SOTG

[MU82]

I'm a tough grader, and I really dislike trying to give it to somebody outside our big 3 "just because," but I think a really, really solid case can be made for Matt Heldt here.

Forced to play a ton of minutes due to Theo's absence, he responded big-time. Defended very well against one of the best post players in America, had some huge offensive rebounds down the stretch, and he was the only player who could get open on 2 straight inbound plays when we were about a half-second from getting a 5-second violation each time. The first time, he caught it and immediately handed it to Markus - very heads-up thinking despite being under pressure, one of those "little things" that isn't little at all.

And he hit those 2 FTs with all the pressure in the world on him. A lot of stars miss one of those; Mailman, Wade and LeBron have missed similar! And Heldt was yukking it up with a ref as he was waiting to be handed the ball on the first one. Cool as a cucumber.

I've been saying that "less is more" when it comes to Matt because he is so limited offensively and because he sometimes gets overpowered defensively. And I have to admit that when he missed that second bunny I screamed. "Dunk the effen ball!" so loudly at the TV that my wife told me to grow up and my dog ran into the other room.

But he really had a heck of a game today.

Difficult not to give it to Markus - he scored 30, was incredibly efficient and made some very smart decisions. Obviously, he's deserving.

But if I were the mods, I think I'd go with Heldt here ... and it wouldn't be a "give one of the other guys for a change" choice. He did more than just play really well; he was a difference-maker in ways big and small.

Honestly, I can't believe I wrote that last paragraph!

[Floorslapper]

I'm a tough grader, and I really dislike trying to give it to somebody outside our big 3 "just because," but I think a really, really solid case can be made for Matt Heldt here.

Forced to play a ton of minutes due to Theo's absence, he responded big-time. Defended very well against one of the best post players in America, had some huge offensive rebounds down the stretch, and he was the only player who could get open on 2 straight inbound plays when we were about a half-second from getting a 5-second violation each time. The first time, he caught it and immediately handed it to Markus - very heads-up thinking despite being under pressure, one of those "little things" that isn't little at all.

And he hit those 2 FTs with all the pressure in the world on him. A lot of stars miss one of those; Mailman, Wade and LeBron have missed similar! And Heldt was yukking it up with a ref as he was waiting to be handed the ball on the first one. Cool as a cucumber.

I've been saying that "less is more" when it comes to Matt because he is so limited offensively and because he sometimes gets overpowered defensively. And I have to admit that when he missed that second bunny I screamed. "Dunk the effen ball!" so loudly at the TV that my wife told me to grow up and my dog ran into the other room.

But he really had a heck of a game today.

Difficult not to give it to Markus - he scored 30, was incredibly efficient and made some very smart decisions. Obviously, he's deserving.

But if I were the mods, I think I'd go with Heldt here ... and it wouldn't be a "give one of the other guys for a change" choice. He did more than just play really well; he was a difference-maker in ways big and small.

Honestly, I can't believe I wrote that last paragraph!

Great post.  Tend to agree.  Hilarious to the bolded..

[LloydsLegs]

Markus.

Sacar gets daps too. But...

Markus Howard 32p on 84.6% eFG% & 10/10 FT. Also, 7 boards, 3 assists, only 2 TOs. #M2N #LeagueMe.

Can't argue w the stats.  God I love that kids game.

But also defense. 

Matt. All around game today. 

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

Markus!

[Eye]

Gotta go with Howard. 32 points on 13 shots, 10-10 FT and 7 rebounds. Excellent nights for 4 of the 5 starters.

[MU82]

They did tonight.     Yes, I know, team FT % over the course of the year is a negligible statistic.    Tonight, they mattered.

Nice try, tower.

We could go 80-for-80 from the line with no FGs and our opponent could go 0-for-80 from the line in a game we win 80-79 ... and FTs still wouldn't have matta-ed!

[tower912]

I understand JB's larger argument.  I even agree.   However, there are times, like tonight, where free throws make a difference.   

[Floorslapper]

What mattered was #mubb shooting a far higher eFG%. Turnovers brought Seton Hall into the discussion, but it wasn't enough.

And MU shooting a far higher eFG% wouldn't mean jack crap if Hall makes 4 more FT's.  Convert Hall's FT shooting to the 87% MU shot and this game was easily Seton Hall's.  FTR and FT% Matter. 

Feel free to continue on with your Markus to NBA and Cristal Bowel schtick as they have merit, this FT No Matta is just asinine.

[jsglow]

And MU shooting a far higher eFG% wouldn't mean jack crap if Hall makes 4 more FT's.  Convert Hall's FT shooting to the 87% MU shot and this game was easily Seton Hall's.  FTR and FT% Matter. 

Feel free to continue on with your Markus to NBA and Cristal Bowel schtick as they have merit, this FT No Matta is just asinine.

Of course they matter slap.  What JB can actually prove is that they are the least relevant measurement of all the measurements.  So things like eFG% count for so much more that one's FT% is not typically a determining factor.  Of course it mattered huuuge tonight.

[CTWarrior]

I want to say Matt because he played so well (those back to back missed bunnies notwithstanding) but it's got to be Markus for 32 on 13 shots.  Anim a great game, too, but falls down for not finishing enough at the rim, though the last one was huge.

[real chili 83]

If Delgado has his usual game, we lose.  Marcus scoring 30 does not count.

THE TERROR FROM NEENAH

[brewcity77]

Markus, because 32 points on 13 shots is 32 points on 13 shots.

But Anim is next up. Drove hard, drew fouls, and did great on the defensive end. Matt would be third for me.

[GooooMarquette]

But if I were the mods, I think I'd go with Heldt here ... and it wouldn't be a "give one of the other guys for a change" choice. He did more than just play really well; he was a difference-maker in ways big and small.

Agree. My vote for Matt was for his performance...not because he is "one of the other guys."

[BM1090]

Markus, no doubt.

Sacar was fantastic. Sam was good. Rowsey had some very good moments and some maddening ones.

Heldt did a very good job on Delgado.

[Logi4three]

Heldt

[94Warrior]

Heldt

Agree.  For the remainder of the year SOTG should equate to "DEFENSIVE SOTG". 

Defense is what we lack most.  And, if you single-handedly shut down the opposition's best player, you've earned it.

[LloydsLegs]

Interesting tweet from Mac:

You need to take the shot you are most confident in and you feel will be most effective. If you don't have instant hops, the wind up for a dunk can allow the defense time to make a lot of adjustments.

[MU82]

Interesting tweet from Mac:

You need to take the shot you are most confident in and you feel will be most effective. If you don't have instant hops, the wind up for a dunk can allow the defense time to make a lot of adjustments.

Oh, don't I know it.

For every 20 windmill dunks I made "back in the day," I probably missed one 1 or 2!

[Lennys Tap]

Markus by about as many lengths as Secratariat won the Belmont.

Sam, Rowsey, Sacar and Matt also played well but this was not close.

[SlowJoe]

1. Heldt
2. Sacar

[BM1090]

Look. Heldt was very good for him. Great defense. Hit 2 big free throws. I was very happy with how he played today. He also bricked 2 easy shots that could have helped us pull away.

It's Markus and it's really not close between him and Heldt. I can understand voting for Sacar even though I don't agree with it. Markus had 32 and 7 on 9-13 shooting. 32 with that efficiency? Come on.

[jsglow]

I'm a tough grader, and I really dislike trying to give it to somebody outside our big 3 "just because," but I think a really, really solid case can be made for Matt Heldt here.

Forced to play a ton of minutes due to Theo's absence, he responded big-time. Defended very well against one of the best post players in America, had some huge offensive rebounds down the stretch, and he was the only player who could get open on 2 straight inbound plays when we were about a half-second from getting a 5-second violation each time. The first time, he caught it and immediately handed it to Markus - very heads-up thinking despite being under pressure, one of those "little things" that isn't little at all.

And he hit those 2 FTs with all the pressure in the world on him. A lot of stars miss one of those; Mailman, Wade and LeBron have missed similar! And Heldt was yukking it up with a ref as he was waiting to be handed the ball on the first one. Cool as a cucumber.

I've been saying that "less is more" when it comes to Matt because he is so limited offensively and because he sometimes gets overpowered defensively. And I have to admit that when he missed that second bunny I screamed. "Dunk the effen ball!" so loudly at the TV that my wife told me to grow up and my dog ran into the other room.

But he really had a heck of a game today.

Difficult not to give it to Markus - he scored 30, was incredibly efficient and made some very smart decisions. Obviously, he's deserving.

But if I were the mods, I think I'd go with Heldt here ... and it wouldn't be a "give one of the other guys for a change" choice. He did more than just play really well; he was a difference-maker in ways big and small.

Honestly, I can't believe I wrote that last paragraph!

The exact same thing happened in our house.  Well, not exactly.  It was chick screaming at the TV and glow jr. telling her to settle down.   

[Newsdreams]

Interesting tweet from Mac:

You need to take the shot you are most confident in and you feel will be most effective. If you don't have instant hops, the wind up for a dunk can allow the defense time to make a lot of adjustments.

Ners taught Mac

[Newsdreams]

Markus
Matt/Sacar/Sam

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

Markus. Cmon guys. Lots of big time contributions tonight tho.