Chipp'n away

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

38 minutes. One defensive rebound.

There's ur big

Stop worrying. That's just because the other team doesn't miss shots when he's on the floor.

[GoldenEagles03]

38 minutes. One defensive rebound.

There's ur big

Oso played 2910 minutes at Marquette and had just 375 defensive rebounds.

[Big Papi]

These last two games have alarm bells ringing for me.  We have been outplayed by 2 mid majors for the majority of those games.  We had 3 quick great runs totaling what 15 minutes?  We are not going to get those silly turnovers from better teams even with an improved defense.

This team is a significant notch lower in talent than the last 2 years.  To be successful this year, we need at least 2 other players not named Ross or Kam, to step up and be consistent and productive from 3-point land.  Otherwise, teams will double up on Kam, sag defensively and eliminate our driving lanes.  Hoping for the best and a healthy year but this is looking like a double-digit loss team.

[TallTitan34]

Congrats to the 2024 Marquette Challenge Champions!

Excited for the banner unveiling before the Purdue game.

[TFlegend]

These last two games have alarm bells ringing for me.  We have been outplayed by 2 mid majors for the majority of those games.  We had 3 quick great runs totaling what 15 minutes?  We are not going to get those silly turnovers from better teams even with an improved defense.

This team is a significant notch lower in talent than the last 2 years.  To be successful this year, we need at least 2 other players not named Ross or Kam, to step up and be consistent and productive from 3-point land.  Otherwise, teams will double up on Kam, sag defensively and eliminate our driving lanes.  Hoping for the best and a healthy year but this is looking like a double-digit loss team.

This is where I'm at.  This team is going to lose a lot of games unless Joplin can turn into something he hasn't been for 3+ years and Gold can turn into something he hasn't been for 2+ years.  And the sophomore class looks like a big whiff.  Hoping for the best this Friday...will be in attendance with many of my UMD grad neighbors.   

[Tyler COLEk]

Every single poster panicking about this team is a joke. Your anxiety says a lot more about you as individuals than it does about this team.

[Skatastrophy]

Teams play down to their opponents. I'm not concerned.

I also haven't learned much about this team other than they seem young and disorganized when Kam isn't out there. They also seem resilient, and willing to shoot themselves out of a slump even if it takes 3+ games to do it. It's a tongue-in-cheek comment, but also not every MUBB player has been willing to play that way. I've not seen sulking from this group, and I'm really happy about it.

[Uncle Rico]

Every single poster panicking about this team is a joke. Your anxiety says a lot more about you as individuals than it does about this team.

My theory of "fans are largely idiots" is proven science

[BM1090]

These last two games have alarm bells ringing for me.  We have been outplayed by 2 mid majors for the majority of those games.  We had 3 quick great runs totaling what 15 minutes?  We are not going to get those silly turnovers from better teams even with an improved defense.

This team is a significant notch lower in talent than the last 2 years.  To be successful this year, we need at least 2 other players not named Ross or Kam, to step up and be consistent and productive from 3-point land.  Otherwise, teams will double up on Kam, sag defensively and eliminate our driving lanes.  Hoping for the best and a healthy year but this is looking like a double-digit loss team.

Do I think we'll be a two seed? No. But this team is just going to win differently. We're getting to the line more. The rebounding, if it holds, ranks about 150 spots higher than last years. Same with the FT Rate.

We'll probably have to grind out more games and when we do blow teams out it'll be with our defense instead of our offense.

[MUDPT]

Team +/- in the three games:
Stony Brook 12.2
Mason 4.8
CMU 9.4

You can argue on how/ why it happened, but Marquette was clearly the better team in all 3 games and it isn't close.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Most years, the early part of the season is choppy and uneven.  We were spoiled last year to have a quality team with already established roles.

This year, players are learning new roles.  Kam learning to be the primary facilitator, Chase & Stevie needing to provide more offense, much bigger roles for Jop & Gold, and a young bench trying to find itself.  Plus, new players taking on the leadership roles that Oso and Kolek had last year.

There have been some growing pains, like most years.  That said, here's what I'd like to see:

1. Gold rolling to the basket more and not exclusively drifting to the 3 point line.  Need to get some easy buckets or get to the FT line.

2. Feed Jop in the lane for a couple 10 footers early.  Get him warmed up a little before launching threes.

3. Get Owens back and acclimated.  When one of the starters is off or in foul trouble, we need Owens to fill the gap.

4. Parham building off of last night.  Hope he's healthy because he was starting to find his spots last night.

5. Zaide and Tre need to become threats on offense. Need to attack, at least a little.

6. Get Sean healthy to allow Kam to play more SG.

[Scoop Snoop]

Most years, the early part of the season is choppy and uneven.  We were spoiled last year to have a quality team with already established roles.

This year, players are learning new roles.  Kam learning to be the primary facilitator, Chase & Stevie needing to provide more offense, much bigger roles for Jop & Gold, and a young bench trying to find itself.  Plus, new players taking on the leadership roles that Oso and Kolek had last year.

There have been some growing pains, like most years.  That said, here's what I'd like to see:

1. Gold rolling to the basket more and not exclusively drifting to the 3 point line.  Need to get some easy buckets or get to the FT line.

2. Feed Jop in the lane for a couple 10 footers early.  Get him warmed up a little before launching threes.

3. Get Owens back and acclimated.  When one of the starters is off or in foul trouble, we need Owens to fill the gap.

4. Parham building off of last night.  Hope he's healthy because he was starting to find his spots last night.

5. Zaide and Tre need to become threats on offense. Need to attack, at least a little.

6. Get Sean healthy to allow Kam to play more SG.

Nice post Juan. I especially like #1. Ben's dunk was beautiful and had he not been fouled on the 2nd drive, I think he would have dunked again. Parham looked good and shows promise.

I'm hoping the team proves itself in Maryland. Williard has coached against some of our starters and has the home court advantage. I will be at the game.

[GoldenEagles03]

This is where I'm at.  This team is going to lose a lot of games unless Joplin can turn into something he hasn't been for 3+ years and Gold can turn into something he hasn't been for 2+ years.  And the sophomore class looks like a big whiff.  Hoping for the best this Friday...will be in attendance with many of my UMD grad neighbors.   

David Joplin was a part of an All Big East Tournament Team that helped Marquette win the Big East Tournament.

He also just had a game of 27 points and 10 rebounds. Good grief. Relax.

[Newsdreams]

Thus team needs lots of work and help. What will they do when they play quality teams that can shutdown Kam. Chase and Mitchell look solid, but there is no help from the bench, except maybe Parham. And how about putting their centers ass down low instead of him jacking up clothesline 3s? Might that be something? Maybe or maybe not. May not be his game. And Jolpin? So inconsistent and then they think he can dribbledrive to the basket, which many times ends up in a turnover. We have played 3 cupcakes and a bunch  of people think we are the real deal. Right now we are a 7th or 8th place BEast team.
Hop Shaka Kahn has some solutions.

Hop Shaka Kahn, we got the nickname!

[Uncle Rico]

Hop Shaka Kahn, we got the nickname!

I don't like it.  Very uncreative.  I expect more out of the Dung Master

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

David Joplin was a part of an All Big East Tournament Team that helped Marquette win the Big East Tournament.

He also just had a game of 27 points and 10 rebounds. Good grief. Relax.

David Joplin has been an inconsistent and streaky shooter since he has been here. This is just who he is. People shouldn't expect consistency from someone who hasn't been consistent for 3+ years now.

[brewcity77]

And no, I'm not just reacting to this game. We are going to get abused in the Big East inside. You really think this team can play inside night in and night out in our league?

Having watched the rest of the Big East, yes, I do believe that. The next week with Queen, Reese, TKR, & Newell? We'll see. But Big East play? Absolutely.

[mileskishnish72]

David Joplin has been an inconsistent and streaky shooter since he has been here. This is just who he is. People shouldn't expect consistency from someone who hasn't been consistent for 3+ years now.

The best predictor for future behavior is past behavior.

[Shooter McGavin]

David Joplin has been an inconsistent and streaky shooter since he has been here. This is just who he is. People shouldn't expect consistency from someone who hasn't been consistent for 3+ years now.

Agreed.  This is where Owens can play a big role for this team.  Joplin vs CMU, Owens hopefully would have negated some of that playing time.  Joplin against GM, Owens probably gets less time unless he is taking it from others.  Will be nice to have Owens back if he is truly as advertised. 

I know, I know can't rely on a freshman but if he shows as much promise as I see from Parnham, I am.

[JakeBarnes]

Caeden has definitely looked lost on the defensive and offensive end. There was a point during the "walk" (get it, not a run?) where he didn't know where he should be setting screens and Jop had to push him into a few.

Hopefully something that gets worked on this week.

[Uncle Rico]

Caeden has definitely looked lost on the defensive and offensive end. There was a point during the "walk" (get it, not a run?) where he didn't know where he should be setting screens and Jop had to push him into a few.

Hopefully something that gets worked on this week.

Game speed is a different creature than practice.  Live reps the only way to get better

[MUfan12]

I'm certainly more willing to ride the ups and downs with Caedin and the freshmen. That stuff is gonna happen.

The sophomores showing very little is a way more concerning.

[JakeBarnes]

Game speed is a different creature than practice.  Live reps the only way to get better

Most definitely. I have faith that the team will continue to grow both as a unit and individually as players. It's becoming the exception to see a player NOT develop under Shaka thus far.

[Hards Alumni]

I can't believe we don't have an inside presence because Shaka wants to be a "family". Total Dabo move. Where did the self-imposed "no transfers" concept come from anyways? It's very recent. Shaka's best player here, TKO, was a transfer.

If you don't think the team could use another big body down low, you are blinded by blue & gold glasses. Frankly, the "family" would be a lot happier and stronger with one "adoption" haha.

And no, I'm not just reacting to this game. We are going to get abused in the Big East inside. You really think this team can play inside night in and night out in our league?

I'm not sure you've watched much Big East basketball this season.

[Goose]

I have mixed feelings on the first three games and definitely not ready to make any judgements. I have seen very little live action and cannot form any type of eye test judgement. That said, hopefully the next few games gives us a better idea of what to expect this season.

I had finishing in the top four of the BE and will stick with that for now. Fingers crossed that Owens is as good as advertised and is on the court quickly. If Sean comes back this year it definitely will be a big help.