Pouring it on

[Lennys Tap]

Loved how hard we played tonight. But considering Mt St Marys had 7 scholarship players and were missing their best guy was it really necessary to be picking them up full court with a 50+ point lead and a minute left? I'm not suggesting you stop playing but can't you let up on the gas pedal a little?

[Skatastrophy]

Loved how hard we played tonight. But considering Mt St Marys had 7 scholarship players and were missing their best guy was it really necessary to be picking them up full court with a 50+ point lead and a minute left? I'm not suggesting you stop playing but can't you let up on the gas pedal a little?

I don't see any reason to care about a team's feelings when it's a learning experience for our players.  It's not like we were putting up shots early in the shot clock to run up the score.  There's nothing more valuable than our young guys getting game experience like this.

[rocky_warrior]

I don't see any reason to care about a team's feelings when it's a learning experience for our players.  It's not like we were putting up shots early in the shot clock to run up the score.  There's nothing more valuable than our young guys getting game experience like this.

I agree somewhat.  I guess Buzz could have had the guys pull back completely, but I think he did want to keep them pressing on defense, as that is likely one of his keys this year (knowing defense has been sub-par).

He did put some starters back near the end - though I think he only did that because the "subs" we visibly winded.  I think he could have made them play through that....it would be a learning experience as well.

[Markusquette]

I think he could have eased the pressure some, but it was more to drive home that intensity we want to bring and make sure the newcomers understand that.  What good would it be to have our new guys not giving a lot of effort just to make the opponent feel better?

[Hards Alumni]

Never pull back.  Work your game, and always work on something.

I can totally see why Buzz would rather scrimmage good programs rather than play crappy ones.

As long as we aren't just running up and down dunking, ally-ooping, and acting like jack asses, I am fine with it.

[Badgerhater]

Some teams can ease the throttle and still not get super sloppy, MU under Buzz is not one of those teams.  Throttling back against L'ville cost us big time last year.   I want MU to never throttle back even when its scrub time.

[T-Bone]

Gotta keep learning and hustling.  Otherwise you'll fall behind in the BE. 

[Brewtown Andy]

Keep the defense on lockdown, slow down the offense to grind the clock.

[RyanConroy]

Normally we'd see guys like Rob, Yous, or Erik headed into the game in these situations. We don't have players like that anymore. You can't throttle down and risk creating bad habits. I'm sure Buzz wants them playing hard every time they're on the court, regardless of situation.

[tower912]

    We had two guys making their D1 debut, we had one making his MU debut.    It was important to get them as much play as possible, and Buzz did.    Look at the minutes breakdown.   Were there even any walk-ons dressed last night?   I wasn't paying attention.   

[brewcity77]

Right now, we have 11 (once JA is back) high major players and no one who is at that "scrub" level. I have no problem with our high major players playing at that level. I understand not running your first five out there with 30 seconds to play, but I didn't feel like we were trying to rub it in, we were simply that much better. MSM's suspensions didn't help them at all, but that's not the fault of our players.

[wyzgy]

Never pull back.  Work your game, and always work on something.

I can totally see why Buzz would rather scrimmage good programs rather than play crappy ones.

As long as we aren't just running up and down dunking, ally-ooping, and acting like jack asses, I am fine with it.

count the basket and one!!

[wyzgy]

and note how buzz called that time out right before the half to work on an inbounds play at the baseline.  ya never know when that one will be needed in a big game either trailing or tied and we need it.  never wasting a moment

[Ari Gold]

Right now, we have 11 (once JA is back) high major players and no one who is at that "scrub" level. I have no problem with our high major players playing at that level. I understand not running your first five out there with 30 seconds to play, but I didn't feel like we were trying to rub it in, we were simply that much better. MSM's suspensions didn't help them at all, but that's not the fault of our players.

Gone are the days of having 6-8 quality players with 3-4 scrub guys who pick up garbage time. (Hopefully)

[bilsu]

Loved how hard we played tonight. But considering Mt St Marys had 7 scholarship players and were missing their best guy was it really necessary to be picking them up full court with a 50+ point lead and a minute left? I'm not suggesting you stop playing but can't you let up on the gas pedal a little?

These non-conference games are teaching games. Buzz needs to get them to play hard every possession. Calling them off does not accomplish anything.

[bilsu]

I do not know if anyone else notice, but problably the most amazing thing last night was playing pressure defense on every possession and not commiting a foul for over the first 8 minutes of game time.

[classof70]

I'm with Len.  Pull back.  I turned it off.  A game like that isn't enjoyable.  Pick on someone your own size.  That isn't  one that builds character. 

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

Doesn't seem like Buzz's style. I suspect the other coach was in on this. Perhaps teaching their missing starters an additional lesson? I don't like that kind of thing at all. It was a 60 point game.

[avid1010]

Doesn't seem like Buzz's style. I suspect the other coach was in on this. Perhaps teaching their missing starters an additional lesson? I don't like that kind of thing at all. It was a 60 point game.

Is that type of discussion even allowed?

[jsglow]

I think both teams played hard.  I was impressed with the MSM coach who also pushed his kids hard and expected them to perform.  No Buzz team should ever go 1/2 speed.  We weren't rubbing their nose in anything; our guys were practicing hard.  Both teams understood and fought hard regardless of the scoreboard.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

Is that type of discussion even allowed?

With his undermanned squad, MSM's coach knew they were in for a beat down even before tipoff. Buzz could have alerted him that they need to work on full court pressure and would be doing so regardless of the score. That's all I'm saying. Not saying that happened, but I'm just surprised we were doing so with such a large lead.

[4everwarriors]

Gone are the days of having 6-8 quality players with 3-4 scrub guys who pick up garbage time. (Hopefully)

Or 3-4 quality guys and 6-8 scrub guys as we had with Crean.

[reinko]

I'm with Len.  Pull back.  I turned it off.  A game like that isn't enjoyable.  Pick on someone your own size.  That isn't  one that builds character. 

Maybe after the game, everyone can get one of these.

[Pakuni]

Maybe after the game, everyone can get one of these.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Bo, with a much deeper bench, played his starters more minutes in Becky's 85-31 blow-out of national power Kenneshaw State.  KSU scored a whopping 8 points by half time.  Should he have pulled back the reigns in his team's first D1 game, or should he have continued to work the kinks out?  MU skipped two exhibitions, there are a limited amount of opportunities to get in the first games before the Virgin Islands.  Why let freshmen play chuck and duck in their first home game?