some observations on Florida from Omaha

[Da 'Lanche]

Watched the games in Omaha on Friday and Saturday.    For what it is worth, sat next to a few Florida alums and chatted quite a bit while the gators were blowing the socks off Norfolk State.   They were great dudes and very respectful (and worried) about MU.   First of all, they were thrilled that they were not playing Missouri to get to the sweet 16.    Secondly, they feel MU is a bad match up for them because we can match their offense and we actually play defense.  Talked to a few other Florida fans as I was wearing my Marquette gear and they were good basketball fans and nice to interact with at the tourney.   

Anyway, Florida looked absolutely awesome in Omaha (although one win was against a depleted Virginia team and another against a 15 seed that had their one shining moment against Mizzou and then came back to planet earth).   I asked them why they were not more successful this year as they looked like a final 4 team and they basically stated what others have said....they live by the 3 and die by the 3 but they also added that they have a very suspect inside game (although their freshman stud is really good and will be great when it is said and done...their other big men roam the perimeter looking for 3s).   They don't play great defense and they don't rebound particulary well (in their opinions).    They are also YOUNG....freshman PG is very talented, though.   

Their style of play reminds me a bit of MU in that they love to push it.   A difference, though, is they don't really drive to shoot/get fouled but drive to dish out to the perimeter for the 3  ball.  In that way, they, at times, reminded me of a very fast, athletic swing type offense.    They are relentless in shooting the 3ball and they have no conscience...just keep shooting it and pushing the pace.    If they are hot, they are really really dangerous.  If we can defend perimeter, rebound, and not give up long offensive boards leading to 2nd and 3rd shots, I think we will be fine.   I also think our bigs will neutralize if not have an advantage down low on both ends.    Junior needs to have a good game defensively and taking care of the ball.     All in all, I think the experience of our seniors and our defensive pressure can give us an edge.  If we play well and they play well, we should win.  If they play great (and are raining 3s) and we do not play particularly well, I think we will lose.  I know, not overly analytical.

I was impressed with Florida and Donovan is a great coach.   His team came out and absolutely buried NSU before they could even blink.    They also looked really good against Virginia (and remember they started that game like 1/15 from beyond the arc and came out in the second half, kept firing and were then on fire from the 3).    With their talent and youth, they could be gelling and maturing at the right time, which is dangerous for MU, but, I would expect them to be done in this round and then really fantastic next year.    The dudes next to me said that they, as objective fans, considered Florida to be about the 4th best team in their own conference this year but, again, if hot...look out.

Speaking of hot...contrary to a prior post...their dance squad was delicious.  Their fans were lovely as well.   

I expect a close, high-energy, high-tempo and high scoring game Thursday but I expect MU to win.   This, of course, is based on observations from two games in person...I did not see Florida at all on t.v. all year.

Other than that....I hope Buzz was watching Purdue in the last two minutes of their game against Kansas on what NOT to do when you have a one possession game....they basically tried to shorten the game and stopped running their offense...running down shot clock and then trying in desperation to get a shot off with less than 3 seconds to go on the shot clock...it was ugly...two turnovers and Kansas wins a game that they should have lost.  Hummel was awesome....even for a traditional 

Go Marquette!

[nyg]

Nice writeup and yes the Florida dance team is a ten.

Only issue is that Brad Beal is the freshman you are talking about and he is not the point guard.  Erving Walker and Kenny Boynton both play the point.  Beal is like Vander and plays the #3 position.  You are right, he is an NBA talent and most have him as a Top 20 pick if he comes out in the draft.  Eric Murphy, an ex-MU target plays the #4 and Patric Young plays the 5.

Matching up with Florida is pretty close:

Walker against Junior.     Walker is a very, very fast player and hopefully Junior can keep up with him.
Boynton against DJO.       Boynton can go off, but DJO should have the advantage.
Young against Wilson.      Young is a beast, so Wilson cannot pick up fouls.
Murphy against Crowder.  Not even close, just no foul problems Jae.
Beal against Blue.           Offensively Beal, defensively Blue.  Matchup to watch.

Bench:  Florida lost their best bench player in Yuegette to injury.  Mike Rosario, the former Rutgers guard is     their main weapon.  Not much help otherwise.  If Florida gets in foul trouble, bench is not deep, they have like a 7 man rotation.  Just like MU with Gardner and Mayo.

Two basically even matched teams, with MU being better defensively.  Vander needs to shut down Beal. I believe the game will be determined by which team does not get in foul trouble and like you said, should be very fast and action packed.

[Da 'Lanche]

Thanks.....you are right on.    Beal is the freshman I was thinking of and he really is a special talent.   Also, I kept trying to determine why Rosario's name was so familiar while I was watching....completely forgot he had been at Rutgers.  He played well off the bench.

One other aside...the frequency and length of tv timeouts during tournament games makes it painful in person....it is an utter embarrassment and it must disrupt the flow of the game from the players perspective.   

Thanks again for the additional comments, clarity and head-to-head matchups...great stuff.

[MarquetteDano]

I wonder if Florida has changed their tempo/pace recently?  According to Pomeroy Florida is a slow pace team.  Maybe they were playing with less pace for a bulk of the year and that is skewing the Pomeroy numbers?  I am not saying they don't score (they have an excellent offense).  However people keep on saying how much they push the tempo but it doesn't show in the numbers.

I would also note that, outside of cupcakes, a lot of the fast tempo games earlier in the year they lost.

Sounds like this fast tempo thing is relatively new.

[Da 'Lanche]

Interesting stats from Pomeroy.  In watching them, I wouldn't say they push it like Marquette.....but for a 3 point shooting team they are up tempo.   I did notice that they also do play a lot of set offense...ball screens,etc to open up the three.   I just didn't see deliberately slow pace and maybe that is new.   Their guards are quick...maybe that is part of it.   

[JTBMU7]

this is good stuff. i think we just need to get the ball in the paint early and often, hopefully get their guys in foul trouble, and just wear them out like we did to murray...