DePaul Thoughts

[forgetful]

Stat of the game:

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

Well said.  And I know some disagree, but rebounding is about heart and fire first, and size second.  We have the size.  We don't get the rebounds.

[WarriorFan]

Wojo has resorted to using starting as the carrot and the bench as the stick.

I'm full of praise for Wally, but there's no way in the world he's a starter on a Big East team.  He's an energy guy off the bench who should be getting 12-15 minutes.

I pretty much see JJJ the same way.  His offensive capability can change the game, but MU cannot play "his way" for an entire game because he's often the only athlete on the court. 

As a result of these two starting, the rotations were off and guys who haven't played much together didn't know what to do.  This cost us about 6-8 points in the first half... and cost us the game. 

Duane should sit next game.  He only makes shots every other game.  (half serious). 

Good minutes from Heldt defensively.  No-one will give him the ball.  He was sooooo open on the post a couple times it would have been a better option than what transpired in the rest of the possession. 

Nice to see Sacar contribute.  Can see him getting 3-7 legit minutes from here on out.

Don't know what to say about Henry.  I want him to succeed and want him to develop further... the good point for today was at least no offensive fouls!

I hate to say it, but coaching cost us this game. 

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

We panicked at the end. Had ten TOs with about three minutes left...finished with 15.

Early foul trouble for Luke was brutal. Start Heldt to protect Fischer? A la joe fulce starting for Crowder

Defense was fantastic. Depaul is a decent offensive team. We made them look like a bad offensive team. But we lost, which tells you how bad our offense was

It took awhile, but Im finally tired of people saying Henry can shoot the three. HOWEVER, Henry turned down some open threes that he wouldve taken before. Maybe hes learning.

Need to rebound as a team. We are SO bad at it. Biggest point of concern for me.

JJJ looked good. He needs to teach the others how to drive.

If Wojo can keep this group together, especially if he brings in Markus Howard, we will be a very good team. The biggest jump in production is from freshman to sophomore year. We gotta lot of freshmen who will make some big jumps.

That was a phantom call at the end. As a ref, you cant make that call to decide a game. Poor officiating...but you cant let yourself get in a posotion where one bad call can end it for you

[Dr. Blackheart]

*Worst conference offense this century.  No identity or set rotations, just looking lost.  Surprised at this point with early start in Italy that there has been no progression.  Will be watching that closely.
*Five turnovers at the end to go with two bricks on the free throws.  Six empty possessions.
*If Duane isn't a PG, neither is Cheatham.  Why doesn't Duane start again?
*One Henry gobbled up another.
*DePaul guard blow bys led to Luke fouls. MU needs Luke.
*At this point, MU is a bottom dweller. Tough one
*BE is an urban league, not a finesse league.
*In the double bonus, MU elects NOT take it to the hoop.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Let's put it this way, I'm just done. This is coming from someone who spent their entire undergrad years waiting at least 2 hours per game and close to 10 for Wisconisn.

Marquette basketball got me through my undergrad years and I can't effing take it anymore. I don't even know who to blame but I'll be damned if I spend another penny watching them play.

[jesmu84]

Let's put it this way, I'm just done. This is coming from someone who spent their entire undergrad years waiting at least 2 hours per game and close to 10 for Wisconisn.

Marquette basketball got me through my undergrad years and I can't effing take it anymore. I don't even know who to blame but I'll be damned if I spend another penny watching them play.

Just to clarify, if they become good again, will you be willing to spend your money?

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Just to clarify, if they become good again, will you be willing to spend your money?

Probably not just for logistical reasons. Hard for me to get up to milwaukee twice a week since I'm working full time now. The whole losing thing doesn't help either.

[jesmu84]

Probably not just for logistical reasons. Hard for me to get up to milwaukee twice a week since I'm working full time now. The whole losing thing doesn't help either.

For some reason I was thinking beyond just attending a game. Merchandise, etc.

Also, I didn't mean this season "if they become good again." I meant ever again.

[mug644]

Wojo has resorted to using starting as the carrot and the bench as the stick.

I'm full of praise for Wally, but there's no way in the world he's a starter on a Big East team.  He's an energy guy off the bench who should be getting 12-15 minutes.

I pretty much see JJJ the same way.  His offensive capability can change the game, but MU cannot play "his way" for an entire game because he's often the only athlete on the court. 

As a result of these two starting, the rotations were off and guys who haven't played much together didn't know what to do.  This cost us about 6-8 points in the first half... and cost us the game. 

Duane should sit next game.  He only makes shots every other game.  (half serious). 

Good minutes from Heldt defensively.  No-one will give him the ball.  He was sooooo open on the post a couple times it would have been a better option than what transpired in the rest of the possession. 

Nice to see Sacar contribute.  Can see him getting 3-7 legit minutes from here on out.

Don't know what to say about Henry.  I want him to succeed and want him to develop further... the good point for today was at least no offensive fouls!

I hate to say it, but coaching cost us this game.

Sounds to me like your analysis mirrors the uncertainty of Wojo, who can't tell (or figure out) what he'll get from each player any given game. Last night we saw him essentially grasping at straws, changing the starting lineup, giving Heldt more time, playing Anim for the first time in numerous games.

You're right that the rotations were off due to such changes, but then advocate for sitting Duane and getting Anim 3-7 minutes.

Wojo is reaching, and maybe he needs to do so, but last night it didn't work. I'm not a coach and I can't suggest anything any better or different, but I sure want to see different results.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

This team reminds me of the early 90's Kevin O'Neil teams.  Back then I always thought we had these highly related recruits and we would instantly be good and win right away.  I was constantly reminded by Marquette friends that they're only Freshman and will eventually get better and we did.  We have a team with no Seniors, 2 Juniors (and one who only played half a season last year) and three freshman playing significant minutes. 

I'm a fan and of course I want to win now, and it's hard to be patient, but we have a very young team that unfortunately often plays like one. 
Let's all step back from the ledge and hope they find that team rhythm.

[Aircraftcarrier]

You are correct MU fan in Connecticut.I will say that with the one remaining scholarship,it is imperative that MU recruits an inside player that can rebound.Can not keep giving up offensive rebounds.As much as I like Markus Howard he is not a priority if he is a 2016 recruit.If another opening becomes available then I would take him in a minute.For those of you that have not seen him play,he is not a true point guard.He is an unbelievable shooter though.Hopefully with Rowsey and Hauser our outside shooting will improve next year.

[NavinRJohnson]

Well said.  And I know some disagree, but rebounding is about heart and fire first, and size second.  We have the size.  We don't get the rebounds.

I've been harping on the horrendous rebounding since the season started, and it has not improved. I don't believe it is a want to issue as much as it is a how to issue. I think collectively, their technique stinks. They are slow to get position, get too far under the hoop (Fischer and Ellenson see way too many balls go right over their heads), etc. Not getting better.

Which brings me to Wojo and staff. Recruiting is most important, and I think he can continue to do well there. Unfortunately, so do a whole bunch of other guys. My fear is that he's a good rah rah, win every day, play hard, slap the floor guy, who will continually get his head handed to him when it comes to development, in game match ups, etc. it's only been a year and a half, so time will tell, but it appears to this novice that he has a long, long way to go.

Staff plays a role in that as well. A thought occurred to me last night. Of all the guys on that staff, the one guy I see potentially becoming a head coach someday, is actually Deiner - if he's interested, that is. Never would have said that 4-5 months ago when he took (requested) the job without a very prominent roll.

[MU82]

Let's put it this way, I'm just done.

See ya!

[ecompt]

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

There are very few players in the NBA who would not torch HE for 25 points. If he thinks he is ready for the NBA, God bless him.

[WarriorPride68]

There are very few players in the NBA who would not torch HE for 25 points. If he thinks he is ready for the NBA, God bless him.

I'm guessing you haven't seen Skal from Kentucky play? Henry is light years ahead of him & both will be top picks. Again, nba is all on potential

[NavinRJohnson]

I missed a big chunk of the second half, but in the last 3-4 minutes, Cheatham and Johnson combined for 4 turnovers, 2 fouls and some questionable defense. No Traci Carter...anyone have an explanation for that?

[tower912]

Wojo shuffled the rotation, Traci hadn't played much before the last 5 minutes, and when he did play, he wasn't effective.    Having said all of that, yeah, Traci probably should have been in the game. 

[jsglow]

Let's put it this way, I'm just done. This is coming from someone who spent their entire undergrad years waiting at least 2 hours per game and close to 10 for Wisconisn.

Marquette basketball got me through my undergrad years and I can't effing take it anymore. I don't even know who to blame but I'll be damned if I spend another penny watching them play.

Little fatherly advice.  I think you're taking this a bit too far.  Is it worth driving from Chicago for an 8p Wednesday game right now?  No way, and they have no right to expect that you will given their performance over the last 3 years.  But NEVER is a long time.  Find other things for awhile.  Catch a game on TV.  Hit that Saturday night game against Creighton so you can hang with your buddies and National Marquette Day as a show of unity.  Just don't build your life around #mubb.

I have just a bit of perspective on this.  I barely remember the Ice Bowl.  After that the Packers were baaadd for more than 20 years but I was still a fan.  It's not like I cheered for the Bears or anything.  (Ok, sure I did in 1985 in my early years in Chicago.)  30 years later when the Pack finally won the championship I came to realize that my life really hadn't changed and I was still at work the next morning.  Really happy, but at work.  I knew in that moment that my sports life couldn't get any better.  The pinnacle had been achieved.  Nirvana.    But my life still wasn't perfect.  So I told myself that I'd never get too high or low.  I'd worry more about things that mattered.

[brewcity77]

Morning after thoughts...
.

• Rebounding sucks. Giving up 44.4% of the defensive rebound chances to the offense? That's pathetic.
  
• Henry is not good right now. Frankly, he hasn't been very good against top competition all season. Decent rebounder, but horribly inefficient on offense. I can't believe I'm saying this, but this team may be better off with Steve Taylor. We have more need of a tough rebounder than we do a high usage, low efficiency scorer.
  
• The schedule backfired. We didn't learn how to win, we learned how to play without effort.
  
• I've seen some parallels to 2010. The 2-5 start with a loss to DePaul. But that team had 4 losses to top-10 teams by 10 combined points. This ain't 2010.
  
• We were terrible offensively, yet our only PG played 13 minutes.
  
• For years, we've mocked DePaul. Now it feels like we are DePaul.
  
• The great thing about freshmen is they become sophomores. Both Duane and Sandy have been more efficient this year than last. Luke has been too. Have to think this will get better. Even without Henry.
  
• Rotations were out of whack last night. Rewarding Wally and Jajuan with starting roles was unnecessary. You can increase minutes without reducing cohesiveness.
  
• The staff looks just as inexperienced as the players. Wojo was outcoached by Leitao last night.
  

[MerrittsMustache]

Sounds to me like your analysis mirrors the uncertainty of Wojo, who can't tell (or figure out) what he'll get from each player any given game. Last night we saw him essentially grasping at straws, changing the starting lineup, giving Heldt more time, playing Anim for the first time in numerous games.

You're right that the rotations were off due to such changes, but then advocate for sitting Duane and getting Anim 3-7 minutes.

Wojo is reaching, and maybe he needs to do so, but last night it didn't work. I'm not a coach and I can't suggest anything any better or different, but I sure want to see different results.

At this point, Wojo appears to be sending guys out there and hoping that they earn themselves more minutes or at least have a productive stretch. Wally and JJJ played well against X so he threw them out there and hoped they'd keep it up. Wally did nothing and JJJ played relatively well but was up and down. Anim played respectably but it's clear he's a year away from contributing. Sandy is a spot-up shooter who's lost his mechanics, which makes him tough to play. Carter plays like a freshman PG. Heldt is simply not ready yet. Haanif makes 2 good plays followed by a boneheaded one. Luke can't stay out of foul trouble (in large part because of MU's porous perimeter D). Henry needs to develop a go-to move offensively and learn to play at least a little bit of D. Duane played his best game of the season last night but he can obviously go hot and cold.

It's VERY tough to set a rotation when you have no idea what each player is going to give you on a given night. Duane, Henry and Luke are going to get their PT but there are plenty of other minutes to be had. Hopefully someone steps up and takes advantage of the opportunity.

[MerrittsMustache]

Morning after thoughts...

• The staff looks just as inexperienced as the players. Wojo was outcoached by Leitao last night.[/b]
  

Some really strong points in this post but I want to focus on this one.

I've said before, but I'd really like to see Wojo with a grizzled veteran coach on the bench. It doesn't necessarily need to be a former head coach, just a guy who's been there before, can give some tips to Wojo and be an X's and O's guy.

Wojo can recruit and Wojo can motivate. What I'm not sure Wojo has is the ability to draw up a play to get a bucket or, better yet, have a stash of plays in his back pocket to pull out when MU is sputtering offensively. After a timeout, how often do you see MU run a set play that gets them a good look? How often do you see MU run a set play at all? It's very rare. I'm not saying that MU should have a 100-page playbook, but when the opposing team is going on a run, it's important to have a few plays that you're fairly certain will result in at least a trip to the FT line.

To be clear, I liked the Wojo hiring and I honestly believe he's going to be a very good coach, but he obviously has his weaknesses and I don't feel like his coaching staff as assembled can necessarily keep those from being exposed.

[Lennys Tap]

Wojo shuffled the rotation, Traci hadn't played much before the last 5 minutes, and when he did play, he wasn't effective.    Having said all of that, yeah, Traci probably should have been in the game.

Traci has a lot of flaws - can't shoot, loose handle, etc. but he's (by far) our best on ball defender. That he wasn't in and guarding Garrett in that situation is inexcusable.

[MerrittsMustache]

Traci has a lot of flaws - can't shoot, loose handle, etc. but he's (by far) our best on ball defender. That he wasn't in and guarding Garrett in that situation is inexcusable.

Carter wouldn't have been guarding him anyway. Haanif had done an excellent job on Garrett all night (4-18, 4 TOs at that point). Luke got switched onto him and there was no help. There was also no foul but that's a different story...

[NotAnAlum]

I think most will agree the problem is the offense.  After having an extra 11 days practice due to the Europe trip and now being well into the 4 month of practice the players should be familiar with what they are supposed to do and the staff should have evaluated the strengths and weaknesses of the players and come up with plays that build on strengths.  If they can't do that its bad coaching.
What built the little lead in the second half last night is a clinic on what the MU offense must do to be successful.  JJJ got the ball outside the 3 point line and drove the ball across the top of the key and past the free throw line extended.  This puts him inside the defense and causes the defense to react.  He then quickly hit the big with a pass (in each case it was Fisher but it could have been HE).  We need to do this all the time from both sides of the floor and using different people on the drive.  I love Haniff but I have yet to ever see him pass off a drive.  Duane and Traci seldom do this.  Driving is not always about getting all the way to the hoop.  The key to all of this is it needs to be fast and the team needs to know what is coming and MOVE when it happens.  If they don't know when to move and where to be that's bad coaching again.

[CTWarrior]

I love Haniff but I have yet to ever see him pass off a drive.  Duane and Traci seldom do this. 

You are correct.  Cheatham, particularly, does not throw interior passes off the drive.  He almost always throws some sort of shot at the rim, but if he does pass it is usually back to someone on the preimter who is not in a position to shoot.  Carter looks to make the pass, but hasn't had much success yet.