For everyone who is giving Wojo credit...

[denverMU]

for this win, you need to admit that if MH wasn't injured and Rowsey didn't pick up his 3rd foul, Wojo would have played mostly M2M in the second half. We would have lost if we didn't play zone the entire second half.  Wojo was forced to play zone.  Just look at the St. John's game, we played zone a total of 10 possessions and M2M the rest and Ponds went off for 47. Lastly, I want Wojo to be our coach but he needs to couch to the team he has not stubbornly play M2M with this group of players.  We should play zone the vast majority of the rest of this season.

[bilsu]

He still made the decision to switch to the zone.

[GGGG]

He only makes the easy coaching decisions.

[Ardmore Mug]

Im sorry... But Im sick of all of the WHAT IF's ....If it fits for you it means it would have happened.  But the fact is what happened in the game, really happened, for whatever reason.  WHAT  IF, CU would've shot 40%  in the 1st half, not 70% for 2's and 60% for 3's???  What if the refs would have called traveling on Hegner when he travels, ) almost every time in the lane) or 3 sec..??  What IF the refs actually called the game evenly or more importantly, correctly??  What IF CU didn't have and make all those FT's??   I can make any WHAT IF I want to fit to make my case..  The fact is, what happened , happened,.. MU Adjusted better..  Comment on what happened , not What IF..  OK   End of rant ! ! !

[denverMU]

He still made the decision to switch to the zone.

Ok, let's see what decision he makes in the St. John's game.  No way we should play them M2M.

[denverMU]

Im sorry... But Im sick of all of the WHAT IF's ....If it fits for you it means it would have happened.  But the fact is what happened in the game, really happened, for whatever reason.  WHAT  IF, CU would've shot 40%  in the 1st half, not 70% for 2's and 60% for 3's???  What if the refs would have called traveling on Hegner when he travels, ) almost every time in the lane) or 3 sec..??  What IF the refs actually called the game evenly??  What IF CU didn't have and make all those FT's??   I can make any WHAT IF I want to fit to make my case..  The fact is, what happened , happened,.. MU Adjusted better..  Comment on what happened , not What IF..  OK   End of rant ! ! !

Fine, look what happened in the St. John's game.  We got killed when we played M2M.  We played zone on 10 possessions and M2M on 57 possessions. In the second half we played 5 possessions of zone and 27 M2M and Ponds scored 47.

[Ardmore Mug]

I guess I wasn't clear enuf on my rant....... I was just venting, about when people say WHAT IF.... The fact is it didn't happen.. WHAT IF is just a guess/ opinion.... No-one  knows what would have happened IF Markus didn't get hurt, or if CU didn't hit the shots in the 1st half,  etc......Maybe Wojo would've went Zone in 2nd half....  Just a guess..  Thats my rant...  Comment on What REALLY happened...NOT What IF ...  OK ??  Im off my soapbox again..

[NickelDimer]

I think it’s a fair criticism. Why did it take M2N getting hurt for Wojo to only play one of AR or Markus at a time? And why did it take that injury for Wojo to see this D needs to play more zone? I honestly think we could have 2-3 more wins this year if we’d seen more zone.

[BM1090]

Fine, look what happened in the St. John's game.  We got killed when we played M2M.  We played zone on 10 possessions and M2M on 57 possessions. In the second half we played 5 possessions of zone and 27 M2M and Ponds scored 47.

We got killed in zone against SJU. Baskets 4 possesions in a row. Switched back to man.

Zone is more effective with only 1 of Howard/Rowsey in.

[Loose Cannon]

Zone is more effective with only 1 of Howard/Rowsey in.

Bingo!

[forgetful]

I think it’s a fair criticism. Why did it take M2N getting hurt for Wojo to only play one of AR or Markus at a time? And why did it take that injury for Wojo to see this D needs to play more zone? I honestly think we could have 2-3 more wins this year if we’d seen more zone.

Simple, Sacar wasn't playing this well. 

Taking M2N or Rowsey off the floor left only two players that the opposing team needed to guard. 

Really hard to score in that type of setup.  Earlier in the year when we were forced into such situations, we went on massive scoring droughts. 

With Sacar playing like a different person, and Cain/Elliott now making 3's, it is easier to go with only one of Rowser/M2N. 

[NickelDimer]

Simple, Sacar wasn't playing this well. 

Taking M2N or Rowsey off the floor left only two players that the opposing team needed to guard. 

Really hard to score in that type of setup.  Earlier in the year when we were forced into such situations, we went on massive scoring droughts. 

With Sacar playing like a different person, and Cain/Elliott now making 3's, it is easier to go with only one of Rowser/M2N.

Sacar has been playing well for a decent stretch now. He was also given his biggest opportunity to have an impact last night

[wadesworld]

The 2-3 zone was a look our opponents wouldn’t have prepared for against a team with no inside presence and a team that missed shots. If it works that well going forward should we play it? Of course. Will it work that well going forward? My guess is St. John’s is spending a lot of time preparing for it and watching video on it. My guess is they’ll put someone who can hit a 15 footer in the middle of the zone as we conceded that pass and shot.

Maybe some people are right and Wojo is totally clueless and he can only make decisions when he has no other option. Or maybe he’s working with the team every day and knows what he has and has a better idea of what will be successful and what won’t. I’m guessing it’s the latter, but hey, maybe some Scoopers really would be better on the sidelines than Wojo is.

[GooooMarquette]

The 2-3 zone was a look our opponents wouldn’t have prepared for against a team with no inside presence and a team that missed shots. If it works that well going forward should we play it? Of course. Will it work that well going forward? My guess is St. John’s is spending a lot of time preparing for it and watching video on it. My guess is they’ll put someone who can hit a 15 footer in the middle of the zone as we conceded that pass and shot.

Absolutely. Creighton was clearly surprised and did not adjust well. Now that it worked so well last night, St. John’s and others will likely be preparing to play against zone. We will see how it works then. Fingers crossed 🤞

[forgetful]

Sacar has been playing well for a decent stretch now. He was also given his biggest opportunity to have an impact last night

He's been inconsistent, and is often in significant foul trouble. 

Look at Providence for why we weren't playing only 1 of them.  Rowsey sat due to poor play and foul trouble.  So we were only running one of Rowsey/Howard.  They keyed in on shutting down Howard and Hauser.  Theo was are only offense, who came up big.

But when Theo is forced to be the focal point of the offense, MU is going to be in trouble. 

Even in this game, we needed 26 from Sacar, or we do not win.  He got them.  But every team in the BE would take their chances on Sacar scoring 26 again.

[denverMU]

We got killed in zone against SJU. Baskets 4 possesions in a row. Switched back to man.

Zone is more effective with only 1 of Howard/Rowsey in.

Not true. Go back and watch the game, like I did.  We played zone, in the second half, for 5 possessions and STJ scored twice.  We played M2M for 27 possessions and they scored 16 times. Ponds killed us M2M.

[BM1090]

Not true. Go back and watch the game, like I did.  We played zone, in the second half, for 5 possessions and STJ scored twice.  We played M2M for 27 possessions and they scored 16 times. Ponds killed us M2M.

We also played zone in the 1st half.

I agree we should play a lot of zone against SJU Wednesday 

[denverMU]

The 2-3 zone was a look our opponents wouldn’t have prepared for against a team with no inside presence and a team that missed shots. If it works that well going forward should we play it? Of course. Will it work that well going forward? My guess is St. John’s is spending a lot of time preparing for it and watching video on it. My guess is they’ll put someone who can hit a 15 footer in the middle of the zone as we conceded that pass and shot.

Maybe some people are right and Wojo is totally clueless and he can only make decisions when he has no other option. Or maybe he’s working with the team every day and knows what he has and has a better idea of what will be successful and what won’t. I’m guessing it’s the latter, but hey, maybe some Scoopers really would be better on the sidelines than Wojo is.

I freely admit that Wojo has forgot more about basketball than I know.  As I said I want him to be our Coach.  It has been frustrating watching games this season, knowing how bad our M2M defense is, and seeing us continue to play M2M and lose.  Teams have been shooting 60%+ against us when we play M2M, that will not get us to the tourney. 

[denverMU]

We also played zone in the 1st half.

I agree we should play a lot of zone against SJU Wednesday

Yes we did, 5 possessions, and STJ scored once.

[BM1090]

Yes we did, 5 possessions, and STJ scored once.

I admit i don't have the stats in front of me, but i don't think this is accurate for either half

[GoldenZebra]

While the zone was somewhat the difference maker, it still was not good. It fooled Creighton and made them adjust when they were in rhythm but they will expect it next time.

[denverMU]

I admit i don't have the stats in front of me, but i don't think this is accurate for either half

Well, being a loser who obviously spends too much time on Scoop and has too much free time, I went back and watched the STJ game again (very painful) and I tallied our defensive possessions.  I may be off on total possessions, not sure how to tally a turnover that led to a fast break layup, but I am sure on the number of possessions we played zone and the number of times they scored.

[denverMU]

While the zone was somewhat the difference maker, it still was not good. It fooled Creighton and made them adjust when they were in rhythm but they will expect it next time.

Maybe or maybe not, my point is, they obviously were not surprised by how bad our M2M defense is.  We all know this years team has a great deal of difficulty playing M2M defense.  We can keep playing M2M or we can try something different.  We had lost 5 of 6 games and were on our way to losing our 6th game until we changed defense and played zone.

[Mr. Sand-Knit]

The oeople that are arguing if our zone was good or not are missing the point we have speed and size issues and lack athleticism so we are not going to pay good defense, period.  The qwestion is is our zone less terrible than our man.  I too was very frustrated we didnt play more zone against SJU as the layup line against our M2M continued.  We actually got some stops and steals with the zone. 
Additionally our offense is historically good, in fact its historically good even when howard n rowsey are not on the floor together.  Last night was more proof positive that we can still score a crap load of points without the two on the court.  We scored significantly more in the second half. 
Bottom line the zone doesnt have to be the greatest zone ever, it just needs to keep opposing teams under 90-100 points.  In most of our BE losses we have given up over 90!!! Last night the zone was not the greatest zone in the history of college basketball but it kept the opponents under 90, and it allowed us to win.  I have zero confidence we can keep teams under 90 with M2M.  We gave up 53 in the first half n 33 in the second half.  Pretty stark

[denverMU]

The oeople that are arguing if our zone was good or not are missing the point we have speed and size issues and lack athleticism so we are not going to pay good defense, period.  The qwestion is is our zone less terrible than our man.  I too was very frustrated we didnt play more zone against SJU as the layup line against our M2M continued.  We actually got some stops and steals with the zone. 
Additionally our offense is historically good, in fact its historically good even when howard n rowsey are not on the floor together.  Last night was more proof positive that we can still score a crap load of points without the two on the court.  We scored significantly more in the second half. 
Bottom line the zone doesnt have to be the greatest zone ever, it just needs to keep opposing teams under 90-100 points.  In most of our BE losses we have given up over 90!!! Last night the zone was not the greatest zone in the history of college basketball but it kept the opponents under 90, and it allowed us to win.  I have zero confidence we can keep teams under 90 with M2M.  We gave up 53 in the first half n 33 in the second half.  Pretty stark

Very well said, I agree 100%

[4everwarriors]

How much zone duz ND play, hey?

[denverMU]

How much zone duz ND play, hey?

I don't care what they play as long as they lose every game.

[GooooMarquette]

I don't care what they play as long as they lose every game.

I agree with this analysis.

[real chili 83]

ND sucks

[Lighthouse 84]

ND sucks

I agree with this analysis.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

for this win, you need to admit that if MH wasn't injured and Rowsey didn't pick up his 3rd foul, Wojo would have played mostly M2M in the second half. We would have lost if we didn't play zone the entire second half.  Wojo was forced to play zone.  Just look at the St. John's game, we played zone a total of 10 possessions and M2M the rest and Ponds went off for 47. Lastly, I want Wojo to be our coach but he needs to couch to the team he has not stubbornly play M2M with this group of players.  We should play zone the vast majority of the rest of this season.

I have to do no such thing. You have no idea if the Markus injury forced Wojo to play zone or not. It's possible that was always going to be the move at halftime. Last season when we beat Villanova we played man in the first half and switched to zone in the second half.

[Lennys Tap]

 My guess is they’ll put someone who can hit a 15 footer in the middle of the zone as we conceded that pass and shot.

+ 10,000. McDermott (for quite some time) had a guy receiving the entry pass at the free throw line who couldn't (or at least didn't) make the wide open 15' jumper. Eventually he changed but not until it was anyone's game. Thank you, coach M!

[denverMU]

I have to do no such thing. You have no idea if the Markus injury forced Wojo to play zone or not. It's possible that was always going to be the move at halftime. Last season when we beat Villanova we played man in the first half and switched to zone in the second half.

First, I said Markus injury and Rowsey picking up his 3rd foul forced Wojo to play a zone.  Hell, the announcer even commented on those facts to start the 2nd half. Second, do I know what is in Wojo's mind? No, but all we need to do is look at the STJ and other games and we can get a good idea.

[Stretchdeltsig]

for this win, you need to admit that if MH wasn't injured and Rowsey didn't pick up his 3rd foul, Wojo would have played mostly M2M in the second half. We would have lost if we didn't play zone the entire second half.  Wojo was forced to play zone.  Just look at the St. John's game, we played zone a total of 10 possessions and M2M the rest and Ponds went off for 47. Lastly, I want Wojo to be our coach but he needs to couch to the team he has not stubbornly play M2M with this group of players.  We should play zone the vast majority of the rest of this season.

Agree. 

[jesmu84]

For everyone trying to avoid giving Wojo credit at any point in his tenure at MU, go ahead and pile on this thread.

[wadesworld]

For everyone trying to avoid giving Wojo credit at any point in his tenure at MU, go ahead and pile on this thread.

+1. It’s unreal.

[WarriorInNYC]

I admit i don't have the stats in front of me, but i don't think this is accurate for either half

I was at that game, and yeah, I'm not exactly certain what the scoring per possession was in that game against the zone, but when we went zone, it looked atrocious, so so bad.

Now, I do think that was because we had Rowsey and Markus both in at the same time.

[TheyWereCones]

If you listen to Wojo's press conference after the game, he literally says this:

"We were never able to gain any traction with our man after the first 8 minutes of the first half."

But then he proceeded to stick with man defense for the next 12 minutes until halftime, at which point they had 53 on the scoreboard.  I wish someone in the press conference would have asked him why he stuck with it until half if he knew it was failing so bad.

[wadesworld]

If you listen to Wojo's press conference after the game, he literally says this:

"We were never able to gain any traction with our man after the first 8 minutes of the first half."

But then he proceeded to stick with man defense for the next 12 minutes until halftime, at which point they had 53 on the scoreboard.  I wish someone in the press conference would have asked him why he stuck with it until half if he knew it was failing so bad.

Because then it shows his hand to Creighton, they go over it in the locker room, and they continue to score at will for the next 20 minutes. Halftime is when you make your major adjustments. Instead of a 15 minute period to work out adjustments, your opponent gets 30 second or 2 minute segments to do it on the fly. It also gives you the opportunity to reiterate the scouting reports on individuals. “When we’re in the zone we need to be closing hard on #X” or “#Y won’t shoot this shot so if he catches it there sag off of him.” That’s a lot of information to go through during a timeout. Easy to do at halftime.

He made 100% the right move.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

Because then it shows his hand to Creighton, they go over it in the locker room, and they continue to score at will for the next 20 minutes. Halftime is when you make your major adjustments. Instead of a 15 minute period to work out adjustments, your opponent gets 30 second or 2 minute segments to do it on the fly.

He made 100% the right move.

I think this may be over thinking things....

Reality is this, Wojo out-coached his opponent Sat night and the players executed.  Its one good pelt on the wall - time to get a whole lot more of those.

[Class71]

Bah, bah, bah. What is important is we won the game. The whole team, the coaches and events in the game played a role as they always do. Congratulations are in order.

[GGGG]

I think this may be over thinking things....

It's Scoop.  It's what we do.

[willie warrior]

Hey, give Wojo credit for smelling the coffee and switching to a zone most of 2nd half. After all, we blast him enough when he does not succeed. For the last game, at least, Wojo is the man.

[Newsdreams]

It's Scoop.  It's what we do.

We think here? Never would have guessed!

[Newsdreams]

Hey, give Wojo credit for smelling the coffee and switching to a zone most of 2nd half. After all, we blast him enough when he does not succeed. For the last game, at least, Wojo is the man.

I agree with this analysis.

[real chili 83]

I agree with this analysis.

I analyze with this agreement.