[Paint Touches] Marquette Minutes Projections for 2026

[Jay Bee]

Yeah, Zaide is Chase from last year.

Unless Ben learned how to shoot this summer, Zaide is the #2 option on offense.

lol

[MU82]

I've got an update on my projections:

Zaide Lowery - 0 minutes.

[Jay Bee]

LOWery, aina?

(I actually liked the kid - hope he finds a good new home and does well)

[1SE]

Saying a career 35.3% 3P shooter, who shot 37.1% in his most recent season, needs "to learn how to shoot" is a lot closer to hate than it is to not having blue and gold glasses.

Ben gold needs to learn how to shoot.

3/268 since valpo.

[DoctorV]

Ben gold needs to learn how to shoot.

3/268 since valpo.

Brutal.

This is easily the worst shooting Marquette team I've ever seen.

I said earlier in the season that they can't shoot from 3, they can't shoot from 2, and they can't shoot from 1.
Confucius say that in the game of basketball if you can't shoot the ball from any of the 3 levels you will be very very bad.

It actually seems like they are playing with a bit more defensive intensity and heart the last few games but at the end of the day it doesn't mean much when you can't put the ball in the basket.

As an aside- I know that Shaka/Nevada have an offensive "system" in place, but at what point do you scrap it and completely adjust?
The offense is a complete abomination of mindless dribbling, usually by Nigel or Chase, and an extremely difficult shot at the rim or a 3P attempt. No screens, no actions, limited ball movement. It's disgusting offensive basketball imo.
I know there isn't much you can do when the team can't shoot for squat, but you can attempt to change your system to find something that works rather than stick with what doesn't

People complimented the offense for that KenPom stat that showed MU gets the closest shots at the rim in the BE, but imo that's also short sighted.
The reason Marquette gets that is because it's Nevadas system to either shoot a 3 or go all the way to the hoop, with nothing in between.
As we've seen with our eyes, teams sag and let Marquette shoot from 3 because they are awful, so that leads to intensely contested drives amongst the trees and a brutal attempt near the hoop.
That's not a good shot, no matter the distance to the basket.
Yes, they have been bad at "layups," but most of these shots are erratic contested drives due to lack of offensive scheme and pick/roll action or lack of ball movement to create legitimately good shots.
That's on the coaches.

Ok end of rant

[Jay Bee]

I said earlier in the season that they can't shoot from 3, they can't shoot from 2, and they can't shoot from 1.
Confucius say that in the game of basketball if you can't shoot the ball from any of the 3 levels you will be very very bad.

Confucius also say 3, 2, 1 be not the three 3 levels. Cofucius and God also say #FTsNoMatta

[mug644]

Brutal.

This is easily the worst shooting Marquette team I've ever seen.

I said earlier in the season that they can't shoot from 3, they can't shoot from 2, and they can't shoot from 1.
Confucius say that in the game of basketball if you can't shoot the ball from any of the 3 levels you will be very very bad.

It actually seems like they are playing with a bit more defensive intensity and heart the last few games but at the end of the day it doesn't mean much when you can't put the ball in the basket.

As an aside- I know that Shaka/Nevada have an offensive "system" in place, but at what point do you scrap it and completely adjust?
The offense is a complete abomination of mindless dribbling, usually by Nigel or Chase, and an extremely difficult shot at the rim or a 3P attempt. No screens, no actions, limited ball movement. It's disgusting offensive basketball imo.
I know there isn't much you can do when the team can't shoot for squat, but you can attempt to change your system to find something that works rather than stick with what doesn't

People complimented the offense for that KenPom stat that showed MU gets the closest shots at the rim in the BE, but imo that's also short sighted.
The reason Marquette gets that is because it's Nevadas system to either shoot a 3 or go all the way to the hoop, with nothing in between.
As we've seen with our eyes, teams sag and let Marquette shoot from 3 because they are awful, so that leads to intensely contested drives amongst the trees and a brutal attempt near the hoop.
That's not a good shot, no matter the distance to the basket.
Yes, they have been bad at "layups," but most of these shots are erratic contested drives due to lack of offensive scheme and pick/roll action or lack of ball movement to create legitimately good shots.
That's on the coaches.

Ok end of rant

Despite the absolute failure of this season, I don't think the time to "scrap and completely adjust" an offense is in the middle of the season, especially without skilled players to do that. So, I think that, before next season, either the team (ie, the players on it) needs to be significantly changed, or the offense needs to be significantly changed. I sure hope it is the former.

And, I agree with your observations about getting into the lane to be able to put up 2-pt shots close to the basket, but that most are highly challenged and challenging. (Though there have been many, many absolute bunnies that have been missed). One thing that I consistently saw yesterday (and was commented on by the announcers) was that UConn had great spacing on offense. MU, on the other hand seemed to be crowded; indeed, I noticed several times that Nigel would drive into the lane and others (at least 2-3 times it was Gold) would follow him into the lane, I suppose to get a rebound. But, all that did was clog the lane and bring another defender in.

Ugh. So much to complain about with this team.

[tower912]

The only thing I would change about the offense is off ball movement and screening.

[K1 Lover]

Yes, they have been bad at "layups," but most of these shots are erratic contested drives due to lack of offensive scheme and pick/roll action or lack of ball movement to create legitimately good shots.
That's on the coaches.

I miss the Kolek & Oso pick and roll so bad.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

I miss the Kolek & Oso pick and roll so bad.

. And O-Max and Stevie knowing how to cut off the ball.

[mileskishnish72]

. And O-Max and Stevie knowing how to cut off the ball.

True. NJ can drive nicely, but he's putting up highly-contested shaots 'cuz it's hard to pass to statues.

[jfp61]

Lol all the Zaide love we had to put up with. just for him to be the 6th best player on the team and then quit.

He wasn't good.

Hopefully it doesn't happen again next year with the guy that hasn't improved since a City Rocks vs D1 Minnesota game in 2023

[MU82]

Lol all the Zaide love we had to put up with. just for him to be the 6th best player on the team and then quit.

He wasn't good.

Hopefully it doesn't happen again next year with the guy that hasn't improved since a City Rocks vs D1 Minnesota game in 2023

Congrats! Zaide wasn't good and Marquette sucked. You must be thrilled.

[jfp61]

Congrats! Zaide wasn't good and Marquette sucked. You must be thrilled.

I'm not thrilled.

They might be making a similar mistake if rumors are true. And I'm saying this because I want 20 wins next years. And there is time to fix it.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

I'm not thrilled.

They might be making a similar mistake if rumors are true. And I'm saying this because I want 20 wins next years. And there is time to fix it.

What rumors?

[JTJ3]

They could not be approaching this offseason more different than last year.  Complete 180.

[Mu8891]

JT - A " complete 180 " ... yah right.

First of all, since he took NO players from the Portal last year, a 180 would be ALL portal players.  Obviously you don't mean that ...

But, it's been 10 days since they were booted from BE.  If things are so different, why have we not heard about one or more departures? 

[The Sultan]

JT - A " complete 180 " ... yah right.

First of all, since he took NO players from the Portal last year, a 180 would be ALL portal players.  Obviously you don't mean that ...

But, it's been 10 days since they were booted from BE.  If things are so different, why have we not heard about one or more departures? 

So these aren't "rumors." These are conclusions you have come to based on a timeline you established all on your own.

[JTJ3]

JT - A " complete 180 " ... yah right.

First of all, since he took NO players from the Portal last year, a 180 would be ALL portal players.  Obviously you don't mean that ...

But, it's been 10 days since they were booted from BE.  If things are so different, why have we not heard about one or more departures? 

Id say adding 3 or 4 portal players is a pretty damn big change from prior years.

And just because guys havent put out their IG post about leaving doesnt mean the staff doesnt know who is leaving/asked to leave.

[SaveOD238]

JT - A " complete 180 " ... yah right.

First of all, since he took NO players from the Portal last year, a 180 would be ALL portal players.  Obviously you don't mean that ...

But, it's been 10 days since they were booted from BE.  If things are so different, why have we not heard about one or more departures? 

For one, the portal isn't actually open yet

[muwarrior69]

Id say adding 3 or 4 portal players is a pretty damn big change from prior years.

And just because guys havent put out their IG post about leaving doesnt mean the staff doesnt know who is leaving/asked to leave.

All we know are the 3 that are staying. I also doubt any of the incoming class are departing.

[muwarrior69]

For one, the portal isn't actually open yet

That prevents them from saying their transferring and going to enter the portal when it opens? 

[Zog from Margo]

I'm not thrilled.

They might be making a similar mistake if rumors are true. And I'm saying this because I want 20 wins next years. And there is time to fix it.

Given your comment about City Rocks, I take it you are referring to rumors you've heard about Owens.

[MU82]

I'm not thrilled.

They might be making a similar mistake if rumors are true. And I'm saying this because I want 20 wins next years. And there is time to fix it.

Being "right" anbout this past season  apparently is what matters most to you, so congrats again.

Also, are you referring to the rumor that you are the only Scooper who wants Marquette to be good next season?

[Vander Blue Man Group]

JT - A " complete 180 " ... yah right.

First of all, since he took NO players from the Portal last year, a 180 would be ALL portal players.  Obviously you don't mean that ...

No, that's not what a 180 would be.  That's ridiculous.

But, it's been 10 days since they were booted from BE.  If things are so different, why have we not heard about one or more departures? 

Do you really think all of the players that will enter the portal, which doesn't open for a few weeks, have announced it yet?  Nolan Minessale must be staying at St. Thomas since he hasn't announced his intent to transfer yet, right? 

Look, if you want to be skeptical that's fine.  But you go so over-the-top it's hard to take seriously.