Road...TRIP

[We R Final Four]

I think the last two games we've seen a team not playing their best, with their all American PG not at his best, and they've still been able to grind out two games. I see a team capable of winning when they have their C game because they are far more well rounded than in past years. There last two games are games that frankly they probably would have lost last year.

I do think they need Sean to get back to really be a final four threat. Take some pressure off Kam for 10-15 mins per game, one more ball handler that can penetrate off the dribble 

More likely that Tre contributes to MUBB success this year than a "we need Sean to make a FF run" narrative

[PointWarrior]

BM1090

They definitely could be top two in BE if no one steps up but I think that is a big task. IMO,Kam is the best player on the team and he does not really make the guys around him better. TK and Oso made everyone better and that is why the offense often looked beautiful.

This team is a work in progress to me. A lot to like, some things not to like and still question marks. By no stretch am I down on the team, just want to see more before getting too excited.

Gloomy goose is back.

[Goose]

Point

Far from gloomy and think this team will be a four seed or higher. Just want to see more before I a looking for final four tickets. Last year I thought they had legit chance to go to FF and they might this year.

Simply hoping to see 2-3 guys emerge as consistent go to guys on offense. Gloomy Goose thinks that my guy Ben is on the verge of being a consistent 10-12+ guy.

[Johnny B]

Someday, some of you will appreciate how much fun it is to be a Marquette fan right now

Everyone appreciates it

[Shaka Shart]

Everyone appreciates it

Even Willie?

[Big Papi]

I don't think we need a consistent number 2.  We have 3 players who can fit that role and depending on the day or matchup, one of them usually does.

Kam is in a mini slump for two reasons.  One is just better overall competition and two, teams working Kam hard and entire teams are trying to take away his left.  He still gets there, but those 2-3 footers, are now 3-5 footers.  He needs to adjust.  It seems like he started to adjust in the second half today.  Also, I think he needs to start hitting from the outside more consistently to open up his drives some more.

I think this is a very good team but not quite the ceiling we had last year.  We never reached last year's ceiling due to injuries.  Hoping to push through the ceiling this year. 

[BM1090]

More likely that Tre contributes to MUBB success this year than a "we need Sean to make a FF run" narrative

Why? Unless you believe or know Sean won't be back this year. This team is missing a guy who can force rotations and take advantage. Tre isn't going to be that guy this year.

No idea if Sean gets back healthy, but if he does he immediately offers something we don't have.

[BM1090]

I don't think we need a consistent number 2.  We have 3 players who can fit that role and depending on the day or matchup, one of them usually does.

Kam is in a mini slump for two reasons.  One is just better overall competition and two, teams working Kam hard and entire teams are trying to take away his left.  He still gets there, but those 2-3 footers, are now 3-5 footers.  He needs to adjust.  It seems like he started to adjust in the second half today.  Also, I think he needs to start hitting from the outside more consistently to open up his drives some more.

I think this is a very good team but not quite the ceiling we had last year.  We never reached last year's ceiling due to injuries.  Hoping to push through the ceiling this year. 

I think the ceiling is higher this year. Last year we were never going to be able to win a title rebounding as poorly as we did. This team can win in more ways. Oso and TK were too exploitable defensively in certain matchups.

Last year's team was more fun. This one is better, IMO.

[Big Papi]

https://www.jsonline.com/videos/sports/college/marquette/2024/12/21/marquettes-shaka-smart-gives-kam-jones-a-b-minus-for-game-at-xavier/77136166007/

Shaka grades Kam a B minus today.  Take the road win and be happy.

[tower912]

Why? Unless you believe or know Sean won't be back this year. This team is missing a guy who can force rotations and take advantage. Tre isn't going to be that guy this year.

No idea if Sean gets back healthy, but if he does he IMMEDIATELY offers something we don't have.

No.  You are viewing what Sean was prior to the injury through a sepia tinted lens.  Post injury, it is completely unfair and unrealistic to assume Sean will be the best version of himself.  It is a process and it will take time.  If he comes back soon, hopefully he will be comfortable a month later.

[Big Papi]

I think the ceiling is higher this year. Last year we were never going to be able to win a title rebounding as poorly as we did. This team can win in more ways. Oso and TK were too exploitable defensively in certain matchups.

Last year's team was more fun. This one is better, IMO.

Reason why I though last season had a higher ceiling was a healthy Kolek playing at a high level and Oso providing the defense, presence and high basketball IQ.  I thought we had the guns to win it all with very few weaknesses.  Didn't happen.  Chase plays hurt most of the year and Sean's season ends early.  Kolek didn't quite play Kolek like and then he got hurt. 

This year's team I worry about our size and the point guard position if Kam/Stevie get into foul trouble.  More weaknesses heading into the year.  Time will tell but heading into both seasons, last year's team was better.

[Big Papi]

Sounds like Shaka and the staff feel Sean is ready to play but Sean is not mentally there.  If he comes back, it won't be Sean at 100%.  Definitely not mentally and probably not physically as well.  All I can hope for is Sean comes back and plays 5-10 minutes to provide some starters to catch there breathe and offer a change of pace of attack.  Anything above that would be awesome but not realistic.

[BM1090]

No.  You are viewing what Sean was prior to the injury through a sepia tinted lens.  Post injury, it is completely unfair and unrealistic to assume Sean will be the best version of himself.  It is a process and it will take time.  If he comes back soon, hopefully he will be comfortable a month later.

I'm not assuming anything. Even if he's not his best self, allowing Kam to play 10 minutes off the ball and having the ability to get by defenders on the bounce would be impactful for this team.

If he comes back, I wouldn't expect him to be his best self. But he could still improve the team.

[BM1090]

Reason why I though last season had a higher ceiling was a healthy Kolek playing at a high level and Oso providing the defense, presence and high basketball IQ.  I thought we had the guns to win it all with very few weaknesses.  Didn't happen.  Chase plays hurt most of the year and Sean's season ends early.  Kolek didn't quite play Kolek like and then he got hurt. 

This year's team I worry about our size and the point guard position if Kam/Stevie get into foul trouble.  More weaknesses heading into the year.  Time will tell but heading into both seasons, last year's team was better.

I disagree, but this is a very reasonable take. Time will tell.

[CountryRoads]

No.  You are viewing what Sean was prior to the injury through a sepia tinted lens.  Post injury, it is completely unfair and unrealistic to assume Sean will be the best version of himself.  It is a process and it will take time.  If he comes back soon, hopefully he will be comfortable a month later.

On this past Thursday's radio show, Shaka basically flat out said Sean is not mentally ready to play yet. Sure sounds like the ball is in Sean's court and it's his decision to continue sitting. So, I agree that he is going to have a sizable ramp up period and expectations should be tempered if he does decide to return this year. Just my opinion, but Sean is too big of an asset to the program to take the chance that he'll "hopefully be comfortable" in February. Would be a shame to burn a year of eligibility if it turns out he's not comfortable, but it's his life and his decision.

[The Sultan]

Point

Far from gloomy and think this team will be a four seed or higher. Just want to see more before I a looking for final four tickets. Last year I thought they had legit chance to go to FF and they might this year.

Simply hoping to see 2-3 guys emerge as consistent go to guys on offense. Gloomy Goose thinks that my guy Ben is on the verge of being a consistent 10-12+ guy.

Backing away from the "Kam doesn't make his teammates better" take pretty quick.

[BM1090]

Backing away from the "Kam doesn't make his teammates better" take pretty quick.

To be fair, backing off it when others adamantly disagreed is far better than doubling down.

[tower912]

I'm not assuming anything. Even if he's not his best self, allowing Kam to play 10 minutes off the ball and having the ability to get by defenders on the bounce would be impactful for this team.

If he comes back, I wouldn't expect him to be his best self. But he could still improve the team.

Sean is not going to allow Kam to play 10 minutes off the ball.  At best, he will give Kam 3-5 minutes rest for the foreseeable future.  If he comes back this season.

Kolek was in a pouty funk and a slump playing off the ball last season.  1-13 in the game Sean got hurt.  I am not convinced Kam wants to play off the ball right now.

[The Sultan]

At this point, the better hope is that Tre continues to improve. Expecting Sean to do anything significant doesn't seem to be realistic.

[BM1090]

Sean is not going to allow Kam to play 10 minutes off the ball.  At best, he will give Kam 3-5 minutes rest for the foreseeable future.  If he comes back this season.

Kolek was in a pouty funk and a slump playing off the ball last season.  1-13 in the game Sean got hurt.  I am not convinced Kam wants to play off the ball right now.

You might be right, and ten minutes is an exaggeration. But being able to run Kam off some screens to free him up for a look at a 3 would open up some things for him and other guys.

[tower912]

I agree with that.  And I would think we can get that with Chase, Stevie, Tre, or even Ben with the ball on top.

[mileskishnish72]

Good job, JAM.

I attempted the same when Tower was MIA a year ago (or two), but you have outdone me.

[JakeBarnes]

Goose I definitely don't mean this as a slight, because you've said you haven't watched as much muball early in the season due to family obligations, and who can blame you, but this sounds a lot like you've started tuning in more in the last 4-5 games.

That stretch has easily been the toughest of the season- roadies at ISU, Dayton, X and a home game v UW and Butler.

Before that stretch Kam Jones was easily a top 2/3 offensive player in the country and super efficient, and was great at getting his teammates involved.

Since early December he's had some tougher sledding- easy to happen when the competition ramps up and the defenses get much better.
He's been 6/21, 12/21, 6/13, 11/24, 8/20 in the last 5. Much less efficient at the rim and from the outside offensively, but still averaging 6APG and 5RPG in that stretch.

The eye test shows that he's found some challenges- scoring at the bucket isn't as easy of late, missing shots he usually makes, and his outside shot hasn't been falling.
He's been feasting and padding stats a bit late and stuffing the box score, so the narrative is still the same, but he and everyone else that's watched will tell you he's had a bit of a negative stretch.

That will change though, and he will still be a first team All American, because he's that good.
He definitely makes his teammates better.
It's not as pretty or pure as what TyKo and Oso did, it's quite a bit different, but it's still effective.

Goose also mentioned a true 1B being needed by this team-

This years team isn't really that, imo.
The true #2 is Stevie, because his overall presence and defensive abilities, his pure grit and passion and ability to embody the Shaka and Marquette way is invaluable. He's the true #2 because he's the #1 defensively. Stevie has been WAY better offensively this year, his drives and finishes look great, and he needs to push that more, but offensive aggressiveness isn't in his DNA like the defensive aggressiveness.

David Joplin is easily the true #2 offensively, that's why I think he's the X factor for the season. This team will be great defensively, but will need Jop and Kam cooking on many nights, or against great teams, to win the game. Sure the defense can mask offensive inefficiencies, and as I've said it's much easier to win when the opponent scores in the 60s or low 70s, but Jop is the offensive 1B.

Chase is the two way player that will always play great defensively but pick his spots offensively.

Benny is fine, he's playing better and better and can be a big difference maker here and there but he's no 1B. Zaide, Owens, Parham, Tre, and SJ22 if he plays will be role players that will shine one night and disappear the next, with Zaide being a great defensive stopper as needed and Owens and Parham being a key to some wins with their offensive abilities.
Maybe one of the above group becomes more of a #3 option offensively (Owens or Parham?) but I'd say it's a long shot.
Those guys will win some games like Novak won some games off the bench for the FF team.

Overall this team is based on its defensive identity and ability to wreak havok defensively, get steals and create turnovers and go on huge runs off them. Deflection champions and defensive warriors. That is going to be their identity, with a true alpha stud All American in Kam and a microwave offensive cat in Jop.
The others will rotate and take turns, but Stevie and Chase will always be there on the defensive end, if they can all manage to stay on the court and avoid injury and foul

I was half done typing my reply to Goose but this is my +1. And to Goose: you've been the optimist to my cynic for the past few years...but I think the ceiling is much higher than you're predicting

[WarriorFan]

51 bench minutes in a conference road game.  No "issues" with any of those minutes.  This team just keeps getting better.

As for the 1b conversation - offensively it seems Shaka has decided it's Jop.  His drives were better today... less drives to nowhere, but then X is not that big.  More drives to finish and less drives where he stops and pivots and spins and gets lost. 

[Badgerhater]

51 bench minutes in a conference road game.  No "issues" with any of those minutes.  This team just keeps getting better.

As for the 1b conversation - offensively it seems Shaka has decided it's Jop.  His drives were better today... less drives to nowhere, but then X is not that big.  More drives to finish and less drives where he stops and pivots and spins and gets lost. 

Appeared that he wasn't driving in too far and left himself room to work.  Jop can't finish when he takes that extra step into traffic.