Here's how we win both games this round....

[duanewade]

1) No easy baskets!  Much like the NBA Playoffs where the lane becomes unsafe come playoff time we need to play more physical!  When in doubt send the player to the line and force them to make two free throws instead of an easy dunk or layup. 

Against DePaul in Chicago I watched on three separate occasions in the 2nd half where a DePaul player got an offensive rebound, regrouped himself and went up for a layup or dunk with two Marquette defenders around him.  One time the DePaul player even went up for an embarrassing reverse facial jam!    This cannot happen if we want a chance to win today and Saturday. 

2) We need five players in double figures.  Lewis and Morsell are givens which means we need three other players to step up and give us at least ten points each.  Most likely candidates are Jones, Kolek and Prosper, however the madness in March means don't be surprised if someone unexpected has a big game for us. 

3) Oso is a very intelligent person but he hasn't played very smart the last month.  I've seen him play in pickup games where he hits threes and blows by guys for dunks.  However all he gives us lately is a couple dunks or tear drops while dropping a couple passes that would have led to dunks but instead result in turnovers.  I'm challenging Oso to up his game for the tournament as I think he has it in him.  I don't think Kur has another gear in his game but hope he plays like good Kur and not bad Kur. 

In summary we need 14 combined points from Oso and Kur along with 10 combined rebounds. 

4) Finally value the ball!  In the 2nd half of DePaul in Chicago we twice had a chance to break open the game in the early 2nd half with a 8 or 9 point lead and force DePaul to call a timeout.  Instead we had two empty possessions with the last one being a Morsell behind the head lob to Kur Kuath that was intercepted as we went to the well too many times. 

Some turnovers are inevitable as we have to be aggressive and not play timid but at the same time we need to play smarter too.  Let's try to get a shot at the basket on every possession.  Less turnovers also means our defense is better setup which hinders the opponent from going on runs. 

Keep the game simple!  Play smart!  Go Marquette! 

[NCMUFan]

This is the time when we need Doc Rivers, Bo Ellis, Dwyane Wade and Wesley Matthews to give pregame motivational speeches.

[MU82]

This is the time when we need Doc Rivers, Bo Ellis, Dwyane duane wade and Wesley Matthews to give pregame motivational speeches.

[WhiteTrash]

The NCAA is always screwing MU. Now we have to win 2 games in the First Round?

[BCHoopster]

1) No easy baskets!  Much like the NBA Playoffs where the lane becomes unsafe come playoff time we need to play more physical!  When in doubt send the player to the line and force them to make two free throws instead of an easy dunk or layup. 

Against DePaul in Chicago I watched on three separate occasions in the 2nd half where a DePaul player got an offensive rebound, regrouped himself and went up for a layup or dunk with two Marquette defenders around him.  One time the DePaul player even went up for an embarrassing reverse facial jam!    This cannot happen if we want a chance to win today and Saturday. 

2) We need five players in double figures.  Lewis and Morsell are givens which means we need three other players to step up and give us at least ten points each.  Most likely candidates are Jones, Kolek and Prosper, however the madness in March means don't be surprised if someone unexpected has a big game for us. 

3) Oso is a very intelligent person but he hasn't played very smart the last month.  I've seen him play in pickup games where he hits threes and blows by guys for dunks.  However all he gives us lately is a couple dunks or tear drops while dropping a couple passes that would have led to dunks but instead result in turnovers.  I'm challenging Oso to up his game for the tournament as I think he has it in him.  I don't think Kur has another gear in his game but hope he plays like good Kur and not bad Kur. 

In summary we need 14 combined points from Oso and Kur along with 10 combined rebounds. 

4) Finally value the ball!  In the 2nd half of DePaul in Chicago we twice had a chance to break open the game in the early 2nd half with a 8 or 9 point lead and force DePaul to call a timeout.  Instead we had two empty possessions with the last one being a Morsell behind the head lob to Kur Kuath that was intercepted as we went to the well too many times. 

Some turnovers are inevitable as we have to be aggressive and not play timid but at the same time we need to play smarter too.  Let's try to get a shot at the basket on every possession.  Less turnovers also means our defense is better setup which hinders the opponent from going on runs. 

Keep the game simple!  Play smart!  Go Marquette! 

.

You have seen Oso shot the ball, shocking since I have not seen one outside shot or jump shot all year.  If he can shot that, then Shaka has done a poor job of coaching!

[duanewade]

How we lost....
Only two players in double digits vs. the five we needed.
Oso and Kur - 14 points (good), only 7 rebounds (needed at least ten) and didn't protect the paint... too many easy baskets allowed.
As a team 36% from the field and 26% from three.  Worse yet our best scoring option goes 2/15 and is shut out in the first half. 
Did ok on turnovers.

Very disappointing end to a promising season.  I knew the UConn game on the road would be critical and tell us a lot about the makeup and temerity of this team.  Unfortunately all the provided answers that came out of that game weren't the ones we were hoping for. 

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