A more positive thread.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Love the optimism. Marquette needs this game. Nova doesn't. That makes us a very dangerous team. Let's show it on Sunday

This is where I disagree...Nova is tied for first.  If they want to earn the Big East title, they need to keep winning.

[PGsHeroes32]

This is where I disagree...Nova is tied for first.  If they want to earn the Big East title, they need to keep winning.

True but we are literally in do or die mode.

That's why it would be great if we came out playing like that. Knock them completely on their heels early and get them to force(and miss) some jumpers.

It's really our only chances against a team like that. Gotta smack them early.

[ChicosBailBonds]

If X knocks off Creighton tonight, also possible, that puts Nova in first by themselves with a lot to play for tomorrow.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

This is where I disagree...Nova is tied for first.  If they want to earn the Big East title, they need to keep winning.

That is a good point. I guess I was operating under the assumption that Creighton would win out. I don't seem losing in their last 2.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Reasons I am optimistic about tomorrow
Nova does not play great at the Wells Fargo Center
Refs seem to be calling games tighter (we go 11 deep, they go 9 deep)
Only 1 player taller than 6"7
Nova's offense has "cooled" recently. On the season, they average 79.4 ppg. Looking back at the last 6:
Scored 70 against a bad Seton Hall team at home
Scored 87 against a Cleveland Melvin-less Depaul
Scored 80 against Creighton in a high paced all offense game
Scored 82 against Providence in a 2OT game (scored 63 in regulation)
Scored 57 against St. John's at home
Scored 67 against a bad Butler team

Our defense is better than most of those teams. We should be able to frustrate them again.

Reason I am NOT optimistic about tomorrow:
If you compare these teams player by player, it does not look good for us:

PG: Wilson v. Arcidiacano=Edge NOVA
SG: Mayo v. Hilliard=Edge NOVA
SF: Thomas v. Bell=Edge NOVA
PF: Wilson v. Pinkston=Slight Edge NOVA
C: Gardner v. Ochefu=Edge MU

Bench: Otule/Anderson/Burton/Dawson v. Hart/Ennis/Chennault/Jenkins=PUSH or slight edge to NOVA

[PGsHeroes32]

Reason I am NOT optimistic about tomorrow:
If you compare these teams player by player, it does not look good for us:

PG: Wilson v. Arcidiacano=Edge NOVA
SG: Mayo v. Hilliard=Edge NOVA
SF: Thomas v. Bell=Edge NOVA
PF: Wilson v. Pinkston=Slight Edge NOVA
C: Gardner v. Ochefu=Edge MU

Bench: Otule/Anderson/Burton/Dawson v. Hart/Ennis/Chennault/Jenkins=PUSH or slight edge to NOVA

Those two are the biggest. There guys are more consistent. But if Todd and Jamil show up as they have more so lately(gtown aside) I think those match ups are more draws.

[The Equalizer]

Reasons I am optimistic about tomorrow
Nova does not play great at the Wells Fargo Center
Refs seem to be calling games tighter (we go 11 deep, they go 9 deep)
Only 1 player taller than 6"7
Nova's offense has "cooled" recently. On the season, they average 79.4 ppg. Looking back at the last 6:
Scored 70 against a bad Seton Hall team at home
Scored 87 against a Cleveland Melvin-less Depaul
Scored 80 against Creighton in a high paced all offense game
Scored 82 against Providence in a 2OT game (scored 63 in regulation)
Scored 57 against St. John's at home
Scored 67 against a bad Butler team

Our defense is better than most of those teams. We should be able to frustrate them again.

Reason I am NOT optimistic about tomorrow:
If you compare these teams player by player, it does not look good for us:

PG: Wilson v. Arcidiacano=Edge NOVA
SG: Mayo v. Hilliard=Edge NOVA
SF: Thomas v. Bell=Edge NOVA
PF: Wilson v. Pinkston=Slight Edge NOVA
C: Gardner v. Ochefu=Edge MU

Bench: Otule/Anderson/Burton/Dawson v. Hart/Ennis/Chennault/Jenkins=PUSH or slight edge to NOVA

I think you read too much into the lower scoring games as an advantage for us.  Butler only scored 47, and St. Johns only scored 54 against Villanova.   Against us, Butler tallied 62, and St. Johns scored 74.   

Also, Cleveland-Melvin-less DePaul scored 62 agaisnt Villanova, and 94 against us.

I'm not sure I'd too quick to blame this on Villanova's sputtering offense--it may be that they're focusing on defense--as the opposing team takes longer each offensive posession, there are fewer chances for Villanova to score as well.   

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I think you read too much into the lower scoring games as an advantage for us.  Butler only scored 47, and St. Johns only scored 54 against Villanova.   Against us, Butler tallied 62, and St. Johns scored 74.  

Also, Cleveland-Melvin-less DePaul scored 62 agaisnt Villanova, and 94 against us.

I'm not sure I'd too quick to blame this on Villanova's sputtering offense--it may be that they're focusing on defense--as the opposing team takes longer each offensive posession, there are fewer chances for Villanova to score as well.  

I'm aware of what the opposing scores were. But we struggle more against strong offensive teams than we do against strong defensive teams. If we get into a shootout, we will lose. If we turn it in to a grind it out, defensive slugfest, we may just win.

Nova shot 39% from the floor against SJU and Butler. In addition, they shot 24% from 3 against Butler.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Those two are the biggest. There guys are more consistent. But if Todd and Jamil show up as they have more so lately(gtown aside) I think those match ups are more draws.

I agree on Pinkston and J Wilson being close.

I would take Hilliard over Mayo every day. As good of a slasher as Mayo, better defender, shoots nearly 40% from 3, and 6"6 215.

We're going to need above average performances from several players, as well as several below average performances from some Wildcats

[Silkk the Shaka]

I agree on Pinkston and J Wilson being close.

I would take Hilliard over Mayo every day. As good of a slasher as Mayo, better defender, shoots nearly 40% from 3, and 6"6 215.

We're going to need above average performances from several players, as well as several below average performances from some Wildcats

My thoughts exactly. Hopefully tomorrow is the day that fortune smiles upon MU.

[ChicosBailBonds]

That is a good point. I guess I was operating under the assumption that Creighton would win out. I don't seem losing in their last 2.

X wins

[Jay Bee]

Nova = susceptible to "upset loss". Trumped up offense; weak def opponents faced on a comp to many others.

So so day of 3-point shooting, a few turnovers for Villanova... and an MU win.

Make it happen. (Jamil/Big Sheesh/Toddler often, por favor.)

[WayOfTheWarrior]

Hopefully we can stop Archidiacono from blowing past us to the bucket where he can dish or lay it in. He did that A LOT towards the end of our first match up as well as in OT.

Tough win to get but it would definitely make the uphill battle to the tournament a little less steep.

LETS GOOO!

[PGsHeroes32]

Nova = susceptible to "upset loss". Trumped up offense; weak def opponents faced on a comp to many others.

So so day of 3-point shooting, a few turnovers for Villanova... and an MU win.

Make it happen. (Jamil/Big Sheesh/Toddler often, por favor.)

That and we HAVE to pound it at the basketball. We cannot get away from that no matter how the game is going. We have a clear cut advantage down low. Feed Ox every possible opportunity. Feed Chris when hes in. Feed Steve. Jamil...stop taking long 2s and go to the hole. Get offensive boards.

[ChicosBailBonds]

That and we HAVE to pound it at the basketball. We cannot get away from that no matter how the game is going. We have a clear cut advantage down low. Feed Ox every possible opportunity. Feed Chris when hes in. Feed Steve. Jamil...stop taking long 2s and go to the hole. Get offensive boards.

We had a clear cut advantage down low against Creighton and DG got a total of 5 shots over two games.  Mindboggling.  I agree with you entirely, but will the coaches and players execute accordingly?