Georgetown

[HoopsterBC]

The first game in the Big East is going to really important for this team.  After seeing what the Big East is doing this year, can MU compete.  I am not sure there is a team
in the Big East that MU can beat with there athleticism.  They may be offensively as good as some, but rebounding is going to be more of a problem then any of us think.
Most of the mid-majors we have played have some players that are just quicker jumpers and play over the rim.  Can Luke defend?  Can the midget backcourt play against
some of these teams?  Can JJJ play hard for 40 minutes?  Georgetown will be very interesting, as we know they have some bodies, and quickness.  There not a great team, very beatable, but so is MU.  Have to win to have any chance this year, as after that playing Villy, no chance, and the Hall twice, will decide the season.

[MU82]

I doubt that most Scoopers are underestimating rebounding as a potential problem. I am quite concerned about it, as are most folks who talk about our lads' strengths and weaknesses.

I do agree that, more than most seasons, the first game (and, as you said, the first stretch of games) really could have an oversized bearing on how the conference season goes for us.

[mileskishnish72]

Yeah, the schedule is kind of front-end loaded with the games you mentioned, but it doesn't really get any easier when you look at X, Creighton and Butler, as well as Nova and SHU. How many of those 10 games can we realistically win? 2-3? We'd better TCOB with the  remainder of the league.

[Cooby Snacks]

Rebounding hasn't been a problem this season. MU is 45th in the country at defensive rebounding %. Making the other team miss is by far the bigger issue.

[Hubert Davis]

Must win game for Wojo. He knows it too.

Make Marquette great again!

[fjm]

I'll be there. That'll help us win... right?

[HoopsterBC]

Yeah, the schedule is kind of front-end loaded with the games you mentioned, but it doesn't really get any easier when you look at X, Creighton and Butler, as well as Nova and SHU. How many of those 10 games can we realistically win? 2-3? We'd better TCOB with the  remainder of the league.

I agree, but you start 0-4, and that will be the end of any chance going to the NCAA.  Because like you said, the next few games are not easy either.  Well, we will know
in 2 weeks what the team is made out of. 

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

It'll be telling.  We definitely need a W.  Have to protect our home court.

[MUBigDance]

GT at home is a must win. Of course any way we get to 10-8 is ok with me (I know many think 11-7)...but whatever, if we drop the must wins we have to start thinking about beating good teams away and even better at home.

Must wins for me are:
GT home
STJ home/away
DP home/away
PV home
SH home

7 musts plus 3 more from the rest...GT, PV, SH away are candidates as well as XV, CR, BT at home. NOVA looks too tough to think about and XV, CR, BT away also seem hard to count possible.

But it all starts with GT at home as a must win.

[brewcity77]

Georgetown is huge. I'd put this as a must-win game. My biggest worry is that GT is really good at getting to the line. If Luke and Matt get into foul trouble, it could be a long night.

[HoopsterBC]

Georgetown is huge. I'd put this as a must-win game. My biggest worry is that GT is really good at getting to the line. If Luke and Matt get into foul trouble, it could be a long night.

Huge, they are not that good but very athletic and Thompson has changed the offensive system, in the past he ran that backdoor offense, and held the ball majority of
the time, then Rivera had to jack up a bad shot, but when they were on, tough to beat.  Reminded me of Al's teams,  Al's teams were physically gifted, so is GT, but Al
had Hank so they had some coaching, not sure GT can coach.  Have to get a lead so they start jacking up bad shots, they do not play that well together, yet.  Have talent for sure.

[brewcity77]

Georgetown is bizarre. They can be downright terrible, but at times look like they can take on anyone (beating Oregon, the first 39:20 against Maryland). I'd love to see us focus on pounding the paint. Govan and Agau are both foul prone and Luke could take advantage of that. Get one of them in trouble and we'll see more of Hayes and/or Derrickson, who aren't nearly as good of players.

[Dr. Blackheart]

I doubt that most Scoopers are underestimating rebounding as a potential problem. I am quite concerned about it, as are most folks who talk about our lads' strengths and weaknesses.

I do agree that, more than most seasons, the first game (and, as you said, the first stretch of games) really could have an oversized bearing on how the conference season goes for us.

Not concerned about rebounding as the roster make-up already determined that.  Luke will be targeted to get in foul trouble like he was in 50% of last year's Big East games.  Anything favorable here is upside.

More corcerned about paint defense with Wojo's scheme to push out to the perimeter, leaving that vulnerability.  Was very impressed last night with the team effort and wont to mix up looks (the mechanics and communication vs.  cupcake ability--all relative).

We can score with the best of them.  Will MU be out-physicalled?

[MuMark]

 "Will MU be out-physicalled?"

Pretty much every night.......lol

[brewcity77]

Interior defense is going to be a struggle until we get some depth in the post. Hopefully next year will start to help that, then 2018-19 we'll have some actual experienced depth there. But I definitely feel good about our rebounding. Sam and Jajuan have proven to be very good defensive rebounders. Haanif, Fischer, and Heldt do enough to contribute and even the backcourt guys get to some regularly.

This year, we are a better rebounding team without Henry than we were last year with him. Granted, if he were still here, we'd probably be even better than we are now, but it speaks volumes to the effort these guys put on the glass that we lost a rebounder of Ellenson's caliber and still got markedly better.

[MuMark]

Interior defense is going to be a struggle until we get some depth in the post. Hopefully next year will start to help that, then 2018-19 we'll have some actual experienced depth there. But I definitely feel good about our rebounding. Sam and Jajuan have proven to be very good defensive rebounders. Haanif, Fischer, and Heldt do enough to contribute and even the backcourt guys get to some regularly.

This year, we are a better rebounding team without Henry than we were last year with him. Granted, if he were still here, we'd probably be even better than we are now, but it speaks volumes to the effort these guys put on the glass that we lost a rebounder of Ellenson's caliber and still got markedly better.

True.....I give our guys lots of credit.....I will be interested to see if it continues in conference play.

I'm not convinced it will.

[Dr. Blackheart]

"Will MU be out-physicalled?"

Pretty much every night.......lol

I think Luke is a handful for a lot of Big East teams. Not Georgetown but they play at Luke's pace and style. Sam is a wild card as he is so fundamentally sound and a very good defensive rebounder.  But, he can't create his own shoot and needs his teammates for that.  If they are chucking and not sharing, that hurts Sam and Luke on both ends as their strengths are neutralized.

[PGsHeroes32]

GT at home is a must win. Of course any way we get to 10-8 is ok with me (I know many think 11-7)...but whatever, if we drop the must wins we have to start thinking about beating good teams away and even better at home.

Must wins for me are:
GT home
STJ home/away
DP home/away
PV home
SH home

7 musts plus 3 more from the rest...GT, PV, SH away are candidates as well as XV, CR, BT at home. NOVA looks too tough to think about and XV, CR, BT away also seem hard to count possible.

But it all starts with GT at home as a must win.

Completely disagree on Nova.

Are they really damn good? Yes. Are they much better then us overall? Yes.

But I think we match up with them nicely. This is finally a year where I think we are capable of stealing one from them. We have similar teams so if we shoot bonkers and Hart is cold. Got a shot.

It's Creighton I think that will be much, much tougher for us to beat head to head.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Georgetown is bizarre. They can be downright terrible, but at times look like they can take on anyone (beating Oregon, the first 39:20 against Maryland). I'd love to see us focus on pounding the paint. Govan and Agau are both foul prone and Luke could take advantage of that. Get one of them in trouble and we'll see more of Hayes and/or Derrickson, who aren't nearly as good of players.

Maryland ain't that good this year. Oregon ain't that good this year without Dillon Brooks. Syracuse ain't that good this year (All IMHO of course).

I think the simplest answer is that Georgetown is pretty average. They can beat other average teams on good nights and lose to them on bad nights.

[wadesworld]

Crash the boards and pressure them defensively and we win.  Wisconsin absolutely, completely annihilated them on the glass, and every time I've turned a game of theirs on I've seen teams pressuring them in the backcourt and Georgetown looking like they're a 7th grade team trying to break a college press.

[Marcus92]

Georgetown is very turnover prone. Their offense is ranked 248th in the country for TO% (20.4%) and 252nd for STL% allowed (9.5%) according to KenPom. That could really play in our favor — especially if we're able to create havoc in the passing lanes and get the running game going.

Their 3-point percentage defense is also poor, ranked 231st. Another possible huge weakness for Marquette to exploit.

That said, the Hoyas are big, they're a pretty good shooting team, they draw a ton of fouls and get to the line like crazy. Pryor and Peak are studs.

I think we get our first Big East win on Wednesday.

[Marcus92]

It's Creighton I think that will be much, much tougher for us to beat head to head.

So far this season, Creighton actually looks somewhat similar to Marquette. Great offense (9th in AdjO according to KenPom) with a high tempo and insane 3-point shooting, not-so-great defense (74th in AdjD).

[bilsu]

Georgetown's strength of schedule 46
MU's strength of schedule 170
Hayes did not play the first four games.
MU no longer has Carter.
This is a must win for both teams.

[MUBigDance]

I saw part of the second half last night and Govan had close to 20 at the break and finished with 20. As well as rebounding. That was a function of the competition for sure...but ...definitely dont want that with us. Could be a foul battle in the first half...Govan or Fischer.

[MU82]

I saw part of the second half last night and Govan had close to 20 at the break and finished with 20. As well as rebounding. That was a function of the competition for sure...but ...definitely dont want that with us. Could be a foul battle in the first half...Govan or Fischer.

I'd prefer Govan to get in foul trouble. Please make it so!