MU defense on Friar

[ATL MU Warrior]

Brent Hampton has entered the chat.

Absolutely.  The 3 pt shot Kolek hit with blood running down his face. He was absolutely clobbered and that ref was standing right there and didn't call anything.

[21Jumpstreet]

He had the ballz to T up English.  Driscoll then called Stevie for a phantom offense foul on the way back.

And, the official actually fouled Tyler before the shot, push in the back, sheesh! Officials these days.

Of course, I jest and have said they have been good of late, but yikes, another inconsistent one.

[Uncle Rico]

Earlier in the season, when some folks were getting down on MU in general and Gold in particular, there was a discussion about whether guys could improve during the course of a season (as opposed to during the offseason, when a lot of improvement takes place). Gold has answered that big-time. His defense has been very good for many weeks now, and he does a lot of subtle things on offense besides take 3s.

Tre Norman is another example. It's not easy to look good on the court when you play 1 or 2 minutes, are taken out of the game, and then maybe play another minute ... so I don't know how anybody could have formed an opinion that he can't be a good player at this level. When he has gotten to play a little more, he has done OK; and today, when he got a really good run, he obviously was much better than just OK. Another guy who has improved markedly during the season.

For a "finesse team," we stood up to a squad full of bullies and hacks pretty darn well. Shoulda been a flagrant on Oduro for sure; sucked that Providence came out of that sh!t with 2 FTs and the ball.

Best all-around game since we throttled Texas? Defense was suffocating. Stevie is SUCH a good basketball player.

There was one stretch in which we increased our lead with Kolek and Oso on the bench. Nice.

Really like what we've been getting from Chase lately.

Pretty pathetic that Kam could only score half his "normal" number of points!

Developing players is Marquette's best path to sustained success.

Fans that are impatient when a player isn't an immediate stud like an Oso or Tyler, should probably remember where those two started.

You can dismiss a serious discussion with anyone regarding a player if they don't understand this basic concept.

[Newsdreams]

Developing players is Marquette's best path to sustained success.

Fans that are impatient when a player isn't an immediate stud like an Oso or Tyler, should probably remember where those two started.

You can dismiss a serious discussion with anyone regarding a player if they don't understand this basic concept.

Willie is great predicting player development

[tower912]

Willie isn't the only one who is impatient when it comes to player development.   There are a number of scoopers who channel their inner Veruca Salt when it comes to freshmen.    Patience is a virtue.   

[ATL MU Warrior]

Willie isn't the only one who is impatient when it comes to player development.   There are a number of scoopers who channel their inner Veruca Salt when it comes to freshmen.    Patience is a virtue.

Can't fight the seether(s)

[tower912]

Ben makes a great move from the three point line, drives in for a lefty finger roll that he misses badly.   The play turns into a scrum.

MU has a 6'10 back up center who can pump fake at rhe 3 point line, crossover, drive through the lane with his left (off) hand and expects to make a left handed finger roll.   Ponder that.   

I have little doubt that when viewed on film and at practice that the coaches will emphasize that he needs to dunk that.  Every time.   With violence.   But it is easily fixable.

[tower912]

Can't fight the seether(s)

Bless you.   
"Alexa, play...."

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Good question.

Where is it historically according to KenPom?

I'd probably say in the last month or so, outside of UConn, it's been one of the best, if not the best, MU defensive teams I've ever seen.

Thanks for asking, because you did I found out the KenPom stats now go back to 1997 (used to only go back to 2002).

Since 97, this team ranks 9th in raw adjusted defensive efficiency. However, if you just look at defensive rank, this team is tied for 3rd. I don't know if that's because KenPom changed his model at some point or if there were better defenses (or worse offenses) back in the day.

Top MU Defenses since 97:

1. Deane Year 4 - NIT Quarterfinal Loss to Minny (90.6, ranked 9th)
2. Deane Year 3 - CUSA Championship (90.8, ranked 15th)
3. Buzz Year 4 - Sweet 16 loss to Florida (91.3, ranked 14th)
4. Crean Year 3 - First Round Loss to Tulsa (91.9, ranked 11th)
5. Deane Year 5 - Deane's Last Season (92.9, ranked 48th)
6. Crean Year 9 - R32 loss to the Lopez Twins (93.1 ranked 21st)
7. Crean Year 8 - First Round Loss to MSU  (94.6, ranked 30th)
8. Buzz Year 5 - Elite 8 Year (94.9, ranked 45th)
9. Shaka Year 3 (95.1, ranked 14th)

[Uncle Rico]

Thanks for asking, because you did I found out the KenPom stats now go back to 1997 (used to only go back to 2002).

Since 97, this team ranks 9th in raw adjusted defensive efficiency. However, if you just look at defensive rank, this team is tied for 3rd. I don't know if that's because KenPom changed his model at some point or if there were better defenses (or worse offenses) back in the day.

Top MU Defenses since 97:

1. Deane Year 4 - NIT Quarterfinal Loss to Minny (90.6, ranked 9th)
2. Deane Year 3 - CUSA Championship (90.8, ranked 15th)
3. Buzz Year 4 - Sweet 16 loss to Florida (91.3, ranked 14th)
4. Crean Year 3 - First Round Loss to Tulsa (91.9, ranked 11th)
5. Deane Year 5 - Deane's Last Season (92.9, ranked 48th)
6. Crean Year 9 - R32 loss to the Lopez Twins (93.1 ranked 21st)
7. Crean Year 8 - First Round Loss to MSU  (94.6, ranked 30th)
8. Buzz Year 5 - Elite 8 Year (94.9, ranked 45th)
9. Shaka Year 3 (95.1, ranked 14th)

He tweaked the system at some point.

I'm always leery of the data pre-2003

[Goose]

Not sure how this year's defense ranks, but it sure passes my eye test. The defense is getting better by the week.

[Eye]

And, the official actually fouled Tyler before the shot, push in the back, sheesh! Officials these days.

Of course, I jest and have said they have been good of late, but yikes, another inconsistent one.

How quickly we forget about Higgins and Burr. And I don't like Driscoll one bit.

[MU82]

Willie isn't the only one who is impatient when it comes to player development.   There are a number of scoopers who channel their inner Veruca Salt when it comes to freshmen.    Patience is a virtue.

And not just freshmen. The impatience about Ben proves that. Kolek too, in previous years.

Pretty normal, though. Not unique to Scoop. I'm guessing there were some on CreigtScoop who were wondering why the team got Ashworth, who shot only 38% overall the first two months of the season and was making so many mistakes that McDermott had to give him pine time.

[tower912]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUh7GDAgyPQ

Chase has the best speaking voice.

[Shooter McGavin]

Developing players is Marquette's best path to sustained success.

Fans that are impatient when a player isn't an immediate stud like an Oso or Tyler, should probably remember where those two started.

You can dismiss a serious discussion with anyone regarding a player if they don't understand this basic concept.

Well said.

[Shooter McGavin]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUh7GDAgyPQ

Chase has the best speaking voice.

Ha! My son has a class with him and says the same thing. 

[tower912]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4FN9hnPKq0

Coach English disappointed in his team. 

[StillAWarrior]

Ha! My son has a class with him and says the same thing.

Whose kid has a class with TyKo (Remedial Reading?) and can give us an update on how he's moving today? Come on, people!