Greater than the sum of its parts?

[jesmu84]

Do people believe this team is playing only to its individual talents?

Or is it playing greater than the individual talents?

How much effect on the results is coaching/strategy having?

While we do have a solid lineup and past season statistics plus recruiting rankings/high school talent says we should be a good team, I believe we are absolutely playing beyond the individual talent

[GooooMarquette]

Do people believe this team is playing only to its individual talents?

Or is it playing greater than the individual talents?

How much effect on the results is coaching/strategy having?

While we do have a solid lineup and past season statistics plus recruiting rankings/high school talent says we should be a good team, I believe we are absolutely playing beyond the individual talent

The word I think of is chemistry. These guys certainly play well as a unit, as exemplified by some amazing passing and great help on defense. Probably helps that we have lots of experience, and two guys who have played a lifetime together....

[warriorchick]

Like Wojo said, the best thing about the team is the team.

[NickelDimer]

Way beyond individual talents. This team has great chemistry and mental toughness. They also really understand how to adjust to the flow of each game. And Wojo has been incredible. Today's defensive gameplan is a great example. This team has the makings of a deep tourney run team

[brewcity77]

Can it be both? I think we have legit talent. Markus is a stud, the Hauser boys are great college players, and guys like John & Anim have developed phenomenally well. But much of that is because of the coaching staff getting the players to that point, and putting the right pieces together in the right places.

[Jockey]

Can it be both? I think we have legit talent. Markus is a stud, the Hauser boys are great college players, and guys like John & Anim have developed phenomenally well. But much of that is because of the coaching staff getting the players to that point, and putting the right pieces together in the right places.

Yes. I have thought this team has a great combination of talent and chemistry since early in the season.

[Class71]

Yes, better than its parts. Real team effort that is not reliant on one two or three players. Wonderful team to watch.

[Cheeks]

All I can say is this has been one fun season and I hope an injury to Markus or someone else doesn't make it go sour.  What an enjoyable team, enjoyable style / brand of hoops this year. 

Had a blast watching from 2000 miles away, but also the Nova game in person and through my oldest's eyes as a student....they are undefeated when he has attended...he missed St John's game

[muwarrior69]

Markus + Sam + Sacar + Theo + Joey = Golden
Matt + Brendon + Ed + Jamal + Joe = Eagles
Golden + Eagles = Warriors

I took Team Calculus in school.

[jesmu84]

It seems, from the responses thus far, that we are succeeding beyond the individual talent level. But most believe that it's due to the chemistry between the players themselves.

Does anyone think the success is due to the coach/staff? Or would we be at the same place with any other staff?

[The Sultan]

Of course it's due to the coach and staff.  They've developed these guys both as players and as a team.  But I think it is also due to Markus as a leader.  Jim Jackson mentioned it repeatedly on the broadcast, basically saying that his teammates are OK when he explodes offensively because he is so unselfish as a leader.

Yeah it has taken awhile for Wojo to get to this place, but this is what he has been aiming toward.  Any doubts that this guy can coach should be dead and buried at this point.

[Herman Cain]

The coaching staff has recruited an excellent line up of players. So huge kudos there.

Right now 5 kids have , for the most part ,played up to their potential this season . That would be Markus, Sam , Theo , Sacar and Joey. There have been important contributions from others at times. I think by definition when a team has a record like we do this year the whole is playing greater than the sum of the parts.

[Goose]

I believe playing well above the talent level, but making it look somewhat easy. I am going to enjoy the ride and hopes it last well into March. This likely will be an off season that I will be very uncertain about next year. If they did play above talent level, not sure that can be expected next season. Frankly, most everything has fell into place season. Very happy to see that have taken advantage of all chances.

[mu03eng]

It seems, from the responses thus far, that we are succeeding beyond the individual talent level. But most believe that it's due to the chemistry between the players themselves.

Does anyone think the success is due to the coach/staff? Or would we be at the same place with any other staff?

While I don't think you can itemize why the team is as good as it is, the coaching staff is no doubt at least partially responsible for the results this season. Just looking at the game planning, half time adjustments (which Scoop thought Wojo was atrocious at in previous seasons), and ATO plays this stuff has coached it's butt off. Further, whether it's Wojo himself or someone like Johnson or Nelson making personnel recommendations in game has been tremendous this season and responsible for a couple of wins alone. Wojo's ability to find the hot hand (whether offense or defense) and then ride it (ala Bailey in the Georgetown game) has been remarkable.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Wojo and co so far has made the team greater than the sum of its parts...but only by a little bit. Preseason I thought we were a 15-25 type team and now we are a 10-20 type team. That's not a knock on Wojo, the higher the expectations for the team, the harder it is to exceed those expectations. So far, he is exceeding. Still a lot of games left to either build, maintain, or fall on.