Addition By Subtraction

[4everwarriors]

As a critic of Woj, I congratulate him and the entire staff on the work they are currently doing. And, I hope it will translate into a significant Tourney run. It seems that the team is more focused and player's roles are more clearly defined since the departure of Morrow. Is this viewed as coincidence or was their something more going on that seemingly derailed the team from reaching its potential?

[tower912]

A finally healthy Jayce got more minutes.   

[1SE]

I still think we'll miss him at least once before the season is done, but it's hard to see any 5 minutes of him on the floor tonight that would have been useful.

[Elonsmusk]

As a critic of Woj, I congratulate him and the entire staff on the work they are currently doing. And, I hope it will translate into a significant Tourney run. It seems that the team is more focused and player's roles are more clearly defined since the departure of Morrow. Is this viewed as coincidence or was their something more going on that seemingly derailed the team from reaching its potential?

Tend to think Wojo is a better coach the less options he has as it relates to available players.

All players play better the more consistent their role and playing time. Lesson for Woj to learn from this. Define your Top 8, and define a rotation and stick with it.

[Mr. Sand-Knit]

I still think we'll miss him at least once before the season is done, but it's hard to see any 5 minutes of him on the floor tonight that would have been useful.

Miss the terrible defense, the travels or the missed layups? Plz be more clear

[tower912]

Miss the terrible defense, the travels or the missed layups? Plz be more clear

I think he believes that at some point Theo and Jayce are both going to get in foul trouble.

[Goose]

Wojo has done quite a good job this season. Prior to season I was more optimistic because of what I heard about Jayce and Koby and I jumped off their bandwagon too quickly. My vote on Wojo remains on the recruiting side, but he gets a high grade for results on the court this year. This team is better than last years team, IMO.

[MU82]

As a critic of Woj, I congratulate him and the entire staff on the work they are currently doing. And, I hope it will translate into a significant Tourney run. It seems that the team is more focused and player's roles are more clearly defined since the departure of Morrow. Is this viewed as coincidence or was their something more going on that seemingly derailed the team from reaching its potential?

Two things, Doc.

1. This is a very different team from last year's, when we relied on Markus, Sam and Joey taking turns bombing from 3. We were better defensively last year than the year before, but we are more athletic and even better on D this season. Anytime the second-best and third-best scorers leave a program, there is an adjustment period. Guys get new roles. The coaches have to adjust, too. So a big part of it simply is that it takes time.

2. Jayce simply is a better player than Morrow. Jayce was injured early on. Once he got healthy and established, it was obvious. I don't know if any Scoopers have the insider knowledge to know whether or not Morrow was a mope who hurt team chemistry. He obviously didn't like falling to a distant third on the depth chart. I wish him well.

[Herman Cain]

As a critic of Woj, I congratulate him and the entire staff on the work they are currently doing. And, I hope it will translate into a significant Tourney run. It seems that the team is more focused and player's roles are more clearly defined since the departure of Morrow. Is this viewed as coincidence or was their something more going on that seemingly derailed the team from reaching its potential?

I ran into the Utah team at an airport in Denver. While waiting for the plane, I spoke with a couple of their assistant coaches. They were very surprised (and disappointed) Jayce left to go to MU because he was slated for max minutes on their team. Now that Jayce is healthy I can appreciate their comments.

[MU82]

There is nothing Morrow did that was better than what Jayce does. Theo has a special skill - he is a great shot-blocker who at times dominates the paint defensively. I like the way Wojo makes use of both Theo and Jayce.

[4everwarriors]

Hermie, those are 3 Chicago streets that rhyme with vagina, aina?

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Unless you get another player or the player is causing locker room issues, I don't believe in addition by subrtaction, and I've never heard about any off court issues involving Ed. I think Jayce is finally healthy, McEwen broke out of his slump, and Anim took his game to another level (until today).

[Goose]

TAMU

I think you are spot on the reason for improved play. To me, when Jayce plays well we are a totally different team.

Last year, as they limped to the finish line, I thought they zero chance to win a tourney game. I would not bet on playing the second week of tournament, but would not be completely shocked if it happened.

[Herman Cain]

Hermie, those are 3 Chicago streets that rhyme with vagina, aina?

Congrats 4 Ever!!! You are correct 

[Mr. Sand-Knit]

Wojo has done quite a good job this season. Prior to season I was more optimistic because of what I heard about Jayce and Koby and I jumped off their bandwagon too quickly. My vote on Wojo remains on the recruiting side, but he gets a high grade for results on the court this year. This team is better than last years team, IMO.

People said we'd miss the white turnstiles.  Our defense is much better cuz brendan n jamal are not getting beat off the dribble.  Brendan shoots almost as good as Sam n arguably rebounds as well

[Bo Ryan's Massage Therapist]

I don't  disagree but at the same time no reason to hate on the kid. He made a decision lets move on.  I don't envy parents of high D1 athletes... scoop would drive me to drink much more than I already do

[Elonsmusk]

People said we'd miss the white turnstiles.  Our defense is much better cuz brendan n jamal are not getting beat off the dribble.  Brendan shoots almost as good as Sam n arguably rebounds as well

You serious with this?  Ranks up there with "vanilla soft serve."  Stay classy Knit.

And btw our defense ranks 15 slots worse at present than where we finished last season. Sam was a good defender. Joey was a freshman.

[Cheeks]

You serious with this?  Ranks up there with "vanilla soft serve."  Stay classy Knit.

He's not wrong....our defense is much better.

[BallBoy]

You serious with this?  Ranks up there with "vanilla soft serve."  Stay classy Knit.

And btw our defense ranks 15 slots worse at present than where we finished last season. Sam was a good defender. Joey was a freshman.

All we heard about last year was that Marquette was only good because the Big East was down. This year we hear our defense is 15 slots lower so we can't be as good.

You failed to mention MU offensively is 16 slots higher than last year.

If you look at our strength of schedule OppO is 23 slots better than last year and our OppD is 26 slots better. So our offense is doing much higher against a tougher defense and our defense is slightly lower against better offense teams. Seems to me the drop off isn't as great as people feared.

[Elonsmusk]

All we heard about last year was that Marquette was only good because the Big East was down. This year we hear our defense is 15 slots lower so we can't be as good.

You failed to mention MU offensively is 16 slots higher than last year.

If you look at our strength of schedule OppO is 23 slots better than last year and our OppD is 26 slots better. So our offense is doing much higher against a tougher defense and our defense is slightly lower against better offense teams. Seems to me the drop off isn't as great as people feared.

Didn't reference offense because Knit-crap brought up our defense being so much better this year.

As for overall performance, this is the best KenPom ranking we've had this late in season under Wojo. So team has ultimately done better, on a tougher Big East, in an overall down year in college hoop.

[Spaniel with a Short Tail]

Congrats 4 Ever!!! You are correct 

This is for you HC.



BTW it's MElvina.

[Cheeks]

Didn't reference offense because Knit-crap brought up our defense being so much better this year.

As for overall performance, this is the best KenPom ranking we've had this late in season under Wojo. So team has ultimately done better, on a tougher Big East, in an overall down year in college hoop.

It's all relative the state of college basketball....but anything to provide you an excuse.

[Elonsmusk]

It's all relative the state of college basketball....but anything to provide you an excuse.

There's no "excuse."  Sand Knit, per usual, like you, made a dumb comment.

[Cheeks]

There's no "excuse."  Sand Knit, per usual, like you, made a dumb comment.

You back hand slap whenever you can when it comes to Wojo....conference is down, college basketball is down, opposing team was missing players, etc

[Lennys Tap]

You back hand slap whenever you can when it comes to Wojo....conference is down, college basketball is down, opposing team was missing players, etc

Takes one to know one.