2023 Team Outlook

[BCHoopster]

If Wrightsil can guard the 5 on D, then you can play Gold at the 4 and he becomes a mismatch.  Shaka has really has 9 players who he can interchange. Itejere will be the 10th who might get some time on the court, Ross probably should redshirt this year, as I do not see much open playing time for him.  No stars but lots of good players so it will be interesting how Shaka spreads the minutes.

[Pakuni]

If Wrightsil can guard the 5 on D, then you can play Gold at the 4 and he becomes a mismatch.  Shaka has really has 9 players who he can interchange. Itejere will be the 10th who might get some time on the court, Ross probably should redshirt this year, as I do not see much open playing time for him.  No stars but lots of good players so it will be interesting how Shaka spreads the minutes.

Wrightsil was listed at Loyola last year as 6'7", 205 pounds.
The Big East may not be loaded with future lottery picks in the post, but he would be at a huge disadvantage trying to guard 5s.
And why put Gold at the 4 to create a mismatch? If his perimeter skills are what you think they might be, leave him at the 5 to create an even bigger mismatch and open space closer to the basket for the rest of the players by dragging the opposing 5 out of the paint.

[Shooter McGavin]

Wrightsil was listed at Loyola last year as 6'7", 205 pounds.
The Big East may not be loaded with future lottery picks in the post, but he would be at a huge disadvantage trying to guard 5s.
And why out Gold at the 4 to create a mismatch? If his perimeter skills are what you think they might be, leave him at the 5 to create an even bigger mismatch and open space closer to the basket for the rest of the players.

Unless wrightstill is the next Dennis Rodman.

We can only hope.

[MU82]

New Zealand's soccer team is called the "all whites" because that is primarily the color they wear.

It's just a nickname.  And I don't think we have to worry about how it would "fly in the U.S." They don't play here.

I'm not worried.

Yup. Why are we trying to demand New Zealand conform to our linguistic sensibilities?

File this one under "not a problem to anyone who matters."

I "demanded" nothing. Nor did I say it was a problem.

I don't think reasonable people have an issue with the NZ national basketball team being named the Tall Blacks assuming they know the etymology

No program in the USA (other than maybe a historically black organization) is naming themselves the Tall Blacks anytime in the near future.

Both of these statements can be true.

I have no issues with NZ nor with the name. I merely made a true statement, and a flip one at that (which you got).

Wrightsil was listed at Loyola last year as 6'7", 205 pounds.

And why put Gold at the 4 to create a mismatch? If his perimeter skills are what you think they might be, leave him at the 5 to create an even bigger mismatch and open space closer to the basket for the rest of the players by dragging the opposing 5 out of the paint.

Yessir. If Gold has those skills, as he seems to be demonstrating as a member of the NZ team, he is the mismatch because bigs generally aren't very good at defending the 3-point line. And, as you say, if they do go out there to defend, that leaves the lane open for drives.

[BCHoopster]

He can not guard a 5, it's like having Novak guard a 5, no way

[Pakuni]

He can not guard a 5, it's like having Novak guard a 5, no way

He can't guard a 5 at 6'10", 220 ... but Wrightsil should at 6'7", 205?

[BCHoopster]

Kid is very skinny, do not see it

[Jay Bee]

When he's on the floor, he's on the floor

[jfp61]

This is poor discourse. Frankly it doesn't matter at all. Their are like 10-20 actual skillful true postplay 5s in college basketball at any given moment. Their are a  two in the big east.  Kur couldn't guard them last year. Nothing is different from last year or from any other Marquette team of the past 20+ years.

Tom Creans 2003 final four team struggle at defending dominant centers. Erik Murray grabs boards for Florida over our 6'6" Center Jay Crowder. The Lopez twins dominate Marquettes bigs.

It's like complaining about the temperature in February. What are you expecting?

[The Sultan]

This is poor discourse. Frankly it doesn't matter at all. Their There are like 10-20 actual skillful true postplay 5s in college basketball at any given moment. Their There are a two in the big east.  Kur couldn't guard them last year. Nothing is different from last year or from any other Marquette team of the past 20+ years.

Tom Creans Crean's 2003 final four team struggled at defending dominant centers. Erik Murray grabs boards for Florida over our 6'6" Center Jay Jae Crowder. The Lopez twins dominated Marquettes Marquette's bigs.

It's like complaining about the temperature in February. What are you expecting?

Better grammar?

[Elonsmusk]

Better grammar?

The fact you took time to correct the grammar and post the insult reflects more poorly on you than the grammar errors made by jfp61.  It's very likely he made the post from his phone and or wrote the post hastily and didn't proofread - like most of us who post here. 

That aside, I've felt Ben Gold will surprise from the first time seeing his highlight videos after he signed.  He's a better athlete than what many would think.  Quite skilled too.  High ceiling player.

[Jay Bee]

That aside, I've felt Ben Gold will surprise from the first time seeing his highlight videos after he signed.  He's a better athlete than what many would think.  Quite skilled too.  High ceiling player.

You hadn't seen him until AFTER he signed? Shameful, despite solid grammar.

[The Sultan]

The fact you took time to correct the grammar and post the insult reflects more poorly on you than the grammar errors made by jfp61.  It's very likely he made the post from his phone and or wrote the post hastily and didn't proofread - like most of us who post here. 

It was really just a (poor) joke. I'm sure he'll be fine.

[Lennys Tap]

I don't think reasonable people have an issue with the NZ national basketball team being named the Tall Blacks assuming they know the etymology

No program in the USA (other than maybe a historically black organization) is naming themselves the Tall Blacks anytime in the near future.

Both of these statements can be true.

Tall Blacks? Who calls themselves the "Tall Blacks"?

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Tall Blacks? Who calls themselves the "Tall Blacks"?

... the New Zealand National Basketball Team? What we're discussing in this thread?

[We R Final Four]

It was really just a (poor) joke. I'm sure he'll be fine.

What was the joke?

[Pakuni]

Tall Blacks? Who calls themselves the "Tall Blacks"?

It's a play on the national rugby team's nickname, the "All Blacks."

[Newsdreams]

It's a play on the national rugby team's nickname, the "All Blacks."

Too international.....

[Scoop Snoop]

#70, 9th in BE.

https://www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/20907

[NCMUFan]

Well, looks like golden opportunity to surprise people and walk off with some unexpected wins.

[wadesworld]

#70, 9th in BE.

https://www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/20907

Seems roughly correct to me.  Then again, I thought we were placed pretty accurately going into last season and we exceeded those expectations.  Although I thought that with Morsell defending at the point of attack and Kur protecting the rim, there was a formula in place to at least make it tough on opponents to score, which gives you a chance to win games you maybe shouldn't.  Stevie could have that kind of on ball defense, but to me he knew his minutes would be limited and he wasn't asked to do much offensively, so he was able to come in and give 100% energy and risk picking up fouls applying pressure on the ball that a guy like Morsell, who is relied on to play 30+ minutes night in and night out and also provide offense couldn't do.  If Stevie is going to be our shut down perimeter defender, he's going to have to play more minutes and probably can't play as hard all the time as he was able to in his minutes last year.  We'll see what that does to his effectiveness defensively.

Rim protection?  I see very little.  Rebounding?  Even less.

[Jay Bee]

#70, 9th in BE.

https://www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/20907

Never trust a preview that highlights "rebound margin"

[Mu8891]

9th place, and the NIT ...

Hope I am wrong but, that sounds about right.  There's not enough talent on this team.

It may be a very long year.

[swoopem]

Top 5 big east and 2nd weekend team. Just need to learn how to rebound

[Markusquette]

9th place, and the NIT ...

Hope I am wrong but, that sounds about right.  There's not enough talent on this team.

It may be a very long year.

Agreed. Not sure about very long as I think there will be some bright spots and good wins. But I also expect an NIT team at best.