Limitations

[Aircraftcarrier]

At the beginning of the season I never thought this team would win 8 games in the Big East.So many limitations.No Power Forward,rebounding is very poor,no rim protector,one of the smallest teams of all High majors,not very athletic and no  2 guard that can handle the ball against pressure.They have won eight games because of there shooting in a very good league.Help is on  the way.I remain confident that in 2 years MU will compete for first place in the Big East.

[AZMarqfan]

MU has been pretty competitive.  The problem has been lack of team--particularly Senior--leadership.  This team needs several areas of improvement (in no particular order):

1) leadership
2) PF--we have 2 decent C's, but without a PF it puts too much pressure on them
3) PG--we need the classic Tony Miller, Aaron Hutchins, or Travis Diener.  That is, we need a PG that can just put his head down and break a press all by himself.  JJJ and Howard are sub-standard dribblers.  Rowsey is adequate. This is an area we miss Carter. 

The good news is we now have a bunch of good shooters, and the program is turning the corner. 

[tower912]

I have been actually impressed with how well Wojo has managed to cover over the size issues in relation to defensive rebounding.    I predicted that would be this team's achilles heel and went so far as to predict 4 losses due the inability to secure a late defensive rebound ultimately leading to the decisive points.     There have been a few games where it has mattered, but not as many as I feared.
     I did not anticipate the lack of on-floor leadership.   Of course, I assumed Traci would be here, but I am unsure he would have made a difference.        The lack of a take-charge type, on both ends of the floor, has been a far greater weakness than defensive rebounding.     A lockdown defender.   Someone who holds his teammates accountable.    There is a fine line between taking the game over on the offensive end and hero ball.    When someone has tried to take charge at the end of the game, it has inevitably ended poorly, with a bad, missed, shot. 
   The recurring theme of this season is the number of double digit second half leads blown.   Cut that number in half, and MU is comfortably in the tournament.    So, why? 
 First is defense.    We know the problem.     
Second is attitude.    There is something about the players on this team that seems to short circuit in their brain with a big lead.    The ball stops moving.   More one-on-one offense.    More standing around.     We hear Wojo saying it in the huddles.   Why are the guys on the floor not hearing it?
Third, lack of on floor leadership.    Where is the willingness to accept the challenge?    Where is the refuse to lose attitude?   Where is the holding each other accountable?    Standing and watching offensive rebounders?
Fourth, physical toughness.    Yes, there were a number of times that MU players got thrown around without a foul being called.   But they weren't strong enough to avoid being thrown around.
Fifth, coaching.     The culture that Wojo is trying to instill isn't taking yet.    What is he not doing that the players continue to make weak plays and poor decisions at crunch time?   

The lack of floor leadership and physical toughness plays into the poor defense.   These, to me, are the fundamental weaknesses of this team.   

[Herman Cain]

I have been actually impressed with how well Wojo has managed to cover over the size issues in relation to defensive rebounding.    I predicted that would be this team's achilles heel and went so far as to predict 4 losses due the inability to secure a late defensive rebound ultimately leading to the decisive points.     There have been a few games where it has mattered, but not as many as I feared.
     I did not anticipate the lack of on-floor leadership.   Of course, I assumed Traci would be here, but I am unsure he would have made a difference.        The lack of a take-charge type, on both ends of the floor, has been a far greater weakness than defensive rebounding.     A lockdown defender.   Someone who holds his teammates accountable.    There is a fine line between taking the game over on the offensive end and hero ball.    When someone has tried to take charge at the end of the game, it has inevitably ended poorly, with a bad, missed, shot. 
   The recurring theme of this season is the number of double digit second half leads blown.   Cut that number in half, and MU is comfortably in the tournament.    So, why? 
 First is defense.    We know the problem.     
Second is attitude.    There is something about the players on this team that seems to short circuit in their brain with a big lead.    The ball stops moving.   More one-on-one offense.    More standing around.     We hear Wojo saying it in the huddles.   Why are the guys on the floor not hearing it?
Third, lack of on floor leadership.    Where is the willingness to accept the challenge?    Where is the refuse to lose attitude?   Where is the holding each other accountable?    Standing and watching offensive rebounders?
Fourth, physical toughness.    Yes, there were a number of times that MU players got thrown around without a foul being called.   But they weren't strong enough to avoid being thrown around.
Fifth, coaching.     The culture that Wojo is trying to instill isn't taking yet.    What is he not doing that the players continue to make weak plays and poor decisions at crunch time?   

The lack of floor leadership and physical toughness plays into the poor defense.   These, to me, are the fundamental weaknesses of this team.

Steven Bardo says today's athletes do not like to hold each other accountable. It is a modern youth culture thing he says and is epidemic.  He makes that point every time we play .  Could be an explanation for point 3 above.

In the days of yore a guy like Duane would be a natural team leader, not so much any more.