[Rosiak's Blog] An opinion on MU's offensive struggles

[ToddRosiakSays]

An opinion on MU's offensive struggles
               



New York -- As poorly as the Marquette Golden Eagles played in the first half of their 85-72 loss to Seton Hall on Saturday, they had plenty of opportunities to get back into the game.

               

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/117501823.html
               

[cheebs09]

Refreshing to hear that they seem to at least be figuring it out a little bit. I think many here said the passing up of shots for better ones has been a problem lately, especially since we usually wound up taking much worse shots. Hopefully DJO comes out gunning and has a few performances this year like he did against Nova in the BET.

[mugrad2006]

"I think we worry about a lot of peoples' opinions most of the time -- 'Is this a bad shot? Can we get a better one?' instead of just playing our game, " Butler said. "Nobody gets mad at anybody for shooting shots, so shoot the shot that you know you can make, that we know you can make. The shot that we know you should take.

"Everybody knows who's going to shoot what shot when they touch the ball, or what they're going to do with it, so that person has to do that. We can't always take a more open or perfect shot. When you get a good look, you've got to take it. We've got to get back to doing that.

"That's killing us right now."

I think this sums up what some of us (I'd say many but don't want to assume a majority) have been thinking lately watching this team, especially after the Cincy game.  These guys can pour it in, but the mentality of finding the perfect shot, of getting x number of paint touches, has gotten so strong that they are out of rhythm.  

I expect that they come out against providence gunning with no fear and put up 90, boosting the confidence they need to be dangerous in the tourney.

Edit: Sorry cheebs, didn't try to poach your idea, I think we hit 'send' at the same time.

[Doris Burkes Thong]

Not surprising to hear this because it was the exact thing we discussed after the Cincy loss, but something a few posters and I have brought up going back about a month or so ago. The feeing of not wanting to shoot the ball because of players being afraid to fail is basically our offense's main problem.

[GGGG]

Well hopefully they have figured it out.  The first thing any basketball player should look to do when they get the ball is shoot.  Now most of the time they aren't going to have a good shot to look at so they should pass.  But they should always be prepared physically and mentally to shoot the ball.

[Dr. Blackheart]

While I agree there is hesitancy creeping in on offense (see Buycks who all of a sudden was filling it up at the end), MU still had good offensive games against The Hall and U of C (above 1.00 in offensive efficiency).  When a team gets down and shots are not falling, it is a wise strategy to drive to the hoop to draw fouls and to score with a still clock.  MU is just very inexperienced in these situations.

However, MU had their third and fourth worst defensive games of the season against SH and UC--second only to all time stinkers at Pitt and UND.

[brewcity77]

Not surprising to hear this because it was the exact thing we discussed after the Cincy loss, but something a few posters and I have brought up going back about a month or so ago. The feeing of not wanting to shoot the ball because of players being afraid to fail is basically our offense's main problem.

I think it goes back far more than a month. I remember after the Wisconsin game in early December saying that it looked like everyone was afraid to shoot. Yup, here it is:

My issue today, however, was that we didn't shoot badly from outside. Yes, DJO continued to be off the mark. But we shot 44% from three. Hell, take DJO out of the mix and the rest of the team went 4-6 from beyond the arc. The problem was that we weren't even looking for the shot. Everyone wanted to drive, to go inside. We passed up numerous open looks. I know that Jimmy isn't a "three-point option first" kind of guy, but when you're open and we're down in the closing minutes, put it up. Crowder passed a few opportunities today as well. I mean, Bucky only shot 31.6% from three, but at least took chances, jacking up 19 of them. We need to attempt more than 9, especially when guys are hitting. No excuse for being afraid to shoot.

We've had this problem all year. Guys passing on shots for "better looks" is a constant problem with this team, an something I hope Buzz can iron out as his freshmen and sophomores become juniors and senior.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

I said weeks ago that it's an obsession with "paint touches." I'm quite certain these are emphasized in film sessions, practice, etc. Driving into the lane is all well and good, but if it's not there, it's not there. Take the open shot when it's there! I'm talking to you, Crowder!

[Henry Sugar]

While I agree there is hesitancy creeping in on offense (see Buycks who all of a sudden was filling it up at the end), MU still had good offensive games against The Hall and U of C (above 1.00 in offensive efficiency).  When a team gets down and shots are not falling, it is a wise strategy to drive to the hoop to draw fouls and to score with a still clock.  MU is just very inexperienced in these situations.

However, MU had their third and fourth worst defensive games of the season against SH and UC--second only to all time stinkers at Pitt and UND.

mostly co-sign.  I'd argue that averaging 1.00 ppp for the 14th best offense in the country is a bad thing.

But yeah... where are the thoughts on why the defense is bad?

[NYWarrior]

However, MU had their third and fourth worst defensive games of the season against SH and UC--second only to all time stinkers at Pitt and UND.

Sad but true .... especially when u realize that SHU and UC are both lousy offensive teams (UC #11 in the BE, SHU #16)

[ChicosBailBonds]

I said weeks ago that it's an obsession with "paint touches." I'm quite certain these are emphasized in film sessions, practice, etc. Driving into the lane is all well and good, but if it's not there, it's not there. Take the open shot when it's there! I'm talking to you, Crowder!

Agree

[groove]

I said weeks ago that it's an obsession with "paint touches." I'm quite certain these are emphasized in film sessions, practice, etc. Driving into the lane is all well and good, but if it's not there, it's not there. Take the open shot when it's there! I'm talking to you, Crowder!

Add "toughness" to that list of buzz obsessions

[Dr. Blackheart]

mostly co-sign.  I'd argue that averaging 1.00 ppp for the 14th best offense in the country is a bad thing.

But yeah... where are the thoughts on why the defense is bad?

Well, MU was ~1.05 offensively against both...and U of C is 10th and SH is 14th in the nation defensively.

Defensively, UC is big inside and just took over. SH shot out of their minds in the 1st half from behind the arc and also killed us in transition off long rebounds, turnovers as well.  Same old story on defense: no ability to make stops in these grinder games when everything is coming a little tougher on O.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

I said weeks ago that it's an obsession with "paint touches." I'm quite certain these are emphasized in film sessions, practice, etc. Driving into the lane is all well and good, but if it's not there, it's not there. Take the open shot when it's there! I'm talking to you, Crowder!

Paint touches are the same as "deflections".

As long as they win, it's genius, when they lose, you get tired of hearing about it. 

Fans are a fickle bunch, but if the team wins, we will all buy what the coach is selling.

Pretty easy equation.

[Nukem2]

I said weeks ago that it's an obsession with "paint touches." I'm quite certain these are emphasized in film sessions, practice, etc. Driving into the lane is all well and good, but if it's not there, it's not there. Take the open shot when it's there! I'm talking to you, Crowder!

Actually, the biggest offenders of declining the open shot are Jimmy and DJO.

[GGGG]

The concept of "paint touches" is obviously a good one.  The mindset of breaking down a defense with penetration, and shying away from being too much of a jump shooting team, is smart.  However, when it becomes all consuming and you pass up good shots for the sake of a paint touch, it isn't good.

[Lennys Tap]

Add "toughness" to that list of buzz obsessions

I don't know that "toughness" can be overemphasized, and frankly I think it's an attribute that this team lacks. I came away from both the St Johns and Cincinnati games feeling we were "out-toughed". Whether it's Otule/Gardner/Crowder failing to hold their positions and thereby giving up easy putbacks, nonchalantly going after loose balls (and losing most of them) or not stepping in to take the charge this team doesn't get their uniforms dirty enough. There are a lot of really nice guys/good citizens on this team who will be wonderful ambassadors for Marquette throughout their lives, but if they want to really succeed in the Big East they need to play with an edge that has been mostly missing this year.