X-crement

[Jockey]

FT% always mattas.

It just mattas a lot less than fans tend to think

On average, you are right. But, in a close game, it is a big deal.

[Mr. Nielsen]

I thought the crowd was excellent tonight at the Bradley Center. MU played well, but not well enough. That 50/50 ball that Sam didn't get, that passed out for a Xavier three to make it 85-80 was a heartbreaker. Need the same energy from the team and fanbase on Saturday.

[lohaus]

I enjoyed the game. This is what a Big East team should look like. They battled for rebounds. HF got boards, kept boards alive with tips, and had a nice baseline reverse that Heldt never could do.

Cain looked really good this game. Dropping 3s.  TJ had a couple post moves in a row.  They went with a press with Cain at top and then HF and Heldt in the game.  It seemed to spark a run.

Man, it sure seems like the two Smurfs just don't like to give the ball up when the other is hot.  Rowsey hits like three buckets and is streaking down the left. Howard drives the lane and chunks it instead of finding Rowsey for a heat check.  People complain about Sam not creating a shot. Dude flashes to left wing, wide open, calling for it and Rowsey gives him the calm down/settle it down hand.  Man, pass that mofo the ball in rhythm and let him break that zone on the flash.

Sam just a joy to watch. Something as simple as a ball fake toward the basket from the left wing and he gets 2 X defenders to jump, freezes the other defenders, and makes an easy pass to the corner for a wide open 3.

Officiating is what it is.  You have, what. .  50+ year olds. .  Trying to keep up with early 20s dudes in their prime. Yeah, a bad call on Sam's block when he was shielded from his backside.  Play on .

[JakeBarnes]

Ref show that ended up being entertaining.

Some poor decisions to compound it.

Markus was cold.

When do we start getting home cooking?

Tough loss but the kids are damn good. Win on Saturday.

[WarriorDad]

#FTsmatta-sometimes

They did tonight for both teams.  Good game.  JP's block on Howard was the tide turner in my opinion.  Instead of a tie, they come back and hit a three, if I recall.  Down 5 points just like that.

We also had a play coming out of the timeout where Wojo drew up a back door layup by Howard for another tie, and we missed.

Cain was more that able (stole that from Raftery), Theo had his moments, Sam I wish would be more aggressive as he killer matchup for others.  #6 team in the country and we had a chance to tie with 30 seconds left. 

Next up

[MUfan12]

I thought the crowd was excellent tonight at the Bradley Center.

Great crowd tonight. Need that energy 8 more times.

[DCHoopster]

This game showed the weaknesses of Anim and Matt.  Anim finally has competition at the 3.  Cain breakout game, maybe.  Elliott and Theo still improving.   Froling needs
to be more aggressive on the O end, just needs time on the court.   The 2 pigmys need to be more team players on the break, to many missed lay-ups but missed opportunities to others.  They both have 2 guard mentality,  not great passers.  Fun to watch but frustrating at times.  Need to temper it down when they have the lead
and get better shots.

The D again is not good enough to beat good teams, easy lay-ups and open threes. Not good.  Pick and roll D is horrendous.  Do not get it, is it that hard to coach how
to defend it better.  X is good, have the pieces to make it to the final 4.  Seniors make a difference.  Like or dislike Macura, made big baskets as well as Bluett, plus they
have lots of pieces.  Impressed.   Can not wait to watch Villy vs. X.

[TSmith34, Inc.]

Markus needs to "win" a big game for MU, not just score 30 in a game they should win anyhow.  Everyone is going to have an off-night, but Markus compounded things by playing stupid.

No chance MU gets into the tourney with all these home losses.

Badger ahole troll

[lohaus]

I would say we get the home cooking when Howard isn't scared to take contact to draw a foul and maybe get blocked.  I know, sounds stupid because no one wants to get blocked right? Two plays mentioned were the back door overshoot layup and the fast break layup. I also see times where he is dribbling it with a guy on his backside and could probably pull the slow down and get pushed from behind to draw a foul.

Macura, senior vet, knows what he is doing.  A little under the skin and then flops on a semi shoulder to draw a T.  It's part of the game.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Wonder if is the beginning of the end for Matty, hardly saw any minutes in the second half.

The kid works hard and has done everything that has been asked of him in 2.5 years, but Theo keeps improving every game, Froling is starting to get his feet underneath him and there is an even bigger logjam in the front court next season.

[ATWizJr]

Couldn't see the game but from the high score, can one infer that defense was lacking?

[4everwarriors]

Krispy Kreme defence ain't gonna cut it.


Sam and Markus, ya ain't in Chicago St. land no moore.


FT's matta, bigly, hey?

[frozena pizza]

Of course FTs matter but it's not that simple.  Rowsey, Howard and Hauser are elite FT shooters and need to find more ways to get to the line.  That group was 5-5 on FTs while the rest of the team was 3-9.  Anyone other than the big 3 going to the line (except maybe Heldt) is a win for the defense.

[GGGG]

Yet if Marquette shoots the same FT% that Xavier did, Marquette wins the game.  So free throw percentage certainly mattered.

And if MU had the same FT rate that Xavier did, they would have blown X out of the water.

[GGGG]

Count me in for 12 points on 67% shooting, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists with 0 turnovers every night from Sam.

That's the point.  He only took six shots the entire game.  He needs people to get him the ball because he can't create.

OTOH, Rowsey took 24 shots and Howard 19.  That's not good.

[Loose Cannon]

Sure some acting on the flop.  But watch the replay.  Froling threw a pretty good shoulder his way.  I may ask what Macura was doing so close to Rowsey at that point after the foul though...

All part of the game.

Yeah, seen that on the replay, I think he might be taking the baton from Rowsey going into next year.

[Dr. Blackheart]

PIP + FTM = 66. That's 73% of X's points essentially handed to them. Think about that.

Build a defense from the baseline out, coach. No excuse for this scheme. 

[GGGG]

PIP + FTM = 66. That's 73% of X's points essentially handed to them. Think about that.

Build a defense from the baseline out, coach. No excuse for this scheme. 

It's not changing.  The perimeter players aren't quick enough.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

PIP + FTM = 66. That's 73% of X's points essentially handed to them. Think about that.

Build a defense from the baseline out, coach. No excuse for this scheme.

I have never seen a defense that breaks down so quickly as ours - we our poor both on and off the ball.  We may win a couple of shootouts against good teams but we won't be one of them until we get a serviceable D scheme in place. 

[Dr. Blackheart]

It's not changing.  The perimeter players aren't quick enough.

Nonsense. Horrid scheme

[wadesworld]

And if MU had the same FT rate that Xavier did, they would have blown X out of the water.

Easier to make free throws than to get them.  Especially with a team that is perimeter/3 point oriented.  Free throw % was a huge factor in the game.  Xavier making their free throws at a high percentage while Marquette not making them at a high percentage was the difference in the game.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

It's not changing.  The perimeter players aren't quick enough.

Sultan may be true - but I'm already thinking about next year personally.  If MH isn't quick or tall enough then we need something that works for him and the players we have.  I'm fairly certain they are the core for the foreseeable future. 

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

Where's JB to tell us FT no Matta?

[GGGG]

Easier to make free throws than to get them.  Especially with a team that is perimeter/3 point oriented.  Free throw % was a huge factor in the game.  Xavier making their free throws at a high percentage while Marquette not making them at a high percentage was the difference in the game.

Not really.  Free throw rate was way more of a factor.

[GGGG]

Nonsense. Horrid scheme

Agree to disagree.  Regardless, it's not changing.