MU's offense without DJ

[Lennys Tap]

Some on this board (Murf mostly) claim that MU only misses DJ on the defensive end and that we are as good or better on offense with Mo running the show. I confess that James sometimes drove me nuts, especially when he launched ill advised 3s. But watching Jerel and Wes struggle to get good shots against even a weak defensive team like Utah St speaks volumes. It's difficult for Acker to "create" since he is no threat to finish off his penetration. Acker and Burke's defenders (and even Butler's to a certain extent) are able to help  whenever McNeal or Matthews put it on the floor. I know Utah St played mostly zone today, but I think any D is helped when they only have to guard 3 players. Thoughts?

[Markusquette]

Agree completely.  It's clear how much losing DJ hurts because now he can't create for McNeal and Wesley.  He could spread out the defenders and also have them flock to him when he drives and can kick out and make passes underneath.  That's something Acker can't do.  I'm not sure if it's partly mental, but Wes and mainly Jerel haven't been the same without DJ.  I hope it doesn't hurt their draft potential, but it could.

[ceh]

I think it is very true that Wes and Jerel are having difficulties getting into an offensive rhythm.  However, these guys have just not been converting their jumpers.  Call it flat, off, short or whatever - they have just been missing open shots.

[Daniel]

DJ helped on both ends of the floor, without question.  Not having his threat of driving and finishing does make it more difficull for Wes and Jerel to get open looks. When he penetrated, our opponents didn't know what was going to happen: finish, kick it out, etc.

We miss him.  Mo is doing the best he can really - he has played well.  Wish a few more of his 3's would drop, but he hit a bit one today.

[tower912]

.....is an oxymoron.

[GOLDY]

I agree the offense is different without DJ. However, McNeal and Matthews are missing way too many wide open shots.  How much more wide open do they need to be?  They make more of those shots against Utah State and it is a blow out. 

[bradforster]

How many transition baskets did Marquette get prior to the injury?  More than we can count.  How many transition points have they scored after the injury?  So few we can probably recall each one of them.  There is no debate on this topic.  The team looks like a Big Ten squad offensively right now.  The fast break is nonexistent.  That's what made this team so fun to watch.

[VegasWarrior77]

Where are the DJ bashers now?

[77fan88warrior]

Acker's a great ballhandler but there is no dribble penetration. He needs to at least try going wide once in awhile and make them guard the baseline. I feel like our offense is stuck at the top of the key and our opponents big men can wait back for Jerel and Wes to drive. As soon as a team goes zone, they don't have to guard the baseline because we are screwing around the top of the key. Barro wasn't a great post up player but he had that drop step move that kept zones more honest. The alley oop was a threat until DJ went down.

[mviale]

Wes and Rel were just awful today - shooting a combined 6-27.   Rel had 5 turnovers and the whole team had 7 assists.  We miss DJ!

[77fan88warrior]

I think the announcers today said our avg. # of assists is down 4 per game since DJ was hurt.

[mviale]

How many transition baskets did Marquette get prior to the injury?  More than we can count.  How many transition points have they scored after the injury?  So few we can probably recall each one of them.  There is no debate on this topic.  The team looks like a Big Ten squad offensively right now.  The fast break is nonexistent.  That's what made this team so fun to watch.

True That