Will the short bench continue

[DaCoach]

Against Villanova our minutes were distributed as follows:
Buycks 36 min
Cubillan 36 min
Hayward 37 min
Butler 39 min

Essentially they played without rest. In the last 5 minutes of both halves, we scored 6 points each. In the game against WV, DJO put in 34 minutes and had a disaster at the line in the final minute along with Butler who had 37 minutes.

The question has to be asked is there a correlation between scoring in the final minutes and playing time. Are the players too tired to compete against the good teams with more balanced rosters. I know there is much discussion of the subs ability to play well enough to compete, but the question must be analyzed and dealt with as conference play continues.

For one, it surprises me that Fulce is given a starting spot yet plays only 9 and 10 minutes the past two games. And EWill needs to get at least a few minutes during games to get our starters a breath. Even if we have to go zone for a couple minutes a half, the coaching staff must balance the minutes better to avoid the impact in the final minutes of the halves.

[Murffieus]

Many teams use only 7 players for double digit mpg. College age men ought to be able to handle that without missing a beat----besides then you have your best players on the floor.

Our problem at crunch time is defense-----vs NOVA last year on that final play our defense gets broken down and McNeal has to leave his man to help while his man floats to the hoop behind him for the pass & layin. ----vs WV, Lazar loses his balance while Butler spins away from him for the winning shot.-----vs NOVA yesterday, Reynolds breaks down our defense and DJO moves over to help but is late and off balance and fouls.

[GGGG]

While that very well could be the case, Buzz apparently believes that a tired Butler, Hayward, et. al. are more effective than a fresh E. Williams.

[DaCoach]

Many teams use only 7 players for double digit mpg. College age men ought to be able to handle that without missing a beat----besides then you have your best players on the floor.

Our problem at crunch time is defense-----vs NOVA last year on that final play our defense gets broken down and McNeal has to leave his man to help while his man floats to the hoop behind him for the pass & layin. ----vs WV, Lazar loses his balance while Butler spins away from him for the winning shot.-----vs NOVA yesterday, Reynolds breaks down our defense and DJO moves over to help but is late and off balance and fouls.

We're not talking about double digit minutes. We're talking about 4 players who were on court 36 minutes out of a 40 minute game. Show me another quality team with that kind of disparity. Perhaps you think 6 points in the final 5 minutes of each half is normal but I don't. And the fall off in free throw accuracy just might have something to do with tired bodies.

As for the suggestion that our defense is the problem, are you suggesting our players defensive reactions are as good after 39 hard minutes of BE basketball as they were at earlier in the game? Did you happen to notice Hayward got beat on last minute shots the past 2 games? Reynolds split spacing on a high screen when Acker switched off. Tell me that should happen when Hayward should have forced him outside. Sorry. Our key athletes are subject to weariness even when they're in college. That's why other teams use their bench more often.

[Hards Alumni]

We're not talking about double digit minutes. We're talking about 4 players who were on court 36 minutes out of a 40 minute game. Show me another quality team with that kind of disparity. Perhaps you think 6 points in the final 5 minutes of each half is normal but I don't. And the fall off in free throw accuracy just might have something to do with tired bodies.

As for the suggestion that our defense is the problem, are you suggesting our players defensive reactions are as good after 39 hard minutes of BE basketball as they were at earlier in the game? Did you happen to notice Hayward got beat on last minute shots the past 2 games? Reynolds split spacing on a high screen when Acker switched off. Tell me that should happen when Hayward should have forced him outside. Sorry. Our key athletes are subject to weariness even when they're in college. That's why other teams use their bench more often.

No, what we are saying is that a tired Hayward, Butler etc. is better than a cold EW or Mbao or Frozena.

[tower912]

The short bench continues until...well next year when we theoretically have more than 9 scholarship players.   In the short term, it will continue until EWill or Mbao suddenly have a breakthrough on their defense.     I am convinced if the player can defend to Buzz' standard, he will play.   Apparently, E and Y don't.

[Murffieus]

We're not talking about double digit minutes. We're talking about 4 players who were on court 36 minutes out of a 40 minute game. Show me another quality team with that kind of disparity. Perhaps you think 6 points in the final 5 minutes of each half is normal but I don't. And the fall off in free throw accuracy just might have something to do with tired bodies.

As for the suggestion that our defense is the problem, are you suggesting our players defensive reactions are as good after 39 hard minutes of BE basketball as they were at earlier in the game? Did you happen to notice Hayward got beat on last minute shots the past 2 games? Reynolds split spacing on a high screen when Acker switched off. Tell me that should happen when Hayward should have forced him outside. Sorry. Our key athletes are subject to weariness even when they're in college. That's why other teams use their bench more often.

Coach----you talk like like playing 36 mpg is going makes a player unfunctional----not so. Yesterday UCONN had Robinson, Walker, & Dyson play an average of 37.5 minutes------in the same gameND had Harangody, Hansbrough, and Jackson averaging 39 minutes-----Syracuse goes with a 7 man rotation-----if they can do it why can't MU let their better players average 36 minutes. If I'm coaching I want my better players on the floor and I will condition them accordingly.

Our defensive problems aren't due to fatique----they are systemic------e.g. Buycks gets beat one on one for scores on the very first two defensive plays of the game!

[warriorfred]

This discussion reflects a difference of opinion as to the course of this season.  While almost everyone agrees that this was supposed to be a rebuilding year, there was hope that MU would be very competitive.  With injuries, I believe it has become a total and complete rebuilding year.  Some would say Marquette still has a shot at the tourney.  I don't see it that way.

Because I believe the focus for the rest of the season should be on gaining experience and developing players, I believe Williams and Mbao need playing time.  Playing 6 or 7 will not produce wins, and it will not develop others on the team. 

[chapman]

This discussion reflects a difference of opinion as to the course of this season.  While almost everyone agrees that this was supposed to be a rebuilding year, there was hope that MU would be very competitive.  With injuries, I believe it has become a total and complete rebuilding year.  Some would say Marquette still has a shot at the tourney.  I don't see it that way.

Because I believe the focus for the rest of the season should be on gaining experience and developing players, I believe Williams and Mbao need playing time.  Playing 6 or 7 will not produce wins, and it will not develop others on the team. 

I get what you're saying.  After all, we're going to have to go 10-6 for the rest of the schedule and beat a couple decent teams for a chance at the tournament, probably 11-5 if we don't manage to beat the right teams.  That kind of improvement is unlikely (or if you believe we've come close against the best, then being able to maintain our current level of play with 7 players for 16+ more games).  With seniors playing 40% of the minutes, only one sophomore and no freshmen getting minutes, it's not "rebuilding".  Not making the tournament and getting 10 combined minutes for Fulce/Williams/Mbao is more lost/transition season than rebuilding in my book.  Nevertheless, we're not close to being ready to throw in the towel and need to play the players that give the best chance to win until there's no hope at all of making the tournament.

[Hards Alumni]

I get what you're saying.  After all, we're going to have to go 10-6 for the rest of the schedule and beat a couple decent teams for a chance at the tournament, probably 11-5 if we don't manage to beat the right teams.  That kind of improvement is unlikely (or if you believe we've come close against the best, then being able to maintain our current level of play with 7 players for 16+ more games).  With seniors playing 40% of the minutes, only one sophomore and no freshmen getting minutes, it's not "rebuilding".  Not making the tournament and getting 10 combined minutes for Fulce/Williams/Mbao is more lost/transition season than rebuilding in my book.  Nevertheless, we're not close to being ready to throw in the towel and need to play the players that give the best chance to win until there's no hope at all of making the tournament.

This I can completely agree with.  Lazar has worked too hard his entire career for anyone to throw in the towel until the fight is out of hand.

[warriorfred]

While I feel bad for Lazar, a coach has to think about the team and the long-term.  Showcasing Lazar does not help this team or the program.  

Yes, my expectations for the team are now currently low due to injuries and transfers, and I believe a tourney appearance is extremely unlikely.  It is time to develop the other players.

[Hards Alumni]

While I feel bad for Lazar, a coach has to think about the team and the long-term.  Showcasing Lazar does not help this team or the program.  

Yes, my expectations for the team are now currently low due to injuries and transfers, and I believe a tourney appearance is extremely unlikely.  It is time to develop the other players.

Why is it unlikely?  Because we lost to two of the top 10 ranked teams in the nation?

[bs4173]

Why is it unlikely?  Because we lost to two of the top 10 ranked teams in the nation?

+1. If they continue to play this hard, MU may not beat Georgetown or Syracuse or Nova next time MU plays them, but the team has a great chance of beating a good majority of the rest of the teams. Finish over .500 in conference play, and a bid seems likely.

[Markusquette]

While I feel bad for Lazar, a coach has to think about the team and the long-term.  Showcasing Lazar does not help this team or the program.  

Yes, my expectations for the team are now currently low due to injuries and transfers, and I believe a tourney appearance is extremely unlikely.  It is time to develop the other players.

Showcasing Lazar lol.  I prefer our best shot at winning, not "showcasing" our top talent.

[MU83]

It's still early in the season, and if Marquette is able to sustain their current level of effort, they have a chance of being 9-9 in the Big East.  Before the season began, I looked at the schedule and even without them beating any of the power teams, i.e., West Virginia, Syracuse, Georgetown, Connecticut, and Villanova, it appeared as though nine wins was doable.  However, if they go 9-9 in the Big East (18-12 overall) they will probably have to either upset one or two of the aforementioned teams or make a deep run in the Big East tourny in order to get an at-large bid.

In any case it is too early to write this year off, and I'm certain Buzz is looking for one or more players to step up in practice and show they deserve some minutes. 

[akmarq]

Why is it unlikely?  Because we lost to two of the top 10 ranked teams in the nation?

My thoughts exactly. Who among us thought, even after the run through the OSC that we would lose by a combined 3 points to WVU and Villanova...WITH the loss of Maymon thrown in. The idea that this season is sunk because of two close losses to Top 10 teams is absurd.

Last year's team lost to Villanova once (albeit on the road) and USF...and Syracuse.  Two close losses does not a season blow.

[77ncaachamps]

In short...

yes.

[DaCoach]

Coach----you talk like like playing 36 mpg is going makes a player unfunctional----not so. Yesterday UCONN had Robinson, Walker, & Dyson play an average of 37.5 minutes------in the same gameND had Harangody, Hansbrough, and Jackson averaging 39 minutes-----Syracuse goes with a 7 man rotation-----if they can do it why can't MU let their better players average 36 minutes. If I'm coaching I want my better players on the floor and I will condition them accordingly.

Our defensive problems aren't due to fatique----they are systemic------e.g. Buycks gets beat one on one for scores on the very first two defensive plays of the game!

Syracuse has 10 players averaging 10 minutes or more per game and only one averaging in the 30s. And there is a difference between playing 37 minutes and 32. You also have to factor in the intensity of the minutes played. Our game is geared to motion offense and pressure defense which takes a higher toll on fatigue than a zone or a post up type offense.

And yes, our man defense is our Achilles heel. We get beat off the dribble constantly and our help defense is either too late or too small. But part of that is due to Buzz's insistence on avoiding fouls. But if all the defenders are getting beat, what difference if it's Buycks or EWill or Acker or DJO.

Finally, look at the time played in the 2nd half. In the Villanova game we had 2 players with 20 minutes and 2 others with 18 and 19. Against WV Buzz used 2 at 20 and 2 at 19. Essentially we played 4 guys in a tough BE game with no rest. My contention is that it is our best interest to try and give those guys a few minutes off mid 2nd half.