It has only been a couple of games, but is history repeating itself?

[MU Avenue]

I have long said that Marquette basketball teams typically and for some frustrating reason play to the level of their competition. This has been the case for many, many years.

Is MU going to continue with this trend for the 2012-13 season?

This season's team is a collection of strong and very strong players who had a nice start against Colgate and then, with the exception of a couple of players, played poorly, sloppily and with lackluster against Southeastern Louisiana.

We all know that this Marquette team, while young and still getting to know one another, has the stuff to be very good and to do some impressive things on the court. My hope is that this group of players finally brings consistency to the court, too.

One of MU's trademarks season after season, even when equipped with some really good or great players, has been a lack of consistency and a tendency to let opponents, including lesser teams, determine the tone and pace of too many games.

[tower912]

I think that history is repeating itself in that MU is trying to replace two stars, trying to figure out roles and responsibilities on both ends of the floor. 

[brewcity77]

Agreed on trying to figure it out. We have played to the level of our competition in the past, and may continue to do so, but I'm really not worried yet. If we're 4-4 after the Wisconsin game, then it might be time to start worrying because we'll have played some actual competition, and as much as people might think otherwise, none of the three games following UW are going to be pushovers. For now, though, we're 2-0. The only way our record could have been better at this point is if there was less condensation on the USS Yorktown.

[bilsu]

Colgate was a terrible team, so I would not call it a nice start. The fact is Buzz early in the season concentrates on defense in practices. As a result the early season offense can struggle. What is missing from this years team is the fast break baskets.

[Stronghold]

Buzz has played 11 guys in both of the last 2 games and is trying to assess everyone's play.  He also lets the players play a little more and figure things out on their own by not calling timeouts when the other team makes a little run to tighten the game up.  Have to do things like this now because we can't afford to do it in Maui or vs. Fl and Wisco.

[ATWizJr]

With so many points coming from inside the paint, where will points come from against teams with better interior players?  Colgate and SE La. 5's are not what we are going to face shortly.  Why not get more looks for Lockett and Thomas?

[Benny B]

To the extent that MU continues to play to the level of its opponent, I agree that history is repeating itself.

[Aughnanure]

Colgate was a terrible team, so I would not call it a nice start. The fact is Buzz early in the season concentrates on defense in practices. As a result the early season offense can struggle. What is missing from this years team is the fast break baskets.

This. People forget how awful the offense looked early last year, and it seems typical of Buzz teams to miss those super-easy layups and put-backs early in a season. Not worried yet.

[TexMex]

You hit it right on the button. History is definitely repeating itself.

Since this has happened so often before last night, I know we still have a whole lot to look forward to this season. However, it is extremely disappointing when we keep games so close. Lets face it, SE Louisiana is basically a D2 squad.

[Goose]

I think once Buzz sticks with rotation things will improve. Our D is not creating enough offense and possibly our bigs are part of that problem. I would not be shocked to see smaller lineups and more pressure on D moving forward.

[tower912]

If you take our bigs out, who scores in the half court offense?

[GoldenZebra]

The amount of meltdown talk is funny, Marquette will be fine.

[Goose]

Tower

Good question. I think full court pressure and tight D could help in half court offense. Even a couple short bursts last night he seemed like D got it started. If we need to rely on half court offense it might be a very long season.

[mug644]

If history is indeed repeating itself, and will continue to do so, then I'll be happy, as a team with a slow start will still end up with a bye in the BEast tournament and in the Sweet 16. Of course, that doesn't make this tendency to play to the level of the opponent any less stressful, but maybe we shouldn't worry so much. Easier said than done for a fan board.

[Tugg Speedman]

Buzz has played 11 guys in both of the last 2 games and is trying to assess everyone's play.  He also lets the players play a little more and figure things out on their own by not calling timeouts when the other team makes a little run to tighten the game up.  Have to do things like this now because we can't afford to do it in Maui or vs. Fl and Wisco.

+1

In a lot of ways, this board is much better in the off-season.  During the season their is so much micro-ANALyzing of every game and almost all of it is wrong.

Here is all you need to know.  Buzz is not trying to impress with big point victories.  He is playing 11 guys to figure out what he has.  This is the proper thing to do against these opponents.  He's playing to win in February when no one cares about, or remembers, these games. 

And watch how different the rotation will be against teams like Florida Bucky and any other highly rated team.

Nothing more needs to be said.

[brewcity77]

The amount of meltdown talk is funny, Marquette will be fine.

Agreed. Last year we freaked out about a 2-point win over Norfolk State. The year before it was trailing against Bucknell and barely holding on against UW-M. Both of those were Sweet 16 teams. Everyone's going to say "But those teams were much better than Southeastern Louisiana!" Umm...why's that? Because Pomeroy rated them higher? Because some of them made the dance? Pomeroy didn't rate Norfolk State well until far into the season and despite beating Missouri still finished behind Savannah State in his rankings. This SLU team isn't all that bad. Relax...it's November 14. Long way to go before March.

[tower912]

I agree that Buzz let the guys play through it last night more than he would later in the year, just like Nofolk II last year.    Also put combinations on the floor that will never play except for blowouts.    The upside is that Otule and Anderson seem ready for prime time.    Waiting for a go-to wing to emerge.  I like the fact that except for a couple of Vander drives, nobody is really forcing anything.  Making the transition from role player to team leader is tough.   We forget the fact that a year ago we had no idea who was going to lead with Buycks and Butler gone.    2 years ago we were despairing about replacing Lazar and the midgets.  3 years ago, we were writing the season off with the departure of the Amigos.    Somehow, MU hoops has survived.     Neither of these two wins were particularly pretty.    The talent is there.    It just needs to sort itself out and hit a friggin jumper. 

[CTWarrior]

We forget the fact that a year ago we had no idea who was going to lead with Buycks and Butler gone.  

I think we were pretty comfortable with DJO and Crowder as leaders going into last year, otherwise agree with this sentiment.  I figured Jamil Wilson/Junior Cadougan to be the leader types going into this season, and it looks like Lockett is that kind of guy, too.

The talent is there.    It just needs to sort itself out and hit a friggin jumper. 

That is the only thing that concerns me about the first two games.  It is not a given this time around that we will have enough perimeter shooting.  Lockett and Thomas the only players with solid college jump-shooting pedigree, and neither with us.  I also think that J Wilson will be solid in the 10-20 foot range.

[unforgiven]

Clearly Marquette is struggling, most likely due to William's sour relationship with his boss and his recruitment of JUCOs. Perhaps the real question is the continued employment of Williams by Marquette University. Chicos, thoughts?

[Goose]

I am not sure yet on the talent being there. Think the fella's are solid but not seeing guys blow past people or have ability to get themselves open. Could just be the pace of game was so bad last night that they just were out of sorts.

[martyconlonontherun]

I honestly feel we will have a rough year and be a bubble-team at the end of the year unless Mayo comes back. As long as we don't blow these easy games, I will be happy with this team. We lost option 1a and 1b and our 3rd scoring option.

[Scooter22]

These early season games mean little... Buzz tries out the rotation and I agree the focus has been on defense.  Actually, the defense looked pretty good, apart from some spotty play.  In the SLU game, a big play was Lockett picking up two dumb fouls early - when he left things went south.  Expect more from a senior.