Poll: Year to Year Improvement 2023 to 2024

[Herman Cain]

Which returning player will have most year to year improvement this coming season.

Not posting Freshman as they have no baseline to compare to.

[tower912]

I vote Gold.  Because he will go from 7 mpg to 6th or 7th man.

[brewcity77]

Incredibly tough question. I think Kolek, Kam, and Oso are so freaking good they will stay around the same or regress slightly. I think Stevie and Jop will both see bigger roles, which will lead to counting stat increases but not necessarily more efficient performances. And I think Sean Jones will have a lot of competition for minutes, so it's hard for me to vote for him. That leaves two options:

Chase Ross: If future me from June 2024 walked into my office right now and said "Chase Ross forced his way into the starting lineup, was first-team All-Big East, MOP of the Final Four, and a lottery pick" I would believe him. That's the kind of upside I think he has. His athleticism, the speed he plays at, and the sheer violence to his game makes him a perfect breakout candidate. However...there are three established starters ahead of him, and I think Tre Norman will similarly make a really big push for minutes as a freshman. I'm just not sure the minutes are there for him to be more than a 15-18 mpg guy yet. If he gets into the 22-25 range, watch out, but he's not my vote. Which leaves...

Ben Gold: If the traditional 4/5 players in our system last year were Oso, O-Max, and Joplin, those are guys that accounted for 79.2 mpg. Obviously there was some overlap from them to the 3, or Gold wouldn't have carved out 7.9 mpg for himself.  With O-Max's departure, those 29.1 minutes are mostly going to go to Joplin and Gold. When it comes to conference play, opponents tend to be tougher, so a player's full-season ORtg is normally higher than their conference only numbers. Last year, Marquette had a number of exceptions to that. Kolek was +8.0, Mitchell was +6.7, and Ross was +5.2. However no one had a bigger leap in terms of full-season to conference play comparison than Gold with a massive +17.3. His eFG%, FT%, 2PFG%, 3PFG%, OR%, DR%, Blk%, and TO% were all better in conference play. And he did that while playing more minutes at the same usage rate. His second half screamed breakout, and with O-Max gone, he will have all the opportunity in the world to be that guy. This is your most improved 2023-24 player and the Big East Sixth Man of the Year in 2024.

[lawdog77]

I voted for Oso. I think his 3pt % and FT% dramatically improve.

[jfp61]

I voted for Oso. I think his 3pt % and FT% dramatically improve.

In jest, 1/30 from three and a 55% FT% incoming.

I think he'll play nba minutes within 2 years. But it's hard to improve overall from how high level he already plays.

[bilsu]

It is easily going to be Ben Gold.

[GB Warrior]

Dunno if he'll be most improved but I am looking forward to watching Chase Ross yam on everyone

[MuMark]

Since Oso didn't take or make a 3 last year if he makes 1 his percentage will improve.......but not necessarily to the benefit of the team.

[YoungMUFan4]

My vote is Ross.  Think he will pick up quite a bit of the minutes left by OMax.

[Herman Cain]

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cw8fHPZu_QP/?img_index=1

[avid1010]

Ross

[Goose]

I think Ross, Joplin and Gold make the biggest jumps. Ross might be ready to really breakout this season. He showed signs last year that he could cause trouble on defensive side of the court and I think he takes that to the next level.

[Shooter McGavin]

I think Ross, Joplin and Gold make the biggest jumps. Ross might be ready to really breakout this season. He showed signs last year that he could cause trouble on defensive side of the court and I think he takes that to the next level.

Any of the three you mentioned have the ability to really step up this year.  If they all do, MU is a legitimate title contender. 

Like last year, I think Sean is a difference maker in a few games as well.  He just won't have as much of a chance as those other guys playing behind Kolek. 

[MU82]

There will be marked improvement in Scoop's game threads, with nary a knee-jerk, over-the-top reaction to any rough start.

[tower912]

There will be marked improvement in Scoop's game threads, with nary a knee-jerk, over-the-top reaction to any rough start.

Bwahahaha.

I am reminded of the old philosophy joke.

How did Descartes die?

He was at a party and the hostess asked if he would like another drink.
"I think not."
Poof.

Scoop wouldn't be scoop without ridiculously bad hot takes.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Bwahahaha.

I am reminded of the old philosophy joke.

How did Descartes die?

He was at a party and the hostess asked if he would like another drink.
"I think not."
Poof.

Scoop wouldn't be scoop without ridiculously bad hot takes.

I thought he was ran over by a horse. Never put Descartes before da horse.

[tower912]

Bravo.

[MDMU04]

Hope Rothstein is right about this.

https://x.com/jonrothstein/status/1704878510181892428?s=46

I like the sound of that.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

Hope Rothstein is right about this.

https://x.com/jonrothstein/status/1704878510181892428?s=46

I like the sound of that.

Nice!

[Goose]

MU Fan

I have heard nothing but very good things about Ross and Joplin in regard to their improvement over the summer. I think Ross is going to be the real deal and am feeling better about the hole left by Omax. Have to say it again, I am jacked to see Ross this upcoming season.

[Dickthedribbler]

Hope Rothstein is right about this.

https://x.com/jonrothstein/status/1704878510181892428?s=46

I like the sound of that.

In a second life, I think I'd strive to become a "well embedded mole." Has a certain ring to it.

[lawdog77]

In a second life, I think I'd strive to become a "well embedded mole." Has a certain ring to it.

Not so fast. A doctor may want to cut that out. It might be cancerous (tying this to the Markus Howard thread)

[BLWarrior91]

Gold.  He will be stronger and more confident after playing a season at this level and this offseason.  I also expect big things from Jop and Chase.

[Jay Bee]

Gold.  He will be stronger and more confident after playing a season at this level and this offseason.

Off-season sitting out? Shin splints are baaaaad news bru

I also expect big things from Jop and Chase.

Pawz