Who Steps Up Tonight?

[TrojanWarrior]

I enjoy the SOTG banter, but this year has been about 'who steps up tonight?'  Would prefer more consistent balanced scoring, but MU has successfully pulled different players from out of the toolbox who have had stellar nights while the rest of the team has, in fact, struggled on that night. It has been great, as I can see teams have been disrupted by the depth of the players Shaka puts on the floor. This tends to be a March madness phenomenon where a fringe player comes alive during the tournament who the scouting reports miss. We do seem to play 3-4 different-styled teams on the court, and it seems to baffle opponents; it did Illinois and UCLA as they had to change defenses on the fly.

Who steps up tonight with their game? Cam did look hurt last night; it may have led to him fouling out. Depending on Jop's 3 is a dangerous bet. Hoping for Gold tonight, myself. Last night it was sure Sean. His slick moves will not escape the Creighton, Xavier or UConn highlight reels.

Thoughts on tonight?

[tower912]

The starting guards.     

[DoctorV]

I agree with you on Kam*, short for Kameron, Jones.

I actually think many of the guys will have to step up tonight, as I can see this one being played in the 80s.
I recently re-watched the BE tourney semi from last season and I was shocked with
1- how many easy baskets Sanogo got inside and
2- how awesomely efficient Marquettes offense was, seemed like every possession for long stretches of time was perfect offensive basketball.

I can see a bit of a breakout game offensively for Marquette tonight, and I can see some trouble inside. The combination will probably lead to a high scoring game.

As for individuals, I expect out best backcourt in the country to show it tonight- both Kam and TyKo with big games.
Id bet that one of the unusual suspects to can 3-5 threes, I'll go with Chase.
I can also see Stevie not only attempting but also making a few threes tonight. I would imagine the guys are telling him to keep shooting when he's open, as they should.
They don't look good right now but they will come around a bit, even if just enough to make a small difference in a few games.

We saw what happened when Sean became CaJones.
Open guys have to take the open shots, confidence is key, and now Sean has a ton of it.
So, there's another guy. Sean plays very well amongst the trees because of his speed, and I expect him to have a good game too.
Benny and even Zaide should be ready to run tonight too, since fouls will probably be a thing amongst the "bigs."

So, I think I've listed everyone, which defeats the purpose of this exercise.
Mahalo

[panda]

Jop

[Tyler COLEk]

Stevie Mitchell.

[GoldenEagles03]

Jop

This would be huge...he maybe has...but to my recollection he hasn't really had 2 dominant games back to back in his time here.  Maybe at MSG last March was his best? Would be cool to see him stack performances to gain momentum in consistency.

[forgetful]

The starting guards.   

This is my expectation. I think Kam and Kolek have big games. If we win, its because they have games that match their NBA potential (and Oso does another solid defensive job).

[Spaniel with a Short Tail]

I thought this was about who steps up for Tower's post game 10 things.

[tower912]

I got it tonight.

[Goose]

Trojan

It is very hard to predict who will step up because 8-10 can fill that spot on a given night. If I had to pick, I say it is Shaka. Similar to the Baylor game last season, he should know how to play against Kansas as well as any coach in the country. I think Shaka steps up tonight.

[muwarrior69]

Well, I'll be lying down in my recliner. I toss every chip bag and candy wrapper in the basket without fail.

[Daniel]

Thinking Kam for sure, with big contributions from Chase off the bench .... Maybe a break-out game for him.   

Will be a very tough game.  Goo Marquette!

[Carl]

Best case would be Stevie. I cringe every time he jacks up a 3

[Markusquette]

Need Tyler, Oso and Kam to play their best

[Viper]

Stevie Mitchell.

agreed. I think he plays havoc D, comes up with a 3 steals and a couple of slashing to the rim hoops.

[tower912]

Will Kansas collapse and help or stay home?   Will Dickinson be the only help?  The more an opponent helps and recovers, the more cutting opportunities for Stevie and the more open 3's for Kam and Joplin.  Will Dickinson come out and guard Oso?   All about the chess match.

[NCMUFan]

Stevie and Sean harassing Kansas point guard appears critical.

[Skatastrophy]

Ben Gold is going to get hot tonight. He'll be like if Steve Novak could play defense.

[We R Final Four]

Oso......we hopefully are not going to double Hunter and let him find the open 3 shooter.
Make Hunter beat Oso one on one in the post and take your chances.

[Shooter McGavin]

The starting guards.   

That would be nice.  Those two have a big game and MU has a good chance to get it done tonight.

[Uncle Rico]

Ben Gold is going to get hot tonight. He'll be like if Steve Novak could play defense.

Novak plays defense when he sees yard signs

[Skatastrophy]

Novak plays defense when he sees yard signs

I'm so mad im shaking in my Buick Encore rn can't even tell Siri to call my aldercreature

[oilcan]

Get more shots and hit a higher percentage. Run and gun. Pick and Roll. Triangle. Push butt to rebound. Don't worry about fouls. If you get down like you did last night don't get discouraged and quit. That was a gutsy comeback. Never quit. Sure, I understand it's Kansas. This is your opportunity to grab the monkey by the short hairs. Hit your free throws. Don't make careless turnovers. Get deflections. The Golden Eagles will beat the Corn Birds tonight.

[Newsdreams]

Jop

Jop show

[oilcan]

Stevie is important to the team. He showed the younger guards how to defend up the court and how to force a guy on the three point line to pass up the shot. I had higher expectations after he left high school. Wonderful kid. He looked like a pg with as much potential as the kid who transferred to MU from Ohio State. Stevie had a good outside shot. Right now I don't see any reason to push him out of the starting lineup. Sean Jones has a bigger upside (even though he's small. That's a joke) and it's going to happen this season. A shift will be made and part of the reason is if Sean can penetrate TK will be more dangerous with cuts to the basket. And will be a better outside shooter. I know Kam and Chase can both fill it up. If Tyler can save himself for the end of February MU will benefit. Yeah yeah I hear the counter argument: They're only this old why would they get tired. Well, you want to maximize all of your roster. Bring the younger players into a situation where they can play up to their personal expectations. They need minutes. And all that will make the team stronger later in the year. AND I'm not saying to put TK on the shelf.  Of course you wouldn't want to lose what he can do driving to the basket and making layups. Prepare for a long season. But enjoy it. Tonight is as good of time as any. Ring Out Ahoya.