[Cracked Sidewalks] MUs weakness: can’t play three games in a row

[CrackedSidewalksSays]

MUs weakness: can’t play three games in a row

Written by: noreply@blogger.com (bamamarquettefan1)

They don’t play back-to-back-to-back in the NCAAs

For the second time this year, Marquette played for the third straight night, and for the second time, they completely ran out of gas in the final 15 minutes to go.  On November 29th it resulted in a 17-point lead slipping away, and tonight it resulted in losing by double digits for the first time all season (MU entered the night as one of only six teams to have not lost by double digits).

This was nothing more than hitting the wall.  While some jump on MU for missing free throws, they really rarely miss until they are DEAD â€" coming into the game 25th in the country at 74.3%.  Combining the two games, MU was 16 of 18 from the line until hitting the wall down the stretch, and then made 5 of 19 in the closing 15 minutes and 13 minutes respectively.

On November 29th, Marquette led Florida State 39-22 with 15 minutes to play, and was outscored in the final 15 minutes 35-17 to lose 56-57.  On tired legs, they hit 39% of their shots, 22% of their 3-pointers (4-18) and only 52.6% of their free throws (10-19).

Tonight, Marquette battled to stay within 48-47 with 13:34 to go in the game, and then was outscored 32-10 the rest of the way.  On tired legs, they hit just 37% of their shots, 30% of their 3-pointers (6-20) and 61% of their free throws (11-18).

On November 29th, MU was 9 of 10 from the line with 15 minutes to go, but could only hit 2 of 8 after their legs died.

On November 29th, MU was 8 of 9 until their legs died with 13 minutes to go, but could only make 2 of 10 after their legs died.

Overall, Marquette is 5th in the country in 3-point shooting (41%) and 25th in the country at free throws (74.3%), and are 17-0 if they shoot just 45% or better overall from the field.

It was a great weekend, beating St. John’s on their home floor and knocking off No. 10 Villanova.  A win next Thursday or Friday in the NCAA gets Marquette an off day, and when they don’t play three in a row, this team has been pretty awesome.

http://www.crackedsidewalks.com/2010/03/mus-weakness-cant-play-three-games-in.html