MSM Thoughts

[#UnleashSean]

I'm so happy to see our starting center not have 4 stupid fouls at the end of the 1st half. I'm in love with heldt so far

[muguru]

Anyone else notice Morrow wasn't on the bench?? I thought that was odd

[Boone]

Yes and yes.

[muguru]

Yes and yes.

I hope it's not anything to be worried about

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Didn't see the game but noticed Marquette scored 2 points the last 7:18. How is that possible?

Took the air out of the ball. We were up by 36. Cam made it in with like 3:30 left IIRC.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Theo might be a project.

He had some rough moments, but he also grabbed 6 rebounds (tied for most) in 13 minutes (2nd least). He'll learn how to play the refs so he doesn't get called for so many fouls.

[GGGG]

Freshmen showed flashes.  Defensive rotations were by and large good.  They stomped on an opponent early. 

Good warm up for Purdue.

[tower912]

Listening to Homer, it sounded like things really bogged down when the 3 freshmen were in the game with Sacar and Haanif.   And that is OK.   I think they will all have solid careers at MU.   I just don't think any of them are going to be consistent difference makers this season.   

[Jay Bee]

MU allowed 69.6% 2FG%. That's worse than any game in all of last season.

[GGGG]

MU allowed 69.6% 2FG%. That's worse than any game in all of last season.

Do you have a first half / second half breakdown of that stat?

[Jay Bee]

Do you have a first half / second half breakdown of that stat?

Fair point, although we had games last year where subs were in.

4/10
12/13

[GGGG]

Yeah I just thought the defense was fine when the regular rotation was in.  (First 30 or so minutes.)  The freshmen really had breakdowns on both ends.  I'm good with that because it's a learning experience.

[GooooMarquette]

Hard to take too much from a cupcake win (and contrary to several posts before the game, MSM was a cupcake).

That said:

* I was pretty pleased with specific aspects of Sacar and Haanif's games.  Sacar clearly has a comfort level on offense that he didn't have as a frosh (OMG, he can actually drive to the hoop!), and watching Haanif score with his right hand was encouraging.

* It was great to see Matty playing D without fouling.  Hopefully, he can keep that up as the level of competition improves.

* As others have said, Theo needs work.  However, he clearly has a Big East body, which will serve us well as he gains experience.  Because we're currently thin up front, he will get plenty of minutes until Froling is eligible. 

[jsglow]

When we went to the 3 Frosh, Sacar and Cheatham the wheels fell off.  It made normal garbage time look like a hotly contested NCAA game by comparison is was so bad.  But let's not read too much into all that.

I do think there was a 'first'.  When Wojo had seen enough and replaced that entire crowd in a hockey line substitution during a TO, Cam came into the game with the regulars.  Then, a minute later when Wojo had made his point and substituted the Frosh lineup back in, Marotta returned to the bench.  I believe, but am not certain, that it represented the very first time Cam had ever been subbed OUT.  Don't read anything into that, he had been fine on the floor.  It was almost like the Frosh lineup hadn't earned the right to play with the hard nosed Junior.  All good.

[jsglow]

One more quick thought.

If a MU player even breathed on a guy those officials were calling fouls.  That Rowsey charge was one of the softest calls I have ever seen.  A feather could have knocked that guy over in the biggest flop I remember.  Chick said it reminded her of one of those fake soccer penalties.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Andrew makes a big difference out there at point. We saw Markus struggle out there in the exhibition.

Haanif and Elliott are also struggling. Both had high turnover rates last night, and that span was ugly. In both games so far, Wojo has tried to give both time at the 1. Let's hope Andrew stays healthy.

[GooooMarquette]

Andrew makes a big difference out there at point. We saw Markus struggle out there in the exhibition.

Haanif and Elliott are also struggling. Both had high turnover rates last night, and that span was ugly. In both games so far, Wojo has tried to give both time at the 1. Let's hope Andrew stays healthy.

Agree.  Haanif looked good when he played off the ball, but he is not a PG.

[Jay Bee]

In a less-than-four-minute stretch (17:10 to 13:12), MU had 0 freshmen on the floor and allowed MSM 5/5 2FG.

[GGGG]

In a less-than-four-minute stretch (17:10 to 13:12), MU had 0 freshmen on the floor and allowed MSM 5/5 2FG.

Thank you.  I think I stopped paying attention by that point.

[tower912]

MSM's coach is a Shaka acolyte.  They attempted to press and create mayhem.  The combination of Andrew and Sam handled it nearly effortlessly.  Contrast that with how Howard handled double teams last game.   5th year senior versus 18 year old.  Right now, this is a young team with no more size than last year.   Keep expectations in check.

[Jay Bee]

MSM's coach is a Shaka acolyte.  They attempted to press and create mayhem.  The combination of Andrew and Sam handled it nearly effortlessly.  Contrast that with how Howard handled double teams last game.   5th year senior versus 18 year old.  Right now, this is a young team with no more size than last year.   Keep expectations in check.

This team's effective height (important relative to defense, generally) will be better than last season. Need to keep def 2FG% in check.

[bilsu]

We will see. I saw improvements over the Lindenwood game, but walking out of the game I fully expect to lose to Purdue.

[DCHoopster]

MSM's coach is a Shaka acolyte.  They attempted to press and create mayhem.  The combination of Andrew and Sam handled it nearly effortlessly.  Contrast that with how Howard handled double teams last game.   5th year senior versus 18 year old.  Right now, this is a young team with no more size than last year.   Keep expectations in check.

We all will know more after Tuesday, playing an experienced team that has  everybody back but Swanigan.  I sort like the idea of starting Anim and Cheatham instead
of the 2 pigmys.  Need a little more height.  I thought Cheatman played really well, even used his right hand to score a lay-up.  But with him, lets see what he does
Tuesday with a real big man in the middle.  He played last year against good teams poorly, lets give him the benefit of the doubt.  If he plays within the flow he will be
fine.  One thing I did see over last year, is that Sam really has filled out and is much bigger, looks like he can guard and rebound at the 4.  It will be very interesting to
see what happens next year with Morrow and Hauser coming in, and Froling.  The team might look alot different.  College size for a change, not undersized.  What might hold MU back is the point guard next year.  Hanif might be the point.   Howard, Hanif, Hauser Morrow, Heldt.  It will be interesting to see where Anim fits next
year.  With Anim, Froling, Joey, Elliott, Cain and John, that is alot of depth.  If Bailey brings anything to the table, it will be a fight for PT time.  Ike really should have
redshirt his sophomore season.  To deep next year and even the following year. 

[jsglow]

In a less-than-four-minute stretch (17:10 to 13:12), MU had 0 freshmen on the floor and allowed MSM 5/5 2FG.

I must have been in the overpriced beer line! No doubt,  our energy fell off in the second half.

[warriorchick]

I must have been in the overpriced beer line! No doubt,  our energy fell off in the second half.

Well, to be fair, we were ahead by about 40 points at the beginning of that period, so I doubt we were killing ourselves playing D.