Sam and Markus

[tower912]

The two junior leaders were both bad today.    Both got the looks we are accustomed to seeing them make.    I think they are both beat up, mentally and physically.    Too many minutes.      Markus trying to do everything as a 5'11 guard and getting beat up every single game.    Sam playing all of those minutes while recovering from hip surgery.      I don't know what the answer is at this point.  It isn't like MU is going to win a game with those two playing less.    Not now.   

[WolfganghisKhan]

Water found it's level

[MUfanatic45]

Markus is a truly abysmal late game player. Unless its OT

He legit cannot do one thing properly.

TO's, forced bricks, missed free throws.

[tower912]

In the context of what we have seen Markus do, he forced very few shots today.   Shooting tear drops is not forcing.   Getting to the rack and missing lay ups (where is the call?) is not forcing.   

[WolfganghisKhan]

In the context of what we have seen Markus do, he forced very few shots today.   Shooting tear drops is not forcing.   Getting to the rack and missing lay ups (where is the call?) is not forcing.

he forced a few shots today...

[muwarrior69]

In the context of what we have seen Markus do, he forced very few shots today.   Shooting tear drops is not forcing.   Getting to the rack and missing lay ups (where is the call?) is not forcing.

Exactly, McDung was getting every call while Markus was being mugged.

[tower912]

Not many.    Nothing we haven't seen him hit before. 

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Markus is a truly abysmal late game player. Unless its OT

He legit cannot do one thing properly.

TO's, forced bricks, missed free throws.

1. Made a nice dish to Anim that led to two free throws
2. Made a nice dish to Joey that led to a three pointer
3. Made 3/4 FTs down the stretch
4. Made a three pointer to cut it to 1

All in the last three minutes.

He had a bad turnover and missed a FT but today was not an example of him "not doing one thing properly" late in a game.

[MUfanatic45]

1. Made a nice dish to Anim that led to two free throws
2. Made a nice dish to Joey that led to a three pointer
3. Made 3/4 FTs down the stretch
4. Made a three pointer to cut it to 1

All in the last three minutes.

He had a bad turnover and missed a FT but today was not an example of him "not doing one thing properly" late in a game.

Make the free throw and the 3 ties the game.

Guy chokes...every single game.

[Bad_Reporter]

Not many.    Nothing we haven't seen him hit before.

Does that make it a good shot then since he has hit them in the past?

Numbers don't lie, Markus has been missing his shots like Sam, however at least sam takes his shots in stride. Markus gets 3's drilled in his face then takes the ball down the other end of the court and chucks it up without the ball touching another players hands

[tower912]

Does that make it a good shot then since he has hit them in the past?

Numbers don't lie, Markus has been missing his shots like Sam, however at least sam takes his shots in stride. Markus gets 3's drilled in his face then takes the ball down the other end of the court and chucks it up without the ball touching another players hands

...like Powell.... like Ponds......   

[Bad_Reporter]

...like Powell.... like Ponds......   

Powell and ponds can finish games...   

So because those two do it, it makes it ok if Markus does even though he has a history of being bad with the ball at the end of games?  Ponds and Powell abused Markus. There's really zero comparison

[MUBurrow]

In the 4 losses:

Markus: 29-76 FG (38%); 13-42 3FG (31%)
Sam: 17-46 FG (37%); 10-31 3FG (32%)

During that time, Markus and Sam accounted for 55% of FGs taken, and 69% of 3FGs taken.  Those percentages, multiplied by that efficiency and you will lose 90% of the time.

The offense has been very reliant on iso sets all season. A ton of Markus's and Sam's shots have been stepping up off the dribble. Just look at BB's green light today for how much that is taught as part of the offense. But defenses have adjusted, and its too late to install a ton of new offense.  (Defenses have also taken away the only other weapon in that duo's arsenal by eliminating Markus's drive and floater game.)

The only feasible plan the rest of the season is to continue to install as much motion offense as is reasonable over the next two weeks (all of Markus's best looks today were off the catch after coming through screens on the baseline) and to increase Sacar's usage in isolation going to the basket.  During the losses Sacar has only attempted 31 FGs. He should have 12-15 FGA per game the rest of the way, 75% of which should be attacking 1v1 going at the rim.  That'll help moderate the peaks and valleys a bit as he gets to the line and will limit runouts off missed threes. Hopefully it also draws a little attention and helps open a couple looks up for Markus and Sam to get back on track.  Then next season, more motion offense and looks for Markus and Sam off the catch.

[nyg]

Markus goes 8 for 25, makes a terrible turnover towards the end of game and gets absolutely schooled by a freshman guard who had 25 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and only 2 turnovers and some try to justify his play today.  He would even probably tell you he was not very good.  Last game he shot 2 for 11 and was outplayed by Seton Hall's Cale.  Just not happening with him now and it is very, very bad timing. 

[The Sultan]

Make the free throw and the 3 ties the game.

Guy chokes...every single game.

So if he's not perfect he chokes!  🙄

[tower912]

I marvel at the Markus hate.    As recently as two weeks ago, many were lamenting that he wasn't more highly rated as a NPOY candidate.    He was scoring at an unprecedented rate.    His defense had improved.   Many were speculating he was gone to the NBA.  Two games ago, he scored half of MU's points.  He has the highest scoring games in Big East history and has carried MU to a number of wins this year.    We marveled at his step back 3's, his tear drops, his 90%+ free throw rate.    He scored most of MU's points down the stretch today and fed Joey for a 3.   

And now... he can't finish games.    He has a history of being bad at the end of games.    We don't want him taking shots we have seen him make countless times.       Meanwhile, Sam has sucked just as bad and not a word.       I feel like Jan Brady.... 'Markus, Markus, Markus'.      If you are going to blame him for all of this, does he get credit for when the team was 23-4 and on a 20-2 run?


He is beat up.    The other teams are plotting all sorts of defenses and being as physical as the refs will let them.   

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Markus goes 8 for 25, makes a terrible turnover towards the end of game and gets absolutely schooled by a freshman guard who had 25 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and only 2 turnovers and some try to justify his play today.  He would even probably tell you he was not very good.  Last game he shot 2 for 11 and was outplayed by Seton Hall's Cale.  Just not happening with him now and it is very, very bad timing.

No one is saying that he played well. But pretty soon he's going to be arrested for the Kennedy assassination and shooting down Amelia Earhardts plane with the amount of blame scoop wants to dump on him

[Shooter McGavin]

In the context of what we have seen Markus do, he forced very few shots today.   Shooting tear drops is not forcing.   Getting to the rack and missing lay ups (where is the call?) is not forcing.

It's not the tear drops that are forced.  It's the leaning, off balance, not even necessarily well defended shots with 20 seconds on the shot clock that you know are not going in unless lightning strikes and Markus is on an absolute tear.  He hit 75% of his on balanced shots today. He hurt us by taking the other kind and always thinking shoot first. 

Need more Markus dribble drive kick to Sam and Joey or a cutting Sacar or John.  He will learn and we will be a better team for it either this year or next.

[Bad_Reporter]

I marvel at the Markus hate.    As recently as two weeks ago, many were lamenting that he wasn't more highly rated as a NPOY candidate.    He was scoring at an unprecedented rate.    His defense had improved.   Many were speculating he was gone to the NBA.  Two games ago, he scored half of MU's points.  He has the highest scoring games in Big East history and has carried MU to a number of wins this year.    We marveled at his step back 3's, his tear drops, his 90%+ free throw rate.    He scored most of MU's points down the stretch today and fed Joey for a 3.   

And now... he can't finish games.    He has a history of being bad at the end of games.    We don't want him taking shots we have seen him make countless times.       Meanwhile, Sam has sucked just as bad and not a word.       I feel like Jan Brady.... 'Markus, Markus, Markus'.      If you are going to blame him for all of this, does he get credit for when the team was 23-4 and on a 20-2 run?


He is beat up.    The other teams are plotting all sorts of defenses and being as physical as the refs will let them.

It's not a personal attack on Markus, but it's true.  I've never ever said Markus was going to the NBA for one

I like Markus a lot, but being critical of him doesn't make me a hater.   He's been bad at end of the game situations.  He is very good in overtime, however

[The Sultan]

It's not a personal attack on Markus, but it's true.  I've never ever said Markus was going to the NBA for one

I like Markus a lot, but being critical of him doesn't make me a hater.   He's been bad at end of the game situations.  He is very good in overtime, however

Do you think overtime is played at the beginning of a game or something? 🤔

[Bad_Reporter]

Do you think overtime is played at the beginning of a game or something? 🤔

Oh, shoot, you're right...... that's what I meant..

[nyg]

No one is saying that he played well. But pretty soon he's going to be arrested for the Kennedy assassination and shooting down Amelia Earhardts plane with the amount of blame scoop wants to dump on him

Never said hating Markus, thought thru the year he has been fantastic and has provided some incredible moments.  Last two games he has been terrible and it is just bad timing for two very crucial games. Especially today in a very winnable game.  Maybe he turns it around in BE Tournament.

[CTWarrior]

I marvel at the Markus hate.   

I have a weird view of Markus.  He does a lot of things I don't like and always has.  He's more than a bit of a ball stopper and the ball movement I love to watch isn't always there when he's controlling the ball so much.  He takes shots that are just horrible. 

But the thing is, what I normally consider a horrible shot isn't necessarily a horrible shot for Markus.  He makes plenty of them.  I can't count how many times he takes a shot and I think "No!" but it goes in.  He can go to a place where he is so tremendous that it is pure joy to watch. 

So I really dislike the way he plays but I love watching him, if that makes sense.

[MUBurrow]

I marvel at the Markus hate.    As recently as two weeks ago, many were lamenting that he wasn't more highly rated as a NPOY candidate.    He was scoring at an unprecedented rate.    His defense had improved.   Many were speculating he was gone to the NBA.  Two games ago, he scored half of MU's points.  He has the highest scoring games in Big East history and has carried MU to a number of wins this year.    We marveled at his step back 3's, his tear drops, his 90%+ free throw rate.    He scored most of MU's points down the stretch today and fed Joey for a 3.   

And now... he can't finish games.    He has a history of being bad at the end of games.    We don't want him taking shots we have seen him make countless times.       Meanwhile, Sam has sucked just as bad and not a word.       I feel like Jan Brady.... 'Markus, Markus, Markus'.      If you are going to blame him for all of this, does he get credit for when the team was 23-4 and on a 20-2 run?

He is beat up.    The other teams are plotting all sorts of defenses and being as physical as the refs will let them.

I agree with this except for the bolded. Stepping into half a dozeen contested threes per game was not a sustainable model, and we were probably lucky to live by that as long as we did. Defenses have extended even further, denied him the ball well beyond the three point arc, and put larger, physical defenders on him. The counterpunch has to be to create more space for him, primarily with offball screens. Dragging a second large defender to him to set on ball screens isn't going to solve the problem. I'm with you that the Markus hate is wild, but the scheme has to change to adjust to give him a puncher's chance.

[Goose]

Howard is the greatest scorer in school history and that is a fact. That said, he is far way from being a top five guard in school history. He is what he is. I am happy he is here. Without him this team would be a NIT team at best.