We have such a long way to go it's not funny

[ChicosBailBonds]

Could it be that UWM played a really, really good game last night?  Upsets can happen you know?  UCONN beating Michigan State this year.  Purdue getting beaten by Richmond last night.  Evansville beats Butler last night.  

I get annoyed with some elitist posts here who think by virtue of us wearing an MU jersey, we should destroy a decent mid-major team, that happens to be a cross-town rival, that looks at playing/beating MU as its Super Bowl of games.  

Ners, did you watch the first half or the beginning of the second half when we were up by 18 points?  UWM looked HORRIBLE (that was also when I titled my thread, when UWM was God awful and we looked like we actually cared).  Wide open 3's by us, easy transition baskets, etc.  Of course, we didn't play defense again and let them back in it.

If MU played to their capabilities this is a 25 point win.   That is the frustrating part.  It wasn't anything UWM did, it was MU becoming cocky, lazy, lackadaisical and playing dumb basketball after having a big lead.

For it's "Super Bowl" of games, I would expect there to be more than 7,200 fans in attendance.

[🏀]

If it was such a bad game, why did our RPI rise 50 spots?

Great post JayBee.

[ChicosBailBonds]

If it was such a bad game, why did our RPI rise 50 spots?

It didn't, that was from the previous few days.  Our RPI dropped 3 spots.  In fact, we dropped in all the rankings.

[🏀]

For it's "Super Bowl" of games, I would expect there to be more than 7,200 fans in attendance.

Are you trying to deny that UWM wanted this more than MU? C'mom, Chics.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Are you trying to deny that UWM wanted this more than MU? C'mom, Chics.

Nope, not denying that at all.  I just laugh at how some are making this sound like we went into the Lion's lair....their support is a joke, half the fans there were ours for Christ sake.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Great post JayBee.

Actually a terrible post, as a result of the game we went down in every ranking.  The rankings I posted last night were PRIOR to last night's game factored in which were done this morning.

[Lennys Tap]

 

I'm mostly concerned that Buzz has relied on stellar senior leadership the last two years that he was fortunate enough to come into.  He doesn't have that this year.  Maybe Jimmy and DB are those guys, but they don't seem to be...at least not yet.  Jimmy seems rather quiet and I honestly can't figure DB out just yet.  As a result, we are playing young...young and dumb. 

That's frustrating. 

Where was that "stellar senior leadership" when Dayton blew us out of the gym (nuetral court) or S Florida beat us two years ago? Or when NC State easily handled us at home and De Paul beat us last year. Oh yeah, I forgot, those were occasions of Buzz not getting our "stellar senior leadership" (left behind by the great TC) ready to play. And now that they're gone we're devoid of leadership. As usual, you're as easy to see through as one of Cher's evening gowns - and as interesting to read as she is to look at.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Right now, UW beats MU at the BC. Why, they get it. Bo has a defined system both offensively and defensively, the players know what it is when they're recruited, it's practiced, and doesn't vary. Like it or not, Bo is a legendary coach and winner. Consistency, consistency, consistency....
MU might get it this season, and then again, may not. What is Buzz' style of play? I don't know. Does it vary based on the talent he gets yearly? We'll see.

+1

[🏀]

Nope, not denying that at all.  I just laugh at how some are making this sound like we went into the Lion's lair....their support is a joke, half the fans there were ours for Christ sake.

We go to Rosemont every year, and we have half our fans there? Still lose...

You're still playing in the other team's house. Whether or not half the fans are ours or not, it matters.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Where was that "stellar senior leadership" when Dayton blew us out of the gym (nuetral court) or S Florida beat us two years ago? Or when NC State easily handled us at home and De Paul beat us last year. Oh yeah, I forgot, those were occasions of Buzz not getting our "stellar senior leadership" (left behind by the great TC) ready to play. And now that they're gone we're devoid of leadership. As usual, you're as easy to see through as one of Cher's evening gowns - and as interesting to read as she is to look at.

Apparently interesting enough for you to respond, which scares me because that must mean you think Cher is attractive as well.


Lenny, do you think this team looks poised, mature or do they look lost at times?  Critical times at that?  Does this team play down to the level of competition, a sure sign of immaturity?  Does this team lack the ability to put teams away?  Does this team have the talent to play with anyone but often doesn't show the sense of urgency needed until too late (Gonzaga game, almost the Bucknell game)?  Does this team have great talent that is capable of a solid season?  Does this team hustle and have the desire to be great?

I think they are a bit of all of the above and it concerns me some of the most fundamental aspects of basketball they are lost, at times.  Now, the good news is this is correctable.  On the leadership front, I love Jimmy Butler and hope that he can become that leader that we need him to be this year.  Novak wasn't a get in your face guy until his senior year, either.  Jimmy needs to make this his team, just like Lazar did last year and Wes did the year prior. 

In my opinion, we look lost in situations we shouldn't look lost in. 


I've got you, babe!

[🏀]

Jimmy needs to make this his team, just like Lazar did last year and Wes did the year prior. 

In my opinion, we look lost in situations we shouldn't look lost in. 

Two very good points. JFB has to step up and be the guy. DB isn't capable of being that voice. Fulce probably is, but that shouldn't be his role.

[ChicosBailBonds]

We go to Rosemont every year, and we have half our fans there? Still lose...

You're still playing in the other team's house. Whether or not half the fans are ours or not, it matters.

We've lost at Rosemont four times in the last 8 years....once to a NCAA DePaul team, twice to a NIT DePaul team, and then there was last year.....

Over the last 20 years, we have had tremendous success down at DePaul because it was a home game away from home, but at least still had a semi-flavor of an opposition.  I wouldn't compare going to the MECCA on equal terms of going to the Rosemont Horizon.  Playing at the MECCA is an easier atmosphere (no travel at all) with a lesser opponent.

[🏀]

We've lost at Rosemont four times in the last 8 years....once to a NCAA DePaul team, twice to a NIT DePaul team, and then there was last year.....

Over the last 20 years, we have had tremendous success down at DePaul because it was a home game away from home, but at least still had a semi-flavor of an opposition.  I wouldn't compare going to the MECCA on equal terms of going to the Rosemont Horizon.  Playing at the MECCA is an easier atmosphere (no travel at all) with a lesser opponent.

It should be, but I could see how it couldn't be.

I also think UWM might beat some of those DePaul teams. Not the NCAA team, but lately...

[NersEllenson]

Ners, did you watch the first half or the beginning of the second half when we were up by 18 points?  UWM looked HORRIBLE (that was also when I titled my thread, when UWM was God awful and we looked like we actually cared).  Wide open 3's by us, easy transition baskets, etc.  Of course, we didn't play defense again and let them back in it.

If MU played to their capabilities this is a 25 point win.   That is the frustrating part.  It wasn't anything UWM did, it was MU becoming cocky, lazy, lackadaisical and playing dumb basketball after having a big lead.

For it's "Super Bowl" of games, I would expect there to be more than 7,200 fans in attendance.

Chicos - I did watch the game in its entirety - teams usually look bad when the other other team is making shots.  Simple as that.  Both teams shot the ball real well from the field and the 3 point line.  UWM hit some tough 3's, and the Hill kid was a very good interior presence.  McCallum was a very good 3 point shooter.   Meier hit some 3's too.

I didn't really see MU getting cocky or lackadasical..UWM went on a couple of runs, and MU had a few turnovers and empty possesions in those runs.  It happens.  Regarding the "Super Bowl" comment - I'm not basing that off of attendance, nor did I ever say anything about MU going into some hornet's nest/mad house, etc....but TO THE PLAYERS AND COACHES IN THE UWM PROGRAM, playing MU is their Super Bowl.  I'm sure UWM has been preparing for the MU game since practices began October 15th and definitely have it circled on the calendar.  MU?  Probbably was more focused on Duke and Gonzaga.

[Windyplayer]

This is one of the dumbest posts I've seen on here...and it's in response to one of the other dumbest posts I've seen on here. I guess I shouldn't expect much from a grown man who has a screen name that rips a college kid.

My god, everyone is tearing into each other after a VICTORY four games into the season. Let's get some perspective and be a little more civil. The bottom line is that we have an undersized team with a lack of experience. We'll have nights like last night.

[🏀]

I didn't really see MU getting cocky or lackadasical.

I have to disagree they had some terrible runs of sloppy, slow and overall disinterested play. Buzz had to call two TOs very quickly to get the team back into the game.

Maybe they were focused on the hot cheerleader on the sidelines?

[ChicosBailBonds]

It should be, but I could see how it couldn't be.

I also think UWM might beat some of those DePaul teams. Not the NCAA team, but lately...

It would be an interesting game.

Ken Pom predicts UW-M to go 12-17 this year....by the way, they play DePaul later this year and Ken Pom predicts a DePaul win by 3 points.  If we think DePaul is that bad and Ken Pom predicts a DePaul victory, what does that say about UW-M?  That's my point, they aren't very good and we have no business playing like we did the last 17 minutes of last night's game.

[🏀]

It would be an interesting game.

Ken Pom predicts UW-M to go 12-17 this year....by the way, they play DePaul later this year and Ken Pom predicts a DePaul win by 3 points.  If we think DePaul is that bad and Ken Pom predicts a DePaul victory, what does that say about UW-M?  That's my point, they aren't very good and we have no business playing like we did the last 17 minutes of last night's game.

I don't disagree with you, we played terrible. It was really bad second half. However, I don't think the season is lost. Why you got to be all doom & gloom?

[GGGG]

I didn't really see MU getting cocky or lackadasical..UWM went on a couple of runs, and MU had a few turnovers and empty possesions in those runs.  It happens.  Regarding the "Super Bowl" comment - I'm not basing that off of attendance, nor did I ever say anything about MU going into some hornet's nest/mad house, etc....but TO THE PLAYERS AND COACHES IN THE UWM PROGRAM, playing MU is their Super Bowl.  I'm sure UWM has been preparing for the MU game since practices began October 15th and definitely have it circled on the calendar.  MU?  Probbably was more focused on Duke and Gonzaga.

I would by and large agree with you IF we had let them go out to a lead...but we didn't.  We let them off the mat in both the first and second halves.  We got lazy with the ball and gave away too many possessions.  I don't think, as Chicos asserts, they were "cocky," but they definately lost their focus.  I don't care if it is their Super Bowl...you don't let a team with inferior talent off the mat like that.

[Ari Gold]

Back to the original post... Chicos is 100% correct. This team is not good right now. I cringe at the thought of a BE schedule right now. UWM is not a good basketball team, but MU let them stay in it. I was having DePaul flashbacks in the second half.

What really gets me is they can play exceptionally good ball in 5 minute stretches, and then give up a 10-2 run and erase all of it. It keeps happening too. You'd think they'd learn at some point.

+1
I'm not ready to say the sky is falling but we aren't a good basketball team right now. I'm beginning to hate Buycks. Terrible decision making and worse shooting. -Why do you take a 30 foot shot at the end of the half? And that wasn't just a one game problem for him.

last nights game shouldn't have been that close. we pissed away opportunities to win at Gonzaga. I don't want to go as far as saying we're a bad basketball team but we certainly arent playing up to expectations.

[ChicosBailBonds]

I don't disagree with you, we played terrible. It was really bad second half. However, I don't think the season is lost. Why you got to be all doom & gloom?

Where did I say the season is lost?

That's the problem I have with many people on this board.  NEVER did I say the season is lost or even hint at it.  In fact, I've said many times these issues are correctable.  I've said we are young and inexperienced, but never the season is lost.

This is the problem with this board, someone states the obvious (which is we played terrible basketball in the second half last night) and you're labeled a hater, a poison, words are put into their mouths (i.e. season is lost), etc, etc.  We can be a good team and have a good season, but we need to play better than we are.

Why don't people just actually READ what is said.

Sorry for the rant, you are far less guilty of it then the core group that simply doesn't know how to read or chooses willfully to ignore the most important words by some posters.  Frustrating to say the least.

[Jay Bee]

Playing at the MECCA is an easier atmosphere (no travel at all) with a lesser opponent.

The team actually packed and stayed at a hotel prior to game day vs UWM.  Maybe that was the issue - should we crucify Buzz? 

BTW, why are you updating rankings, including RPI, every day in your signature?  "For over 10 years" you have been saying how worthless early rankings are, yet you're updating them manually every single day?  What is the reason?

PS - Vikings up in the third on the road... pretty good chance we make the playoffs.

[ChicosBailBonds]

The team actually packed and stayed at a hotel prior to game day vs UWM.  Maybe that was the issue - should we crucify Buzz?  

No.  I agree with his approach, treat it like a road game, stay at the hotel.  Does that change the fact that there was no travel?  That the building was half MU fans?  That going to DePaul there is at least some travel and Big East talent on the other side of the court rather than Horizon League talent?

BTW, why are you updating rankings, including RPI, every day in your signature?  "For over 10 years" you have been saying how worthless early rankings are, yet you're updating them manually every single day?  What is the reason?

I said the writers and coaches rankings....(the PRE-SEASON RANKINGS) why can't you understand this?  Really, is there a mental block?  How many times do I have to repeat it?

PS - Vikings up in the third on the road... pretty good chance we make the playoffs.

Did you mean to put that in teal?

[Jay Bee]

I said the writers and coaches rankings....(the PRE-SEASON RANKINGS) why can't you understand this?  Really, is there a mental block?  How many times do I have to repeat it?

The question was, "why are you updating rankings, including RPI, every day in your signature?"  I didn't see an answer to the question in your reply.  One potential answer would be that you believe the RPI is meaningful at this point in the season.  The other potential answers result in... character being revealed. 

[brewcity77]

*Sigh*

I guess one of the differences here is expectation. Most people on this site seemed to think we would blow out UW-M by 25-40 points. I always thought that was an unrealistic expectation. I predicted a 10 point win. Had the game ended a couple minutes earlier, that would have been about right. I think had it gone on a couple more minutes, it still would have been about right.

UW-M got down in the first, they made a run back in. When they did, we re-established most of the lead by halftime. They made another second half run, whittling it down to 5, then we ran the score back up to double-digits. They made their final run and cut it to three. I fully believe had the game gone on any longer, we would have pushed the score back up. Despite coming at us time and time again, all they could do is get a little closer, then we would push it back. So the game ended when they were in the midst of a run, so what?

According to KenPom, this was our toughest challenge outside of Duke and Gonzaga, and I'm basing that on playing on their court. Yes, UWGB is one spot higher (172, UW-M is 173) but we played Green Bay at home. Bucknell is 191, South Dakota 279, Prairie View A&M 335. This is still a top-200 team on their home floor. This wasn't likely to be a 35-point win. I don't know why so many people expected it to be.