Any explanation on no Kolek down the stretch?

[Lennys Tap]

That said...MU scored plenty...that wasn't the issue.

In the first 34+? Yep, we scored 78 and that was plenty - we led by 5. In the last 5+? We scored 1. Which was a few less than plenty.

[Pakuni]

In the first 34+? Yep, we scored 78 and that was plenty - we led by 5. In the last 5+? We scored 1. Which was a few less than plenty.

This is true, but the scoring drought down the stretch wasn't the result of not getting good looks. They got good looks and missed at the rim over and over.

[jfp61]

So, in other words, Kolek's playmaking has been less effective of late?
I don't for a second believe Shaka is demanding that his least efficient shooter to shoot more. I sure hope he doesn't.
The fact that Kolek is seeing less court time as his shots have risen and assists have fallen should tell you what Shaka really thinks.

Important to note Kolek has made double the amount of threes greg has in the last month shooting 41%. Kolek has a high ORTG than Greg and Morsell over that time.

There was no good reason to bench Kolek as much as he was yesterday.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

What makes Kolek so effective is his ability to run the pick and roll. Creighton is the most effective team in the conference (and I believe one of the top five most effective in the country) at defending the pick and roll. What makes them effective is Kalkbrenner's ability to cut off passing lanes while also swallowing up ballhandlers who don't pass and take it to the hoop. I've seen some posts calling Kalkbrenner things like "average at best" and those posts massively underrate him as a defender. How you beat Kalkbrenner is to either be strong enough to get him to foul you (he's one of the best bigs in the country at defending without fouling) or to have an effective stop and pop in your arsenal...neither of which Kolek does particularly well. I'd really like him to work on both of those parts of his game this offseason because it would make him all the more deadly.

I actually really liked how Shaka anticipated Creighton's pick and roll defense. Kalkbrenner was caught in no man's land repeatedly as Morsell and Jones beat their men into the key and he was forced to either abandon his post or watch an elbow jumper go in. He started by watching those jumpers go in and later started coming out to help, removing him from rebounding position, which led to a few nice putbacks by Kuath.

All that being said...my instinct is that you still put Tyler in with 15 seconds left. If nothing else but to get the ball up the court and make Creighton wonder if Marquette was going to switch to their typical halfcourt offense rather than the action Shaka had been running all night.

And all that being said, someone else (I believe it was 82) pointed out that bringing in a player cold who had played poorly all night, might have been asking for disaster. Especially when that player is a guy like Kolek. From what I've been told and observed, he's a very emotion driven player which is a double edged sword. His passion can fuel and elevate his play, but his frustration can also turn a one off mistake into a cluster of errors that end up hurting the team.

TLDR, Creighton is tailor made to stop Kolek. I probably would have put him in but understand why Shaka didn't.

[DoctorV]

Nice summary there.

I was pretty upset that TyKo wasn't in to at the very least bring the ball up, and was really upset that no one helped Darryl by setting a screen before/around half court or by giving him someone to pass to.

If you want a Darryl iso in that situation ala Vander Blue versus StJ/Davidson, which is what I wanted, you get him the ball just outside the arc and then let him get to work- you don't make him work his arse off to bring it up when you know he's not a ball handling pg like that.
Best case scenario he doesn't turn it over but he's still gassed and doesn't have the burst if he were to just initiate just beyond the 3P line.

Water under the bridge. Live and learn.

[MU82]

We played our best basketball of the game, by far, with Kolek on the bench and Morsell working the paint.

Make a couple of point-blank layups and we're saying, "Isn't it great that we can win in a tough road environment with our PG having a bad game?"

[MuggsyB]

We played our best basketball of the game, by far, with Kolek on the bench and Morsell working the paint.

Make a couple of point-blank layups and we're saying, "Isn't it great that we can win in a tough road environment with our PG having a bad game?"

Dr. V is correct and makes an excellent point (no pun intended) about Morsell dribbling from half-court to start that possession.   The fact is what we did the first 35 mins is irrelevant, it's about the last 5 mins.  We missed two chippies and free throws but we also kicked the ball away three critical times and overall had horsebleep possessions down the stretch.  We were also anemic defensively and molasses slow when we had to get stops.  You play your best ball-handler and distributor to close games.  It was a mistake and extremely unfortunate.  These are the facts of the case and they are undisputed.

[tower912]

Shaka has shown that he will ride hot hands/combinations and. leave. starters on the bench a long time if they aren't contributing or are. bringing negative energy.   It was his opinion that Kolek fell into the latter category.

[NotAnAlum]

  We were also anemic defensively and molasses slow when we had to get stops. 

Except the final CU possession which was MU at their best forcing a off balance 3 with the shot clock expiring.   If we simply execute in the last 16 seconds we come home with a 1 point win and we're all talking about that final defensive stop as what differentiates this team from Wojo teams.  What could have been

[MU82]

Dr. V is correct and makes an excellent point (no pun intended) about Morsell dribbling from half-court to start that possession.   The fact is what we did the first 35 mins is irrelevant, it's about the last 5 mins.  We missed two chippies and free throws but we also kicked the ball away three critical times and overall had horsebleep possessions down the stretch.  We were also anemic defensively and molasses slow when we had to get stops.  You play your best ball-handler and distributor to close games.  It was a mistake and extremely unfortunate.  These are the facts of the case and they are undisputed.

Except Kolek wasn't prepared to contribute the way he normally does, according to the only person who actually would know about such a thing.

So either we trust Shaka to have his finger on the team's pulse, or we don't.

That's not me saying Shaka is infallible. I've criticized him plenty. But think about the decision: We know he loves Kolek, raves about him even when it comes to some parts of Kolek's game that most of us find wanting (like shooting), constantly talks about how valuable Kolek is to the team. And yet, despite all that, Shaka chose not to play Kolek in a tight road game.

You might say it was a "mistake" that's "undisputed," but you don't really have any idea what was going on, so it's actually quite easily disputed, Muggs.

I don't know what was going on, either. So on this one, I'll defer to the well-paid guy who oversees the program and knows Tyler Kolek a bazillion times better than I do.

[avid1010]

In the first 34+? Yep, we scored 78 and that was plenty - we led by 5. In the last 5+? We scored 1. Which was a few less than plenty.

My bad...didnt see TK as the common denominator there...

[bilsu]

First of all, I think Kolek should have been in at the end of the game.
However, I always thought as the season went on the other teams would get better at defending against Kolek's drives and dishes out to other players. His assists are falling off, because the other teams now know how to defend him.

Same thing with Marquette's defense. The other coaches now know how to beat it. Giving up 46 points in first half is not a good sign. I kind of blocked the Butler game out of my mind, but I think we were similarly torched by Butler in first half.

[GooooMarquette]

I don't believe Shaka sacrificed the game by sitting Kolek.

Not intentionally perhaps - he clearly thought we would win without him - but I believe the decision inadvertently gave the game away.

[MuggsyB]

Except Kolek wasn't prepared to contribute the way he normally does, according to the only person who actually would know about such a thing.

So either we trust Shaka to have his finger on the team's pulse, or we don't.

That's not me saying Shaka is infallible. I've criticized him plenty. But think about the decision: We know he loves Kolek, raves about him even when it comes to some parts of Kolek's game that most of us find wanting (like shooting), constantly talks about how valuable Kolek is to the team. And yet, despite all that, Shaka chose not to play Kolek in a tight road game.

You might say it was a "mistake" that's "undisputed," but you don't really have any idea what was going on, so it's actually quite easily disputed, Muggs.

I don't know what was going on, either. So on this one, I'll defer to the well-paid guy who oversees the program and knows Tyler Kolek a bazillion times better than I do.

True, Kolek didn't "contribute" or was as effective as he normally is but the same can be said for a bunch of our other players.  Nevertheless, there isn't really an answer for why you wouldn't have your best ball-handler in the game the closing 5 minutes.  He also had 7pts in 15 mins and shoots over 80% from the line.  As I said in the game thread, things went South when we had the ball up 5 with about 5 mins to go.

No one disputes that Kolek is our best ball-handler and passer.  His stats really don't tell you the whole story because he's the one guy who can get us quality looks in our half-court offense when he is on his game, surveying the floor, and attacking off the bounce. Once you take him out of the game, and execution becomes paramount, you are eliminating a weapon that creates better shot opportunities.  It makes it much easier to clamp down on Lewis or Morsell and our auxiliary scorers generally stand around and watch.  I love Shaka but he made a critical mistake Sunday. 

[GooooMarquette]

I did a Google search for "Gladiator Face," and this is the first thing that came up. Take that as you will, but I think Shaka was punishing Tyler for not finishing his spinach....

https://travelatelier.com/blog/roman-gladiators-ephesos-vegetable-diet/

[MU82]

So, Muggs, you're gonna stick with your belief that you know more about what's going on with Kolek than Shaka does.

OK, we'll agree to disagree. I'm dopey enough to think that he's closer to the situation than any Scoopers are, and that we don't have nearly enough information right now to know what was right or wrong.

[willie warrior]

We're waiting patiently

I know. You hang on every one of my posts. You must be waiting patiently for the next one

[Uncle Rico]

I know. You hang on every one of my posts. You must be waiting patiently for the next one

Where's the nickname

[Viper]

So, Muggs, you're gonna stick with your belief that you know more about what's going on with Kolek than Shaka does.

OK, we'll agree to disagree. I'm dopey enough to think that he's closer to the situation than any Scoopers are, and that we don't have nearly enough information right now to know what was right or wrong.

dopey is Shaka and his game attire.

[MuggsyB]

So, Muggs, you're gonna stick with your belief that you know more about what's going on with Kolek than Shaka does.

OK, we'll agree to disagree. I'm dopey enough to think that he's closer to the situation than any Scoopers are, and that we don't have nearly enough information right now to know what was right or wrong.

That is not my belief, nor did I write anything of the sort.  I stated that he made a mistake.  Coaches can make mistakes MU82, even all-time greats.   I will also add, and I think all of us can agree, this team will not advance in the tournament if Kolek is a non-factor.  It's as simple as that.  He's not close to our best player but we don't have another viable option at the PG.

I'm not saying it's easy.  He's been up and down/wildly inconsistent.  He certainly wasn't good Sunday.  At the same time this MU team has been at its best, and much better than we have seen recently, when Kolek is playing well.  I think taking your primary ball-handler and distributor off the court, In a critical late-Feb game,  makes very little sense.  Both short-term and long-term.  We're gonna need this kid vs tournament teams.
 

[MU82]

That is not my belief, nor did I write anything of the sort.  I stated that he made a mistake.  Coaches can make mistakes MU82, even all-time greats.   I will also add, and I think all of us can agree, this team will not advance in the tournament if Kolek is a non-factor.  It's as simple as that.  He's not close to our best player but we don't have another viable option at the PG.

I'm not saying it's easy.  He's been up and down/wildly inconsistent.  He certainly wasn't good Sunday.  At the same time this MU team has been at its best, and much better than we have seen recently, when Kolek is playing well.  I think taking your primary ball-handler and distributor off the court, In a critical late-Feb game,  makes very little sense.  Both short-term and long-term.  We're gonna need this kid vs tournament teams.

If the coach had good reason to believe that Kolek was not mentally and/or physically prepared to help the team down the stretch -- and if the coach was right -- wouldn't the "mistake" have been to play Kolek? All I'm saying is we don't have enough information to know. I'm pretty impressed if you have all the information you need to know.

As for the rest of your comment, we definitely agree there. Even if Kolek can't be dynamic for us, we need him to be solid and efficient if we're gonna advance in March. PG is the most important position on the floor, and he's the only viable one we have for what's left of this season.

Looking ahead to next season, we need an upgrade at PG. Maybe the upgrade will come from Kolek himself; players do improve, sometimes a lot.

[Elonsmusk]

If the coach had good reason to believe that Kolek was not mentally and/or physically prepared to help the team down the stretch -- and if the coach was right -- wouldn't the "mistake" have been to play Kolek? All I'm saying is we don't have enough information to know. I'm pretty impressed if you have all the information you need to know.

As for the rest of your comment, we definitely agree there. Even if Kolek can't be dynamic for us, we need him to be solid and efficient if we're gonna advance in March. PG is the most important position on the floor, and he's the only viable one we have for what's left of this season.

Looking ahead to next season, we need an upgrade at PG. Maybe the upgrade will come from Kolek himself; players do improve, sometimes a lot.

I think Kolek can take a step up next year, yet I think he's been really good this year.  He plays an aggressive brand of basketball, as I result I can live with his TO Rate.  Sure it would be nice to see him reduce turnovers, yet he is the Number 1 Assist man in Big East, is 7th in Steal Percentage, 24th in fouls/40 and 24th in 3 point shooting at 35.5%.

That's probably the best PG play we've seen at MU since Diener.  Dominic never shot better than 31% on 3's, and his Assist Rate numbers ranged between 28.6% and 33.8%.  Kolek is at 34.6% right now.  Dom turned it over less ranging between 15.9-18% versus Kolek's 23.8%.  But..considering Dom is thought of as one of MU's "greats," Kolek's play has been really quite good.

[MU82]

I think Kolek can take a step up next year, yet I think he's been really good this year.  He plays an aggressive brand of basketball, as I result I can live with his TO Rate.  Sure it would be nice to see him reduce turnovers, yet he is the Number 1 Assist man in Big East, is 7th in Steal Percentage, 24th in fouls/40 and 24th in 3 point shooting at 35.5%.

That's probably the best PG play we've seen at MU since Diener.  Dominic never shot better than 31% on 3's, and his Assist Rate numbers ranged between 28.6% and 33.8%.  Kolek is at 34.6% right now.  Dom turned it over less ranging between 15.9-18% versus Kolek's 23.8%.  But..considering Dom is thought of as one of MU's "greats," Kolek's play has been really quite good.

First off, Dom was an elite defender. Not just good, but elite. Given the similarities of their offensive numbers, that alone puts him well ahead of Kolek in my book. Plus, Dom played well over an extended period. Kolek's been here for 20-some games, so we'll see. Maybe eventually he'll be better than Dom.

By measurables, Kolek's better than Junior, but Junior just fit that 2012-13 team perfectly. Would we rather have senior Rowsey or Kolek at PG for this team? That's an interesting question that we'll never know the answer to. Given how far opponents play off Kolek, it might be fun to have an offensive assassin there, even if Rowsey is one of the worst defensive players any of us have ever seen.

Kolek's been fine, probably a little better than most expected before the season began, but obviously not in line with some of the ridiculous accolades that were being thrown around back in November. PROS: He's got good vision, he's a decent ballhandler, he mostly makes good decisions, his shooting has improved from horrific to acceptable, he's a willing defender who gets some deflections. CONS: He has poor shooting form, no float game, he's too left-handed, he gets loose with the ball occasionally, opposing offenses try (and often succeed) to isolate him on D.

That Shaka lost so much confidence in him Sunday says something. I'm not sure what yet because we don't know enough, but something.

I think we need an upgrade. That might come from a newcomer or, as I said, from Kolek himself. Develop a float game and a pull-up game, get 50% better with the right hand, and work some more on the shot ... and now you're talkin'!

[BrewCity83]

Don't forget, Kolek's still a "Freshman".

[Elonsmusk]

First off, Dom was an elite defender. Not just good, but elite. Given the similarities of their offensive numbers, that alone puts him well ahead of Kolek in my book. Plus, Dom played well over an extended period. Kolek's been here for 20-some games, so we'll see. Maybe eventually he'll be better than Dom.

By measurables, Kolek's better than Junior, but Junior just fit that 2012-13 team perfectly. Would we rather have senior Rowsey or Kolek at PG for this team? That's an interesting question that we'll never know the answer to. Given how far opponents play off Kolek, it might be fun to have an offensive assassin there, even if Rowsey is one of the worst defensive players any of us have ever seen.

Kolek's been fine, probably a little better than most expected before the season began, but obviously not in line with some of the ridiculous accolades that were being thrown around back in November. PROS: He's got good vision, he's a decent ballhandler, he mostly makes good decisions, his shooting has improved from horrific to acceptable, he's a willing defender who gets some deflections. CONS: He has poor shooting form, no float game, he's too left-handed, he gets loose with the ball occasionally, opposing offenses try (and often succeed) to isolate him on D.

That Shaka lost so much confidence in him Sunday says something. I'm not sure what yet because we don't know enough, but something.

I think we need an upgrade. That might come from a newcomer or, as I said, from Kolek himself. Develop a float game and a pull-up game, get 50% better with the right hand, and work some more on the shot ... and now you're talkin'!

Well..Sean Jones is highly regarded..so we'll see what transpires next season.  I suspect Kolek will be the starting PG at MU each of the next two years, however.  I like his game better than Dom's.  While Dominic was an elite level defender, Kolek is very good.  He sees the floor better than Dominic did too.

As for Saturday..Shaka didn't "lose so much confidence in him."  You don't lose confidence in a player in one game.  I suspect it was all a mentality/body language issue Shaka had with Tyler and he chose to send the message.