DePaul Thoughts

[RJax55]

Anyone else surprised to see HE on the bench for the last DePaul possession?

Yes, but it goes to show how poor his defense currently is. I believe the coaching staff was concerned that Mike Henry would get the ball and drive to the basket. And, HE struggled all night to guard him on the perimeter. So, Wojo went small.

[Venkman]

Guard play simply isn't there this year.

Too many turnovers and forced passes.
Not explosive enough to get to the rim (and certainly not above the rim) or keep opposing guards in front of them on D.
No consistent outside shooting.

We've been lucky to watch A LOT of great guards play for MU over the last 10-15 years, and I don't see one on this team.

Still going to cheer like crazy for these guys though. I'm sure they are working their butts off.

Here's to hoping they surprise us all with some big wins a la the Davidson comeback.

[tower912]

Yes, but it goes to show how poor his defense currently is. I believe the coaching staff was concerned that Mike Henry would get the ball and drive to the basket. And, HE struggled all night to guard him on the perimeter. So, Wojo went small.

Wojo and Luke referenced a leg injury for Henry in their postgame. 

[GGGG]

I again worry about the physicality of this team. Not sure if the staff fully comprehends how important that is in this conference.

[RJax55]

Wojo and Luke referenced a leg injury for Henry in their postgame.

That would make some sense. Although HE's defense is poor, he's still 6'10''.

[tower912]

I again worry about the physicality of this team. Not sure if the staff fully comprehends how important that is in this conference.

That needs to be addressed through recruiting.    IIRC, when it was discussed last spring after STjr left that it looked like Wally and Sandy were going to get time at the 4, I think it was Jay Bee who said if that were the case MU was in trouble. 

[Lennys Tap]

We've won a bunch of coin flips this year (LSU, ASU, UW, Providence). So we're due for some bad luck.

But we're not good. We've had a lot of small teams in the last 15 years (our 2009-10 team that finished 11-7 in the real Big East had a starting lineup of 5'8"",5'11", 6'2",6'5", and 6'6") but this is the worst rebounding team we've had in a long time - with two 6'11" starters. We're slow to the ball, weak going after it and get routinely out worked. Wojo said he was pleased with our fort tonight. I hope he changes his mind after watching the tape.

[GoldenWarrior11]

This guy has more conference wins in the ACC than we currently do in the Big East...

[LAZER]

I again worry about the physicality of this team. Not sure if the staff fully comprehends how important that is in this conference.

I'm ok going smaller and softer, but if you can't shoot..

[LAZER]

This guy has more conference wins in the ACC than we currently do in the Big East...

And?

[JTBMU7]

Three years in a row now we will be irrelevant before Feb.

Only going to get worse from here on out too.

This sucks...

[Class71]

Does anybody know what Fish or HE's verticals are? It looks to me that they are out jumped consistently by much smaller players. Having said that, it will be years before this team recovers.
 

[Lennys Tap]

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/boxscore?gameId=400840240

Box score

DePaul shot 38.6 %, 28.6 % from 3. And they're DePaul. Despite all that they beat us. On our home court. That's a lot to chew on.

[dgies9156]

OK, I'm not going to go off too hard. I'm more disappointed than angry. Kinda let down to be precise.

I thought this team was going to be good. Perhaps I believed the press cliippings and one-and-done for Henry. Or the highly rated recruiting class. Or the raw coach from Duke who was a Coach K protégée. 

What I see is a team that lets its opponents have way too many back-door opportunities. If the back door and offensive rebounding doors were any wider open, you could drive a 747 through it and still have room for a Dreamliner. Their defense is non-existent and that's the first reason we have problems.

The second problem is we're not clicking as a team. We don't move away from the ball the way we should. Not even close. Teams give us the perimeter because they know we may score there but we're not going to beat them from downtown. I see a team that as some talent but appears way overmatched and lacks a sense of the core of college game. This may improve with time but there' a long way to go to get them to synch as a team.

Finally Wojo. My fear is that he is another Rick Majerus. A guy that in time will be a national championship coach. But it's going to take a lot of time for him to find his way. A young team with a young inexperienced coach is a prescription for disaster. I love Wojo and applaud the choice by the University to hire him. But his weaknesses as a coach are really shining through.

My one thought is whether Wojo needs his Hank -- someone who is an established college coach who can come in for a few years -- or more -- and add a maturity level we now lack. I said the same thing about the Hillbilly before he hired Jerry Wainwright. 

We've got some real problems and how we respond to them between now and March is key to 2016-2017. This year died tonight. Let's worry about next year and beyond.

P.S. -- Henry aint going pro. Period. Not for at least a year and maybe two

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

OK, I'm not going to go off too hard. I'm more disappointed than angry. Kinda let down to be precise.

I thought this team was going to be good. Perhaps I believed the press cliippings and one-and-done for Henry. Or the highly rated recruiting class. Or the raw coach from Duke who was a Coach K protégée. 

What I see is a team that lets its opponents have way too many back-door opportunities. If the back door and offensive rebounding doors were any wider open, you could drive a 747 through it and still have room for a Dreamliner. Their defense is non-existent and that's the first reason we have problems.

The second problem is we're not clicking as a team. We don't move away from the ball the way we should. Not even close. Teams give us the perimeter because they know we may score there but we're not going to beat them from downtown. I see a team that as some talent but appears way overmatched and lacks a sense of the core of college game. This may improve with time but there' a long way to go to get them to synch as a team.

Finally Wojo. My fear is that he is another Rick Majerus. A guy that in time will be a national championship coach. But it's going to take a lot of time for him to find his way. A young team with a young inexperienced coach is a prescription for disaster. I love Wojo and applaud the choice by the University to hire him. But his weaknesses as a coach are really shining through.

My one thought is whether Wojo needs his Hank -- someone who is an established college coach who can come in for a few years -- or more -- and add a maturity level we now lack. I said the same thing about the Hillbilly before he hired Jerry Wainwright. 

We've got some real problems and how we respond to them between now and March is key to 2016-2017. This year died tonight. Let's worry about next year and beyond.

P.S. -- Henry aint going pro. Period. Not for at least a year and maybe two

I like most of this...

My biggest beef is that this is the most 'un-fun' team to watch ever.  I knew the midget team was untalented and was going to lose some games - I had a heart attack every game when they made it close -- but that was a fun team.  Scrapped, played hard, played to every ounce of their talent.  I see this team and I dont see passion, effort, drive or really good game planning.  I used to think this was an execution issue, but it may be an issue elsewhere.

Here's to things getting better.

[LAZER]

OK, I'm not going to go off too hard. I'm more disappointed than angry. Kinda let down to be precise.

I thought this team was going to be good. Perhaps I believed the press cliippings and one-and-done for Henry. Or the highly rated recruiting class. Or the raw coach from Duke who was a Coach K protégée. 

What I see is a team that lets its opponents have way too many back-door opportunities. If the back door and offensive rebounding doors were any wider open, you could drive a 747 through it and still have room for a Dreamliner. Their defense is non-existent and that's the first reason we have problems.

The second problem is we're not clicking as a team. We don't move away from the ball the way we should. Not even close. Teams give us the perimeter because they know we may score there but we're not going to beat them from downtown. I see a team that as some talent but appears way overmatched and lacks a sense of the core of college game. This may improve with time but there' a long way to go to get them to synch as a team.

Finally Wojo. My fear is that he is another Rick Majerus. A guy that in time will be a national championship coach. But it's going to take a lot of time for him to find his way. A young team with a young inexperienced coach is a prescription for disaster. I love Wojo and applaud the choice by the University to hire him. But his weaknesses as a coach are really shining through.

My one thought is whether Wojo needs his Hank -- someone who is an established college coach who can come in for a few years -- or more -- and add a maturity level we now lack. I said the same thing about the Hillbilly before he hired Jerry Wainwright. 

We've got some real problems and how we respond to them between now and March is key to 2016-2017. This year died tonight. Let's worry about next year and beyond.

P.S. -- Henry aint going pro. Period. Not for at least a year and maybe two

Ellenson is good enough to go in the lottery this year.

[Anti-Dentite]

I like most of this...

My biggest beef is that this is the most 'un-fun' team to watch ever.  I knew the midget team was untalented and was going to lose some games - I had a heart attack every game when they made it close -- but that was a fun team.  Scrapped, played hard, played to every ounce of their talent.  I see this team and I dont see passion, effort, drive or really good game planning.  I used to think this was an execution issue, but it may be an issue elsewhere.

Here's to things getting better.

This team is playing as hard and as smart as they are being coached to be and I'll leave it at that.

[We R Final Four]

That needs to be addressed through recruiting.    IIRC, when it was discussed last spring after STjr left that it looked like Wally and Sandy were going to get time at the 4, I think it was Jay Bee who said if that were the case MU was in trouble.

? I will go on record right now that if Sandy and Wally get time at the 4 next year we are in trouble.

[GooooMarquette]

Stat of the game:

DePaul had 16 offensive rebounds.
Marquette had 20 defensive rebounds.

[RJax55]

? I will go on record right now that if Sandy and Wally get time at the 4 next year we are in trouble.

I think Henry will still be here.

He lacks the top end athleticism that NBA GM's are looking for and his skill development is not there yet. Another year at MU to get stronger and extend his range, puts him in a better place to crack an NBA rotation early on.

[NotAnAlum]

My biggest beef is that this is the most 'un-fun' team to watch ever. 

I don't know if I could say EVER but I'd have to go back to the Dukiet era.  My buddy and I walked out of that game wondering why we even bother to go.  The games aren't any fun to watch.  The offense is terrible.  I simply have no idea what Wojo is trying to do on offense.  I see no plan, no scheme.  Even if we had won what would that have proved.  We would have had the same bad offense for most of the game, the same defensive lapses leading to wide open dunks, the same failure to rebound in space.
Last year the team lacked talent but at least they worked hard and keep it close until surcoming simply not having enough bodies.  This team just looks confused.  Starting to think that is coaching and if its a lack of coaching there isn't much to look forward to.   

[Lennys Tap]

Stat of the game:

DePaul had 16 offensive rebounds.
Marquette had 20 defensive rebounds.

DePaul played harder than we did.

[We R Final Four]

P.S. -- Henry aint going pro. Period. Not for at least a year and maybe two

I understand what you are saying....... However HE is going pro.

[dgies9156]

I understand what you are saying....... However HE is going pro.

Then he better get a whole lot better in a heap of hurry.

No way, no how. He is no more pro right now than I am. And I am in my 50s and slow.

Henry is a good kid who works hard. But compare him to the Kentucky or Duke one-and-dones. Not even close.

Huge mistake if he goes.

[LAZER]

Then he better get a whole lot better in a heap of hurry.

No way, no how. He is no more pro right now than I am. And I am in my 50s and slow.

Henry is a good kid who works hard. But compare him to the Kentucky or Duke one-and-dones. Not even close.

Huge mistake if he goes.

I think you need to pay more attention to the NBA draft.