The Bench.

[Its DJOver]

Yea, I don't think we need the bench to show up because the starters are getting tired/worn down, I think we need the bench to show up because at some point, the wrong combination of starters are going to have off nights. Kam's struggles (efficiency wise) have been well documented and if we don't get career highs from Chase and Jop, as well as Ben tying his career high, we'd have losses against Gtown and DePaul. We're playing with fire, and unless there's improvement from somewhere, it will catch up to us as the schedule get tougher.

[MU82]

Marquette's starters are averaging 33.5, 32.0, 29.9, 27.2, and 26.2 mpg.  Villanova's starters in 2017-2018 averaged 32.1, 31.8, 29.8, 29.3, and 28.1 mpg.  Nova's team was so worn out that they won their last 11 games to win a national title.

They're college kids who get 2+ days off between games throughout the year.  We aren't going to lose games because we're tired.

Exactly.

Yea, I don't think we need the bench to show up because the starters are getting tired/worn down, I think we need the bench to show up because at some point, the wrong combination of starters are going to have off nights. Kam's struggles (efficiency wise) have been well documented and if we don't get career highs from Chase and Jop, as well as Ben tying his career high, we'd have losses against Gtown and DePaul. We're playing with fire, and unless there's improvement from somewhere, it will catch up to us as the schedule get tougher.

That's fair. But one also could argue that the "improvement" in those situations came from Ross and Joplin.

Look, I am definitely not saying it's good that we're getting little from our bench. Ideally, Shaka would have 2-3 guys he can count on to deliver game-in and game-out. But even though that's not reality right now, I don't think it's a reason to panic. (Nor am I saying that you are panicking.)

[wadesworld]

Cannot play 3 bench guys at the same time. They individually can contribute some things when surrounded by the veterans, but they are not ready to play a lineup of mostly bench guys.

[GoldenEagles03]

Forcing some TOs but only 1 live ball TO in transition. Offense can't generate anything in sets right now.

*Oops. Wrong thread*

[GoldenEagles03]

Royce Parham is shooting 40% from 3 in Conference play. He is 10-25.

Zaide Lowery is shooting 45.5% from 3 in Conference play. He is 10-22.

Those are your 2 guys that should be getting more time.

Zaide, Royce, and Damarius are also 16-18 from the free throw line (88.8%) in Conference play. All capable of getting to the basket and drawing fouls. Would love to see that utilized early in games to get some easy points, opponent foul trouble, and a rhythm for our bench. See if those numbers are sustainable.

[rgoode57]

Royce and Zaide have started to play very well, and Tre is having some good minutes. I just wonder about Owens. He is certainly athletic and seems to have offensive skills, but his minutes are apparently limited because of his defense. Yet, it's tough to develop very quickly when you only get very limited, sporadic minutes.

[Its DJOver]

Quicker development involves more game time = more in season growing pains.

Slower development involves larger year to year jumps, i.e. offseason work = fewer in season growing pains.

There's no right or wrong way to do it, but it's very much pick you poison. I have no doubt that DO could be further along, but it would have involved significantly more frustration to get there.

[GoldenEagles03]

Royce and Zaide have started to play very well, and Tre is having some good minutes. I just wonder about Owens. He is certainly athletic and seems to have offensive skills, but his minutes are apparently limited because of his defense. Yet, it's tough to develop very quickly when you only get very limited, sporadic minutes.

It's definitely about his defense. He's at 47% from 3 on the year and 88% from the line. He just is a Freshman on defense.

Funny enough, Caedin Hamilton is our team leader in offensive rebounding percentage at 9.5% AND he is 2nd on our team in Assist Rate at 14.5% which is 2nd behind only Kam. Obviously limited minutes from him, but he's done good things when given the opportunity. For him it is also defense.

[tower912]

It's definitely about his defense. He's at 47% from 3 on the year and 88% from the line. He just is a Freshman on defense.

Funny enough, Caedin Hamilton is our team leader in offensive rebounding percentage at 9.5% AND he is 2nd on our team in Assist Rate at 14.5% which is 2nd behind only Kam. Obviously limited minutes from him, but he's done good things when given the opportunity. For him it is also defense.

This is why I don't dread next season.

[BM1090]

This is why I don't dread next season.

Yeah. If Sean is back and healthy they will be just fine.

[muwarrior69]

Will Amadou's redshirt year make a difference or will he transfer out.