Frustrating game but we're fine

[ATWizJr]

Or he chooses to not panic.

who's panicking?  If you're not concerned you're delusional.

[MUfan12]

who's panicking?  If you're not concerned you're delusional.

Say you're an entitled fan without actually saying it.

[tower912]

Concerned about what?  House money at this point.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

who's panicking?  If you're not concerned you're delusional.

Please share why we all should lose our sh*t. 

[bradforster]

We've been snakebitten by too many February fades to not be a bit nervous.  I'm definitely worried.  When the team comes out in listless fashion two games in a row how can you not have some anxiety moving forward?

[Uncle Rico]

We've been snakebitten by too many February fades to not be a bit nervous.  I'm definitely worried.  When the team comes out in listless fashion two games in a row how can you not have some anxiety moving forward?

Because it's 2022 and this is a completely different roster

[Johnny B]

Concerned about what?  House money at this point.

why is it house money just cuz pre season expectations were low.

[bradforster]

Because it's 2022 and this is a completely different roster

A different roster came out in desultory fashion in back to back games?

[Vander Blue Man Group]

We've been snakebitten by too many February fades to not be a bit nervous.  I'm definitely worried.  When the team comes out in listless fashion two games in a row how can you not have some anxiety moving forward?

It's about the middle of the month.  We lost on the road to a good Providence team where it came down to the last possession.

We lost on the road to a good UConn team that is a terrible matchup in a competitive game.

Today sucked.  I won't make any excuses for it, especially the first half. 

So why should I panic?

[MuggsyB]

Again, it sucks but we're going to be alright.  Butler made 13 threes which probably hasn't happened all year to a good team.  That said the overall defense was not good today, and I think we need to look at a couple of things here. 

I thought most of the first half our perimeter defense, along with the pseudo traps, pretty much sucked.  We were not stopping the ball, were biting constantly on shot fakes, and gave them way too many screen roll chippies or drop offs.  Butler is not a good offensive team and we overpressured the ball. 


You force a team like that to score over the top with a hand up, and we for the most part didn't do that at all.  Our trapping to try and speed them up actually hurt us and we  reacted slowly once they broke pressure and looked like we were on skates. We couldn't stop the ball most of the game.

Additionally, if our 5's are going to play they can't be total non-factors.  Lastly, it would be nice if one of our players actually stepped in on a telegraph drive and took a charge. 

[Uncle Rico]

A different roster came out in desultory fashion in back to back games?

It happens.  I don't know what else to say.  These are college kids.  It sucks but it is what it is.  Listen, if they're down double digits to Georgetown and lose, then panicking will be fine

[bradforster]

I'm not panicking.  I'm just nervous.  I also don't believe in "house money."  As a team produces better than anticipated results, expectations change.  The team was picked to finish 9th, but after winning eight of ten against mostly stiff competition, the bar has been raised - especially when the last six games (including today) come against the softest part of the schedule.  MU should be no worse than a six seed in March.  Anything less at this point would be a disappointment.  At least from my vantage point.

[Uncle Rico]

I'm not panicking.  I'm just nervous.  I also don't believe in "house money."  As a team produces better than anticipated results, expectations change.  The team was picked to finish 9th, but after winning eight of ten against mostly stiff competition, the bar has been raised - especially when the last six games ( including today) come against the softest part of the schedule.  MU should be no worse than a six seed in March.  Anything less at this point would be a disappointment.  At least from my vantage point.

Fair enough

[Newsdreams]

Please share why we all should lose our sh*t.

Because this is Scoop

[MuggsyB]

Look, we went down 31-11 or something like that.  To a garbage team.  It's perfectly fine to be upset and vent a little bit.  However,  that doesn't mean everything is going to Hell like past years.  Nevertheless, I totally disagree with the "house money" analysis.  That's complete nonsense and ridiculously unhealthy on a myriad of fronts.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Nevertheless, I totally disagree with the "house money" analysis.  That's complete nonsense and ridiculously unhealthy on a myriad of fronts.

Probably healthier than getting bent out of shape about a bunch of college kids playing a game 

[TSmith34, Inc.]

Biggest thing to fix IMO, besides the ever-present rebounding issue, is the tendency the last game-and-a-half to just play too much iso ball. I wouldn't call it hero ball necessarily, but the assist numbers are way, way down. Not sharing the ball at all like they were during the streak.

[MuggsyB]

Biggest thing to fix IMO, besides the ever-present rebounding issue, is the tendency the last game-and-a-half to just play too much iso ball. I wouldn't call it hero ball necessarily, but the assist numbers are way, way down. Not sharing the ball at all like they were during the streak.

Great point.  I think JLew early in the game should post more and force the double.  Sometimes he forces through two defenders and I think he should try to facilitate a bit more to get some of our guys off and in rhythm.  When we play iso ball we don't get the quality looks we want in our h-court offense.   Unfortunately, we don't have a guy with the downhill zips that makes things easier.

[MU82]

Look, we went down 31-11 or something like that.  To a garbage team.  It's perfectly fine to be upset and vent a little bit.  However,  that doesn't mean everything is going to Hell like past years.  Nevertheless, I totally disagree with the "house money" analysis.  That's complete nonsense and ridiculously unhealthy on a myriad of fronts.

Why is a fan using "house money" on a fan site "ridiculously unhealthy on a myriad of fronts"?

Whose health is in jeopardy because of those words being used?

[MuggsyB]

Why is a fan using "house money" on a fan site "ridiculously unhealthy on a myriad of fronts"?

Whose health is in jeopardy because of those words being used?

it's a defeatist attitude and negatively impacts everyone involved in the program.  It's also an absurd mindset that serves zero purpose, this isn't 1st grade t-ball.

[The Sultan]

it's a defeatist attitude and negatively impacts everyone involved in the program.  It's also an absurd mindset that serves zero purpose, this isn't 1st grade t-ball.

My attitude has no impact whatsoever on the program. Neither does yours.

[MU82]

it's a defeatist attitude and negatively impacts everyone involved in the program.  It's also an absurd mindset that serves zero purpose, this isn't 1st grade t-ball.

We might want to think we're important, Muggs, but nothing you or I or tower says "negatively impacts everyone involved in the program."

It was a Scooper's opinion. It hurts nobody. But I defend your right to disagree with that opinion.

[Uncle Rico]

it's a defeatist attitude and negatively impacts everyone involved in the program.  It's also an absurd mindset that serves zero purpose, this isn't 1st grade t-ball.

They're playing with house money

[tower912]

Casa cash.

[PointWarrior]

COLE vibe is strong in this thread....

It's as if Scholl forgot to ask Wojo for the keys back to the Al and he is going to come back and coach this team for the rest of Feb.