Open Practice

[Herman Cain]

I focused on the Freshman , Sacar and Harry; as they are the new elements . I was pleased with the progress of all .

We are clearly getting a major upgrade in rebounding and defense with these freshman .  Ike “looks “ the worst of the freshman  , but I think what he brings to the table may actually be the easiest to convert into a game situation . There are lots of ball screens in our league and I think his combination of footwork and strength allows him to work through those. He will be a limited minutes high intensity guy .

The coaches were working Theo hard as he is going to play a lot and they want him to be prepared . They are riding him on the little things which is good . So I took their heavy practice focus on him positively.

Cain and Elliot are future stars and outright pogo sticks. Cain clearly upped his boarding skills.  Just give them time to grow their bodies . It was easy to see their length is a difference maker in so many ways. I also think we are a perfect program for both of these kids. We can give them plenty of minutes against the cupcakes and then work them in at a measured pace in conference play.

I was ok with Froling , I think he is right about where I thought he would be. I think Wojo will figure out a way to utilize the offensive tools he has ,but minimize his physical shortcomings which everyone at the practice saw.  It is too bad he is coming in a little later because I think he could have built some momentum against the cupcakes.  The Big East is going to present challenges which will take him some time to adjust to.

Sacar appears to be Big East ready, which was the best news of the practice. He is one of our few down hill players, which will come in handy if defenses over play our shooters. We definitely need his defense especially when the two small guards are playing together.  From what I saw I would not be surprised if he splits the 3 minutes with Haanif.

Overall I really liked where are team is. Wojo and Company are doing a good job with this group of kids.

Ps Marotta is having a great time. The kid brings a lot of positive energy to the the group.

[Mr. Nielsen]

It's a great thing, please have it every year! Only problem was my two year old was pissed he couldn't go down and shoot hoops (dude is obsessed with basketball, shoots on his Fischer Price hoop for at least 15 minutes after he wakes up and at least 15 minutes after he gets home from daycare)

I have a meeting tomorrow. I'll pass it on.

[warriorchick]

So, what did the fine Dr. say when Markus returned in less than 10 minutes?

It was apparently not a sprained ankle.

[The Lens]

Love going but both times I've gone I've worried it's trick and someone is going to come out and tell us we all have a problem; and that we need to reevaluate our lives and how much we care about #mubb.

[mileskishnish72]

I am so psyched to hear all this about Sacar. I think I had kind of written him off, thinking he'd be another Chief.

[Silkk the Shaka]

Assuming this was at the Al, for those that were there, did the entrance get fixed?

[cheebs09]

Assuming this was at the Al, for those that were there, did the entrance get fixed?

It was at the BC.

[jsglow]

It was at BMO Bradley.  First time the boys were on that floor. Wojo described it as an important step. 

[jsglow]

One other observation.  In Wojo's mind this is ALL about defense this year.  He's committed to teaching these kids the right way to play D up to the best of their ability.  Most of his ire last night was directed at defensive effort, positioning, 'ready position', etc.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

One other observation.  In Wojo's mind this is ALL about defense this year.  He's committed to teaching these kids the right way to play D up to the best of their ability.  Most of his ire last night was directed at defensive effort, positioning, 'ready position', etc.

I am happy to hear this, but I cant help but read this and think this should not be a revelation....

[Marquette4life]

It was at the BC.

I drove by the AL and the entrance wasn't fixed. They put a Marquette ad over the entrance. looks decent

[warriorchick]

I am happy to hear this, but I cant help but read this and think this should not be a revelation....

No one said it was.  He said they were focusing on defense, not that it was a new idea.

[jsglow]

I am happy to hear this, but I cant help but read this and think this should not be a revelation....

True dat.  But remember that he's got returning players who were all less than adequate last year on the defensive end.  Wojo's not going to say a damn thing when Howard's open 3 doesn't fall (like last night).  But he's going to get in his grill if he misses a defensive assignment.  The only time I remember coaches being upset with the offense last night was an ill advised shot by Rowsey.  They blew their whistle 20 times for defensive mistakes forcing guys to run

Oh, one more thing.  Wojo has a new defensive 'rule' that he discussed, especially in the last 6 minutes.  No layups, no open look 3s, and no fouls.  That's how guys are being graded and they know it.

[mu03eng]

Oh, one more thing.  Wojo has a new defensive 'rule' that he discussed, especially in the last 6 minutes.  No layups, no open look 3s, and no fouls.  That's how guys are being graded and they know it.

I think we should call it the Villanova rule.....HEY OH

[jsglow]

I think we should call it the Villanova rule.....HEY OH

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

No one said it was.  He said they were focusing on defense, not that it was a new idea.

Thanks for the clarification. Very helpful

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

True dat.  But remember that he's got returning players who were all less than adequate last year on the defensive end.  Wojo's not going to say a damn thing when Howard's open 3 doesn't fall (like last night).  But he's going to get in his grill if he misses a defensive assignment.  The only time I remember coaches being upset with the offense last night was an ill advised shot by Rowsey.  They blew their whistle 20 times for defensive mistakes forcing guys to run

Oh, one more thing.  Wojo has a new defensive 'rule' that he discussed, especially in the last 6 minutes.  No layups, no open look 3s, and no fouls.  That's how guys are being graded and they know it.

I would love us to get back to a lock down mindset on defense.  That was a really fun part about some of the best Crean/Buzz teams.  I miss it. 

[tower912]

For those who saw the practice, did Sacar ever kick out to an open wing after he started to drive?  Having a player with size who can drive, draw, and dish will certainly aid the shooters trying to get open looks.

[mu03eng]

For those who saw the practice, did Sacar ever kick out to an open wing after he started to drive?  Having a player with size who can drive, draw, and dish will certainly aid the shooters trying to get open looks.

Yeah he kicked to an open Hauser on the wing once that I recall

[MUMountin]

Given the accolades on Sacar, it seems the redshirt was a great idea.  How much was the redshirt his idea, and how much was it the coaching staff.  Who initiates that conversation?

[muwarrior69]

Foxconn showed up and gave everyone in the crowd a 100-inch 4K TV and a six-figure job.

They also presented Scott Walker with a giant check made out to the Great Citizens of Wisconsin for 110% of the amount of total state incentives they were originally given.

Wow! Two 100 inch TVs in the Glow house.

[Herman Cain]

Given the accolades on Sacar, it seems the redshirt was a great idea.  How much was the redshirt his idea, and how much was it the coaching staff.  Who initiates that conversation?

The coaches initiated it and Sacar and his family went along with the idea. Credit to both parties for making this happen.

[DCHoopster]

The coaches initiated it and Sacar and his family went along with the idea. Credit to both parties for making this happen.

He would have had a hard time getting any minutes last year with Katin and JJJ in front of him, wise choice.  I really like kids that take a year off to work on there craft.
Just see how many kids at Wisconsin that red-shirted, they have taken that year off to improve.  They grow up.  He has a chance to be very good, he schooled Jamil
Cain all night in that practice.  You could see his strength and just took Cain off the dribble.  In 2 years, that will be the opposite as Cain will probably get bigger and
improve as much if not more as he is the most athletic player on the team.  I really liked Elliott as well.  He could get 20-25 minutes just because the pigmys are not
good defenders.  MU is a different team this year but next year there going to have NBA size upfront, and on the bench.  Joey will give them a different look as I can
see the Hausers starting with Morrow at center at times.   Froling, John will be enforcers off the bench, and you can not forget about Matt.  Hope Grimes feels the same way.  Visiting those other schools are just different then MU, one and done type players, not sure how united they are together.  I do give Calapari credit for getting those kids to play together.   One last point,  lets say Grimes commits,  Bailey comes as a walk-on for one year, anything is possible.

[Dawson Rental]

He would have had a hard time getting any minutes last year with Katin and JJJ in front of him, wise choice.  I really like kids that take a year off to work on there craft.
Just see how many kids at Wisconsin that red-shirted, they have taken that year off to improve.  They grow up.  He has a chance to be very good, he schooled Jamil
Cain all night in that practice.  You could see his strength and just took Cain off the dribble.  In 2 years, that will be the opposite as Cain will probably get bigger and
improve as much if not more as he is the most athletic player on the team.  I really liked Elliott as well.  He could get 20-25 minutes just because the pigmys are not
good defenders.  MU is a different team this year but next year there going to have NBA size upfront, and on the bench.  Joey will give them a different look as I can
see the Hausers starting with Morrow at center at times.   Froling, John will be enforcers off the bench, and you can not forget about Matt.  Hope Grimes feels the same way.  Visiting those other schools are just different then MU, one and done type players, not sure how united they are together.  I do give Calapari credit for getting those kids to play together.   One last point,  lets say Grimes commits,  Bailey comes as a walk-on for one year, anything is possible.

Froling an enforcer off the bench?  Did you read this thread?

[Dawson Rental]

The coaches initiated it and Sacar and his family went along with the idea. Credit to both parties for making this happen.

I know you like Eke now, but I think that he's a great candidate for the Sacar plan, a sophomore redshirt.