2023 Team Outlook

[MuggsyB]

If Kam becomes proficient at attacking the paint and both scoring and passing off the bounce?  Look out.  That J is a picture perfect and from deep. 

[PointWarrior]

The best of Mopes speculate negatively with no information.

First test against a Big East bruiser didn't go well.

[wadesworld]

The best of Mopes speculate negatively with no information.

...there is information.

[TedBaxter]

Alston is a tougher guard than Golden and both seemed to have their way down low. There won't be much resistance from Marquette near the rim against prominent bigs.

Were you there or did you hear they had their way down low from someone who was there?

[panda]

Lots of rebounds given up. 9 boards for Alston and 8 for golden.

Wrightsil Oso lineups looking necessary.

[GoldenEagles03]

Were you there or did you hear they had their way down low from someone who was there?

Neither.

I've just seen a lot of both players. Alston averaged 21 and 11 last year in D2. Plays above the rim and is an overall difficult player to guard at 6'6" as an undersize forward.

As for Marquette, they just don't have much strength down low. They'll be prone to getting "bullied" (for lack of a better term) down low.

[MuggsyB]

Neither.

I've just seen a lot of both players. Alston averaged 21 and 11 last year in D2. Plays above the rim and is an overall difficult player to guard at 6'6" as an undersize forward.

As for Marquette, they just don't have much strength down low. They'll be prone to getting "bullied" (for lack of a better term) down low.

It's a fair concern.  We need Wrightsil and O-Max to find a way to battle inside. 

[Newsdreams]

Who won the scrimmage?  I have confidence in Jones & Jones.  Bryce Golden is still playing?

We're down 3 seeds already. Not good.

[DoctorV]

Was sista Jean on hand to watch killa Kam ball out?

[JakeBarnes]

...there is information.

Brew seems to think Marquette skunked Loyola (I assume that is what is meant compared to the Providence game mubb won by 31...). So...COLE?

[brewcity77]

Brew seems to think Marquette skunked Loyola (I assume that is what is meant compared to the Providence game mubb won by 31...). So...COLE?

Don't think it was quite to that level, but also not particularly close.

[MuggsyB]

Brew, what do you realistically expect from Oso?  There's been some reports he's going to handle the ball a lot for a big but I'm much more concerned with whether he can score in the half-court and defend and rebound.  I'd like to see him develop a mean streak.  Also, can this MU team create turns and get transition hoops?

[brewcity77]

I mean, he pretty much has to be a 25-30 mpg guy just based on roster construction. I'm hoping to see him be a bit more assertive on offense. Maybe tick that usage up to 17-20%, while hopefully keeping his efficiency. He needs to be stronger. Doesn't have to protect the rim like Kur, but has to hold his own against Big East bigs. If he can be around 9/7 he should be fine. I have friends that think he could be a big breakout guy, but I need to see it first. His usage was too low for a Justin like explosion.

[BCHoopster]

Until he shows he can hit a 15 footer it will be hard for him to get to the hoop since the other center can play off him

[MuggsyB]

Until he shows he can hit a 15 footer it will be hard for him to get to the hoop since the other center can play off him

I was thinking the same thing.  I do think he will benefit from extended mins but hitting some jumpers would certainly help.  He also obviously has to avoid the ticky-tack fouls. 

[MuggsyB]

I mean, he pretty much has to be a 25-30 mpg guy just based on roster construction. I'm hoping to see him be a bit more assertive on offense. Maybe tick that usage up to 17-20%, while hopefully keeping his efficiency. He needs to be stronger. Doesn't have to protect the rim like Kur, but has to hold his own against Big East bigs. If he can be around 9/7 he should be fine. I have friends that think he could be a big breakout guy, but I need to see it first. His usage was too low for a Justin like explosion.

Ya...strength is a definite concern.  Because if he gets pushed around we're really light inside. 

[BCHoopster]

It might be great to recruit tall skinny kids if they play Like Dennis Rodman but Oso has never shown me a toughness you need, Inam hoping Zach can give them some of that but have not seen him play yet. OMax does not have that dog in him either, soft as well

[MuggsyB]

It might be great to recruit tall skinny kids if they play Like Dennis Rodman but Oso has never shown me a toughness you need, Inam hoping Zach can give them some of that but have not seen him play yet. OMax does not have that dog in him either, soft as well

There's never been anyone like Rodman.  He and Muggsy are more unicornesque than Jordan or Lebron. 

[Hards Alumni]

It's a fair concern.  We need Wrightsil and O-Max to find a way to battle inside.

Hopefully Shaka screams this at them repeatedly during televised timeouts.

[Newsdreams]

Hopefully Shaka screams this at them repeatedly during televised timeouts.

Better go with medieval weapons inside.

[Elonsmusk]

Don't think it was quite to that level, but also not particularly close.

Do you consider your source reliable as to their knowledge of the result of the Loyola scrimmage?

[brewcity77]

Do you consider your source reliable as to their knowledge of the result of the Loyola scrimmage?

Yes, very.

[Jay Bee]

I mean, he pretty much has to be a 25-30 mpg guy just based on roster construction. I'm hoping to see him be a bit more assertive on offense. Maybe tick that usage up to 17-20%, while hopefully keeping his efficiency. He needs to be stronger. Doesn't have to protect the rim like Kur, but has to hold his own against Big East bigs. If he can be around 9/7 he should be fine. I have friends that think he could be a big breakout guy, but I need to see it first. His usage was too low for a Justin like explosion.

Agreed. I'm envisioning a potential increase to 16-18% usage, but something meaningfully above 20% is difficult for me to see.

[JakeBarnes]

Yes, very.

Is this someone you normally Broeker information from?

[Elonsmusk]

Yes, very.

Thanks.  Good to hear.  Kenpom has Loyola at preseason 59.  My gut feeling is that we are going to play with a lot of speed/tempo/athleticism and "violence" to where we should be able to cause problems.  Really excited to see this team play.  Think they could surprise again, similar to last year, if not slightly better.