Raining 3's on Chicago State

[cheese ball chaser]

Positive thinking: We've only lost to ranked opponents so far

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Watched the highlights on Marquette's channel. Just noticed that Mike Jackabowski called Jamal Cain "Andrew Cain" after one of his putbacks. In Mike's defense, Andrew did shoot the three that Cain rebounded and putback.

[🏀]

Watched the highlights on Marquette's channel. Just noticed that Mike Jackabowski called Jamal Cain "Andrew Cain" after one of his putbacks. In Mike's defense, Andrew did shoot the three that Cain rebounded and putback.

He went all in on that call too.

[tower912]

I know this sounds cold, but I did not miss HC. Seeing the two young fellas play was great. They are long, quick and can get up in the air.

For one night, no.  It was Chicago State.   For bigger, stronger, deeper opponents, particularly when we get into the conference grind, I suspect we will.  The frosh looked good tonight.    Are they ready to guard Bluiett?  Booth?  Brunson?     

[muwarrior69]

The problem with this is it seems most teams make tough shots against us that make the defense look worse. The reality is good college basketball players sometimes make tough shots. Our problem isn't those shots, it's the number of uncontested drives to the hole we allow. Good defensive teams don't allow those and turn those into tough shots. We allowed a number of easy drives tonight.

Could not have said it better. If our defense does not improve when Harry comes on board it will be a long season. Our only athletic defenders are freshmen or sophomores; the more experienced and athletic teams will eat us for lunch inside as Heldt who gives his all just isn't quick enough. Wojo has drilled into these guys how to play defense. The problem is they cannot execute that defense. With Morrow and Theo with a year under his belt hopefully that will change next season.

[DCHoopster]

Could not have said it better. If our defense does not improve when Harry comes on board it will be a long season. Our only athletic defenders are freshmen or sophomores; the more experienced and athletic teams will eat us for lunch inside as Heldt who gives his all just isn't quick enough. Wojo has drilled into these guys how to play defense. The problem is they cannot execute that defense. With Morrow and Theo with a year under his belt hopefully that will change next season.

The type of players that Wolo recruited are offensively very strong.  But physically not strong at all.  Every team that MU plays, even Chicago St.,  physically bigger.
Strong athletic kids will drive on Howard and Rowsey.  I think as the team moves forward, Cain and Elliott, will become bigger parts of the defense.  They for sure are
not bigger, but they are more athletic.  I liked what I saw from Cain defensively in the second half.  Games like this, against Buy games, are good for the freshman.  Not sure Theo has basketball skills yet, it might be wise next year for him to take a red-shirt year, if Froling can play.  Not sure Wojo knows how to utilize a center yet,
Luke and now Matt always have there back to the basket,  Matt has a nice touch at the free throw line,  maybe he can hit a 15 footer, they opposition might give him
that shot anytime he wants to take it.  Like to see him take it.  Open up the driving lanes then.

[CTWarrior]

Markus and Rowsey shot 3s really well, but I don't think we played well otherwise, though Elliott showed some good PG instincts.  Chicago State is a dreadful, dreadful team that plays like they just met before the game and we let them hang around for a half.  Second half was more like it, but I'd rather have seen us work offense rather than chuck threes, particularly anyone that doesn't have the "ow" sound in their surname.  I suppose it is tough to stay focused against a team that is that bad.

Anybody bet on the game?  If the line was 29 like I saw around here, that would have been a tough late cover to absorb.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

Could not have said it better. If our defense does not improve when Harry comes on board it will be a long season. Our only athletic defenders are freshmen or sophomores; the more experienced and athletic teams will eat us for lunch inside as Heldt who gives his all just isn't quick enough. Wojo has drilled into these guys how to play defense. The problem is they cannot execute that defense. With Morrow and Theo with a year under his belt hopefully that will change next season.

If our defense scheme cannot be executed by the current players, then we need to either play a different M2M scheme or look elsewhere for a system that works for the players we have. 

The current system does not seem to contain the dribble-drive & frequently leaves our bigs helping with double teams above the top of the key -- causing shifts and breakdowns.  Looks exactly the same as last year - and teams seem to be exploiting it the same way as last year.

[GGGG]

Could not have said it better. If our defense does not improve when Harry comes on board it will be a long season. Our only athletic defenders are freshmen or sophomores; the more experienced and athletic teams will eat us for lunch inside as Heldt who gives his all just isn't quick enough. Wojo has drilled into these guys how to play defense. The problem is they cannot execute that defense. With Morrow and Theo with a year under his belt hopefully that will change next season.

I don't think scheme is the problem.  I think we have a starting backcourt that is stellar offensively but can't guard anyone.  It isn't simply the pick and roll with the hedge.  Markus and Rowsey can't stay in front of their guys on a one-on-one drive.  And Heldt isn't a "rim protecting" center by any means who could clean up the mess.  John could get there if he could stay out of foul trouble.

I also think that our defense has gotten worse since Haanif left.  We will see how it goes the next three games, but he did some things on that end of the floor that were underappreciated. 

The good news is that Elllliotttt and Cain are real good defenders.  Just wish they had a little more offense.  But I think that will come.

[bilsu]

I'm sure Wojo and the administration aren't planning to add this W to the resume highlights. Winning big in a game you're expected to win big isn't a positive, it's simply neutral. Beating Georgia will be a positive.

I love the freshmen and Haani leaving gives them more opportunity to play, so that is a silver lining. However, this team without Froling is going to be punished in the Big East. Hopefully, Froling is a big difference maker.

[We R Final Four]

He got away with a ton of bumps on the perimeter as well. Was surprised a few times when they didn't whistle John.

Yes—TJ had several bumps out high on hedges which should have been called. Still managed to foul out.

[Hards Alumni]

If Elliot gets a jumper/free throw stroke

Dude could be scary good in a couple years.

Scary good might be an understatement.  Most assists last night (9), second most rebounds (6), and if he can start scoring (7 points) watch out, he may not be here for 4 years.

I realize it was Chi-State, but Greg Elliott looked like he had the highest ceiling on the team.

[VegasWarrior77]

Matt has a nice touch at the free throw line,  maybe he can hit a 15 footer, they opposition might give him that shot anytime he wants to take it.  Like to see him take it.  Open up the driving lanes then.

I've had the same thought the last couple games.  Matt has good form and a nice ball rotation on his FTs.  Couldn't he pop a 12-15 foot jumper?

Caught an interview with Jay Billas while I was driving in the car.  At one point the he was asked about coach K playing a zone at times this season.  Billas' response was that Duke was young and not very good on defense and coach K felt he had to play some zone based on matchups.  I wish Wojo would play some zone to mix things up and maybe avoid some foul trouble.

[GGGG]

I've had the same thought the last couple games.  Matt has good form and a nice ball rotation on his FTs.  Couldn't he pop a 12-15 foot jumper?

Caught an interview with Jay Billas while I was driving in the car.  At one point the he was asked about coach K playing a zone at times this season.  Billas' response was that Duke was young and not very good on defense and coach K felt he had to play some zone based on matchups.  I wish Wojo would play some zone to mix things up and maybe avoid some foul trouble.

They played zone last night on a couple occasions.  It wasn't very good.

[skianth16]

Scary good might be an understatement.  Most assists last night (9), second most rebounds (6), and if he can start scoring (7 points) watch out, he may not be here for 4 years.

I realize it was Chi-State, but Greg Elliott looked like he had the highest ceiling on the team.

After one good but not great outing against a sub-300 RPI team, you're willing to talk NBA prospects? Yikes

[tower912]

Yes, the zone was worse than the man in the first half. 

[jsglow]

Scary good might be an understatement.  Most assists last night (9), second most rebounds (6), and if he can start scoring (7 points) watch out, he may not be here for 4 years.

I realize it was Chi-State, but Greg Elliott looked like he had the highest ceiling on the team.

Let's just allow a young kid to find his groove a little before we anoint him.

[Hards Alumni]

After one good but not great outing against a sub-300 RPI team, you're willing to talk NBA prospects? Yikes

member when I said, "I realize it was Chi-State"?  I member.

[Hards Alumni]

Let's just allow a young kid to find his groove a little before we anoint him.

Not what I was doing.  Said he has the highest ceiling on the team.

[GGGG]

Scary good might be an understatement.  Most assists last night (9), second most rebounds (6), and if he can start scoring (7 points) watch out, he may not be here for 4 years.

I realize it was Chi-State, but Greg Elliott looked like he had the highest ceiling on the team.

Ah I remember the bygone days of 2015-16 when people were saying the same thing about Haanif.

[DCHoopster]

Let's just allow a young kid to find his groove a little before we anoint him.

So do that against a solid Division 1 team, then maybe 4 years from now once he grows into his tiny body, he might be good enough for a try-out.  Long ways away
from even discussing the NBA.

[Hards Alumni]

Ah I remember the bygone days of 2015-16 when people were saying the same thing about Haanif.

Probably me.

[jsglow]

Not what I was doing.  Said he has the highest ceiling on the team.

A declarative statement about a Frosh in his first month is simply foolish.  Why doesn't Theo have the highest ceiling?  He could be Angel Delgado as a Senior.  Point is nobody has a clue.  And you didn't say he might have the highest ceiling which everyone could buy into.   

[jsglow]

Probably me.

Lesson learned?   

[Hards Alumni]

A declarative statement about a Frosh in his first month is simply foolish.  Why doesn't Theo have the highest ceiling?  He could be Angel Delgado as a Senior.  Point is nobody has a clue.  And you didn't say he might have the highest ceiling which everyone could buy into.   

This is a college basketball message board and we are all fans with opinions, not professional prognosticators.  This is my opinion, and is open to change.  No reason for a crucifixion.

Theo hasn't shown that he can stay on the court.  Could he have the highest ceiling?  SURE, but currently, I happen to think that Greg Elliott does.

Sure are a lot of people around here that like to try to suck the fun out of everything.