Georgetown

[BM1090]

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.

Kenpom agrees. They are 321st in the nation in opponent's Offensive rebound%. They also turn the ball over a lot on offense, which we could exploit.

The one thing that worries me is that they get to the line ALOT

[Marcus92]

They are 321st in the nation in opponent's Offensive rebound%.

I'd rather we make our shots. Offensive rebounding isn't so important if most of them go in.

[PGsHeroes32]

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).

Yes they are very similar but the offense is super efficient and they have a true big man that I think poses problems for our D.

And their D is considerably better with Patton on the floor so if he isn't in foul trouble it's gonna be tough.

I just think we actually have a realistic shot of knocking off Nova for once

[GGGG]

This is a must win for both teams.

It's is a "must win" for neither team.

[brewcity77]

It's is a "must win" for neither team.

When it comes to a NCAA bid, I think it could be argued that all our winnable home games are must win. There's always the "win the conference tourney" or "still plenty of time" arguments, but in reality these games are just as important as those in February and March.

Unless this team is a lot better than most of us think, the margin for error will be pretty slim.

[hoyasincebirth]

What's the injury status on reindhart?

[brewcity77]

What's the injury status on reindhart?

Should be healthy. Was held out for concussion protocol, but it'll be 18 days between games.

[denverMU]

No, that was Markus, don't know about Reindhart.  Thought he had a leg injury.

[wadesworld]

Most important game of the year.  Until the 28th at about 10 PM.

[GB Warrior]

I'm going to hang my hat on the fact that we have the resume of a 13th seed, so that bodes really well against Georgetown

[MUfan12]

I'm going to hang my hat on the fact that we have the resume of a 13th seed, so that bodes really well against Georgetown

Shut it down!

[BM1090]

Should be healthy. Was held out for concussion protocol, but it'll be 18 days between games.

Reinhardt was a lower leg injury, but Wojo said he anticipates he'll be good to go next week.

[brandx]

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.

Sorry I can't agree with you. Against the 5 non-cupcakes on our schedule, Fischer, jjj, and Hauser combine for 10 defensive rebounds a game. That doesn't cut it. Especially when we don't have a strong rebounder on the bench.

We are going to need a lot of threes to counteract their put=backs on offense.

[BM1090]

Sorry I can't agree with you. Against the 5 non-cupcakes on our schedule, Fischer, jjj, and Hauser combine for 10 defensive rebounds a game. That doesn't cut it. Especially when we don't have a strong rebounder on the bench.

We are going to need a lot of threes to counteract their put=backs on offense.

The stats just don't support this. We outrebounded Vanderbilt and Georgia, and are ranked 45th in the country in Defensive Rebounding%

Could it be an issue going forward? Sure, I guess. But it hasn't been an issue at all so far. Pitt and Wisconsin out-rebounded us, but barely. Michigan is the only game where we really got beat bad on the glass, and frankly that was just because our defense was so bad and they were so hot that there were limited defensive rebounding opportunities.

[dgies9156]

What are we doing?

Starting the after-game complaining before we play the game.

Geez, you guys are depressing. Enjoy the season and start the bitching after the game... if there is reason.

You may be pleasantly surprised.

[bilsu]

It's is a "must win" for neither team.

Both teams non-conference records make this a must win.

[bilsu]

Reinhardt was a lower leg injury, but Wojo said he anticipates he'll be good to go next week.

On post game show Wojo mentioned Achilles and that it was improving with rest.

[GGGG]

Both teams non-conference records make this a must win.

Nope.  Whoever loses the game can still make the postseason.  Not a must win by definition.

[brewcity77]

Nope.  Whoever loses the game can still make the postseason.  Not a must win by definition.

Sorry, but the "no game has meaning until the Big East Tournament" argument is completely nonsensical because you play for an at-large bid, not rolling the dice in one and done games.

Sure, we could go 0-30 and still win the national title, but denigrating the importance of the regular season ignores the hope for an at-large bid and the idea that there are successful seasons that end with a loss.

[GGGG]

Sorry, but the "no game has meaning until the Big East Tournament" argument is completely nonsensical because you play for an at-large bid, not rolling the dice in one and done games.

Sure, we could go 0-30 and still win the national title, but denigrating the importance of the regular season ignores the hope for an at-large bid and the idea that there are successful seasons that end with a loss.

Who said anything about going 0-30?  Even for an at large bid, losing the first game of the conference season is in no way a "must win." 

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

Who said anything about going 0-30?  Even for an at large bid, losing the first game of the conference season is in no way a "must win."

This.

MU needs to win this game, but if they don't all hope isn't lost. They just need to win another game we maybe have marked down as an L now.

Ideally MU takes care of business at home outside of Nova.  But if they drop a game like vs Gtown, they can get it back w a road win over someone not named DePaul or SJU.

[brewcity77]

Who said anything about going 0-30?  Even for an at large bid, losing the first game of the conference season is in no way a "must win."

You did by default when you said whoever loses can still make the postseason. That would be true at 0-30 heading to MSG.

When you really need 11 league wins to feel comfortable about getting in and are projected to win 9, you need to get all the winnable ones and steal a couple more. I don't think calling this must win is overstating its importance.

This is the exact type of game that when you miss out on Selection Sunday, you look back at as a likely reason why.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Georgetown is  not a must win. It is however the 4th or 5th most winnable game of the conference season. Losing this one would mean having to win a more difficult game down the road to make up for it.

[HoopsterBC]

Georgetown is  not a must win. It is however the 4th or 5th most winnable game of the conference season. Losing this one would mean having to win a more difficult game down the road to make up for it.

Normally I would agree with your statement until I saw the schedule.  Starting out 1-6 or 1-7 is not going to give the team confidence.  Winning at home is really important, as then you go on the road for 2 against 2 good teams, an then have to play Hall again.  Hall is very athletic, something MU is not.

[Loose Cannon]

Should be healthy. Was held out for concussion protocol, but it'll be 18 days between games.

I thought that was Markus. Katin had the Achilles, I maybe wrong.