Lindenwood take-aways

[Lennys Tap]

Or that the game was always close so we needed to play our best players.

Can't expect Ike to get minutes against a power like Lindenwood. Wojo will get him minutes when we play the cupcake part of our schedule.

[Earl Tatum]

To Tiny  Tim---CLEAN IT UP!

[TheyWereCones]

Yesterday was not a good performance but everyone is way over-analyzing it, which is I guess what we all do.  This is the same team that took down two top 10 teams last year only to crap the bed a bunch more against lesser opponents and end up back on the bubble.  I think you are going to see a lot more of that inconsistency this year with another combo of lot of talent and a lot of inexperience.  Prepare for a roller coaster or prepare to be disappointed.  Next two years, if most players stick around...the inexperience part goes away and we *should* see more consistency.

[DCHoopster]

Yesterday was not a good performance but everyone is way over-analyzing it, which is I guess what we all do.  This is the same team that took down two top 10 teams last year only to crap the bed a bunch more against lesser opponents and end up back on the bubble.  I think you are going to see a lot more of that inconsistency this year with another combo of lot of talent and a lot of inexperience.  Prepare for a roller coaster or prepare to be disappointed.  Next two years, if most players stick around...the inexperience part goes away and we *should* see more consistency.

I have to agree with your points.  What I could see is that this team again will be a step slow at almost every position.  Heldt, Hauser and Cheatham are not quick
jumpers, play below the rim.  Sacar is really the only one with some quickness a foot,  Howard is a step slow, could not defend the Lindenwood guards.  You can teach
defense all you want,  but if you are not quick enough, the offensive player will get a step on you, then you have to double and today they then send it out to the open three point shooter.  This team needs to learn how to play zone.  How does Wojo expect to D up with 2 undersized guards?

[BM1090]

I have to agree with your points.  What I could see is that this team again will be a step slow at almost every position.  Heldt, Hauser and Cheatham are not quick
jumpers, play below the rim.  Sacar is really the only one with some quickness a foot,  Howard is a step slow, could not defend the Lindenwood guards.  You can teach
defense all you want,  but if you are not quick enough, the offensive player will get a step on you, then you have to double and today they then send it out to the open three point shooter.  This team needs to learn how to play zone.  How does Wojo expect to D up with 2 undersized guards?

I understand your zone point, but it's pretty much impossible to play zone with two sub 6 foot guards at the top too.

[DienerTime34]

I understand your zone point, but it's pretty much impossible to play zone with two sub 6 foot guards at the top too.

So what we've concluded is that Wojo has never shown the ability to teach defense, and even if he could teach defense, we don't have the personnel to do so.

We are going to need to shoot and make a lot of 3s this year to win.

[BM1090]

So what we've concluded is that Wojo has never shown the ability to teach defense, and even if he could teach defense, we don't have the personnel to do so.

We are going to need to shoot and make a lot of 3s this year to win.

Our defense was acceptable in Wojo's first year. We ranked 69th in the country, compared to 88th in 2016 and 165th last year. Last year especially was miserable.

[tower912]

The team should be very coachable this week. 

[jsglow]

The team should be very coachable this week.

As I was walking out the tunnel and shaking hands with Joe True as is my tradition I said, 'Run 'em until they all puke.'

I think we'll see a better performance on Friday.

[GloccaMorra]

As I was walking out the tunnel and shaking hands with Joe True as is my tradition I said, 'Run 'em until they all puke.'

I think we'll see a better performance on Friday.

I don't know why but this post made me think of the Oscar worthy movie Blue Chips.  This sounds like something  Happy...the "friend of the program" would do. 

[DCHoopster]

So what we've concluded is that Wojo has never shown the ability to teach defense, and even if he could teach defense, we don't have the personnel to do so.

We are going to need to shoot and make a lot of 3s this year to win.

You hit it right on,  the personnel.  Undersized this year, next year much different.

[jsglow]

I don't know why but this post made me think of the Oscar worthy movie Blue Chips.  This sounds like something  Happy...the "friend of the program" would do.

Just to complete the loop and remind everyone that Joe has a really hard job and he's really good at it AND that chick and I are absolutely not his problem or worry ever, his response was, 'It'll be alright Glow.  See you Friday.'   

[skianth16]

I know that a lot of people like to be overly optimistic to try to balance out the #firewojo voices, but I'm still awfully surprised at the number of positive responses to the Lindenwood showing. There have to be some legitimate concerns about the ability of our defense to be in position and to actually move their feet when guarding the ball. And sure, bad shooting days will happen, but only having one player who shows a willingness to get to the rim (Anim) means that when we shoot poorly we'll struggle on offense.

Essentially, I see this year's team as being a less experienced version of the same mold we had last year. Score 80+ and/or shoot above 40% from 3 or we lose. That's not a great position to be in, IMO. I loved that Crean and Buzz rewarded deflections and steals to the point that it was on the wall in Kasten; I have to assume that banner is no longer hanging in the Wojo era.

[brewcity77]

Haani also showed a willingness to get to the rim. I was glad to see him driving to his right, even if he wasn't finishing with his right.

There's definitely work to be done, but I do think we probably saw a worst-case scenario with Lindenwood where a team shot out of their minds while we were cold as ice. I expect us to be better on both ends come Friday, though it could be a long season if not.

[Loose Cannon]

I know that a lot of people like to be overly optimistic to try to balance out the #firewojo voices, but I'm still awfully surprised at the number of positive responses to the Lindenwood showing. There have to be some legitimate concerns about the ability of our defense to be in position and to actually move their feet when guarding the ball. And sure, bad shooting days will happen, but only having one player who shows a willingness to get to the rim (Anim) means that when we shoot poorly we'll struggle on offense.

Essentially, I see this year's team as being a less experienced version of the same mold we had last year. Score 80+ and/or shoot above 40% from 3 or we lose. That's not a great position to be in, IMO. I loved that Crean and Buzz rewarded deflections and steals to the point that it was on the wall in Kasten; I have to assume that banner is no longer hanging in the Wojo era.

Well with all you said above, what would You see as our record being this year, Wins/Losses?

[GGGG]

I know that a lot of people like to be overly optimistic to try to balance out the #firewojo voices, but I'm still awfully surprised at the number of positive responses to the Lindenwood showing. There have to be some legitimate concerns about the ability of our defense to be in position and to actually move their feet when guarding the ball. And sure, bad shooting days will happen, but only having one player who shows a willingness to get to the rim (Anim) means that when we shoot poorly we'll struggle on offense.

Essentially, I see this year's team as being a less experienced version of the same mold we had last year. Score 80+ and/or shoot above 40% from 3 or we lose. That's not a great position to be in, IMO. I loved that Crean and Buzz rewarded deflections and steals to the point that it was on the wall in Kasten; I have to assume that banner is no longer hanging in the Wojo era.

I just think there is only so much Wojo can do defensively with this group.  There is more length and athleticism in this year's freshman class, and with Morrow waiting for next year.  IOW, I think this is a roster construction issue more than a coaching one.

[brewcity77]

I just think there is only so much Wojo can do defensively with this group.  There is more length and athleticism in this year's freshman class, and with Morrow waiting for next year.  IOW, I think this is a roster construction issue more than a coaching one.

To play devil's advocate, when every player was recruited by this coach (which is now the case) isn't it both?

I don't doubt we have the pieces in place, both on the roster and coming, for better defense, but speaking strictly to now, the blame for continued inadequate defense would seem to fall squarely on the coaching staff.

[GGGG]

Right ultimately the coach is responsible for roster construction too.

[skianth16]

Well with all you said above, what would You see as our record being this year, Wins/Losses?

I'm thinking we're going to be a little better than a .500 team this year. Going through the schedule, I think we end up 16-14 heading into the BE tournament, assuming we either get 2 wins in Maui or we win at home against Vermont. If we do both of those things, then I'd say 17-13 is possible. I'm assuming we go 9-9 in what looks like a tough conference, but that means we need to pick up a few tough wins at home and not have any bad mistakes on the road.

I think we get a win in the first round of the BE tourney but lose in the second round. NCAA odds are not looking good to me this year.

[Loose Cannon]

I'm thinking we're going to be a little better than a .500 team this year. Going through the schedule, I think we end up 16-14 heading into the BE tournament, assuming we either get 2 wins in Maui or we win at home against Vermont. If we do both of those things, then I'd say 17-13 is possible. I'm assuming we go 9-9 in what looks like a tough conference, but that means we need to pick up a few tough wins at home and not have any bad mistakes on the road.

I think we get a win in the first round of the BE tourney but lose in the second round. NCAA odds are not looking good to me this year.

Thanks, I think Kenpom agrees with your numbers.

[goldeneagle91114]

I'm not real excited about this year's team. I still think we lack quite a few necessities (i.e. a bruiser on the boards, a defensive specialist that you can count of for a stop, and a true PG.) And, I'm also totally in the camp that believes it takes time to rebuild. However, this is the last year I'm willing to give Wojo a pass. He guys, his system, his a$$ on the line. Exhibition is exhibition, but everything counts from here on out. The team needs to wake up.

[TedBaxter]

I'm not real excited about this year's team. I still think we lack quite a few necessities (i.e. a bruiser on the boards, a defensive specialist that you can count of for a stop, and a true PG.) And, I'm also totally in the camp that believes it takes time to rebuild. However, this is the last year I'm willing to give Wojo a pass. He guys, his system, his a$$ on the line. Exhibition is exhibition, but everything counts from here on out. The team needs to wake up.

Jesus H. Christ!!!! Another brilliant opinion from a Marquette fan. 

Maybe I've followed this program longer than most or maybe I have a better understanding of college basketball.  Wojo is building this thing the way he and the Marquette administration would like.  He isn't taking many transfers, other than grad transfers and the recruits who would have made up his senior class are all gone.  He has 1 senior (who didn't play Saturday) and 2 juniors and the future is looking bright, but lets cast off another coach because he doesn't make the program an instant elite program.

[skianth16]

Jesus H. Christ!!!! Another brilliant opinion from a Marquette fan. 

Maybe I've followed this program longer than most or maybe I have a better understanding of college basketball.  Wojo is building this thing the way he and the Marquette administration would like.  He isn't taking many transfers, other than grad transfers and the recruits who would have made up his senior class are all gone.  He has 1 senior (who didn't play Saturday) and 2 juniors and the future is looking bright, but lets cast off another coach because he doesn't make the program an instant elite program.

A - One exclamation point is plenty there, Hoss.
B - Wojo has had time to recruit and build a roster/program here at MU. Defense is a legitimate concern, and roster construction is as well. Making the tournament last year was great, but it would be even better to see sustained success. So if this year's team regresses and does not make the NCAAs, criticism of the coach and program are going to happen.
C- How much time are you willing to give him to get us back to being Top 25/NCAA regulars?

[GGGG]

I'm not real excited about this year's team. I still think we lack quite a few necessities (i.e. a bruiser on the boards, a defensive specialist that you can count of for a stop, and a true PG.) And, I'm also totally in the camp that believes it takes time to rebuild. However, this is the last year I'm willing to give Wojo a pass. He guys, his system, his a$$ on the line. Exhibition is exhibition, but everything counts from here on out. The team needs to wake up.

If you decide to no longer give Wojo a pass, I am sure he will be sad about that.

[GGGG]

A - One exclamation point is plenty there, Hoss.
B - Wojo has had time to recruit and build a roster/program here at MU. Defense is a legitimate concern, and roster construction is as well. Making the tournament last year was great, but it would be even better to see sustained success. So if this year's team regresses and does not make the NCAAs, criticism of the coach and program are going to happen.
C- How much time are you willing to give him to get us back to being Top 25/NCAA regulars?

Progress isn't always linear.  I expect Marquette will be a regular NCAA participant starting in 2019 anyway.