20-7

[Goose]

Marcus

Thank you for the correction. I did not read the post correctly. That said, if it were that easy, Brew would be a coach.

[dgies9156]

Ok, I broke my own promise not to post until the NIT run was over, but I could not resist with this thread. So, here goes:

1) Actually think we have the makings of a pretty good team next year that could surprise people. The core of a winner is there and can be built around (Marcus/Sam/Morrow/Elliott). Will we be a one-seed and a definitive favorite for a natchamp? No. Do we have the talent coming in, plus the returning talent to make difference and make the tournament? Absolutely. We should be a five to a seven seed next year, IMHO.

2) I may be seeing things through blue and gold glasses but I believe Wojo is growing too. I see a coach that while frustrated, is teaching and working with the team. Is he perfect, "No." Is he coaching a little better. Again, I can't point tangibly but I think inherently, yes. He's learning the Big East.

3) Our biggest problem is learning play collaboratively and as a team, rather than as individuals. It was pointed out in here that we would do better when Howard scores less and our points were better distributed. Nothing truer could be said. I like the Howard long threes. They are fun to watch. But until Matt Heldt has enough confidence in himself to take a ball and jam it down the rim rather than kicking it out, we're going no where. Classic point: Michael Jordan had some of his best scoring games very early in his career (including a 63 point effort against the Celtics) when the Bulls sucked. Jordan used to remind Larry Bird that he scored 63 against the Celtics in a playoff game. Bird would look at him and simply say, "Michael, who won the game?" Jordan would shut up. Morale: 20 points from Howard on a regular basis, with 50 to 60 more points distributed more evenly among the other four guys on the team probably gets us in the NCAA. Hero ball doesn't.

4) Yes, I watched the Harvard game and no I did not get emotionally involved in it the way I normally do a Marquette game. I saw defense all night. I saw tips, deflections steals and things that would make me sleep better were they to occur in a real game. Yeah, Harvard is a marginal mid-major, but we played defense. That was nine to see and it would be nice if we did that with the big boys, when it mattered.

5) Finally, I reiterate my point that I don't think Wojo is on the hot seat yet, but if we don't perform next year, he'll be feeling it! I think the tension is a good thing.

[Marcus92]

It's certainly not that easy.

While Markus increased his 2-point percentage from 45.4% to 53.4%, his 3-point percentage decline from 54.7% (still amazed at that number) to a still impressive 40.2%. That dropped his effective field goal percentage from 65.8% to 57.1%. Rowsey experienced a similar decrease.

Personally, I think Sam has a skillset unlike any we've seen at Marquette. He's as good a shooter as Steve Novak, maybe even better. He's the best-passing forward I can remember, averaging 2.8 assists a game (just behind Markus). He's a solid rebounder and defender. He doesn't turn the ball over. He's made big strides in his post-up and mid-range game this year. And while he's never going to be the most athletic player on the court, he makes up for it by playing so smart and not making mistakes.

Who would you compare him to? I'd take Sam over virtually any 3 or 4 in the Big East besides Mikal Bridges. Including Desi Rodriguez, Rodney Bullock, Isaiah Jackson, even Kelan Martin.

[brewcity77]

Brew

60% FG at 14-15 shots a game. Forget retiring his number, put him college HOF tonight. I obviously have bumped my fxxkin head too many times. I never thought just increasing a guys shots per game and expecting 60% success. Actually, what if he shots it  a hundred Fxxkin times a game? Even better, right?

Sometimes when I talk about stats with old school fans, I feel like we are talking two different languages. This is one of those times.

Goose, is it that unthinkable that Sam increase his attempts from 10/game to 14/game in the next two years? Especially when Rowsey took over 14 shots per game? I've heard many people complain about Sam not being assertive enough on offense. With Rowsey gone, that likely guarantees him more touches and opportunities. Honestly, that aspect is incredibly simple. You don't need to be a coach to figure that out.

[Goose]

Brew

I think there is little chance for Sam to be as effective if he hoisted 14-15 a game. Hence my saying, I think he is maxed out.

[brewcity77]

Brew

I think there is little chance for Sam to be as effective if he hoisted 14-15 a game. Hence my saying, I think he is maxed out.

He went from 6.4 shots as a freshman to 10.1 as a sophomore and increased his eFG% in the process. I don't think it's unreasonable at all to think he could increase his usage with a relatively minimal decline.

You asked how Sam would move upward in a significant way. If he was able to replicate his one year increase in usage again over a two year period with a minimal drop in efficiency, he would do that. As he already did that once, it's a reasonable expectation. That doesn't mean it will happen, but it's certainly not out of the realm of possibility.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Brew

I think there is little chance for Sam to be as effective if he hoisted 14-15 a game. Hence my saying, I think he is maxed out.

I thought this last season. I warned people that Sam's eFG% would go down as he increase his usage. Instead, he hoisted 4 more shots a game and increased his eFG% from 62.6% to 64.3%.

Now that doesn't mean he will continue on that trajectory, I expect his eFG% will drop slightly next year as his usage raises. I am also hopeful that his defense and rebounding will improve next season if his hip surgery is successful.

[Goose]

TAMU

You know your stuff. Seriously, Sam has done an unreal job his first two years and big time hats off to him. Do you really think he has a lot of upside in the tank? For me, if he holds serve he has a helluva of a career.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

TAMU

You know your stuff. Seriously, Sam has done an unreal job his first two years and big time hats off to him. Do you really think he has a lot of upside in the tank? For me, if he holds serve he has a helluva of a career.

I think he's close to his offensive potential. I think he's got more to give in other parts of his game. He's been dealing with this hip all season. I also think you and I differ in where we think Sam is right now. I think this season he was an All Big East 2nd Team snub. I get the sense that you think he was further away than that.

[Goose]

TAMU

Not sure if snub or not, but a very, very good year by Sam. I like him a lot.

[wadesworld]

wades

Again, this is were we differ in opinion. I believe Howard is very legit #2 guard and would play a lot of minutes at almost every program in the country. I expect him to have similar, not better, success his next seasons. Sam to me is an A++++ upper end role player. I hate using the word role player in regards to Sam, but I do not think he is someone that you would build a team around for the next two seasons. I expect him to play at similar level next two seasons. I think both have likely maxed out on their upside. For the record, I am big time fan of Sam's.

So, where are the studs? Are you counting on Joey being a sure fire stud, or one of the other newcomers? To me, Wojo is piecing together a very example of UW team/program and the Badgers have had great success. I have no problem with that model, if the coaching matches the Bo success. With this model, we better hope Wojo is more Bo than Gard.

In my mind Sam is unquestionably a stud.  By far our best player this year.  He does absolutely everything better than Markus on a basketball court other than being able to create a shot for himself.  Nearly 15 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists per game with just 1 turnover per game and I believe he is (or at least was late in the season) one of the 10 most efficient players in all of college basketball.  And, in my opinion, one of the two best defenders on the team (yes, when switched onto a very quick guard like Ponds his lack of lateral quickness can get exposed).

I think Markus is also a stud and will certainly improve greatly.  Sophomore year to junior year is usually a player's biggest jump, and Markus is also a very young sophomore.  A lot of room for improvement.

I am very confident Joey will be a stud as well.  And I have no idea if Bailey will end up being a stud, but I'll take my chances on a 6'8" wing with a father who played over a decade in the NBA.

[Mr. Sand-Knit]

What would MUs record been this year with kadeen carrington at PG??

[Its DJOver]

What would MUs record been this year with kadeen carrington at PG??

3-5 wins better

[Marcus92]

Next season could see quite a shift in the conference hierarchy. Nova should still be scary good. But Xavier loses its top 4 players according to Value Add. Seton Hall loses 4 of its top 5. Marquette, meanwhile, returns 8 of its top 9.

[wadesworld]

I think Xavier will surprise people next year.

[Nukem2]

I think Xavier will surprise people next year.

X will be fine, but next year will not be as good as this year.  That's a lot to lose.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Lets not kid ourselves, Bridges and Brunson are going to be reaaaally hard to replace.

[brewcity77]

I think Xavier will surprise people next year.

I think they'll be a lot like us this year. Talented but young. Someone will have to emerge, because while Jones, Gates, Marshall, Goodin, and Scruggs have shown to be starter caliber players, none have shown star qualities yet. My way too early guess would be middle of the league and 7-10 seed.

[MU82]

3-5 wins better

And yet we beat SH/Carrington twice, including one blowout.

We already are a decent to good team. We are close to being very good. We will be next season.

Several Scoopers love them some KO, and I don't blame them. And yet, he did not accomplish any more in his coaching career through 4 years than Wojo has. And then he left us.

We're gonna kick serious butt next season.

[Herman Cain]

wades

Again, this is were we differ in opinion. I believe Howard is very legit #2 guard and would play a lot of minutes at almost every program in the country. I expect him to have similar, not better, success his next seasons. Sam to me is an A++++ upper end role player. I hate using the word role player in regards to Sam, but I do not think he is someone that you would build a team around for the next two seasons. I expect him to play at similar level next two seasons. I think both have likely maxed out on their upside. For the record, I am big time fan of Sam's.

So, where are the studs? Are you counting on Joey being a sure fire stud, or one of the other newcomers? To me, Wojo is piecing together a very example of UW team/program and the Badgers have had great success. I have no problem with that model, if the coaching matches the Bo success. With this model, we better hope Wojo is more Bo than Gard.

I think Sam and Markus both have upside from here.

Sam can improve his lateral quickness, jumping, strength and post game. If he can learn to create for himself his ceiling is going to be First team all Big East level. Sam is already top 50 all time at MU and could end up Top 35 by the time he is finished if he can reach his ceiling. Sam is a player who always plays within the flow and lets the game come to him, which is incredibly valuable and a very under rated skill.

Markus has additional upside as well, in the areas of his ball handling and defense and distribution.  Markus is already top 40 all time at MU and could end up top 25 by the time he finishes if he can reach his ceiling.

Stats for both my not necessarily be higher as there is other solid talent on the team, that will have their share of success as well.

[MU82]

I think Sam and Markus both have upside from here.

Sam can improve his lateral quickness, jumping, strength and post game. If he can learn to create for himself his ceiling is going to be First team all Big East level. Sam is already top 50 all time at MU and could end up Top 35 by the time he is finished if he can reach his ceiling. Sam is a player who always plays within the flow and lets the game come to him, which is incredibly valuable and a very under rated skill.

Markus has additional upside as well, in the areas of his ball handling and defense and distribution.  Markus is already top 40 all time at MU and could end up top 25 by the time he finishes if he can reach his ceiling.

Stats for both my not necessarily be higher as there is other solid talent on the team, that will have their share of success as well.

We agree, 9-9-9.

[Marcus92]

Several Scoopers love them some KO, and I don't blame them. And yet, he did not accomplish any more in his coaching career through 4 years than Wojo has. And then he left us.

All true. This could point to the biggest difference between O'Neill and Wojo. O'Neill's departure was the first in a wandering journey of coaching jobs with at least 7 different organizations over the next 20 years. Wojo, on the other hand, stayed on Coach K's staff for 16 years. If he can build the program he wants here, he may be in no hurry to leave anytime soon.

[Goose]

MU82

Huh? I must of last a few years of memory.

[MU82]

MU82

Huh? I must of last a few years of memory.

I meant he left after his fifth season. The Miller Game vs. Kentucky opened the door for KO, who was looking to jump ship at the first available opportunity. He was the first to regard MU as a stepping-stone job.

Like you, Goose, I know and like KO. And I appreciate what he did. But 4 years in, he produced one NCAA tournament appearance. We have debated before who had the more difficult task coming in, and I don't want to get into it again. But facts are facts. Four years, one NCAA tournament game defeat.

Let's see if Wojo's fifth year can be as successful - or even moreso - than KO's. I hope you're rooting for it. I sure as hell am.

[Newsdreams]

News dreams

Instead of trying to one up me, which will not happen, try and think things out. How is Sam going to move upward in a significant way? Shoot higher % of threes? Become a PG? Increase rebounding with sacrificing scoring?

Thank God for Sam exceeding expectations and put legit expectations for him moving forward. Unless they add 15 minutes to the game, his stats might be a career highs.

Never tried to one up you. But I'm not going to try to resort to minimize you as you try by saying I have zero knowledge, tooth fairy..... I think I did explain myself and I see a bunch of people answered your question here.