Things I am looking for on the trip to Italy.

[tower912]

1.  Is Traci good enough to get the keys from day 1?
2.  How good is Henry?
3.  How is Luke's shoulder?
4.  Can JJJ hit a jumper consistently?

In actuality, since the team is basically a complete unknown, though one with potential, I am just looking forward to them getting the extra practice, the game experience, and hoping and praying that nobody gets hurt. 

[dgies9156]

1) Can the team show signs of playing together, as a unit?

2) How will Coach Wojo use a much deeper bench than he had last year?

3) Who on this team will show signs of providing the leadership needed to prosper in a tough regular season?

4) Are our recruits what everyone says they are?

None of these will be directly answered until the leaves fall from the trees later this year. However, Italy should give us some idea of how these will shake out come October.

[muwarrior69]

Will our Jesuit Pope be attending one of the games?

[wadesworld]

1.  Is Traci good enough to get the keys from day 1? Yes
2.  How good is Henry? Really good
3.  How is Luke's shoulder? Healthy
4.  Can JJJ hit a jumper consistently? No

In actuality, since the team is basically a complete unknown, though one with potential, I am just looking forward to them getting the extra practice, the game experience, and hoping and praying that nobody gets hurt.

[THRILLHO]

2) How will Coach Wojo use a much deeper bench than he had last year?

With so many young players I think of it less as a deeper bench and more as extra lottery tickets.

[mug644]

Will a bigger front line than last year have the quickness to play man-to-man defense, or will Wojo emphasize a zone again?

[GOO]

With so many young players I think of it less as a deeper bench and more as extra lottery tickets.

I think point guard play will be the primary thing I'll be watching. 
I'll also watch to see who can hit a jumper consistently.

THRILLHO is dead on.  For those who see a lot of depth, I see a lot of unproven and young talent (mainly freshman) that are now catorgorized as "we'll see in time what they can do and hope they develop" and "maybe one or two will be great because we need them now."

With four guys coming back from a really bad team, someone has to explain to me why we should be so good and have depth.  HE should be good.  Cohen didn't show much unless you have blue and gold glasses on, Duane is good but about average for a BE 2 guard (hopefully he can make a leap), Fisher looked above average and could be one of the better centers, JJJ shows flashes but can't shoot for a wing/guard.

I'm all for hope and I have some that things all break our way and we win 23 games.  But a LOT has to go right for that to happen.  Our "experienced" players are inexperienced on any other team!

If you were looking at some random teams roster and not MU, what would you think:

http://www.gomarquette.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/marq-m-baskbl-mtt.html

[keefe]

If you were looking at some random teams roster and not MU, what would you think:

http://www.gomarquette.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/marq-m-baskbl-mtt.html

I would say that we will do well to break even on the season. People need to be realistic

[bilsu]

Add to your list how much does added strength improve Cohen's game?

[real chili 83]

I would say that we will do well to break even on the season. People need to be realistic

Oh, ye of so little faith.

We are going to win the BE and go to the elite 8 at a minimum.

[Loose Cannon]

  What I will be focus on theses games and more importantly the "Buy games".  As much as these games have a negative effect on the Selection Committee I think there is somewhat of a positive effect to MU's  growth potential


My priority will not be on the talent (It will show itself soon enough).  I will be focus on the following (which doesn't need a lot of gifted talent) and if and how much it improves during the non-conf schedule.

1) Fundaments:
      a)   In Game Communication & Spacing.
      b)  Passing, Screening and Blocking Out.
      c) Always aware of Score, Fouls, Time outs, and time remaining
      d) Free Throw Shooting improvement.  (Google Dr Tom Amberry)

  2) Discipline and Attitude:
      a)   No more "Grand Marshall" poses after a Dunk and losing two steps on transition to defense.
      b)   Attitudes not in line with the Coaching Staff will be easier to deal with now that we have a deeper bench.

   3)  Toughness:
         a)   Going after loose balls, fightings for rebounds.
         b)   How strong is each players WILL to win.

[GOO]

We may do better than break even due to the easy non-conference schedule.  But for Big East games and games against real competition, I'd take break even right now.

[keefe]

We may do better than break even due to the easy non-conference schedule.  But for Big East games and games against real competition, I'd take break even right now.

That is what I meant, actually. I don't count the cream puff schedule. Breaking even in the Big East would be a moral victory.

I think Wojo is going to get it done but Bert really did leave the cupboard bare so we need to calibrate our expectations accordingly.

[4everwarriors]

Deals on Gucci and Prada, hey?

[JakeBarnes]

Deals on Gucci and Prada, hey?

Winner.

[keefe]

Deals on Gucci and Prada, hey?

Sh1t, if the mods would stop deleting those threads they could just come on Scoop first thing in the morning to get great deals on designer goods

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

Looking for the players to go easy on the limoncello in all the gift shops.

[ecc5051]

Just returned from Italy and the dollar is so strong. Dinner and drink prices are cheaper than Milwaukee. 100% of Gucci and Prada products the street venders sell are FAKE.   It you want a fake, negotiate down 50%.
Watch out for pickpocketing, they are very good! Everybody has a pickpocketing story from Italy. 

[keefe]

Everybody has a pickpocketing story from Italy.

[Herman Cain]

The trip will be fun for the kids on the team.  Hopefully they come back with great enthusiasm for the season.

[AZWarrior]

The trip will be fun for the kids on the team.  Hopefully they come back with great enthusiasm for the season.

.....And no pick-pocketing stories!   

[Brewtown Andy]

100% of Gucci and Prada products the street venders sell are FAKE.

I'm shocked, shocked, I tell you.

[Spotcheck Billy]

... some man to man defense

[willie warrior]

Will our Jesuit Pope be attending one of the games?

Don't think so--he is busy now dissing capitalism, listening to his Occupy Wall Street Guru advising him on the perils of global warning and fine tuning his socialist catechism. MU BBall will not beat the top of his agenda

[T-Bone]

Will Mache be the Senior leader we need?