Our weakness

[ErickJD08]

I think I figured it out. I think we really struggle running a set offense. We are good at ISO plays and fast breaks. But when a team forces you to run a play, we struggle. I think that is why we struggle against the zone. Any thoughts?

[GGGG]

Actually I think our half-court offense has looked very efficient this half.  Not sure if that can be backed up statistically or not though.

[Skatastrophy]

Like Buzz said, we're no good when we're taking the ball out of our opponent's net every possession.

[nyg]

Tonight it was 3 point defense, free throws (17-29) and no play again from Otule.  He has played poorly the last few games, terrible tonight.

BTW, MU will miss Crowder next year.  But Mayo will be more than a respectable replacement for DJO.  He just has that basketball mindset and composure. 

[Lennys Tap]

Our weakness(es): rebounding, 3pt shooting defense, (tonight at least) on ball defense by Junior and (again tonight at least) poor post play.

[Markusquette]

Buzz really subs Junior out a lot on defense.  Seems like it's Junior on offense and Wilson on D at point guard a lot.  Our struggles continue to be defensive rebounding and 3-pt defense.  Granted out opponents shoot a lot of threes, but we need to stay home on D and not leave so many guys open.  That will be killer against a team like UW.

[cheebs09]

Buzz really subs Junior out a lot on defense.  Seems like it's Junior on offense and Wilson on D at point guard a lot.  Our struggles continue to be defensive rebounding and 3-pt defense.  Granted out opponents shoot a lot of threes, but we need to stay home on D and not leave so many guys open.  That will be killer against a team like UW.

Totally agree. A lot of our problems happen due to getting beat off the dribble on top, and we have to scramble to rotate. I wonder if Vander on Taylor will help that.

[flash]

The biggest weakness for me is the lack of rebounding.  The rebounding battle was even tonight but MU gave up waaay to many offensive rebounds.  Buzz better get that straightened out before the start of conference play or MU could be in trouble.  Also 3 point defense, I know Jacksonville cooled off in the second half, but it seems like every team we play shoots lights out from 3. 

[MattyWarrior]

At the beginning of the game I thought Buzz subbed way to fast and to often. He has to let guys settle in with each other
somewhat. It seems like outside of the post position he wants to plug any player in anywhere and get the same results.
Otule should be getting 10 rebounds in a game like this. He still isn't very aggresive for his size.

[wojosdojo]

Tonight it was 3 point defense, free throws (17-29) and no play again from Otule.  He has played poorly the last few games, terrible tonight.
 

Didnt see the game but stats from Otule are still frusterating!! Why did Ox only see 8 minutes, thought he played pretty well in the PJam?

[Marqus Howard]

Didnt see the game but stats from Otule are still frusterating!! Why did Ox only see 8 minutes, thought he played pretty well in the PJam?

That team was not a good matchup for Ox. They were extremely small, and Ox got winded quickly in the time I saw him on the floor.

[Hoopaloop]

Our weakness(es): rebounding, 3pt shooting defense, (tonight at least) on ball defense by Junior and (again tonight at least) poor post play.

Spot on

[DaCoach]

Buzz really subs Junior out a lot on defense.  Seems like it's Junior on offense and Wilson on D at point guard a lot.  Our struggles continue to be defensive rebounding and 3-pt defense.  Granted out opponents shoot a lot of threes, but we need to stay home on D and not leave so many guys open.  That will be killer against a team like UW.

A number of times tonight Jacksonville reversed the ball through the low post. Instead of merely doubling the post, our weak side defender also dropped to help. The pass went out of the post and the baseline shooter was wide open. No more than two of our guys should be defending against a big player with the ball on the blocks.

[brewcity77]

Didnt see the game but stats from Otule are still frusterating!! Why did Ox only see 8 minutes, thought he played pretty well in the PJam?

Otule got no help from the refs. Had to sit with foul trouble, and when he came back in with 3, was almost instantly whistled for his fourth. On the night as a whole, I'd guess Jamil saw more time at the 5 than anyone else. In the long run, that might be a good thing.

As far as weaknesses, we have more than a few. The zone and full-court press obviously grind down our offense. I think any team that can slow us down is going to have some success, which is why UW is such a tough match-up. Our three point defense also. We leave way too many guys wide open. That could kill us come Saturday.

[MU_LOL]

I'm gonna put freethrow percentage in there. 17 of 29 isn't very good at all. In the past few years, we've lost close games that could have been decided the other way because of freethrows.

[brewcity77]

I'm gonna put freethrow percentage in there. 17 of 29 isn't very good at all. In the past few years, we've lost close games that could have been decided the other way because of freethrows.

It was an off-night from the line, but coming into that game we were shooting a stellar 74.1% from the line. Even after the JVU game, we're still shooting 71.5% from the line. If we can get it back up around 74%, that would match Buzz's best FT shooting season (2009-10). Last year we shot under 70% from the line, I don't think there's any reason to be worried because of one bad game. If it starts costing us games, or if we see a notable drop in the final minutes of the game when we're trying to ice it, then I can see it being a worry, but at this point, free throws are one of the last things that concern me.

[tower912]

Weaknesses:   Guarding the 3 pt shot, defensive rebounding, zone offense.
After reading Enlund's blog with Buzz regarding zone offense, it looks like we will spend some time on it but are not going to obsess on it.     The other two.....I have a feeling we are going to be worrying about them every year Buzz is here.     Seems to be the nature of the defensive scheme.     However, get a good on-ball defender at the point, one who can keep his guy out of the lane, a la Dominic James, and suddenly, this defensive scheme works a helluva lot better.   When the PG gets into the lane, and the help and rotations start, wide open looks from 3 result.   

[APieperFan3]

Weaknesses:   Guarding the 3 pt shot, defensive rebounding, zone offense.
After reading Enlund's blog with Buzz regarding zone offense, it looks like we will spend some time on it but are not going to obsess on it.     The other two.....I have a feeling we are going to be worrying about them every year Buzz is here.     Seems to be the nature of the defensive scheme.     However, get a good on-ball defender at the point, one who can keep his guy out of the lane, a la Dominic James, and suddenly, this defensive scheme works a helluva lot better.   When the PG gets into the lane, and the help and rotations start, wide open looks from 3 result.   

When we play "stud" PGs, should we expect Vander to get a few posessions guarding him? (I'm expecting it against Madison, btw)

Or do you think having Jr guard a wing player is more of a lost cause than guarding a PG straight up?

[tower912]

 I would start with Blue on Taylor.  It will probably end up being by committee, though, as Taylor is going to play 35 minutes and Blue, if he stays out of foul trouble, will play 25.  So I expect that all 5 of our guards will spend SOME time on him.  Perhaps letting Junior guard Gasser or Brust will work better for him.   Neither is particularly tall.   I would also spend the rest of the week preaching staying home.    Having said all of that, reading Enlund's and Dodd's reporting on Buzz's postgame talk, Buzz seems to want to stick to the core of what we do with a few minor tweaks.   I take that to mean that he will use Junior and DW on Taylor.   

[Hards Alumni]

I would start with Blue on Taylor.  It will probably end up being by committee, though, as Taylor is going to play 35 minutes and Blue, if he stays out of foul trouble, will play 25.  So I expect that all 5 of our guards will spend SOME time on him.  Perhaps letting Junior guard Gasser or Brust will work better for him.   Neither is particularly tall.   I would also spend the rest of the week preaching staying home.    Having said all of that, reading Enlund's and Dodd's reporting on Buzz's postgame talk, Buzz seems to want to stick to the core of what we do with a few minor tweaks.   I take that to mean that he will use Junior and DW on Taylor.   

My guess is that DJO and Blue will split time on Taylor.

[APieperFan3]

My guess is that DJO and Blue will split time on Taylor.

Depending on other personnel on the floor, I'd like to see Vander and then maybe Mayo/DWil