2018-19 Concerns

[tower912]

Less than previous years, that is to be sure
1.  Defense
2.  Defense
3.  Defense
4. Minutes/Rotation
5. Chemistry

The pieces are there.   The size is there.   The experience is there.    The season hinges on how well the team plays defense.    Almost period.   But not quite.    Finding minutes, as well as building and keeping the chemistry positive are the other two things I can see that could keep this team from achieving.    My expectations are top 3 in the Big East and a 5 seed or better in the tourney. 

[GGGG]

Another concern IMO is balanced scoring and not being so reliant on the outside shot.  We were better last year at getting things going toward the basket, but I think that has to continue to improve.

[rocky_warrior]

Based on what I've read here...

1.  Price of beer at the FF
2.  Defense
3.  Defense
4. Minutes/Rotation
5. Chemistry

[Its DJOver]

I wouldn't even be that worried about minutes/rotation.  It all comes back to defense.  Other than our two potential all conference players (one who is a good defender when healthy), everyone's minutes will be determined by defense.  After Sam and Markus, a lot of players are comparable on offense (Jamal might shoot the 3 better, while Sacar slashes better, and Greg puts up better assist numbers.  Ed might get more offensive boards and put backs, while Joey can stretch the D more).  If someone gets burned 2 or 3 possessions in a row, pull em.  We're past the level of being able to get away with being a one way player.  Everyone plays 2 ways or they sit.  If you don't like it, work harder on defense.

[Newsdreams]

Not really worried about chemistry. Joey and Morrow have been around enough time, Bailey and JC strike me as mature and would know their roles. Koby is just going to try to get better in practice. Everyone else seem to get along fine. Until I see high fives ignored, not worried. 

[DCHoopster]

I wouldn't even be that worried about minutes/rotation.  It all comes back to defense.  Other than our two potential all conference players (one who is a good defender when healthy), everyone's minutes will be determined by defense.  After Sam and Markus, a lot of players are comparable on offense (Jamal might shoot the 3 better, while Sacar slashes better, and Greg puts up better assist numbers.  Ed might get more offensive boards and put backs, while Joey can stretch the D more).  If someone gets burned 2 or 3 possessions in a row, pull em.  We're past the level of being able to get away with being a one way player.  Everyone plays 2 ways or they sit.  If you don't like it, work harder on defense.

Point guard play from Chartonney is the difference,  or Howard improving like 50%.

[Its DJOver]

Point guard play from Chartonney is the difference,  or Howard improving like 50%.

We'll see what Greg can give us with 2 healthy hands.  At this point I think he would be a step down from JC, although it remains to be seen how much of a step down it would be.  I'm sure JC knew about the roster composition before coming, and knowing that someone could be coming for his minutes should motivate him.  That being said, I'm not as worried about JC's defense as I am about other players.

[MUBigDance]

This thread in the first page alone...lots of positive differences to look forward too.  Ed, Joe, Joey, etc... lots of different dynamics. Its going to be good year (if they play tough defense ).

Also, to improve defense do we press a bit more? We had some limited success with it last year. Lots of fresh legs on a long bench.

[Marcus92]

I'm not concerned about either minutes/rotation or chemistry.

Playing time has a way of working itself out. At the start of the 2016-17 season, Traci Carter was the team's incumbent point guard. But there was a lot more talent and competition in the backcourt with the addition of Andrew Rowsey and Markus Howard. Andrew and Markus earned the lion's share of minutes, and Traci decided to transfer. I don't think there's anything Wojo could or should have done differently; the best players deserve the most court time.

I have yet to see any issues with a Wojo-coached team in terms of chemistry. Even with the added challenging of bringing in multiple transfers and grad transfers, these guys really seem to enjoy playing together.

My list of concerns for the season would be more like:

1. Defense
2. Defense
3. Defense
4. A serious injury to a starter (maybe not as critical with our depth?)
5. Injuries to multiple starters (hard to overcome no matter what)

[4everwarriors]

Watt wil bee, wil bee, hey?

[DCHoopster]

We'll see what Greg can give us with 2 healthy hands.  At this point I think he would be a step down from JC, although it remains to be seen how much of a step down it would be.  I'm sure JC knew about the roster composition before coming, and knowing that someone could be coming for his minutes should motivate him.  That being said, I'm not as worried about JC's defense as I am about other players.

Not sold on Greg as he had trouble last year with the small time he had.  You can push him further out on the court with his lack of strength being so skinny.  I think
another year of growth would help him which I expect.  I am not sure he will get much point guard play the next 3 years, back-up 2 more like it, maybe start when he is
a senior with McEwen.

[GooooMarquette]

Watt wil bee, wil bee, hey?

Doris?

[GGGG]

We'll see what Greg can give us with 2 healthy hands.  At this point I think he would be a step down from JC, although it remains to be seen how much of a step down it would be.  I'm sure JC knew about the roster composition before coming, and knowing that someone could be coming for his minutes should motivate him.  That being said, I'm not as worried about JC's defense as I am about other players.

I am reasonably confident that we will not see much of Greg in a point role this year.

[Its DJOver]

I am reasonably confident that we will not see much of Greg in a point role this year.

Curious why you think this.  We only have 4 guards on the roster (possible area of concern?), assuming JC and Markus start, the back-ups would be Greg and Sacar. At least at PG Greg>Sacar.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Curious why you think this.  We only have 4 guards on the roster (possible area of concern?), assuming JC and Markus start, the back-ups would be Greg and Sacar. At least at PG Greg>Sacar.

JC will be the starting PG
MH will be the starting SG
MH will also be the backup PG

The only time Greg would be the PG is when both MH and JC are on the bench. I don't think you will see much of that this season. Who knows though? Greg only had one fully functioning hand last season. Maybe that injury held him back more than we realize.

[GGGG]

Curious why you think this.  We only have 4 guards on the roster (possible area of concern?), assuming JC and Markus start, the back-ups would be Greg and Sacar. At least at PG Greg>Sacar.

Last year, 98% of the time the points were Markus and Rowsey.  I am reasonably confident that Wojo will work is rotations so that Joseph and Markus are the point the vast majority of the time.

[Its DJOver]

JC will be the starting PG
MH will be the starting SG
MH will also be the backup PG

The only time Greg would be the PG is when both MH and JC are on the bench. I don't think you will see much of that this season. Who knows though? Greg only had one fully functioning hand last season. Maybe that injury held him back more than we realize.

All true, however:

Nobody should be averaging 30 mpg so there will likely still be some time that both MH and JC sit
Grad transfers (both at MU and in general) don't fully acclimate until conference play starts.  If JC is struggling, he'll sit, more opportunity for GE, especially in non-conference can lead to more conference minutes.
Markus is still our worst defender, and often (but not always) bad defender=more fouls.  Even with our ability to hide one bad defender on D, Markus will still be in foul trouble at some point this season. More opportunity for GE to get those back-up minutes which could lead to being the normal back-up.

Bottom line, with only 4 guards, and Sacar not being an option, all three of JC, MH, and GE will get opportunities to run point.  If GE can prove it in the opportunities given, he'll get more of them.  PT is earned.  GE earned it last year, no reason to think he can't do the same this year, especially with all the criticism MH got about his PG abilities.
Reminder:  https://www.muscoop.com/index.php?topic=55979.0

[Its DJOver]

Last year, 98% of the time the points were Markus and Rowsey.  I am reasonably confident that Wojo will work is rotations so that Joseph and Markus are the point the vast majority of the time.

So you think JC will get all of AR minutes.  Not happening, no one should be at 32+ mpg, especially in non-conference when JC is acclimating.

Not sure why people are against GE at point.  It seems to be widely accepted that MH is best as an off guard.  If that's the case, why would we not want him playing his best position as much as possible?  Markus really struggled at times running point last year, that's why if they were both in AR was the PG.  GE has 4 inches on MH, and has shown good decision making.  He'll at least be given a shot.  Whether or not he takes it is up to him.

[GGGG]

So you think JC will get all of AR minutes.  Not happening, no one should be at 32+ mpg, especially in non-conference when JC is acclimating.

If you have a hypothetical three guard rotation (Joe, Markus Greg), each can play 26.67 minutes with Joe and Markus splitting the 40 point minutes and Greg playing off the ball.

How about this?

JC:  25 minutes total (25 at point)
MH: 25 minutes total (15 at point)
GE: 20 minutes total
SA: 10 minutes total

So am I saying that it is an absolute guaranty that GE will not be playing point guard?  No.  But I think the rotations will be set up so that JC and MH are at point most of the time.  And by the end of the conference season, I expect that both will be up around 28-30 mpg.

[MU82]

My concerns:

1. Trophy case not large enough to hold the Big East regular-season, Big East Tournament, NCAA Regional and NCAA Championship trophies we're gonna win this season.

2. K gets career-ending shingles attack and Wojo leaves for Durham after we beat DePaul to go to 20-0. (But Stan will guide us the rest of the way to the title, and will convince a half-dozen 5-star recruits to sign on with the MU dynasty.)

3. After we win the national title, willie warrior will contemplate committing suicide. But he'll realize that he can spend the entire offseason beyotching about Wojo not being able to win 2 straight titles, so he'll climb off the ledge.

4. Crotch itch epidemic.

5. A player yawns briefly during the national anthem. Under the new amendment to the U.S. Constitution, our team is immediately disbanded.

[Its DJOver]

If you have a hypothetical three guard rotation (Joe, Markus Greg), each can play 26.67 minutes with Joe and Markus splitting the 40 point minutes and Greg playing off the ball.

How about this?

JC:  25 minutes total (25 at point)
MH: 25 minutes total (15 at point)
GE: 20 minutes total
SA: 10 minutes total

So am I saying that it is an absolute guaranty that GE will not be playing point guard?  No.  But I think the rotations will be set up so that JC and MH are at point most of the time.  And by the end of the conference season, I expect that both will be up around 28-30 mpg.

We've got a potential Beast POY SG, and you propose him getting the majority of his minutes at PG?  For a Freshman with a bad hand, GE did a fine job in the limited PG minutes he got last year.  That will at least earn him the opportunity to get the back-up pg minutes this year.  After the Harvard game last year, I'd be okay if MH only played PG in extreme situations.

[GGGG]

We've got a potential Beast POY SG, and you propose him getting the majority of his minutes at PG?  For a Freshman with a bad hand, GE did a fine job in the limited PG minutes he got last year.  That will at least earn him the opportunity to get the back-up pg minutes this year.  After the Harvard game last year, I'd be okay if MH only played PG in extreme situations.

I think Markus is better with the ball in his hands than Greg is.  And the BE doesn't give out its all-conference teams based on whether or not someone is a "point guard" or "shooting guard."  Hell, the six people on last year's first team were arguably all guards. 

[4everwarriors]

My concerns:

1. Trophy case not large enough to hold the Big East regular-season, Big East Tournament, NCAA Regional and NCAA Championship trophies we're gonna win this season.

2. K gets career-ending shingles attack and Wojo leaves for Durham after we beat DePaul to go to 20-0. (But Stan will guide us the rest of the way to the title, and will convince a half-dozen 5-star recruits to sign on with the MU dynasty.)

3. After we win the national title, willie warrior will contemplate committing suicide. But he'll realize that he can spend the entire offseason beyotching about Wojo not being able to win 2 straight titles, so he'll climb off the ledge.

4. Crotch itch epidemic.

5. A player yawns briefly during the national anthem. Under the new amendment to the U.S. Constitution, our team is immediately disbanded.

Cee, der ya go again, hey?

[Its DJOver]

I think Markus is better with the ball in his hands than Greg is.  And the BE doesn't give out its all-conference teams based on whether or not someone is a "point guard" or "shooting guard."  Hell, the six people on last year's first team were arguably all guards.

Better at scoring himself, or better for the team?  How many passes into the post did Markus have last year?  I remember the majority of them coming from Greg or Sam.  There's been a lot of talk about the quality and depth of our frontcourt for next year, but they won't be very good if they never get the ball. 

You said it yourself that a concern is balanced scoring, and we'll be a lot more balanced if Markus doesn't take 15 shots per game again this year.  Less likely he does that (or even if he does they'd be better shots) if he isn't running point at all.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I think the concerns about Markus at point are extremely overblown. Based on what I have seen,  Markus is the better point than Greg.

A while back I did a breakdown of the assists that the midgets dished out. Markus was actually better at finding every player on the roster except for Sam. Something absurd like 80% of Rowdys assists were to Sam. If Markus can develop the same pick and pop that Rowdy used to run with Sam I think he will be just fine.

I'm also not sold on Markus being our worst defender. The numbers don't support it but I want some more data before declaring that.