Why we lost today

[Lennys Tap]

I agree offensive rebounding was a huge issue in the game - but, that's on the guys who got the most minutes - Gardner, Jamil, Derrick and Jake.  50/50 balls are usually chased down by guards - not bigs.  So, in my view, rebounding is a team effort - and its on the whole team to rebound.

Those guys you want to blame got 28 rebounds in 145 minutes. The ones you don't blame (Otule, Taylor, Mayo, Dawson and Burton) got 3 rebounds in 78 minutes. In my view, you were not a math major.

[GooooMarquette]

I agree offensive rebounding was a huge issue in the game - but, that's on the guys who got the most minutes - Gardner, Jamil, Derrick and Jake.  50/50 balls are usually chased down by guards - not bigs.  So, in my view, rebounding is a team effort - and its on the whole team to rebound.

Davante, Jamil and Derrick played 51.5% (116/225) of the total minutes today, but got 84.4% (27/32) of our rebounds.  They clearly were not part of our rebounding problem.

[Lennys Tap]

Davante, Jamil and Derrick played 51.5% (116/225) of the total minutes today, but got 84.4% (27/32) of our rebounds.  They clearly were not part of our rebounding problem.

Thank you.

[NersEllenson]

Those guys you want to blame got 28 rebounds in 145 minutes. The ones you don't blame (Otule, Taylor, Mayo, Dawson and Burton) got 3 rebounds in 78 minutes. In my view, you were not a math major.

As I wrote yesterday, Derrick and Jake combined for 6 rebounds in 65 minutes of action.  Or 1, every 10 minutes.  I'll give that Derrick is a good rebounding guard - many times on a second quick jump off of his own miss at the basket.  I don't want Otule getting more than 10 minutes a game - never been a big fan of his as a player...and agree its ridiculous that at 6'11, he got 0 rebounds yesterday.

Sure, I'd like to see a few more rebounds out of Todd - but, at least Todd put up 18, on 70% shooting from the field, and single handily got us to OT...so he made his fair share of contribution to the team.

I know you are salty about my whole campaign to get Derrick benched and promotion of Dawson - but, at the end of the day, Derrick played the most minutes of anyone yesterday, and we had all kinds of rebounding and defensive problems - his 2 strong suits.  Gardner was great on the boards, Jamil solid.  Jake a no show. 

It's quite evident you and several others in the Derrick fan club clearly didn't major in Basketball, much less take a simple class in Basketball 101.  If you did, you and the others in the Derrick fan club, wouldn't continue to try to shift the blame elsewhere as to how a team with as much talent on it as this MU club is sitting 11-9..with no wins over anyone in the Top 50.  Keep in mind the COACHES of the Big East picked Marquette to WIN the league title.  Clearly, they are falling way short of expectations, and it isn't due to "lack of leadership," Gardner not improving, Jamil being too passive, McKay transferring, Duane Wilson being hurt - it's due to Buzz's worst coaching job and continued insistence to give max minutes to Derrick and Jake.

[PGsHeroes32]

Those guys you want to blame got 28 rebounds in 145 minutes. The ones you don't blame (Otule, Taylor, Mayo, Dawson and Burton) got 3 rebounds in 78 minutes. In my view, you were not a math major.

Again, this just raises my same question

Why does Chris Otule play in a division 1 basketball game?

[ATL MU Warrior]

As I wrote yesterday, Derrick and Jake combined for 6 rebounds in 65 minutes of action.  Or 1, every 10 minutes.  I'll give that Derrick is a good rebounding guard - many times on a second quick jump off of his own miss at the basket.  I don't want Otule getting more than 10 minutes a game - never been a big fan of his as a player...and agree its ridiculous that at 6'11, he got 0 rebounds yesterday.

Sure, I'd like to see a few more rebounds out of Todd - but, at least Todd put up 18, on 70% shooting from the field, and single handily got us to OT...so he made his fair share of contribution to the team.

I know you are salty about my whole campaign to get Derrick benched and promotion of Dawson - but, at the end of the day, Derrick played the most minutes of anyone yesterday, and we had all kinds of rebounding and defensive problems - his 2 strong suits.  Gardner was great on the boards, Jamil solid.  Jake a no show. 

It's quite evident you and several others in the Derrick fan club clearly didn't major in Basketball, much less take a simple class in Basketball 101.  If you did, you and the others in the Derrick fan club, wouldn't continue to try to shift the blame elsewhere as to how a team with as much talent on it as this MU club is sitting 11-9..with no wins over anyone in the Top 50.  Keep in mind the COACHES of the Big East picked Marquette to WIN the league title.  Clearly, they are falling way short of expectations, and it isn't due to "lack of leadership," Gardner not improving, Jamil being too passive, McKay transferring, Duane Wilson being hurt - it's due to Buzz's worst coaching job and continued insistence to give max minutes to Derrick and Jake.

WTF does this even mean? 

[GGGG]

Yeah, I was unaware that Marquette had a basketball major...or a class in Basketball 101.

Yet I find it ironic that he claims to know more than the head basketball coach does.

EDIT:  And the issue isn't that Buzz shouldn't be questioned, but the constant "Buzz is an idiot and the rest of you are slurpers" tone of the discussion.

[rocky_warrior]

I know you are salty about my whole campaign to get Derrick benched and promotion of Dawson -

See,to many people, your "campaign" is misdirected.  If you really want to campaign, you should be spending more time sending Buzz and the assistant coaches postcards with your ideas, picketing around their houses and the Al, making big signs for them to read while your in your court-side seats yesterday.

Repeating them here ad-nauseum isn't really good plan for a successful campaign. 

[NCMUFan]

Marquette played their heart out.  I think it was a simple case of Villanova having more talent and better coaching.

[MU82]

Again, this just raises my same question

Why does Chris Otule play in a division 1 basketball game?

Of Otule, Derrick and Jake, Otule would be the one who would be part of a rotation for a good, high-major basketball program.

Otule is tall, moves well, blocks shots, changes the trajectory of shots and will even put on a nice little post move a couple times a game. He has serious shortcomings, which of course means he fits in well with us, but he also has definite strengths.

He is averaging 18 minutes, and that's too many, but 10 mpg or so would be just right. You don't think Villanova would find 10 minutes for him? Ohio State? Dozens of others?

Meanwhile, Derrick would be hard-pressed to find 10 minutes in most high-major programs. And Jake would be hard-pressed to find 1 minute for any good team, as was the case at Marquette for the 2013 conference season.

[Nevada233]

Of Otule, Derrick and Jake, Otule would be the one who would be part of a rotation for a good, high-major basketball program.

Otule is tall, moves well, blocks shots, changes the trajectory of shots and will even put on a nice little post move a couple times a game. He has serious shortcomings, which of course means he fits in well with us, but he also has definite strengths.

He is averaging 18 minutes, and that's too many, but 10 mpg or so would be just right. You don't think Villanova would find 10 minutes for him? Ohio State? Dozens of others?

Meanwhile, Derrick would be hard-pressed to find 10 minutes in most high-major programs. And Jake would be hard-pressed to find 1 minute for any good team, as was the case at Marquette for the 2013 conference season.

I doubt Derrick or Jake could start at Grambling or Samford...

[Lennys Tap]

I know you are salty about my whole campaign to get Derrick benched and promotion of Dawson - but, at the end of the day, Derrick played the most minutes of anyone yesterday, and we had all kinds of rebounding and defensive problems - his 2 strong suits.  Gardner was great on the boards, Jamil solid.  Jake a no show. 

It's quite evident you and several others in the Derrick fan club clearly didn't major in Basketball, much less take a simple class in Basketball 101.  If you did, you and the others in the Derrick fan club, wouldn't continue to try to shift the blame elsewhere as to how a team with as much talent on it as this MU club is sitting 11-9..with no wins over anyone in the Top 50.  Keep in mind the COACHES of the Big East picked Marquette to WIN the league title.  Clearly, they are falling way short of expectations, and it isn't due to "lack of leadership," Gardner not improving, Jamil being too passive, McKay transferring, Duane Wilson being hurt - it's due to Buzz's worst coaching job and continued insistence to give max minutes to Derrick and Jake.

I'm not "salty" because you want more Dawson and less Derrick. I don't even totally disagree with you. I'm "salty" because you call Derrick a piece of crap and ride  him unmercifully. You attack him personally and openly root for him to fail. I think that's despicable.

Grow a pair. Quit going after kids who answer the bell when called. That's cowardly. Quit calling those of us out who don't accept your premise that you know more about this team than Buzz does. Save your vitriol for the real basketball idiot. The guy you think has turned a championship team into a .500 team. The guy who doesn't know this team or basketball as well as you. The guy who couldn't pass your Basketball 101 class. If there's someone you should hate on, it ain't Derrick. Or Jake. That's totally classless. Hate on the guy calling their number. Hate on Buzz.

[hoops12]

As they say, "Excuses are for losers!" Unfortunately, that's all we hear right now are excuses. The bottom line is we are not winning, and we need a lineup that can win games. 

[NersEllenson]

I'm not "salty" because you want more Dawson and less Derrick. I don't even totally disagree with you. I'm "salty" because you call Derrick a piece of crap and ride  him unmercifully. You attack him personally and openly root for him to fail. I think that's despicable.

Grow a pair. Quit going after kids who answer the bell when called. That's cowardly. Quit calling those of us out who don't accept your premise that you know more about this team than Buzz does. Save your vitriol for the real basketball idiot. The guy you think has turned a championship team into a .500 team. The guy who doesn't know this team or basketball as well as you. The guy who couldn't pass your Basketball 101 class. If there's someone you should hate on, it ain't Derrick. Or Jake. That's totally classless. Hate on the guy calling their number. Hate on Buzz.

Funny as I recall you posting about a month ago how things could get worse, a lot worse if Derrick weren't running the point - now you don't totally disagree that Dawson may be a more viable option?

And let's set the record straight - I don't attack Derrick the person, I criticize Derrick the player.  I don't call him horsecrap, call his production horsecrap.  Said numerous times he's a good kid...and can serve a good role on a high major team as a backup PG. 

It's funny, Derrick had to tell Buzz in the Georgetown game to NOT put him back in the game because Dawson was playing well - speaks to Derrick's character - yet also speaks to Buzz's total blinders on with regard to this team.  Ironically, its the first game Dawson gets 30 minutes in, and he plays his ass off in overtime, and we get our best win of the year.  But next game at home, the kid's only worth 2, 4 minute stints?  I've called Buzz out, and did in the post you quoted - said the failures are due to Buzz's worst coaching job and continued insistence to give max minutes to Derrick and Jake.

I've called Buzz on being blindly loyal, and at this point stubborn for continuing to think he can coax wins out of a team that he himself has said is playing 4 on 5.  I'm totally baffled and annoyed by Buzz's continued max minutes to Derrick and Jake - coming at the expense of Dawson and Todd Mayo.

We are 20 games in, and it aint working...I will guarantee if Derrick continues to average 27+ minutes per game from here on out, this team wont' sniff the NCAA tourney, and will struggle to finish 500 in conference play.

[Nevada233]

Funny as I recall you posting about a month ago how things could get worse, a lot worse if Derrick weren't running the point - now you don't totally disagree that Dawson may be a more viable option?

And let's set the record straight - I don't attack Derrick the person, I criticize Derrick the player.  I don't call him horsecrap, call his production horsecrap.  Said numerous times he's a good kid...and can serve a good role on a high major team as a backup PG. 

It's funny, Derrick had to tell Buzz in the Georgetown game to NOT put him back in the game because Dawson was playing well - speaks to Derrick's character - yet also speaks to Buzz's total blinders on with regard to this team.  Ironically, its the first game Dawson gets 30 minutes in, and he plays his ass off in overtime, and we get our best win of the year.  But next game at home, the kid's only worth 2, 4 minute stints?  I've called Buzz out, and did in the post you quoted - said the failures are due to Buzz's worst coaching job and continued insistence to give max minutes to Derrick and Jake.

I've called Buzz on being blindly loyal, and at this point stubborn for continuing to think he can coax wins out of a team that he himself has said is playing 4 on 5.  I'm totally baffled and annoyed by Buzz's continued max minutes to Derrick and Jake - coming at the expense of Dawson and Todd Mayo.

We are 20 games in, and it aint working...I will guarantee if Derrick continues to average 27+ minutes per game from here on out, this team wont' sniff the NCAA tourney, and will struggle to finish 500 in conference play.

we know this lol.. 11-9 for marquette is laughable... 11-10 after thursday...

[Sunbelt15]

It's moments like that with Dawson not hitting the floor, like JJJ throwing up that no-conscience, one-pass, early in the shot clock 3 20 seconds after checking into the game, like Deonte playing at both ends without conscience that explains why the frosh aren't getting more time.  

You hit the floor, don't get the rebound, fast break insues, your out of position, two points for the other team. Hitting the floor is not always the answer. It's 50/50. Some rather say on their feet to hopefully be in position to play defense if lose ball is not hauled in.

[ATL MU Warrior]

Funny as I recall you posting about a month ago how things could get worse, a lot worse if Derrick weren't running the point - now you don't totally disagree that Dawson may be a more viable option?

And let's set the record straight - I don't attack Derrick the person, I criticize Derrick the player.  I don't call him horsecrap, call his production horsecrap.  Said numerous times he's a good kid...and can serve a good role on a high major team as a backup PG. 

It's funny, Derrick had to tell Buzz in the Georgetown game to NOT put him back in the game because Dawson was playing well - speaks to Derrick's character - yet also speaks to Buzz's total blinders on with regard to this team.  Ironically, its the first game Dawson gets 30 minutes in, and he plays his ass off in overtime, and we get our best win of the year.  But next game at home, the kid's only worth 2, 4 minute stints?  I've called Buzz out, and did in the post you quoted - said the failures are due to Buzz's worst coaching job and continued insistence to give max minutes to Derrick and Jake.

I've called Buzz on being blindly loyal, and at this point stubborn for continuing to think he can coax wins out of a team that he himself has said is playing 4 on 5.  I'm totally baffled and annoyed by Buzz's continued max minutes to Derrick and Jake - coming at the expense of Dawson and Todd Mayo.

We are 20 games in, and it aint working...I will guarantee if Derrick continues to average 27+ minutes per game from here on out, this team wont' sniff the NCAA tourney, and will struggle to finish 500 in conference play.

So voice your concerns in an email to him.  And let us know the response you get back.

[Lighthouse 84]

Yeah, I was unaware that Marquette had a basketball major...or a class in Basketball 101.

Does "Basketball Physics" count?  I took that my junior year I think.

While the game was going on, I couldn't believe the number of second and third chances Nova got.  To me, that was the ballgame.

[CTWarrior]

Derrick Wilson is constantly criticized for his poor offense, and rightly so.  He is a non-threat, both as a scorer and a distributor.  However, against Villanova, we shot 50% from the floor, got 31 FTs and had only 9 turnovers in 45 minutes, while he was running the point for most of that time.  Our offense wasn't the problem.  We had the advantage inside and we concentrated on that advantage with good results.  I know many were upset that Jake didn't get more shots or that we didn't run plays for him, but other than the last few trips when we needed 3's to get back in the game, I never thought, "Gee, we should run a play for Thomas on this possession."

Our defense and defensive rebounding were atrocious.  And while Derrick Wilson is not the lockdown defender he is purported to be, he is a good defender.  (I don't think playing Dawson would have helped any on defense and probably would have just made matters worse).  It was odd to me that Derrick was not guarding Arcidiacano when it mattered most, in OT.  I'm guessing Buzz figured that Mayo had fresher legs at that point in the game.  Bottom line, our guards were toasted on defense, Gardner is a crappy help defender and we didn't grab defensive boards.  (Part of the reason Otule got no rebounds and Gardner got many is because Otule constantly abandons rebounding position to provide defensive help while Gardner does not.  When the guards can't stop penetration, neither is a solid recipe for success.)  That's why we lost.

[jesmu84]

Derrick Wilson is constantly criticized for his poor offense, and rightly so.  He is a non-threat, both as a scorer and a distributor.  However, against Villanova, we shot 50% from the floor, got 31 FTs and had only 9 turnovers in 45 minutes, while he was running the point for most of that time.  Our offense wasn't the problem.  We had the advantage inside and we concentrated on that advantage with good results.  I know many were upset that Jake didn't get more shots or that we didn't run plays for him, but other than the last few trips when we needed 3's to get back in the game, I never thought, "Gee, we should run a play for Thomas on this possession."

Our defense and defensive rebounding were atrocious.  And while Derrick Wilson is not the lockdown defender he is purported to be, he is a good defender.  (I don't think playing Dawson would have helped any on defense and probably would have just made matters worse).  It was odd to me that Derrick was not guarding Arcidiacano when it mattered most, in OT.  I'm guessing Buzz figured that Mayo had fresher legs at that point in the game.  Bottom line, our guards were toasted on defense, Gardner is a crappy help defender and we didn't grab defensive boards.  (Part of the reason Otule got no rebounds and Gardner got many is because Otule constantly abandons rebounding position to provide defensive help while Gardner does not.  When the guards can't stop penetration, neither is a solid recipe for success.)  That's why we lost.

Holy crap this is spot on. Is it the reason we've lost other games? Well, some of it applies to other games, but just looking at Villanova, this is 100% right.

So, again, people attacking Derrick or Jake for the offense in THIS game are mostly incorrect.

[Lennys Tap]

Derrick Wilson is constantly criticized for his poor offense, and rightly so.  He is a non-threat, both as a scorer and a distributor.  However, against Villanova, we shot 50% from the floor, got 31 FTs and had only 9 turnovers in 45 minutes, while he was running the point for most of that time.  Our offense wasn't the problem.  We had the advantage inside and we concentrated on that advantage with good results.  I know many were upset that Jake didn't get more shots or that we didn't run plays for him, but other than the last few trips when we needed 3's to get back in the game, I never thought, "Gee, we should run a play for Thomas on this possession."

Our defense and defensive rebounding were atrocious.  And while Derrick Wilson is not the lockdown defender he is purported to be, he is a good defender.  (I don't think playing Dawson would have helped any on defense and probably would have just made matters worse).  It was odd to me that Derrick was not guarding Arcidiacano when it mattered most, in OT.  I'm guessing Buzz figured that Mayo had fresher legs at that point in the game.  Bottom line, our guards were toasted on defense, Gardner is a crappy help defender and we didn't grab defensive boards.  (Part of the reason Otule got no rebounds and Gardner got many is because Otule constantly abandons rebounding position to provide defensive help while Gardner does not.  When the guards can't stop penetration, neither is a solid recipe for success.)  That's why we lost.

This is, of course, dead on. Unfortunately, none of this was touched on in Ner's Basketball 101 course, which only covered points scored and the "eye test".

[GGGG]

Derrick Wilson is constantly criticized for his poor offense, and rightly so.  He is a non-threat, both as a scorer and a distributor.  However, against Villanova, we shot 50% from the floor, got 31 FTs and had only 9 turnovers in 45 minutes, while he was running the point for most of that time.  Our offense wasn't the problem.  We had the advantage inside and we concentrated on that advantage with good results.  I know many were upset that Jake didn't get more shots or that we didn't run plays for him, but other than the last few trips when we needed 3's to get back in the game, I never thought, "Gee, we should run a play for Thomas on this possession."

Our defense and defensive rebounding were atrocious.  And while Derrick Wilson is not the lockdown defender he is purported to be, he is a good defender.  (I don't think playing Dawson would have helped any on defense and probably would have just made matters worse).  It was odd to me that Derrick was not guarding Arcidiacano when it mattered most, in OT.  I'm guessing Buzz figured that Mayo had fresher legs at that point in the game.  Bottom line, our guards were toasted on defense, Gardner is a crappy help defender and we didn't grab defensive boards.  (Part of the reason Otule got no rebounds and Gardner got many is because Otule constantly abandons rebounding position to provide defensive help while Gardner does not.  When the guards can't stop penetration, neither is a solid recipe for success.)  That's why we lost.

Thank you.  That was excellent.

[GGGG]

It's funny, Derrick had to tell Buzz in the Georgetown game to NOT put him back in the game because Dawson was playing well - speaks to Derrick's character - yet also speaks to Buzz's total blinders on with regard to this team.

This is sooooo Ners.  Taking pretty much an off handed comment by Buzz and extrapolating it into a negative that reinforces his bias.  Reminds me of when he went ape-sh*t about a year ago when LW was talking about the potential conference options and added "Gonzaga model," and Ners went full out attack mode...but never took the time to actually read the quote in context.

Buzz doesn't have blinders on.  He knows what he is doing.  You just disagree with him.

[MerrittsMustache]

Derrick Wilson is constantly criticized for his poor offense, and rightly so.  He is a non-threat, both as a scorer and a distributor.  However, against Villanova, we shot 50% from the floor, got 31 FTs and had only 9 turnovers in 45 minutes, while he was running the point for most of that time.  Our offense wasn't the problem.  We had the advantage inside and we concentrated on that advantage with good results.  I know many were upset that Jake didn't get more shots or that we didn't run plays for him, but other than the last few trips when we needed 3's to get back in the game, I never thought, "Gee, we should run a play for Thomas on this possession."

Our defense and defensive rebounding were atrocious.  And while Derrick Wilson is not the lockdown defender he is purported to be, he is a good defender.  (I don't think playing Dawson would have helped any on defense and probably would have just made matters worse).  It was odd to me that Derrick was not guarding Arcidiacano when it mattered most, in OT.  I'm guessing Buzz figured that Mayo had fresher legs at that point in the game.  Bottom line, our guards were toasted on defense, Gardner is a crappy help defender and we didn't grab defensive boards.  (Part of the reason Otule got no rebounds and Gardner got many is because Otule constantly abandons rebounding position to provide defensive help while Gardner does not.  When the guards can't stop penetration, neither is a solid recipe for success.)  That's why we lost.

Great post.

Also worth noting is that part of the reason DG had such a big game inside was because the D was committed to taking away Jake from the outside.

[BCHoopster]

Great post.

Also worth noting is that part of the reason DG had such a big game inside was because the D was committed to taking away Jake from the outside.

What is more disturbing was the last play of the game when Tony Chenault blew by Derrick like he was standing still.