Do we have any semblance of an offensive plan or strategy?

[MU Avenue]

I know Marquette made a pretty good comeback against Syracuse, but I think there would have been an even better outcome against Syracuse and other teams if Marquette actually had an offensive plan.

Our strategy on offense appears to be: Pass the ball around until the shot clock is close to expiring. Then, when the shot clock is down to single digits, whoever happens to have the ball takes a shot that too often has little likelihood of going in.

I think MU could be a really good team and would beat teams such as Syracuse and Georgetown if the coaches and players knew what they wanted to do with the ball.

Our loose, unstructured offense is a Marquette tradition that continues to hurt us this season.

It is hard and frustrating to watch.

[RJax55]

In the 2nd half, MU knew exactly what to do. That's why they scored 47 points.

MU attacked the 'Cuse zone by penetrating into it off the dribble. They got into the middle of zone, off the bounce. Good adjustment by Buzz at halftime.

In the 1st half, MU tried getting the ball into the middle of the zone via the pass, but 'Cuse length caused a bunch of turnovers. Plus, 'Cuse defended the pass lanes very well.

Usually, the way to attack a zone is via the pass, not the dribble. But, that wasn't the case today.

[MUMac]

Last year and in the 2nd half today, MU attacked the Syracuse Zone fairly well.  I don't know what they were doing in the first half.  When they didn't turn it over with sloppy play, they were not moving the ball.  That created forced shots late in the shot clock.  Really a bad offense in the first half. 

[MU Avenue]

We seem to run no set plays on offense. Instead, we rely on "someone" getting open. And if that "someone" does not get open, we toss up a shot seconds before the shot clock expires.

Watch closely and you will see this scenario play itself out over and over.

Our offense needs greater structure and real plays.

[MUMac]

We seem to run no set plays on offense. Instead, we rely on "someone" getting open. And if that "someone" does not get open, we toss up a shot seconds before the shot clock expires.

Watch closely and you will see this scenario play itself out over and over.

Our offense needs greater structure and real plays.

True.  Some teams run set plays, other run more of a flow.  Wisconsin, as an example, does not run set plays.  They run the swing.

But, for today, what set plays would you have liked to have run against a zone?

[madtownwarrior]

So according to this board, MU has no structured offense and no defensive plan,  what do we pay buzz millions for?

[Dawson Rental]

I know Marquette made a pretty good comeback against Syracuse, but I think there would have been an even better outcome against Syracuse and other teams if Marquette actually had an offensive plan.

Our strategy on offense appears to be: Pass the ball around until the shot clock is close to expiring. Then, when the shot clock is down to single digits, whoever happens to have the ball takes a shot that too often has little likelihood of going in.

I think MU could be a really good team and would beat teams such as Syracuse and Georgetown if the coaches and players knew what they wanted to do with the ball.

Our loose, unstructured offense is a Marquette tradition that continues to hurt us this season.

It is hard and frustrating to watch.

With the talent on hand, do you really think that being the second best offense in the Big East is this team's problem?

edit: enough with the personal attacks.

[MUMac]

So according to this board, MU has no structured offense and no defensive plan,  what do we pay buzz millions for?

MU has an offensive structure.  That is just idiotic for anyone to think they do not.  I am shocked we have some many wonderful coaches on this board that are not employed in the industry.   

[GGGG]

We seem to run no set plays on offense. Instead, we rely on "someone" getting open. And if that "someone" does not get open, we toss up a shot seconds before the shot clock expires.

Watch closely and you will see this scenario play itself out over and over.

Our offense needs greater structure and real plays.

A lot of teams don't run set plays.  The run continuous motion offenses.  UW runs a motion offense called the swing (as Mac mentioned).  Bo never runs set plays.  The legend is that he doesn't even have a clipboard on the sidelines.  Bobby Knight rarely ran set plays, etc. etc. etc.

Honestly, up until this year, MU has been one of the most efficient offenses in the country under Buzz.  Yeah, I know that that is not the case this year, but writing a couple sets in chalk on the floor isn't going to change that.  Offense isn't something you can blame Buzz for.  I just think we don't have the attack mentality with two of our players (Jae and DJO) who settle for too many jump shots.

[MU Avenue]

You are a moron. Period.

With the talent on hand, do you really think that being the second best offense in the Big East is this team's problem?

No need to answer. You do because you are a moron.

LittleMurs, are you 12 years old? Is this junior high school?

You get weirdly snotty and dismiss me as a "moron" because you disagree with my opinion? I am so pleased I did not know any twerps like you when I was at Marquette.

Oh, and please tell me a deep thinker such as you does not really believe that Marquette has the "second best offense in the Big East."

I sincerely doubt that Buzz Williams and our players would make such a ridiculous claim.

[Dawson Rental]

LittleMurs, are you 12 years old? Is this junior high school?

You get weirdly snotty and dismiss me as a "moron" because you disagree with my opinion? I am so pleased I did not know any twerps like you when I was at Marquette.

Oh, and please tell me a deep thinker such as you does not really believe that Marquette has the "second best offense in the Big East."

I sincerely doubt that Buzz Williams and our players would make such a ridiculous claim.

No, only statisticians do.  So, you're going to answer such a nasty post by me, and not bother to fact check my claim first.  Of course not, you are... damn, I almost did it again.  I hereby profusely apologize to all morons for my slight on them by comparing them to MU Avenue.

p.s. Check your facts, and you won't look so, well, you know.

[amen426]

With the talent on hand, do you really think that being the second best offense in the Big East is this team's problem?

The reason MU is 2nd in scoring in the B.E. is because they lead the conference in free throw attempts. Our points come from the free throw line. Which is why it is frustrating for Marquette fans to watch DJO and Crowder take forced three point shots early in the shot clock... Especially after MU clawed back into the game by running an effective zone offense, which opened up nice easy looks in the paint (or trips to the free throw line).

The ball movement was non-existent during the final 5 minutes, and DJO was a big reason why.  

And just because MU is 2nd in scoring, doesn't mean they have the 2nd best offense in the Big East.

[Dawson Rental]

The reason MU is 2nd in scoring in the B.E. is because they lead the conference in free throw attempts. Our points come from the free throw line. Which is why it is frustrating for Marquette fans to watch DJO and Crowder take forced three point shots early in the shot clock... Especially after MU clawed back into the game by running an effective zone offense, which opened up nice easy looks in the paint (or trips to the free throw line).

The ball movement was non-existent during the final 5 minutes, and DJO was a big reason why.  

And just because MU is 2nd in scoring, doesn't mean they have the 2nd best offense in the Big East.

Thank you for an intelligent response.  MU Avenue could learn a lot from your post.

My opinion differs.  I do believe that being 2nd in scoring, makes MU the second best offense in the Big East.  I do believe that foul shots are a part of the offense.  With only Davante Gardener available to provide anything near to a traditional post offense, I believe that Buzz is very astute to emphasize "paint touches" and put offensive pressure on opposing team's defenses to force fouls and get MU a legitimate chance to score as well as anyone else in the Big East.

If Jay Wright were as creative, Villanova with its talent could easily top the Big East in scoring.

[Dawson Rental]

LittleMurs, are you 12 years old? Is this junior high school?

You get weirdly snotty and dismiss me as a "moron" because you disagree with my opinion? I am so pleased I did not know any twerps like you when I was at Marquette.

Oh, and please tell me a deep thinker such as you does not really believe that Marquette has the "second best offense in the Big East."

I sincerely doubt that Buzz Williams and our players would make such a ridiculous claim.

I damn near got to 1430 posts on this board without once calling anyone a name.  Your post finally broke the camel's back.  Congratulations.

I do not believe that "disagreed with your opinion" is the correct way to state things.  I considered your opinion to be whiny and uninformed.

[MUfan12]

MU runs a motion offense that has the ball stop way too many times. The reason the team with Acker and Cubillan were so good offensively was they kept the ball moving. The ball gets to Cadougan, Mayo, Blue, and DJO and it stops. They dribble trying to set their guy up to drive and the offense grinds to a halt.

Also, having an immobile 5 doesn't help either.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

how MU ave rolls....

[bilsu]

It is hard to make an educated comment about a game you only listen to on the radio. However, the charges called in the first half really hurt MU and the announcers were questioning some of them.

[GGGG]

MU runs a motion offense that has the ball stop way too many times. The reason the team with Acker and Cubillan were so good offensively was they kept the ball moving.

I don't think that's by design.  In the first half against Georgetown MU moved the ball very well.

[Big Papi]

I missed a decent amount of the first half and only was able to turn on the tv when we were down 18 to 12.  I then proceeded to watch us not score for a really long time.  I watched Vander miss 4 free throws, DJO miss a wide open 3 from the top of the key, Jamil Wilson miss an easy open 10 footer, and then a forced Mayo 3.  When shots are not falling we look really bad.  It was only after all of those easier open shots that didn't fall that I saw this team start pressing more and more with each possession causing us to start giving the ball away. 

This team has its weaknesses on the offensive and defensive end.  Our offense looks so much better when force turnovers and grab boards and are able to run so yes it looks like we don't have an offensive plan in a half court game but I think we have too many players who just can't score consistently.  Vander only scores when he drives.  Same with Junior.  DWilson won't take a shot.  Anderson when he plays won't either.  JWilson is not aggressive on the offensive end.  That leaves us DJO, Crowder, Mayo and Gardner.  We need those four on the floor to score on the offensive end.  Problem is Gardner can only give us 20 or so effective minutes and gets into foul trouble too easily.  Mayo is a fresh and has his ups and downs, when he is hitting, we look good, when he misses, we don't look good.  DJO and Crowder can not be expected to carry the load for us against top level competition.  They need some help so when they get help from Mayo, Gardner, Vander, JWilson and Junior our offense looks great.

[lab_warrior]

This is our 4/1, 3/2 motion offense, all nice and summarized by the Scout board...  READ UP.  


http://marquette.scout.com/2/915636.html

One of the great things about it is that it isn't that "set", which makes it hard to defend when run well.

The fact that we may have had a hard time in the first half at SU, and second half at GTown, is that those are good teams that play pretty good defense.  As mentioned in NUMEROUS places/posts before, I think offense is the least of our problems.  

[GGGG]

I agree mufanatic...but DJO and Jae acted like they had to be the scorers, and bombed up a bunch of threes, when we didn't need it.  You say Junior and Vander "only score when they drive," and while that is true, you are underestimating what a drive can do to break down the defense.  MU was at its best yesterday when Junior and Vander were attacking and dishing the ball to teammates.  

BTW, Mayo didn't hit a shot yesterday until junk time.  He has really fallen off the past few games as defenses are running at him and making him put the ball on the floor.  

[GGGG]

This is our 4/1, 3/2 motion offense, all nice and summarized by the Scout board...  READ UP. 


http://marquette.scout.com/2/915636.html

One of the great things about it is that it isn't that "set", which makes it hard to defend when run well.

The fact that we may have had a hard time in the first half at SU, and second half at GTown, is that those are good teams that play pretty good defense.  As mentioned in NUMEROUS places/posts before, I think offense is the least of our problems. 

Excellent read.  Thank you.

[MU Avenue]

how MU ave rolls....

Hey, Z F-B, regarding the photograph and comment you have posted in this thread: I don't understand either of them.

I am sure they are clever replies and amusing as all get out, but they do not make a lick of sense to me.

But that rolling-eyes happy face. Now that is highbrow humor and always good for a laugh.

As I have also asked LittleMurs, are you 12 years old? Is this junior high school?

[MUMac]

Hey, Z F-B, regarding the photograph and comment you have posted in this thread: I don't understand either of them.

I am sure they are clever replies and amusing as all get out, but they do not make a lick of sense to me.

But that rolling-eyes happy face. Now that is highbrow humor and always good for a laugh.

As I have also asked LittleMurs, are you 12 years old? Is this junior high school?

You are on your high horse.

[Golden Avalanche]

You are on your high horse.

At least you're now eye level.