Impressions after non-con season complete

[MU82]

Non-conference is over ... and, unfortunately, I saw very little to allay the concerns I had heading into the season.

Junior, the most important player on the team because of his seniority and position, has had extended stretches during which he has done more to help the opponent than Marquette.

Jamil takes entire games off. Unacceptable. I get the feeling Buzz has tried just about everything to light the fire but it's just not clicking.

Lockett is not athletic and is not an impact player on either end of the court.

Our 3-point defense is horrific. On the other end of the spectrum, we give up too many layups and put-backs.

We have long stretches during which it appears our guys are seeing a zone defense for the very first time in their lives.

Jake Thomas? No mas, por favor.

On the plus side ...

Vander's significant improvement has been a highlight. He is our best all-around player and I'm thrilled that his hard work is paying off. Still, he is not a go-to scorer, and that's what he's had to be a few times.

Mayo really impressed me today. Under control pretty much the whole way and he makes our perimeter pressure defense much better. It was great to see him hit a few shots, especially that 3 and those FTs. Should help his confidence going forward. Let's not get carried away and start talking about his inevitable NBA career, though. Some on this board fell into that trap last season. Let's just hope this was the start of better things. He has the skill to be a very good player on both ends of the court.

Juan Anderson is much improved but is a 10-15 minute guy.

Derrick Wilson is a capable backup PG, very sound defensively and has even shown some offensive flashes. It's probably not a good sign when he plays 18 minutes, though, because that means Junior is either bad, hurt or foul-plagued.

The center combo has been as advertised. Otule is a good interior defender. Of course, there's little not to like about Davante offensively. His defense has improved but there was a stretch today when the announcers were crowing about him even as he twice failed to step in and either block a shot or take a charge; he just stepped aside and let NCC players go right in for layups. He also shouldn't try to dunk! Love his FT shooting ... and love that Buzz let him take those tech FTs.

All in all, based on the evidence so far -- including the loss to GB and unimpressive wins against several other cupcakes -- it's hard to see this as more than a bubble team. If we go 9-9 in the conference, that's an 18-12 record. That's the definition of bubble. And right now, I'd take 9-9 in the conference because I fear we will have trouble achieving that.

Three months from now, I'll be happy to have been proven wrong about most of this stuff. I'll gladly eat crow (as long as it's covered in Brewers stadium sauce).

[LAZER]

My impression is that this team doesn't do anything particularly well.  I'd say their greatest strength is their depth.  Besides that they really don't have any other strengths which has led to, in my opinion, a lack of identity which has ulimately resulted in a very frustrating first half.

[bilsu]

The next two games will tell us a lot. Uconn and Georgetown might be better than us, but we have them at home. I place equal odds on 0-2, 1-1 or 2-0 Big East start. First one leads to a losing season, the second one keeps us guessing and the third one indicates NCAA team.

[Dr. Blackheart]

See other thread on C7 upsets...teams who are down also dominate MU's schedule.

MU plays who I consider the top 4 teams just once...the two on the road, UL and UC, I doubt MU beats at home. The other two, SU and UND, I believe we can beat at home. One of our mirrors, Gtown, had two games in the 30's. The other one (Pitt) has played nothing but patsies at home, except a neutral court game loss with Michigan. Both teams will be tough defensively in the half court...but teams we can match up against this year. They both prefer to play man defense...but will go to zone, as a secondary for MU.  Can they play it well?

The start of the schedule is tough..however, MU has two home games to start. Two wins...and make it through Jan. 19... and it's off to the races.

Consistency is key...but what is wrong with MU now that Mayo is back is more mental (turnovers, lapses, how to attack a zone, how to close out). That is correctable with an experienced team...and Buzz has a record of efficiency.  

[nyg]

The team has yet to define itself and it was obvious today with Buzz making mass substitutions attempting to find a cohesive unit.  This against a team from the MEAC that lost to Wagner and the likes. Must be frustrating to him and his staff.

Junior has been very inconsistent, like some had said the good Junior, then the bad.

Vander has played better than expected and is clearly the most athletic player.

Jamil Wilson has been a major disappointment, especially over the last five to six games. What has happened to this guy?  Potential NBA player, not even close.

Lockett also has not played up to his potential, whatever people expected, but maybe the expectations were too great. No clue, but hope he plays abit better.

Gardner has been superb, but due to weight/fatigue issues cannot play enough minutes.

Otule is not the same player and should probably be his curtain call.  Save his body/knees for his later years.

Anderson has improved, but must cut down on his fouls.  Great effort and hustle.

D. Wilson is very capable backup PG and actually thrilled of his three pointer today.  

Mayo is best all round player on the team at this point.  

Taylor will see more minutes if Wilson does not get it going.

Ferguson and Thomas at end of bench.

Defense - I agree, the three point wide open shots and the aggression style man to man 40 feet from basket has been awful.  

Keys will be getting a cohesive unit together with a set sub rotation down and J. Wilson getting his game back.  If not this team will get spanked by some BE teams in the manner of the Florida game.  9-9 might be the correct record and some may say 8-10 at this point.  

I agree with bilsu, lets see how the first two BE games go at home, then we will know.  Should be very interesting.  

[We R Final Four]

The next two games will tell us a lot. Uconn and Georgetown might be better than us, but we have them at home. I place equal odds on 0-2, 1-1 or 2-0 Bi East start. First one leads to a losing season, the second one keeps us guessing and the third one indicates NCAA team.

Man, I see know way in the world this team starts 2-0. I would be thrilled with 1-1. We don't do enough right for a long enough period.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Pros

Depth
Athleticism on the wings
Sharing the ball...top 50 in nation in assists
Interior defense pretty good


Cons

Inconsistent PG play.  When PG spot is going well, we do well but too inconsistent
No go to player for scoring.
Perimeter defense
Rebounding....150th in the country


Thankful we didn't play Ohio State, that would have us at 9-4.  

[madtownwarrior]

never seen a team that allows opposition to score so easily - whether it is a wide-open three or an easy drive to the basket with MU defenders watching....

[wadesworld]

never seen a team that allows opposition to score so easily - whether it is a wide-open three or an easy drive to the basket with MU defenders watching....

I would think the teams that we have beat are teams that allow the opposition to score more easily.  Typically the team that allows their opposition to score more easily is the team that loses the game.  Maybe you've just missed all of our wins.

[Stretchdeltsig]

Glad that Mayo is back.  He is a player that can win games.  And, he's a big improvement over Lockett and Thomas!

[bilsu]

Glad that Mayo is back.  He is a player that can win games.  And, he's a big improvement over Lockett and Thomas!

+1

[hoyasincebirth]

See other thread on C7 upsets...teams who are down also dominate MU's schedule.

MU plays who I consider the top 4 teams just once...the two on the road, UL and UC, I doubt MU beats at home. The other two, SU and UND, I believe we can beat at home. One of our mirrors, Gtown, had two games in the 30's. The other one (Pitt) has played nothing but patsies at home, except a neutral court game loss with Michigan. Both teams will be tough defensively in the half court...but teams we can match up against this year. They both prefer to play man defense...but will go to zone, as a secondary for MU.  Can they play it well?

The start of the schedule is tough..however, MU has two home games to start. Two wins...and make it through Jan. 19... and it's off to the races.

Consistency is key...but what is wrong with MU now that Mayo is back is more mental (turnovers, lapses, how to attack a zone, how to close out). That is correctable with an experienced team...and Buzz has a record of efficiency.  

Georgetown plays an excellent 2-3 defense we play it quite a bit. Our scoring woes are also overblown. I expect our offense to improve as the rotation shortens and we play to our strengths in BE play. A big reason for our offensive inefficiency has been force feeding our Center Mikael Hopkins to get him ready for BE play. In the non conference we've had him taking too many of the possessions, but I expect we will wean him off and go to more efficient players now that the games matter more.

[DaCoach]

Right now this is an NIT team. JWilson much too soft and inconsistent, Averaging less than 2FT/game says it all. Lockett and Thomas are the equivalent of all Buzz's 1st year players. Less Lockett and more Mayo is plus plus. Otule is a non factor. Defense allows too much dribble penetration without help defense. No go to guy on the team other than Gardner and we can't get him the ball often enough. Junior a much improved offensive threat but his defense has gotten worse. I don't see us as a .500 team in conference play.

[Golden Avalanche]

Marquette is not a good team but not terrible (yet). Easily Buzz' worst and arguably lowest of last decade depending on final results.

However, college basketball is not very good so we may get lucky and sneak out some sort of accomplishment when otherwise we'd be foolish to think it possible.

[Scooter22]

Initial post had a good assessment, but let's not be too negative.  Last year we had a tendency also to play to the level of our competition in the non-conference.  Here are my reflections:

Disappointed in Lockett, J. Wilson, and J. Thomas.  Inconsistency of JWil makes it very difficult to know what you are going to get from game to game.  He is also way too passive offensively.  I would prefer that we go back to starting him, and then you have an initial read.

Great to have Mayo back, which probably will kill Lockett's minutes.  So be it.

Vander has greatly improved.

Gardner's defense needs to improve.

D. Wilson has been a pleasant surprise, but the team will probably go as far as Cadougan allows.

Steve Taylor has had an impressive start.

At this point, I would predict 9-9 in conference and on the bubble...

 

[MerrittsMustache]

Marquette's biggest issue in non-conf play has been consistency, not just from game to game but at times from possession to possession. A lot of that inconsistency stems from the PG position. Cadougan has the ability to be an All Big East player but he also has stretches where he looks new to the game of basketball.

Blue has played very well so far and MU desperately needs him to continue playing at a high level if they want to have any chance to make it to the NCAA Tournament.

Jamil has been somewhat disappointing but his numbers are very similar to last season except he's shooting the ball better. He's just not a major offensive threat. That's not his game. 9 points, 4 boards and 50% from the floor are solid numbers for a third/fourth option. The problem is that MU's 1-2 scoring options can be inconsistent (Blue due to his evolving game and Gardner because he doesn't always get the ball enough).

Lockett hasn't looked very good because he shots aren't falling. He shot a shade over 50% from the floor in 3 seasons at ASU. He didn't move to Milwaukee and forget how to play. The guy is a solid player and is going to play a key role in some BE wins this season.

10-8 in the BE seems about right for this team. Split 2 games in the BET and 20-12 should be good enough to get in, especially with back-to-back wins over Cuse and ND late in the season 

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Honestly, this is what I expected in the non-conf. season.

A lot of veterans on this team, but everybody is in a different role this year.

More depth, more distribution in scoring... which is good. But, that can lead to some growing pains as guys become comfortable with their roles and understanding what/where MU wants the ball to go on key possessions. 4 or 5 guys in double figures is awesome, but when push comes to shove, who gets the ball? What is his favorite shot? Who makes the correct pass? Who moves well without the ball? These are chemistry issues that can only be worked out by playing games.

So, I do think they can continue to improve and could be playing their best ball in Feb/Mar. On the flip side, they might just be limited in talent, with 8-10 good role players and no go-to all-conf. type player.

[JoBo2756]

Disappointed in the season thus far. Thought this was on of the top 2-3 deepest teams I've seen since I started following closely in 2005.

This there is a lot of confusion on roles in the team. Guns & Ammo, I agree, its likely that people are getting used to new roles. I've seen games where JWil is non-existent, but haven't seen any games yet where he is a huge force.

On the other hand, this board has selected him as stud of the game for two of the nine games he has won, so I still hold hope for him.

Here's a big IF: If Junior starts playing better, Blue and Davante keep it up, JWil starts performing and Mayo doesn't suck, we are a tournament team. If not, we are NIT bound worse, which would be sad because that's the first time I'll witness an MU team not making the tourney.

[tower912]

Disappointed with MU's team so far.   But as bad as it looked to us, the fact remains that if two shots go differently, MU is 11-1.   And we would still be complaining.    So, grades so far...
Blue:  B+    Most improved player.   Showing glimpses of what we all hoped for.
Mayo: Inc   
Gardner: B+   Stamina, defense, and passing still need work.   Sometimes too passive against a zone
Junior: C   Trying to lead.   Too careless with the ball.
DWilson:  B    Showing signs of being able to shoot.   Needs to be more aggressive on offense
JWilson: D   Enigma
Juan: B-  Getting better all the time.   As soon as he hits two straight jumpers in a game, look out.
Lockett: D  If he can adjust to the speed of Buzzball, there is still hope.
Thomas: C-    Like Juan, if he ever hits two in a row, game on
Otule: B    Still struggling physically.    But his interior presence is valuable
Taylor:  Inc     To borrow a line, if he were a stock, I would buy and hold. 
Ferguson:   Inc

[Goose]

Not enough pressure D to create turnovers. We need to step up the pressure to get more transition hoops.