Improvement

[tower912]

Is there anyone out there who still thinks these players and this team have not improved over the course of the season?     It has not always been a smooth linear progression.   But come on. 

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

Is there anyone out there who still thinks these players and this team have not improved over the course of the season?     It has not always been a smooth linear progression.   But come on.

We looked fantastic in the first half.  Seemed like they were looking for one more pass to find the man who was more open for the higher percentage shot.  Showed toughness at the end minus Henry.

[mikekinsellaMVP]

If I have hope for this coaching staff, it's been the transformation of JjJ.  Last year he was atrocious at times, which led to limited minutes (along with talk of leashes, mind games, and his inevitable transfer.)  In his last four outings?  33 mpg, 24-39 from the field (21-30 in the last 3), 4-12 from deep, 7-8 from the line, 18 reb, 14 assists, and 12 steals.  Most of the credit goes to the individual, but a lot of praise has to be given to the coaches for getting him to buy in and helping him develop.

I'm still amazed that there was a point this year where people questioned whether this team was better than last year's team.

[brandx]

Traci has also improved greatly. He has made Wojo have him on the floor in crunch time. He steadies the team.

Last night - 1st possession inside 2 minutes, Duane turns it over; next possession, Haney turns it over. The rest of the way the ball was in Traci's hands and he made the winning play on the pass to Fischer.

Next year, I look for his shot to be better and for him to play with more consistency. I think too many here think he will be on the bench a lot if Howard is at MU and with Rowsey available. I think Traci will be one of the core guys.

[WarriorFan]

Improved:
JJJ, Traci, HE, Luke, Duane, Heldt
Regressed:
Sandi
Insufficient evidence:
Wally, Anim

Overall not bad!

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

I think its very encouraging where the team has advanced to over the past two weeks.  You can see it game by game -- even intra-game where Traci was much better against Nova's press in the 2H versus the 1H.  You have to think our army of point guards had something to do with that.  Also, Luke's hook has gotten better through the year as well.  Finally, JJJ rebuilding his shot completely is nothing short of amazing.  That is incredibly hard to do and has been the downfall of many players.  Clearly these coaches focus on skill development.

I wish it clicked 1.5 weeks earlier as we would have been talking about a real over-achievement - but the fact it is happening leaves me optimistic.  Hey we are still mentioned as a potential bubble team and hopefully are becoming a lock for the NIT.  That was my expectation for the season and the coaches have the team right there.

[mikekinsellaMVP]

Hey we are still mentioned as a potential bubble team and hopefully are becoming a lock for the NIT.  That was my expectation for the season and the coaches have the team right there.

Someone made a comment elsewhere about hoping Henry returns next year so he can leave the BC "on his own terms" rather than on a bad ankle.  Seeing as that's unlikely, I'm pulling hard for an NIT home game -- Henry gets the send off he deserves and Mache hopefully gets the minutes Wojo was unable to give him last night.

[TSmith34, Inc.]

If I have hope for this coaching staff, it's been the transformation of JjJ.  Last year he was atrocious at times, which led to limited minutes (along with talk of leashes, mind games, and his inevitable transfer.)  In his last four outings?  33 mpg, 24-39 from the field (21-30 in the last 3), 4-12 from deep, 7-8 from the line, 18 reb, 14 assists, and 12 steals.  Most of the credit goes to the individual, but a lot of praise has to be given to the coaches for getting him to buy in and helping him develop.

I'm still amazed that there was a point this year where people questioned whether this team was better than last year's team.

Agreed, JJJ has made enormous strides.  As an aside, though, I wonder when teams are going to take away his drive to the right of the lane.

The last two games Cheatham has also started to kick it out when he drives but can't get to the rim, something he virtually never did the first 28 games.

[MU82]

Only a blind person or a nattering nabob of negativity would deny this team has improved, and by quite a bit.

Very encouraged by our future, with or without Hank.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

The last two games Cheatham has also started to kick it out when he drives but can't get to the rim, something he virtually never did the first 28 games.

And he can finish much better with his right now. Saw it a couple of times last night.

[Lighthouse 84]

Agreed, JJJ has made enormous strides.  As an aside, though, I wonder when teams are going to take away his drive to the right of the lane.

The last two games Cheatham has also started to kick it out when he drives but can't get to the rim, something he virtually never did the first 28 games.

100% spot on regarding both comments.  Against Nova, Hanie did that and I about fell out of my chair thinking that was the first time he's done that all year.  If he can do that more, he'll open up a lot of shots in the future for anyone on the perimeter.

[frozena pizza]

Someone made a comment elsewhere about hoping Henry returns next year so he can leave the BC "on his own terms" rather than on a bad ankle.  Seeing as that's unlikely, I'm pulling hard for an NIT home game -- Henry gets the send off he deserves and Mache hopefully gets the minutes Wojo was unable to give him last night.

I'm pulling hard for Henry to be healthy for the BET.  Then for us to make the NIT field.  Then to have a home game and a deep run back to New York.

[Babybluejeans]

Improved:
JJJ, Traci, HE, Luke, Duane, Heldt
Regressed:
Sandi
Insufficient evidence:
Wally, Anim

Overall not bad!

Although I agree the team has progressed over the course of the season (and is certainly better than last year), I would not say Duane has improved. The difference between this year and last year is an excellent freshmen class and JJJ's newfound consistency...and that lottery pick of ours has something to do with it.

As for Duane, I'd say he's slightly regressed. Last year signaled that he might have a monster 2015-16 season but I haven't seen any improvement between this year and last. And the numbers suggest the same: http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/66171/duane-wilson. He's got a bright future at MU but he needs to show a LOT more discipline than he's shown this year.

[GGGG]

The only thing I didn't like out of Duane was the first half "my turn" 3 point shot he took early in the clock.  He attacked the basket at the end.  It didn't work once (Wojo said he was fouled...he wasn't) but he got to the line and hit his FTs at the end.

I still think he is playing hurt or something.  He lacks the explosiveness he had last year.

[tower912]

I still think he is playing hurt or something.  He lacks the explosiveness he had last year.

There has been a fair amount of speculation about that on the Scout board.   No one has come forward with anything definitive.    He seems to lack lift, explosiveness, and be down a little bit on lateral quickness on defense.    Compared to last year. 

[frozena pizza]

100% spot on regarding both comments.  Against Nova, Hanie did that and I about fell out of my chair thinking that was the first time he's done that all year.  If he can do that more, he'll open up a lot of shots in the future for anyone on the perimeter.

Overall, the ball movement last night was outstanding.  We got a lot of good looks and easy baskets because of that.  Unfortunately the second half was a layup line for the Hoyas.

[jsglow]

You know what guys?  Assuming HE can get healthy, our Warriors are entirely capable of winning the NIT.  And I'd sure like to hang another banner.

[We R Final Four]

As long as those turnovers remain low, I agree.
15+ TO game in a tourney setting will bite you against the most average of teams.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Only a blind person or a nattering nabob of negativity would deny this team has improved, and by quite a bit.

Very encouraged by our future, with or without Hank.

Is Nate here?

[Aughnanure]

Doubling our conference win total from last year feels good.