Butt whoopin

[manny31]

I don't think MU is going to get 6 or 7 Burger boys, since they only had two in last like 30 years.  Yet Kentucky just got a commitment from another five star, making a total of five probably Burger boys for next year.  Whole different ballgame.
[/quote
I agree and that is my point.
MU is never going to be Duke or KU so how can MU compete? I am not a professional coach, but from where I sit we will be mired in the 6-8 spot in the BE unless MU squads get a lot tougher. You can challenge these kids and I think to some extent they respond. No practice gear just white T's and blue shorts the rest of the year?

[mayfairskatingrink]

Wojo's recruits:

2015
Henry Ellenson (in the NBA)
Haanif Cheatham (leading returning scorer from last year; sophomore slump)
Traci Carter (Transferred out, because of a Freshman phenom see below)
Sacar Anim (Redshirt)
Matt Heldt (serviceable backup; promising future)

2016
Sam Hauser (one of best BE freshman)
Markus Howard (one of nations best freshman)

Recruiting is great.  Preparing is fine.  Execution has been a problem, but not surprising based on our best players being young.

Defensive prep has been fine?

[muhoops1]

Based on losing on the road to the defending national champions and #1 team in the country?  Okay.

OK stop with Nova is number 1.  Do YOU really believe that they will be #1 at the end of this week or of the season? Did that team look like they will repeat as Nat'l Champs?  Or did MU look really crappy?  Nova is good, but  This effort was a dumpster fire by MU.  We're worse off then Nova is good.  Our best players are 17-18.

[GGGG]

The problem with the defense is primarily due to lack of size.  There isn't much that you can do with this group, especially when JJJ is in foul trouble and Duane is hurt.

[GGGG]

OK stop with Nova is number 1.  Do YOU really believe that they will be #1 at the end of this week or of the season? Did that team look like they will repeat as Nat'l Champs?  Or did MU look really crappy?  Nova is good, but  This effort was a dumpster fire by MU.  We're worse off then Nova is good.  Our best players are 17-18.

Nova is as good as any team in college basketball.

[forgetful]

Defensive prep has been fine?

Our offensive prep has been stellar; our defensive prep poor.  That pretty much averages out to fine. 

And our defensive prep was decent against Georgetown and Seton Hall.  Nova is the #1 team and defending national champion.  Our defense was bad, but not sure if you can blame that on prep...defensive prep has been improving as the season went on, so I'll reserve judgement there as it is the most difficult to develop and requires experience in the system.  Since we have had our roster in flux so much, it makes execution very hard.

[muhoops1]

Nova is as good as any team in college basketball.

You may be right.  But I don't see it

[BM1090]

MU will be playing Wed night at the Big East Tourney AGAIN.  I always like seeing 1 win!  Then Thursday night they score 18 pts in the 2nd half.  Wojo is killing it!

How much do you want to bet?

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

The problem with the defense is primarily due to lack of size. 

I disagree.  It is lateral quickness, strength in some cases and understanding how to play as a cohesive unit (switches, etc).  We constantly are chasing on defense which has nothing to do with height. 

[GGGG]

I disagree.  It is lateral quickness, strength in some cases and understanding how to play as a cohesive unit (switches, etc).  We constantly are chasing on defense which has nothing to do with height. 

Nah.  If they had more height they could be more effective on the perimeter. 

[#UnleashSean]

Nova's seniors have never lost 2 games in a row.

Their average margin of victory in games after a loss is 18.5.

There was one loss by 9. One by 3. 3 by 20+ and 2 more by 30+.

Wright knows how to use a loss to inspire good play.

Wouldn't that mean anyone on nova has never lost 2 in a row.

[Jay Bee]

Jay Bee,

Have you seen him a lot? What are your thoughts? Could he play the 5?

Super ignorant when it comes to him. Like the size, experience, possibilities. Yes to the 5. Based on the experience level of our bigs next year, as of today, important in that it gives us another who potentially can help in good ways... but I absolutely cannot vouch for him like I could with Markus and others.

[jutaw22mu]

We just got embarrassed. Out hustled, outplayed, out coached....but I just see a lot of excuses in this thread.  No one expected to win, but most of us expected a competitive effort.  There is no excuse for lack of senior leadership, a senior center who goes back-to-back games without a single defensive rebound, players on the opposing team wide open on the perimeter possession after possession, etc.  Howard and Hauser were great though. I hope the players are at least maximizing the academic end of their scholarship.

Excuses are like a$$holes, everyone's got one and they're all full of scheiße.

[GGGG]

We just got embarrassed. Out hustled, outplayed, out coached....but I just see a lot of excuses in this thread.  No one expected to win, but most of us expected a competitive effort.  There is no excuse for lack of senior leadership, a senior center who goes back-to-back games without a single defensive rebound, players on the opposing team wide open on the perimeter possession after possession, etc.  Howard and Hauser were great though. I hope the players are at least maximizing the academic end of their scholarship.

Excuses are like a$$holes, everyone's got one and they're all full of scheiße.

Jeez...get a grip.

[VegasWarrior77]

Excuses are like a$$holes, everyone's got one and they're all full of scheiße.

So are opinions. where the original quote came from.  The seniors on this team are Buzz recruits.  The two freshman you refer to are Wojo recruits.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

So are opinions. where the original quote came from.  The seniors on this team are Buzz recruits.  The two freshman you refer to are Wojo recruits.

To be fair at this point the coach has decided to keep or recruit over most guys on the current roster.  So regardless of who brought them in, they are on the team (unlike others recruited by the prior coach).

[Vander Blue Man Group]

The loss to Seton Hall still bugs me much more than tonight. If we lay a turd at home in the next game we have a problem.

Forget about this one, have a beverage or two, and enjoy the rest of the weekend.

[TedBaxter]

Super ignorant when it comes to him. Like the size, experience, possibilities. Yes to the 5. Based on the experience level of our bigs next year, as of today, important in that it gives us another who potentially can help in good ways... but I absolutely cannot vouch for him like I could with Markus and others.

This is not much of an educated opinion.  I watched about 15 minutes of 2 SMU games on Youtube to get a feel for his game and abilities.

Average athlete for his size.  Not a big shotblocker.  Seems to play more 6-9 than 6-11.  Has a good understanding of basic defense and boxing out on the boards.Talks on defense.  Moves his feet pretty well on defense.  Has good shooting form out to 3.  I think the best part of his game I saw in the 2 games was his ability to pass the ball out of the post and from the top of the key.  Doesn't force things outside of taking a quick 3 from a pick and pop, which isn't really a force with his shooting form.  Runs the floor Ok.  Posts up very well and seals off the defender if he's fronted.  I feel he has a pretty high basketball IQ that could mesh well with Howard, Hauser and Cheatham going forward.  He can put the ball on the floor and does it within his abilities.  Won't go one on one, but will use it well in the half court and even did it on the wing on a fastbreak in one video.

Now this is the important thing that could really improve his game.  He was probably carrying 15-20 more pounds than I think he'll play at next year if he works with Todd Smith.  This could change his ability to jump better, move down the court better and with everything else.  If he was 265 when I watched, he could be at 245 and be a good player.

Just my opinion.

Last thing.  The other player on the SMU team from Australia also left SMU.  Froling had 11 points and 6 rebounds in 18 minutes on 5-5 shooting in early December and in the next game, saw 12 minutes of action.  He didn't play another game for SMU.

[Marcus92]

About the only good thing is that we didn't lose by 40+ to Villanova like Oklahoma did in last year's Final Four. And the fact that it counts for a single loss — just like any other. Next game.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

On schedule, not ahead of it.

Preseason I had us starting 2-6 in the Big East. If we beat Seton Hall and Depaul we will likely start 3-5.

[Marcus92]

We just got embarrassed. Out hustled, outplayed, out coached....but I just see a lot of excuses in this thread.  No one expected to win, but most of us expected a competitive effort.

Marquette lost by 12, exactly what KenPom predicted we'd lose by. Yes, we got outplayed — by the defending national champion on their home floor, following their first loss of the season. No excuses. Just the facts.

[Windyplayer]

Watching right now. Nova is tremendous. We look like a bubble team having a bit of an off night. I learned little from this game. We'll be 3-2 in conference a week from tonight. Chill.

[#UnleashSean]

Marquette lost by 12, exactly what KenPom predicted we'd lose by. Yes, we got outplayed — by the defending national champion on their home floor, following their first loss of the season. No excuses. Just the facts.

We only lost by 12 because of garbage time.  We really lost by like 25.

[Windyplayer]

We only lost by 12 because of garbage time.  We really lost by like 25.

Not really. They drained bunch of 3s against their starters. Inconsequential, yes, but not gimmies. This team can score 10 in a blink of eye. That's what happened down the stretch. Again, bubble team with inconsistent defense and questionable leadership. A lock if they can improve on those over the next month. Offense is pretty darn good.

[Small Orange Soda]

We just got embarrassed. Out hustled, outplayed, out coached....but I just see a lot of excuses in this thread.  No one expected to win, but most of us expected a competitive effort.  There is no excuse for lack of senior leadership, a senior center who goes back-to-back games without a single defensive rebound, players on the opposing team wide open on the perimeter possession after possession, etc.  Howard and Hauser were great though. I hope the players are at least maximizing the academic end of their scholarship.

Excuses are like a$$holes, everyone's got one and they're all full of scheiße.

I'm just looking forward to next year when folks can stop blaming Buzz for Wojo's mediocre results.  And I'm not even a Buzz fan.  Time for some accountability.