Ben Gold’s shot

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Anyone that gave up on Ben did so very prematurely. I get being disappointed or frustrated, but he has a very ceiling, imo. MU needs him to continue to gain confidence and I think he plays a big role the rest of the way.

Ben has looked great the past few games.  I trust Shaka on his evaluation.  Will be a massive piece to the puzzle as an upperclassmen.

[DoctorV]

Anyone that gave up on Ben did so very prematurely. I get being disappointed or frustrated, but he has a very ceiling, imo. MU needs him to continue to gain confidence and I think he plays a big role the rest of the way.

Goosey-

Don't mistake that tough love for giving up.

The newer generations love to get after someone in a reverse jinx mindset.

Before the game today I thought to myself that Benny may be the biggest key to Marquettes success this March.
Why?
Because when push comes to shove and elimination is in play with a deficit and under 10 left, Benny will play and Benny will get a look or two from 3.

What he does with those could be the season, and I'm much more confident he will sink them now.

Jop and Benny hitting 3s, and Jop and Benny playing that tough ass defense is exactly what this team needs to take that Final Four step.

Let's Go!!

[Goose]

Doctor

I do think there might have been more than tough love out there and that is fine by me. I think your comments are spot on.

IMO, Gold seems to have Kolek type attitude and I like that a lot. I think he would not be afraid to mix it up if needed and all he needs is continue to gain confidence.

I think there will be a lot of Ben Gold fans before he is done. Who knows, he might just be the next NBA player from MU a year from now.

[MU82]

Yeah, "tough love" is pretty generous term for what some Scoopers were saying.

The notion that Gold was going against Shaka's wishes by continuing to shoot 3s - and/or that Shaka was an idiot for letting Gold continue to shoot 3s - that was something.

[DoctorV]

Yea perhaps.
He's a different type of player, the pace of play and style is much more methodical than typical college American basketball.

I'm usually hard on those that I think are needed for Marquette to take the next step.

Ben and Jop fit thst mold, OMax last year.
I'm still bummed OMax didn't dominate on the glass and inside more for his skill set, could've got Marquette to the S16 and beyond

[real chili 83]

Ben was offered a scholarship because Smart had one to give. He was 6-11 and was obviously a project. Played some minutes as a freshman and more minutes this year. He can't guard small forwards or the four or the five. He tries hard to keep up on defense. He's trying real hard to rebound.

He can't play offense one on one but he sometimes gets an open drive to the basket. Fans enjoyed seeing him hit the three. It's human nature to wish the best for him because he's wearing the uniform. He's never going to be Larry Bird or Kelly Tripuka. He's a role player. I don't mean to disparage him nor will I sugarcoat his talents. I hope he works hard to develop in the practices to became a better player. Is he a three point shooter? No one should ever expect him to be a sharpshooter. Not going to happen.  Don't mistake him for a Hauser. Especially Sam.

No one will ever be that effin ugly again.

ND sucks

[Newsdreams]

No one will ever be that effin ugly again.

ND sucks

Spot on Real, they're dung

[mu_hilltopper]

It's clear that shortly after this thread discovered Gold's 3 point shooting woes, Ben and the coaching staff got to work, reading the thread and implementing Scoop's recommendations.

Let's do Joplin next!

[Uncle Rico]

https://x.com/markstrot/status/1751343327440494688?s=46&t=QSiaGcOIKZrrpw0ciZkI5Q

Shaka better not read Scoop

[tower912]

Ben has a very high ceiling. 

[Dr. Blackheart]

Ben Ponce Gold. Stepped up in the starter's role and played his best game. He was awesome today.

[Goose]

Dr. B

I always appreciate and like your insight on the team and the program and wanted to get your take if this is fools gold or a real contender.

Obviously I used that term freely a handful of years ago and you mentioned it over the past month and want to hear your thoughts. Do they guys have it what it takes or are you skeptical?

I do realize that there has been what feels like three seasons already, good play , bad play and good play,  but can you judge yet?

[romey]

No one will ever be that effin ugly again.

ND sucks

except Larry Bird

[Shooter McGavin]

Goose,

I'd like others insight as well but for me it's a two part question.

1) There does not seem to be a dominant team in the NCAA that can just run over teams like UConn did last year.  So that is in MUs and many other teams favor.

2) Based on MUs talent and experience they definitely have the ability to make a run especially given point number 1.

They make threes at a good clip, they can beat anyone in the country.

Should be a fun ride. 

[TSmith34, Inc.]

[Uncle Rico]

Goose,

I'd like others insight as well but for me it's a two part question.

1) There does not seem to be a dominant team in the NCAA that can just run over teams like UConn did last year.  So that is in MUs and many other teams favor.

2) Based on MUs talent and experience they definitely have the ability to make a run especially given point number 1.

They make threes at a good clip, they can beat anyone in the country.

Should be a fun ride.

I think Purdue and Houston can run over teams in March.  Also think people are sleeping on UNC.  They've sort of gotten lost somehow.  ACC won't do them any favors as far as good/great wins but they've got some dudes and some experienced dudes at that

[Dr. Blackheart]

Dr. B

I always appreciate and like your insight on the team and the program and wanted to get your take if this is fools gold or a real contender.

Obviously I used that term freely a handful of years ago and you mentioned it over the past month and want to hear your thoughts. Do they guys have it what it takes or are you skeptical?

I do realize that there has been what feels like three seasons already, good play , bad play and good play,  but can you judge yet?

You want my take on Ben or the team?

[Goose]

Dr. B

The team, but thoughts on Gold would be appreciated as well.

[Goose]

Rico

I agree on the three teams you mentioned, curious on your thoughts on the following:

1. How many games does UW win in 7 game series against Purdue on a neutral court?
2. How many games does Auburn win in 7 game series against Houston or UNC on a neutral court?

I picked UW and Auburn from a hat, can pick any top 15 team you want into that question.

[Uncle Rico]

Rico

I agree on the three teams you mentioned, curious on your thoughts on the following:

1. How many games does UW win in 7 game series against Purdue on a neutral court?
2. How many games does Auburn win in 7 game series against Houston or UNC on a neutral court?

I picked UW and Auburn from a hat, can pick any top 15 team you want into that question.

I think Purdue neutralizes Wisconsin's rebounding advantages that gives them so many extra possessions.  Wisconsin's defense is fine but not good enough over 7 games against Purdue who has an elite offense.  Probably 5-6 games and they win the series.

Haven't seen enough of Auburn or even really paid attention to them other than glancing at the numbers.  Their best win is Texas A&M. FWIW, when they win, they blow the doors off opponents.

[We R Final Four]

Goose,

I'd like others insight as well but for me it's a two part question.

1) There does not seem to be a dominant team in the NCAA that can just run over teams like UConn did last year.  So that is in MUs and many other teams favor.

2) Based on MUs talent and experience they definitely have the ability to make a run especially given point number 1.

They make threes at a good clip, they can beat anyone in the country.

Should be a fun ride.

UConn was 5-6 in conference play at this point last year. They certainly didn't seem like  the same team in late January compared to March. There very well could be a team that starts to dominate the landscape in the near future (February) that has not shown yet what they are capable.

[Goose]

We R FF

No doubt on UConn. Rico mentioned Purdue and Houston with a chance to roll in March. Like Shooter said, there are a number of teams that can get in the upcoming weeks.

[Uncle Rico]

We R FF

No doubt on UConn. Rico mentioned Purdue and Houston with a chance to roll in March. Like Shooter said, there are a number of teams that can get in the upcoming weeks.

I should probably include UConn, too.  Historically, their current defensive numbers aren't a predictor of a national champ but teams don't shoot well against them.

When I watch them, they look the part.  Not a fan of the tempo they play at.  But I think Hurley deserves the benefit of the doubt when it comes to how he runs his team 

[Viper]

Doctor

I do think there might have been more than tough love out there and that is fine by me. I think your comments are spot on.

IMO, Gold seems to have Kolek type attitude and I like that a lot. I think he would not be afraid to mix it up if needed and all he needs is continue to gain confidence.

I think there will be a lot of Ben Gold fans before he is done. Who knows, he might just be the next NBA player from MU a year from now.

Goose,
your man Gold was active, involved more defensively. Hopefully this continues. Definitely makes MU better. Shot is still flat...it's either in, or a clank. But, good game from Gold. However, why do you often mention Gold as a NBA possibility? What are you seeing? I attended a Bucks GLeague team game in Oshkosh. Gold would get run over at the GLeague level. Even YOY improvement, after seeing the AAA version of the Association, there is a huge separation between good college player and pro player. Huge. It's also why I don't see good college player TK in the NBA. (Heck, '22 lotto draft pick Johnny Davis was just sent down to the G.)

[lawdog77]

My hot take. Our Forwards/centers-Oso, Jop, and Ben-have a higher ceiling than our guards.