UCONN Attacking Strategies

[Scoop Snoop]

This team isn't penciling in or expecting a loss to anyone, anywhere. Nor should they.

Agree. I thought Tower was joking. Apparently not.

[tower912]

13 months ago, muggsy wanted to know how to beat UConn.   My answer was to try not to get hurt.   I believed UConn was rhe best team in the country.   I was not surprised MU got boat raced at their place.   I was ecstatic when MU found a way to beat them twice.   
   I think UConn wins at home by double digits.   I think MU ekes out a win at home.

So, take the L and try not to get hurt.

[DoctorV]

13 months ago, muggsy wanted to know how to beat UConn.   My answer was to try not to get hurt.   I believed UConn was rhe best team in the country.   I was not surprised MU got boat raced at their place.   I was ecstatic when MU found a way to beat them twice.   
   I think UConn wins at home by double digits.   I think MU ekes out a win at home.

So, take the L and try not to get hurt.

Cmon dawg.

We got this.

[Goose]

Shooter

I 100% believe you go into the game believing and wanting to win it. I do not think it would major upset if they do win, they just need to remember that a lot of basketball left before the season is over.

I said in another thread, I think it is about 30% chance of winning going into the game and that is factoring in a big home court advantage. If they win, it will be well earned. If they lose, get home safely and get ready for next game.

[Shooter McGavin]

Shooter

I 100% believe you go into the game believing and wanting to win it. I do not think it would major upset if they do win, they just need to remember that a lot of basketball left before the season is over.

I said in another thread, I think it is about 30% chance of winning going into the game and that is factoring in a big home court advantage. If they win, it will be well earned. If they lose, get home safely and get ready for next game.

I think we'll know pretty quickly how this game is going to go.  And can back off accordingly. Not sure injury is more likely win or lose or trying hard either way.  So safety doesn't mean much to me other than the standard hope of safety during a game. 

Realistically, this game will be tough to win.  But long term vision will have nothing to do with it, nor injury concerns.  Rest will be, IF we are getting the doors blown off of us from the get go. 

[Scoop Snoop]

Shooter

I 100% believe you go into the game believing and wanting to win it. I do not think it would major upset if they do win, they just need to remember that a lot of basketball left before the season is over.

I said in another thread, I think it is about 30% chance of winning going into the game and that is factoring in a big home court advantage. If they win, it will be well earned. If they lose, get home safely and get ready for next game.

I did not see your 30% comment but that's exactly what I thought our chances of a W are. UCONN can afford to have some poor plays here and there and still win. Marquette has very little margin for error. I do not think that the fact that they boat raced us last year is very relevant to our chances this year but admittedly it is a factor.

[Goose]

Shooter

Agreed on knowing early. Last year MU played lockdown on D on UConn's first two possessions and they nailed very difficult 3's at the shot clock buzzer and the tone was set. That said there are two big differences this year, MU is much better team than last year and are battle tested. IMO, the battle tested is what makes them a much better team this year. I felt going into the season that their experience of playing in big games together was a big key to potential big success.

[Shooter McGavin]

Shooter

Agreed on knowing early. Last year MU played lockdown on D on UConn's first two possessions and they nailed very difficult 3's at the shot clock buzzer and the tone was set. That said there are two big differences this year, MU is much better team than last year and are battle tested. IMO, the battle tested is what makes them a much better team this year. I felt going into the season that their experience of playing in big games together was a big key to potential big success.

I totally agree with that Goose. 

I'm hoping for that 30% chance Saturday.  I know we all want bigger things but I want to win the Big East again as well. I'm of the opinion you can have your cake and eat it too. 

[Goose]

Snoop

Last year means nothing to me. IMO, my 30% is broken down as follows:

1. One of ten they simply dominate them or catch UConn on a very bad night.
2. One(maybe a bit more) of ten they win a dogfight.
3. One of ten they just flat out steal one late in the game.

If they were playing at home this Saturday I would have it at a 60-70% chance of winning, probably closer to 60%.

MU is a serious NC contender that can beat anyone am I just not in the camp that this game is do or die. Imo, that is an amazing place for the program to be in.

[Daniel]

UConn destroying DePaul now..... bit they got some fouls.   And DePaul was holding its own on rebounds for while.   Cligan had two fouls first half.   We have a chance on Saturday.    The 30% is probably a fair estimate - they are a tough team. They play like winners.    They bang everyone around all the time.   We have to be ready for that.
Go Marquette!   

[Dr. Blackheart]

Agree. I thought Tower was joking. Apparently not.

Me too.  Kolek 'em.  Expect Victory not rest.

Win the preseason!

[MuggsyB]

This team isn't penciling in or expecting a loss to anyone, anywhere. Nor should they.

Thank you ww. 

[kclem]

Send in the doctor

[wadesworld]

Kansas postgame: "One thing (I'm) going to make clear: We don't take a backseat to anyone. That's how we go about things."

On the radio after that game: "We're Marquette. We are Marquette, and we don't take a backseat to anyone," Smart said to ESPN Milwaukee broadcasters Steve "The Homer" True and Tony Smith after the game in a radio interview. "If someone wants to step up and challenge us, okay, we're going to challenge them right back."

After the BET semifinal win: "It felt like a lot of people were giving UConn the game coming in. And there was comments made about who owns The Garden and that kind of stuff," Smart said. "And, you know, we said wait a minute, we won this league. So we're not taking a back seat to anybody."

Sure there are bigger things to come than Saturday's game. But the idea that this team can't win this game and should throw in the towel before we've even tipped is absolutely absurd. Of course this is a challenging game and shouldn't be an expected win. But eff the idea that we "load manage," as if they're not 18-22 year olds that get 2-6 days off between games. This team is playing for a 1 seed. Winning this game doesn't make them any less likely to make a deep Tournament run. I thought Shaka had changed the mindset at MU. Guess it wasn't everyone's.

[PGsHeroes32]

Kansas postgame: "One thing (I'm) going to make clear: We don't take a backseat to anyone. That's how we go about things."

On the radio after that game: "We're Marquette. We are Marquette, and we don't take a backseat to anyone," Smart said to ESPN Milwaukee broadcasters Steve "The Homer" True and Tony Smith after the game in a radio interview. "If someone wants to step up and challenge us, okay, we're going to challenge them right back."

After the BET semifinal win: "It felt like a lot of people were giving UConn the game coming in. And there was comments made about who owns The Garden and that kind of stuff," Smart said. "And, you know, we said wait a minute, we won this league. So we're not taking a back seat to anybody."

Sure there are bigger things to come than Saturday's game. But the idea that this team can't win this game and should throw in the towel before we've even tipped is absolutely absurd. Of course this is a challenging game and shouldn't be an expected win. But eff the idea that we "load manage," as if they're not 18-22 year olds that get 2-6 days off between games. This team is playing for a 1 seed. Winning this game doesn't make them any less likely to make a deep Tournament run. I thought Shaka had changed the mindset at MU. Guess it wasn't everyone's.

Yeah, all this load manage/stay healthy and accept the L stuff is insane. This is game is one of the biggest big easst games in over a decade. The regular season title is on the line?

I truly dont see us coming out with the win. But that doesnt mean I want us to roll over and take it easy trying to be "safe". Nonsense.

Wanna load manage? Do what we are supposed to against trash can DePaul get up 30 at half. Load manage then next wednesday.

[DoctorV]

Ok let's talk strategy.

Oddly, I think UConn can be game planned against fairly effectively on the defensive side.

5 main guys
- 2 are complete "chase off the 3P line and stick to them like glue" players.
Karaban and Spencer shoot 40 and 45% from 3 respectively, and take over 50% of their shots from 3.
Doesn't mean they can't beat you in other ways, but they are MUCH more comfortable taking 3P shots and are elite shooters, so stick to them like glue and make them beat you off the dribble.

- Castle is the opposite. He gets most of his driving and doesn't love to shoot from 3. He's only attempted more than 3 3s in 3 of his last 10 games, shoots low 30s. So for him, sag off and clog the lanes, dare him to hoist. Don't play too aggressive and let him beat you off the dribble, he doesn't turn it over as much as the others.

- Newton is the Swiss Army knife 'do it all' type. Loves to drive, loves to shoot a lot, loves to get to the line by seeking out contact. Last 5 games he's attempted 4 or less 3s in every game, whereas the previous 5 he attempted 4 or more in every game, sometimes up to 7/9 threes.
He hasn't been a good 3P shooter so this is likely by design.
He also turns the ball over a lot, very prone to mistakes.
So, be all over him to make him uncomfortable and force mistakes, but don't fear stepping off of him and leaving him open from 3.

- Clingan is a monster size wise, blocks a lot and rebounds. Doesn't rebound as elite as you'd expect which means he's often chasing the block on all drives and others are cleaning up the glass. Fouls a good amount.

Entire squad has good size and rebounds well, so eliminating the offensive boards and putbacks will be one of the biggest keys.

Seems like the play is to glue Stevie, the NCAAs biggest pest, on Newton. Make him uncomfortable and turn him over to speed the game up and get out in transition. Make Tristen beat Stevie going to the basket, don't double and over commit.

Glue Jop on Karaban at the 3P line, make sure he doesn't come off to double, and hope he doesn't get beat off the dribble.

Have Tyler on Spencer and Kam on Castle. This could be tough because Castle has the size on Kam, and that's a tough draw for him off an ankle injury. So he might get beat a lot. If he does, and Tyler/Jop don't sag off their elite shooters it could cause a problem if Oso stays at home or an easy dunk for Clingan if he helps.
Ross and Zaide become key in this scenario.

Clingan gets doubled quickly by anyone not on Karaban or Spencer so he has to give it up and to prevent any Oso foul trouble.
You can get creative, as Shaka did last year during the BET, and drop Jop down there and then double.

Obviously, everyone needs to crash the glass. By everyone, this likely means only 3 guys because Karaban and Spencer's defenders will be out by the 3P line but Jop and TyKo in this scenario must corral the long rebounds so they need to be aggressive after the ball goes up too.

[MuggsyB]

Yeah, all this load manage/stay healthy and accept the L stuff is insane. This is game is one of the biggest big easst games in over a decade. The regular season title is on the line?

I truly dont see us coming out with the win. But that doesnt mean I want us to roll over and take it easy trying to be "safe". Nonsense.

Wanna load manage? Do what we are supposed to against trash can DePaul get up 30 at half. Load manage then next wednesday.

Yes.  Posts that are remotely serious about this are a giant pile of excrement.  Believe me Shaka and the boys want this game badly and 100% believe they can take them out. 

[MuggsyB]

Ok let's talk strategy.

Oddly, I think UConn can be game planned against fairly effectively on the defensive side.

5 main guys
- 2 are complete "chase off the 3P line and stick to them like glue" players.
Karaban and Spencer shoot 40 and 45% from 3 respectively, and take over 50% of their shots from 3.
Doesn't mean they can't beat you in other ways, but they are MUCH more comfortable taking 3P shots and are elite shooters, so stick to them like glue and make them beat you off the dribble.

- Castle is the opposite. He gets most of his driving and doesn't love to shoot from 3. He's only attempted more than 3 3s in 3 of his last 10 games, shoots low 30s. So for him, sag off and clog the lanes, dare him to hoist. Don't play too aggressive and let him beat you off the dribble, he doesn't turn it over as much as the others.

- Newton is the Swiss Army knife 'do it all' type. Loves to drive, loves to shoot a lot, loves to get to the line by seeking out contact. Last 5 games he's attempted 4 or less 3s in every game, whereas the previous 5 he attempted 4 or more in every game, sometimes up to 7/9 threes.
He hasn't been a good 3P shooter so this is likely by design.
He also turns the ball over a lot, very prone to mistakes.
So, be all over him to make him uncomfortable and force mistakes, but don't fear stepping off of him and leaving him open from 3.

- Clingan is a monster size wise, blocks a lot and rebounds. Doesn't rebound as elite as you'd expect which means he's often chasing the block on all drives and others are cleaning up the glass. Fouls a good amount.

Entire squad has good size and rebounds well, so eliminating the offensive boards and putbacks will be one of the biggest keys.

Seems like the play is to glue Stevie, the NCAAs biggest pest, on Newton. Make him uncomfortable and turn him over to speed the game up and get out in transition. Make Tristen beat Stevie going to the basket, don't double and over commit.

Glue Jop on Karaban at the 3P line, make sure he doesn't come off to double, and hope he doesn't get beat off the dribble.

Have Tyler on Spencer and Kam on Castle. This could be tough because Castle has the size on Kam, and that's a tough draw for him off an ankle injury. So he might get beat a lot. If he does, and Tyler/Jop don't sag off their elite shooters it could cause a problem if Oso stays at home or an easy dunk for Clingan if he helps.
Ross and Zaide become key in this scenario.

Clingan gets doubled quickly by anyone not on Karaban or Spencer so he has to give it up and to prevent any Oso foul trouble.
You can get creative, as Shaka did last year during the BET, and drop Jop down there and then double.

Obviously, everyone needs to crash the glass. By everyone, this likely means only 3 guys because Karaban and Spencer's defenders will be out by the 3P line but Jop and TyKo in this scenario must corral the long rebounds so they need to be aggressive after the ball goes up too.

Dr V,

I think we need Kam and Jop to large on Saturday.  And on both ends of the floor.  Chase and Ben too.  I would also make a concerted effort to get Oso touches.  I think he's ready for this challenge. 

[Scoop Snoop]

Snoop

Last year means nothing to me. IMO, my 30% is broken down as follows:

1. One of ten they simply dominate them or catch UConn on a very bad night.
2. One(maybe a bit more) of ten they win a dogfight.
3. One of ten they just flat out steal one late in the game.

If they were playing at home this Saturday I would have it at a 60-70% chance of winning, probably closer to 60%.

MU is a serious NC contender that can beat anyone am I just not in the camp that this game is do or die. Imo, that is an amazing place for the program to be in.

Once again, we are on the same wavelength regarding percentages. I have our Milwaukee chances at 60%. You have an interesting way of breaking down your 30% though. I'm looking at a broader measure- the odds that we will play at our best without a player having an off game vs. UCONN being in a position to have at least one guy having an off game, yet still winning. Marquette has little room for error or poor performance in any facet of the game. We can do this, but it will not be easy at all.

Doc V did a great (Herman would say excellent) job at outlining a D strategy. On O, we must turn them over to counter their boards prowess and absolutely must have a very strong performance on 3 point shooting. Otherwise, they will clog the lanes, suffocating Kolek, and a repeat of last year's game is a very real possibility. Nothing I have written is new to anyone here-I'm just restating what I believe is the framework for Marquette.

[StillAWarrior]

This team isn't penciling in or expecting a loss to anyone, anywhere. Nor should they.

If Shaka is going into this game expecting a loss or even thinking of "load management", then he's not the coach I thought he was and he's probably not cut out for the Marquette job. And just so we're clear, I absolutely think that Shaka is cut out for the Marquette job. He's heading into a a top five match up against the defending national champion with the conference title effectively on the line. I guarantee you he's 100% committed to winning and not stepping onto the floor thinking that everything will be fine if they lost...maybe he can get his starters some rest. He's playing to win the league title. I know that there are a lot of fans out there who have the attitude, "we won the league and the BET title last year -- checked those off the list of accomplishments, what I really care about is the NCAA tournament and making it past the first weekend." I think that is part of why some people are willing to talk about things like load management in the biggest regular conference game Marquette has played in recent memory (ever?). I understand this sentiment -- honestly probably share it to some extent -- but I really don't think that's how guys like Shaka (and TyKo, Kam, Oso, etc.) are wired. They want to win everything. They want the conference title. They want the BET title. And they want to win in April. I hope and suspect that Shaka and his staff are spending more time researching where to buy the best shakes in Hartford than they are thinking about load management.

Also, there's not a chance in hell Shaka will call off the dogs if they're down eight with a minute left.

Losing to Marquette - twice - didn't stop UConn from winning the NC last year.

This is a good reminder for Shaka to have in his back pocket -- to share with the team after the game if they do not win.

[tower912]

'Load management' was pure sarcasm on my part.   

[StillAWarrior]

MU is a serious NC contender that can beat anyone am I just not in the camp that this game is do or die. Imo, that is an amazing place for the program to be in.

I agree with the first part of the sentence. I also agree with the second part if we're talking about competing for the national championship -- you're undeniably right. But I think the game is "do or die" for the Big East regular season championship. I suspect the team still is intent on defending that title. If they lose Saturday, it will be to an outstanding team and it will do absolutely nothing to diminish my belief that this team is capable of playing deep into the tournament.

[Uncle Rico]

This is the game we unleash Al

[tower912]

Al or AI.  Borh have the chance to be a total game changer.   

[Uncle Rico]

Al or AI.  Borh have the chance to be a total game changer.   

Al can gives us 5 fouls and 1 rebound