Is Marquette An NCAA Tournament Team?

[tower912]

Thanks.    Let me give you a couple of thoughts to ponder.    Since the Amigos, how many freshmen regularly started games for MU before this season?     When buzz was here and wouldn't play freshmen (remember the screaming on this board about that?), when he stated that they didn't play defense to his standards, didn't understand the offense, and/or weren't tough enough, was that just an excuse or did he have a point?    If you were told that ANY other team (besides Kentucky) was going to have half of their roster be freshmen and were going to need all of them to contribute for the team to be successful, what would your expectations be for said generic team?

I love MU hoops.   It is a true passion.   I always have, I always will.   But to assume that MU is going to be immune to growing pains........ well, look around. 

[MerrittsMustache]

Thanks.    Let me give you a couple of thoughts to ponder.    Since the Amigos, how many freshmen regularly started games for MU before this season?     When buzz was here and wouldn't play freshmen (remember the screaming on this board about that?), when he stated that they didn't play defense to his standards, didn't understand the offense, and/or weren't tough enough, was that just an excuse or did he have a point?    If you were told that ANY other team (besides Kentucky) was going to have half of their roster be freshmen and were going to need all of them to contribute for the team to be successful, what would your expectations be for said generic team?

I love MU hoops.   It is a true passion.   I always have, I always will.   But to assume that MU is going to be immune to growing pains........ well, look around.

Great call.

This young team is awful defensively, gets lost on offense for long stretches and lacks overall toughness. Maybe that bald guy does know something about basketball after all.

It sounds good for fans to talk about patience and "the process" and "bare cupboards" and "building a program" and so on, but it's an entirely different beast to actually go through it.

Think of it like cleaning out your garage. When you start, you have these grandiose plans of how everything is going to look when it's completed and how everything will be organized and in its perfect place...but an hour into the process, you're sweating and swearing and things doesn't fit how you planned and your stuff is scattered across the driveway. You're eventually going to get to some version of that grandiose plan but there's going to be a big, frustrating mess on the way.

[The Lens]

Respecting the process is great, understanding that freshmen don't usually lead to wins is fine, but why then did we sign a One and Done?  If this year is a rebuilding year, what is the point of HE?

I have no problem with Wally, I think he's a great role player and will be a fine senior like David Diggs, etc but if we're in the midst of building something here, what's the point of bringing in a One and Done?

[GooooMarquette]

Respecting the process is great, understanding that freshmen don't usually lead to wins is fine, but why then did we sign a One and Done?  If this year is a rebuilding year, what is the point of HE?

1. Because freshmen bring risk and uncertainty, but not certain failure.  There was always a chance that we could catch lightning in a bottle.

2.  Because at the time he first committed, it wasn't certain how likely HE was to being one and done.  It seems pretty likely now, but you never know when the kid is still in HS.

[MerrittsMustache]

Respecting the process is great, understanding that freshmen don't usually lead to wins is fine, but why then did we sign a One and Done?  If this year is a rebuilding year, what is the point of HE?

I have no problem with Wally, I think he's a great role player and will be a fine senior like David Diggs, etc but if we're in the midst of building something here, what's the point of bringing in a One and Done?

Because he's an incredibly gifted player.

Because not every "one and done" coming in, ends up being an actual "one and done."

Because having such a player brings national attention to Marquette's program.

Because, rebuild or not, the program is still trying to win.

Is that enough? Do you need more reasons?

[Dawson Rental]

Great call.

This young team is awful defensively, gets lost on offense for long stretches and lacks overall toughness. Maybe that bald guy does know something about basketball after all.

It sounds good for fans to talk about patience and "the process" and "bare cupboards" and "building a program" and so on, but it's an entirely different beast to actually go through it.

I'm not sure that I agree that this team is awful defensively.  aren't their defensive numbers top 80 or so?  They do have a lot of long stretches of poor offense.  They seem to be doing the right things on offense, sharing the ball well and leading the big East in assists, so hopefully improvement is just a matter of time. 

Buzz would have had a tough time last year, as well.  He would have had a leg up this year with four or five freshmen becoming sophomores, though.

It'd be a lot easier to like Buzz if he hadn't had disparaging remarks to make on his way out the door.  Another thing that Buzz knows is contracts which is why he'll be at Virginia Tech as long as he wants to be.

[mug644]

Respecting the process is great, understanding that freshmen don't usually lead to wins is fine, but why then did we sign a One and Done?  If this year is a rebuilding year, what is the point of HE?

I have no problem with Wally, I think he's a great role player and will be a fine senior like David Diggs, etc but if we're in the midst of building something here, what's the point of bringing in a One and Done?

You ask that question like he burdened MU with a giant, one-year free agent contract. There are loads of reasons, as well listed by MerritsMustache above.

[MU82]

Because he's an incredibly gifted player.

Because not every "one and done" coming in, ends up being an actual "one and done."

Because having such a player brings national attention to Marquette's program.

Because, rebuild or not, the program is still trying to win.

Is that enough? Do you need more reasons?

All this and more.

I mean, why did LSU bring in Simmons? What a bunch of dopes.

[The Lens]

1. Because freshmen bring risk and uncertainty, but not certain failure.  There was always a chance that we could catch lightning in a bottle.

2.  Because at the time he first committed, it wasn't certain how likely HE was to being one and done.  It seems pretty likely now, but you never know when the kid is still in HS.

He was the 4th player in his class (per ESPN).  Trust me, Wojo & Co knew what they were getting.  Wojo's been recruiting kids like Henry for 15+ years.  He knows what they want, the NBA and asap.

[The Lens]

Because he's an incredibly gifted player.

Because not every "one and done" coming in, ends up being an actual "one and done."

Because having such a player brings national attention to Marquette's program.

Because, rebuild or not, the program is still trying to win.

Is that enough? Do you need more reasons?

I think Wojo brought Henry in bc he saw him as the best way to get to the NCAAs THIS season.  I think those were Wojo's expectations.  Say this about Wojo, he didn't drop any TC excuses all fall.  He's done more complaining about guys not getting it than he has offering up the youth excuse. 

[GooooMarquette]

He was the 4th player in his class (per ESPN).  Trust me, Wojo & Co knew what they were getting.  Wojo's been recruiting kids like Henry for 15+ years.  He knows what they want, the NBA and asap.

Andrew and Aaron Harrison went to UK as the #5 and #6 players nationally.  They both stayed two years.

You just never know.

[Lennys Tap]

I think Wojo brought Henry in bc he saw him as the best way to get to the NCAAs THIS season.  I think those were Wojo's expectations.  Say this about Wojo, he didn't drop any TC excuses all fall.  He's done more complaining about guys not getting it than he has offering up the youth excuse.

Agree 100%. Wojo was adamant that we would be very good this year. Think he's more than a bit befuddled that we're not.

[dgies9156]

I t  Say this about Wojo, he didn't drop any TC excuses all fall.  He's done more complaining about guys not getting it than he has offering up the youth excuse.

In fact, his public pronouncements have done the opposite. He is more interested in getting the guys to do their thing, adopt the offense and play an occasional minute of defense.

Wojo has completely backed away from the youth excuse, to his everlasting credit.

[mug644]

Agree 100%. Wojo was adamant that we would be very good this year. Think he's more than a bit befuddled that we're not.

I wonder if he really felt adamant, or he is just used to winning at Duke, and presumed that the Big East would be easier than the ACC. And, maybe he's more attuned to having freshmen who can consistently contribute, as Duke gets higher level players.

[CTWarrior]

Agree 100%. Wojo was adamant that we would be very good this year. Think he's more than a bit befuddled that we're not.

Boy, we didn't schedule like we thought we were going to be very good this year.

[tower912]

Marquette is better.   Much better.   The Big East is better still.   

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I'm not sure that I agree that this team is awful defensively.  aren't their defensive numbers top 80 or so?  They do have a lot of long stretches of poor offense.  They seem to be doing the right things on offense, sharing the ball well and leading the big East in assists, so hopefully improvement is just a matter of time.

This. We are a very good defensive team. Force more TOs than any other team in the BEast. Dont have the numbers but believe we have held all of our conference opponents to below their season average in eFG%. Unfortunately, it turns out the good defense and poor offense is frustrating to watch. Fans prefer offense to defense

[tower912]

Our otherwise solid defense breaks down when we fail to corral a rebound.    Like last night. 

[MerrittsMustache]

This. We are a very good defensive team. Force more TOs than any other team in the BEast. Dont have the numbers but believe we have held all of our conference opponents to below their season average in eFG%. Unfortunately, it turns out the good defense and poor offense is frustrating to watch. Fans prefer offense to defense

In BE play, MU is...

1st in Steals
6th in FG% D
6th in 3pt% D
6th in Blocks
8th in scoring D
9th in DReb
9th in DReb %
9th in fouls committed
10th in FG att allowed

Saying MU is awful defensively was an overstatement on my part. They force more TOs than any other BE team, but they are also prone to repeated defensive breakdowns. Aside from steals, this team's defensive stats are not very good.

[WarriorPride68]

In BE play, MU is...

1st in Steals
6th in FG% D
6th in 3pt% D
6th in Blocks
8th in scoring D
9th in DReb
9th in DReb %
9th in fouls committed
10th in FG att allowed

Saying MU is awful defensively was an overstatement on my part. They force more TOs than any other BE team, but they are also prone to repeated defensive breakdowns. Aside from steals, this team's defensive stats are not very good.

Oh yeah, Kenpom has MU at #48 nationally on defense. Sadly, #215 on offense

[The Lens]

Oh yeah, Kenpom has MU at #48 nationally on defense. Sadly, #215 on offense

How are in points off of turnovers?  We seem to miss more fastbreaks created from steals than any other team I have ever seen.

[MU82]

Andrew and Aaron Harrison went to UK as the #5 and #6 players nationally.  They both stayed two years.

You just never know.

This is an outstanding point, and a few others here (me included) have said similar things about others who stayed a second year, such as Griffin, Barnes and Smart. Kyle Singler was a higher-ranked recruit than Hank and he stayed FOUR years at Duke.

I don't expect Hank to stay four years and I wouldn't be surprised at all if he left after this one. But you are so right in saying "You just never know." Young folks make all kinds of decisions for all kinds of reasons.

[bilsu]

Andrew and Aaron Harrison went to UK as the #5 and #6 players nationally.  They both stayed two years.

You just never know.

and one was a second round draft choice and the other did not get drafted.