The Next 4, time to look forward

[DoctorV]

We've already discussed ad nauseam how it's not all seashells and balloons, and we understand that this years team has flaws...

However,
1- the season is not over and there is a massive 4 game stretch that looms
H Dayton (74)
H Central Michigan (274)
N Oklahoma, in Chicago at UIC (66)
H Valparaiso (258)

Why is this stretch massive?
Well Marquette is currently at 60 in KenPom, 62O and 62D efficiency.
Opponents KenPom listed above.

So, at a time MU desperately needs to figure out a way to get right, it gets 4 consecutive games that it will be favored in, 3 at home and one that should be a home environment.

2- I'm a very look forward type of guy, and I see a major opportunity here. Sure, Shaka has to turn things around quickly, and a loss versus Dayton on Wednesday could be doomsday, but in a season like this sometimes all you need is a nice 4 game stretch to get you off the schneid and back to winning ways.
IMO the schedule sets up nicely for that.

3- For all the well documented negatives, which I'm not going to refute until I see a reason to, there are actually some positives

A) Chase seems ready to star in his role. I'm sure the alpha will have some down games, but I think we can be confident we have an alpha. That alone will win some close games.

B) Rebounding is improved. Don't think I've seen a 15-0 offensive rebounding advantage on a Marquette team in many years.

C) We have a very talented freshman PG.

D) The team did show some fight coming back from a big deficit and being in a position to win versus Maryland before the wheels fell off.

I won't go backwards, and I have a lot of thoughts as to why the wheels fell off, but the simplest and easiest way to explain it is that the team can't shoot for crap.
Last year we were confident it would improve, but it didn't the way we hoped/thought it would. This year I don't think we are as confident.
This is the major problem amongst a plethora of developmental/talent/confidence issues of key players on the team.

4- My take:
If Marquette loses to Dayton at home the season might be toast. Maybe it's pure faith but I don't think that will happen.
I fall back on that Oklahoma game being one of the biggest of the season, assuming Marquette can get in the conversation.
I didn't have a great feeling about Maryland because of the Buzz motivation factor and how Buzz seems to find a way, and before the season started I had a bad feeling about that game v Oklahoma, so my instinct says 3-1...

That said, I think 4-0 with some nice margins of victory might be really necessary here to even think about the importance of the BE conference season and dancing.
That would put Marquette back in the 40s in KenPom with some confidence and everything to play for going into the Kohl hole

A team on a 4 game win streak with nothing to lose at that point going against their in state rival can be a dangerous thing.

Let get em Shaka and Co!

[BM1090]

4-0, but neither back on track or season over.

[1SE]

These 4 are must win - but then we also need one of PU/UW

[Jay Bee]

That would put Marquette back in the 40s

Not necessarily

[WarriorFan]

I just watched the buzz game replay and even though it's a tough loss, there is still hope:
Chase and Ben need to play that well every game - and they can.
Zaide is a nice 3rd option.
James jr is good enough as a freshman PG and needs to continue to be aggressive.
Those are the "go to" guys for the season.  Unfortunately we need to play with 5, so the next position is important. 
Caedin boxes out very well.  If he can play 18-20 minutes and have zero turnovers, 2 points and 8 boards that's good enough.

Parham is useless.  Bricks for hands.  He had about 10 passes/rebounds just bounce off his hands.  Also, not much defense there.  Looks good on paper but not good enough.

Norman looks scared.
Owens looks lost.

Stevens seems like the next best option.  D is improving and doesn't make too many mistakes. 
Phillips needs more minutes.  Needs to come in before the 16 media time out and get a 3.  If it goes in, he stays.  If it misses, he gets another minute in the 2nd half.  As long as he's taking and making good shots, he plays. 

That's a 7 man rotation with spot minutes from Norman, Owens and Clark, and Jones getting PG minutes when he returns from Injury.  Get them settled in this rotation and rely on the 4 "responsible" ones. Make sure the 5th guy on the court is not screwing it up for the 4 who can be trusted.