Sh1t show, squared

[Class71]

4 seed would be basically 13-16 and 5 seed 17-20 if it perfectly aligned with rankings. I read somewhere they dropped to 14 in Kenpom already. I thought they'd finish around 4th in the league before the year started. Was gladly thinking I was wrong watching them play well in Hawaii, but since then I don't think they have looked that great. I can see 6-7 more losses in the conference unless they find some 3 point shooting and Kam, Tyler and Oso all have good nights at the same time on a regular basis - and that has not happened much this season.

MU is currently 15

[Shooter McGavin]

rgoode

I think it comes down to moving the ball. Kolek has to have ball in his hands if this team wants to win big. Sean Jones dribbles way too much and then everyone else follows suit. The UW game and last night reminded me of Feb of Shaka's first season. I thought Lewis and Morsel hung onto the ball way too much and it broke the team style of play. It is time for the big three to play team ball and not showcase their individual skills.

Agree Goose.

[frozena pizza]

Not at all surprised that we lost but was shocked at how we were dominated. Two very poor performances in a row by this team and Shaka. Hopefully they can figure it out on Friday and then get a win against Creighton. Not having Stevie definitely makes a difference but I don't think having him last night would have changed the result.

[MUfan12]

It felt worse in real time... but that was not a bad defensive performance. PC was only at 1 PPP. The offense was so abysmal every bucket they gave up felt big.

[MU82]

Two true road games, were dominated in both.

Good thing we will play zero true road games in the NCAA tournament. I like our chances if we play the way we did in our neutral court games.

Also, as others pointed out, we won at Illinois.

This is not me saying everything is hunky-dory. Just not a big enough sample size for me to get too riled up yet.

[Goose]

82

Only concern to me is that they have played two very bad games thus far. As I mentioned a couple of times, I do think playing this many tough opponents does take a toll and getting up for every game is not easy. Anyone that does not think that this team is better than last year is using tunnel vision on the clunkers or don't want to be disappointed. There is so much basketball left, and I think they figure it out. If not, it will be a very big missed opportunity because this team has talent.

MU has the exact record I thought they would right now and thought they would lose last night going into the season. The good MU is extremely good, and the bad MU is not very good at all. Again, there is still 19 games left and plenty of time to figure things out.

[MU82]

82

Only concern to me is that they have played two very bad games thus far. As I mentioned a couple of times, I do think playing this many tough opponents does take a toll and getting up for every game is not easy. Anyone that does not think that this team is better than last year is using tunnel vision on the clunkers or don't want to be disappointed. There is so much basketball left, and I think they figure it out. If not, it will be a very big missed opportunity because this team has talent.

MU has the exact record I thought they would right now and thought they would lose last night going into the season. The good MU is extremely good, and the bad MU is not very good at all. Again, there is still 19 games left and plenty of time to figure things out.

Agree with all of that.

I understand folks looking at our road performances at Madison and the Dunk and being disappointed/frustrated/concerned. But we've also played pretty darn well for long stretches on neutral courts and at home.

I'm actually excited to see how the team bounces back from this.

[HutchwasClutch]

Good thing we will play zero true road games in the NCAA tournament. I like our chances if we play the way we did in our neutral court games.

Also, as others pointed out, we won at Illinois.

This is not me saying everything is hunky-dory. Just not a big enough sample size for me to get too riled up yet.

Yes, my bad forgetting Illinois win. 

I'm not riled up either, but bothered they weren't just losses, but thorough beat downs the games were essentially over at halftime. 

Teams are coming for them this year after winning conference last year and a high national ranking (for now).  They're the hunted now, especially in road games, unlike last year.  They seem to play better in the underdog role.  We'll see if they can adjust and get it right.  Lots of season left. 

[Mu92]

When we're cold from 3 and our guards are getting denied at the rim by athletic bigs, how do we score? Can Sean jones develop a floater/tear drop? Can Mitchel and Ross pull up from 8 feet after they beat their man?  Can we run plays/set screens to get Joplin open looks from 3? 

[tower912]

You have been watching Shaka, MU and Nevada's offense for 2.5 seasons.  What specific plays have you seen to get a specific player either an open corner 3 or a lay up?  I can think of two.   (Not counting alley oops to Amadou)

[Mu92]

So has every other coach in America. Maybe it's time to make a few adjustments.

[tower912]

How many plays did Villanova run under Wright?   Not many.  Concepts.  That is kind of where MU is.  Running motion, screen and rolls, ghost screens, giving it to Oso, hand offs.  Hit 3's had a normal clip, and it seems unstoppable.   Shoot like crap and every offense looks bad.

[Mu92]

You are right. We don't need plays. But Joplin needs to get more open threes in the flow of the offense.  Mitchel, Sean jones and Ross need to find other ways to score when there is an effective rim protector. Or drive and dish.

[tower912]

Joplin needs a quicker release.

[Jay Bee]

Joplin needs a quicker release.

TMI

Also, we can't let the tommies shoot an all works efg%

[ATWizJr]

Not that we shouldn't easily defeat Georgetown, but alarm bells are sounding.

[mileskishnish72]

Not that we shouldn't easily defeat Georgetown, but alarm bells are sounding.

We'll see what we go New Year's Eve Eve.

[Daniel]

Must play Kolek as the one and let the offense be controlled by him.   No more off the ball stuff.   The offense stagnates when he is not the guy, and generally flows well with him at the point.   So..... and we need Stevie back.   

[Jay Bee]

Can't wait to beat Georgetown by 34 and have the board scream "we're back! It's all fixed!!"

[tower912]

It is a fascinating character study.

[Newsdreams]

Can't wait to beat Georgetown by 34 and have the board scream "we're back! It's all fixed!!"

Truly

[panda]

Can't wait to beat Georgetown by 34 and have the board scream "we're back! It's all fixed!!"

Would happen everytime during the later Wojo years. Typical goofs on this board "See I told you Brendan Bailey could perform at this level!"

[oilcan]

The way I see it is we have a situation here where we can't execute effectively in our press or in our offense. Perhaps in a change determined by our opponent. On defense, neither Tyler nor Jones can shake down a talented guard bringing the ball up the court after a missed shot and a rebound. Some people said that Stevie was a great defender but he couldn't shoot so bring him off the bench. Because we don't need the scoring. We're good. Well I for one can see his value.

On offense it's a different story. If Marquette gets a rebound and pushes it they can be downright electrifying. They put the G in giggity go. It's even fun to see Oso bringing the ball up the court. But now in the half court if Oso doesn't get into a flow early and makes his short floaters and Tyler isn't dropping left handed lay ups the offense gets nervous. Mighty nervous because then everyone is hoping Kam can make a big shot and everyone can breathe a sigh of relief.

Right now, the way things are happening, it's as some of you have said, people are over dribbling and praying for circus shots to fall. And hope for a plus one. It hasn't worked.

This will turn around. Marquette will beat Georgetown and on Monday they will drop in the polls from six to ten, I'm guessing. And then the team will understand once again what effort is necessary to compete. And some of the focus on the three, the triangle will resurface again.

[Newsdreams]

Not reading a short story