20-7

[Dish]

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.

This post is funny, because I've been thinking the same thing for a month now, but thought I was maybe the only one who thought Hauser is maybe the most unique MU player I've seen. In my opinion, he's far and away the most valuable player on this year's squad. From an eye test standpoint, he's the most efficient MU player I've seen. When MU started putting him just outside the post and running the offense through him there, I thought it was the best MU's offense looked all season. He creates match up problems, draws in defense, and he can pass. If anything, I'd like to see Hauser continue to work on his footwork and post play.

I'd also shut him down now, I'm completely comfortable with whatever MU's fate is in the NIT, I'd rather see Hauser healthy for the summer.

[WarriorDad]

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.

Disagree, he will be option A or B next year, and should get 15 to 18 shots per game.  That alone will increase his productivity.

[hairy worthen]

This post is funny, because I've been thinking the same thing for a month now, but thought I was maybe the only one who thought Hauser is maybe the most unique MU player I've seen. In my opinion, he's far and away the most valuable player on this year's squad. From an eye test standpoint, he's the most efficient MU player I've seen. When MU started putting him just outside the post and running the offense through him there, I thought it was the best MU's offense looked all season. He creates match up problems, draws in defense, and he can pass. If anything, I'd like to see Hauser continue to work on his footwork and post play.

I'd also shut him down now, I'm completely comfortable with whatever MU's fate is in the NIT, I'd rather see Hauser healthy for the summer.

Yeah I agree with this also. I get frustrated with people who say he is too slow and get his own shot. That is BS.   I don't think he is a better shooter than Novak though. Still he is only a soph

[bilsu]

Tower

I also see skinny, young talent, just not the level of talent many feel is there. The young guys are fine, but not much above fine IMO. They have played over thirty games and I have not seen major strides for the most part. Just curious, of the three young guys, does anyone feel they will be first team BE in three years? Howard had a big time scoring year and was second team, I believe.

I could see Cain becoming all Big East.
I feel many fans confuse future potential with current talent. Elliott and Cain have a lot of future talent, but they would not of played much on Villanova or Xavier this year. John is already physically strong, so I do not see him the upside of Cain and Elliott.

[Newsdreams]

This post is funny, because I've been thinking the same thing for a month now, but thought I was maybe the only one who thought Hauser is maybe the most unique MU player I've seen. In my opinion, he's far and away the most valuable player on this year's squad. From an eye test standpoint, he's the most efficient MU player I've seen. When MU started putting him just outside the post and running the offense through him there, I thought it was the best MU's offense looked all season. He creates match up problems, draws in defense, and he can pass. If anything, I'd like to see Hauser continue to work on his footwork and post play.

I'd also shut him down now, I'm completely comfortable with whatever MU's fate is in the NIT, I'd rather see Hauser healthy for the summer.

True like I said I feel he is our game changer. I think 3 coaches mentioned key was to stop Sam. On shutting him down I'm sure doctors have been consulted and they must have said it makes no difference, I'm sure Wojo is not going to risk Sam.

[forgetful]

I could see Cain becoming all Big East.
I feel many fans confuse future potential with current talent. Elliott and Cain have a lot of future talent, but they would not of played much on Villanova or Xavier this year. John is already physically strong, so I do not see him the upside of Cain and Elliott.

Agreed.  Cain shot 57% from 3 in BE play.  He has out of this world athletic ability.  He needs strength and to tighten his handle to be at the all BE/NBA talent type level.

Both of those are doable.  The question is whether he is able to put it all together.   

[jesmu84]

Agreed.  Cain shot 57% from 3 in BE play.  He has out of this world athletic ability.  He needs strength and to tighten his handle to be at the all BE/NBA talent type level.

Both of those are doable.  The question is whether he is able to put it all together.   

Do you think Cain is a shooter? Or was this just luck/small sample size?

[forgetful]

Do you think Cain is a shooter? Or was this just luck/small sample size?

Tough to say.  He came into MU with the reputation of a shooter.  Is he a 57% shooter, no.  That is reserved for the M2N's and Hausers of the world.  The 57% is due to sample size/luck, but I'd bet on him being a 40-44% shooter, which is still excellent. 

[Marcus92]

Do you think Cain is a shooter? Or was this just luck/small sample size?

I don't think it's just luck. Will he hit 50% from here on? Maybe not. Early on I thought he had kind of a slow wind up and release. But he knows how to pick his spots on the catch-and-shoot. Corner threes seem to be his favorite. His length probably doesn't hurt, either, in being able to elevate over a defender who's closing out.

[Dish]

Yeah I agree with this also. I get frustrated with people who say he is too slow and get his own shot. That is BS.   I don't think he is a better shooter than Novak though. Still he is only a soph

I agree, I don't think he's a better shooter than Novak, but I think he is or is going to be a better overall basketball player than Novak. That's a compliment to both those guys.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

So general consensus with Sam is everybody except for one person thinks he has a lot more to offer in a Marquette uniform.

[jesmu84]

So general consensus with Sam is everybody except for one person thinks he has a lot more to offer in a Marquette uniform.

If it matters at all, it's the same "one person" who doesn't believe Cain is a shooter

[wadesworld]

So general consensus with Sam is everybody except for one person thinks he has a lot more to offer in a Marquette uniform.

And all but that one person are delusional.

[forgetful]

If it matters at all, it's the same "one person" who doesn't believe Cain is a shooter

Now I understand where your question came from.  I was a bit confused by it, honestly couldn't believe that anyone would not think Cain is a "shooter".

[MU82]

I agree, I don't think he's a better shooter than Novak, but I think he is or is going to be a better overall basketball player than Novak. That's a compliment to both those guys.

So far in his career, Sam has been a better shooter than Novak was, both from 2 and from 3.

And the frosh/soph Sam has been a significantly better player than the frosh/soph/jr Novak was.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I could see Cain becoming all Big East.
I feel many fans confuse future potential with current talent. Elliott and Cain have a lot of future talent, but they would not of played much on Villanova or Xavier this year. John is already physically strong, so I do not see him the upside of Cain and Elliott.

I see a lot of potential for Cain as well. He can certainly use more strength but I think the big thing for him is improving the mental part of the game. Game just goes too fast for him sometimes IMHO. If he stops the unforced travels, dropping the ball on rebounds, and playing a little smarter on the ball defense, he could be really really good. Could be why he struggles with FTs as well. The mental stuff can sometimes be harder to develop then the the physical.

[Dish]

So far in his career, Sam has been a better shooter than Novak was, both from 2 and from 3.

Advanced stats would like to have a quick chat with you...

[Class71]

MU basketball discussions are like are arguing religion and politics. No point since everyone has already decided on their positions.

[real chili 83]

MU basketball discussions are like are arguing religion and politics. No point since everyone has already decided on their positions.

This thread sure reads this way.  One of the worst threads in a while. 

[tower912]

This thread sure reads this way.  One of the worst threads in a while.

You're saying mean stuff about my kid.

It is interesting.  I was trying to say that there is a different way to look at this season, that the season wasn't a complete disaster.

[Goose]

Sorry for my part in derailing the thread. Had a bad hair day yesterday. I will play better with others today. Again, I did not mean to come across aggressively in my posts, but understand how it came across that way. Hope all  will give Goose a second chance.

[Floorslapper]

Sorry for my part in derailing the thread. Had a bad hair day yesterday. I will play better with others today. Again, I did not mean to come across aggressively in my posts, but understand how it came across that way. Hope all  will give Goose a second chance.

You raised some interesting points yesterday Goose. Some were off the mark in the eyes of most. We all miss the mark at times.  But, you raised some valid points too.

Takes a man to make your above post.  The loudest on this board, myself included, can all learn a lesson in humility from your above post.  Hope today and the weekend are better days.

[NWarsh]

I don't think it's just luck. Will he hit 50% from here on? Maybe not. Early on I thought he had kind of a slow wind up and release. But he knows how to pick his spots on the catch-and-shoot. Corner threes seem to be his favorite. His length probably doesn't hurt, either, in being able to elevate over a defender who's closing out.

Cain actually reminds me a lot of Bridges.  Ideally he could have had the same path as Bridges and redshirted his freshman year to put on some more muscle.  I think at similar stages in their career Cain is a better outside shooter and Bridges was better at creating off the dribble.  I am not saying Cain will be as good as Bridges but he has the physical tools to get there.  I think once he adds strength and gains more confidence (stops thinking and just plays) we will see great things from Cain.

[MU82]

Advanced stats would like to have a quick chat with you...

Cool. Educate me.

Sam shot .480 from 3 and .514 from 2 in his 2 seasons at Marquette compared to Novak's .456 and .383.

Plus Sam had a better eFG% as a sophomore than Novak did. Roughly the same eFG% over 2 years.

I do like to learn, so I'll be interested in "proof" that Novak was a better shooter.

And I'm REALLY interested in learning how a sophomore Novak was anywhere close to being as good a player as the sophomore Sam.

[Goose]

MU82

IMO, Sam is heads and shoulders a better player than Novak based on first two years performance. I do not think it is even close. That said, I believe Novak was hands down the greatest shooter in MU history and by a fairly wide margin.