SOTG Creighton

[MU82]

I'd have gone with JJJ slightly over Markus and Sam, who I thought had an outstanding all-around game.

JJJ and Markus showed just how great we can be ... and also just how fine the line is between success and failure is for us.

JJJ couldn't have played better in the first half - he looked like an NBAer. He started OK in the second half but went for a few more steals that led to CU baskets. And when he missed that dunk, it changed the momentum of the game. Could have gone up 17; instead, in less than 2 minutes, CU had cut our lead to 5. The miss obviously messed with JJJ's head and Wojo had to get him out of there; Duane played so well that JJJ didn't get back in until the closing minute ... and then he promptly missed a 1-and-1.

Markus had a nice all-around game and hit a few big shots - I remember a particularly nice 3 and a beautiful floater from the side. But he tried to get cute showing off his handle at the top of the key and got picked clean, and he was loose with a couple of passes, helping CU stay in the game. Then, with a chance to clinch it, he totally bricked two 1-and-1s.

I hope this isn't perceived as ragging on our guys at all. I'm one of the bigger JJJ fans around and I think Markus is a borderline stud. I just felt this game showed so much about the state of MU hoops - still a lot of room for improvement but obviously some greatness is there.