Great Coaching

[brewcity77]

Mark Miller mentioned this on Twitter and I wanted to reiterate it. This was a brilliant coaching job by Wojo. He had to deal with foul trouble for what felt like everyone. Rowsey and Froling had three in the first half. Anim, Elliott, and Heldt all fouled out. This was a great coaching job to juggle the roster despite so many guys being in foul trouble.

[PGsHeroes32]

Agreed

[Ellenson Guerrero]

I'm not disagreeing with you, but its funny that if Howard doesn't bank in that 3 in the last 2 minutes, this forum would be blowing up about how Wojo can't coach defense and his players lack mental toughness. 

[Marquette4life]

I'm not disagreeing with you, but its funny that if Howard doesn't bank in that 3 in the last 2 minutes, this forum would be blowing up about how Wojo can't coach defense and his players lack mental toughness.

These are my thoughts

[CTWarrior]

Really?  Our defensive scheme (or whatever that was) was shredded which is why we had foul trouble in the first place.  Driving lanes everywhere and wide open guys under the basket all game.  Heroic effort by Howard was why we won, not coaching brilliance.

[GoldenWarrior11]

Wojo has really grown and developed as a head coach in his first four years here.  Pleased by his progress and excited for our program's trajectory. 

My biggest critique, schematically, is how our heavy hedging on ball screens (defensively) with our bigs (Ellenson, Fisher, Heldt, Froling).  I don't think we have the athleticism to play this style, as we expose our paint with smaller players helping, and we often get burned by it.  I am not a fan of having our bigs so far away from the basket, especially when we lack size to begin with. 

Next year's team will be better able to execute this, IMO.

[We R Final Four]

Yeah, I would certainly tip my hat to Wojos handling of personnel, not coaching. Late OOBs were brutal and your team not knowing the shot clock is inexcusable.

[mayfairskatingrink]

Mark Miller mentioned this on Twitter and I wanted to reiterate it. This was a brilliant coaching job by Wojo. He had to deal with foul trouble for what felt like everyone. Rowsey and Froling had three in the first half. Anim, Elliott, and Heldt all fouled out. This was a great coaching job to juggle the roster despite so many guys being in foul trouble.

Then defense has nothing to do with coaching because MU was piss-poor defensively from the first minute to the last.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

Then defense has nothing to do with coaching because MU was piss-poor defensively from the first minute to the last.

Go away. No one likes you.

[Mr. Sand-Knit]

I am a fan of Wojo, but have to admit that at times our defense is just horrible.  Tonight i thought our defense was actually much better in the second half, the problem was Providence missed shots but got almost every fin offensive rebound that then resulted in a made shot or foul.  I believe our defense has been better this year but the rebounding has been simply brutal. So many balls go thru our hands n right back to the opponent

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Yeah, I would certainly tip my hat to Wojos handling of personnel, not coaching. Late OOBs were brutal and your team not knowing the shot clock is inexcusable.

So because they team didn't execute you automatically assume Wojo didn't make clear how much time was on the shot clock? 

Sorry but that one is on the guys on the floor.

[naginiF]

So because they team didn't execute you automatically assume Wojo didn't make clear how much time was on the shot clock? 

Sorry but that one is on the guys on the floor.

*cut to the 'Nova game with Wojo sporting the huge Flava Flav clock necklace always showing the shot clock*

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I think its funny that the only complaint I ever consistently see on here about the defense is the bigs hedging on screens....yet I rarely see us give up a bucket because of it. It is a tried and true defensive strategy used by many coaches. I think us fans just have a harder time diagnosing defensive problems than offensive ones.

I don't think there is any scheme that would magically turn this into a good defensive team. Howard and Rowsey are pis poor on ball defensive players. That is why our defense is so poor. They cannot contain anyone on the perimeter and it puts our other players into tough positions, hence the constant foul trouble. But what they bring on offense outweighs what they take away on defense. As long as they are our stars, we will be a poor defensive team, no matter the scheme. A pack line or a zone might make us marginally better, but it would slow down the tempo and hurt our offense. Only way we win is if we run, gun, and outscore the other guy.

[We R Final Four]

So because they team didn't execute you automatically assume Wojo didn't make clear how much time was on the shot clock? 

Sorry but that one is on the guys on the floor.

Didn't execute? Not only did they not execute, no one had a clue. This was coming off a dead ball where it should have been discussed.......by the coach.

[Marqevans]

Thought it was brilliant the way Hauser was set up for the shot at the end.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Didn't execute? Not only did they not execute, no one had a clue. This was coming off a dead ball where it should have been discussed.......by the coach.

I have no doubt it was discussed.

[Dr. Blackheart]

I think its funny that the only complaint I ever consistently see on here about the defense is the bigs hedging on screens....yet I rarely see us give up a bucket because of it. It is a tried and true defensive strategy used by many coaches. I think us fans just have a harder time diagnosing defensive problems than offensive ones.

I don't think there is any scheme that would magically turn this into a good defensive team. Howard and Rowsey are pis poor on ball defensive players. That is why our defense is so poor. They cannot contain anyone on the perimeter and it puts our other players into tough positions, hence the constant foul trouble. But what they bring on offense outweighs what they take away on defense. As long as they are our stars, we will be a poor defensive team, no matter the scheme. A pack line or a zone might make us marginally better, but it would slow down the tempo and hurt our offense. Only way we win is if we run, gun, and outscore the other guy.

First and second play of the game.  PC went right at it.  Cooley then went at our guards for foul trouble as we pressure the line.  This is no mistake. And we see it every game and then blame the refs.  You and Sultan can keep defending the defense but the scheme is horrid as supported by the stats. Our defense couldn't be worse. Despite your claims, it is is no way "great".  Please give it up.

The offense is extremely special in so many ways. That gathers my focus and should gain yours. Our defense is best when we outshoot the opponents.

[Mr. Sand-Knit]

I think its funny that the only complaint I ever consistently see on here about the defense is the bigs hedging on screens....yet I rarely see us give up a bucket because of it. It is a tried and true defensive strategy used by many coaches. I think us fans just have a harder time diagnosing defensive problems than offensive ones.

I don't think there is any scheme that would magically turn this into a good defensive team. Howard and Rowsey are pis poor on ball defensive players. That is why our defense is so poor. They cannot contain anyone on the perimeter and it puts our other players into tough positions, hence the constant foul trouble. But what they bring on offense outweighs what they take away on defense. As long as they are our stars, we will be a poor defensive team, no matter the scheme. A pack line or a zone might make us marginally better, but it would slow down the tempo and hurt our offense. Only way we win is if we run, gun, and outscore the other guy.

This is correct.  We make other mistakes but our teams biggest issue is ball handlers blow right by markus and Rowsey.  One thing i noticed was Howard really played some solid on ball defense in the second half. I was happy to see it but on the other hand was kind of disappointed that the best defense i had seen from him was during a career half.  Come on man defense like that has to be an everyday kinda thing!!

[lohaus]

Come on fellas. . . We have to hedge with bigs because we have smurfs for guards.  I actually think the help rotation on the big rolling is much better allowing the bigs to recover.  Even the second pass from big to wing rotation is somewhat improving.  Don't get me wrong, the second rotation can use help.  I agree with another poster that the smurfs on ball defense is improving. There is only so much a 5'9" dude can do to a 6'6" guy.

What is the other option without the big hedge? A drive down the middle uncontested.

[MU86NC]

I think its funny that the only complaint I ever consistently see on here about the defense is the bigs hedging on screens....yet I rarely see us give up a bucket because of it. It is a tried and true defensive strategy used by many coaches. I think us fans just have a harder time diagnosing defensive problems than offensive ones.

I don't think there is any scheme that would magically turn this into a good defensive team. Howard and Rowsey are pis poor on ball defensive players. That is why our defense is so poor. They cannot contain anyone on the perimeter and it puts our other players into tough positions, hence the constant foul trouble. But what they bring on offense outweighs what they take away on defense. As long as they are our stars, we will be a poor defensive team, no matter the scheme. A pack line or a zone might make us marginally better, but it would slow down the tempo and hurt our offense. Only way we win is if we run, gun, and outscore the other guy.

TAMU might consider the coaching ranks!

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

First and second play of the game.  PC went right at it.  Cooley then went at our guards for foul trouble as we pressure the line.  This is no mistake. And we see it every game and then blame the refs.  You and Sultan can keep defending the defense but the scheme is horrid as supported by the stats. Our defense couldn't be worse. Despite your claims, it is is no way "great".  Please give it up.

The offense is extremely special in so many ways. That gathers my focus and should gain yours. Our defense is best when we outshoot the opponents.

Dr. B,

Re-read my post. I didn't say the defense was great tonight. In fact I described it as "so poor." I just don't think the scheme is the culprit. Howard and Rowsey are historically bad on ball defenders and the rest of the team isn't good enough to compensate for that. I don't think there is a scheme out there that could hide those two.

[We R Final Four]

I have no doubt it was discussed.

Really? It was discussed and 10 seconds later not one player on the court was screaming for a shot.....pointing to the shot clock.....jumping up and down.....asking each other why a shot wasn't taken sooner? Watch it again.
Yes, Wojo can't be on the court, but I find it hard to believe if it was absolutely discussed immediately before the inbound, that all five players forgot the situation.

[MU82]

I am probably one of the biggest Wojo fans on this board ... and I think the failure to realize the shot clock was about to go out is on Wojo.

I think he's becoming a good to very good coach, but none of them are perfect.

I have seen 2 games this season in which Roy Williams did a crap job coaching UNC. He even admitted it after one of them. It happens. Coaches can be "off," too. And they certainly can make a mistake or two in a game.

[🏀]

Really? It was discussed and 10 seconds later not one player on the court was screaming for a shot.....pointing to the shot clock.....jumping up and down.....asking each other why a shot wasn't taken sooner? Watch it again.
Yes, Wojo can't be on the court, but I find it hard to believe if it was absolutely discussed immediately before the inbound, that all five players forgot the situation.

Agreed. No doubt that Wojo just shouted coach speak at these guys the entire timeout and told them to go play rec ball out there.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Dr. B,

Re-read my post. I didn't say the defense was great tonight. In fact I described it as "so poor." I just don't think the scheme is the culprit. Howard and Rowsey are historically bad on ball defenders and the rest of the team isn't good enough to compensate for that. I don't think there is a scheme out there that could hide those two.

I have read this post and your other posts where you called this defense "great". The scheme is horrid. It builds from the outside in instead of the inside out. Fourth worst statistically defensively horrid game of the year. MU lost the other three. Markus saved us tonight.  Wojo gets kudos for throwing junk defenses out there to throw off Cartwright. Worst in the BE by far. Don't bother posting your response. Wojo earned his stripes tonight with his situationals, despite his base defense.