Marquette’s performance against North Dakota State was not an aberration

[MU Avenue]

Poor three-point, free-throw and inside shooting have been pretty much the rule for Marquette all season. This time, however, MU did not have one player turn white hot in the second half to pull the game out of the fire.

Yes, Marquette has played some good games this season and in a few instances won by uncharacteristically wide margins. These big wins, usually sparked by the play of one player, have catapulted Marquette high in the rankings and lulled many into believing MU is one of this season's national powers.

Some sports analysts have predicted Marquette will make the Final Four or even the NCAA finals. Have these prognosticators seen MU play? If yes, have they seen Marquette play more than once? For entire games?

A lot of us bask in the high rankings and all the national attention being heaped onto Marquette. It is fun, exciting. A confirmation. We beat Duke ... by 11 points, after all.

But does anyone who follows Marquette basketball not feel anxiety, stress, consternation and even doubt in the days, hours and minutes leading up to each game? Or even for several minutes after each game has begun?

This Marquette team can be really fun to watch because it is exhilarating to see huge swings in momentum and fabulous, later-in-the-game bursts that allow MU to win. But the Marquette team that faced North Dakota State on Saturday night played in too many ways like the MU team that has taken the court all season.

BOTTOM LINE: Despite Marquette's having begun the season 8-1, can any of us predict with any confidence how MU is going to do this season?

BOTTOM LINE II: Dominic James is a terrific player. There is nowhere I would rather have him playing than for Marquette University. But no matter how James does this season, and no matter how many times he goes wild in the second half, I do not see a sophomore guard who is ready -- or will be ready in a few months -- to step into the NBA.

I think those who have elevated James to a high-first-round pick in the next NBA draft have read a lot about him and seen plenty of highlights video but have not seen him play entire games. James wins tremendous applause for his spurts and flashes of basketball brilliance -- usually in the second half.

When James can consistently spread that brilliance over entire games, he will be ready to ascend to the NBA. Until then, he should continue to hone his ability -- and huge potential -- right where he is.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

Very good post, although I have to say I was much more concerned about this team before the season than I am now. They play with such energy on the defensive end that I don't see them having any kind of disastrous fall. The most glaring concern with this team is that we don't have anybody, except maybe Cubillan, who can shoot at all. However, like the Alabama game last year, when the team gets a sense of urgency, they really start suffocating teams. I have a feeling that this will be drummed into them as the year goes on. I also agree with you about James. He's a phenomenal talent, but I think he still has some maturing to do.

[NYWarrior]

nice posts.......at the end of the day, if this team shoots reasonably well it wins this game and other close ones.  Cub, Fitz or Lazar- -- the opportunity awaits.

And lets make some FTs fellas

[WashDCWarrior]

I've said it before, but the major problem with MU's offense, is that they don't have a good definition of what a "good shot" is.  McNeal and James shooting 3s early in the shot clock isn't the best shot we can get.  3s become much easier when the ball is worked inside out and McNeal and James should be distributing, not shooting long jumpers.

Luckily, this is something we can improve on.

[Harrison]

I absolutely agree ...we are not a good shooting team and therefore we need to be more selective when shooting.   I realize Crean wants to shoot quickly at times and I have no problem with that but the right people need to be shooting.  Wesley, Cubillan, and Fitz need to shoot more and Jerel dramatically less. On Friday jerel plays 10 less minutes than James or Wesley yet shoots 50% more attempts...hello the guy is shooting about 30%.  Also, Fitz and Wesley continue to pass wide open shots to Jerel.  One of the things I was always taught about being agood shooter was knowing what a good shot was.  You can be Larry Bird and if you attempt difficult shots all might will not end up with a good average.  This team passes up good shots and settles for poor ones.  this team's better shooters won't shoot and the poor ones have no conscience.  Our decision making and shot selection will need to improve for us to becoame a better ball club.  My preseason prediction was 2 losses in the pre-con section and 10-6 in the BE.  Many people have been saying 13-3 or 12-4, I just dont see it.  Going into the season our interior and decision making were the concerns...the interior while not great has been a small surprise, I would say nice if we had more consistancy.  The decision making, turnovers, bad shots, etc. is actually worse than last year IMO...I had hoped it would improve.  I have us at 10-6 more becuase i think the BE is way down than becuase I see us as a top team.  We are good enough at times to beat anyone but also bad enough to lose to anyone.  If that improves I think we could improve on that record....but I am pessimistic from what I have seen.

Now on the DJ front...he is still a pro.  You sound just like the people that were saying the exact same things about WAde when he had terrible first halves and good 2nd halves.  Or just like the people that said he better stay after difficult games where he shot poorly and ended up in single digits or had big turnover numbers.  Boy how our memory fails us.  I sat thru the Holy Cross games, Numerous St. Louis games, too numeous 1st halfs where his turnovers out numbered his points etc.  That is what happens when you are a young player,  you get drafted on what you are cpable of doing and how good you can be at your best.  I guess Tyler Hnasbourough should not go pro because he made 2 field goals and only 7 points against Kentucky yeaterday.  To use your logic even many seniors should not declare

[mu_hilltopper]

I've said it before, but the major problem with MU's offense, is that they don't have a good definition of what a "good shot" is.  McNeal and James shooting 3s early in the shot clock isn't the best shot we can get.  3s become much easier when the ball is worked inside out and McNeal and James should be distributing, not shooting long jumpers.

Agree and disagree.  One of the things that aggravates me to no end is passing up an open shot, moving or passing, then 5 seconds later taking a different shot that's even harder, and missing.

It's like they have a play, and by god, they're following the play, even if something better occurs along the way.  But that's a symptom of guys who don't think their shot is going to go in (which is an even larger problem.)

I think that's because I'm not sure the staff has given the green light to anyone who's not slashing to the basket. 

[CWSKeith]

But does anyone who follows Marquette basketball not feel anxiety, stress, consternation and even doubt in the days, hours and minutes leading up to each game? Or even for several minutes after each game has begun?

Why are you (seemingly) making this exclusive to just Marquette?  I mean, how do you think fans of Kansas feel?  They played great basketball and beat Florida in one helluva game, only to lose games at home to Oral Roberts and on the road to DePaul. 

What I'm saying is, very few teams have the luxury of pretty much knowing you're getting a 'W'.  If there were three teams who would qualify, it'd be (IMO) Ohio State, Florida, and UNC -- and, surprisingly enough, all three of those teams even have a loss already.

In my short time at this board, I've enjoyed it mainly because the people here have, for the most part, kept their expectations reasonable.  I don't think before this game you'd find many true MU fans who thought that Marquette was a top five team, and heck, maybe even a top ten team.  I think we're close, but not quite there yet. 

Ultimately, what I'm saying is that the loss yesterday doesn't change a whole lot, other than our 'ranking' as a top ten team.  Crean said it perfectly -- we were dodging bullets in a couple games this year, an we didn't dodge it last night.  But don't go telling me that this team was vastly overrated, because we ALL saw what their potential is last week, winning games at neutral sites to T-Tech and Duke.  Will they play like that all year long?  Of course not,  but the potential remains the same.

[Mayor McCheese]

what aggravates me the most, is everyone talks about Marquette being a very good team, which, lets be honest, they are, however, really good teams don't need to make their fans sweat out games against Idaho St, Valpo and now NDSU.... this is becoming a bit ridiculous, everyone is saying these are wake-up games, well then lets wake up, and play how they should be playing.

[Big Papi]

But does anyone who follows Marquette basketball not feel anxiety, stress, consternation and even doubt in the days, hours and minutes leading up to each game? Or even for several minutes after each game has begun?

This Marquette team can be really fun to watch because it is exhilarating to see huge swings in momentum and fabulous, later-in-the-game bursts that allow MU to win. But the Marquette team that faced North Dakota State on Saturday night played in too many ways like the MU team that has taken the court all season.

BOTTOM LINE: Despite Marquette's having begun the season 8-1, can any of us predict with any confidence how MU is going to do this season?

BOTTOM LINE II: Dominic James is a terrific player. There is nowhere I would rather have him playing than for Marquette University. But no matter how James does this season, and no matter how many times he goes wild in the second half, I do not see a sophomore guard who is ready -- or will be ready in a few months -- to step into the NBA.

I think those who have elevated James to a high-first-round pick in the next NBA draft have read a lot about him and seen plenty of highlights video but have not seen him play entire games. James wins tremendous applause for his spurts and flashes of basketball brilliance -- usually in the second half.

When James can consistently spread that brilliance over entire games, he will be ready to ascend to the NBA. Until then, he should continue to hone his ability -- and huge potential -- right where he is.

I see some on here are really taking this loss hard.

Yes we lost a game.  Yes I have stated numerous times that we are deficincies in free throw shooting, 3 point shooting and lack of legit post up presence is going to cost us games.  Yes we are not a legit top 5 to 8 team that can legitimately state that we have a chance for a national championship.  But come on.  We are not putrid, horrible, not going to win a game the rest of the year, etc., etc.  That last sentence is not directed towards anyone in particular but it does sound like some are jumping off the bridge. 

I am very confident that we will win more than we will lose.  I am very confident that we will finish in the top 6 of conference.  I am very confident that we will make the big dance.

There are some aspects of the game that we do better than most teams in the country.  hopefully those strengths will outweigh our weaknesses.  I am confident they will.

As far as Dom going pro.  it doesn't matter what we think.  I think Dom and TC have already talked to quite a few NBA coaches and GM and already know if Dom at this point in time will or will not be considered a first round pick.  If he can go in the first round than he should definitely go if he wants.  Its easy for us to say that he should stay at MU and not take the money.  Heck i thought Wade was nuts for going pro.  He had no outside shot and was not a great ball handler.  Boy was I wrong.  Dom will do what is best for him.