Going Positive

[Vander Blue Man Group]

On your Phillips comment I mostly agree at this point but Owens looked lost at the beginning of the year,  Owens is definitely earning more time now.

As for Phillips.  I wish when he went into the game they would run a play to go to him immediately to shoot a three.  Even an out of bounds play when they have the chance.  I'd like to see him get more looks from three.

As far as shooting in general for this team our passing has been terrible this year.  Wide open shooters are not getting passes in the shooting pocket.  They are reaching for the ball, barely corralling it and the defense has more time to adjust causing the shots to be rushed and really not that good.  Definitely doesn't help the shooting percentage. 

Yeah, you can really see the massive drop-off in both the timing and placement of passes to put guys in a position to score as compared to Kam and TK.  Just a skillset that is not present on the team right now. 

Hopefully Nigel really continues to develop in this area.

[BM1090]

So if DWade showed up on campus and had 19 games to play, he could not pick up the nuances of hoops, come on!

Come on, man.

[MU82]

(There are too many winnable Big East games out there, and we'll win a few of them.) ...which one's do you anticipate as W's? At seasons start I predicted 9 BE wins, with a possibility (if the ball bounced our way) of 11. I'm down to a prediction of 3 at this point.

I mean, the other games against X, Georgetown and Seton Hall, and both DePaul games for sure. Providence and Butler, haven't seen them enough yet; what I have seen they can look real good one game and real bad the next.

Note that I'm not saying we will win those games, so I guess I don't "anticipate" them as wins. But it's not as if we were boat-raced by GT or SH ... and we already beat X, opening up a big lead in the process ... and DePaul is still DePaul unless they prove otherwise.

Hell, I don't even think Creighton or Nova are all that this season. There are always upsets. Would MU beating either of them at Fiserv be more shocking than SH beating UConn last season?

I like to think I'm pretty realistic, but yes, I'm also an optimist around these parts.

[Viper]

I mean, the other games against X, Georgetown and Seton Hall, and both DePaul games for sure. Providence and Butler, haven't seen them enough yet; what I have seen they can look real good one game and real bad the next.

Note that I'm not saying we will win those games, so I guess I don't "anticipate" them as wins. But it's not as if we were boat-raced by GT or SH ... and we already beat X, opening up a big lead in the process ... and DePaul is still DePaul unless they prove otherwise.

Hell, I don't even think Creighton or Nova are all that this season. There are always upsets. Would MU beating either of them at Fiserv be more shocking than SH beating UConn last season?

I like to think I'm pretty realistic, but yes, I'm also an optimist around these parts.

I like the optimism. Hoping I'm wrong on 3 BE wins, which is a 8 win season in total heading into the BET. Normally we want 20 wins, at least. I'm praying to avoid 20 L's!

[MU82]

On your Phillips comment I mostly agree at this point but Owens looked lost at the beginning of the year,  Owens is definitely earning more time now.

As for Phillips.  I wish when he went into the game they would run a play to go to him immediately to shoot a three.  Even an out of bounds play when they have the chance.  I'd like to see him get more looks from three.

As far as shooting in general for this team our passing has been terrible this year.  Wide open shooters are not getting passes in the shooting pocket.  They are reaching for the ball, barely corralling it and the defense has more time to adjust causing the shots to be rushed and really not that good.  Definitely doesn't help the shooting percentage. 

While watching last night, I actually said these exact things: that I wish Shaka would set up a shot or two for Phillips while he has him in the game because that's what Phillips is best at; and that I wish our players threw passes in a way that the person catching them was in position to shoot or make another basketball move. Great minds!

[Jay Bee]

While watching last night, I actually said these exact things: that I wish Shaka would set up a shot or two for Phillips while he has him in the game because that's what Phillips is best at; and that I wish our players threw passes in a way that the person catching them was in position to shoot or make another basketball move. Great minds!

In two years, there's a possible world where MP2 and Owens are great.

[Zog from Margo]

An ugly win is better than an ugly loss.
Royce, DO, AS, and NJjr are the future. 

I'm less convinced on DO, but I hope you're right. I'd also like to see Phillips and Clark hang around.

[Pakuni]

So if DWade showed up on campus and had 19 games to play, he could not pick up the nuances of hoops, come on!

A teenager from the other side of the planet is just like a 13-time NBA all-star.

[MU82]

In two years, there's a possible world where MP2 and Owens are great.

We agree. I'd be disappointed if either leave, especially if we don't bring in a replacement who is obviously better.

[BCHoopster]

A teenager from the other side of the planet is just like a 13-time NBA all-star.

Just making a point that this team needs somebody who can put the ball in the hoop, 3 for 41 from your seniors is ridiculous.

[MuggsyB]

Just making a point that this team needs somebody who can put the ball in the hoop, 3 for 41 from your seniors is ridiculous.

The law of averages say this won't continue but it's definitely killing our chances right now.  I feel like we should be significantly better as a whole.  I'm not saying we're anywhere close to a tournament team, but at Home I feel like we should be able to compete at a much higher level than we've seen thus far. 

[Pakuni]

Just making a point that this team needs somebody who can put the ball in the hoop, 3 for 41 from your seniors is ridiculous.

It does, but a kid with zero college experience who just arrived from another continent is highly unlikely to be that somebody.

[MuggsyB]

It does, but a kid with zero college experience who just arrived from another continent is highly unlikely to be that somebody.

What's with the 🇳🇿 bias?   I'm not saying he should suit up but I don't see a correlation between continent and the ability to shoot a basketball. 

[Pakuni]

What's with the 🇳🇿 bias?   I'm not saying he should suit up but I don't see a correlation between continent and the ability to shoot a basketball. 

Because leaving home and moving halfway across the world is a massive life adjustment for anyone, much less an 18-year-old kid.
Expecting that kid to make that adjustment in a couple of weeks while also making an impact on the court with a new team, new system and new teammates is a steep - and I would say unrealistic - ask.

[MuggsyB]

Because leaving home and moving halfway across the world is a massive life adjustment for anyone, much less an 18-year-old kid.
Expecting that kid to make that adjustment in a couple of weeks while also making an impact on the court with a new team, new system and new teammates is a steep - and I would say unrealistic - ask.

I don't disagree but mainly because I don't see much of an upside based on how bad we are this year.

[MU82]

Because leaving home and moving halfway across the world is a massive life adjustment for anyone, much less an 18-year-old kid.
Expecting that kid to make that adjustment in a couple of weeks while also making an impact on the court with a new team, new system and new teammates is a steep - and I would say unrealistic - ask.

Not to mention the academic rigors!

[WarriorFan]

Several positives indeed from this game but it's important to note that Xavier is really bad. 

Parham - not the sharpest knife in the drawer but knows what to do with the ball in his hands and is the "reverse Joplin". (who, by the way, imho, had the same sharpness problem)... Where Joplin needed to just shoot and never dribble or drive when he got the ball, Parham needs to just drive.  Fake the shot, and drive.  He's got lots of nifty moves around the basket and often gets his own rebound.
Ben - starting again - We saw this 5 games before Shaka, but at least it's the right starting 5.
Phillips - absolutely agree a play must be run for him as soon as he enters
BOOB - two lovely plays... followed by two absolute abominations that led to turnovers.  Maybe a little more focus on the "set pieces"?  Those were the first signs of any offensive clarity in the post-Kolek/Oso PnR era.  Need more of it.
Stevens - solid.
James - great game considering the foul situation
Jones - this team is better (unfortunately because he seems like a great kid) when he's not on the court
Clark - one must ask if he can win the tip and provide 2-3 good possessions at the beginning the game.  The extra possession from winning the tip could win a game at some point. 

[muwarrior69]

Because leaving home and moving halfway across the world is a massive life adjustment for anyone, much less an 18-year-old kid.
Expecting that kid to make that adjustment in a couple of weeks while also making an impact on the court with a new team, new system and new teammates is a steep - and I would say unrealistic - ask.

Speaking of moving half way around the world is Nash Walker on campus? Is he practicing with the team?

[tower912]

According to Shaka on Inside Marquette Basketball, he is.

[Hards Alumni]

Speaking of moving half way around the world is Nash Walker on campus? Is he practicing with the team?

Yes, there have been videos of him at shoot arounds before games.

[Viper]

Not to mention the academic rigors!

it's not like we're UW-Madison, hey

[Scoop Snoop]

Yes, there have been videos of him at shoot arounds before games.

He really needs to get better asap, or BC Hoopster will not be happy with him. No reason to practice with the team until you are good enough to play in a game.

[muwarrior69]

Yes, there have been videos of him at shoot arounds before games.

Let's hope he is as advertised.

[Hards Alumni]

Let's hope he is as advertised.

I'm not sure what advertisements you're seeing, but personally, I do not have high hopes.