2018-19 Media Predictions

[Floorslapper]

So do you think Rowsey was the sole reason we destroyed Bucky or that only they get better next year?

Well, it was Bucky's first game without Trice and King.  Rowsey went for 24 points in 20 minutes with a 171 O-Rating.

My firm position is that I feel the "Team Wojo" crowd underestimate the value of Rowsey.

[GGGG]

SB Nation:

23. Marquette Golden Eagles
2017-18 Record: 21-14
2017-18 Finish: NIT Quarterfinals
Expect Marquette to be slightly improved without the explosive Andrew Rowsey. Juniors Markus Howard and Sam Hauser have more than enough star power to get the Golden Eagles into the NCAA tournament in what feels like an important season for Steve Wojciechowski.

https://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/2018/4/3/17189916/college-basketball-early-top-25-rankings-2019-kansas-duke-villanova-virginia-kentucky-gonzaga

Of note:
3. Nova
28. Loyola
33. Xavier
34. Wisconsin

That is a very accurate assessment all around.

[mu03eng]

Well, it was Bucky's first game without Trice and King.  Rowsey went for 24 points in 20 minutes with a 171 O-Rating.

My firm position is that I feel the "Team Wojo" crowd underestimate the value of Rowsey.

I don't underestimate Rowsey's value, what I properly estimate is the value of not giving Wojo the ability to play Rowsey and Howard together. Saying this team will be better next year without Rowsey is not a stretch when you assume(not unreasonably) that Rowsey's offense can be replaced with existing or new players while his defense can be vastly improved on with existing or new players

On offense
Junior Markus > Soph Markus
Junior Sacar <<< Senior Rowsey
Junior Sam(healthy) >> Soph Sacar
Junior Morrow = Soph Sam(not healthy)
Senior Heldt = Junior Heldt

On defense
Junior Markus = Soph Markus
Junior Sacar >>>> Senior Rowsey
Junior Sam(healthy) < Soph Sacar
Junior Morrow >> Soph Sam(not healthy)
Senior Heldt = Junior Heldt

[Its DJOver]

Well, it was Bucky's first game without Trice and King.  Rowsey went for 24 points in 20 minutes with a 171 O-Rating.

My firm position is that I feel the "Team Wojo" crowd underestimate the value of Rowsey.

Markus also went for 23 and didn't pick up one of the stupidest technical's ever.  I think a lot of people have noted that we will miss AR's offense, however, as pointed out a couple of times, we lost quite a bit of offense from 16-17 to 17-18 (38 ppg vs 21 ppg that we're losing with AR gone) and we remained a very good offensive team. 

Also, our ability to beat the badgers will once again depend on our ability to defend in the post.  Matt did a great job this year, if he can do close to that next year, we should be fine. 

[MU82]

Well, it was Bucky's first game without Trice and King.  Rowsey went for 24 points in 20 minutes with a 171 O-Rating.

My firm position is that I feel the "Team Wojo" crowd underestimate the value of Rowsey.

Tremendous take from a Ners-It-All who just a couple years ago compared Rowsey unfavorably to Magic Dawson.

And if we lose to Bucky next year?  At home?  All things stay equal on both rosters, I certainly wouldn't consider MU a lock to win that game...and even if we get a solid grad transfer PG..doubt we would win in a blowout of any variety.

And what if we do? What if we lose that game but otherwise go 29-1? What if we lose them all and go 0-30? What if we do anything in between those extremes?

Going in, did you believe this season's game at Kohl was going to be a blowout of any variety? I'd look it up, but you were banned from here and I don't read the other site that banned you multiple times.

[Floorslapper]

Tremendous take from a Ners-It-All who just a couple years ago compared Rowsey unfavorably to Magic Dawson.

And what if we do? What if we lose that game but otherwise go 29-1? What if we lose them all and go 0-30? What if we do anything in between those extremes?

Going in, did you believe this season's game at Kohl was going to be a blowout of any variety? I'd look it up, but you were banned from here and I don't read the other site that banned you multiple times.

Said physically Rowsey was 30 pounds less and 4 shorter than Dawson, and both put up similar eFG% Numbers at their low major school at time I made post - and that size matters in Big East.

Now Rowsey exceeded my expectations, for sure.  He was spectacular this year.  That doesn't get lost on me.  He was SO good offensively, that it will take a huge collective effort for the team to replace his production.

Players generally do improve year over year, yet opposition also adjusts.  Markus took a step back as a sophomore.  Am I convinced he will be improved next season, when he very likely might be forced into playing PG which is not his best position AND he won't have a guy of Rowsey's caliber on the floor to add spacing?

And yes, I was banned from Pollyanna John Dodds board 3 times.  You should really consider taking your pollyanna viewpoint there 82.  It would be a match made in heaven.  You and Dodds in perfect harmony assuring each other year after year, to just wait till next year.  You most definitely have a way of finding the silver lining in mediocrity. 

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Markus took a step back as a sophomore.

[brewcity77]

Markus took a step back as a sophomore.

I guess it must be worth it to say things so mind-numbingly stupid if it gives you a chance to make @ScoopTakes.

[MU82]

Said physically Rowsey was 30 pounds less and 4 shorter than Dawson, and both put up similar eFG% Numbers at their low major school at time I made post - and that size matters in Big East.

Now Rowsey exceeded my expectations, for sure.  He was spectacular this year.  That doesn't get lost on me.  He was SO good offensively, that it will take a huge collective effort for the team to replace his production.

Players generally do improve year over year, yet opposition also adjusts.  Markus took a step back as a sophomore.  Am I convinced he will be improved next season, when he very likely might be forced into playing PG which is not his best position AND he won't have a guy of Rowsey's caliber on the floor to add spacing?

And yes, I was banned from Pollyanna John Dodds board 3 times.  You should really consider taking your pollyanna viewpoint there 82.  It would be a match made in heaven.  You and Dodds in perfect harmony assuring each other year after year, to just wait till next year.  You most definitely have a way of finding the silver lining in mediocrity.

Well, if it's pollyanna to say that a kid who went from a 13-point scorer to a 20-point scorer and was named second-team All-Conference in one of the nation's best leagues DIDN'T take a step backward, then I plead guilty to being pollyanna.

We mere mortals here on Scoop just have to keep reminding ourselves that you know more about basketball than anybody - even the Big East coaches who stupidly honored Markus.

Rationalize your "Magic is better than Rowsey" declaration again for us, OK? Hilarious.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

As long as Wojo is in charge, shouldn't the term be Poli-anna?

[fjm]

I'd just like to go on record that if what Markus did this year was a "step back", then I'd like to see him take another "step back" next season into what would likely be first team all conference.

[GB Warrior]

As long as Wojo is in charge, shouldn't the term be Poli-anna?

Poli-ai'na?

[THRILLHO]

Poli-ai'na?

[Floorslapper]

I guess it must be worth it to say things so mind-numbingly stupid if it gives you a chance to make @ScoopTakes.

Markus Freshman:
118.6 O Rating.  65.8% eFG.  19.9 Assist Rate.  54.7% 3pt FG%  25.4% Usage.

Markus Sophomore:
114.5 O Rating.  57.2% eFG.  18.4% Assist Rate.  40.4% 3pt FG%.  28.8% Usage

The splits look even worse if you compare his Advanced Stats in conference play freshman/sophomore year.

Facts are your friend Brew.

[mu03eng]

Well, if it's pollyanna to say that a kid who went from a 13-point scorer to a 20-point scorer and was named second-team All-Conference in one of the nation's best leagues DIDN'T take a step backward, then I plead guilty to being pollyanna.

We mere mortals here on Scoop just have to keep reminding ourselves that you know more about basketball than anybody - even the Big East coaches who stupidly honored Markus.

Rationalize your "Magic is better than Rowsey" declaration again for us, OK? Hilarious.

Guys, Markus clearly took a step back......from how great Ners was in high school.

Taking a step back is all about the reference point and Ners is super good and moving the reference point. It's almost a super power.

[mu03eng]

Markus Freshman:
118.6 O Rating.  65.8% eFG.  19.9 Assist Rate.  54.7% 3pt FG%  25.4% Usage.

Markus Sophomore:
114.5 O Rating.  57.2% eFG.  18.4% Assist Rate.  40.4% 3pt FG%.  28.8% Usage

The splits look even worse if you compare his Advanced Stats in conference play freshman/sophomore year.

Facts are your friend Brew.

Wait, his usage went up and his statistics went down......while being injured for a third of the conference season? This is madness, who could have seen this coming?

[Floorslapper]

Wait, his usage went up and his statistics went down......while being injured for a third of the conference season? This is madness, who could have seen this coming?

Cool.  Until.

Markus's numbers actually slightly improved after the injury that in your world adversely "affected" 1/3rd of our conference season. But, it was only 5 of our 20 conference games.  Furthermore, Markus's conference usage was all of 0.9% more as a sophomore than freshman.

Is what it is.

[Mr. Nielsen]

First bracket by Lunardi

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/bracketology

Last Four In
Miami
NC State
Marquette
Oklahoma State

First Four Out
Texas A&M
Notre Dame
Texas
Alabama

Next Four Out
Saint Joseph's
Wisconsin
Baylor
Indiana

[Galway Eagle]

First bracket by Lunardi

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/bracketology

If we're an 11 seed I'd call that a disappointing year

[Floorslapper]

If we're an 11 seed I'd call that a disappointing year

Sounds about right.  Yet, many of the Wojo fan club will be calling it "progress," and further evidence that he could* evolve into a Jay Wright one day. 

[Goose]

Boxer

If MU is an 11 seed next season, I will call it a success. One of the second year guys need to show major improvement, one newcomer has to be at least close to impact player, a PG needs to be found and Hauser's need to be healthy to have a chance at a higher seed. There are way too many "ifs" and next season will likely be a less entertaining version of this season. I would expect The Al will get some use next March. I suggest buying your tickets for The Al early.

[GGGG]

If we're an 11 seed I'd call that a disappointing year

Undoubtedly it would be.  But if MU is ranked or just outside the rankings, like some outlets are suggesting, MU would be more like a 5 or 6 seed.

[GGGG]

Boxer

If MU is an 11 seed next season, I will call it a success. One of the second year guys need to show major improvement, one newcomer has to be at least close to impact player, a PG needs to be found and Hauser's need to be healthy to have a chance at a higher seed. There are way too many "ifs" and next season will likely be a less entertaining version of this season. I would expect The Al will get some use next March. I suggest buying your tickets for The Al early.

An 11 seed really isn't that much better than they were this year.  The ceiling is higher.

[Goose]

sultan

Of course there is a chance for higher and I outlined what I believe is needed for that to happen. Lot of work to be done for them to be a lock NCAA team next season, and probably too much work, IMO.

[LoudMouth]

First bracket by Lunardi

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/bracketology

11 teams from the ACC! Calm down there JoeyL