How we compete for a national title next year

[Coleman]

I know some will say I am getting ahead of myself, but this is more a reflection on our current weaknesses than looking ahead. These are the weaknesses I keep noticing over and over again, and the things that will have to happen over the offseason to get us to a national title contender.

1) Markus comes back. Goes without saying. To be a national title contender, we will need Markus. I think this will happen.

2) Markus becomes a smarter ballhandler. Right now his assist to turnover ratio is almost 1:1. That has to change. Markus needs to learn to limit turnovers.

3) Theo becomes a smarter defender. While he dominates the Big East in blocks, he also is in foul trouble almost every game. Theo needs to make smarter decisions when defending the paint. This honestly applies to Morrow as well. Our big guys need to be able to stay out of trouble. We won't have Heldt next year to stop the bleeding.

4) Sacar becomes a better finisher in the lane. Right now his driving capabilities are fantastic, but he is not finishing as many shots as he is capable of. If he can just take and make smarter shots, and get his FG% up about .20 to .30 points (he is currently at .449, but he shot .481 as a sophomore), we will be in good shape.

5) Bailey becomes a smarter and better shooter. I know he is only a freshman, but my god he takes some terrible shots. .310 is not going to get it done. He has potential, but this needs drastic improvement.

[tower912]

Return everyone.   Normal progression.  Greg and McEwen are who we hope they are.  Eke can play and contribute.   If all those things happen, there could be magic.

[GOO]

I'd Add:

6.  Joey's defense improves, which it will.

7.  Elliott or McEwen are competent point guards.

I don't think all 7 things need to open, just a few would make us that much better.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Yes
4. I don't think this is essential.  I mean, it would be nice but it's not make or break.
5. I don't think his shot selection is poor. He just isn't making them. But regardless, I don't think this is all that essential anyway because...

6. Greg Elliott and Koby McEwen make meaningful contributions in their roles.  These guys will be rotational players and will likely mean Bailey and Cain are limited role players again.

[Markusquette]

Is Torrence slated to come next year or 2020?

[4everwarriors]

Duz Giannis have any eligibility left, hey?

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Is Torrence slated to come next year or 2020?

Right now 2020, but there have been rumors of him reclassifying. 

[BCHoopster]

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Yes
4. I don't think this is essential.  I mean, it would be nice but it's not make or break.
5. I don't think his shot selection is poor. He just isn't making them. But regardless, I don't think this is all that essential anyway because...

6. Greg Elliott and Koby McEwen make meaningful contributions in their roles.  These guys will be rotational players and will likely mean Bailey and Cain are limited role players again.

As much as I like the Hauser boys, still need a quicker jumper, solid body to help on D end.  Or Joey has to re-do his body like Theo, get stronger, and quicker.  As Joey
had a dunk this year?

[Coleman]

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Yes
4. I don't think this is essential.  I mean, it would be nice but it's not make or break.
5. I don't think his shot selection is poor. He just isn't making them. But regardless, I don't think this is all that essential anyway because...

6. Greg Elliott and Koby McEwen make meaningful contributions in their roles.  These guys will be rotational players and will likely mean Bailey and Cain are limited role players again.

Re #5: My biggest beef with Bailey is that it seems like his first instinct is always to shoot. I am fine with that being Markus Howard's first instinct, but not a .310 shooter. It isn't so much poor shot selection per se (sure, he is technically open when he takes them) as much as him shooting long distance shots early in the shot clock without giving the offense a chance to work through to get paint touches and shots to our better shooters.

I think most of this is freshman immaturity. Hoping he outgrows it.

[Its DJOver]

I really think Ike can play an important albeit small role next year if healthy.  Theo's fouls per 40 have not really had a significant drop in almost two years in the program.  If Ike can even provide Heldt minutes next year, I think it'll go a long way.  With 13 scholarship players, I'm fully on board with always having a project big, a project PG, and a red-shirt at all times.  Ike, Dexter, and TBD next year.  It's a understated part of going from a good team to a good program.

[burger]

Talk is McEwen is 3rd best player in practice......

Hope this is true......and he is pulling Ellitott along with him.....

[The Lens]

Talk is McEwen is 3rd best player in practice......

Hope this is true......and he is pulling Ellitott along with him.....

Markus or no Markus this team is going really, really deep in to March / April next year.  Wojo has it cooking.

[CTWarrior]

Re #5: My biggest beef with Bailey is that it seems like his first instinct is always to shoot. I am fine with that being Markus Howard's first instinct, but not a .310 shooter. It isn't so much poor shot selection per se (sure, he is technically open when he takes them) as much as him shooting long distance shots early in the shot clock without giving the offense a chance to work through to get paint touches and shots to our better shooters.

I think most of this is freshman immaturity. Hoping he outgrows it.

This is right on.

[wadesworld]

We can compete for a national title this year.  And I'm going to enjoy every second of it.

[Dr. Blackheart]

We can compete for a national title this year.  And I'm going to enjoy every second of it.

One second at a time...

[Coleman]

We can compete for a national title this year.  And I'm going to enjoy every second of it.

I don't think we're there yet. I'd put money on this team making the second weekend but I don't think we are a Final Four caliber team. I'd love to be proven wrong.

[PGsHeroes32]

All those things would be great.

But honestly we mostly just need simple improvements from everyone and then these two things

1. Markus back
2. Kobe/Greg take some burden off Markus in handling the ball.

[79Warrior]

Return everyone.   Normal progression.  Greg and McEwen are who we hope they are.  Eke can play and contribute.   If all those things happen, there could be magic.

Seriously doubt Ike ever plays a game

[Dr. Blackheart]

2. Kobe/Greg take some burden off Markus in handling the ball.

And diversify the offense for the second run through the BE.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

1. Markus back.
2. Joey improves strength and conditioning, plus experience makes him a more consistent offensive player and better defender.
3. One of Kobe, Greg, or Brendan provides a consistent scoring threat that can occasionally go off for a big game.
4. Incremental improvement for the rest.  If everyone improves 1 or 2 things, that will add up.

[HammerScreen]

Return everyone.   Normal progression.  Greg and McEwen are who we hope they are.  Eke can play and contribute.   If all those things happen, there could be magic.

How many minutes do you think Eke would play?

[HammerScreen]

Re #5: My biggest beef with Bailey is that it seems like his first instinct is always to shoot. I am fine with that being Markus Howard's first instinct, but not a .310 shooter. It isn't so much poor shot selection per se (sure, he is technically open when he takes them) as much as him shooting long distance shots early in the shot clock without giving the offense a chance to work through to get paint touches and shots to our better shooters.

I think most of this is freshman immaturity. Hoping he outgrows it.

I'm not sure I agree. I think most of his role on offense is to hit the corner three #letitfly. By having the trigger to shoot, it helps unclog the lane regardless if he's hitting it at a high clip or not

[Coleman]

I think most of his role on offense is to hit the corner three

If that is his role he is doing an absolutely terrible job. He is a .182 (8 for 44) shooter from behind the arc, literally last on the team.

[MarquetteDano]

Agree with all of these but IMO, in order of importance:

• Howard returns
• We are healthy
• McEwen plays at least 20 minutes at point well and scores when needed
• Joey takes his game to the next level offensively and defensively
• Theo and Rob foul less,  or at least foul better
• One or more of Elliott, Cain, and Bailey take their game to the next level

[GooooMarquette]

Agree with all of these but IMO, in order of importance:

• Howard returns
• We are healthy
• McEwen plays at least 20 minutes at point well and scores when needed
• Joey takes his game to the next level offensively and defensively
• Theo and Rob foul less,  or at least foul better
• One or more of Elliott, Cain, and Bailey take their game to the next level

Who is Rob? Is Frozena coming back under the Otule plan?