Rollin’ Rock

[MU82]

Nigel James is gonna be a star.

Also nice games for Royce, Ben, Chase and Adrien, with several others chipping in, too.

Chase with Dunk of the Year so far. Took off from just inside FT line and BAN!

Really solid game all-around for Gold, as we've come to expect.

Stevens is such a fundamentally sound defender. Stays in front of his man. Takes only calculated gambles. 5 steals tonight. Didn't take long for him to pass D.O. in the pecking order.

Tre struggled with the ball some when he had to play PG, but he had some good moments tonight.

That was the Parham we want to see. Patient, determined, hit a couple open threes, battled on the boards.

D.O. looks a little lost out there - nice to see him swish a late 3 for his confidence.

Here's hoping Sean isn't out too long - we need him to give us a spark and to give Nigel some rest.

UALR sucks ... and that's OK. We did what a good team is supposed to do against a bad team.

We Are Marquette! Bring on Buzz!

[Jockey]

By his junior year, Stevens will be Morsell.

[JTJ3]

By his junior year, Stevens will be Morsell.

With a 3pt shot

[Newsdreams]

With a 3pt shot

Morsell was a transfer, Stevens is not, he sucks

[mug644]

Well done MU82.

Overall, a good bounce back from the IU debacle. Glad to see Nigel maintain his momentum. Chase is the rock and hub of the team, to be sure. Stevens brings such energy on the defense. Royce looking driven.

Owens continues to be...I don't know how to describe it...flustered? rushed? Anyway, that 3 at the end will hopefully spur him on.

FWIW, I don't feel like this game helped to define or clarify roles at all, especially with Jones out. Still so many different lineups, I think more exploring is being done. And that's fine, except another important game comes on Saturday. Hopefully Shaka uses the rest of the week to get guys to feel more comfortable in the ways they can most help the team.

[Newsdreams]

Well done MU82.

Overall, a good bounce back from the IU debacle. Glad to see Nigel maintain his momentum. Chase is the rock and hub of the team, to be sure. Stevens brings such energy on the defense. Royce looking driven.

Owens continues to be...I don't know how to describe it...flustered? rushed? Anyway, that 3 at the end will hopefully spur him on.

FWIW, I don't feel like this game helped to define or clarify roles at all, especially with Jones out. Still so many different lineups, I think more exploring is being done. And that's fine, except another important game comes on Saturday. Hopefully Shaka uses the rest of the week to get guys to feel more comfortable in the ways they can most help the team.

MU sucks

[DoctorV]

Well done MU82.

Overall, a good bounce back from the IU debacle. Glad to see Nigel maintain his momentum. Chase is the rock and hub of the team, to be sure. Stevens brings such energy on the defense. Royce looking driven.

Owens continues to be...I don't know how to describe it...flustered? rushed? Anyway, that 3 at the end will hopefully spur him on.

FWIW, I don't feel like this game helped to define or clarify roles at all, especially with Jones out. Still so many different lineups, I think more exploring is being done. And that's fine, except another important game comes on Saturday. Hopefully Shaka uses the rest of the week to get guys to feel more comfortable in the ways they can most help the team.

Although Shaka tinkered with lineups, I thought things became quite a bit more clear after tonight.

The lineup of
Nigel James Jr
Zaide Lowery/Adrien Stevens
Chase Ross
Royce Parham
Ben Gold
will likely be the best Marquette has this season.

Two freshmen, so there will be ups and downs. Hopefully SJ22's injury is minor because Nigel will have some bad games against tough teams in difficult environments and get into foul trouble.
He's definitely going to be a star though, so let's not get after him when he has the 5 TO game that he will have at some point. Man does he thread the needing with the dribble. Exciting to watch, but against elite and long defenders he will get swiped, and then he will adjust, learn, and figure out when he can and can't take the risks.

Stevens is awesome. I agree with Muggsys take that he was one of the best players tonight. Very cerebral, elite defensively, athletic, makes the right play, and has a good looking shot. Zaide will have some excellent games too, but between Nigel/SJ at the 1, Zaide/Stevens at the 2, and Chase at the 3 we are in good shape at the guard spots.

That NJJr/Adrien Stevens combo will play dividends for Shaka and Marquette fans for years to come. That's the most exciting part of this young season.

After the above mentioned 6 guys the rest have work to do to prove they deserve minutes. The raw talent is obvious in some cases (DO, Clark, PhillipsII), the need for depth others (SJ22/Norman at pg, Caedin at the 4/5). It's up to them to force their way into more minutes, but I would be pretty surprised if the above 6 aren't getting the most minutes come stiffer competition.

[BM1090]

Well done MU82.

Overall, a good bounce back from the IU debacle. Glad to see Nigel maintain his momentum. Chase is the rock and hub of the team, to be sure. Stevens brings such energy on the defense. Royce looking driven.

Owens continues to be...I don't know how to describe it...flustered? rushed? Anyway, that 3 at the end will hopefully spur him on.

FWIW, I don't feel like this game helped to define or clarify roles at all, especially with Jones out. Still so many different lineups, I think more exploring is being done. And that's fine, except another important game comes on Saturday. Hopefully Shaka uses the rest of the week to get guys to feel more comfortable in the ways they can most help the team.

I actually disagree with the last paragragh. I think a clear top 7 is forming when Sean is healthy. James, Ross, Lowery, Gold, Stevens, Parham, Jones. One of Hamilton or Clark. Just need one more guard/wing to rise to the occasion and we've got the 9 who will be in the primary rotation.

edit: Dr. V beat me to it

[MuggsyB]

By his junior year, Stevens will be Morsell.

Interesting comp. 

[mug644]

DoctorV and BM1090 add much more depth to my initial thoughts, and I can't really disagree. Most, I agree with the idea that a top 6-7 seems to be emerging. Part of my point, though, is about particular roles. In the aftermath of the IU game, I commented that players' roles this season are not as clear as they've been in the past, and that that may slow "development" as the season goes on. So, while I agree that tonight might help determine who will be key players, I'm not as convinced that it helped show (at least to us outsiders) who will play what role.

[brewcity77]

• NJ should start from here on out. And by "on out" I mean until April 2029.
• Ben Gold has been really good this year. Great on the defensive glass, solid defense, increased efficiency and usage.
• Chase is so much fun. He's reminding me of the Matrix scene where Morpheus says "he's starting to believe." We've been seeing flashes for 3+ years, now we're seeing the potential realized.
• Tighter rotations and they seem to be figuring out their best 5-8 players.
• Fetch isn't happening. On the plus side, Parham looked ready to step into starter minutes.
• We're all going to love Adrian for the next few years.
• What I most love about NJ are the mistakes. His turnovers come because he sees a pass but isn't quite there skillwise yet. TK did the same early on. Really excited to see him grow up.
• Little Rock really misses KK Robinson. I feel bad for them, they've got some talent.
• Most notably Terrion Burgess. You could see why the kid was once a 5-star recruit. My guess is he won't be there long.

[MuggsyB]

Although Shaka tinkered with lineups, I thought things became quite a bit more clear after tonight.

The lineup of
Nigel James Jr
Zaide Lowery/Adrien Stevens
Chase Ross
Royce Parham
Ben Gold
will likely be the best Marquette has this season.

Two freshmen, so there will be ups and downs. Hopefully SJ22's injury is minor because Nigel will have some bad games against tough teams in difficult environments and get into foul trouble.
He's definitely going to be a star though, so let's not get after him when he has the 5 TO game that he will have at some point. Man does he thread the needing with the dribble. Exciting to watch, but against elite and long defenders he will get swiped, and then he will adjust, learn, and figure out when he can and can't take the risks.

Stevens is awesome. I agree with Muggsys take that he was one of the best players tonight. Very cerebral, elite defensively, athletic, makes the right play, and has a good looking shot. Zaide will have some excellent games too, but between Nigel/SJ at the 1, Zaide/Stevens at the 2, and Chase at the 3 we are in good shape at the guard spots.

That NJJr/Adrien Stevens combo will play dividends for Shaka and Marquette fans for years to come. That's the most exciting part of this young season.

After the above mentioned 6 guys the rest have work to do to prove they deserve minutes. The raw talent is obvious in some cases (DO, Clark, PhillipsII), the need for depth others (SJ22/Norman at pg, Caedin at the 4/5). It's up to them to force their way into more minutes, but I would be pretty surprised if the above 6 aren't getting the most minutes come stiffer competition.

Dr.V,

Would you consider a 4 guard line-up with Ben or Parham for stretches?  I'm a little iffy on Hamilton and don't really understand why he and Ben play together. 

[brewcity77]

Not Dr V, but would have to be situational where it's either a short opposing lineup or where Chase/Zaide were strong enough to defend the opposing 4. Probably best used as a short-term chaos lineup.

[MuggsyB]

Not Dr V, but would have to be situational where it's either a short opposing lineup or where Chase/Zaide were strong enough to defend the opposing 4. Probably best used as a short-term chaos lineup.

That's fair Brew.  Zaide is a good rebounder.  I'm a little concerned with our interior D and glass cleaning. 

[MuggsyB]

I'm also pretty dumbfounded by Owens and Norman.

[DoctorV]

Dr.V,

Would you consider a 4 guard line-up with Ben or Parham for stretches?  I'm a little iffy on Hamilton and don't really understand why he and Ben play together. 

Sure. I'd like to see spurts of
Nigel, Adrien, Zaide, Chase, Ben/Royce.
I'd also like to see Nigel and Sean Jones in the same backcourt when SJ22 is healthy again, simply because I'd like Nigel to stay healthy and play a ton of minutes if he keeps playing like this.

In another wrinkle, you could go with Nigel, Adrien/Zaide, Chase, Ben at the 4, and Clark at the 5. Id like to see Clark on at the same time as those other starters to see what he can do, because if he can just hold his own defensively and rebound alongside Benny then that may be something to press when the competition gets bigger/taller in the BE.

I do think that when Caedin is replaced in the starting lineup it'll be Royce that takes his spot there though. They will need the height during conference play, so the 4 guard lineup won't be as common.

On an interesting note, and this is just my opinion but I think it tracks:
It seems as if Shaka is making more of a concerted effort to not overuse guys early this season.
I think he feels like his studs lost steam down the stretch last year, and he doesn't want to overuse them early this year.
Chase is a prime example.
It's clear that he should play all the time, and when the tougher competition comes along I'd bet he get several 35+ minute games, but it seems like Shaka is conserving him early on.
Probably a smart move, pun intended

[MuggsyB]

Sure. I'd like to see spurts of
Nigel, Adrien, Zaide, Chase, Ben/Royce.
I'd also like to see Nigel and Sean Jones in the same backcourt when SJ22 is healthy again, simply because I'd like Nigel to stay healthy and play a ton of minutes if he keeps playing like this.

In another wrinkle, you could go with Nigel, Adrien/Zaide, Chase, Ben at the 4, and Clark at the 5. Id like to see Clark on at the same time as those other starters to see what he can do, because if he can just hold his own defensively and rebound alongside Benny then that may be something to press when the competition gets bigger/taller in the BE.

I do think that when Caedin is replaced in the starting lineup it'll be Royce that takes his spot there though. They will need the height during conference play, so the 4 guard lineup won't be as common.

On an interesting note, and this is just my opinion but I think it tracks:
It seems as if Shaka is making more of a concerted effort to not overuse guys early this season.
I think he feels like his studs lost steam down the stretch last year, and he doesn't want to overuse them early this year.
Chase is a prime example.
It's clear that he should play all the time, and when the tougher competition comes along I'd bet he get several 35+ minute games, but it seems like Shaka is conserving him early on.
Probably a smart move, pun intended

Sure. I'd like to see spurts of
Nigel, Adrien, Zaide, Chase, Ben/Royce.
I'd also like to see Nigel and Sean Jones in the same backcourt when SJ22 is healthy again, simply because I'd like Nigel to stay healthy and play a ton of minutes if he keeps playing like this.

In another wrinkle, you could go with Nigel, Adrien/Zaide, Chase, Ben at the 4, and Clark at the 5. Id like to see Clark on at the same time as those other starters to see what he can do, because if he can just hold his own defensively and rebound alongside Benny then that may be something to press when the competition gets bigger/taller in the BE.

I do think that when Caedin is replaced in the starting lineup it'll be Royce that takes his spot there though. They will need the height during conference play, so the 4 guard lineup won't be as common.

On an interesting note, and this is just my opinion but I think it tracks:
It seems as if Shaka is making more of a concerted effort to not overuse guys early this season.
I think he feels like his studs lost steam down the stretch last year, and he doesn't want to overuse them early this year.
Chase is a prime example.
It's clear that he should play all the time, and when the tougher competition comes along I'd bet he get several 35+ minute games, but it seems like Shaka is conserving him early on.
Probably a smart move, pun intended

Thx.  You're spot on about Nigel. He's going to have some growing pains with turnovers against the best competition.  He can overdribble and hold the ball too long.  The same can be said about Chase and Tre.  I'd really like to see Zaide play with more aggression and Ben less afraid to face, attack the rim, and play off of two feet.  We get into trouble on our drives at times because we don't see the interior help.