So who is going to guard McBuckets on Wednesday?

[MU82]

Do you ever do anything besides call losses?

Dreadman was 9-26 on predictions last season, but he kept trying and can boast that he was spot-on about the Syracuse NCAA game.

[DoggyDaddy]

Release another dive-bombing bat!
Seriously, this is Derrick's time: defense is his game and this is the moment.
Al once remarked the only thing that kept him in the NBA for a brief time was his ability guard the great Bob Cousy. 

[NavinRJohnson]

Release another dive-bombing bat!
Seriously, this is Derrick's time: defense is his game and this is the moment.
Al once remarked the only thing that kept him in the NBA for a brief time was his ability guard the great Bob Cousy. 

Derrick's just not big enough.

[KenoshaWarrior]

Play Dawson 30 minutes. We need real assists, not basic assists.

LOL!!!!!

[avid1010]

I don't think I said I don't like Nova or their style...I just like Creighton's style contrast, especially against a team like that.  I happen to like Nova's style, I just like Creighton's better.  Many ways to skin the cat.  No different than if my football team decides to pass you to death, run you to death, etc.  Lots of ways to win.

Now, there are definitely teams that I think try to out-athlete someone that I don't care for.  St. John's was like that earlier in the year, now they're actually playing with some basketball acumen and are much more fun to watch.  Sometimes it takes a group a little longer to figure it out. 

Do I care for IU's style this year...nope.  KU's...not really.  Style probably isn't the write way to couch it, the execution isn't there and the flow is cumbersome.  The lack of 3 point shooters and the spacing makes for ugly viewing.  Similar to MU at times.  Amazing when a few 3's start to drop how much that makes an offense look better and easier to operate.

the whole "out-athlete" someone...is that like the MSU teams with cleeves that ran off of makes, and the cuse teams that are recruited to be extremely lengthy, or the quickness that louisville desires for their defensive scheme?  i have no respect for creighton's sytle or bo's style.  in my opinion it's the best creighton can do, and in bo's case, it almost ensures a good team (never a great one).  i laughed when the announcers doing the UW-UM game yesterday stated bo was the only coach they've ever seen work on fundamentals this late in the season.  good old bo...keep stressing the fundamentals and flaming out in the NCAA.  bo is the greatest gift to MU basketball...to have a coach in the same state successful enough not to ever have to worry about loosing his job, but yet running a system that most top recruits aren't interested in makes it easier for buzz.  every march/april creighton will miss a few too many threes, and WI will have to deal with the "out-athlete" issue.

in bo's case...an offense that is 121st in scoring and 30th in points allowed interesting.  that st. john's team you ripped for not knowing how to play ball is holding opponents to a 40.5% shooting (54th in the nation...MU sits at 55), while UW sits at 115.  UW's system is all about their offense, and when it struggles (or when they put up shots too quickly), they are screwed because they don't have the athletes to play defense.  it was great to watch UW come out scoring big numbers this year...everyone knew bo couldn't let them play that way all year because they don't have the defense to back up a poor shooting night in a mild-tempo game...let alone an up-tempo game.  so the crazy thing is those solid fundamental boys from UW that everyone thinks understand the game so well...they don't play defense that well, and i'm not sure how people defend that as the "pure" style of old-school fundamental basketball.  it's a simple game of numbers that ensures a limited level of success.  

[4everwarriors]

My bold prediction: if we hold them to 67 points this time, we win.

In the first half?

[downtown85]

In the first half?

No.  In the game.  We held them to 67 in the game in Omaha earlier this season.  Doable in the BC in my opinion. 

[4everwarriors]

How's sunny FL, BTW?

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Do you ever do anything besides call losses?

The real question is why do you not have him on ignore yet?

[Dawson Rental]

The real question is why do you not have him on ignore yet?

He's "dreading" having to do that.

[willie warrior]

the whole "out-athlete" someone...is that like the MSU teams with cleeves that ran off of makes, and the cuse teams that are recruited to be extremely lengthy, or the quickness that louisville desires for their defensive scheme?  i have no respect for creighton's sytle or bo's style.  in my opinion it's the best creighton can do, and in bo's case, it almost ensures a good team (never a great one).  i laughed when the announcers doing the UW-UM game yesterday stated bo was the only coach they've ever seen work on fundamentals this late in the season.  good old bo...keep stressing the fundamentals and flaming out in the NCAA.  bo is the greatest gift to MU basketball...to have a coach in the same state successful enough not to ever have to worry about loosing his job, but yet running a system that most top recruits aren't interested in makes it easier for buzz.  every march/april creighton will miss a few too many threes, and WI will have to deal with the "out-athlete" issue.

in bo's case...an offense that is 121st in scoring and 30th in points allowed interesting.  that st. john's team you ripped for not knowing how to play ball is holding opponents to a 40.5% shooting (54th in the nation...MU sits at 55), while UW sits at 115.  UW's system is all about their offense, and when it struggles (or when they put up shots too quickly), they are screwed because they don't have the athletes to play defense.  it was great to watch UW come out scoring big numbers this year...everyone knew bo couldn't let them play that way all year because they don't have the defense to back up a poor shooting night in a mild-tempo game...let alone an up-tempo game.  so the crazy thing is those solid fundamental boys from UW that everyone thinks understand the game so well...they don't play defense that well, and i'm not sure how people defend that as the "pure" style of old-school fundamental basketball.  it's a simple game of numbers that ensures a limited level of success.  

You know, I love MU Basketball and do not like UW Bball at all. I do not like Ryan either, but it does get tiring to hear all the BS criticizing him. The guy has a .725 career win % playing in one of the best conferences in the US. And that is over about 15 years or so. I think we could all wish that we had a coach with that type of career record. This is not meant to compare Bo to Buzz, and I am sure there will be the slurpers that throw the insults, but you have to respect what Ryan does with the talent he gets. I like Buzz, but people who trash Bo just do not recognize good coaching. And I can't stand Boeheim or Pitino either, but all are great coaches and should be recognized for what they have accomplished. Except when we play their teams, then it is appropriate to trash all we want.

[4everwarriors]

They're legendary, hey?

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

The real question is why do you not have him on ignore yet?

Meh, I like to know what the pundits are saying.

[79Warrior]

No.  In the game.  We held them to 67 in the game in Omaha earlier this season.  Doable in the BC in my opinion. 

Only problem was they scored 67 and still destroyed us. Look, McBuckets is going to get his points, he is just an outstanding player.

We can win this game if we are able to make three's like we did Saturday. If the treys are not falling then it will be a very tough game to win. Can't trade treys for twos with them. If JT can get it going again, I think we take them.

[Dreadman24]

It is what it is. But contrary to what u guys may believe I hope im wrong

[GGGG]

You know, I love MU Basketball and do not like UW Bball at all. I do not like Ryan either, but it does get tiring to hear all the BS criticizing him. The guy has a .725 career win % playing in one of the best conferences in the US. And that is over about 15 years or so. I think we could all wish that we had a coach with that type of career record. This is not meant to compare Bo to Buzz, and I am sure there will be the slurpers that throw the insults, but you have to respect what Ryan does with the talent he gets. I like Buzz, but people who trash Bo just do not recognize good coaching. And I can't stand Boeheim or Pitino either, but all are great coaches and should be recognized for what they have accomplished. Except when we play their teams, then it is appropriate to trash all we want.

I think Bo is a very good coach.  And I can see why he was extremely successful at the D3 level, and why he has won 70+% of his games at UW.  That being said, as avid points out, there is always going to be a cap on their progress.  Until he can recruit better...and until he stops relying on the outside shot so much...UW will get beat somewhere and pretty much the same way it always gets beat.

[avid1010]

You know, I love MU Basketball and do not like UW Bball at all. I do not like Ryan either, but it does get tiring to hear all the BS criticizing him. The guy has a .725 career win % playing in one of the best conferences in the US. And that is over about 15 years or so. I think we could all wish that we had a coach with that type of career record. This is not meant to compare Bo to Buzz, and I am sure there will be the slurpers that throw the insults, but you have to respect what Ryan does with the talent he gets. I like Buzz, but people who trash Bo just do not recognize good coaching. And I can't stand Boeheim or Pitino either, but all are great coaches and should be recognized for what they have accomplished. Except when we play their teams, then it is appropriate to trash all we want.

but that's my point.  boeheim and pitino have been to final fours and have rings.  that talent that bo gets IS the talent that bo gets...that's a huge part of college basketball coaching that you're failing to acknowledge it correlates directly to the style of ball you plan.  i think buzz could do the same things bo is doing, but then you have to realize you're not going to be able to recruit top talent because most kids don't want to play in that system.  i wouldn't be at all interested in having bo at marquette.  i think you trade a .725% win % for the ability to ever have an elite team.  dick bennett teams played defense, and he went to a final four with his approach in a relatively short period of time.  my point is that over 15 years we have seen a very complete picture of what bo's system does.  it breeds consistency in all areas of the game, and they are consistently a good team...never a great team.

no one is saying bo's a bad coach.  i'm simply arguing that his teams don't play great defense...the lack of athleticism keeps them from ever being a great team, and that after 15 years if he hasn't managed to get one of those teams that wins .725 % of their games into a deep ncaa run, i'm not sure it'll ever happen.  i think there are clear trade-offs for the consistency gained through his system.  it's amazing that with that win %, in the "best conference in the US," leading to many low seeds in the ncaa, he's never been able to get a final four let alone championship.  now you can argue that what his output is up to expectation for what UW should have in a bball program, but that would fly in the face of many of the demands you post regarding MU and buzz.  

[MarquetteDano]

no one is saying bo's a bad coach.  i'm simply arguing that his teams don't play great defense...the lack of athleticism keeps them from ever being a great team, and that after 15 years if he hasn't managed to get one of those teams that wins .725 % of their games into a deep ncaa run, i'm not sure it'll ever happen.  i think there are clear trade-offs for the consistency gained through his system.  it's amazing that with that win %, in the "best conference in the US," leading to many low seeds in the ncaa, he's never been able to get a final four let alone championship.  

I think it is in that program to get to a Final Four.  He does have athletes they are just not Top 50 type athletes.  They will not ever win a NCAA title but think how many coaches/programs you can say that about?

I would not be surprised if before Bo retires they get a Final Four.  However, I will not be surprised if they are a #2 seed and lose in the second round either.

[avid1010]

I think it is in that program to get to a Final Four.  He does have athletes they are just not Top 50 type athletes.  They will not ever win a NCAA title but think how many coaches/programs you can say that about?

I would not be surprised if before Bo retires they get a Final Four.  However, I will not be surprised if they are a #2 seed and lose in the second round either.

i get that...i just think you also have to acknowledge the whole picture.  how many teams have posted a winning percentage as good as bo's, over such an extended period of time, in a power conference, yet failed to ever make a final four.  i'm not a stat junky, but i know it was well documented for a while that they had never beat a team with a lower seed.  i'm not sure how many teams in power conferences have that kind of a winning %, but never make a final four.  it would be interesting for a stat junky to pull the data.  i can't think of another program in the B10 that would fit that bill over the last 15 years other than WI. 

[MarquetteDano]

i get that...i just think you also have to acknowledge the whole picture.  how many teams have posted a winning percentage as good as bo's, over such an extended period of time, in a power conference, yet failed to ever make a final four.  i'm not a stat junky, but i know it was well documented for a while that they had never beat a team with a lower seed.  i'm not sure how many teams in power conferences have that kind of a winning %, but never make a final four.  it would be interesting for a stat junky to pull the data.  i can't think of another program in the B10 that would fit that bill over the last 15 years other than WI. 

So few have had that kind of percentage that I would have to think the rest have all made Final Fours.

[avid1010]

So few have had that kind of percentage that I would have to think the rest have all made Final Fours.

so then my question...bad luck...or the limitation of his system?  not saying it's not a heck of a lot better than most...just an anomaly when compared to like programs.  with the seeds and consistency they've had over the last 15 years it shocks me that they haven't had dumb luck get them to the FF one time.  hell, even crean did it :-)

[PGsHeroes32]

My bold prediction: if we hold them to 67 points this time, we win.

I agree. I think we are going to score enough. It's about holding them down.

I also think if Jake can find a way to get a clear advantage in the 3 point contest on Wragge were looking good as well.

[willie warrior]

but that's my point.  boeheim and pitino have been to final fours and have rings.  that talent that bo gets IS the talent that bo gets...that's a huge part of college basketball coaching that you're failing to acknowledge it correlates directly to the style of ball you plan.  i think buzz could do the same things bo is doing, but then you have to realize you're not going to be able to recruit top talent because most kids don't want to play in that system.  i wouldn't be at all interested in having bo at marquette.  i think you trade a .725% win % for the ability to ever have an elite team.  dick bennett teams played defense, and he went to a final four with his approach in a relatively short period of time.  my point is that over 15 years we have seen a very complete picture of what bo's system does.  it breeds consistency in all areas of the game, and they are consistently a good team...never a great team.

no one is saying bo's a bad coach.  i'm simply arguing that his teams don't play great defense...the lack of athleticism keeps them from ever being a great team, and that after 15 years if he hasn't managed to get one of those teams that wins .725 % of their games into a deep ncaa run, i'm not sure it'll ever happen.  i think there are clear trade-offs for the consistency gained through his system.  it's amazing that with that win %, in the "best conference in the US," leading to many low seeds in the ncaa, he's never been able to get a final four let alone championship.  now you can argue that what his output is up to expectation for what UW should have in a bball program, but that would fly in the face of many of the demands you post regarding MU and buzz.  

Bo has also been to a final 4--just no ring. While the ring sure helps, it does not dictate somebody's rep as a very good coach. Not defending Bo, but you cannot snarl at his career results, and denigrate the guy.

[willie warrior]

If Anderson starts you put him on McBuckets. Then after he is torched, you move either Ja. Wilson or Mayo on him. Plenty of options. Lots of posters on this board think Ja. Wilson, Mayo and Jake are good defenders, so they all can take turns. Hell, put Burton in there to muscle the guy also. One of those guys face guards Wragge on the perimeter. Ox stays down low with Otule when they are playing.

[avid1010]

Bo has also been to a final 4--just no ring. While the ring sure helps, it does not dictate somebody's rep as a very good coach. Not defending Bo, but you cannot snarl at his career results, and denigrate the guy.

bo's never been to a final four...as a D1 coach

which is interesting because you very often say you have higher expectations from MU, demand this and that of buzz, etc...  bo has a 4% better winning percentage than buzz, and in 12 years has 4 sweet 16's and 1 elite eight.  doesn't make buzz's 2 sweet 16's and 1 elite eight in five years look to shabby.

no one is ripping the guy (although i fully believe he's an egotistical a$$)...i'm just stating that for him to have the record he does in the B10 over the last 12 years and never make a FF run is an anomaly compared to his like peers (of which there are admittedly not many).