3 Things...

[Pardner]

OK--the regular season is over.  Regular season success is about a team's systems and the personnel within.  We are who we are.  Post-season is all about match-ups.  Here is my scouting report on MU:

Strengths:

1.  On-ball pressure--we can generate TO's like few teams.  Our perimeter pressure gives teams who like to play in the half-court fits.  It is hard to coach against us on this if you don't have the talent.
2.  Depth--we can give different looks and go all out for 40 minutes--especially at guard.  Getting into foul trouble is not an issue.  Teams have to prepare for our quickness and you cannot teach that.  If our bench plays well, we win.  We tire our opponents out.  More situational pressing.
3.  Tempo/transitionals--When we control the tempo and pace we win (Vill) or play well (GT).  We can tire out big teams.  We are a much better team when we drive and shoot or when we catch and shoot versus stand and shoot.  We are a north-south team.

Weaknesses:

1.  2-3 zone--we seem unable to hit our mid-range jumpers in the half court.  Our Bigs dissappear as an option--this is where not having a post up option kills us.  When we are going east-west in a half court, we lose.  Teams offset our tempo by trapping us (UL), sending the middle man in the 3 up to put up an electric fence to stop our initial point penetration (MSU), and to bog the tempo down.  Lazar and Wes are keys in the mid-range, and lets hope for a good trey night.  Bigs need to be involved in the O.
2.  Situational Focus--Every possession counts.  First and last four minutes of each half (yes, clock management).  Nail the FT's.  Read the defense.  Finish with good decision-making.  This is mental.
3.  Fouls--we foul more times per game than anyone in the Top 25 or BE.  And, our FT gap to our opponents is also the largest.  This gives up free points--and helps offset two of our strengths:  it slows down our tempo, and it allows our opponents to rest.  No dumb fouls.  Usually, your biggest strength is your biggest weakness.

[21Jumpstreet]

Situational focus is an excellent description.  Our ability to change or be flexible to these situations is another problem.  Our play against 2/3 zone is suspect and I think we all learned as youngsters to drive the gaps in a zone.  It seems like we get a bit flustered, even though Crean is a great prep coach.  Not sure why it doesn't translate to gameday.

Watched the Duke/UNC game and it sure would be nice to have some shooters.