Respect

[Big Papi]

A few thoughts on yesterday...

• It's easy to forget we did hang with them for 10 minutes. It was hideous after that, but when we're on, we can play with them.
  
• UConn had every answer. When they made their first run, we answered with back to back threes and were within 29-24. Then we forced them into a long possession, allowed an offensive rebound on a missed three, and Newton hit the three to push it back to 8 and key another run. In the second half, we got that Kam three to cut it to 16 and played them down in the shot clock and Diarra hit that ridiculous bank three. Every time the door cracked, they managed to shut it.
  
• UConn's offensive plan seemed to be whoever Tyler was guarding was going to be constantly active on offense. His man was sprinting relentlessly, no matter who it was, and it took energy out of him that he didn't have when we got back on the offensive end. Shaka tried taking him off the ball to help with that, but it didn't make enough difference. Very good move, and we'll need to figure out an answer to that next time we see them.
  
• We had a lot of missed threes that have been falling the past month. 5/21, but the Zaide miss was the exact same spot he made on back to back possessions against Nova. Gold had good looks. We left a good 15 points at the arc.
  
• We had a lot of layups that bounced back iron, front rim, and fell out instead of falling in. I think we were pushing a bit too hard and it led to misses we often make, but the number of balls that went across the cylinder and out was a killer. Probably another 15 points there.
  
• Bottom line, everything went right for them, everything went wrong for us, and as a result, we got our asses kicked. Like Hurley said in the postgame, we're going to see each other again and it's not going to look like that. I feel both humbled by the result but confident we have the pieces to beat that team.

We left a lot of points out there like you mentioned.  Gold had what seemed like 2 three pointers that I don't know how they didn't go down.

The bigger issue/concern from yesterday was our complete defensive collapse.  Miscommunication, lost players, getting hung up on ball screens was beyond bad.  That shouldn't happen to an experienced team like this.

The next biggest issue was UConn ran Kolek into the ground.  He looked visibly winded early in the game.  UConn's strategy was fantastic.  Double Kolek when you have the chance.  Make him work extra hard defensively.  Hard to setup defensively quickly when you don't make shots.

I am sure Shaka will gameplan accordingly against UConn and others who try to mimic UConn's strategy.  Few teams can do what UConn can do.  Depth matters which brings me to Sean's injury and Tre's lack of impact.  Both hurt a lot.

[brewcity77]

The next biggest issue was UConn ran Kolek into the ground.  He looked visibly winded early in the game.  UConn's strategy was fantastic.  Double Kolek when you have the chance.  Make him work extra hard defensively.  Hard to setup defensively quickly when you don't make shots.

This is a simple yet really good point. Our defense was rarely able to get set because we were missing shots and UConn had it back into the front court so quickly, so we started the possessions already scrambling. One of the biggest defensive problems we ran into yesterday was not being able to set our defense.

UConn also ran a ton of good stuff and had both good execution and good fortune at the end of shot clock situations, but forcing them to take it out of bounds more often would've been helpful too.

[MU82]

Offensively, our All-American had a poor game, in great part because of UConn's execution of its game plan. Nobody else really played well, either. What brew, Ners, Goose and everyone else is saying about our defense (or lack thereof) is absolutely right - not physical enough, not active enough, a step slow, caught ball-watching, etc.

I also think it's OK to say that Marquette got pretty thoroughly outcoached. Saying so doesn't mean Shaka has turned into Wojo or that anybody hates Shaka. Coaches can have bad games, too.

Only if any or all of the above becomes a pattern will I be overly concerned.

A month ago, it was discussed here that we had an upcoming stretch during which 6 of our next 8 games would be on the road. ... Well, we won 5 of those 6 road games, and 7 of those 8 games overall. I think that's pretty darn good, and I'm still bullish on this team.

[Goose]

No doubt the defense was at big disadvantage because the offense was so bad. It was a bad combo yesterday. Very hard to get back into a strong defensive position against a good team when you are chasing them down court.

[Viper]

Wouldn't happen to a Brian Wardle coached team

lose like that and Wardle would have been running his guys until they sheeet their shorts, hey. I mean, there is a history.

[Scoop Snoop]

No doubt the defense was at big disadvantage because the offense was so bad. It was a bad combo yesterday. Very hard to get back into a strong defensive position against a good team when you are chasing them down court.

The frequently repeated cliché" from announcers-"turning defense into offense"- was on full display yesterday. To me, the big question that will be answered when UCONN plays us in Milwaukee will be "Have we found a way to prevent a repeat?" The answer will determine whether or not we can be the FF worthy team that we were thought to be early in the season.

[Newsdreams]

lose like that and Wardle would have been running his guys until they sheeet their shorts, hey. I mean, there is a history.

Rumors (not the album)

[Herman Cain]

Offensively, our All-American had a poor game, in great part because of UConn's execution of its game plan. Nobody else really played well, either. What brew, Ners, Goose and everyone else is saying about our defense (or lack thereof) is absolutely right - not physical enough, not active enough, a step slow, caught ball-watching, etc.

I also think it's OK to say that Marquette got pretty thoroughly outcoached. Saying so doesn't mean Shaka has turned into Wojo or that anybody hates Shaka. Coaches can have bad games, too.

Only if any or all of the above becomes a pattern will I be overly concerned.

A month ago, it was discussed here that we had an upcoming stretch during which 6 of our next 8 games would be on the road. ... Well, we won 5 of those 6 road games, and 7 of those 8 games overall. I think that's pretty darn good, and I'm still bullish on this team.

The other team had far greater talent. That is something that could not be overcome.

[Uncle Rico]

The other team had far greater talent. That is something that could not be overcome.

This would mean something if your talent evaluations weren't always terrible

[Daniel]

UConn is an outstanding team in every aspect of the game.  They have the bodies and bulk, the defense, the shooting, the ball movement, rebounding, they hit free throws - they are elite.   And well coached.   Hurley is not satisfied with less than near perfection. 

No team this year has really challenged them at full strength.   They are a true national contender, and a strong one.  They're strengths are some of our weaknesses - we do not have the muscle guys, we do not rebound well, our defense if spotty sometimes which breaks down our defense.

We played a D game and they played an A game.  Lost by 28.   If we play our B game and they play their A game, probably lose by 10-15.   A to A, close maybe but we can still lose.   We need our A game and they need to play a B game.   Then we can win.

We are not fixing our shortcomings by next meeting with them.   If Shake git out coaches- not sure he did as he used every combo he could and we could not stop UConn, or hit shots- but if he did it's in recruiting the bodies and skills you need for elite Big East play.   So, we will see if the portal ge5s used I. Recruitment or what else he does to make those adjustments  He is a great coach and wil do what he needs to do to win legitimately.   Go Marquette!

[mugrad_89]

This would mean something if your talent evaluations weren't always terrible

UConn had more talent than us last year too and we somehow managed to beat them twice.

[Uncle Rico]

UConn had more talent that us last year too  and we somehow managed to beat them twice.

Yuuuuuuuuuup

[MuMark]

I actually thought the opposite tbh, even though Marquette got embarrassed.

Newton is no PG and will turn it over a lot. He made some 3s today but those wont go under pressure.

Spencer will get bottled up by a lengthy defender.

Clingan is good, but he's a bit slow and won't be enough.

I know this is an insane take when Marquette loses by 100, but I don't think this UConn version makes the FF because of their offense, unless Karaban and Spencer are making their outside shots at an elite clip

You are right......it's an insane take........UConn has the 3rd best offense in the country......they don't turn it over a lot.....they offensive rebound like big dogs(12th in the country) ......effective fg percentage is 5th in the country.......their 3 point percentage is 41st..... 2 point percentage is 4th.


Defensively they are 4th in effective fg percentage D.....block a ton of shots...and for the most part take care of the defensive boards.....


Nothing guarantees tournament success since all,it takes us one stinker to be out but they have all the ingredients to make another final 4.......no real weaknesses other then they foul a bit too much........but they have so much depth that it's rare it will hurt them.

Ps Clingan is way better than some of you seem to think........

[MU82]

UConn is an outstanding team in every aspect of the game.  They have the bodies and bulk, the defense, the shooting, the ball movement, rebounding, they hit free throws - they are elite.   And well coached.   Hurley is not satisfied with less than near perfection. 

No team this year has really challenged them at full strength.   They are a true national contender, and a strong one.  They're strengths are some of our weaknesses - we do not have the muscle guys, we do not rebound well, our defense if spotty sometimes which breaks down our defense.

We played a D game and they played an A game.  Lost by 28.   If we play our B game and they play their A game, probably lose by 10-15.   A to A, close maybe but we can still lose.   We need our A game and they need to play a B game.   Then we can win.

We are not fixing our shortcomings by next meeting with them.   If Shake git out coaches- not sure he did as he used every combo he could and we could not stop UConn, or hit shots- but if he did it's in recruiting the bodies and skills you need for elite Big East play.   So, we will see if the portal ge5s used I. Recruitment or what else he does to make those adjustments  He is a great coach and wil do what he needs to do to win legitimately.   Go Marquette!

They were at full strength on Jan. 20 when they beat mighty Nova by 1 point. They shot only 30% from 3, but so did Nova. They only forced 8 turnovers, but Nova forced only 7. So it wasn't some freak show of stat difference.

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/boxscore/_/gameId/401599498

They are beatable, just as any team is. And as others have pointed out, they were better than us last year but we somehow beat them twice - including once at their home away from home.

I agree that when they are healthy and operating on all cylinders they are an elite team, the best in college hoops this season IMHO. But even great teams have off games. So yes, if a very good team - or even a Villanova - plays very well and UConn is off, they can be beaten.

It's gonna be an interesting next 7 weeks, for them and for us.

[Newsdreams]

This would mean something if your talent evaluations weren't always terrible

He is good with necks

[wadesworld]

Yet another year where there's no great team, yet to me there seems to be at least 2 great teams.

[tower912]

UConn, Purdue, then the rest.

[wadesworld]

UConn, Purdue, then the rest.

I'm not sold Houston isn't with those two. They're tough as nails.

[Daniel]

I'm not sold Houston isn't with those two. They're tough as nails.

Houston is tough.  Would we rather be in Regional with UConn, Purdue or Houston?   Hard to say

[tower912]

Suffice to say to win it all MU will likely have to find a way to beat at least one of them on a neutral floor.

[ATL MU Warrior]

Houston is tough.  Would we rather be in Regional with UConn, Purdue or Houston?   Hard to say

Purdue

[Goose]

Purdue all day long.

[Viper]

UConn had more talent than us last year too and we somehow managed to beat them twice.

no disrespect, but that was last year. Apples to oranges not relevant. UConn is a beast...better than their '22/23 team. Someone said...might have been Farley...we play em 10 times, they win 8. I don't disagree.

[Viper]

I'm not sold Houston isn't with those two. They're tough as nails.

yup. UConn & Houston

[lawdog77]

yup. UConn & Houston

Houston is physically tough, but if it's a tight whistle,  they will get knocked out.