It's Official

[JTBMU7]

No, we were 0-22 against Uconn last year when Cadougan hit the three at the buzzer to send the game into overtime.

wow, i forgot about that... once you're 0-15, shouldnt you just stop shooting 3s? geez...

[brewcity77]

What's the fix? The frosh? Doubtful. Duane? God, I hope so.

Very simply, the fix is defense. This team isn't going to win with the up and down style we became accustomed to with guys like Butler, Junior, DJO, Jae, and Vander in the lineup. Not this year. They will need to defend every possession for 35 seconds.

Todd isn't a bad shooter. Jamil isn't a bad shooter. Juan, Steve, Davante, they aren't bad shooters. I have to think the shooting will come around from the guys we expect. Until then, the fix is defense. Make every game a fight. Slog it out, slow it down, be there with a chance at the end.

Remember back to 09-10 and how that team had to figure out how to slow it down, make shots, and win close games. Heartbreaker after heartbreaker, from Florida State to West Virginia to Villanova (twice in a week), all that led to winning close road games at UConn and Providence, and winning three straight overtime games at Cincy, St. John's, and Seton Hall.

It's far from time to panic.

[Golden Avalanche]

Actually, Derrick Wilson's strength is defense so he could calm him down.

That is his strength.

Especially when he gets jocked on a bad pump fake with 20 seconds left in the first half and puts a UNH player on the line for three free throws. Pinnacle of good defense.

[MUfan12]

Very simply, the fix is defense.

You can play elite defense all you want, but 40 points isn't gonna beat a high major team.

[Goose]

I am not jumping ship on season or Buzz anytime soon. It looks like it could be difficult month or two and such is life. All programs experience rough times and this could be our season. As long as Buzz stays happy I will follow suit.

[MerrittsMustache]

That is his strength.

Especially when he gets jocked on a bad pump fake with 20 seconds left in the first half and puts a UNH player on the line for three free throws. Pinnacle of good defense.

Strong point. He bit on a pump fake. Therefore, he can no longer be considered a good defender. 

[mileskishnish72]

Buzz didn't sound all that happy.

[brewcity77]

You can play elite defense all you want, but 40 points isn't gonna beat a high major team.

It will if they score 39. It would have against us on Saturday. You play defense like hell until the offense comes around.

What's most humorous about all this to me is remembering back a few years on this board. All we heard about is how Buzz was fine with the offense but couldn't coach defense a lick. Where are all those old catcalls now?

[Golden Avalanche]

Strong point. He bit on a pump fake. Therefore, he can no longer be considered a good defender. 

Cardinal sin of defending is fouling a deep jump shooter. You know that, Commodore.

[brewcity77]

Cardinal sin of defending is fouling a deep jump shooter. You know that, Commodore.

Yes. And any time someone makes one defensive mistake we should bench them for the rest of the season. Brilliant plan, sir.

[Golden Avalanche]

Yes. And any time someone makes one defensive mistake we should bench them for the rest of the season. Brilliant plan, sir.

Never even remotely close to suggesting the bolded. Do you ever stop with the alarmist clown show act?

[MU82]

Cardinal sin of defending is fouling a deep jump shooter. You know that, Commodore.

If I remember correctly -- I've tried to purge it from my memory -- James committed a three-shot foul that cost us a game against Georgetown. James was a great defender. It happens.

Defense is the least of anybody's concerns with Derrick.

[Eldon]

No hate on MU at all - I think this team is currently very flawed.  If they don't figure it out, the ASU and Bucky games (on the road I remind you), will be ugly.

By flawed - no good answer at PG, currently very poor outside shooting, a Devante that does not look like the Devante of last year, Jamil not stepping up as one expects and Buzz seemingly saying he does not know why they are "so disconnected."

Defensive is very good - that's the silver lining.

I can assure you I am not a closet Bucky bball fan (although I do attend a few FB games to kill time to basketball season).

Final score prediction: 21-15

[Newsdreams]

Final score prediction: 21-15

So we win by 6? I'll be happy with that!!