James is a dude and is figuring out how to play the point guard position before our eyes. Some of his passes tonight were awesome. Manipulating the defense and the one guy who plays at his own pace on this team.
38 points, 8 assists, 1 turnover and 1 foul. In overtime. And drains three free throws to tie game. Freshman
Best game by MU player since.....
Back up the armored truck.
It's James... But, I want to vote for Chase Ross because of his defense.
1. Nigel
1a. The fans who watched
dumb
Quote from: jfp61 on January 19, 2026, 07:33:43 PMIt's James... But, I want to vote for Chase Ross because of his defense.
Quote from: jfp61 on January 19, 2026, 07:33:43 PMIt's James... But, I want to vote for Chase Ross because of his defense.
Yeah, but he was 5 for 14, missed a front end under two minutes, in overtime missed three wild shots, made three fouls, resulting in four points. Parham and Owens were above him in pecking order tonight
Quote from: #UnleashJosh on January 19, 2026, 07:35:38 PM1. Nigel
1a. The fans who watched
Why? That game was very entertaining. Two teams playing bad defense and fast offense.
Quote from: jfp61 on January 19, 2026, 07:33:43 PMIt's James... But, I want to vote for Chase Ross because of his defense.
Chase had steals, but his defense was really poor otherwise.
Nigel James.
I said on the discord that we only won that game because Chase Ross could foul out and Kim English could not.
No clue what Chase was thinking down the stretch. Just terrible decision making for a should be leader.
The youth is showing some things.
James
Chase was short on almost every shot in the second half
Quote from: Nukem2 on January 19, 2026, 07:38:44 PMChase had steals, but his defense was really poor otherwise.
Show me the player who played well on defense.
NJJ. Honorable mention DO for the steal late in regulation.
Most obvious choice in quite a while.
The best thing Ross did in the second half was foul out. Was hurting the team on both ends.
Quote from: wadesworld on January 19, 2026, 07:37:35 PMWhy? That game was very entertaining. Two teams playing bad defense and fast offense.
Very exciting low stakes basketball. I'll give you it was more fun than a pickle ball game
Quote from: jfp61 on January 19, 2026, 07:42:58 PMShow me the player who played well on defense.
IMO, Stevens did the best job on Sellers.
James certainly looks like the foundation of a rebuild. When was the last time a freshman at MU had a game like that one? I was hesitant to refer to him asa "grand slam," but I'll happily eat my words.
I am thinking . . . But I think Nigel James played pretty well tonight, lol. Go NJ!
Nigel, but shot out to the Western Reserve Bros.
Happy Damarius is getting actual PT now. Ceiling is niiice for him.
Quote from: DrJay24 on January 19, 2026, 07:57:00 PMThe best thing Ross did in the second half was foul out. Was hurting the team on both ends.
His performance has consistently dropped off at the end of close games this season. I'd guess it's mostly mental but probably physical too. I don't remember seeing him sub out in the 2nd half so he must've been exhausted.
Quote from: Nukem2 on January 19, 2026, 07:38:44 PMChase had steals, but his defense was really poor otherwise.
..
Ty, Nuke.
30+ as a freshman is Markus Howard.
Great game.
NJ, obviously.
Ben is doing so many things well and just cannot buy a jump shot.
Royce has been a lot better too.
Shaka for finally after 19 games getting the rotations right.
Super game by Nigel. And a fun game to watch for a change with the correct outcome!
Nobrainer NJ.
Quote from: jfp61 on January 19, 2026, 07:42:58 PMShow me the player who played well on defense.
Chase played poor positional defense against Sellers at key points down the stretch while they were in the bonus. Sent him to the line 3 or 4 times in the last threeish minutes of the game that gave them 8 points.
Chase was much better on the offensive end than defensive. And we don't win the game without him of course.
But Nigel James. Wow. Best freshman I recall in my 40 years of being an MU fan.
Quote from: panda on January 19, 2026, 08:18:59 PMShaka for finally after 19 games getting the rotations right.
yes...but was hopeful Clark would get a few, and Phillips a little more.
Quote from: Viper on January 19, 2026, 08:36:27 PMyes...but was hopeful Clark would get a few, and Phillips a little more.
Clark stinks
Making plans for Nigel
Chase Ross fouling out was a helpful development. Just a turnover machine in the 2nd half and beyond. Gave PU free points with his painfully dumb fouls.
Nigel James for SOTG
Honorable Mentions Many Players played well. Also in the 2 Conference games Marquette has Won so far Ben Gold has made the winning shot in both games.
Quote from: #UnleashJosh on January 19, 2026, 07:35:38 PM1. Nigel
1a. The fans who watched
There weren't many of us in there, but was a great watch tonight and fun inside Fiserv, at least for those that didn't leave when PC got the rebound with 12 seconds left in regulation.
Oh...and obviously NJ.
Quote from: tower912 on January 19, 2026, 08:18:06 PM30+ as a freshman is Markus Howard.
Great game.
38, 8 assists, 1 TO, 2 steals, 66.6% from 3 and 65% from 2. That's nuts.
NJ
NJ
Didn't cover, no SOTG
Quote from: brewcity77 on January 19, 2026, 10:47:12 PMThere weren't many of us in there, but was a great watch tonight and fun inside Fiserv, at least for those that didn't leave when PC got the rebound with 12 seconds left in regulation.
Again Nigel James for SOTG
Agree! Parts of the crowd stood many times in regulation. In overtime like the entire crowd stood most of the time.
NJJ
Quote from: DrJay24 on January 19, 2026, 07:57:00 PMThe best thing Ross did in the second half was foul out. Was hurting the team on both ends.
I'll say this about Ross, you can tell he cares and plays hard. He unfortunately is just way too inconsistent offensively to be "the man". He was much better as a highly athletic role player than he is as a guy trying to be one of the focus players on offense.
Quote from: GBPhoenix1993 on January 20, 2026, 05:33:26 AMI'll say this about Ross, you can tell he cares and plays hard. He unfortunately is just way too inconsistent offensively to be "the man". He was much better as a highly athletic role player than he is as a guy trying to be one of the focus players on offense.
That is true about all our upper classmen.
James.
Shame on me for missing that. Clearly, my senses weren't working overtime. Well played.
Nigel!
" Chase Ross fouling out was a helpful development. Just a turnover machine in the 2nd half and beyond. Gave PU free points with his painfully dumb fouls."
I advocated a few weeks ago that in order to develop the roster for next year Ross and Gold should lose minutes as younger players develop and show they can handle more.
In the not too distant future, NJ will hit the freshman wall. Probably AS, too. Hopefully, Sean recovers enough to play 15 mpg, because if he doesn't, then Tre and Chase will continue to split time at the point when NJjr goes out.
Anyway, great game from NJjr. Eight assists were awesome. Seeing Parham and Owens progress gives hope. 3 straight double digit games for DO. It would be nice if that were the new normal.
Quote from: GBPhoenix1993 on January 20, 2026, 05:33:26 AMI'll say this about Ross, you can tell he cares and plays hard. He unfortunately is just way too inconsistent offensively to be "the man". He was much better as a highly athletic role player than he is as a guy trying to be one of the focus players on offense.
Chase is best suited as a high energy 6th man. Alas, on this team he supposed to be the lead dog.
Quote from: tower912 on January 20, 2026, 07:55:17 AMIn the not too distant future, NJ will hit the freshman wall. Probably AS, too. Hopefully, Sean recovers enough to play 15 mpg, because if he doesn't, then Tre and Chase will continue to split time at the point when NJjr goes out.
Anyway, great game from NJjr. Eight assists were awesome. Seeing Parham and Owens progress gives hope. 3 straight double digit games for DO. It would be nice if that were the new normal.
Counterpoint: if Sean is well enough to play, we lose that game
Quote from: connie on January 19, 2026, 08:39:43 PMMaking plans for Nigel
Had to look it up.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/27/Making_Plans_for_Nigel.jpg)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s29RKnB7l7o
Quote from: Spaniel with a Short Tail on January 20, 2026, 08:43:35 AMHad to look it up.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/27/Making_Plans_for_Nigel.jpg)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s29RKnB7l7o
Uh, guys?
Quote from: ATL MU Warrior on July 16, 2024, 04:38:40 PMShaka and staff making plans for Nigel?
Welcome to MU
Quote from: TSmith34, Inc. on July 16, 2024, 07:06:04 PMShaka only wants what's best for him.
Quote from: BrewCity83 on July 18, 2024, 01:54:04 PMMU fans are in XTC!!
Quote from: jfp61 on January 19, 2026, 07:33:43 PMIt's James... But, I want to vote for Chase Ross because of his defense.
I liked Ross' defense, but I was glad at the end of the game that he fouled out, as he was taking over the ball down the stretch with bad results. His absence put the ball back in the James' hands where it belonged. I think if Ross did not foul out, we would have lost. And I have a personal rule that if I think it's good for the team if you foul out, you can't be the SOTG.
Quote from: TSmith34, Inc. on January 20, 2026, 08:26:04 AMChase is best suited as a high energy 6th man. Alas, on this team he supposed to be the lead dog.
Nah. He's a great 4th scoring option. Take on a tough defensive assignment, jump passing lanes and get out in transition, hit the open 3. Definitely a starter who should be defense first.
(https://media1.tenor.co/m/TXRLLvMY8mIAAAAC/leave-me-alone-farnsworth.gif)
Quote from: #UnleashJosh on January 19, 2026, 07:35:38 PM1. Nigel
1a. The fans who watched
I thought that was a really fun game to watch. It may not have been the highest quality game I've ever seen, but it was close and competitive, not the slog we've seen often this season.
Quote from: K1 Lover on January 19, 2026, 08:16:08 PMHis performance has consistently dropped off at the end of close games this season. I'd guess it's mostly mental but probably physical too. I don't remember seeing him sub out in the 2nd half so he must've been exhausted.
shots that are short usually indicate fatigue
worried about that when his two FTs both didnt clear the rim
Quote from: Badgerhater on January 20, 2026, 07:47:58 AM" Chase Ross fouling out was a helpful development. Just a turnover machine in the 2nd half and beyond. Gave PU free points with his painfully dumb fouls."
I advocated a few weeks ago that in order to develop the roster for next year Ross and Gold should lose minutes as younger players develop and show they can handle more.
Not a good message to send to the younger guys that if you come and play hard and are top 5 players on the team as seniors you'll be benched for he sake of the following season.
I do agree it'd be better for next year, but you just can't do that without losing all credibility as a coach.
If anyone wants another example of how incompetent the PR side is, still no mention of Nigel James setting the Marquette freshman record for points in a game last night with 38. Nice, easy chance to point out how one of Markus' all-time records was broken, something positive in this negative season, and Marquette is just ignoring it, I strongly suspect because no one there actually realized it.
Quote from: brewcity77 on January 20, 2026, 02:51:09 PMIf anyone wants another example of how incompetent the PR side is, still no mention of Nigel James setting the Marquette freshman record for points in a game last night with 38. Nice, easy chance to point out how one of Markus' all-time records was broken, something positive in this negative season, and Marquette is just ignoring it, I strongly suspect because no one there actually realized it.
Incompetent
and clueless. Maybe the thought process is that we have RGV merchandise in the Spirit Shop and that's enough. And yeah,
I know. that's not PR, but I think it helps makes my point. Hamilton isn't the only one in MUBB who keeps dropping the ball.
Quote from: brewcity77 on January 19, 2026, 10:47:12 PMThere weren't many of us in there, but was a great watch tonight and fun inside Fiserv, at least for those that didn't leave when PC got the rebound with 12 seconds left in regulation.
We couldn't believe that the two guys in front of us - who had dutifully watched the first 39+ minutes, even standing and cheering on several occasions - left with less than 30 seconds to go. Craziness!
Quote from: BM1090 on January 20, 2026, 01:43:12 PMNot a good message to send to the younger guys that if you come and play hard and are top 5 players on the team as seniors you'll be benched for he sake of the following season.
I do agree it'd be better for next year, but you just can't do that without losing all credibility as a coach.
Meh. NJ is moving past Ross and Gold is always beat up. If the younger players get better and take their minutes, that will RGV more within the underclassmen than "waiting your turn" for some seniors who never moved past role player.
Ironically, displacing these players with portal players also sends quite a message.
Quote from: MU82 on January 20, 2026, 05:02:24 PMWe couldn't believe that the two guys in front of us - who had dutifully watched the first 39+ minutes, even standing and cheering on several occasions - left with less than 30 seconds to go. Craziness!
A lot of people wanted to beat the traffic, I guess. Glad we stuck around to the
bitter sweet end.