Three things stand out to me:
++ When 2 of Oso, TK and Kam aren't playing well in the same game, it makes winning that game a major challenge, especially if a couple of the role players don't step up big. For example, we survived Creighton largely because of the second-half contributions of Sean, Stevie and Jop; we didn't get enough such contributions at Seton Hall and couldn't overcome poor games by TK and Kam. Nationally, the TK/Kam combo has been referred to as one of the best backcourts in the country, and TK was a preseason All-American; so far, they too often haven't lived up to the hype.
++ Given how incredibly much Oso, TK, OMax, Joplin and Kam improved from Year 1 to Year 2 under Shaka and his assistants, many of us reasonably assumed we'd see significant improvement from Ross, Gold and Sean this season. But aside from a little here and there in a few games (mostly from Sean), we simply haven't seen that improvement. (And now Ross is hurt.) Additionally, Joplin is basically the same player he was last year offensively, and we needed improvement from him, too. Because of all that, it puts even more responsibility on Oso, TK and Kam - which is fine when they are clicking but won't cut it when a couple of them struggle.
++ We shot .353 from 3 last season - and many were concerned (correctly) that we too often missed open 3s. We're shooting .329 from 3 this season, and opponents are just daring us to shoot them. Given that the offense is based on made 3s and dunks/layups, that hurts. Kam, especially, has been in a nasty slump after a hot start. Just making a couple/few more wide-open 3s per game would make a major difference for this team; for starters, we'd probably have two more wins.
There are other things, too, but those are the three that jump out at me.
I actually think it's a testament to the players, Shaka and his assistants that despite these difficulties, Marquette is 11-4 and has posted some high-quality wins. It's nice that we now get to worry about MU "only" being a top-15 team ... a sign of how far the program has come under Shaka. I still believe in this group, and I absolutely still think a Final Four run is achievable.
We Are Marquette!
I'd add consistency on the defensive end. I know what the defensive efficiency stats say, but I still think this is something that is worth monitoring, especially with how much they've struggled to make open threes. It puts that much more pressure on the defense.
When they are locked in like against Kansas, Creighton, or the first half of the ND game, they're dynamite. But often that focus has come and gone. Lazy closeouts on three point shooters, overhelping/switching for no reason, losing guys in transition, sagging too far off the weakside corner... all things that showed up in our losses (plus the moral defeat to the Tommies).
I chalked a lot of those things up to Stevie being out, as he's really valuable as a communicator on that end of the floor. But it showed up again Saturday. Sure, they forced turnovers, but the second half was a layup line.
82
IMO, it is 90+% making open shots. As you know, once shots start to fall it seems like everyone makes shots. I still believe MU was the better team in their three losses and will be the best team every game moving forward with exception of UConn.
If they make their shots they are a tough out for any time in the country. If not, there will be more struggles. As for me, I hope they hold off on their hot shooting for about 60 days.
It's not crazy to worry about the offense. But Marquette lost to SHU because of mediocre to bad defense. Full stop.
Marquette beat Creighton with good defense.
Quote from: MUfan12 on January 08, 2024, 10:09:13 AM
I'd add consistency on the defensive end.
Yup.
Scoopers not taking it one game at a time has hurt the team's focus.
I think shooting is the main culprit. It looks like we continue to get good looks.
Also, for whatever reason, we can trim a big lead to one possession, but can never get out in front. That happened at UW, PC, and SH.
Quote from: rocky_warrior on January 08, 2024, 11:02:58 AM
It's not crazy to worry about the offense. But Marquette lost to SHU because of mediocre to bad defense. Full stop.
Marquette beat Creighton with good defense.
Yup.
Spot on. After watching our defense drive Creighton crazy, I was expecting at least a solid defensive show of force at SH. Didn't happen.
Excellent points by MUfan12 and rocky about the D. Also, I agree with Goose about shooting; teams always look better when the shots go in.
And it's impossible to argue with this as the main culprit:
Quote from: cheebs09 on January 08, 2024, 11:18:24 AM
Scoopers not taking it one game at a time has hurt the team's focus.
Really good at home and really bad on the road.