Cincinnati = Depression

[dgies9156]

There has been a lot of talk about Cincinnati and I know we're all down. I was there last night and pretty disaapointed. Here's some thoughts about why I woke up in a blue and gold funk this morning.

1) We Beat Ourselves Yes, the scoreboard says Cincinnati won and yes, they had a balanced attack. We didn't. But the turnovers and very sloppy play in the first half were really killers. We played them even most of the night and knew it would take a herculean effort to beat them. But the sloppiness, particularly in the first half, was something you expect to see in November and early December, not in March when the season is on the line! Our turnovers are killing us and they seem to be more errors of omission (thoughtlessness and sloppiness) than errors of commission (bad fundamentals or the opponent being materially better than you).

2) Has Anyone Dreamed Up An Effective Closing Strategy? When you're down by 5 with 3 minutes left, you don't use 26 seconds on a 35 second clock to get a shot off. We did and our poor clock usage and commitment to a deliberate, motion offense, killed us. I'm a Buzz fan but in the last three minutes, it did not appear as though the guys on the floor had a sense of urgency. Nor did they seem to know what they needed to be doing. Buzz, I love you man, but what's happening in practice?

3) He Who Hesitates Is Lost There also seemed to be an overall reluctance to jam the ball down Cincy's throat. Did anyone see this too? A couple of times during the game, our guards had paths to the basket and passed off. One of the reasons Jimmy Butler got 30 points was he spent the night on the foul line. Guys passed to him rather than going up the gut themselves. I sometimes think they saw Cincy's middle line backers posing as centers and got a little gun shy.


4) Junior and Vander Looked Better Well, that's good. I like them both and screamed for Vander last night -- I want another Butch Lee, Glenn Rivers or DWade! Junior is becoming my favorite Warrior because of the way he has shaken off adversity and stepped up. Two years left and I'm excited. OK, that's not depressing, but I feel bad that it takes time.

5) This Team Hasn't Energized Milwaukee There has been lots of fuss on this site about the lack of turnout and student energy. Last's night crowd was a bit disappointing given the importance of the game, but it was still about 12,000 and the lower bowl was basically filled. I personally think the problem is that with 12 losses and many that are too close to be believable, this team has not sparked enthusiasm. The Louisville game took the air out of the tire so to speak.

This is an emerging team. It's still young and a season into its current look, it is still finding itself and defining what it can do. I'm optimistic about next year, but that's one baseball season and a Packers repeat away. Right now, this team is at best a one and done in the NCAA.

Guys, I'm cheering hard and hope I am wrong.

[Blackhat]

These big home games are the ones Buzz has to capitalize on in order to garner good will toward himself and the program....I agree enthusiasm seems to be down but people wanted to get excited about this team last night, could have built a lot of momentum and support for the team last night.


Crean seemed to win quite a few of these hyped up games at home,  Pittsburgh game coming to mind when we had Game day here.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

I don't disagree with most of what you said, except the one and done thing. If this team makes the tourney, which it should with a win on Saturday, I could easily see them doing some damage. They've proven they can play with anybody. But, at the same time, I would hardly be shocked if we lost the opening round.  

[alexius23]

Last night was a humbling experience. We were beaten at our game`speed & defence!

[nyg]

Yes, the turnovers and clock management were very poor.  But why didn't Vander play in the first half?

[CTWarrior]

Yes, the turnovers and clock management were very poor.  But why didn't Vander play in the first half?

Vander has been brutal pretty much non-stop and has done much, much more harm than good since the Big East season started.  Can't blame coach for not playing him in a close game we really needed to win.  That said, he did provide a spark when he got into the game, which is nice to see.

Our margin for error against a team like Cincinnati is pretty small.  We weren't making the threes last night and subsequently became afraid to shoot them, and with Otule and Crowder non-factors on the interior against a big atheltic team, our offensive options are severely limited.

[Boone]

I'd still rather see Blue in the game than Buycks, who once again gave us zip; we started to make a run when Vander came into the game.

[Niv Berkowitz]

The lack of energy by the public has definitely resulted in less walk-up buys for tickets. It was a weeknight game vs. an unranked Cinci team, mind you, and the average, non-following-hoops-dad may see both of those things and go, ehh.

Again, MU's problem goes back to lack of solid PG play. They have nobody running the show. You don't need a stud, just a good defender who knows where to go w/the ball and knock down open threes. See Acker and David last season.

Only thing I'm p.o'd about last night is we eff'd up a shot at being tied for sixth. That would be a lot nicer than where we are at.

And for those freaking out about our standing and not making the tourney...we are tied with Villanova and UConn right now.
Relax.

[MUfan12]

Can't complain about general attendance at all. They averaged 15,600 this year. Probably good enough for top 10 nationally.

The fact that the Marquette campus gave up on this team bothers me more.

[brewcity77]

Can't complain about general attendance at all. They averaged 15,600 this year. Probably good enough for top 10 nationally.

The fact that the Marquette campus gave up on this team bothers me more.

One thing I will definitely give Tom Crean over Buzz is that he was a much better salesman in terms of getting the fans to buy in for every game. Even when we were an NIT team I felt that the student section was more fanatical. Lord, what will they do now that Rob Frozena is gone? Those cheers were the one reliable thing we got from the students for the past two years. Buzz could definitely learn some lessons in showmanship from TC, he was a master of motivating the fans. As disparaged as he is, could anyone else get the IU fanbase to rush the court after a win over a #20-ranked Illinois? That's one area where he excels.

***Runs for cover, afraid that he created another Buzz/TC thread***

[WellsstreetWanderer]

Thought about this today and I agree we lost the game in the first half with lazy passes,telegraphed passes and the inability to handle the full-court press. 9 turnovers almost all of which resulted in Cincy points. Can't give up the rock that easily and win. we were too nonchalant with the ball and lost our composure when trapped or pressured down court. Disappointing to see this at the end of the season.

[79Warrior]

I'd still rather see Blue in the game than Buycks, who once again gave us zip; we started to make a run when Vander came into the game.

Dwight has played w/o any energy or enthuasism the last several games.