Basketball is still a big man’s game

[MU Avenue]

Like so many of our games this season, and last season, and in too many seasons before that, Saturday's loss to the University of Wisconsin at Madison spotlighted how badly Marquette needs a few big men who can make a difference.

Those big ol' boys playin' for the University of Wisconsin at Madison may not be the strongest, toughest or fastest players in collegiate basketball, but they were the difference in this MU loss.

I am baffled as to why Marquette is totally unable to woo similar players to a big-time program that competes at the highest level and plays and practices in mighty fine facilities.

This is not complicated. Marquette relies on too many small men in a big man's game.

[GGGG]

I was thinking the same thing during the game.  We make fun of the Nankivils, the Leuers and the red-headed dudes, but I would just take one of them...just one...

[4everwarriors]

Finally, someone who understands basketball.

[GGGG]

Well, the thing is, they are switchables.  Bo understands the same principal that Buzz uses and runs it to perfection.

[MerrittsMustache]

If Marquette would box out more often, it wouldn't matter how big their opponents are. Hayward was a generous 6'6" and he was an excellent rebounder. Position is far more important than size.

[4everwarriors]

 Position is far more important than size.



A good motto for most of us to live by.

[GGGG]

Some of us have to....

[ChicosBailBonds]

Position is far more important than size.



A good motto for most of us to live by.

On this we agree and Dakich stated the same thing.  Size is great, but ND isn't bigger than UW but beat them.  UNLV isn't bigger than UW, but beat them.  We just flat out lack fundamentals and desire on some of this stuff.

Bo's team deserved this win.  I won't say they destroyed us like I was worried about last week, but damn close.  They led basically the whole game and other than them pissing their pants in the last 2 minutes, this game wasn't close.  The refs kept us in the game, we had home court advantage against arguably one of the worst Becky teams this decade but it mattered not.  The Big East starts in two weeks and we have a LONG way to go.

Who is going to step up and be the leader? 

[MU Avenue]

There are plenty of examples in which a team with more height and better big men loses to a smaller team. And it is not unheard of for the shorter team to outrebounding the taller.

All in all, however, basketball is still a big man's game. It is that simple.

Marquette basketball for much too long has lacked big men who have brought much to the court on a consistent basis. Does anyone disagree?

Sure, our guys could box out better and show more grit and determination under the hoop. But all the grit and determination on the planet is typically not better than a few big guys who can score, rebound, intimidate and block some shots.

The mystery remains: What has happened that Marquette cannot land big men? Other teams have had outstanding guards, too, yet they seem to do pretty well attracting big men.

Why not us?

[brewcity77]

The refs kept us in the game, we had home court advantage against arguably one of the worst Becky teams this decade but it mattered not.

Maybe not the place, but I'm curious about that one. It seemed to me that there were a number of traveling violations that should have been called on Bucky and weren't, and at least twice they stepped on the line but were allowed to keep possession. In general, the reffing didn't seem too bad to me, but it seemed that the Badgers were allowed more steps than us on quite a few occasions, I'd say at least 4-6.

[MerrittsMustache]

On this we agree and Dakich stated the same thing.  Size is great, but ND isn't bigger than UW but beat them.  UNLV isn't bigger than UW, but beat them.  We just flat out lack fundamentals and desire on some of this stuff.

Bo's team deserved this win.  I won't say they destroyed us like I was worried about last week, but damn close.  They led basically the whole game and other than them pissing their pants in the last 2 minutes, this game wasn't close.  The refs kept us in the game, we had home court advantage against arguably one of the worst Becky teams this decade but it mattered not.  The Big East starts in two weeks and we have a LONG way to go.

Who is going to step up and be the leader? 

The refs kept us in the game? Really, Chicos? That's a pretty weak attempt to create some controversy. Even for you.

But since you brought up the refs...the officiating in the game was awful. It didn't necessarily favor either team or give either team a significant advantage but it was incredibly inconsistent. One possession a guy would drive and get hacked by 2-3 guys, no call. Next time down the court, a touch foul 30 feet from the basket. Anyone who has ever played the game will tell you that inconsistent officiating is the worst. If they're calling it tight or "letting them play," like it or not you can adjust to it. When you don't know what they're going to call, it makes things very tough and very confusing and often leads to an ugly game.

People keep saying that this team needs a leader but that's a bunch of crap. Jimmy Butler could be General Patton out there and it's not going to change the fact that opponents can clog the lane because MU can't shoot from the perimeter.

[Rockmic87]

Switchables means I can't/wasn't successful in recruiting a big man to the program, so instead I will force SF to play the 4 and 5 position!

[4everwarriors]

Switchables means I can't/wasn't successful in recruiting a big man to the program, so instead I will force SF to play the 4 and 5 position!

Truer than we ever imagined.

[ATWizJr]

If Marquette would box out more often, it wouldn't matter how big their opponents are. Hayward was a generous 6'6" and he was an excellent rebounder. Position is far more important than size.

Correct.  It's not how tall you are, it's how tall you play.  Box out, guys!

[JustinLewisFanClubPres]

If Marquette would box out more often, it wouldn't matter how big their opponents are. Hayward was a generous 6'6" and he was an excellent rebounder. Position is far more important than size.

ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding. 

put your a$$$$ in someone.  stop anticipating fouls.  know what to do with the ball when it gets into your hands.   

[ChicosBailBonds]

The refs kept us in the game? Really, Chicos? That's a pretty weak attempt to create some controversy. Even for you.

But since you brought up the refs...the officiating in the game was awful. It didn't necessarily favor either team or give either team a significant advantage but it was incredibly inconsistent. One possession a guy would drive and get hacked by 2-3 guys, no call. Next time down the court, a touch foul 30 feet from the basket. Anyone who has ever played the game will tell you that inconsistent officiating is the worst. If they're calling it tight or "letting them play," like it or not you can adjust to it. When you don't know what they're going to call, it makes things very tough and very confusing and often leads to an ugly game.

People keep saying that this team needs a leader but that's a bunch of crap. Jimmy Butler could be General Patton out there and it's not going to change the fact that opponents can clog the lane because MU can't shoot from the perimeter.

At LEAST 3 other posters have said the same thing about the refs benefiting us but you focus on me saying it.

Classic.

In my opinion we were bailed out on a few calls in which Becky got called for a block, etc...Dakich pointed out 3 or 4 that come to mind.  But that's ok, focus on me saying it....only proves my point.

[chren21]

At LEAST 3 other posters have said the same thing about the refs benefiting us but you focus on me saying it. In my opinion we were bailed out on a few calls in which Becky got called for a block, etc...Dakich pointed out 3 or 4 that come to mind.  But that's ok, focus on me saying it....only proves my point.

Who cares if someone called you out.  The refs were horrible in the first half.  Teddy V made some terrible calls on MU early and then it seemed to even out with the phantom calls we got later.  I agree they were not consistent.  It did not effect the outcome of the game at all though cause we were terrible. 

Rebounding is all effort and coaching, bottom line.  Very seldom will a long or akward rebound fall in the hands of the offense if all 5 have proper box out position. 

[willie warrior]

The refs were a problem blowing some obvious calls--like when Butler went up for a shot and the lurch's arms slammed him--that was a foul. Another obvious miss was when a UW guy walked through the lane with the ball and was not called. We did get more calls however.

[MerrittsMustache]

At LEAST 3 other posters have said the same thing about the refs benefiting us but you focus on me saying it.

Classic.

In my opinion we were bailed out on a few calls in which Becky got called for a block, etc...Dakich pointed out 3 or 4 that come to mind.  But that's ok, focus on me saying it....only proves my point.

I didn't see anyone else say it so I didn't respond to anyone else. Keep thinking that the MUScoop world is out to get you though.

[augoman]

the refs DID suck, but it was their inconsistency that was the worst.  A carry is a carry no matter whom has the ball.  Same with a walk, a charge, etc., but some were called and some weren't. 
Back to the point- we didn't block out- no one blocked out.  Should be a teachable thing- what I referred to as not so much skilled as 'smart' in the past.

[ChicosBailBonds]

I didn't see anyone else say it so I didn't respond to anyone else. Keep thinking that the MUScoop world is out to get you though.

Nope, just the same 5 clowns