Marquette- Providence Autopsy

[oilcan]

Something I noticed from watching the tapes of last night's game vs. Providence.
Marquette played a half court game much of the time and I asked myself why was that?  They love to 3/4 court press and create "Havoc". And yet there wasn't nearly enough of that. And that is part of the strategy: to get fast breaks, speed up the game because your players are faster and quicker, and if you can sub in players you can wear the other team out. And you get more possessions. That helps your shooting percentage.  Probably, it was knowing the Providence guards are strong ball handlers. You overreach just a little bit and they're gone.

I also think this was an experiment, and a learning experience. You can overwhelm a lesser opponent with your press, but when you get to big boy games, you better have a half-court offense.  I know, I've seen it before. If you don't blow up the court on a break away dunk, things can go to crap if you can't play in a slow down game.   If you can't do the fundamentals: pass, cut, set screens, pass the ball for someone with a better shot you're wasting your time. All those things you can do to frustrate your opponent are part of what it takes to win. That's how it works.

One last thing. I'm so glad the team doesn't do the weave half-court out around 22 feet. I really hate that. And MU doesn't do that. They set screens and Tyler makes smart passes. He's so OK.

[MuggsyB]

Something I noticed from watching the tapes of last night's game vs. Providence.
Marquette played a half court game much of the time and I asked myself why was that?  They love to 3/4 court press and create "Havoc". And yet there wasn't nearly enough of that. And that is part of the strategy: to get fast breaks, speed up the game because your players are faster and quicker, and if you can sub in players you can wear the other team out. And you get more possessions. That helps your shooting percentage.  Probably, it was knowing the Providence guards are strong ball handlers. You overreach just a little bit and they're gone.

I also think this was an experiment, and a learning experience. You can overwhelm a lesser opponent with your press, but when you get to big boy games, you better have a half-court offense.  I know, I've seen it before. If you don't blow up the court on a break away dunk, things can go to crap if you can't play in a slow down game.   If you can't do the fundamentals: pass, cut, set screens, pass the ball for someone with a better shot you're wasting your time. All those things you can do to frustrate your opponent are part of what it takes to win. That's how it works.

One last thing. I'm so glad the team doesn't do the weave half-court out around 22 feet. I really hate that. And MU doesn't do that. They set screens and Tyler makes smart passes. He's so OK.

Excellent points oilcan.  The weave and heave drove me up the wall. 

[tower912]

I am of the opinion that MU was conserving energy.   Did more trapping and double teaming in the half court instead.
Speculation only.

[oilcan]

Oh yeah, you also have to box out and rebound. As my friend Brandon Bell, just reminded me. He was a freshmen pg on that team in 2002-2003. He wasn't at the festivities last night to celebrate the anniversary. He didn't get a special jacket with the number on his back. But he'll never forget the experiences he had. Crean telling him what to eat on the plane. Missing a game winning shot at the buzzer against Louisville. And have an entire arena chant "Charlie's better!!!"   And then, there was the hard work. And that always pays off. And then Wes Matthews comes to town. Listen, it comes and goes and nobody knows what the future holds. Play hard. Play to win. Live to learn. And you can't go wrong.

[tower912]

I don't remember Brandon being on that team.   I thought he was a freshman in 03-04.

[Dr. Blackheart]

I don't remember Brandon being on that team.   I thought he was a freshman in 03-04.

https://wiki.muscoop.com/doku.php/men_s_basketball/brandon_bell

[tower912]

Yup.  2003 still in high school.

[MU82]

George Santos can really tell great stories of his time on that team.

[real chili 83]

George Santos can really tell great stories of his time on that team.

Why Mike, why?

🙄🙄🙄

[oilcan]

I apologize. Sincerely. A terrible mistake on my part. If Brandon had been on that team he would have bragged about it. He didn't. I guess I just wanted it to be true. I should have checked with him first, before I did what I did.

[MU82]

Why Mike, why?

🙄🙄🙄

Why? Because it's funny. And because the guy claimed to be a star athlete.

Also, you do know there have been lots and lots of Santos references on Scoop over the last couple of weeks, and this was the first by me, right?

[MuggsyB]

I apologize. Sincerely. A terrible mistake on my part. If Brandon had been on that team he would have bragged about it. He didn't. I guess I just wanted it to be true. I should have checked with him first, before I did what I did.

No worries oilcan.  Everyone makes mistakes. 

[real chili 83]

Why? Because it's funny. And because the guy claimed to be a star athlete.

Also, you do know there have been lots and lots of Santos references on Scoop over the last couple of weeks, and this was the first by me, right?

Mike, 🙄

[Dickthedribbler]

George Santos can really tell great stories of his time on that team.

Normally, I would have a witty retort. But I shall keep my mouth shut out of respect for the stated rules of this site. Or should I say rules for thee and rules for me.

I learned a long time ago its usually the guy who throws the second punch that gets tossed out of the bar.

[Goose]

Oilcan

Great post on your overview of the game. All really good observations. I was thinking the same thing on the half court defense and thought it was done because of guys getting worn down. Three tough games in a week and maybe needed to slow things down.

[Goose]

Dribbler

Well worded reply to 82.

[willie warrior]

Something I noticed from watching the tapes of last night's game vs. Providence.
Marquette played a half court game much of the time and I asked myself why was that?  They love to 3/4 court press and create "Havoc". And yet there wasn't nearly enough of that. And that is part of the strategy: to get fast breaks, speed up the game because your players are faster and quicker, and if you can sub in players you can wear the other team out. And you get more possessions. That helps your shooting percentage.  Probably, it was knowing the Providence guards are strong ball handlers. You overreach just a little bit and they're gone.

I also think this was an experiment, and a learning experience. You can overwhelm a lesser opponent with your press, but when you get to big boy games, you better have a half-court offense.  I know, I've seen it before. If you don't blow up the court on a break away dunk, things can go to crap if you can't play in a slow down game.   If you can't do the fundamentals: pass, cut, set screens, pass the ball for someone with a better shot you're wasting your time. All those things you can do to frustrate your opponent are part of what it takes to win. That's how it works.

One last thing. I'm so glad the team doesn't do the weave half-court out around 22 feet. I really hate that. And MU doesn't do that. They set screens and Tyler makes smart passes. He's so OK.

Right about that stupid weave. MU got it right to dump Wojo and hire Shaka Kahn.
Not many of the Wojo settlers have stepped up and admitted that.
But the way that Shaka has handled things is what was needed

One last thing: Remember all the: "Wojo has us on the upward trajectory" defense comments.
Glad we have Shaka.

[jesmu84]

This thread is all over the place

[Uncle Rico]

This thread is all over the place

It's part of the Scoop beginner catalog

[avid1010]

MU can't successfully press aggressively without putting Oso in a bad spot...need to protect his fouls.

[JakeBarnes]

Given much of the Providence offense is predicated on speeding up and searching for contact, I imagine this was a concerted effort by Shaka to avoid having to speed up and instead focus on keeping the Prov players in front of them.

[mileskishnish72]

I am of the opinion that MU was conserving energy.   

I think you've hit on it, Tower. The guys looked gassed down the stretch in RI, not in MKE.

[Dr. Blackheart]

I think you've hit on it, Tower. The guys looked gassed down the stretch in RI, not in MKE.

Did Crean take the oxygen chamber?

[Newsdreams]

Did Crean take the oxygen chamber?

Yes and the tanning bed.

[pbiflyer]

Yes and the tanning bed.

And the fridge full of Pepsi!