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Next up:  DePaul

Marquette
67
Marquette vs
DePaul
Date/Time: Feb 11, 2025 7:30pm
TV: Peacock
Schedule for 2024-25
Creighton
77

K1 Lover

In your opinion, what do you perceive to be our team's biggest problem area currently?

In November I would've said that it's Kam's susceptibility to foul trouble, but this is something that he's improved upon significantly. Now I'd say it's the interior D - particularly our inability to defend backdoor cuts.

Let me know your thoughts, I'm simply curious as to what others want to see fixed/cleaned up most.

tower912

Luke 6:45   ...A good man produces goodness from the good in his heart; an evil man produces evil out of his store of evil.   Each man speaks from his heart's abundance...

It is better to be fearless and cheerful than cheerless and fearful.

GoldenEagles03

Quote from: K1 Lover on January 18, 2025, 09:22:05 PMIn your opinion, what do you perceive to be our team's biggest problem area currently?

In November I would've said that it's Kam's susceptibility to foul trouble, but this is something that he's improved upon significantly. Now I'd say it's the interior D - particularly our inability to defend backdoor cuts.

Let me know your thoughts, I'm simply curious as to what others want to see fixed/cleaned up most.

3 point shooting. Bench was fine today.
VIOLENCE!

The Sultan

3 point shooting. Lack of rim protection.
"I am one of those who think the best friend of a nation is he who most faithfully rebukes her for her sins—and he her worst enemy, who, under the specious and popular garb of patriotism, seeks to excuse, palliate, and defend them" - Frederick Douglass

DoctorV

- Over-dependence on Kam Jones.
- No legitimate backup point guard to run the offense.
- A team that isn't as efficient or capable as we thought offensively, especially against better and longer/stronger competition.
- Difficulty finding the open man and creating open lanes in the HC offense.
- Poor and extremely inconsistent outside shooting for a team that values the 3P shot so much. The above all play into this one. I also think that Jop and Kam in particular work so hard, both on the defensive end and on the ball offensively (esp Kam on the latter) that the legs and mind aren't so fresh on the outside shot.
In years past, their main responsibility was to make 3P baskets and score. This season, they've got a lot more on their plate.

I do think the defense will be ok barring health concerns. I've said before that it's much easier to beat teams when you keep them in the 60s and low 70s, but not when you score 57. I also think the defense is much more effective when the guys are playing with confidence due to offensive success.

Gotta figure out a way to unlock the offense

MuggsyB

#5
We're better defensively this year but significantly worse on the offensive end.  Last year we had three guys who could make plays off the dribble, this year Kam has to do it alone.  Our passing in particular has taken a big drop.  The question is how do we find higher percentage shots vs a set defense?

No one expects Stevie, Chase, or Jop to be CP3.  Or Kolek or Oso.  But their inability to see the defense on help and move the rock is absolutely killing us.  Move the freaking basketball, basic fundamentals.  If Kam is hard doubled attack in open space, spread the floor, and pass the ball when help comes.  Instead, what is happening most often is trying to score off the dribble downhill no matter what, giving it back to Kam immediately, or taking very difficult shots in isolation. 

We're way too predictable and impatient.  It's okay to want to play fast but we need more motion off the ball, better spacing, and less usage from Kam.  In the Purdue game he dominated without forcing anything.  Moving the basketbal with far less iso crap is what must be done for starters.  All of them are capable, it's basic poise and fundamental hoops.   We can't simply rely on scoring from points off off turns. 

BM1090

Quote from: MuggsyB on January 18, 2025, 10:44:32 PMWe're better defensively this year but significantly worse on the offensive end.  Last year we had three guys who could make plays off the dribble, this year Kam has to do it alone.  Our passing in particular has taken a big drop.  The question is how do we find higher percentage shots vs a set defense?

No one expects Stevie, Chase, or Jop to be CP3.  Or Kolek or Oso.  But their inability to see the defense on help and move the rock is absolutely killing us.  Move the freaking basketball, basic fundamentals.  If Kam is hard doubled attack in open space, spread the floor, and pass the ball when help comes.  Instead, what is happening most often is trying to score off the dribble downhill no matter what, giving it back to Kam immediately, or taking very difficult shots in isolation. 

We're way too predictable and impatient.  It's okay to want to play fast but we need more motion off the ball, better spacing, and less usage from Kam.  In the Purdue game he dominated without forcing anything.  Moving the basketbal with far less iso crap is what must be done for starters.  All of them are capable, it's basic poise and fundamental hoops.   We can't simply rely on scoring from points off off turns. 

Muggs, I agree our offense is worse this year. But we're actually slightly better than we finished last year in adjusted efficiency right now. 118.5 to 118.2.

I'd expect that number to drop below 118.2 before the end of the season though.

MarquetteMike1977

Quote from: K1 Lover on January 18, 2025, 09:22:05 PMIn your opinion, what do you perceive to be our team's biggest problem area currently?

In November I would've said that it's Kam's susceptibility to foul trouble, but this is something that he's improved upon significantly. Now I'd say it's the interior D - particularly our inability to defend backdoor cuts.

Let me know your thoughts, I'm simply curious as to what others want to see fixed/cleaned up most.

Some of those back door cuts by Xavier seemed to involve illegal screens but yes would agree with inability to defend back door cuts is one of our areas of improvement. We are usually decent at getting in passing lanes creating turnovers and getting deflections. But in the Xavier game today deflections and turnovers created were down.

MuggsyB

Quote from: MarquetteMike1977 on January 18, 2025, 11:38:24 PMSome of those back door cuts by Xavier seemed to involve illegal screens but yes would agree with inability to defend back door cuts is one of our areas of improvement. We are usually decent at getting in passing lanes creating turnovers and getting deflections. But in the Xavier game today deflections and turnovers created were down.

The defense wasn't the prob today even if we forced fewer turns. 

MuggsyB

Quote from: BM1090 on January 18, 2025, 11:03:25 PMMuggs, I agree our offense is worse this year. But we're actually slightly better than we finished last year in adjusted efficiency right now. 118.5 to 118.2.

I'd expect that number to drop below 118.2 before the end of the season though.

Someone mentioned that we take too many threes and added the stat that we're 13th in 3pt attempts but like 220th in percentage.  Shaka isn't going to change his philosophy but from what I've seen we're really poor shooting the trifecta off the dribble.  I'm very curious what that specific stat is.  We also got to the line 7 times today.  Our 2pt percentage has been abysmal in recent games as well and we generally only take lay-ups or Kam has his runner/floater.  My contention is we play too fast and off of one foot too often once we are in the paint and in scoring positions.  It's like a Rhino charge but weren't not Rhinos.  Focus and score the basketball or draw fouls. 

Zog from Margo

MU needs to have 3s come off passes from the paint. To get there, they need much more focus on attacking the rim early. And teach Gold to post-up. As of now, MU has too many 3s off perimeter passes and dribbling.

Newsdreams

MU is getting plenty of open 3 pt looks. Make them at 35ish% and teams will have to open the paint. Teams are mostly waiting for Kam/Jop/Ross penetration and collapsing on them or really making them change their shots.
Goal is National Championship

Uncle Rico

The biggest area of improvement needed is a better fanbase
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The Sultan

Quote from: Newsdreams on January 19, 2025, 08:15:50 AMMU is getting plenty of open 3 pt looks. Make them at 35ish% and teams will have to open the paint. Teams are mostly waiting for Kam/Jop/Ross penetration and collapsing on them or really making them change their shots.

Yep. If I have one issue with Shaka it's that its hard to run a five out system if you don't have consistent outside shooting. I have no idea if this is a recruiting issue or something else, but the system seems to be doing what they want it to do, but just like the last two seasons, we are going to have stretches where we don't hit our shots.
"I am one of those who think the best friend of a nation is he who most faithfully rebukes her for her sins—and he her worst enemy, who, under the specious and popular garb of patriotism, seeks to excuse, palliate, and defend them" - Frederick Douglass

Newsdreams

Quote from: The Sultan on January 19, 2025, 08:42:08 AMYep. If I have one issue with Shaka it's that its hard to run a five out system if you don't have consistent outside shooting. I have no idea if this is a recruiting issue or something else, but the system seems to be doing what they want it to do, but just like the last two seasons, we are going to have stretches where we don't hit our shots.
He says he expects 3pt shooting to be volatile and inconsistent. MU is on the wrong side of volatile, hopefully gets on the right side soon.
Goal is National Championship

Uncle Rico

Quote from: Newsdreams on January 19, 2025, 08:51:47 AMHe says he expects 3pt shooting to be volatile and inconsistent. MU is on the wrong side of volatile, hopefully gets on the right side soon.

Last 3 games:

35% against DePaul

37% against GTown

32 % against Creighton

Match any of those and they win.  Simple game

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TAMU, Knower of Ball

Honestly we just need Kam to have some good old regression to the mean and I think we will be fine. Defenses are sagging and aggressively collapsing every time we have the ball. If Kam starts shooting like the 38% career shooter he is, they wont be able to do that.

Like last year, the scout on our team is currently easy on offense. Clog the lane because if they start hitting their threes we aint winning anyway.
Quote from: Goose on January 15, 2023, 08:43:46 PM
TAMU

I do know, Newsie is right on you knowing ball.


Shooter McGavin

Quote from: TAMU, Knower of Ball on January 19, 2025, 02:38:29 PMHonestly we just need Kam to have some good old regression to the mean and I think we will be fine. Defenses are sagging and aggressively collapsing every time we have the ball. If Kam starts shooting like the 38% career shooter he is, they wont be able to do that.

Like last year, the scout on our team is currently easy on offense. Clog the lane because if they start hitting their threes we aint winning anyway.

Yep

Zog from Margo

Teams have adjusted defensively. In the last 3 games, two teams went zone and one played a collapsing man-to-man. As a result, MU has played four bad halves out of six against teams that aren't particularly strong. The consensus  appears to be that no adjustments are needed because all MU needs to do is start making shots. That would certainly help. Finger crossed.

My guess, however, is that the staff is exploring adjustments that might help the team make more shots more consistently. For example, the last two games Gold has put more arc on his three. Apparently, that was at someone's suggestion.

We R Final Four


K1 Lover

Quote from: Zog from Margo on January 19, 2025, 03:42:36 PMTeams have adjusted defensively. In the last 3 games, two teams went zone and one played a collapsing man-to-man. As a result, MU has played four bad halves out of six against teams that aren't particularly strong. The consensus  appears to be that no adjustments are needed because all MU needs to do is start making shots. That would certainly help. Finger crossed.

My guess, however, is that the staff is exploring adjustments that might help the team make more shots more consistently. For example, the last two games Gold has put more arc on his three. Apparently, that was at someone's suggestion.

Maybe Kam and Ben decided to switch 3pt-shooting forms with each other? I noticed that Kam's arcs seemed to be flatter than usual yesterday.

Its DJOver

Transition. I know Shaka/the stats say that any open three is a good one, but seeing 3-on-1 situations ending in zero points because of a missed pull up three with the rebound going out of bounds feels like such a momentum killer. The "worst case" in that scenario should be ft attempts.  Further, even when we attack, with the acceptation of Chase, it seems like we avoid contact to attempt a more difficult lay-up rather than just taking the contact and getting fouled.
Scoop motto:
Quote from: ATL MU Warrior on February 06, 2025, 06:04:29 PMthe stats bear that out, but

TSmith34, Inc.

Quote from: K1 Lover on January 19, 2025, 06:33:41 PMMaybe Kam and Ben decided to switch 3pt-shooting forms with each other? I noticed that Kam's arcs seemed to be flatter than usual yesterday.

Kam seems to have changed his shoot in each of the four years.
If you think for one second that I am comparing the USA to China you have bumped your hard.

MuggsyB

I saw a lot of hesitation vs XU's defense.  Why we would be tight is a total mystery to me.  We know exactly how teams are going to play us regardless if they go zone or man to man.  I also think a totally uncontested 8-12 footer is a better shot than going balls to the wall and trying to score over two bigs inside.  That's a shot we need to occasionally take imo.  And there's no reason to rush it at all, it's generally wide open. Plant, rise, and fire if it's there once in awhile.  It might help Kam in particular.  Every player in our starting 5 should be confident they can score the ball.  Move the rock, execute, and play with zero hesitation.  It's easier to be the hunter, I get it.  But there is 0.0 reason we shouldn't be confident and get back to playing elite hoops. 

Newsdreams

Quote from: MuggsyB on January 20, 2025, 03:16:14 PMI saw a lot of hesitation vs XU's defense.  Why we would be tight is a total mystery to me.  We know exactly how teams are going to play us regardless if they go zone or man to man.  I also think a totally uncontested 8-12 footer is a better shot than going balls to the wall and trying to score over two bigs inside.  That's a shot we need to occasionally take imo.  And there's no reason to rush it at all, it's generally wide open. Plant, rise, and fire if it's there once in awhile.  It might help Kam in particular.  Every player in our starting 5 should be confident they can score the ball.  Move the rock, execute, and play with zero hesitation.  It's easier to be the hunter, I get it.  But there is 0.0 reason we shouldn't be confident and get back to playing elite hoops. 
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Goal is National Championship

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