MU has played 7th toughest schedule - Opponent Defense

[Elonsmusk]

Thought this was worth pointing out, given some of the talk around our offensive challenges.  The opposition we have played so far rank 7th in aggregate defensive efficiency.  The Big East only has 4 teams in the Top 50:

UCONN = 27
Seton Hall = 32
Xavier = 34
Nova = 35


We fared pretty well offensively against both UCONN and Xavier.  The schedule ultimately softens for MU as it relates to the quality of defense we'll face.  I think we will see continued improvement on the offensive end of the floor based on the above and Shaka starting to figure out the team's best formula for offense:

JLew posting up on the block
Elliott getting 20-25 minutes/game

I expect better offensive play/output from Kolek and O-Max as compared to what we've seen so far.  Joplin and Kam will continue to improve.


Going bullish on this prediction but I think it is possible MU can go 10-10 in Big East play.

[tower912]

This is a very nice talking point.   I like it.



The counter argument is that those defenses are rated so high BECAUSE they faced Marquette.

But I agree with you that MU has faced some tough teams.   

[Shooter McGavin]

I hope you are right in 10-10 because I think that would get us in the conversation for a bid.  That was my prediction in the Big East prediction thread but I had no science behind it.  Just the dreaded eye test.

[MU82]

Good post, Ners.

Will be interesting to see how this plays out.

[Shooter McGavin]

This is a very nice talking point.   I like it.



The counter argument is that those defenses are rated so high BECAUSE they faced Marquette.


But I agree with you that MU has faced some tough teams.

Is that counter argument a good one?

[The Equalizer]

This is a very nice talking point.   I like it.



The counter argument is that those defenses are rated so high BECAUSE they faced Marquette.

But I agree with you that MU has faced some tough teams.

1. Seton Hall and Villanova haven't faced MU, so clearly they are not rated where they are because they faced Marquette.
2. With 13 games complete, I doubt the performance in any one game alone is enough to put a team in the top 50.  By this point in the season, it's sustained performance.


As far as reaching .500 in conference play, I was one of those who thought we had a strong chance to get there, and the path included two losses to UConn and assumed a split with Xavier.  Both of MU's conference games to date are consistent with a .500 end result.

[BM1090]

1. Seton Hall and Villanova haven't faced MU, so clearly they are not rated where they are because they faced Marquette.
2. With 13 games complete, I doubt the performance in any one game alone is enough to put a team in the top 50.  By this point in the season, it's sustained performance.


As far as reaching .500 in conference play, I was one of those who thought we had a strong chance to get there, and the path included two losses to UConn and assumed a split with Xavier.  Both of MU's conference games to date are consistent with a .500 end result.

All of this. We'll know more after the next four. All four are winnable.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I'm enjoying agreeing with you more often Ners.

https://www.muscoop.com/index.php?topic=62605.msg1395488#msg1395488

Something here about great minds, eh? 

[Elonsmusk]

I'm enjoying agreeing with you more often Ners.

https://www.muscoop.com/index.php?topic=62605.msg1395488#msg1395488

Something here about great minds, eh? 

Lol..sorry..I didn't see that thread you started. Good stuff.  But yes, nice to not have so much disagreement with you, MU82, and the handful of others I used to battle with about MU hoops now that Wojo is gone.     It's great to be excited about MU hoops again.

[Herman Cain]

Thought this was worth pointing out, given some of the talk around our offensive challenges.  The opposition we have played so far rank 7th in aggregate defensive efficiency.  The Big East only has 4 teams in the Top 50:

UCONN = 27
Seton Hall = 32
Xavier = 34
Nova = 35


We fared pretty well offensively against both UCONN and Xavier.  The schedule ultimately softens for MU as it relates to the quality of defense we'll face.  I think we will see continued improvement on the offensive end of the floor based on the above and Shaka starting to figure out the team's best formula for offense:

JLew posting up on the block
Elliott getting 20-25 minutes/game

I expect better offensive play/output from Kolek and O-Max as compared to what we've seen so far.  Joplin and Kam will continue to improve.


Going bullish on this prediction but I think it is possible MU can go 10-10 in Big East play.

I agree with this analysis

[Goose]

Elon

I am so happy to be excited about MU basketball again. It has been a long time since I have been this excited.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

https://twitter.com/jgtrends/status/1475154188367630338?t=fAPOqyJXQCSM9VSPpuX8-g&s=19

A nice visual to illustrate this point

[Elonsmusk]

https://twitter.com/jgtrends/status/1475154188367630338?t=fAPOqyJXQCSM9VSPpuX8-g&s=19

A nice visual to illustrate this point

Yep and for those banging the TJ Oltzberge drum, notice Iowa State has played virtually the easiest combination of weak offenses and weak defenses.

[MU82]

Yep and for those banging the TJ Oltzberge drum, notice Iowa State has played virtually the easiest combination of weak offenses and weak defenses.

Agree. TJO is most likely a fine coach, but let's see how Iowa State does over the entirety of this season, including the NCAA tournament.

[brewcity77]

I'm impressed by what TJO has done, but he's also built his team completely differently. Their 9 man rotation has 8 third or fourth year players. Only Tyrese Hunter is in the rotation as an underclassman. Sure, they brought in a lot of new pieces, but they are old, experienced pieces intended to win now, not to develop over the next few years.

[MU82]

In this new and long overdue era of free agency for college athletes, there are going to be two main ways to build teams. IMHO it's far too early to know which will end up being the most successful long-term way.

I'm thinking that it will be difficult to win year after year after year having to cobble together a roster whose top several players are transfers. And I would think having players that will grow for 2-3-4 years within a system, supplemented by a talented transfer or two along the way, would be the better long-term plan. I guess we'll find out in a couple/few years.