West Virginny

[downtown85]

I predict a very tough, defensive-oriented, ugly game.  WVA is currently #2 in the land in terms of Defense and #3 at forcing turnovers (according to Pomroy).  They are also #4 in offensive rebounds.  The only redeeming prospects are that they don't shoot very well and their opponents get to the line a lot (which could play in Marquette's favor). 

I will predict MU wins if some of WVA's players get in foul trouble early and WVA wins if MU turns the ball over a lot.  Also, WVA is very good at 3pt field goal defense (pomroy has then at #2), MU should try for points off dribble drives rather than jacking up 3s.   Their point guard is hurt and apparently won't play, so this may help us.

The intangible is Huggy vs. Buzz.  Let's see how the chess match proceeds.  Perhaps Buzz will throw a new wrinkle into the game plan to force an adjustment.  I can almost guarantee Huggy will. 

Any thoughts?

[MU gimp ONE]

i have one thought... Huggins is a goon.

go marquette

[reinko]

Another thought...

Huggins is fond of the bottle and driving at the same time.

[muball]

Ewbanks the freshman has had some very very good games, will be a tough matchup and Zar needs to stay in the game and not foul him.

[willie warrior]

i do not know much about WVA's players, but one thing that appears different from Thuggins at Sincy--he has less convicts and hard core criminals on the team. Has he turned over a new leaf?

[reinko]

Guess he moved onto hill folk looking meth lab kids.

[LON]

i do not know much about WVA's players, but one thing that appears different from Thuggins at Sincy--he has less convicts and hard core criminals on the team. Has he turned over a new leaf?

Not completely...maybe more in his image???

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/mensbasketball/bigeast/2008-07-29-wvu-arrests_N.htm

[willie warrior]

thanks. Did not know about those. Are they still with the team?

[LON]

thanks. Did not know about those. Are they still with the team?

Mazzula is their starting PG but he's hurt and didn't play against UConn and I think he is still out.  Thoroughman is about as threatening on offense as Burke but played pretty tough D against UConn because of foul trouble to the starters

[lab_warrior]

Huggins still has a few Beilein-era players, like Ruoff and Mazzula, so he hasn't completely thugged and JUCO'd  the program up yet.  I expect some weird wrinkle on D from them,  like last years' triangle and two/box and one combos.  The key for us will be getting and making FTs, they aren't going to let us get easy baskets, and they'll defend the arc.

[MDMU04]

Another thought...

Huggins is fond of the bottle and driving at the same time.

It wasn't all bad for Huggins though.  He probably knows of a good place to get the interior of your car detailed.

[dwaderoy2004]

Mazzula is out, and may be out for the year.  they have a freshman PG ("Truck" Bryant) that they like, and if they think he can carry the load, they are thinking about a medical redshirt for Mazzula.  He played fairly well against UCONN, but I think James will lock him down and make his life miserable.  While Ebanks has had some monster rebounding games, he was pretty much non-existent against UCONN, mostly because Thabeet, Adrien, Robinson and Edwards are all beasts on the boards.  From what I've seen, it seems they still live and die by the three.  Their best player is Dasean Butler, who is an inside-outside post guy similar to Lazar, but I think he's got a few inches on Hayward (6'9'' maybe).  If Ruoff is hot from three, watch out, but we will certainly crowd him and make him put it on the deck as he has zero quickness.  They are also fairly deep, so the big four is gonna have their work cut out for them keeping up with fresh bodies.  It'll be a tough game, but i just do not see the seniors letting us lose a toss-up type game like this at home.

[MUHoopsfan6]

Funny story about Huggy.  My Dad and I were sitting in the stands I think in St Louis the one time they hosted the Great Midwest Tournament.  Huggins was being interviewed by some ESPN guy, they had some of the stands blocked off as media space.  The ESPN guy and Huggins were taking an obvious break from the interview,  stood up and were chatting casually.  Someone in the stands yells, "hey huggins your stupid!" an obvious and well thought out remark to be sure.  Of course couldn't be outdone and replied with his own witty comeback, "oh yeah, well your ugly."
True Story

[Skatastrophy]

Funny story about Huggy.  My Dad and I were sitting in the stands I think in St Louis the one time they hosted the Great Midwest Tournament.  Huggins was being interviewed by some ESPN guy, they had some of the stands blocked off as media space.  The ESPN guy and Huggins were taking an obvious break from the interview,  stood up and were chatting casually.  Someone in the stands yells, "hey huggins your stupid!" an obvious and well thought out remark to be sure.  Of course couldn't be outdone and replied with his own witty comeback, "oh yeah, well your ugly."
True Story

My favorite part of that story is that they both used incorrect grammar   While I'm kind of being an ass, it really did make them both seem more idiotic

[Wade for President]

One thing you can usually bank on with Huggins.....he'll be @ Turner's after the game for a few beers.

Shared a beer with him there 2 times during my tenure in Milwaukee.

I hate Huggins as much as the next guy, but after giving Cincy a good whuppin'....I love how he would make his team sit on the bus and contemplate their terrible play, while he would grab a beer with Marquette fans. 

You stay classy Bob Huggins.

[77ncaachamps]

Bobby Huggins...he's actually mellowed out more since his dad's death and took his health more seriously.

Funny out he's associated with UC and his thuggish program he ran there...and now his current U can claim Pacman Jones as a proud product.

[AZWarrior]

Here's my Huggins story:  I had season tickets with seats very near where the opposing team would exit the floor at half time to go to their locker room.  Huggins was already in a bad mood as we were beating them at the half.  Graduation rates had been recently announced and Cinci was graduating about 20% of their players.  As Huggins was following his team off the floor into the "under-the-stands" exit, I leaned over and said to him "Coach Huggins, why do you only graduate 20% of your players?"  (exact quote - I still remember after all these years) I didn't expect a reaction but I did get one.  Huggins stopped, turned around and shouted "Frack you, a##hole!" and then he came at me.  I was about 6 feet up and a railing was between him and me, fortunately.  I quickly exited and went out for a beer.   

[Daniel]

This is going to be a very physical game - and that's a concern if we cannot rest the started for part of the game - they will get owrn down.  Hopefully WV will get tired too  but this is probably the most physical game this season so far.

We can't get into foul trouble - that's for certain, and we need to create lots and lots of turnovers on WV.  Will be a very very tough game.  Huggins is good.  We have to be better.. . .
GO MARQUETTE!!!