2nd Halves

[Lennys Tap]

In the last two games we've given up a total of 111 points in the second half. For the season, we've outscored opponents by 108 points in first halves and we're minus 10 or so  in second halves. Ideas or solutions? (Fire the coach doesn't count as either).

[Hards Alumni]

In the last two games we've given up a total of 111 points in the second half. For the season, we've outscored opponents by 108 points in first halves and we're minus 10 or so  in second halves. Ideas or solutions? (Fire the coach doesn't count as either).

"Hey guys, see that big guy that has been sitting on the bench the first half?  That is why we are up 5.  When he comes off the bench they are going to feed him.  What I need is for him to be on that bench.  It closes their offense and allows us a chance to do what we do.  So instead of chucking 3s, you drive at him.  You make him foul you.  He can't hurt us from the bench.  So lets keep him there"

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

We need to deploy a game-plan for the team we have versus the team we want. 

Specifically on defense.  When the badgers started to ISO 2 players on the left side of the floor in the second half for multiple possessions in a row for successful scores it could not be more obvious that we can't play decent teams straight up.

[4everwarriors]

Clearly, da team needs ta stay away from da half-time buffet, hey?

[tower912]

Change defenses.   Today, feed Luke on every possession until Happ gets called for his next foul.   

[brewcity77]

I knew we were done at the half. No Happ and we're only up 5? Never had a chance. The upside, Badger fans are really sore winners on Twitter.

[GGGG]

"Hey guys, see that big guy that has been sitting on the bench the first half?  That is why we are up 5.  When he comes off the bench they are going to feed him.  What I need is for him to be on that bench.  It closes their offense and allows us a chance to do what we do.  So instead of chucking 3s, you drive at him.  You make him foul you.  He can't hurt us from the bench.  So lets keep him there"

They tried. They fed Luke down low. Nothing. They drove the lane. Nothing. Happ is good.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

They tried. They fed Luke down low. Nothing. They drove the lane. Nothing. Happ is good.

This is false to some extent.  Luke repeatedly allowed Happ to receive the ball in the circle as well as dribble into the paint without putting his body on him.  Happ is good, but you could have not given him an easier time to practice his layups.

Edit - sorry you were responding to his defense not offense.

[The Lens]

Let JJJ and Duane play.  Our gameplan was to shoot our way back into it, whereas it should have been to let Duane and JJJ get us back in a D.  We didn't stop anyone in the 2nd half.

[MUfan12]

Let JJJ and Duane play.  Our gameplan was to shoot our way back into it, whereas it should have been to let Duane and JJJ get us back in a D.  We didn't stop anyone in the 2nd half.

JJ was abysmal today. They tried to let him play through it, but he was hurting them on both ends.

[GGGG]

Let JJJ and Duane play.  Our gameplan was to shoot our way back into it, whereas it should have been to let Duane and JJJ get us back in a D.  We didn't stop anyone in the 2nd half.

JJJ was terrible on both ends.

Duane was great guarding Koenig in the first but was invisible offensively.

Both were on the floor at times when UW was making its run. They didn't help.

[chapman]

Luke had a couple early feeds in the second half.  The first, he tried drawing a foul instead of trying to score and Happ defended him easily.  The second, he faded away on a hook instead of trying to initiate contact.  It's fine to try targeting someone in foul trouble, but the 1 on 1 strategy that stagnates the offense isn't the way to do it.

[79Warrior]

JJ was abysmal today. They tried to let him play through it, but he was hurting them on both ends.

JJ and HC were sub par.

[Newsdreams]

JJ and HC were sub par.

And Hauser and that is 3/5 of our starters

[MUfan12]

And Hauser and that is 3/5 of our starters

Yep. Which is why I have a really hard time pinning this on the coaching. Tough to win with three of your key guys not showing up.

[tower912]

How would Jae, JFB, Lazar, Wes, Vander, Jerel, DJames, DJO respond when the other team made a run?    Wouldn't each and every one of them want the ball on offense and force a score to slow the run?    Wouldn't each and every one of them commit to making a defensive stop, refusing to get beat off of the dribble, fight like rabid dogs for a rebound?    Contrast to what we saw from JjJ when things didn't go his way today.    Contrast with Luke never calling for the ball.    KR firing up stupid 23 ft air balls.    The only gamer on the team today was Markus.   And Rowsey.   A couple of <6' guards.    Who MU had to play together for a while because HC was passive and JjJ was MIA.  I am still not convinced Wojo is the answer, either as the long term coach at MU or to take the blame for today.   But eventually, if you want to be a successful team, the guys on the floor, particularly the upperclassmen, have to sack up, be accountable, and F-ing lead.  None of that today.   

[TSmith34, Inc.]

Let JJJ and Duane play.  Our gameplan was to shoot our way back into it, whereas it should have been to let Duane and JJJ get us back in a D.  We didn't stop anyone in the 2nd half.

JJJ wasn't remotely interested in playing defense.  And his three turnovers in the first half were all of the awful variety.

[brewcity77]

I found this interesting about our six most meaningful contests:

First Half Score: Vanderbilt 40 - Marquette 39
Second Half Score: Marquette 56 - Vanderbilt 31

First Half Score: Michigan 50 - Marquette 26
Second Half Score: Marquette 35 - Michigan 29

First Half Score: Marquette 44 - Pittsburgh 33
Second Half Score: Pittsburgh 45 - Marquette 31

First Half Score: Marquette 46 - Georgia 43
Second Half Score: Marquette 43 - Georgia 36

First Half Score: Marquette 47 - Fresno State 28
Second Half Score: Fresno State 53 - Marquette 37

First Half Score: Marquette 40 - Wisconsin 35
Second Half Score: Wisconsin 58 - Marquette 44

Other than Georgia, we have flipped roles in the second half of every game, and we'd all be lying if we didn't say that Georgia didn't have it's nervy moments as well. I think this team plays better when they are under pressure at the half. Maybe the staff finds it easier to coach from behind. I'm not sure what it is, but I certainly didn't feel remotely secure at halftime yesterday, and it does seem like there might be some laurel resting in games when we have a halftime lead. Maybe the staff doesn't tinker with what is working, but this might be an indicator that they need to regardless of the score.