Markus doubtful for SJU

[jsglow]

[MU82]

I am assuming we won't see Markus again at least until the BET. Maybe not again this season. I have no basis for assuming that ... but that way if I'm wrong, it means we're getting good news. I prefer the pleasant surprise to the unpleasant surprise!

Despite our success at Creighton, I agree with Goose and a few others that this is not a "good news" situation. I'd rather have Markus, a player capable of carrying us offensively for long stretches.

However, I also agree with those who take this bad news and try to find some silver linings because, well, that beats the hell out of doom and gloom.

One silver lining, as others have said (and I concur), is that we tend to do better with only one midget on the court.

Another is that we'll get a look for at least a few minutes every game (and more in some games, especially if and when Rowsey gets in foul trouble) of how Elliott handles the point. If he does well, then this actually could be a "blessing in disguise" deal.

True story: Back when I was a middle school coach, my PG and MVP - the best player in our league, IMHO - suffered a concussion. She had to miss 4 games. The first game she missed was right after Xmas break, the very first day back to school, and we didn't even have time to practice without her. We played our very worst 11 minutes of my 4 years at the school. Our second-best player choked under the pressure, and the rest of the girls followed her lead to oblivion. It was like we had never seen the basketball before. Clearly bad coaching - and I'm not saying that to just be self-depricating; I hadn't prepared the team well enough. We were down 15-0. Yes, we had zero points in 11 minutes.

A few minutes before halftime, a girl who had averaged about 1 point per game over her season and a half made a 15-footer. We got a stop and then she made another 15-footer. We got another stop and then she drove to the basket and got fouled, making a FT.

I won't bore you with the entire play-by-play, but we ended up battling all the way back to lose by 2. That player finished with 13 points, more than double her career high. Two days later we played again without our PG and the new, improved player scored 18. She had more points in those 2 games than she had scored in 1 1/2 seasons. Her success also helped our second-best player, who now didn't feel so much pressure.

When our PG came back, we now had 3 scoring options. It was as if we had made a major midseason trade - and didn't even have to give up anything. We ended up winning our second straight championship, and that girl led our team in scoring in the playoffs.

So ...

We already have seen Sacar step up big-time with Markus out. Maybe next game it will be Greg. Maybe it will be Cain the game after that.

Brian Freakin' Doyle replaced an injured Willie Randolph and batted .438 to help the Yankees win the 1978 World Series.

Strange stuff happens all the time in sports.

To quote the late, great Joaquin Andujar: "There is one word in America that says it all, and that word is, 'You never know.'"

[4everwarriors]

Kinda like dat fat broad and her lack of singin', aina?

[Benny B]

HPPIAA?

Well played.

[jesmu84]

I doubt that...if someone is listed as doubtful, these teams know that the chances he plays are slim...it's almost like being out anyway.

Professional sports teams do that kind of thing all the time. Most obvious example is the Patriots

[NorthernDancerColt]

I am assuming we won't see Markus again at least until the BET. Maybe not again this season. I have no basis for assuming that ... but that way if I'm wrong, it means we're getting good news. I prefer the pleasant surprise to the unpleasant surprise!

Despite our success at Creighton, I agree with Goose and a few others that this is not a "good news" situation. I'd rather have Markus, a player capable of carrying us offensively for long stretches.

However, I also agree with those who take this bad news and try to find some silver linings because, well, that beats the hell out of doom and gloom.

One silver lining, as others have said (and I concur), is that we tend to do better with only one midget on the court.

Another is that we'll get a look for at least a few minutes every game (and more in some games, especially if and when Rowsey gets in foul trouble) of how Elliott handles the point. If he does well, then this actually could be a "blessing in disguise" deal.

True story: Back when I was a middle school coach, my PG and MVP - the best player in our league, IMHO - suffered a concussion. She had to miss 4 games. The first game she missed was right after Xmas break, the very first day back to school, and we didn't even have time to practice without her. We played our very worst 11 minutes of my 4 years at the school. Our second-best player choked under the pressure, and the rest of the girls followed her lead to oblivion. It was like we had never seen the basketball before. Clearly bad coaching - and I'm not saying that to just be self-depricating; I hadn't prepared the team well enough. We were down 15-0. Yes, we had zero points in 11 minutes.

A few minutes before halftime, a girl who had averaged about 1 point per game over her season and a half made a 15-footer. We got a stop and then she made another 15-footer. We got another stop and then she drove to the basket and got fouled, making a FT.

I won't bore you with the entire play-by-play, but we ended up battling all the way back to lose by 2. That player finished with 13 points, more than double her career high. Two days later we played again without our PG and the new, improved player scored 18. She had more points in those 2 games than she had scored in 1 1/2 seasons. Her success also helped our second-best player, who now didn't feel so much pressure.

When our PG came back, we now had 3 scoring options. It was as if we had made a major midseason trade - and didn't even have to give up anything. We ended up winning our second straight championship, and that girl led our team in scoring in the playoffs.

So ...

We already have seen Sacar step up big-time with Markus out. Maybe next game it will be Greg. Maybe it will be Cain the game after that.

Brian Freakin' Doyle replaced an injured Willie Randolph and batted .438 to help the Yankees win the 1978 World Series.

Strange stuff happens all the time in sports.

To quote the late, great Joaquin Andujar: "There is one word in America that says it all, and that word is, 'You never know.'"

Richie "Trotter" Dreyfus from Let it Ride knew that EVEN WHEN YOU KNOW....you never know!

[SlowJoe]

Just saw Markus walking around campus with no crutches. Although he has a noticeable limp when he walks.

[GB Warrior]

Just saw Markus walking around campus with no crutches. Although he has a noticeable limo when he walks.

Seems like an inappropriate use of university resources to devote a whole LIMO to him.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

Just saw Markus walking around campus with no crutches. Although he has a noticeable limo when he walks.

That is great news!

[GGGG]

Just saw Markus walking around campus with no crutches. Although he has a noticeable limo when he walks.

Good.  The way some people were speculating, I'm just happy he still has two legs.

[barfolomew]

Seems like an inappropriate use of university resources to devote a whole LIMO to him.

It's now known as a "driving boot".

[PGsHeroes32]

Yeah gotta believe that if he’s at least already able to walk without crutches he should have a solid chance to play at somepoint soon.

[jsglow]

It's now known as a "driving boot".

+1

[Windyplayer]

Just saw Markus walking around campus with no crutches. Although he has a noticeab

Nice! Bodes super well if doctors are already comfortable with him walking around without crutches.

...but how does that bode for our zone moving forward (I kid, Goose).

[mu03eng]

He is no doubt aware.  Which sort of begs the question why he continued to roll with the lineup so often.

To re-ignite the debate, I honestly believe Wojo has blinders when it comes to this because he is so focused on the 3pt line. He knows that is where basketball is going and has a team that can excel at it offensively so he steers it that way plus he builds his defense entirely around stopping the 3 (hence aggressive hedges, switching 1 through 5, and overplaying the 3 point line). Anything else he views as surrendering too many 3s to win.

[warriorchick]

Yeah gotta believe that if he’s at least already able to walk without crutches he should have a solid chance to play at somepoint soon.

Just prop him up at the 3-point line.

[Benny B]

It's now known as a "driving boot".

Must be taking a page from Stainbrook's book.

[MUDPT]

With an injury like this, he's day to day. No one really knows how long it will take for him to come back, including Markus probably.

[wadesworld]

With an injury like this, he's day to day. No one really knows how long it will take for him to come back, including Markus probably.

That is pretty much what I unscientifically figured.

Hopefully for his sake he's not a side sleeper.

[Dawson Rental]

Just prop him up at the 3-point line.

That should help Markus avoid foul trouble.

[GGGG]

That should help Markus avoid foul trouble.

.

Wouldn’t hurt his defense any

[MuMark]

It's official.....Markus out tonight

[muguru]

It's official.....Markus out tonight

Ben Steele
‏Verified account @BenSteeleMJS
3m3 minutes ago

Ben Steele Retweeted MarquetteMBB

Markus Howard on sideline in jeans during MU's warmup. No crutches, making passes to teammates.

[warriorchick]

Ben Steele
‏Verified account @BenSteeleMJS
3m3 minutes ago

Ben Steele Retweeted MarquetteMBB

Markus Howard on sideline in jeans during MU's warmup. No crutches, making passes to teammates.

Came here to post that the team walked through the Courtside Club and no Markus.

[avid1010]

Where is the guy who ripped Theo for not trying to play...Christ Markus is throwing passes but he won't even suit up.  What a sissy.