Penn State

[tower912]

1.  Bigger, stronger, faster.   It seems like I have typed this before.    MU fell prey to big, strong guards who could shoot.   PSU was built like a Big East team.   
2.   For Sam's sake, I am glad the season is over.    Get repaired.   Come back strong and fast.  Needed a lot from him tonight.   He was game, just didn't have the lift or leverage.   
3.  Needed to make it rain.    Not enough.   PSU's length and switching out top hurt.
4.  Too many missed lay ups. 
5.   In the first half, Marquette could not defend without getting called for fouls.     
6.  Wojo should have taken the T.   The series of calls that preceded his anger warranted getting T'd.
7.   Should have started fouling sooner. 
8.   Proud of you, young men.   

[GoldenZebra]

Season lasted longer than some expected, at the end of the day any game played in the NIT was icing. Glad the young guys got to get some run, disappointing MU couldnt close one out when they definitely could have.

[NickelDimer]

Four more games this year than we could have had. Invaluable experience. Next year can't get here soon enough

[Otule's Glass Eye]

Already can't wait for next year. Wojo needs to step it up, but we add Morrow, Hauser and Bailey while losing Rowsey (big loss). As a collective team though they should be very good. Can't wait!

[DUNKS45]

A lot to look forward for, you're right tower big guards really give us trouble.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Great all time offensive season to remember by Andrew.

Nice run in the NIT.

First loss in The Al ever but all heart despite athletic deficiencies.  Glad for the team and students to end it at home, but if not NIT.

[nyg]

Season lasted longer than I thought, so fine by me

Gonna miss Rowsey big time.  Tonight 29 points, 9 assists and one turnover.

Markus, well... 8 for 19, 2 turnovers, zero assists.

Theo, well....5 turnovers. Potential, potential, potential.  Work on foot work and non fouling young man.

Young guys have hands of vaseline, need to shore that up, alot.  Even after 34 games played.

Team requires, not needs, a top their PG for next year. 

New defensive scheme, coach or anything worth trying.

Harry, nice knowing you.  When Heldt has four fouls, Theo a turnover machine and you don't play a second, be shocked if still around.  Hey, maybe a grad bigman????

[tower912]

A lot to look forward for, you're right tower big guards really give us trouble.

That was theme in the defensive frustration all year.     Two 5'10 guys consistently guarding 6'5 guys.    Unable to keep them out of the lane, unable to contest jumpers.   When the big guard would drive on them, the rotations would begin and the open shots would follow. 

[jesmu84]

1.  Bigger, stronger, faster.   It seems like I have typed this before.    MU fell prey to big, strong guards who could shoot.   PSU was built like a Big East team.   
2.   For Sam's sake, I am glad the season is over.    Get repaired.   Come back strong and fast.  Needed a lot from him tonight.   He was game, just didn't have the lift or leverage.   
3.  Needed to make it rain.    Not enough.   PSU's length and switching out top hurt.
4.  Too many missed lay ups. 
5.   In the first half, Marquette could not defend without getting called for fouls.     
6.  Wojo should have taken the T.   The series of calls that preceded his anger warranted getting T'd.
7.   Should have started fouling sooner. 
8.   Proud of you, young men.   

Re: 1 - exactly. Said it in game thread. That's how we lost most of our games this season.

[Herman Cain]

1.  Bigger, stronger, faster.   It seems like I have typed this before.    MU fell prey to big, strong guards who could shoot.   PSU was built like a Big East team.   
2.   For Sam's sake, I am glad the season is over.    Get repaired.   Come back strong and fast.  Needed a lot from him tonight.   He was game, just didn't have the lift or leverage.   
3.  Needed to make it rain.    Not enough.   PSU's length and switching out top hurt.
4.  Too many missed lay ups. 
5.   In the first half, Marquette could not defend without getting called for fouls.     
6.  Wojo should have taken the T.   The series of calls that preceded his anger warranted getting T'd.
7.   Should have started fouling sooner. 
8.   Proud of you, young men.   

I liked our team this year .  They came to play hard every game and every play.  Represented MU well . Great team chemistry. 

PSU used their size and strength to get a lot of easy shots  by their shooters which really was the  story. 

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

1. Lamar Stevens would have been a nice get. Too bad he wanted to play with Carr. 2nd place is a bummer.

2. Hopefully this NIT run helps spark some student interest for next year.  Great crowds all three games.

3. Need a PG. I anxiously await BD to update us. Early and often please!

[nyg]

That was theme in the defensive frustration all year.     Two 5'10 guys consistently guarding 6'5 guys.    Unable to keep them out of the lane, unable to contest jumpers.   When the big guard would drive on them, the rotations would begin and the open shots would follow.

The slow motion replay of Carr shooting over Rowsey said it all.  That was unreal.

[GB Warrior]

Get healthy.

Then get bigger, taller, stronger, better. If our freshmen get better and our incoming freshmen play anything like this years,. Will be a fun year

[tower912]

The slow motion replay of Carr shooting over Rowsey said it all.  That was unreal.

I was thinking about the iso against Elliot in the first half when the 6'8 guy just walked him down and shot right over him.   Keelan Martin flashbacks.   

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

Effort was strong in the NIT

Bigger - stronger - faster should be tatood on our players, coaches and recruiters (sub-set of coaches) eye lids.

Hopeful for next year. IMO hinges on D - particularly as most of the roster is somewhat certain.

[mileskishnish72]

Bigger and stronger has been a theme for the whole season. AR & MH are amazing scorers but LITTLE. They frequently get abused at the other end, despite effort.
Our size/bulk is going to pick up abruptly next year. We will have only one midget to hide on D.
We do need a PG - I've given up on Markus being able to do it. The overall increase in size and bulk should make us more competitive in the BE, but it will all be for naught if there is not a competent defensive scheme. You could say that Wojo has recruited a crackerjack offensive machine - and it's true. He has to realize that defense is also half the game and needs equal attention (in fact, more than equal given our deficiencies).

[MomofMUltiples]

The boys were broken down and tired and it's good they will have an opportunity to deal with their injuries, rest a little and then hit the weight room for the summer.  Tough to lose Rowsey's points, but I hope the pieces we're adding will add height and breadth and some muscle. 

The offseason is so sad.  Can't wait until November!

[Floorslapper]

Posted in Bubble Watch thread Penn State was an NCAA caliber team, should be in the NCAA. Some thought they weren't deserving/worthy. KenPom doesn't get it wrong.  Had them at 28.

Penn State is a solid team.  Unfortunate that we couldn't get it done on our home court, to earn trip to NYC.

Bigger, stronger, faster applies.  Will never like the M2M philosophy when this exists.  Sure hope Wojo considers going exclusively zone next year as we'll have length, but will still lack strength - Cain, Elliott.

[Daniel]

Tonight we scored 80. That should beat most teams.  Unless you give up 85.  Need defense. Been an issue for 4 years. We need aggressive, effective defense and this must happen one way or another next year.  Loved the effort our guys made every game. Full of heart and try and glad we at least had the NIT games.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Tonight we scored 80. That should beat most teams.  Unless you give up 85.  Need defense. Been an issue for 4 years. We need aggressive, effective defense and this must happen one way or another next year.  Loved the effort our guys made every game. Full of heart and try and glad we at least had the NIT games.

Not picking on you, but I've seen this a few times. Wojo's first two seasons we had decent defenses, not great mind you, but decent. And they were actually better than our offenses that season.

Once Rowsey and Howard came along, that's when our D rating went down the tubes. I don't think Wojo got worse at coaching defense, I think he put together a roster where 2 of the best players were 5'10 turnstiles. My hypothesis is that with the worse offender of the two departing, our defense will improve dramatically next season (while likely hurting our offense). If it doesn't, I will be very concerned.

[Floorslapper]

Not picking on you, but I've seen this a few times. Wojo's first two seasons we had decent defenses, not great mind you, but decent. And they were actually better than our offenses that season.

Once Rowsey and Howard came along, that's when our D rating went down the tubes. I don't think Wojo got worse at coaching defense, I think he put together a roster where 2 of the best players were 5'10 turnstiles. My hypothesis is that with the worse offender of the two departing, our defense will improve dramatically next season (while likely hurting our offense). If it doesn't, I will be very concerned.

I generally agree with you here.  However, we weren't very good in the Win/Loss department in Year 1 and 2 of the Wojo regime.  Losing Rowsey will be a HUGE blow offensively, and though I agree that we will be improved defensively with him moving on, coupled with addition of Morrow - I fear that our offense will fall into the 45-65 range, after being 8th last year and 13th this year.

Rowsey's incredible talent for hitting from distance, being able to create his shot, get to the FT Line all added incredible value to our team this year, and O-Rating. 

[79Warrior]

Season lasted longer than I thought, so fine by me

Gonna miss Rowsey big time.  Tonight 29 points, 9 assists and one turnover.

Markus, well... 8 for 19, 2 turnovers, zero assists.

Theo, well....5 turnovers. Potential, potential, potential.  Work on foot work and non fouling young man.

Young guys have hands of vaseline, need to shore that up, alot.  Even after 34 games played.

Team requires, not needs, a top their PG for next year. 

New defensive scheme, coach or anything worth trying.

Harry, nice knowing you.  When Heldt has four fouls, Theo a turnover machine and you don't play a second, be shocked if still around.  Hey, maybe a grad bigman????

Matt's stat line, 2 blocks and 4 fouls. Brutal.

[Daniel]

Not picking on you, but I've seen this a few times. Wojo's first two seasons we had decent defenses, not great mind you, but decent. And they were actually better than our offenses that season.

Once Rowsey and Howard came along, that's when our D rating went down the tubes. I don't think Wojo got worse at coaching defense, I think he put together a roster where 2 of the best players were 5'10 turnstiles. My hypothesis is that with the worse offender of the two departing, our defense will improve dramatically next season (while likely hurting our offense). If it doesn't, I will be very concerned.

Thanks for not picking on me. Appreciated!   You are correct. Our defense got worse each year as Buzz's guys matriculated and Wojo's guys were brought in. I don't see a magical fix next year because of Morrow. We need team offense and team defense.  Hoping for the best next year. Maybe we get a 6'5" pg who can shoot and defends with the best of them.   

[loid walden]

Tower and I "see" the same game every time...nothing to add

[NickelDimer]

That was theme in the defensive frustration all year.     Two 5'10 guys consistently guarding 6'5 guys.    Unable to keep them out of the lane, unable to contest jumpers.   When the big guard would drive on them, the rotations would begin and the open shots would follow.

I don't think this can be overstated and is arguably the entire reason for our defensive struggles. If you have one weak link on defense everyone is affected