Lots of things went right tonight

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

There are a lot of variables in the game of basketball... but you can take this one to the bank:

When MU shoots well from 3, they will win.

Obviously it's not that simple for the coaching staff... but I doubt that you will ever see MU lose when they shoot 40%+ from 3pt (maybe even 35%+).

All other aspects of their game(s) are very tight. If they had shot better in the first 3 games those would have been blow-outs as well.

Their shooting consistency makes me nervous... but this game confirmed what I had thought... when they shoot decent... they will win.

[larrym]

Shooting was defintely a key.  However we were much tougher on the boards tonight also.  Matthews, McNeal and Barro all stepped up in that regard.  We need all three (and others) to do that to exceed expectations this year.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Shooting was defintely a key.  However we were much tougher on the boards tonight also.  Matthews, McNeal and Barro all stepped up in that regard.  We need all three (and others) to do that to exceed expectations this year.

I agree... lots of good stuff tonight. I'm just saying if you look at the box scores from this year (and a bunch from last year), if MU shoots a decent/good percentage from 3... they win, and win big.

2-16 vs Chaminade ? If they even shot 5-16 it would have been close to a runaway game... and 5-16 isn't even good. Same with the first 2 games.

Obviously MU has to continue to do all of the other stuff right (and there is a lot of it)... but the most telling stat for this team is probably going to be 3pt%

[farmdaddy]

I am glad Fitz found his stride tonight...like the analysts said after the game, the more relaxed he is the better he performs.

[AZWarrior]

It helped that they played us man-to-man.   

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

It helped that they played us man-to-man.   

Certainly does... but most zones (especially the ones against MU) are designed to give up the open jumper rather than dribble penetration or post up opportunities.

If MU is hitting from 3pt land... zones shouldn't be a problem... now it's not that easy in real life... but again if MU shoots decent I'm betting they will win, no matter what the defense.

[muarmy81]

Yes,
Shooting helped us considerably and rebounding was much better against a much taller team but I think are defense was much better this game.  I've only seen last nights game and the IUPUI game so those are the only 2 games I can compare and based on those 2 Marquette seemed much more solid on the defensive end.  I know they try to "deflect" and play the passing lane and possibly double at certain areas of the court but last night they seemed to just play solid man-to-man rather than take a lot of chances on defense as they played for the steal.  Usually when someone gambles we're able to rotate once but the 2nd or 3rd rotation doesn't happen and the other team ends up with an easy bucket.  Last night we contested nearly everything.  Add in the fact that by Okstate overplaying us on defense it allowed us to play to our strength of dribble penetration and things went well for us.

I'll be interested to see how we fare against Duke, Okstate was a nice win but Okstate is going to be down this year. (Picked to finish 7th in the Big 12 and they've already lost to North Texas)  I hope we crush Duke...