This years team vs last years team

[flash]

When its all said and done, which team will end up having a better season?

My bet is on last years team, their senior leadership and experience was invaluable to their 11 big east wins, also their 3 point shooting was rediculous, 6th in the nation i believe. 

This years team I think has more potential and they are better defensivley and at rebounding, but they are younger and don't have as much experience.  Also they are muuuuch worse shooters. 

[chapman]

they are better defensivley and at rebounding

Really?

[flash]

Really?

equally poor?

[MarquetteDano]

As of this post last year's team was better than this year's team.... right now.  Last years team didn't have much room for improvement as the season progressed since Maymon left.  Fulce and DJO improved somewhat as the season went on but that was about it.  Thus, last year's team was near its height this time last year.

This year's team is going to be much better in March than they are now.  Look at all of the potential improvement... Otule, Blue, Gardner, Crowder, and Cadougan.  If just three of the listed five improve that is more in-season improvement than last year.  Also, at the end of last year we were running out of gas in games.  That is not going to happen too much this year with the depth.

I think by March this year's team will be better than last year's team.  That assumes the majority of the less experienced folks improve.  If not, then definitely last year's team will be better.

[Josey Wales]

Lazar alone makes last year's team better at rebounding. This years team may be the worst I've ever seen at rebounding up to this point.

Edit: I should clarify because that sounded a little harsh. I think this years team has much more potential than last years, just hasn't shown it yet. I think this years team is already better defensively, especially at the guard positions, and has the potential to be better offensively.

[DCWarriors04]

Wow...one rough week and people are throwing this team under the bus all ready. Plus, weren't people picking last year's team apart early on following the loss to NC St at home? Give this team some time, the potential for great things is there as well as the potential for some ulcers...but aren't those the joys of young teams? By the end of the season the things we are complaining about right now will be a distant memory.

[T-Bone]

http://statsheet.com/mcb/teams/marquette
http://statsheet.com/mcb/teams/marquette?season=2009-2010

Last year we were last in the BE in rebounds.
This year we're 12th, so far.  It's certainly not an apples to apples comparison.  But that also extends way past just the rebounding stats. 

It is a much different team.

[PGsHeroes32]

People need to settle down. We lost close games to #1 and another top 25 team. Those are the loses. We go out and beat Bucky at home, as well as possible steal one in Vandy we are looking prime. We havnt lost any games we shouldnt have yet, not like last year.

[nomorebuycks]

Last year's team, if only because this year's squad can't shoot. 

[Stretchdeltsig]

This year's team will continue to improve throughout the season.  The high talent level and the amount of depth gives this team a big upside over last year's team.  Crowder, Gardner and Otule need to box out more to control the offensive boards.  We need to play high energy and play fast against slower teams.  We will and we will win!

[bilsu]

I am not too excited about going 22-12 and I do not think this team will achieve that. This team is more talented, but is to inexperienced. Inexperince gets killed in the Big East. Also I originally thought MU got a good draw in the mirror games with Uconn, Notre Dame and DePaul. I figured we would go 4-2 or 5-1 in those games. Uconn is much better than I expected and Notre Dame looks like a tough win.

[Nukem2]

A big factor this year is getting Gardner healthy and on the court.  He gives MU a significant change of pace (offensively) that can change the course of a game.

[Steve Buscemi]

Last year's team, if only because this year's squad can't shoot. 

Oh please.  Its not even December and you are already saying that.  You've seen them play at most 280 minutes, but I'm convinced by some of your other posts that you haven't really watch them at all.

[brewcity77]

Last year's team, if only because this year's squad can't shoot. 

Except for Crowder (41.7% from 3), and your favorite player Dwight Buycks (39.1% from 3), both of whom are shooting from distance at a very respectable clip.

But what would you know, you're just a troll.

[Lennys Tap]

I am not too excited about going 22-12 and I do not think this team will achieve that. This team is more talented, but is to inexperienced. Inexperince gets killed in the Big East. Also I originally thought MU got a good draw in the mirror games with Uconn, Notre Dame and DePaul. I figured we would go 4-2 or 5-1 in those games. Uconn is much better than I expected and Notre Dame looks like a tough win.

It's even tougher than you think. We get Seton Hall (with Hazell healthy) twice, not DePaul. 3-3 looks pretty good in those games.

[brewcity77]

It's even tougher than you think. We get Seton Hall (with Hazell healthy) twice, not DePaul. 3-3 looks pretty good in those games.

I still think 4-2 is very possible. I'm not at all convinced by Notre Dame's record. The Old Spice is looking like an incredibly soft field, and all their other wins are cupcakes. UConn certainly looks tougher than expected, and Seton Hall will probably be a tough out, but I'm still thinking we have a good shot at a winning record in those games.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Good question.  Tough to say.

Arguments for last year
Easier overall schedule
Big East softer top to bottom
Lazar Hayward (All Big East, NBA 1st rounder)
Quality PG who was natural to the PG position
Four high % three point shooters
3 Seniors that were all four year players

Arguments for this year's team
More depth - More quality players at more positions
Better inside presence
Buzz has one extra year of experience


Arguments Against Last year's team
Lack of Size
Lack of depth
Buzz only in 2nd year
Rebounding


Arguments Against This year's Team
Tougher schedule
Youth and inexperience
Rebounding (better than last year but not by much)
Shooting from beyond the arc suspect thus far  (could come around)
Zone offense (it's early, should come around)
Point guard play is inconsistent in terms of minutes played and/or decision making
No Lazar Hayward

[Lennys Tap]

Good question.  Tough to say.

Arguments for last year
Easier overall schedule
Big East softer top to bottom
No Lazar Hayward (All Big East, NBA 1st rounder)
Quality PG who was natural to the PG position
Four high % three point shooters
3 Seniors that were all four year players

Arguments for this year's team
More depth - More quality players at more positions
Better inside presence
Buzz has one extra year of experience


Arguments Against Last year's team
Lack of Size
Lack of depth
Buzz only in 2nd year
Rebounding


Arguments Against This year's Team
Tougher schedule
Youth and inexperience
Rebounding (better than last year but not by much)
Shooting from beyond the arc suspect thus far  (could come around)
Zone offense (it's early, should come around)
Point guard play is inconsistent in terms of minutes played and/or decision making

As proof that I read and react to your content and not your user name, I think this is a fair and pretty accurate assessment.

[ChicosBailBonds]

As proof that I read and react to your content and not your user name, I think this is a fair and pretty accurate assessment.

Why, thank you!  Much appreciated

[ATL MU Warrior]

As proof that I read and react to your content and not your user name, I think this is a fair and pretty accurate assessment.

I agree 

[chren21]

I still think 4-2 is very possible. I'm not at all convinced by Notre Dame's record. The Old Spice is looking like an incredibly soft field, and all their other wins are cupcakes. UConn certainly looks tougher than expected, and Seton Hall will probably be a tough out, but I'm still thinking we have a good shot at a winning record in those games.

Just the fact that ND starts 5 seniors is very tuff for our inexperienced squad.  We could easily drop both of those.  Hopefully not.

[NersEllenson]

As proof that I read and react to your content and not your user name, I think this is a fair and pretty accurate assessment.

I agree.  Perhaps we can have a Pavlov's Dog scenario here and give Chicos positive reinforcement for quality posts...and ultimately elicit more of the same in the future.

On the topic..my bet..this team will make the NCAA tourney this year and will advance to the Round of 32, possibly 16.  Having said that, they may not have a better record than last year's team overall..nor may they be as fun to watch as last year's team..but if we are going to measure the success of a season based on post season play..my bet is on this year's team.  As has been said..a lot more upside room for improvement across 5 key players on the roster that get significant minutes:  Cadougan, Gardner, Blue, Crowder, Otule.

[brewcity77]

Having said that, they may not have a better record than last year's team overall..nor may they be as fun to watch as last year's team..but if we are going to measure the success of a season based on post season play..my bet is on this year's team.

Pretty easy bet, considering that the worst that can happen is you break even if they lose in the first round

[NotAnAlum]

Last years team had a very specific formula for victory.  Limit the possessions, don't foul, take care of the ball, spread the floor, hit the 3.  I don't think this team knows what its formula to win is yet.  I do know this.  Right now the way to beat this team is to zone them.  Execution against the zone against the Zags was absolutely painful to watch.  We've had problems with Zones going back to the Crean era.  Last year if a team played zone against us it played right into our hands slowing the game down and allowing us to set up for the 3.  I'm hoping that Buzz can devise something that will work without depending on our very streaky 3 ball shooters.  I'm hoping that what we've seen up to now against the zone is a result of Buzz taking time putting the defenses in and currently concentrating on base man to man.  As a result we haven't worked much against zone.
There are other things that have to happen.  Right now at 6-10 Otule is not as effective rebounding or guarding the 5 than Lazar was at 6-6.  He has to be able to be the equal of Lazar defensively and rebounding.  The offense has to come from somewhere else and with Blue and Junior also not scoring the 3 and 4 positions have got to score a bunch.
I agree with most of the other posts.  I think the fact that we are not beating the cupcakes by as much is reliable indicator that right now this team is not as good as last years.  

[ChicosBailBonds]

I agree.  Perhaps we can have a Pavlov's Dog scenario here and give Chicos positive reinforcement for quality posts...and ultimately elicit more of the same in the future.

Or the reverse...perhaps we can open your eyes and have you actually read the posts and judge them for the content and not based on who writes them....might elicit some understanding and comprehension in the future.