Rebounding and defense.

[GoldenDieners32]

Chances Cheatham transfers?

I don't think he will

[warriorfred]

Is there a place we can go to learn defense and rebounding?  I heard about basketball summer camps at the YMCA?

[amen426]

Need to figure out a way to defend without fouling.

Wisconsin's teams do not have more "athleticism" than we do. Defense does not require athletic switchables. It requires discipline.

These guys can do it. And no doubt it will be the emphasis of Wojo's entire offseason.

[El Duderino]

Need to figure out a way to defend without fouling.

Wisconsin's teams do not have more "athleticism" than we do. Defense does not require athletic switchables. It requires discipline.

These guys can do it. And no doubt it will be the emphasis of Wojo's entire offseason.

Yea Happ is no bigger than Fischer. Koenig isn't a great athlete. Showalter is a better athlete than some think. Hayes is a pretty good athlete for his size.

Four are seniors though and have played a ton of games together, along with having more size overall.

I've wondered during the season if maybe Wojo used a more conservative Wisconsin like system it might be a more productive defense.vs being aggressive on ball trying to create more turnovers. Then rep it over and over instead of trying 3-4 different defenses.

Defense needs skill and teamwork to be consistently productive and this team lacks skilled defenders, along with looking like they don't know how to cohesively play defense together as a unit.

Wojo all year long faced a dilemma in that most of his best offensive players also struggle defensively.

[Babybluejeans]

They so often coke out so flat

Sounds like all my friends in Vegas.

[lurch91]

While I was hoping for a better showing this year in the tournament, this team did surprise me with how well they did.  I probably raised my expecations too much after they upset Nova.

This year feels like when MU helped to make Bryant "Big Country" Reeves into a lottery pick with his run in the NCAA's.  That OSU team blindsided MU and we didn't have a response, at that point Mac wasn't strong enough or polished enough to match up against Big Country.  But we all know a year or two later, that same core of players beat Duke on a run to the S16.

[GGGG]

While I was hoping for a better showing this year in the tournament, this team did surprise me with how well they did.  I probably raised my expecations too much after they upset Nova.

This year feels like when MU helped to make Bryant "Big Country" Reeves into a lottery pick with his run in the NCAA's.  That OSU team blindsided MU and we didn't have a response, at that point Mac wasn't strong enough or polished enough to match up against Big Country.  But we all know a year or two later, that same core of players beat Duke on a run to the S16.

They beat Kentucky on that run to a S16.

And Big Country was only a sophomore when they played Marquette in 1993.  It what seems like a long-ago era, he stayed four years at OSU and lead his team to a Final Four as a senior in 1995.

That being said, I agree with your overall point regarding this team.

[Lennys Tap]

Yea Happ is no bigger than Fischer. Koenig isn't a great athlete. Showalter is a better athlete than some think. Hayes is a pretty good athlete for his size.

Four are seniors though and have played a ton of games together, along with having more size overall.

.

Three are seniors, one (Haps) is a junior. But they played pretty darn good D as freshmen and sophomores, too.

[4everwarriors]

More den anythin', dis team needs overall quickness. Beeden to da spot tyme and time agan, hey?

[Earl Tatum]

Besides quickness, MUSCLE, TOUGHNESS. Guys who rebound.

[forgetful]

Yea Happ is no bigger than Fischer. Koenig isn't a great athlete. Showalter is a better athlete than some think. Hayes is a pretty good athlete for his size.

Four are seniors though and have played a ton of games together, along with having more size overall.

I've wondered during the season if maybe Wojo used a more conservative Wisconsin like system it might be a more productive defense.vs being aggressive on ball trying to create more turnovers. Then rep it over and over instead of trying 3-4 different defenses.

Defense needs skill and teamwork to be consistently productive and this team lacks skilled defenders, along with looking like they don't know how to cohesively play defense together as a unit.

Wojo all year long faced a dilemma in that most of his best offensive players also struggle defensively.

Happ may not be bigger than Fischer, but he is infinitely more athletic.  Happ plays like a guard in a center's body.  Fischer plays like a 7-2 280 lb center in a 6-9 mans body. 

Koenig is very very athletic, big for his position and highly skilled.  His problem has been too often playing hero ball.  Showalter is an extreme athlete, just not that skilled.  Hayes also is an elite level athlete that can overpower pretty much anyone. 

This UW team has vastly underperformed until the tournament. 

[MU82]

Our D did stink last night, but let's not forget that it wasn't all on the D. We had 18 TOs leading to 25 pts by the Cocks. A lot of the TOs were of the "live-ball" variety, leading to layups and dunks.

Our main problems were on the perimeter. Our little guards couldn't handle the defensive pressure they got from their SC counterparts, nor could our guards put any pressure on SC when SC was on offense.

SC was a horrible matchup for us because of the size and strength disparity of the guards, and it stunk to have to play a 7th-seeded home team, but whatchagonnado?

Finally ...

Much thanks to the fellow Scooper who invited me to sit with his family. I enjoyed being around my fellow Warriors and cheering on Wojo and the lads. And although this loss sucked, I thoroughly enjoyed most of the season.

Go Marquette!

[bilsu]

Did not expect this result.

South Carolina took control at end of first half and MU could never get it back.  To what extent that is coaching and to what extent that was a young flawed team versus a senior laden team, I'm not sure.  But tough way to end the season and difficult way to build optimism for next year.im sure I'll feel better tomorrow but that really sucked

To me the only way it is coaching is that the coach is responsible for the talent on the team. We had no players on this team that could stop a player with size that got on a roll. MU was only a good team when they were hitting threes and if we went cold or the other team had players that could defend the three, we were not a good team.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

FFS guys, why do the Badgers have to be discussed at length on every thread? Go on the Madison board to talk about UW basketball. Please? K thanks.

[The Lens]

The more I think about this game the more I'm concerned about the coaching.  We had no answers for their penetration or pressure.  That 5 foot floater just kept happening. 

It's also unreal to me that Traci Carter couldn't see a role for himself on this team.  Our guards can't play defense or handle the ball...those are Traci's calling cards.  He will be missed.

[Johnny Clue]

We need the second coming of Faisal Abraham.

[GGGG]

We need the second coming of Faisal Abraham.

http://www.anonymouseagle.com/2016/6/19/11973360/class-of-2017-power-forward-ike-eke-commits-to-marquette-basketball

[Benny B]

Finally back at the desk getting a full dose of Scoop therapy after a long weekend....

"Rebounding and Defense" may sum up most of our feelings on Friday night (let alone this year), but it's a bit reductionist and pessimistic by nature; I don't see any reason for pessimism right now.  Something along the lines of "you can't teach everything at once" seems more apropos because at least two-thirds of rebounding and defense is simply proper positioning (which can be taught).

That said, there are things that certainly make up for not being in the right position such as pure athleticism, lateral agility, and/or dumb luck, but unfortunately, MU was left yearning in all of those areas this year, and next year may not be all that better, but what we will have is a stable of talent that will foster a team with more than one dimension.  As such, I think it's incumbent upon the players and coaching staff to work on the intellectual side of the game during the off-season because even having the best offense ever won't win you 6 games in a row.  There's no reason that we can't be looking forward to a game on Thu/Fri a year from now... it's simply a matter of fostering player discipline. 

In hindsight, it feels like much of the season was spent drawing up (and executing, sometimes to a fault) a game plan that was designed to maximize individual player's strengths on offense at the expense of defense and in-game adjustments.  Having three guys who can shoot in the upper 40's from downtown is a solid foundation to build upon... another off-season of work with Todd & Co will hopefully firm up Heldt's body & confidence (not to mention the added mass/strength to bang around with a 6-11/260 pounder will make both better).  Same goes with Sacar and Hani... those guys have to work hard to make each other better.  And God willing, Ike and Theo will be able to make some meaningful contributions at the 4.  On paper, it honestly feels like MU can compete for a BE title if just one of our guys can break out next season... whether Hani finds the handle and turns into an assist machine, Matt's progression elicits talk of a poor man's Kaminski, Sam becomes a force down low, or one of the newcomers earns BE honors... any one of these would put MU into the conversation.

This year clearly goes into the success column, but the future is even brighter, ladies and gentlemen; just how intense it will be rests not in our hands, but whether you choose to shade your eyes is your choice.

[MU82]

Finally back at the desk getting a full dose of Scoop therapy after a long weekend....

"Rebounding and Defense" may sum up most of our feelings on Friday night (let alone this year), but it's a bit reductionist and pessimistic by nature; I don't see any reason for pessimism right now.  Something along the lines of "you can't teach everything at once" seems more apropos because at least two-thirds of rebounding and defense is simply proper positioning (which can be taught).

That said, there are things that certainly make up for not being in the right position such as pure athleticism, lateral agility, and/or dumb luck, but unfortunately, MU was left yearning in all of those areas this year, and next year may not be all that better, but what we will have is a stable of talent that will foster a team with more than one dimension.  As such, I think it's incumbent upon the players and coaching staff to work on the intellectual side of the game during the off-season because even having the best offense ever won't win you 6 games in a row.  There's no reason that we can't be looking forward to a game on Thu/Fri a year from now... it's simply a matter of fostering player discipline. 

In hindsight, it feels like much of the season was spent drawing up (and executing, sometimes to a fault) a game plan that was designed to maximize individual player's strengths on offense at the expense of defense and in-game adjustments.  Having three guys who can shoot in the upper 40's from downtown is a solid foundation to build upon... another off-season of work with Todd & Co will hopefully firm up Heldt's body & confidence (not to mention the added mass/strength to bang around with a 6-11/260 pounder will make both better).  Same goes with Sacar and Hani... those guys have to work hard to make each other better.  And God willing, Ike and Theo will be able to make some meaningful contributions at the 4.  On paper, it honestly feels like MU can compete for a BE title if just one of our guys can break out next season... whether Hani finds the handle and turns into an assist machine, Matt's progression elicits talk of a poor man's Kaminski, Sam becomes a force down low, or one of the newcomers earns BE honors... any one of these would put MU into the conversation.

This year clearly goes into the success column, but the future is even brighter, ladies and gentlemen; just how intense it will be rests not in our hands, but whether you choose to shade your eyes is your choice.

Preach, Benny!