Hall: Three Hearts and the Happy Ending Machine

[Dr. Blackheart]

Heise...any good lip reading in the Hall huddles?  Any Johnson's left on the court? 

[VegasWarrior77]

After Froling missed his second 3 and it went to break you could see Howard yelling at him to "keep [freaking] shooting!"  He can obviously make them.  He will.

I noticed this too and loved it.  We've gotten reports from practice that Harry can hit the three.  It's only a matter of time.  He's only played a few games and is trying to get up to game speed against BE players not cupcakes.  When (not if) his shot starts falling it will open up driving lanes even more.  Between that and the frosh improving things look bright ahead!

[Tugg Speedman]

Heise...any good lip reading in the Hall huddles?  Any Johnson's left on the court?

did not go, watched it at home

[Dr. Blackheart]

did not go, watched it at home

Thought I saw you in the too tight #3.  Great game

[Shaka Shart]

Maybe Wojo's best coaching game. Freshmen Wall?  Not foe the Motor City Duo.  Heldt was great...

wojo only coaches the easy top 15 wins

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

That was refreshing. I can't remember the last time we handed out this big of an arse whooping to a top 15 team. Miami in the Sweet 16? That was closer but felt about as dominant. A signature win for Wojo so far.

I like the pressure that Wojo keeps mixing into the defense. I also liked that he alternated double teaming and single covering Delgado. Seemed like the strategy was quantity of defenses instead of quality. Throw different looks out there and keep Seton Hall confused.

Loved the thing with Jalen Hurts. Can see that everyone on the team really buys into that concept.

Elliott was a stud tonight, outcompeted everybody for everything. Now that his shot is coming along, he could be something special.

I think Harry played a good game tonight minus his shooting. One of these nights I think the switch is going to flip for him and he finally starts making those shots. They are open and in rhythm but he can't buy a bucket right now. That one turnover that led to a run out dunk was brutal.

Heldt was a beast on Delgado. Held him to 5/12 and only one offensive board...and I don't think he was in that possession. But son, you gotta dunk that bunny. 4/5 is pretty good though.

I loved Theo's toughness. Destroyed a layup, threw their 7 footer to the ground, and soaked some poor sod's suit with gatorade going for a loose ball that he didn't have a prayer of getting.

Sammy is the savviest player we have had in awhile, another all around great game.

When did Andrew and Markus learn to play D? They had help but Carrington, Rodriguez, and Powell all had bad shooting nights. They were a part of that.

Senior Ish Sanogo came into the game with 1 career 3PM...he left tonights game with 3. When Sanogo is your leading scorer on the night...you know something is wrong.

It obviously wasn't the difference in the game, but I thought we benefitted from a little home cooking by the refs. It felt nice.

[D'Lo Brown]

I noticed this too and loved it.  We've gotten reports from practice that Harry can hit the three.  It's only a matter of time.  He's only played a few games and is trying to get up to game speed against BE players not cupcakes.  When (not if) his shot starts falling it will open up driving lanes even more.  Between that and the frosh improving things look bright ahead!

I agree and like the approach Wojo is taking (and the support from the team). Give him limited minutes, but a green light (he nearly always attempts a shot when he gets the ball in his hands on offense). I just don't think he's in for extended minutes just yet because his decision-making and awareness (both offensively and defensively) aren't quite there even though we have seen him appearing quite confident.

Let him take his licks; if he is willing to learn from his mistakes then we will see him evolve into a solid contributor. He could be a game changer in the future due to his unique skillset.

[Dr. Blackheart]

That was refreshing. I can't remember the last time we handed out this big of an arse whooping to a top 15 team. Miami in the Sweet 16? That was closer but felt about as dominant. A signature win for Wojo so far.

I like the pressure that Wojo keeps mixing into the defense. I also liked that he alternated double teaming and single covering Delgado. Seemed like the strategy was quantity of defenses instead of quality. Throw different looks out there and keep Seton Hall confused.

Loved the thing with Jalen Hurts. Can see that everyone on the team really buys into that concept.

Elliott was a stud tonight, outcompeted everybody for everything. Now that his shot is coming along, he could be something special.

I think Harry played a good game tonight minus his shooting. One of these nights I think the switch is going to flip for him and he finally starts making those shots. They are open and in rhythm but he can't buy a bucket right now. That one turnover that led to a run out dunk was brutal.

Heldt was a beast on Delgado. Held him to 5/12 and only one offensive board...and I don't think he was in that possession. But son, you gotta dunk that bunny. 4/5 is pretty good though.

I loved Theo's toughness. Destroyed a layup, threw their 7 footer to the ground, and soaked some poor sod's suit with gatorade going for a loose ball that he didn't have a prayer of getting.

Sammy is the savviest player we have had in awhile, another all around great game.

When did Andrew and Markus learn to play D? They had help but Carrington, Rodriguez, and Powell all had bad shooting nights. They were a part of that.

Senior Ish Sanogo came into the game with 1 career 3PM...he left tonights game with 3. When Sanogo is your leading scorer on the night...you know something is wrong.

It obviously wasn't the difference in the game, but I thought we benefitted from a little home cooking by the refs. It felt nice.

Ding..ding.  Great recap

[PGsHeroes32]

That was refreshing. I can't remember the last time we handed out this big of an arse whooping to a top 15 team. Miami in the Sweet 16? That was closer but felt about as dominant. A signature win for Wojo so far.

I like the pressure that Wojo keeps mixing into the defense. I also liked that he alternated double teaming and single covering Delgado. Seemed like the strategy was quantity of defenses instead of quality. Throw different looks out there and keep Seton Hall confused.

Loved the thing with Jalen Hurts. Can see that everyone on the team really buys into that concept.

Elliott was a stud tonight, outcompeted everybody for everything. Now that his shot is coming along, he could be something special.

I think Harry played a good game tonight minus his shooting. One of these nights I think the switch is going to flip for him and he finally starts making those shots. They are open and in rhythm but he can't buy a bucket right now. That one turnover that led to a run out dunk was brutal.

Heldt was a beast on Delgado. Held him to 5/12 and only one offensive board...and I don't think he was in that possession. But son, you gotta dunk that bunny. 4/5 is pretty good though.

I loved Theo's toughness. Destroyed a layup, threw their 7 footer to the ground, and soaked some poor sod's suit with gatorade going for a loose ball that he didn't have a prayer of getting.

Sammy is the savviest player we have had in awhile, another all around great game.

When did Andrew and Markus learn to play D? They had help but Carrington, Rodriguez, and Powell all had bad shooting nights. They were a part of that.

Senior Ish Sanogo came into the game with 1 career 3PM...he left tonights game with 3. When Sanogo is your leading scorer on the night...you know something is wrong.

It obviously wasn't the difference in the game, but I thought we benefitted from a little home cooking by the refs. It felt nice.

Miami was a wire to wire beating.

But the rest is spot on

[lohaus]

Okay, I love GE's play and am not sorry to say I don't miss Cheat. Guy is finishing follow up dunks, plays above the rim, and drives hard to draw fouls.  The announcer made a good point that perhaps other teams guards may get more tired having to chase the Smurfs because of the shooting prowess . I never would have thought we would have out rebounded the Hall and crushed them like this tonight! Sammy is just clutch and a coach's kid. Wait until his brother makes here.

Good win tonight. So. .  Don't fire Wojo?

[GoldenWarrior11]

What an entertaining game.  This was the toughest I've seen us play in years - and it was such a great feeling.  This team is incredibly fun to watch, and the growth of John, Elliot, and Cain is really special.  Howard and Rousey are two very special players.  Heldt had one of his best games ever tonight.  Froling will get into a rhythm this year and become a solid contributor.  Hauser is so clutch and the ultimate glue guy of our team.  I don't want to even think about next year because this year's team can be really good and make some serious noise. 

Great job by Wojo and staff having this team prepared and able to execute.  Bring on Butler!

[brewcity77]

First of all, Greg freaking Elliott. I absolutely love watching that kid play basketball. His defense is tenacious. His length is disruptive. And when he throws down...okay, I guess it wasn't that embarrassing because there was no one else in the room, but I shouted when he threw down that massive putback and fell back in my chair. Ended up completely on the floor. Took a pic while still laying on my back and posted it on Twitter. Oh well...that recliner sucks anyway.

That game was complete. It felt dominant. Every time Hall made a run, we answered. Before the half, they looked ready to take all the momentum, then we got a basket and pushed the lead back to 8. They came out and made it a 1-point game, then they didn't score another point until we were up 17. The defense keyed the offense, and when we needed stops, we got them.

The work on Delgado was excellent. Yes, he had a double-double, but it was a fairly innocuous double-double and he had 4 turnovers to go along with it. Heldt went for 9/7. Theo added 6/2 and defended without fouling. Froling was in the game.

Tonight felt like watching the future. It was a defense that had the ability to swarm. That disrupted with length. That could force turnovers. On offense, we drove, we attacked the boards, we hit outside shots, and every time they tried to come back, every time, we answered.

What a freaking win. I feel a bit sorry for Seton Hall, because it didn't matter who was coming out of the opposing locker room tonight. Seton Hall. Villanova. Xavier. Duke. Michigan State. The Monstars. That effort would've beat anyone. It's great to know we can play like that, it's great to know these young guys have that in them, and it's really exciting to think of what the next 2.5 years will bring.

[MU82]

If you would have told me beforehand that we'd outrebound them and commit only 6 turnovers, I'd have said: "Yeah, right ... but if that happens, we'll win by 20!"

I love me those two Detroit kids. That is exactly what we were missing - some taller wing defenders who also can slash on offense. Sky's the limit. Get some meat on dem bones!

I like the way Markus and AR kind of trade off - one has a meh game, the other goes off ... and vice versa.

The Nova win was bigger and more unexpected - program desperately needed it. But this was a hell of a game against a very good team, a real "building block" kind of performance.

I really did think that was one of the better officiated college games I have seen in awhile. They called the stuff that mattered but they didn't blow their whistles every 5 seconds. I know it's easier to think that after a 20-point win, but I thought it as the game was going on, too.

This just in: Sam is a good effen basketball player. He would contribute a ton to any team in the country, and he'll make good money playing this game in the not-too-distant future. (And no, that doesn't mean he's transferring to Louisville.) I'll say this for the bazillionth time: If Joey really is the "better Hauser," we are going to the Final Four.

Our three-headed center was productive again. Wojo seems to have a very good feel whom to use when - and even when to use none of them and go with Sam at the 5.

Speaking of Wojo, he coached a hell of a game. Great game plan, team obviously motivated and prepared, young players are improving. I remain steadfastly bullish on our coach.

Was that guy at the end of the Hall bench THE Philip Flory?

I can't wait for Friday. First time going to Hinkle to watch a game. I got to play some pick-up ball there 20 years ago - and that was cool. No ... Coach Dale didn't run the picket fence for me!

[willie warrior]

Had the same problem when I was posting from my phone.

Also, the commentators were good and interesting to listen to tonight and the refs were good, and even favored Marquette in my opinion!  When they let teams play it's much more enjoyable to watch the game.

Amen to that. Let them mix it up and play physical, without tick tack fouls. But control it. That is BEAST bb.

[tower912]

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/boxscore?gameId=400988568

Box score.    BTW, for one night, against a big team, there was a fair number of two-big lineups.

Also, the thread title comes from Darryl Hall's first solo album.    The grossly underrated Three Hearts and the Happy Ending Machine with the epic single 'Dreamtime'.     

[CTWarrior]

In the late 80s, you could judge how the Bulls did by Jordan's stat line.  If Jordan scored a ton, that means the game was close.  If he did not, that means the rest of the team played well, or they were getting annihilated.  The problem was when Jordan went off the rest of the team would stand around watching him.

Insert Howard and MU and I see the same thing.  Howard gets 52 but we need OT to win.  Howard gets 37 and we lose.  Everyone is standing around watching Howard.  Howard gets 12 and everyone else plays basketball and we run the Hall out of the gym.

You agree?

I sorta do agree, though not exactly.  We are at our best when we are sharing the ball and moving it around and Howard or Rowsey or Hauser end up with the ball against a scrambling defense.  When Rowsey or Howard start dribbling for entire possessions we are less effective.  But, OTOH, when Howard is in a groove like against Providence, ride him.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

In the late 80s, you could judge how the Bulls did by Jordan's stat line.  If Jordan scored a ton, that means the game was close.  If he did not, that means the rest of the team played well, or they were getting annihilated.  The problem was when Jordan went off the rest of the team would stand around watching him.

Insert Howard and MU and I see the same thing.  Howard gets 52 but we need OT to win.  Howard gets 37 and we lose.  Everyone is standing around watching Howard.  Howard gets 12 and everyone else plays basketball and we run the Hall out of the gym.

You agree?

This is a very different team than what you describe - it is not sink or swim based on MH.  Basically its a team that can put up 80/night in a variety of different ways...three guys who can do 30+...or multiple guys can get 10-15.  Big question for this team is how much do we give up as opposed to who had the hot hand.

[GGGG]

Great recap everyone.

My one thought is that SHU got tired in the middle of the halves just because MU is so relentless on offense.  Drive, kick, shoot, drive again, kick, shoot...  The three guard line-up isn't something we havn't seen often, but Wojo used it a fair amount.  Great way to make a bigger team adjust to a smaller, quicker one. 

Glad they stopped doubling Delgado.  Our guys did just fine straight up against him.

SHU reminds me of Buzz-era MU teams.  Just so physical and strong.

[tower912]

Conspicuous by his absence..... Mayfair.    You are what we thought you were. 

[WarriorInNYC]

Was that guy at the end of the Hall bench THE Philip Flory?

Flory hit two late Free Throws there at the end of the game.  And I have to say, kudos to Delgado as the camera picked him up cheering Flory as he hit those shots with the game completely out of reach.

[MUBigDance]

We played great and I agree with all of it.   BUT
what did SH do right that we have to watch out for. Most of that game we were well under 40% from 3. Tight Man D. Rare open looks. Rowsey drives and drive kicks early helped us but sometimes Howard and Rowsey got stuck under there. Also wonder if Markus wearied of chasing 13 back-n-forth on D...could have it contributed to lackluster O?

Don?t get me wrong, we won big and in facets I never would?ve thunk. Wojo gameplan surprising, superb. But SH had a gameplan too to play tight on our shooters. Things we?ll see more of. Nice to know we can beat it...we have a multi dimensional team.

[mu03eng]

We played great and I agree with all of it.   BUT
what did SH do right that we have to watch out for. Most of that game we were well under 40% from 3. Tight Man D. Rare open looks. Rowsey drives and drive kicks early helped us but sometimes Howard and Rowsey got stuck under there. Also wonder if Markus wearied of chasing 13 back-n-forth on D...could have it contributed to lackluster O?

Don?t get me wrong, we won big and in facets I never would?ve thunk. Wojo gameplan surprising, superb. But SH had a gameplan too to play tight on our shooters. Things we?ll see more of. Nice to know we can beat it...we have a multi dimensional team.

I actually don't think their 3 point D was that good, a case where statistics are misleading. Hauser himself had at least 3 wide open looks (no one within 5 feet of him) that he missed and at least Howard, maybe Rowsey, had a wide open look each that they missed.

[Herman Cain]

Greg Elliot is a difference maker for us. He is very unselfish and just looking to make the right play. The kid plays with very high intensity and really understands how to use his length.  He is a true Big East style defender, which we have needed for a long time.

One other small happy ending in this  game story was that Philip Flory got in  for the last 3 minutes and made a couple free throws. Glad to see things are working at the Hall for the young man.

[HammerScreen]

Massive win! 3-2 in the first 5 games is a huge win for us. This next stretch of 5 games is probably even tougher. Let's say we go 2-3 with wins over DePaul and splitting Butler over the next 5 - to reach 10 wins we'd need to go 5-3 over the remaining 8, which I think is definitely doable.

SH Thoughts:
-Gotta love Rowsey pull up threes. This team is so fun when him or Markus are going off. I can live with almost any shot they take when they get it going.
-Greg is so important to this team. Loved the defensive trap with him and Sacar up top. The disruption their length causes is incredible.
-There were at least two plays where we had the ball in the paint surrounded by defenders and had Greg open in the corner and failed to feed him the ball for 3 and instead forced a bad shot on the block. Would like to see those easy plays being made
-Limited SH to only 10 free throws. Thought the refs were a little biased towards us tonight but its about time after 3 poorly called games

[mayfairskatingrink]

Conspicuous by his absence..... Mayfair.    You are what we thought you were.

Was at the game.  Section 212.  Split a season tix package.

Heldt played his best game at MU. 

Froling stinks.  He can't shoot and encouraging him to do so is ridiculous.  Froling and Anim should not be allowed to shoot a 3.

If anything, the refs seemed to be pro-MU, so no whining about the refs the rest of the year.

Seton Hall will not be a top 25 team at the end of the season.