Sacar milestone

[Afroman]

I wouldn't have thought it possible a couple of years ago, but Sacar has a legitimate shot to reach 1,000 career points before the season ends. He needs 171 points and with (at least) one conference tourney game and one postseason game, that's a do-able 14.3 points in 12 games. I think he is having a solid senior season. I've always admired the way he goes about things and has improved his game every year.

[wadesworld]

But Wojo and staff don’t develop players.

[WhoaJoe2020]

I wouldn't have thought it possible a couple of years ago, but Sacar has a legitimate shot to reach 1,000 career points before the season ends. He needs 171 points and with (at least) one conference tourney game and one postseason game, that's a do-able 14.3 points in 12 games. I think he is having a solid senior season. I've always admired the way he goes about things and has improved his game every year.

If there ever was a guy who bought in to the system and managed his ego its Sacar. He's gotten better every year.

He's the reason I have no sympathy for the Hausers. If anybody sacrificed last year it was Sacar. Joey came in as a true freshman and played as many minutes and took just as many shots. Sam and Markus took far more attempts per game. Sacar just kept his head down and kept working. I'm really pulling for him to have success this year and in the future.

A true warrior.

[Herman Cain]

Thanks for pointing this milestone out about Sacar. He is a first class young man and I am really happy to see him finishing out his career strong. Definitely a True Warrior.

[WarriorDad]

Steady improvement year to year in a similar fashion to the program.

[WhoaJoe2020]

Steady improvement year to year in a similar fashion to the program.

That's definitely one way to win a race.

[mileskishnish72]

He has come a long way. His frosh year makes Symir look like a seasoned pro.
It would be a nice testimony to the work he put in.

[Bo Ryan's Massage Therapist]

Sacar is a joy to watch.  Retooled his shot after hours of hard work and playing at a high level.  Has done a great job finishing in traffic after struggling with this last two years.

[Class71]

Sacar continues to surprise and impress. A real team player with a tremendous work effort. Glad he stayed the course and became a major contibutor.

[WhoaJoe2020]

The paucity of responses to this post says a lot about some scoopers.

[BM1090]

Love Sacar. Seems like a good kid. Would be a big milestone for him. Looking forward to his contributions to a win over X on Wednesday.

[zcg2013]

It's always awesome for a play to potentially score 1,000 points in their collegiate career. But to think that Sacar scored 19 points total in his first year and still has this opportunity shows the hard work and dedication he put into his craft and it shows. Really hope it works out for him.

[StillWarriors]

In a world of instant gratification and entitlement, Sacar has really had an "old school" type career. Impressive growth and just a solid contributor despite often being overlooked. Given where he started, it is actually amazing the minutes he has logged over the past 3 seasons. Though he's much better now than he was a couple years ago, to be a 3 year starter is damn impressive and clearly he's the type of guy the coaches have long found to be a steadying influence where it is hard to take him off the court.

Big kudos to Sacar for staying the course and continuing to develop his game. A lot to be proud of in his career for sure.

[Goose]

Have to admit that he surpassed my expectations by a wide margin. He has turned into a nice college ball player. Kudos to him for putting in the work and making big strides in his game.

[Marcus92]

So far this season, Sacar is posting career highs in minutes (33.0 mpg), usage (19.1% per KenPom), points scored (13.0 ppg), rebounds (4.1 rpg), defensive rebounding percentage (9.4%), free throw percentage (64.8%) and three-point percentage (42.3%).

It's been great to see his game improve year over year. Hopefully that progress  continues during the next couple months.

[Miss Katie’s]

In a world of instant gratification and entitlement, Sacar has really had an "old school" type career. Impressive growth and just a solid contributor despite often being overlooked. Given where he started, it is actually amazing the minutes he has logged over the past 3 seasons. Though he's much better now than he was a couple years ago, to be a 3 year starter is damn impressive and clearly he's the type of guy the coaches have long found to be a steadying influence where it is hard to take him off the court.

Big kudos to Sacar for staying the course and continuing to develop his game. A lot to be proud of in his career for sure.

+1

[real chili 83]

THE ANSWER

[war1980rior]

If there ever was a guy who bought in to the system and managed his ego its Sacar. He's gotten better every year.

He's the reason I have no sympathy for the Hausers. If anybody sacrificed last year it was Sacar. Joey came in as a true freshman and played as many minutes and took just as many shots. Sam and Markus took far more attempts per game. Sacar just kept his head down and kept working. I'm really pulling for him to have success this year and in the future.

A true warrior.

Nice comments all around.  Continues to be more and more of a favorite to me.  Love his unselfish attitude, and always finds a way to contribute.  His defense will be sorely missed next year. I just feel better when he's on the floor.

[Marcus92]

It's interesting to see how some of Sacar's senior year statistics compare to JaJuan Johnson (stats per KenPom):

Sacar Anim (6-5/210)
Min 33.0 mpg (81.6%, 19.1% Usage)
Pts 13.0 ppg (103.5 ORtg, 52.3 eFG%, 25.1% FTRate, 46.0% 2PT, 42.3% 3PT)
Reb 4.1 rpg (3.4 OR%, 9.4 DR%)
Ast 1.4 apg (8.4% ARate, 15.4% TORate)
Blk 0.3 bpg (0.9 Blk%)
Stl 0.9 spg (1.4 Stl%)

JaJuan Johnson (6-5/205)
Min 26.0 mpg (62.7%, 24.6% Usage)
Pts 12.0 ppg (105.0 ORtg, 52.9 eFG%, 28.4% FTRate, 51.2% 2PT, 38.1% 3PT)
Reb 4.1 rpg (3.2 OR%, 15.4 DR%)
Ast 2.7 apg (18.9% ARate, 20.2% TORate)
Blk 0.5 bpg (1.8 Blk%)
Stl 1.9 spg (4.1 Stl%)

Sacar's been spending more time on the floor since Greg's injury -- averaging 38.2 mpg, 15.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.6 apg and 1.4 spg over the past 5 games.

Fairly similar offensive profiles (although their games were certainly different). JaJuan used more possessions and had the higher assist rate, but turned the ball over more often. He also had the higher steal rate, but was considered a gambler on defense -- where Sacar is a persistent face-up on-ball defender.

[mug644]

We have a group of alums that gather for the senior day game every year. I don’t always make it back (I live in New England), but totally marked this year’s senior day on my calendar.

I’m looking forward to honoring Markus and Sacar. They each deserve an incredible celebration for their contributions and efforts over their MU careers.

[MU82]

Not bad for a guy who had been ripped in the past by those with little understanding of basketball.

Sacar is definitely one of my favorites. Worked hard, accepted coaching, controlled what he could control every game (most notably effort). He might have been one who thought about transferring, but he stuck it out and just kept grinding and improving.

I actually was stunned he missed that LH reverse layup at Butler because he has gotten so much better at those kinds of shots around the hoop.

Would love to see Sacar reach 1,000, not just because he deserves it but, selfishly, because it would help our team.

[zcg2013]

It's interesting to see how some of Sacar's senior year statistics compare to JaJuan Johnson (stats per KenPom):

Sacar Anim (6-5/210)
Min 33.0 mpg (81.6%, 19.1% Usage)
Pts 13.0 ppg (103.5 ORtg, 52.3 eFG%, 25.1% FTRate, 46.0% 2PT, 42.3% 3PT)
Reb 4.1 rpg (3.4 OR%, 9.4 DR%)
Ast 1.4 apg (8.4% ARate, 15.4% TORate)
Blk 0.3 bpg (0.9 Blk%)
Stl 0.9 spg (1.4 Stl%)


JaJuan Johnson (6-5/205)
Min 26.0 mpg (62.7%, 24.6% Usage)
Pts 12.0 ppg (105.0 ORtg, 52.9 eFG%, 28.4% FTRate, 51.2% 2PT, 38.1% 3PT)
Reb 4.1 rpg (3.2 OR%, 15.4 DR%)
Ast 2.7 apg (18.9% ARate, 20.2% TORate)
Blk 0.5 bpg (1.8 Blk%)
Stl 1.9 spg (4.1 Stl%)

Sacar's been spending more time on the floor since Greg's injury -- averaging 38.2 mpg, 15.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.6 apg and 1.4 spg over the past 5 games.

Fairly similar offensive profiles (although their games were certainly different). JaJuan used more possessions and had the higher assist rate, but turned the ball over more often. He also had the higher steal rate, but was considered a gambler on defense -- where Sacar is a persistent face-up on-ball defender.

One part of JaJuan's game I would love to see Sacar develop is the last second pass to a big on one of those "banana curls" (I think Raft coined it that way). It was lethal to Luke over and over.

[mug644]

One part of JaJuan's game I would love to see Sacar develop is the last second pass to a big on one of those "banana curls" (I think Raft coined it that way). It was lethal to Luke over and over.

But Luke had better hands to catch the ball than either Theo or Jayce. I see turnover after turnover if Sacar starts passing to one of those guys.

[tower912]

I appreciate how far Sacar has come and how much he has improved.   The one thing I see missing from his game is finishing through contact.   He makes those banana curls and gets one dribble or step from finishing and pulls up.

[GooooMarquette]

It would be great if Sacar can get there. As others have said, he has exceeded my expectations from his freshman season by a huge margin. Hard worker, and a great team player.

[tower912]

It is my hope Akanno follows a similar trajectory of hard work and improvement.

[WhoaJoe2020]

It is my hope Akanno follows a similar trajectory of hard work and improvement.

If Marquette doesn't land Mane I don't think he will have the luxury of developing at Sacars pace. Sadly I don't think the team can count on Greg staying healthy, so that would leave Koby, Symir, and Dexter. Kid needs to grow up fast.

[keefe]

THE ANSWER

Chili: This was the Meat Eater text which spoiled the Georgetown result I was taping...


Re Sacar: His progress since his freshman year is remarkable. The Red Shirt year was a superlative investment of time towards his improvement.

I remember Jay Bee predicting great things for him. At the time I was skeptical.

Imagine where we would be without him this season and especially after the Hausers left and with Koby's offensive struggles. It makes me shudder to think about our competitiveness without Sacar as our second option.

I really hope he hits 1,000 because we need that productivity in order to make The Dance. 

[Eldon]

Love Sacar.

I hope he scores 1,000. I only wish Wojo had similar hopes.

[GooooMarquette]

Love Sacar.

I hope he scores 1,000. I only wish Wojo had similar hopes.

And what makes you think he doesn't? Sacar leads the team in MPG and is second in FGA.

[WhoaJoe2020]

And what makes you think he doesn't? Sacar leads the team in MPG and is second in FGA.

For some people every thread is just an opportunity to take a shot at Wojo.

[lawdog77]

And what makes you think he doesn't? Sacar leads the team in MPG and is second in FGA.

And he is in Grad School with a 3.5+ GPA. A true scholar athlete.

[Goose]

lawdog

We seldom agree, or come close to agreement, but I have become a real Sacar fan. Now, I wish he played a big role player spot on a really good team, he has earned his stripes. I really hope that he has a post ball life filled with a great deal of success.

[Afroman]

Sacar has been just tremendous. Where would Marquette be without him this season?

[tower912]

A big step to 1000 tonight.   

[PGsHeroes32]

A big step to 1000 tonight.

Yup. He could have a goose egg(hopefully not) Saturday, and still be at the pace.

[mu_hilltopper]

My sister (MU grad) works with Anim's dad so I've always been hoping for the best for Sacar.   So thrilled he has been crushing it this month.

On the Senior Night issue .. I hope this year MU reverts back to having the ceremony *after* the game.   It's important to give these guys a moment to speak to the MU family, on court, tell the audience what it means to be a Marquette Warrior, and hear them one last time.


The recent pre-game ceremony is too quick, and .. just lame.

Yeah, it sucks when MU loses and people leave .. but Markus and Sacar are special guys.  Time to revert back the ceremony to post-game to let them have some extra time in the spotlight on Al McGuire court.

[mug644]

On the Senior Night issue .. I hope this year MU reverts back to having the ceremony *after* the game.   It's important to give these guys a moment to speak to the MU family, on court, tell the audience what it means to be a Marquette Warrior, and hear them one last time.
The recent pre-game ceremony is too quick, and .. just lame.

Totally agree with this, especially this year, with Markus and Sacar to honor. I had a brief e-mail exchange with Scott Kuykendall, who told me that it will happen “15 minutes on the countdown clock.”

And, I understand the desire to move it to before the game, after too many fans are walking out during the senior day moments.

It is what it is, and I’m excited that I will be there this year.

[bilsu]

One part of JaJuan's game I would love to see Sacar develop is the last second pass to a big on one of those "banana curls" (I think Raft coined it that way). It was lethal to Luke over and over.

Please do not pass the ball to our bigs.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

My sister (MU grad) works with Anim's dad so I've always been hoping for the best for Sacar.   So thrilled he has been crushing it this month.

On the Senior Night issue .. I hope this year MU reverts back to having the ceremony *after* the game.   It's important to give these guys a moment to speak to the MU family, on court, tell the audience what it means to be a Marquette Warrior, and hear them one last time.


The recent pre-game ceremony is too quick, and .. just lame.

Yeah, it sucks when MU loses and people leave .. but Markus and Sacar are special guys.  Time to revert back the ceremony to post-game to let them have some extra time in the spotlight on Al McGuire court.

Jamil Lott is still talking.