One Minute Matt

[Matt Heldt The Milk Man]

Why did Matt only get one minute last night when he should be getting more of a bigger role or starting role because of his leadership from being a senior and part of Wojo's system for 4 years.

[Spotcheck Billy]

Wojo is saving him for Azuibuike.

[Marquette4life]

You're telling me that Matt should play over Morrow or theo. C'mon now....

[Matt Heldt The Milk Man]

Wojo is saving him for Azuibuike.

That is a good thought. If Matt can shut him down, which he is capable of doing, I can see Marquette having a great game and huge wins over Kansas

[Its DJOver]

Because as Wojo said, UMBC had good shooters at the 4 and 5, and Matt isn't great in space defensively.  Theo was also having a good game, and I'd rather experiment with small ball against UMBC than against a better team.  Wojo knows exactly what he'll get from Matt when he plays him.  He's great in some situations, those situations didn't occur last night.

[MARQU3TTE4LIFE]

Cuz he sucks...

[nyg]

You're telling me that Matt should play over Morrow or theo. C'mon now....

Or Joey, who played at least 5 to 6 minutes at the five. 

Wojo said it was a matchup issue.  Well, ok.

Leadership/tenure has nothing to do with ability as a basketball player. 

[Marquette4life]

Cuz he sucks...

Disagree completely. he provides a lot for this team. Most consistent player on team...

[Matt Heldt The Milk Man]

Disagree completely. he provides a lot for this team. Most consistent player on team...

I totally agree with you on this. He provides a lot for this Marquette team on the court and in practice. His senior leadership is great for the younger guys and it helps them improve, while he also helps them get better in practice. He is essential to Marquette basketball.

[tower912]

Saying Matt sucks is nothing but ignorant trolling.    Wojo addressed it post game.   UMBC's bigs roam the perimeter.   Wojo has an abundance of 6'7-6'9 guys who guard in space better than Matt does.    I have little doubt against center's who post up a lot, Matt will see plenty of time.   

[We R Final Four]

Cuz he sucks...

Not true and not the reason either.

[MomofMUltiples]

Wojo is saving him for Azuibuike.

We will need Matt, Joey, Ed, Cain and probably Ike to handle Azuibuike.  Just keep platooning them in to foul him.

[tower912]

We will need Matt, Joey, Ed, Cain and probably Ike to handle Azuibuike.  Just keep platooning them in to foul him.

And Brendan,  Theo,  and Sam.    That young man is a load.    Meanwhile, QG goes for 20.    Who scheduled Kansas anyway?

[Marquette4life]

And Brendan,  Theo,  and Sam.    That young man is a load.    Meanwhile, QG goes for 20.    Who scheduled Kansas anyway?

21 actually....

[tower912]

21 actually....

Yeah, yeah. 

[skianth16]

You're telling me that Matt should play over Morrow or theo. C'mon now....

Morrow didn't exactly shine last night. It was probably just some opening night jitters, but after seeing him in the exhibition and now against UMBC, I think he may be a bit of a different player than many here were expecting. His expected minutes may be a bit lower than what was initially assumed.

Theo, on the other hand, was great. He played well, looked like is basketball IQ improved from last year, and was probably the most intense guy on the floor. He definitely earned his minutes.

[skianth16]

Because as Wojo said, UMBC had good shooters at the 4 and 5, and Matt isn't great in space defensively.  Theo was also having a good game, and I'd rather experiment with small ball against UMBC than against a better team.  Wojo knows exactly what he'll get from Matt when he plays him.  He's great in some situations, those situations didn't occur last night.

I get setting lineups to match up against opposing teams, but is that really necessary against a cupcake like UMBC? If their 4/5 guys like playing on the perimeter, wouldn't we have an advantage on offense by playing a more traditional big that plays better in the paint? Why not make them adjust their lineup? I could see how giving Matt 8-12 minutes could have thrown UMBC out of whack, giving us additional opportunities.

[Its DJOver]

I get setting lineups to match up against opposing teams, but is that really necessary against a cupcake like UMBC? If their 4/5 guys like playing on the perimeter, wouldn't we have an advantage on offense by playing a more traditional big that plays better in the paint? Why not make them adjust their lineup? I could see how giving Matt 8-12 minutes could have thrown UMBC out of whack, giving us additional opportunities.

A traditional big, or a traditional big that will occasionally look for his own shot?  Theo is a traditional big and he had a good game, while occasionally posting up and shooting something other than a put back.  Even didn't panic when a double came once or twice and got fouled.  If Matt sees a double coming, you can bet that the ball is going back out to the perimeter.  If last March taught us anything its that you can't overlook any cupcake, so I would expect Wojo to have situational lineups planned for every team on the schedule.

[brewcity77]

I think Matt will help with Azubuike, he's had success against similar players, though Theo is the only guy strong enough to body him inside. On the other end, Azubuike and Lawson will make driving really difficult.

My big worry with KU is we need to turn the game into a three point contest and hope KU's performance against MSU was an anomaly. However our pieces aren't quite matched. To defend them, we need guys like John, Morrow, Sacar, and Chartouny that have a bit more strength and length. But on offense, we need shooters like Markus, Cain, and Joey that can stretch the floor but might not have the requisite strength to stop them.

[MU82]

Why did Matt only get one minute last night when he should be getting more of a bigger role or starting role because of his leadership from being a senior and part of Wojo's system for 4 years.

1. Wojo explained it.

B. One shouldn't get playing time just for being a senior. It is a coach's job to put each player in a position to succeed and to help the team most.

3. The fewer minutes Matt plays, it means the better we are at the 5. And that can only be good for the Warrior Eagles.

D. We've played one game. R-E-L-A-X.

5. Thanks for chiming in, Mrs. Heldt.

[Floorslapper]

1. Wojo explained it.

B. One shouldn't get playing time just for being a senior. It is a coach's job to put each player in a position to succeed and to help the team most.

3. The fewer minutes Matt plays, it means the better we are at the 5. And that can only be good for the Warrior Eagles.

D. We've played one game. R-E-L-A-X.

5. Thanks for chiming in, Mrs. Heldt.

Wojo's come a long way since Year 1 on the job.

I understood Wojo's explanation for not playing Matt much, yet, it is understandable why some feel Wojo didn't exercise good judgement.  He's a great kid, everyone likes to play, and giving the kid 5-10 minutes in a blow out doesn't seem too much to ask.  1 Minute is almost like a slap in the face. 

[#UnleashJosh]

#unleashmatt

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

I feel like a lot of people here are assuming Wojo never talks to Heldt, if so that's a much bigger problem than Heldt only playing one minute.

I'm sure Wojo communicated with Matt plenty this offseason and I'm sure he's completely fine with his role if he's still here.

Most college athletes start their classes in the summer so they're done with their degree in 3 years. Matt could have easily been a grad transfer, really not concerned about his playing time. He seems like a great teammate.

[wadesworld]

I feel like a lot of people here are assuming Wojo never talks to Heldt, if so that's a much bigger problem than Heldt only playing one minute.

I'm sure Wojo communicated with Matt plenty this offseason and I'm sure he's completely fine with his role if he's still here.

Most college athletes start their classes in the summer so they're done with their degree in 3 years. Matt could have easily been a grad transfer, really not concerned about his playing time. He seems like a great teammate.

Most college athletes start their classes in the summer so they can take 12 credits a semester so they can handle being a student while also being a full time athlete. Some student athletes do/can graduate in 3 years. I would say it's far from most of them, though.

[Lennys Tap]

I feel like a lot of people here are assuming Wojo never talks to Heldt, if so that's a much bigger problem than Heldt only playing one minute.

I'm sure Wojo communicated with Matt plenty this offseason and I'm sure he's completely fine with his role if he's still here.

Most college athletes start their classes in the summer so they're done with their degree in 3 years. Matt could have easily been a grad transfer, really not concerned about his playing time. He seems like a great teammate.

Matt Heldt graduated last May? Nice scoop - I never saw it reported anywhere.