MU can move from #344 to #150-

[Jay Bee]

... in experience. How do Scoopers feel about this?

I think we'll be middle of the road in terms of experience... the old 'one of the youngest' teams in the nation will be gone. I project us being in the 140's.

...but it's April. Nonetheless, I feel confident it'll increase substantially.

It's a good thing, especially when projecting GREAT minutes from Howard and Haany.

Hope we get a good location for the first round.

[4everwarriors]

Doesn't mean chit. Take some young, capable stuff vs middle aged hags any time, hey?

[Jay Bee]

Doesn't mean chit. Take some young, capable stuff vs middle aged hags any time, hey?
[/quote

That's my motto, but it hasn't worked out that well.. at least tonight. Tomorrow, diff story. Bang, bang.

[Marcus92]

4 returning starters vs. 3 freshman starters? Night and day.

10 returning scholarship players — plus the addition of Reinhardt, Howard and Hauser — gives Wojo the most talent, depth and continuity of his tenure at Marquette. That assumes, of course, nobody transfers.

7 upperclassmen and 4 seniors (versus only 3 juniors on the roster in 2015-16) should form the heart of an experienced, veteran team.

Is that enough to win at least 22-24 games (including 10 or more in conference play) and put us in contention for an NCAA bid? We'll have to see how the pieces come together. But I'm very excited for next season.

[MUFlutieEffect]

Hope we get a good location for the first round.

With the NCAAs at the BC, I'd assume our NIT home game would be in the Al, no?

[Taint]

The inexperience/youth excuse for our performance last year was suspect.  Pomeroy started measuring Continuity last year.  Simply defined:  It's determining what percentage of a team's minutes are played by the same player from last season to this season. Conveniently, the national average happens to be around 50%.

Marquette rated 218 in the country, at 42.6% of minutes.  Furthermore, when you consider that a huge chunk of the new minutes not accounted for in the 42.6% were played by future NBA'er and Freshman All American, Henry Ellenson - the Experience stat used by Pomeroy isn't nearly as illuminating as all freshman are not created equally.

Marquette massively underachieved last year, despite some fanboys best attempts to rationalize the performance turned in by the coaching staff.  We got blown out by 25+ points in two of our last three games, while yielding 90+ points.  Never saw Wojo try to slow tempo, as we saw Jay Wright do against North Carolina in the National Championship. 

Wojo has a long way to go as a coach.  Very good recruiter, which should begin to help him offset his deficiencies as a coach.

[ChicosBailBonds]

I think it means a lot, if the experience is at the key spots, especially PG.  Going into battle with tested veteran ball handlers and decision makers is a plus.  That's where I'm concerned, because we're still young in that vital spot.

[GooooMarquette]

With the NCAAs at the BC, I'd assume our NIT home game would be in the Al, no?

You don't think we'll try to cut a deal to use UWM's arena?

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

I think it means a lot, if the experience is at the key spots, especially PG.  Going into battle with tested veteran ball handlers and decision makers is a plus.  That's where I'm concerned, because we're still young in that vital spot.

I tend to agree but then again we didn't wake up yesterday knowing we have a young PG (or a PG problem 2 years ago). Wojo must believe he can overcome it with the changes he is making to the roster in the off season.

[ChicosBailBonds]

I tend to agree but then again we didn't wake up yesterday knowing we have a young PG (or a PG problem 2 years ago). Wojo must believe he can overcome it with the changes he is making to the roster in the off season.

I hope so.  If MH can play at a high level like DJ or some others have done, that would a huge piece of piece of the puzzle.

[mu03eng]

I think it means a lot, if the experience is at the key spots, especially PG.  Going into battle with tested veteran ball handlers and decision makers is a plus.  That's where I'm concerned, because we're still young in that vital spot.

Young how? Rowsey and Carter both have at least a year of college ball under their belt(Rowsey two playing and one red shirting). Sure Howard is young but if his youth is reflected in his place we have two other players with experience.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

Young how? Rowsey and Carter both have at least a year of college ball under their belt(Rowsey two playing and one red shirting). Sure Howard is young but if his youth is reflected in his place we have two other players with experience.

A soph PG isn't seasoned unless he is very special/elite.  I am about as big of a TC fan that is out there, but guards take longer to mature.  Remember how long it took Junior?  Vander didnt make the leap until Jr year.  JJJ - same. I think these guys (TC/HC) can make big jumps but my guess is it isn't as big as you think.

Having Rowsey does make things a little better as well as Reinhardt and hopefully DU + JJJ.

[rocky_warrior]

but guards take longer to mature. 

Huh?  I thought bigs take longer to mature? So we're basically saying nobody is every mature...until they are.

[mu03eng]

Huh?  I thought bigs take longer to mature? So we're basically saying nobody is every mature...until they are.

You run Scoop....how we can be discussing college kids maturing is beyond me.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

Huh?  I thought bigs take longer to mature? So we're basically saying nobody is every mature...until they are.

Sorry I said that poorly -- meant it in the sense of having clear NBA potential or being the go-to guy on a team.  It is rare that a frosh PG takes you to the promise land...if a soph is doing it, many times he is 2 and done. 

Big (stiffs) take forever to mature - you are right...however it feels like any big pushing 7 feet that is coordinated enough to dribble the ball down the court goes to the NBA by yr 1 or 2.

I'm probably just rationalizing why I shouldn't get my hopes up for next year.  I hope that JJJ is the man so that takes the pressure off TC & HC. 

[Marcus92]

The key to our success next season likely won't come down to one player.

Depending on how everyone fits and plays together, having a deeper perimeter rotation could lead to a positive feedback loop — both on offense and defense.

With more deep threats, we should see more made threes, a higher effective FG%, better driving lanes, fewer double-teams in the post. Better shooting could even cut down on opponents' transition opportunities.

From a defensive standpoint, players like Haanif could be even better with fewer minutes than last season. They can go all-out when they're on the floor — focusing their energy and effort without worrying about fatigue.