This years team vs last years team

[Mr. Nielsen]

Spin it however. This time last season, MU lost to FSU in the Old Spice title game and then lost in the BC to NC State in the first Saturday in December.

[brewcity77]

I agree with most of the other posts.  I think the fact that we are not beating the cupcakes by as much is reliable indicator that right now this team is not as good as last years.

I don't know if it indicates they aren't as good, more that they aren't as experienced. The team's talent has been evident. They hammered PVAMU. They dominated Bucknell in the second half. They had big leads at halftime against Green Bay and South Dakota that seemed to indicate they would win by huge margins, but they didn't keep it up in the second half. Same thing with UW-M, where they had a huge early lead but let the Panthers creep back in.

I think most of that comes down to experience. The ability is there to decimate these teams, but when it comes to slamming the door shut, they just aren't doing it. Relying heavily on so many young guys is probably the reason. I think that the biggest positive is they are winning the games they need to win. Hopefully they will improve as the season goes on. We saw last year a team that struggled early in close games, but improved and won those games at the end of the year. This year's team has a problem putting together a consistent 40 minutes. As long as they improve on that by the end of the year, there's no reason they can't have as much or more success than last year's team.

[APieperFan3]

I don't know if it indicates they aren't as good, more that they aren't as experienced. The team's talent has been evident. They hammered PVAMU. They dominated Bucknell in the second half. They had big leads at halftime against Green Bay and South Dakota that seemed to indicate they would win by huge margins, but they didn't keep it up in the second half. Same thing with UW-M, where they had a huge early lead but let the Panthers creep back in.

I think most of that comes down to experience. The ability is there to decimate these teams, but when it comes to slamming the door shut, they just aren't doing it. Relying heavily on so many young guys is probably the reason. I think that the biggest positive is they are winning the games they need to win. Hopefully they will improve as the season goes on. We saw last year a team that struggled early in close games, but improved and won those games at the end of the year. This year's team has a problem putting together a consistent 40 minutes. As long as they improve on that by the end of the year, there's no reason they can't have as much or more success than last year's team.

VERY good analysis Brew...


We do rely on A LOT of young guys...but I don't want that to become an excuse when we lose close games.

Your last two sentences are SPOT ON! And Buzz preaches that in practice, etc...so as the season goes on, I'm hoping we can start to put together games where we play maybe 35-37 minutes of good bball....or is that asking too much?

[bilsu]

Buzz used the UW GB game to give Jones a lot of playing time, which was good for Jones. However, Jones did not do much and that is partially why game got closer in second half. Buzz is moving towards using less players. Of course he is being nudged that way by injuries to Fulce and Gardner. However, baring another injury or player improvemnet you will not see Smith or Jones getting any significant playing time. Williams will get time, because Fulce is out.