An announcer before today’s game called Dominic James ‘the complete package'

[MU Avenue]

Such accolades are becoming embarrassing for their lack of accuracy. James is not even the strongest, most-reliable player on the team these days. His shooting from the outside and the free-throw line tend to be abysmal.

Some people are so quick to anoint above-average players as superstars who are unlikely to stick around college basketball for more than a year or two. Such has been the case with James. In reality, he is in no way ready for the NBA, and nothing about that will change in the coming months.

I wonder if the sports reporters, announcers and analysts who are so high on James have even him and MU play? If yes, have they seen him and Marquette more than once? For entire games?

I think those who have elevated James to a high-first-round pick in the next NBA draft have read a lot about him and seen plenty of highlights video but have not seen him play entire games. James wins tremendous applause for his spurts and flashes of basketball brilliance. But he is not the player that his boosters, including ill-informed announcers, would have people think.

As for Marquette and its coaching, this year's Golden Eagles team, like those of the past several years, plays with no clear offensive plan or strategy. Watching Marquette feels like watching playground ball.

I have wondered for years about Coach Crean's ability to prepare his team for the season and to plan for specific opponents. I think Crean's shortcomings as a coach are reflected in the fact that Marquette starts almost every game slowly and that it tends to play to the level of its opponents, including much-weaker teams.

It is rare -- almost unheard of -- that Marquette comes out and takes charge of a game from the start. In almost every case, MU seems to spend the first half -- and maybe more -- trying to figure out and stay with its opponent.

It has never seemed that Crean coaches or adjusts well during games. But the same people who applaud loudly for James hold Crean up as one the best coaches in collegiate basketball.

Crean might be a good, hardworking guy, but it does not seem he has great success teaching and grooming his players, many of whom possess plenty of ability and talent but are not able to get the job done on the floor.

There is no excusing, for example, Marquette's inability to shoot from the outside or to make free throws. Imagine how the outcome of today's game might have been different if Crean had his team where it should be by this point in the season.

[ben8787]

How does your "example" of Marquette's inability to shoot from the outside or to make free throws have anything to do with Crean?

[tomahawkchop]

How does your "example" of Marquette's inability to shoot from the outside or to make free throws have anything to do with Crean?

The ultimate responsibility for having a bunch of guys on the team who can't shoot does fall on the shoulders of Crean, since he recruited them.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

National reporters and the media, in general, get almost all their information on players from the coaching staff. Some of it comes from scouting services, but they too rely on information from coaches.

I am disappointed in this loss, but I am not surprised. We have some glaring weaknesses on offense.

[MU Avenue]

... who wrote: 'Wisconsin beat Marquette. You don't have to go on an irrational tirade.'

Ben, you can attempt to justify and legitimize Marquette's play all you want. In your eyes, a Marquette loss to the University of Wisconsin at Madison is just another loss. And when MU's players struggle with the fundamentals, responsibility does not rest with the coach.

I suppose you would also agree that the war in Iraq is just a 'conflict.'

[tomahawkchop]

National reporters and the media, in general, get almost all their information on players from the coaching staff. Some of it comes from scouting services, but they too rely on information from coaches.

I am disappointed in this loss, but I am not surprised. We have some glaring weaknesses on offense.

You really weren't surprised?

I thought MU had gotten their stinker out of the way agains NDSU and never figured they'd come out flat again for such a big rivalry game.  I'm still not sold on Wisconsin being that good, but Bo Ryan does get every ounce of ability and effort from his players.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

I was more surprised that we won the BCA than I was that we lost this game. After watching the game, I can honestly say I don't think we're in the same league as Wisconsin. They'd beat us 8 out of 10.

I'd like to officially call for an end to all talk of the "Big Three." They're all sophomores, but that's about all that stands out about them. They are no better or worse than any other recruits we've had recently. Yes, I'd rather have had Mason -- a senior -- in this game than a bunch of excitable sophomores. This team has a severe lack of leadership, which is not surprising considering there isn't a single 4th year senior on the team. The inmates (sophomores) are running the asylum.

In fact, on the offensive end, I think Hayward is already showing signs of being superior to a couple of the "Big Three."

[CWSKeith]

I know Marquette shooting horribly didn't help things, but I thought Wisconsin played quite the game defensively.  In particular, they did a real nice job of defending the pick-and-roll at the top of the key for most of the night.  Their guards were better than our guards, and when that happens, and when our 'big three' are outplayed, 99% of the time it'll end up in an 'L'. 

Also...  what more can be said about Tucker?  We didn't have an answer for him.  How many guys did Crean try on him, honestly?  I saw Burke, Matthews, Cubillan, McNeal, and Fitz at one point or another during the game.  Sure, he gots some easy dunks, but he made some real, real tough jumpers.

I also hate to say it, but Wisconsin never really lost control of this game.  It seemed a replica of the loss last week to NDSU; we would get down about 8-10, only to pull within 4-6, but never really got over that hump.  In particular, I remember an MU possession that could have cut the lead down to two.  Momentum was building, only to have Hayward take a contested 10 footer with a big man right in his face.  We seemed to be so anti-clutch (for lack of a better word) tonight, and that inability to hit the 'big' shot really hurt us.

And finally, because if I don't start studying I might as well go to my Western Civ teacher and just tell him to give me the 'F', the early 'sloppiness' by Marquette really hurt in the end.  Sure, we got up 7-2, but we really could have put them down early.  We missed a couple of contested layups; I think Oose missed one and McNeal too.  Cubillan's blocked 'fast-break' layup a little later in the first half was bad, and don't get me started on the missed oop from Jerel.  It's fine if you're not hitting threes, but that means that you're missed shots within five feet of the hoop need to be few and far between.

One question -- why did Marquette not go to a more packed in 2-3 zone?  I don't think that team could beat us from the outside.  We went to the 2-1-2 extended, but they broke it down quite easily.  The 2-3 zone was used for a couple of possessions, but then we went totally away from it.  I know you want to set the tempo and everything, but I thought if they threw in compacted zone a little more, we might've done a little better job of defending their posting-up guards.

[ben8787]

... who wrote: 'Wisconsin beat Marquette. You don't have to go on an irrational tirade.'

Ben, you can attempt to justify and legitimize Marquette's play all you want. In your eyes, a Marquette loss to the University of Wisconsin at Madison is just another loss. And when MU's players struggle with the fundamentals, responsibility does not rest with the coach.

I suppose you would also agree that the war in Iraq is just a 'conflict.'

So what should Crean do to eliminate our inability to shoot from the outside or to make free throws?  Have them shoot more in practice?  Is that the sign of a good coach?  Bonus points to the liberal for somehow getting the war into this.    (I'm just joking with you on that last line if that doesn't come across)

[MUfan12]

I'd like to officially call for an end to all talk of the "Big Three." They're all sophomores, but that's about all that stands out about them. They are no better or worse than any other recruits we've had recently. Yes, I'd rather have had Mason -- a senior -- in this game than a bunch of excitable sophomores.

I agree with this to a certain point. I'd rather not have Mason back, but it is absolutely fair to say the "Big Three" have regressed since last year, at least to this point. There is a huge leadership problem on this team, that's all I am going to say.

[77ncaachamps]

My takes...

On James
This line from the article on the game says it all: "MU was led by Dominic James' 19 points, 17 of which came in the second half." Much has been made of his late starts. Whatever the problem is, Crean and Co. are going to have to show DJ film of each slow start...and his horrendous free throw shooting. This guy, in my mind, was an NBA draftee. He's nowhere near the second round, especially for a guy his size. (Think Jameer Nelson WITHOUT the shot but with hops.)

On Crean
I agree with the thread that Crean's inability to solve or workout matchup issues before and during game time is proving to be costly. BUT here is where Coach's cupability ends: he's only able to work with the players he has.

In no fair way can MU fans compare this team to the Final Four team. Ooze is NOT Robert Jackson, nor is Fitz the second coming of Scott Merritt. Lott was nothing tonight, Lazar got schooled many times down low, and there's no one on the bench that can deliver solid minutes. This is also why not landing Bryce Webster or any other bigs is hurting MU. The frontcourt issues are not going to solve anything; they'll just make matters worse later in the season. Compound the lack of rebounding and post defense with MU's shooting woes...ugh. What a long year it may be.

[MU71]

My takes...

On James
This line from the article on the game says it all: "MU was led by Dominic James' 19 points, 17 of which came in the second half." Much has been made of his late starts. Whatever the problem is, Crean and Co. are going to have to show DJ film of each slow start...and his horrendous free throw shooting. This guy, in my mind, was an NBA draftee. He's nowhere near the second round, especially for a guy his size. (Think Jameer Nelson WITHOUT the shot but with hops.)

On Crean
I agree with the thread that Crean's inability to solve or workout matchup issues before and during game time is proving to be costly. BUT here is where Coach's cupability ends: he's only able to work with the players he has.

In no fair way can MU fans compare this team to the Final Four team. Ooze is NOT Robert Jackson, nor is Fitz the second coming of Scott Merritt. Lott was nothing tonight, Lazar got schooled many times down low, and there's no one on the bench that can deliver solid minutes. This is also why not landing Bryce Webster or any other bigs is hurting MU. The frontcourt issues are not going to solve anything; they'll just make matters worse later in the season. Compound the lack of rebounding and post defense with MU's shooting woes...ugh. What a long year it may be.

DJ's slow starts are directly attributable to him playing the #2 for most starts of games.  C'mon Tom put the ball in his hands earlier!  Look at the tapes and see where he's contributes most.  If he's unhappy with Crean (and I do say "if" because I don't know) might it be because he came to MU to run the offense in a point dominated offense (ALA Diener) and now he's spending much of his time running the baseline to get picks to free him at the #2 spot? Or that he wants to go pro and he'll not being allowed to demonstarte the skills of a point that will be his only way into the pros?  He's not a pure shooter - he's a penetrator and passer.  You don't do that as effectively from the #2 spot.  (And besides an idiot could see that Wesley is not a point!)

[4everwarriors]

Crean is responsible for getting the players. Therefore, his culpibility is greater than you state. Translation, since he is driving the bus, and being handsomely paid to do so, he controls the entire route.

[MUfan12]

DJ's slow starts are directly attributable to him playing the #2 for most starts of games.  C'mon Tom put the ball in his hands earlier! 

And you'll also see when you watch the tapes that the reason DJ scores more is because all he does is shoot when he has the ball as PG. It's not unthinkable for someone to score more when they shoot early and often.

[MU71]

DJ's slow starts are directly attributable to him playing the #2 for most starts of games.  C'mon Tom put the ball in his hands earlier! 

And you'll also see when you watch the tapes that the reason DJ scores more is because all he does is shoot when he has the ball as PG. It's not unthinkable for someone to score more when they shoot early and often.

All he does is shoot?  A bit of an exaggeration?  Or maybe because the team is behind when TC finally puts him there?  I think you'll also see just a few assists when he's out there on the point.  The team scored 41 in the second half with him predominatly at the point - 25 with him as a 2.  Enough said for me.

[MUfan12]

Dominic has NOT looked for the pass consistently this year. His best games this year have been when he has looked for others off of dribble penetration. He has done little of that this year. When he penetrates, 90% of the time its a shot. He has also taken some poor shots early in the possession several times this year.

People are also ripping Fitz a lot, but he has not gotten the advantage of the drive and kick that Novak had last year. Fitz and Cubillan are open a lot more than they get the ball, and its frustrating to see. If he's not going to pass like a PG, then he shouldn't play PG. Cubillan is a better ballhandler anyway.

[NYWarrior]

People are also ripping Fitz a lot, but he has not gotten the advantage of the drive and kick that Novak had last year. Fitz and Cubillan are open a lot more than they get the ball, and its frustrating to see. If he's not going to pass like a PG, then he shouldn't play PG. Cubillan is a better ballhandler anyway.

Cubillan and Fitz are alarmingly under-utilized.  DC is MU's most efficient offensive player while Fitz does not get a consistent number of looks game to game.  Meanwhile, McNeal -- who shoots 20% from deep and less than 40% from the field overall while leading the team in turnovers -- takes the most shots.

Makes no sense.