answer with regards to adjustments.
I do know that last years team didn't do it.
I'm confident and hopeful our coach will figure something out.
Quote from: The Sultan of Semantics on February 07, 2023, 07:27:58 PM
Maybe I should look things up instead of relying on my 55 year old memory.
Truth is, they were better in February than December last year. And outside the Butler/DePaul games in February, the offense was better than it was the last two weeks of January, all games they won
MU's offense has been insanely efficient until recently. The other teams have made adjustments on Kolek, Oso, the cuts. These guys are smart. The adjustments are to shoot better. Also, more motion on the sides with the ghost screens from the other guards and wings to get the defense shifting. Kind of missing recently. The other thing I want to see is for the guys who are driving to seek contact.
Well, first blowout loss of the season. This happens sometimes, just like Xavier losing at Creighton by 17.
Let's see how MU responds.
Yeah Oso needs a mid range jumper. Defense is sagging off his dribble drives and so he's not getting the angles he used to idk why him and Tyler aren't running the pick n rolls anymore but that's not great either
Quote from: The Sultan of Semantics on February 07, 2023, 07:27:58 PM
Maybe I should look things up instead of relying on my 55 year old memory.
55? You don't look a day over 72.
Jerry Wainwright, your table is ready.
Quote from: Galway Eagle on February 07, 2023, 07:57:11 PM
Yeah Oso needs a mid range jumper. Defense is sagging off his dribble drives and so he's not getting the angles he used to idk why him and Tyler aren't running the pick n rolls anymore but that's not great either
I'm not sure how good that would do with the current scheme. It seems Marquette is extremely adamant on not attempting a mid range shot. It's either a three or at the rim even if it's forced.
Quote from: Farley36 on February 07, 2023, 07:28:30 PM
Just an fyi, don't bring up past seasons around here. People find it triggering.
No, they find you triggering because of your raging boner when we play poorly.
If you told me MU won the TO battle 17-8 I would be thinking close win. Rebounding and 3point shooting buried this team.
Quote from: CountryRoads on February 07, 2023, 08:04:56 PM
I'm not sure how good that would do with the current scheme. It seems Marquette is extremely adamant on not attempting a mid range shot. It's either a three or at the rim even if it's forced.
I certainly agree but if one of our key players can't do the thing that makes him good then we may as well just start gold, at least he can shoot a three.
When we can't shoot threes Teams can clog the lane and challenge us on the drive
I thought Gold represented well on defense and provided some offense
I'm hoping this game puts a chip on their shoulders
Quote from: ZiggysFryBoy on February 07, 2023, 08:00:46 PM
55? You don't look a day over 72.
I'm 74 and can remember details from Marquette basketball games last year and every year going back 56 years. He's not that old, just that feeble minded.
Quote from: tower912 on February 07, 2023, 07:36:06 PM
MU's offense has been insanely efficient until recently. The other teams have made adjustments on Kolek, Oso, the cuts. These guys are smart. The adjustments are to shoot better. Also, more motion on the sides with the ghost screens from the other guards and wings to get the defense shifting. Kind of missing recently. The other thing I want to see is for the guys who are driving to seek contact.
This. Drives in the lane vs UCONN often ended in tip or stolen passes back to the 3 point line.
Will need to make those wide open 3s.
Teams are totally ignoring Oso when he's the ball handler and just clogging up the lane. Putting bigger, stronger defenders on Kolek and playing him one on one. Closing hard on Kam on the catch. Need to find some adjustments that aren't just "go one on one."