Greg Elliott

[MU82]

Greg really is an interesting part of this season's story.

He was the lone veteran of more than 1 season to return from the Wojo era, and he returned despite his best friend moving on to another school. There were many who questioned why Shaka would even want him, as if 45% 3-point shooters are a dime a dozen.

Greg started the season sitting on the bench due to a 4-game suspension. (I can't recall: Did we ever hear the reason for the suspension?) Once reinstated, he averaged 7.8 mpg his first 6 games and was a complete non-factor as we started 7-1.

After the Wisconsin debacle, as Shaka realized just how bad this team's shooting was, he started giving more PT to the only proven 3-point threat on the roster. Shaka still handed out minutes carefully, because Greg was behind and because Shaka puts such a premium on D. Plus, O-Max and Kam were starting to play well.

The UCLA and Xavier performances were eye-openers, but I don't think Greg fully earned Shaka's trust until a few games ago.

Greg has been a great teammate -- always the first off the bench to congratulate fellow MU players even during his suspension -- and he has been less of a defensive liability than it appeared he might be. And then there's that 3-point stroke, one of the best in all of college basketball.

So he has become a vital part of the rotation for a Big East contender, and, at least for now, he's one of the players Shaka counts on in Winning Time.

Without Greg, we lose the last two games, we have to sweat to beat DePaul, and UCLA blows us out by 4-5 TDs. During the winning streak, he's shooting 57% from 3 (despite starting out with 0-2 vs Providence), and he's had games with 4, 4 and 5 assists.

Although he's now our third-leading scorer, he's still a role player. There almost surely will still be games he plays fewer than 15 minutes, but he's very good at his role.

I was glad Shaka kept Greg because 3-point shooting is so important and we had precious little of it, and I always felt Greg had a great attitude that would be good for a young team. But he, like pretty much everyone and everything else so far this season, has exceeded my expectations.

Kudos to Shaka for seeing what Greg Elliott could be for this team. And especially, kudos to the young man for taking advantage of his opportunity.

[TallTitan34]

Hoping he returns next year.  Won't even take up a scholarship!

[JakeBarnes]

Greg is a spark plug. He's come leaps and bounds in that since the start of the year. You really see the buy-in he's made to Shakas system as of late

[tower912]

I have always been a fan and have long held the opinion that if he had been healthy the arcs of a couple of seasons might have been different.

I also assumed 9 months ago he would be a starter next to Kolek and Morsell.  I missed on that one.   But he has shown leadership with the young guys as well as shooting at a ridiculously high level.  I  am grateful he stuck around.

[MarquetteDano]

I must admit even though I always liked Greg,  early in the season when he wasn't getting many minutes wondered if would have been best served transferring prior to the season.

So, so, so glad he didn't.  I really hope he is enjoying his season as much as I am watching him and the rest of the team.

[PGsHeroes32]

Greg being a big part of this team is definitely something I can claim to have always been a supporter of.

Wanted him to return this year. And really hoping him and Shaka agree its best he returns for 1 more go around next year.

[Goose]

Greg has stepped up big time and has been a major part of the recent team success. I am extremely happy that he has continued hot from beyond the arc and hope he even gets hotter. This has been a team driven season and Greg is a big part of the team. My only disagreement is a minor one, he is a half step slow in this style of D, which is understandable with his injury history.

[PGsHeroes32]

Greg has stepped up big time and has been a major part of the recent team success. I am extremely happy that he has continued hot from beyond the arc and hope he even gets hotter. This has been a team driven season and Greg is a big part of the team. My only disagreement is a minor one, he is a half step slow in this style of D, which is understandable with his injury history.

I don't think anyone disagrees with you there.

But 82 mentioned that he hasnt been the liability many(and maybe shaka) assumed. And he hasnt. He will never be one of our stoppers. But hes got solid instincts, solid hands to disrupt balls and length. He also knows where to be, just unfortunately doesnt have quickness/athelticism to always make that count.

Late in games what he brings on offense to our spacing and shooting far out weighs his defensive weakness compared to other options on the team.

[jficke13]

Maybe his defense suffered from teh stain of being a part of a team defense that seemed, for some reason, unwilling to try to force turnovers. I get the sense that he keeps his hands up and active and disruptive of passing lanes, which may mitigate on ball assignments or rotation issues. He's not Jerel McNeal by any stretch of the imagination, but he's not like shifting to 4 on 5 when he comes on the floor either.

[#UnleashSean]

I was real low on Greg at the start of the year. Now he's really found his role on the team.

[Goose]

PG

When I stated I did not think GE was a "true" three-point specialist I noted he was the best option (along with Kam) on taking the three ball. He has been, and will be needed, in tight games this season. I am very happy he is part of the squad and hope he drains shots for the remainder of the season. He went from being just a guy to me to being a guy I am pulling for.

[tower912]

His defense has been fine.    He uses long arms and experience to get his share of deflections and steals.    Something valued in this defensive system.   He has also gotten his share of rebounds.     Yes, he can be beat by a quick aggressive guard.    Yes, he can be bullied by bigger and stronger.    He isn't alone in that.     

Yesterday, he was in perfect position and should have drawn a charge, only to have it be a no-call.   

[lawdog77]

Maybe his defense suffered from teh stain of being a part of a team defense that seemed, for some reason, unwilling to try to force turnovers. I get the sense that he keeps his hands up and active and disruptive of passing lanes, which may mitigate on ball assignments or rotation issues. He's not Jerel McNeal by any stretch of the imagination, but he's not like shifting to 4 on 5 when he comes on the floor either.

He has the instincts and toughness to play good D. He always has. Here's a blast from the past
https://www.anonymouseagle.com/2018/4/12/17231502/2017-18-marquette-golden-eagles-basketball-player-review-greg-elliott

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Hoping he returns next year.  Won't even take up a scholarship!

I thought that too but Billy pointed out that this is incorrect. Greg will take up a scholarship next year. That rule was only in place for COVID seniors this season.

[THRILLHO]

Here's what I said in April, which I think holds up (OK, except maybe the part about him being better than Cain and Koby, they are both doing quite well too).

I think if Greg was a freshman that Shaka recruited we'd be drooling over him. Long, active hands on D, and a decent shooter! I think Greg is a lot better than Cain or Koby and was poorly used by/a bad fit for Wojo. Lots of uncertainty for sure, but I'm hoping for Shaka to unleash him this year! I think with the amount of variance in first year players, a senior rock could help even out the teams performances.

[MU82]

When I stated I did not think GE was a "true" three-point specialist I noted he was the best option (along with Kam) on taking the three ball. He has been, and will be needed, in tight games this season. I am very happy he is part of the squad and hope he drains shots for the remainder of the season. He went from being just a guy to me to being a guy I am pulling for.

Goose, what you said was: "GE is not a three-point shooter," which is a goofy comment about a guy who has made half of his 3-point attempts on a pretty large sample size. When presented data, you doubled-down and tripled-down and got snarky. You brought up Steph Curry and airballs and "three-point wizard" and the UCLA game being a fluke.

It's OK to admit you're wrong about something when the data overwhelmingly proves it. For example, I said I didn't think Shaka was prioritizing winning this season; it's now obvious to me that he is. There ... that didn't hurt me a bit!

I don't want to turn this into another Scoop semantics battle, Goose, so this'll be my last comment here on this subject. Like you, I'm thrilled with the way Greg -- and everybody else -- has embraced what Shaka is doing, and I'm especially thrilled that he has delivered performances that have helped us get where we are.

We Are Marquette!

[CountryRoads]

I'm eating crow on Elliot. I didn't think he fit with this group. Didn't like his suspension to start the year. Honestly, I wouldn't have minded if he just quit at the time.

I was wrong. He's a huge part of the team and gives us some swagger. He plays with a lot of confidence and I think he'll continue to have big games for us.

[fjm]

PG

When I stated I did not think GE was a "true" three-point specialist I noted he was the best option (along with Kam) on taking the three ball. He has been, and will be needed, in tight games this season. I am very happy he is part of the squad and hope he drains shots for the remainder of the season. He went from being just a guy to me to being a guy I am pulling for.

That's not what you said.

And I know your love for MU. But you have been dogging Greg quite a bit this year.

It's ok though! I've been dogging OMax. And man I'm wrong on him.

[LloydsLegs]

Greg's 26-50 52% this season would be number 2 in the country if he qualified.  Not sure how many attempts qualifies, but he doesn't seem to be close.

[We R Final Four]

I hope GE stays healthy all year.
As I said earlier this year, I don't want to see him in that bow tie again. Much rather see him spoon feeding himself in the court.

[MU82]

Greg's 26-50 52% this season would be number 2 in the country if he qualified.  Not sure how many attempts qualifies, but he doesn't seem to be close.

For official NCAA stats, it's 2.5 makes per game. Greg has way too much lost time to make up for, so I doubt he'll qualify at any point this season.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

I have always thought Wojo made a huge mistake not bringing Greg back during the 2018-19 season.  He would have been ready around the start of Big East play.

I believe Greg would have made enough of a contribution to win the Big East, instead of finishing 2nd.  Now Wojo isn't even around to coach Greg's 5th year.

But in the long run, I'm glad to have Shaka at MU. A total overhaul in the program's culture and future trajectory.

[MuggsyB]

Is it me or has GE's release become quicker?

I mentioned early in the season when he was suspended that he would be an important addition.

[VanderBlueFanClub]

I once thought Greg could be the next great diamond in the rough prospect for MUBB, but now I have settled down to realize that he is not. Although he isn't this great scorer or defender he plays his role to his best of his capability and helps as a leader and I believe one of the major components or are small winning streak.

[CrowdOf5]

https://twitter.com/jonrothstein/status/1484256907338653710?s=21

Greg Elliott's last four games for Marquette: 14 PPG, 12-19 from three-point range. Has made 26 three-point shots this season --- made 30 during all of last year.