Thoughts on the Rutgers game.....

[NCMUFan]

E-Will's butt must have red blisters by now, sitting on the bench for most of two years. He's dead wood. Come on E-Will, transfer, so we can get someone who wants to play or comprehend the system.

Wow, Fulce knee gives out again and we will need Erik Williams big time.  He has been coming along well.  My question is :Who do you know that is dying to come to Marquette that is better than Erik Williams? 

[Dr. Blackheart]

Big win on the road with our senior guard on the bench with an injury.  Caddy with 8 dishes, Vander with five 2nd half boards, and somehow we came back to win the rebounding war 31-29. The first half turnovers, many unforced, are a factor of a tough RU defense (see Nova), our first away crowd, and our senior PG out--yet folks stepped up to get in done.  RU had four more field goals made (26-22), the same amount of treys made (9-9), but we won on free throw rate (20 FTM to 9 for RU). 

Road wins need grit and we showed it tonight. 

If MU starts to play great team defense, and limit unforced TO's, and we learn to put teams away--we will continue to improve and have a say in the BE chase.  Lots of headroom to grow vs. Buzz's first two teams. 

[ChicosBailBonds]

Took care of business.  Ugly at times, very good at times.  A win is a win.  Expected this win, glad we controlled the entire game and brought a business like approach to the game.

I suspect most of us felt we would be 2-0 at this point, now for a big one on Saturday.  Not expecting a win but that would be a gigantic win if the boys can pull it off this weekend.

[Norm]

I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for Buzz to play Eric Williams, especially in Big East games or against decent non-conference opponents.

In 23 Big East games that MU has played in his career, EWill has only seen the floor in 11. Out of 920 minutes of Big East games (that does not include overtime), Williams has played for 45 minutes. He has never played more than 7 minutes (twice), and has played 2 minutes or less 5 times.

In the 10 non-conference games over the past two years against good/decent teams - Bucknell, Xavier, Michigan, Florida State, NC State, Wisconsin, Duke, Gonzaga, Wisconsin and Vanderbilts - he has not played in 7 of them. In the 3 games he did get in, he played a grand total of 6 minutes, with a high of 3 coming in the Bucknell game.

So, throwing in Big East games with decent non-conference games - 33 games - he has played in 14 games, for 51 out of 1,320 minutes (again, not counting any overtime minutes).

Unless something drastically changes, Eric Williams will just continue to absorb splinters.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

I think Rutgers deserves some props. I really liked the spark that team had, even though they were undermanned. Marquette played well, except for turnovers. Some of those were self-inflicted but many were because Rutgers was playing very hard. I was happy to see that. I expect they'll beat some people in their gym this season. Nice win.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

It wasn't just TWC that had a bad feed. I have Cox in CT and it was really choppy. Probably a crappy feed from the Big East Network.

Crappy feed on Cablevision in Connecticut also.

[willie warrior]

Boy, you Cadougan urinators are brutal. I suspect you are the same ones who urinated on Smith after he decided to transfer.

Cadougan had a great floor game, and played good D. Yet the comments continue, Buyxks should be out there, he is useless from the field, he is chubby, etc. Give the kid some credit

Cadougan was instrumental in this game as about 4 of his assists were to DJO in rythym. He is not needed to score.

When Buycks F's up, not a word is mentioned--when Cadougan F's up the urinating starts.

[NersEllenson]

Boy, you Cadougan urinators are brutal. I suspect you are the same ones who urinated on Smith after he decided to transfer.

Cadougan had a great floor game, and played good D. Yet the comments continue, Buyxks should be out there, he is useless from the field, he is chubby, etc. Give the kid some credit

Cadougan was instrumental in this game as about 4 of his assists were to DJO in rythym. He is not needed to score.

When Buycks F's up, not a word is mentioned--when Cadougan F's up the urinating starts.

This team a MUCH better with Buycks on the floor.  Junior is at least 1 year away from being a starting caliber Big EAst point guard.  He MADE one good play that I can recall and that was a drive and dish to Vander for an easy 2.  The other "assists" were merely passing the ball to a red HOT DJO and DJO makeng the shot.  Until Junior breaks somebody down off the dribble in the half court, draws defensive attention, and then dishes to a teammate for a good shot..I'm not going to get too excited about his play.  Junior looks tentative at best with the ball when being defended aggressivel.  All this said, he is basically a freshman in his 14 game..

[GGGG]

E-Will's butt must have red blisters by now, sitting on the bench for most of two years. He's dead wood. Come on E-Will, transfer, so we can get someone who wants to play or comprehend the system.

Uh...no.

He's got time to make an impact.

[bilsu]

E-Will's butt must have red blisters by now, sitting on the bench for most of two years. He's dead wood. Come on E-Will, transfer, so we can get someone who wants to play or comprehend the system.

With a posting like this, the moderators should ban you from this site. The best 7-9 players are going to play, the next have to wait for their opportunity. Williams has progressed from last year and will continue to progress. Dwight Burke virtually did not play his first two years and started most games his next two.

[MU B2002]

This team a MUCH better with Buycks on the floor.  Junior is at least 1 year away from being a starting caliber Big EAst point guard.  He MADE one good play that I can recall and that was a drive and dish to Vander for an easy 2.  The other "assists" were merely passing the ball to a red HOT DJO and DJO makeng the shot. 

Yes DJO was on, but Jr's passes to him were on target, as Willie said, enabling DJO immediately fire.  There is more to an assist that just passing the ball to a hot shooter.  He also had 1 turnover, 1.  That is pretty solid for a PG that was bringing the ball up the floor for 30min.

[reinko]

This team a MUCH better with Buycks on the floor.  Junior is at least 1 year away from being a starting caliber Big EAst point guard.  He MADE one good play that I can recall and that was a drive and dish to Vander for an easy 2.  The other "assists" were merely passing the ball to a red HOT DJO and DJO makeng the shot.  Until Junior breaks somebody down off the dribble in the half court, draws defensive attention, and then dishes to a teammate for a good shot..I'm not going to get too excited about his play.  Junior looks tentative at best with the ball when being defended aggressivel.  All this said, he is basically a freshman in his 14 game..

[reinko]

Yes DJO was on, but Jr's passes to him were on target, as Willie said, enabling DJO immediately fire.  There is more to an assist that just passing the ball to a hot shooter.  He also had 1 turnover, 1.  That is pretty solid for a PG that was bringing the ball up the floor for 30min.

Yes he only had one recorded turnover, but he had a horrible drive to the hoop that resulted in TO that wasn't counted as one, and at least two other times he narrowly saved his own dribble, and CLANGED two FT's. 

So yes, only 1 recorded turnover, but 2 others (horrible drive and missed 2 FT's), and nearly 2 others.  Get better DB.

[chren21]

The best 7-9 players are going to play, the next have to wait for their opportunity. Williams has progressed from last year and will continue to progress. Dwight Burke virtually did not play his first two years and started most games his next two.

Thank you..  There are many of other examples of this happening.  I believe Eric will contribute next year.  And cross my fingers that it does not happen, but if any injury to Butler or Crowder occurs he will be on the floor this year many a minutes as well.

[Henry Sugar]

We shot well on the road (1.19 ppp).  Too bad our defense gave up 1.06 ppp.

We had an eFG% of 62%.  Too bad we allowed Rutgers to shoot 55% (they avg 50%).

Way sloppy with the ball (26% turnover rate).  We lost this factor to RU (23%), but both teams were bad.

Good game for OR% (46% - above average).  Bad game for defensive rebounding % (RU had 44%).  Kind of a wash.

We won FTR handily.  (74% vs 20%)

We won on the road, and I never really felt the game was ever in doubt.  But our defense continues to be crap.

[Norm]

Thank you..  There are many of other examples of this happening.  I believe Eric will contribute next year.  And cross my fingers that it does not happen, but if any injury to Butler or Crowder occurs he will be on the floor this year many a minutes as well.

I hope you're right. It just has to be terribly frustrating for Williams right now. He was a much, much higher ranked recruit than Dwight Burke, yet Burke through his first two years saw a lot more floor time than Williams has seen. When your coach hardly ever plays you in league games or against good non-conference opponents, that can really wear on your psyche. Hopefully that drives him to work harder in practice.

[reinko]

I hope you're right. It just has to be terribly frustrating for Williams right now. He was a much, much higher ranked recruit than Dwight Burke, yet Burke through his first two years saw a lot more floor time than Williams has seen. When your coach hardly ever plays you in league games or against good non-conference opponents, that can really wear on your psyche. Hopefully that drives him to work harder in practice.

Sorry, but wrong.

Dwight Burke: Freshman Yr, 2005-2006 Avg 5.3 min/per game
Erik Williams: Freshman Yr, 2009-2010 Avg. 5.6 min/per game

Dwight Burke: Soph Yr, 2006-2007 Avg 8.9 min/per game
Erik Williams: Soph Yr, 2010-2011 Avg. 8.89min/per game

http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/marq/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/burke_final.pdf
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/player/profile?playerId=45575

[GGGG]

Sorry, but wrong.

Dwight Burke: Freshman Yr, 2005-2006 Avg 5.3 min/per game
Erik Williams: Freshman Yr, 2009-2010 Avg. 5.6 min/per game

Dwight Burke: Soph Yr, 2006-2007 Avg 8.9 min/per game
Erik Williams: Soph Yr, 2010-2011 Avg. 8.89min/per game

http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/marq/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/burke_final.pdf
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/player/profile?playerId=45575

Yeah, but look at those stats.  They both played about the same number of games as a freshman (19 v. 20), but Burke played 34 games as a sophomore.  Williams is at 11 and *might* get to 20.  Minutes per game is only based on the games in which the player plays...not overall number of games.

[reinko]

Yeah, but look at those stats.  They both played about the same number of games as a freshman (19 v. 20), but Burke played 34 games as a sophomore.  Williams is at 11 and *might* get to 20.  Minutes per game is only based on the games in which the player plays...not overall number of games.

Thanks for the addendum, good points.  Hadn't thought about that.

[StillAWarrior]

Thanks for the addendum, good points.  Hadn't thought about that.

What's this?  The two of you discussing an issue, supporting your positions with data and then reasonably considering rebuttal positions and data?

Stop this nonsense.  This is an internet message board, for goodness sake.  Think of the children!

[GGGG]

Look, Williams has his chance next year.  We have two frontline players graduating (JFB and Fulce).  Everyone knows that Jamil will get significant minutes next year, but that means Williams, Gardner (and maybe Juan Anderson) will be fighting for some time. 

Jamail too will get his shot with Buycks leaving...probably even more when DJO leaves a couple years from now.

It's in their hands to step up and show what they can do.

[reinko]

What's this?  The two of you discussing an issue, supporting your positions with data and then reasonably considering rebuttal positions and data?

Stop this nonsense.  This is an internet message board, for goodness sake.  Think of the children!

You hate Buzz.  Tom Crean tans a lot and drinks Diet Coke.  Buzz needs to shoot nothing but free throws in practice.  We are too small.  DJ Newbill.  Obama sucks. Bush is an idiot.  FIBS.  Brewer fans are fat and ugly. 

Happy?

[AZWarrior]

He MADE one good play that I can recall and that was a drive and dish to Vander for an easy 2.  The other "assists" were merely passing the ball to a red HOT DJO and DJO making the shot. 

I disagree and think you are taking several of JR's excellent assists for granted.  Right off the cuff I can recall a dribble toward the paint, which caused another defender to collapse, giving extra space to a player (DJO?) on the right wing.  JR hit our wing player with a perfect pass resulting in a 3.

I recall another quality pass to DJO, meaning DJO received the ball in rhythm, in perfect position to take the shot and with enough time and space to get it off.

Yes - you can point out that JR has gaps in his game, but don't take his positives for granted.  High quality assist passes should not be belittled.

[Golden Avalanche]

Yes DJO was on, but Jr's passes to him were on target, as Willie said, enabling DJO immediately fire.  There is more to an assist that just passing the ball to a hot shooter.  He also had 1 turnover, 1.  That is pretty solid for a PG that was bringing the ball up the floor for 30min.

Thought Cadougan's passing all night was excellent. He had another great assist when he drove to the FT line, checked toward the bucket to draw in the defender, and passed straight to DJO's chest for an easy pop. It was sublime.

The turnovers are another good story. RU is a good defensive team. Top 5 in the conference. Yes, Cadougan can look jerky at times with the ball in open court but only one turnover in 30 minutes is very good return.

The problem remains that he is an impotent scorer. For many fans, all they can see are points. He has a long way to go but considering the little time he's played perhaps the "a-ha" moment comes soon.

[StillAWarrior]

As a compromise between the two of you, they should try to win both at Pitt AND at Louisville. Somebody get Buzz on the phone.


Edited:  Not sure how I ended up posting this in the wrong thread.  Sorry.