Worst Fears Realized

[NotAnAlum]

Prior to the beginning of practice my biggest concern was how we would replace Junior.  Could Derrick be a viable starter in the most important position on the floor.  Could Duane Wilson step in and give us via minutes and maybe even become the starter.  Then Duane got hurt.  In the first 2 games Derrick seemed to be right back where we left off.  Can't (or won't shoot) can't drive, can't make free throws but plays good defense and with a bunch of other seasoned players around him maybe that would be enough.  Maybe Marquette can get by with just an adequate point guard.  After all we've gotten by before with terrible 3 point shooting or with no height.
Today we saw what happens when you play a high major D-1 team with a single back up level point guard.  You score 35 points at home and get trounced despite a very good defensive effort.  The offense completely bogs down and you are left with only difficult shots.  The strength of MU this year is our front line and on that front line we had OSU over matched and we have depth to boot.  But none of that means anything if you can't get the ball to those front line players in a position where they can score.  Or you can't get the ball to those players with the defense in rotation.  All day long OSU played Derrick only to pass.  They didn't even guard him at the 3 point line.  They just played the passing lanes.  That made the front line players have to come out to get the passes.  Also the passing was so slow and predictable that when Davante or Chris or Steve got the ball their man was already in position and usually a guard was coming down to double team (OSU didn't respect the kick out 3 but why should they when a 3 by Jake or Derrick is effectively just an extended turn over).  Derrick did make one nice drive when the OSU backup guard made the mistake of getting up on him to far instead of laying off.  But the other times Derrick drove he gets so little elevation that it was easy to to swat the ball back in his face.
I don't know what the solution is.  Duane can't come back until he heals and then he will be behind.  Obviously Buzz doesn't have confidence in Dawson on the defensive end.  We tried Todd at the point for 1 or 2 sets and it seemed like no one knew what to do.  Derrick is not going to magically get a better drive or a better shot.  And we now can see that just being go on defense isn't going to be good enough against decent teams.

[Markusquette]

I think my greatest hope is that Duane can come back soon enough where he can get some confidence and experience before the bulk of conference play.  If he can shoot well enough and drive, we have exactly what we need.  The offense will continue to be stagnant if the point guard play doesn't improve.  A team builds momentum and confidence from executing sound plays and getting easy buckets.  Out of the two real games we played this year, we haven't executed many legitimate plays. 

[willie warrior]

Prior to the beginning of practice my biggest concern was how we would replace Junior.  Could Derrick be a viable starter in the most important position on the floor.  Could Duane Wilson step in and give us via minutes and maybe even become the starter.  Then Duane got hurt.  In the first 2 games Derrick seemed to be right back where we left off.  Can't (or won't shoot) can't drive, can't make free throws but plays good defense and with a bunch of other seasoned players around him maybe that would be enough.  Maybe Marquette can get by with just an adequate point guard.  After all we've gotten by before with terrible 3 point shooting or with no height.
Today we saw what happens when you play a high major D-1 team with a single back up level point guard.  You score 35 points at home and get trounced despite a very good defensive effort.  The offense completely bogs down and you are left with only difficult shots.  The strength of MU this year is our front line and on that front line we had OSU over matched and we have depth to boot.  But none of that means anything if you can't get the ball to those front line players in a position where they can score.  Or you can't get the ball to those players with the defense in rotation.  All day long OSU played Derrick only to pass.  They didn't even guard him at the 3 point line.  They just played the passing lanes.  That made the front line players have to come out to get the passes.  Also the passing was so slow and predictable that when Davante or Chris or Steve got the ball their man was already in position and usually a guard was coming down to double team (OSU didn't respect the kick out 3 but why should they when a 3 by Jake or Derrick is effectively just an extended turn over).  Derrick did make one nice drive when the OSU backup guard made the mistake of getting up on him to far instead of laying off.  But the other times Derrick drove he gets so little elevation that it was easy to to swat the ball back in his face.
I don't know what the solution is.  Duane can't come back until he heals and then he will be behind.  Obviously Buzz doesn't have confidence in Dawson on the defensive end.  We tried Todd at the point for 1 or 2 sets and it seemed like no one knew what to do.  Derrick is not going to magically get a better drive or a better shot.  And we now can see that just being go on defense isn't going to be good enough against decent teams.

This just in:
Buzz received a tweet from Jr. Cadougan: "Miss me yet"

[GGGG]

Guys, if you think Duane is going to be the savior, I suggest you better hope for another alternative.  (ie, Dawson or Derrick playing better)

[mileskishnish72]

I think you're right, Sultan, or Skink, he's not just going to come in and be God.

[MattyWarrior]

I just want to know,if Buzz has them go through this rigorous "Boot Camp" and individuals and everyone
says how tough the culture is, that when we play a team that's really good we aren't ready? How are they
in season shape? I know they have a few MickeyDs on their team and mostly upperclassmen that have played
together for a while but so has our front line..I hate losing to the Bigteleven.

[tower912]

Pretty sure that a couple of people here (specifically me and Sultan) were predicting this to be a loss and were open to the possibility it would be huge.   Why?  For me, it was because tOSU has possibly the best defensive backcourt MU is likely to face this year.   Which is not a good matchup for MU right now.   They are deep, experienced, athletic, and have enough size to negate MU's size.    They pressured our guards and kept MU from consistently feeding the post.   Their defense caused MU's motion offense to stand still.   The only way MU was going to win this game was if the seniors up front had a good game.   They didn't.   



This was all predictable.


This was last year's Florida game.   Last year's Syracuse game.   MU allowed the opponent's defense to dictate tempo, didn't move and didn't hit shots.     This is a very teachable moment.    I trust Buzz is going to do some teaching this moment and there will be aggressiveness from all 5 positions going forward.     And this is based on past performance.    Relax.   It is only one game.   

[bilsu]

Pretty sure that a couple of people here (specifically me and Sultan) were predicting this to be a loss and were open to the possibility it would be huge.   Why?  For me, it was because tOSU has possibly the best defensive backcourt MU is likely to face this year.   Which is not a good matchup for MU right now.   They are deep, experienced, athletic, and have enough size to negate MU's size.    They pressured our guards and kept MU from consistently feeding the post.   Their defense caused MU's motion offense to stand still.   The only way MU was going to win this game was if the seniors up front had a good game.   They didn't.   



This was all predictable.


This was last year's Florida game.   Last year's Syracuse game.   MU allowed the opponent's defense to dictate tempo, didn't move and didn't hit shots.     This is a very teachable moment.    I trust Buzz is going to do some teaching this moment and there will be aggressiveness from all 5 positions going forward.     And this is based on past performance.    Relax.   It is only one game.   

+1

[Atticus]

I just want to know,if Buzz has them go through this rigorous "Boot Camp" and individuals and everyone
says how tough the culture is, that when we play a team that's really good we aren't ready? How are they
in season shape? I know they have a few MickeyDs on their team and mostly upperclassmen that have played
together for a while but so has our front line..I hate losing to the Bigteleven.

Its strange. I feared a big game from Laquinton Ross. We shut him down, though. Go figure...

[muhoops1]

Derrick is a back up being forced to play big minutes.  Two things struck me about his game today; his inability to run an effective fast break and the fact that he was visibly yelling at teammates on the floor in 2nd half. 

He gets the outlet pass and doesn't push the ball all that quickly...hence our guys aren't getting transition buckets.  I know the yelling was the result of frustration, but he was a big reason the offense sputtered.

[77ncaachamps]

Derrick is a forever backup unless MU gets a SG that can play like a 5 star

[NotAnAlum]

This was all predictable.

Am I surprised we lost.  No.  Am I surprised we were routed when OSU couldn't hit anything in the first half and only scored 52 for the whole game. Yes.
The other games you site the other team played very well.  In this game OSU played poorly on the road and still won going away.

Its only one game.  It only counts as one.  But the problems run deeper.  Derrick can't be the answer at PG and yet it seems that is the only answer Buzz has.  And can we end the Jake Thomas experiment.  His shot is gone.  He doesn't have the form that would lead you to believe he's just unlucky or in a slump.  He is a mid major guard who is rightfully a walk on.  Play the young talent.  I'll live with their mistakes.

[brandx]

Derrick is a back up being forced to play big minutes.  Two things struck me about his game today; his inability to run an effective fast break and the fact that he was visibly yelling at teammates on the floor in 2nd half. 

He gets the outlet pass and doesn't push the ball all that quickly...hence our guys aren't getting transition buckets.  I know the yelling was the result of frustration, but he was a big reason the offense sputtered.

I don't recall him running a good break since he has been here. He doesn't dribble in or through traffic and certainly has shown he cannot get a shot off in traffic.

[tower912]

I completely agree that the frosh are going to have to play more going forward.  I hope that Dawson progresses to the point (ha) that he can seriously challenge DeWilson for starter's minutes.   I want JJJ to come in and rain 3's like he did in high school and be an instant offense option off of the bench.   I don't even completely disagree with people who say that the frosh should have gotten minutes in garbage time.    I understand that argument.   I do not believe that Dawson was ready to face Craft, or, in particular after watching him for two games, that JJJ would have been a difference maker today.  
I also firmly believe that if MU had hit some shots differently and 3-4 borderline calls in the last 5 minutes of the first half go the other way, today's game would have been much more interesting.    But they didn't and they didn't.  

[ChicosBailBonds]

We go as far as our guards take us.........








It's a guards game

[Atticus]

We go as far as our guards take us.........








It's a guards game

Yes, I agree....that is the case the overwhelming majority of the time. Teams can also win with a healthy balance. Does UK win the NC without Anthony Davis? Of course not.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Yes, I agree....that is the case the overwhelming majority of the time. Teams can also win with a healthy balance. Does UK win the NC without Anthony Davis? Of course not.

Yes, they would still win without Anthony Davis.  To be competitive, you need great guards.  To be great, you need both.   Right now, I'm worried about being competitive.

[chapman]

Making 13 field goals against Southern and 10 today is what scares the crap out of me. 

[raul]

35 stinkin points and playing at home! Are you kidding me? Something has to change and it all points to the backcourt.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Not a surprise but worst offensively efficient MU game ever, in the statistical modern day.  Yes worse than Western Michigan, worse than Florida, a lot worse.  While most here are lambasting the players, this falls squarely on Buzz.  It is pretty clear he did not have his team prepared, from inbounds plays, to offensive sets to his substitution patterns.  Why this team was going East-West when MU owned the paint match up is one for the coach to answer to.  MU was 1-18 tonight from trey land.  The one doesn't concern me but the 18 does.  Matta absolutely schooled Buzz after half time with his adjustments while Buzz sat stubbornly by teaching a lesson apparently.  This OCC philosophy of his to play through the games unprepared drives me nuts.  Lastly, why injury prone Otule was in there to the end for this "Life Lesson" is my last rant point. 

Buzz, please make a donation to the new soccer stadium as your hardheadedness didn't justify your check.  Worst prepared MU team I have ever seen.  Embarrassing effort from the coaching staff.  Glad he apologized but time to follow through with action.

This team will be back.  Too talented, and he will use this to motivate them, but I don't agree with his philosophy in these OCC games of sending a message, while sending an unprepared team to slaughter. Why does it have to come to this?  Giving up like that? 

http://statsheet.com/mcb/games/stats?season1=1997&season2=2013&conf=&team=marquette&stat=efficiency&low=1

[ChicosBailBonds]

Not a surprise but worst offensively efficient MU game ever, in the statistical modern day.  Yes worse than Western Michigan, worse than Florida, a lot worse.  While most here are lambasting the players, this falls squarely on Buzz.  It is pretty clear he did not have his team prepared, from inbounds plays, to offensive sets to his substitution patterns.  Why this team was going East-West when MU owned the paint match up is one for the coach to answer to.  MU was 1-18 tonight from trey land.  The one doesn't concern me but the 18 does.  Matta absolutely schooled Buzz after half time with his adjustments while Buzz sat stubbornly by teaching a lesson apparently.  This OCC philosophy of his to play through the games unprepared drives me nuts.  Lastly, why injury prone Otule was in there to the end for this "Life Lesson" is my last rant point. 

Buzz, please make a donation to the new soccer stadium as your hardheadedness didn't justify your check.  Worst prepared MU team I have ever seen.  Embarrassing effort from the coaching staff.  Glad he apologized but time to follow through with action.

This team will be back.  Too talented, and he will use this to motivate them, but I don't agree with his philosophy in these OCC games of sending a message, while sending an unprepared team to slaughter. Why does it have to come to this?  Giving up like that? 

http://statsheet.com/mcb/games/stats?season1=1997&season2=2013&conf=&team=marquette&stat=efficiency&low=1

Wow, that is epic bad.  I didn't think it was possible really to get below 55% in that category.  Don't think I have ever seen that from a high major team, but I suppose there is an example below 55% out there somewhere.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Dear God, it was one game. Yes it was awful. But it was one game. Let's stop the falling sky routine

[Aughnanure]

Yes, they would still win without Anthony Davis.  To be competitive, you need great guards.  To be great, you need both.   Right now, I'm worried about being competitive.

No, they wouldn't have.

[mileskishnish72]

But it really isn't "one game." Not counting the scrimmage vs. the high school team we have 23 baskets in 80 minutes.
As Chico would tell you, that's multiple games. The offense is offensive, to say the least.

Everyone is castigating the backcourt, but what's the fix???

MU hoops helps get me through the six months of crap that we call winter in NE, but this could be a long one.
I appreciate the thought that it's like UWGB or Florida or maybe even DePaul, but it seems that picking up this offense is going to be a very difficult job.

Talk me off the ledge.

[brewcity77]

But it really isn't "one game." Not counting the scrimmage vs. the high school team we have 23 baskets in 80 minutes.
As Chico would tell you, that's multiple games. The offense is offensive, to say the least.

Everyone is castigating the backcourt, but what's the fix???

MU hoops helps get me through the six months of crap that we call winter in NE, but this could be a long one.
I appreciate the thought that it's like UWGB or Florida or maybe even DePaul, but it seems that picking up this offense is going to be a very difficult job.

Talk me off the ledge.

Anyone that hasn't been able to read the numerous posts on these issues and not come off the ledge may as well have nailed their feet to it. If you're still out there, it's beyond any Scooper's ability to get you back in. I'm sure Buzz will tend to that over the course of the season, provided you don't jump before the New Year.