Br-Aiken 2, electric boogaloo

[Eye]

MU swept Seton Hall in the NIT year a few years back.

[JakeBarnes]

Anyone have a good embedded video of Shaka clapping along with the fans at the end?

[MU82]

This team is so mentally tough.  It starts with the head coach, but IMO the two senior transfers have set the stage. They don't panic.  They stay tough.  And that has filtered down to the rest of the team.  Shaka has no problem putting freshmen in pressure situations.

Anyone else notice that when Osa subbed in for Kur early, that he clearly struggled matching the physicality and intensity of the game?  Shaka pulled him real quick and pulled him over to talk to him.  But when Kur got in foul trouble late, Osa performed very well considering who he was guarding.

Shaka made two important personnel decisions yesterday.

The first was giving Oso the quick hook, as you say. That's pretty uncharacteristic of Shaka -- he usually gives a player he puts in a little time, and that's especially been the case with his rotation at the 5. But SH went from being afraid to challenge Kuath to being emboldened to go right at Oso, so Shaka went right back to Kuath after a short break. Shaka did give Oso a couple of longer runs later, and Oso held his own better. That's important, because Kuath seems to get tired a little more quickly than other players.

The second was benching Morsell with 4:34 to go after a series of poor plays. He had taken Morsell out for a couple of minutes a little earlier in the half, no doubt hoping the rest would help, but when Morsell's soft give-away led to Kuath's 4th foul, Shaka could no longer watch it and put Kam in for Daryll with a 65-54 lead. Morsell didn't get back into the game until 39 seconds remained. It couldn't have been easy for Shaka to bench a guy who has been one of his leaders, but he did what he had to do. I did notice that Daryll remained very "up" when he was on the bench, supporting and cheering for his teammates, which is great.

There have been a few times this season when Shaka benched Kuath when Kur was playing poorly, too. Holding even super-seniors accountable sends a very strong message to the younger players. I get more impressed with Shaka's coaching every game.

[JakeBarnes]

Shaka made two important personnel decisions yesterday.

The first was giving Oso the quick hook, as you say. That's pretty uncharacteristic of Shaka -- he usually gives a player he puts in a little time, and that's especially been the case with his rotation at the 5. But SH went from being afraid to challenge Kuath to being emboldened to go right at Oso, so Shaka went right back to Kuath after a short break. Shaka did give Oso a couple of longer runs later, and Oso held his own better. That's important, because Kuath seems to get tired a little more quickly than other players.

The second was benching Morsell with 4:34 to go after a series of poor plays. He had taken Morsell out for a couple of minutes a little earlier in the half, no doubt hoping the rest would help, but when Morsell's soft give-away led to Kuath's 4th foul, Shaka could no longer watch it and put Kam in for Daryll with a 65-54 lead. Morsell didn't get back into the game until 39 seconds remained. It couldn't have been easy for Shaka to bench a guy who has been one of his leaders, but he did what he had to do. I did notice that Daryll remained very "up" when he was on the bench, supporting and cheering for his teammates, which is great.

There have been a few times this season when Shaka benched Kuath when Kur was playing poorly, too. Holding even super-seniors accountable sends a very strong message to the younger players. I get more impressed with Shaka's coaching every game.

Noticed the hook on Morsell too. It was clear he was hitting a tipping point where he got called for two REALLY soft fouls and it was messing with his head. It was a heady move by Shaka. He really can make the tough decision.

[Big Papi]

Great win.

I never expected a 7-game conference winning streak.  That is a huge accomplishment.

It was to our huge advantage that Seton Hall played 3 games in 5 days and didn't have Aiken who killed us the last time.

The team defensive play in the first half was outstanding.

This team will go as far as this defense can take them.

Kuath's interior defense and shot blocks puts us in a great position to win that game.

We had the good and bad Morsell in one game.  He started off fantastic and in control making clutch plays and then I was screaming at the tv to get him out of the
game in the second half when he couldn't do anything right with turnovers and fouls.  Seton Hall's best player during that stretch.

Lewis has turned into a big time stud.  Needs to not fall in love with the 3 and all will be great.

Great inbounds play between Kolek and Oso with the shot clock at 4.  Kolek you need to finish those lay-ups.  Kolek needs to do 100 layup drill a day as he gets battered with blocking shields.

Would suck losing Lewis next year but Kam Jones is going to be a stud.  A better version of Howard????

[Galway Eagle]

Great win.

I never expected a 7-game conference winning streak.  That is a huge accomplishment.

It was to our huge advantage that Seton Hall played 3 games in 5 days and didn't have Aiken who killed us the last time.

The team defensive play in the first half was outstanding.

This team will go as far as this defense can take them.

Kuath's interior defense and shot blocks puts us in a great position to win that game.

We had the good and bad Morsell in one game.  He started off fantastic and in control making clutch plays and then I was screaming at the tv to get him out of the
game in the second half when he couldn't do anything right with turnovers and fouls.  Seton Hall's best player during that stretch.

Lewis has turned into a big time stud.  Needs to not fall in love with the 3 and all will be great.

Great inbounds play between Kolek and Oso with the shot clock at 4.  Kolek you need to finish those lay-ups.  Kolek needs to do 100 layup drill a day as he gets battered with blocking shields.

Would suck losing Lewis next year but Kam Jones is going to be a stud.  A better version of Howard????

He's nowhere near as elite at shooting. He will be good and score a ton of points but I'll gladly eat my words if he becomes a two time all American

[MU82]

Would suck losing Lewis next year but Kam Jones is going to be a stud.  A better version of Howard????

Better than a first-team All-American and national scoring leader? I highly, highly doubt it.

If you mean a guy who is "better" in respect to getting his while more of the others on the team also get theirs, maybe.

I think I at least understand the comparison, as Kam also has never met a shot he didn't like!

[PointWarrior]

Is that two more tests Shaka has passed?   

What his cumulative test score now at MU?

Shaka made two important personnel decisions yesterday.

The first was giving Oso the quick hook, as you say. That's pretty uncharacteristic of Shaka -- he usually gives a player he puts in a little time, and that's especially been the case with his rotation at the 5. But SH went from being afraid to challenge Kuath to being emboldened to go right at Oso, so Shaka went right back to Kuath after a short break. Shaka did give Oso a couple of longer runs later, and Oso held his own better. That's important, because Kuath seems to get tired a little more quickly than other players.

The second was benching Morsell with 4:34 to go after a series of poor plays. He had taken Morsell out for a couple of minutes a little earlier in the half, no doubt hoping the rest would help, but when Morsell's soft give-away led to Kuath's 4th foul, Shaka could no longer watch it and put Kam in for Daryll with a 65-54 lead. Morsell didn't get back into the game until 39 seconds remained. It couldn't have been easy for Shaka to bench a guy who has been one of his leaders, but he did what he had to do. I did notice that Daryll remained very "up" when he was on the bench, supporting and cheering for his teammates, which is great.

There have been a few times this season when Shaka benched Kuath when Kur was playing poorly, too. Holding even super-seniors accountable sends a very strong message to the younger players. I get more impressed with Shaka's coaching every game.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

I'll settle for Kam being a skinnier, less athletic DJO.

[Galway Eagle]

I'll settle for Kam being a skinnier, less athletic DJO.

We didn't see DJO his freshman year. Stay hopeful he gets just as ripped!

[brewcity77]

• First half was exactly what we wanted. Fast pace, applied pressure, and the scoreboard reflected that.
  
• The Pirates looked gassed early. Shots coming up short, not as much lift on their drives, which fed into Kur dominating the interior.
  
• Playing St. John's twice and us again all in five days was really tough scheduling on SHU. I actually felt a little bad for them.
  
• In the second half, it looked like we were content to slow the pace and cruise, which made it easier for the Pirates to press and get back into the game. We learned how hard it is to slow the pace then try to pick it back up.
  
• Justin Lewis is the best player in the Big East right now. If the season ended today, he would be BEPOY.
  
• I think there's a real case for Shaka as BECOY and Morsell and BEDPOY. This team is remarkable.
  
• Based on the odds at the tip-off of each game, the chances of us winning these 7 straight was 0.2%. The odds of winning 8 straight was 0.1% and getting to 10 was 0.01%. I like defying odds.
  
• Shaka leading the "We Are Marquette" chant at the Rock and clapping along is pretty epic.
  
• You can't spell Seton HaLL without two L's.

[Big Papi]

Better than a first-team All-American and national scoring leader? I highly, highly doubt it.

If you mean a guy who is "better" in respect to getting his while more of the others on the team also get theirs, maybe.

I think I at least understand the comparison, as Kam also has never met a shot he didn't like!

He is not as good of a shooter as Howard but he has the range and the shot.  He has a great ability to drive to the hoop and make tough acrobatic shots.  I think he is and will continue to be a better distributor of the ball and I think his defense will be significantly better.  I see all the pieces in place for him, if he continues to improve to be in the discussion of who was a better player for MU. 

[MU82]

He is not as good of a shooter as Howard but he has the range and the shot.  He has a great ability to drive to the hoop and make tough acrobatic shots.  I think he is and will continue to be a better distributor of the ball and I think his defense will be significantly better.  I see all the pieces in place for him, if he continues to improve to be in the discussion of who was a better player for MU.

OK. I just don't think it's a very good comparison, and I'd bet a pretty good amount of money that based on most metrics Kam's career will not have been "better" than that of a national scoring leader and first-team All-American. I also haven't seen evidence of Kam being a better distributor than Markus was.

JAM's comparison of Kam to DJO would appear much more likely at this point in Kam's young career -- much more similarities in their games. And I'd happily take that, too!

I'm very high on Kam and have said many times that I think he could be our go-to guy before he's through.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

(I liked DJO more than Markus)

*Ducks*

[Galway Eagle]

(I liked DJO more than Markus)

*Ducks*

I liked Lazar more than Crowder. Sometimes there's just a few plays that stand out (especially when you're young) that keep them higher in your mind.

[Pepe Sylvia]

I don't think I'll ever love a Marquette player more than Davante Gardner.

[dgies9156]

• Shaka leading the "We Are Marquette" chant at the Rock and clapping along is pretty epic.
  

Gosh, I saw that and loved it.

He's here for the long-haul!!!!!!

[Skatastrophy]

I don't think I'll ever love a Marquette player more than Davante Gardner.

Not even Dan Fitzgerald?

[Elonsmusk]

I don't think I'll ever love a Marquette player more than Davante Gardner.

I agree with this analysis.

[MU82]

(I liked DJO more than Markus)

*Ducks*

No reason to duck. We all have likes, dislikes, favorites, etc. I mean, there was a thread in 2018-19 entitled, "God How I Love The Hausers." People choose their faves for whatever reason.

My list of favorite MU players would include names that wouldn't make a top-10 list of all-time Marquette greats, and I'm sure yours would, too.

Markus and DJO both were outstanding players ... and one could make a very representative All-Time Top 10 Marquette Players list that wouldn't include either of them.

*Ducks*

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

• Justin Lewis is the best player in the Big East right now. If the season ended today, he would be BEPOY.
  

I think it is him or Gillespie at this point. I don't know that anyone else is close, maybe RJ Cole? Champaigne may be the actual best player but unless they can finish in the top half of the conference, I'm not sure he would be considered.[/list]

[Spotcheck Billy]

Kur's ability to block 6 shots while only committing 1 foul in the 1st half was amazing. It seemed that all of his fouls in the game were for reaching in and none from block attempts.

[brewcity77]

I think it is him or Gillespie at this point. I don't know that anyone else is close, maybe RJ Cole? Champaigne may be the actual best player but unless they can finish in the top half of the conference, I'm not sure he would be considered.[/list]

I think Cole is the most likely competition. For Villanova, I think it's hard to split between him and Moore.

[nyg]

I think Cole is the most likely competition. For Villanova, I think it's hard to split between him and Moore.

I think Gillespie, Moore, Sanago and Lewis are probable favorites halfway thru schedule.  [/list]

[rocky_warrior]

Is that two more tests Shaka has passed?   

What his cumulative test score now at MU?

By my math, he (and the team) are at 71% right now.  I think in today's world that is good for a C.