Problem wasn't height...

[forgetful]

It was size. We had no one to seal the lane. Our guards were driving right into Kaminsky because they had no choice. Defense was good, but the refs allowed a physical game, which was never going to help us. The reffing was fine, the defense was good, but we don't have the personnel to win a physical game with a team that much bigger and stronger.

Well said.

[NersEllenson]

It was size. We had no one to seal the lane. Our guards were driving right into Kaminsky because they had no choice. Defense was good, but the refs allowed a physical game, which was never going to help us. The reffing was fine, the defense was good, but we don't have the personnel to win a physical game with a team that much bigger and stronger.

You don't have to go to the basket if you can shoot the 3 effectively. You can space the floor and get those looks if you have 3 guys who can all shoot at guard position.

[wadesworld]

And one team plays a 3 guard lineup (MU) and the other a 2 guard lineup. Which means you better be getting some production from that 3rd guard. We get none. Zilch. Sorry..I stand corrected - 1 point in 35 minutes.

Game. Set. Match. Wojo will eventually figure it out.

Ahh, so it's Derrick's fault because he only put up 1 point, but the 2 Duane put up was fantastic.  I got it.  I think just by hearing your transcendent points I am increasing my basketball knowledge!

And fine, let's add Dekker into the UW numbers since he would be their 3.  So add his 2 points on 1-5 shooting, 0-2 3 pt fg, 0-0 ft, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 2 turnovers.  Dang, since Duane's 2 points apparently was completely acceptable and even fantastic compared to Derrick's 1 point, you are right.  UW's guards (plus 1 forward to make the number of players contributing to those stats even) embarrassed MU's.  Despite them being incredibly even, and maybe even slightly favoring MU.  But again, you know more than Wojo and Buzz so what do I know?

[HallSports]

I can go along with your point. However, we had bigs last year..didn't matter. And Carlino and Duane were hampered due to WI playing softly on Derrick so their looks from 3 were highly contested as a result. You face 3 guards and you know 2 of them can hurt you from deep or off the bounce and the other basically can't hurt you in anyway - what do you do as a coach?  You use the weak players defender to hedge toward the strong 2 guards.

We did have pretty good bigs laster year.  However: Carlino and Duane > Jake Thomas

I think if we had bigs this year they would have allowed our guards (who are far better as a unit this year than last) to get inside and actually have a chance at finishing.  They also wouldn't be able to play so far off Derrick as they actually have to be worried about him driving in that case - He could either dish to a big or kick back out to Carlino or Duane or Sandy...  Teams wouldn't be able to pack it in tight against us like last year.  

[HallSports]

You don't have to go to the basket if you can shoot the 3 effectively. You can space the floor and get those looks if you have 3 guys who can all shoot at guard position.

Like I already said a couple of times, we really struggled getting open looks from 3 today because WI dominance in the paint allowed their guards to play in the face of our guards all game.  They really couldn't care less if our guards beat them to the inside because they knew they had no chance. We actually have a number of decent 3 point shooter this year (for a MU team in recent memory anyway) but that doesn't help if they can't get open.

[Marquette_g]

I never mind being ignored by people who can't even attack the point being made...guard play was the reason we lost today. Period. 2nd chance points didn't. WI had lots of problems scoring against our zone. Problem was we were worse on the O end with our guards other than Carlino.

You have made no accounting for situations. The four possession series was huge.

That is my argument for why you are not accurate and your trolling is annoying.

[tower912]

http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?gameId=400588356

In fact, if you take out Kaminsky and Steve Taylor, the final score is 34-32 Wiscy.   Not to mention 6 blocks to 0 in favor of Wiscy.   Skilled size matters.  

[NersEllenson]

Ahh, so it's Derrick's fault because he only put up 1 point, but the 2 Duane put up was fantastic.  I got it.  I think just by hearing your transcendent points I am increasing my basketball knowledge!

And fine, let's add Dekker into the UW numbers since he would be their 3.  So add his 2 points on 1-5 shooting, 0-2 3 pt fg, 0-0 ft, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 2 turnovers.  Dang, since Duane's 2 points apparently was completely acceptable and even fantastic compared to Derrick's 1 point, you are right.  UW's guards (plus 1 forward to make the number of players contributing to those stats even) embarrassed MU's.  Despite them being incredibly even, and maybe even slightly favoring MU.  But again, you know more than Wojo and Buzz so what do I know?

I know Buzz took a team projected to win the Big East by other Big East coaches - who probably know the game a little and the league and it's talent - to missing the NIT.

And the argument I made wasn't just in Derrick - said we lost because of guard play - not height. But, the worst of the guard play did come from Derrick for the reasons cited above. At what point do you stop defending a freaking senior that played 975 minutes last season and turns in 1 freaking point in 35 minutes and goes 0-5 from the field?

[tower912]

I know Buzz took a team projected to win the Big East by other Big East coaches - who probably know the game a little and the league and it's talent - to missing the NIT.

And the argument I made wasn't just in Derrick - said we lost because of guard play - not height. But, the worst of the guard play did come from Derrick for the reasons cited above. At what point do you stop defending a freaking senior that played 975 minutes last season and turns in 1 freaking point in 35 minutes and goes 0-5 from the field?

Call Wojo.   Convince him.   The rest of us are tired.  You will have less luck changing his mind than you have changing scoopers' minds. 

[wadesworld]

UW's 1-3:
26 points
9-30 fg (30%)
5-21 3 pt fg (24%)
3-5 ft (60%)
10 rebounds
10 assists
1 steal
1 block
6 turnovers

MU's 1-3:
24 points
8-30 fg (27%)
4-10 3 pt fg (40%)
4-6 ft (67%)
8 rebounds
8 assists
4 steals
0 blocks
7 turnovers

UW's 4-5:
23 points
8-22 fg (36%)
3-9 3 pt fg (33%)
4-4 ft (100%)
25 rebounds
4 assists
6 steals
5 blocks
5 turnovers

MU's 4-5:
14 points
5-15 fg (33%)
2-4 3 pt fg (50%)
2-3 ft (67%)
17 rebounds
1 assist
0 steals
0 blocks
2 turnovers

Yup, looks like it the 1-3 positions were why we lost this one guys!  It wasn't the size, it was their 1-3 positions killed our 1-3 positions!

Revolutionary stuff here.

[NersEllenson]

Call Wojo.   Convince him.   The rest of us are tired.

Trust me...there is a good chunk of out fan base too that is very tired of now 2 coaches ignoring the actual production of the player on the floor. If we are going to be a zone team, you eliminate Derricks one asset - on ball man to man D. We aren't getting pressed. Carlino and Duane shown they can take care of the rock as needed. We don't need a ball protector on the floor with Duane and Carlino. We need a guy who can knock down shots to help with the spacing. For the last time WI sagged off Derrick...which allowed his guy to hedge toward Carlino and Duane making it even more difficult to get decent looks fr the perimeter. The midgets team certainly was able to hear good teams and it was much smaller than the current MU team. Why??  Because Mo, Cooby could make shots.

[HallSports]

Trust me...there is a good chunk of out fan base too that is very tired of now 2 coaches ignoring the actual production of the player on the floor. If we are going to be a zone team, you eliminate Derricks one asset - on ball man to man D. We aren't getting pressed. Carlino and Duane shown they can take care of the rock as needed. We don't need a ball protector on the floor with Duane and Carlino. We need a guy who can knock down shots to help with the spacing. For the last time WI sagged off Derrick...which allowed his guy to hedge toward Carlino and Duane making it even more difficult to get decent looks fr the perimeter. The midgets team certainly was able to hear good teams and it was much smaller than the current MU team. Why??  Because Mo, Cooby could make shots.

Yes, why don't you go start the fire Wojo campaign after 8 games with a squad he did not recruit himself.  Let's make Diener the coach for the rest of the year.  Maybe he will finely start Dawson and our problems will be solved.  Tournament here we come!

[forgetful]

Yes, why don't you go start the fire Wojo campaign after 8 games with a squad he did not recruit himself.  Let's make Diener the coach for the rest of the year.  Maybe he will finely start Dawson and our problems will be solved.  Tournament here we come!

Except Diener would also start Derrick Wilson.

[tower912]

Then a good chunk of the fan base needs to take a realistic look at the rest of the rosters involved.   But leaving that aside.   What are the odds that two coaches, one widely considered one of the top young coaches in the country (if a bit eccentric), the other widely considered the best assistant in the country, with experience coaching national champions and Olympians, would have one and only one blind spot and it would be the same player?   Or, maybe, you have the blind spot.   Derrick is your white whale, Ahab.  

[brewcity77]

You don't have to go to the basket if you can shoot the 3 effectively. You can space the floor and get those looks if you have 3 guys who can all shoot at guard position.

Sure, we could have got into a 3-point shooting contest. With Wisconsin. Because that ALWAYS ends well 

We were 6/14 beyond the arc. That wasn't the problem. The problem was our lack of ability to match them physically inside meant we couldn't balance that successful outside shooting with inside scoring.

[NersEllenson]

Sure, we could have got into a 3-point shooting contest. With Wisconsin. Because that ALWAYS ends well 

We were 6/14 beyond the arc. That wasn't the problem. The problem was our lack of ability to match them physically inside meant we couldn't balance that successful outside shooting with inside scoring.

Not with Derrick Wilson in that 3 point shoring contest on our side of the ball. Ha. We had size last year. Didn't matter. UW pretty much dominated us that whole game last season. Why so you feel it is vital to have Derrick on the floor 35 minutes when we have Duane and Carlino on the floor...as we've faced limited full court pressure and are now playing zone D?

[mileskishnish72]

Keep it up, Ners. Only 20-some odd games to go. It COULD be that Wojo isn't really as stupid as Buzz and will realize that Dawson and Jajuan should start and get most of the minutes. Or not. What, one wonders will consume you when Derrick is gone? You'll probably find something.

[Nukem2]

And one team plays a 3 guard lineup (MU) and the other a 2 guard lineup. Which means you better be getting some production from that 3rd guard. We get none. Zilch. Sorry..I stand corrected - 1 point in 35 minutes.

Game. Set. Match. Wojo will eventually figure it out.

Unfortunately, that 3rd guard was covere by Dekker or Hayes whose height and length rendered that guard ineffective.

[Texas Western]

I know Buzz took a team projected to win the Big East by other Big East coaches - who probably know the game a little and the league and it's talent - to missing the NIT.

And the argument I made wasn't just in Derrick - said we lost because of guard play - not height. But, the worst of the guard play did come from Derrick for the reasons cited above. At what point do you stop defending a freaking senior that played 975 minutes last season and turns in 1 freaking point in 35 minutes and goes 0-5 from the field?

We will not achieve much with Derrick as a 35 minute player. He is beat utilizes as a high intensity replacement for 10-15 minutes. I don't understand why he was in the last 8 minutes of the game.

[mu03eng]

Trust me...there is a good chunk of out fan base too that is very tired of now 2 coaches ignoring the actual production of the player on the floor. If we are going to be a zone team, you eliminate Derricks one asset - on ball man to man D. We aren't getting pressed. Carlino and Duane shown they can take care of the rock as needed. We don't need a ball protector on the floor with Duane and Carlino. We need a guy who can knock down shots to help with the spacing. For the last time WI sagged off Derrick...which allowed his guy to hedge toward Carlino and Duane making it even more difficult to get decent looks fr the perimeter. The midgets team certainly was able to hear good teams and it was much smaller than the current MU team. Why??  Because Mo, Cooby could make shots.

Who is your alternative to Derrick?  Derrick is very good as a wing defender in the 2-3 and rebounds better than any of our guards.  Go back and watch the tape, late in the 2nd half with JJJ on the wing(where Derrick normally is) they fed Kaminsky who was double teamed in the post and JJJ decided to sag in to semi-triple team which led to a 3 from Gasser in the corner.

The only players that can legitimately play the wing in the 2-3 are Juan, Burton, Derrick, and maybe Sandy....thats it.

Derrick also got to the rim plenty, as did the rest of the team but there was too much height in their to be successful.  Players got to the hoop with even with Wisconsin supposedly sagging(not sure what game you were watching) but couldn't finish because there was no help under the bucket.  If Fischer is available for this game, the outcome is different.  If nothing else he is able to seal the lane to the hoop that Taylor and Burton can't.

I know you are vested in the Derrick sucks narrative but you could stand to come off the gas a little here, hammering away at it like this makes you look completely incompetent and you do have some good thoughts when you aren't obsessing about Derrick

[#UnleashSean]

No, he's not a worse shooter than Derrick.  But you'd struggle to come up with anyone in the entire country who's worse than Derrick shooting it (at least under 6'9")

Derrick airballed all 5 shots he took today. 4 of them were layups. I could find grade schoolers with better shooting percentages.

[mu03eng]

We will not achieve much with Derrick as a 35 minute player. He is beat utilizes as a high intensity replacement for 10-15 minutes. I don't understand why he was in the last 8 minutes of the game.

Again, who are you putting in there instead of Derrick?  JjJ?  He has been brutal the last couple of games, was terrible on defense and drove the lane with no plan whatsoever.  Cohen?  He's going to be great but he's a freshman and just hasn't put it together yet.  Dawson?  I think we've said enough there.

Derrick was in no way the problem today and I can't believe we are having this argument again.  Derrick didn't help but he was not the issue.

[mu03eng]

Derrick airballed all 5 shots he took today. 4 of them were layups. I could find grade schoolers with better shooting percentages.

You know who else had a terrible night at the rim?  Duane Wilson...is he terrible?  Seriously, our guards get to the rim to try and make crazy lapups with Frank Kaminsky right there, what do you want them to do?  But that is all on Derrick and nothing to do with any of the other guards????

[MarquetteDano]

Derrick airballed all 5 shots he took today. 4 of them were layups. I could find grade schoolers with better shooting percentages.

methinks you do not know what an airball is.

[#UnleashSean]

You know who else had a terrible night at the rim?  Duane Wilson...is he terrible?  Seriously, our guards get to the rim to try and make crazy lapups with Frank Kaminsky right there, what do you want them to do?  But that is all on Derrick and nothing to do with any of the other guards????

When did I say Duane Wilson wasn't bad tonight for going to the rim. However he didn't airball literally every shot he took. I found that part kind of funny and I found it kind of sad.