Entertaining loss

[rocky_warrior]

There is no reason why we are struggling to this degree imo. 

Untrue, or bad opinion.

[MuggsyB]

Untrue, or bad opinion.

We were 15-53 today from the field excluding Kam.  We took four total free throws. Our shooting percentages have been pretty abysmal for most of the BEast season.  I think our shot selection could be dramatically better even without a 2nd bona fide creator. 

[rocky_warrior]

We were 15-53 today from the field excluding Kam.  We took four total free throws. Our shooting percentages have been pretty abysmal for most of the BEast season.  I think our shot selection could be dramatically better even without a 2nd bona fide creator. 

So is there, or is there not a good reason why Marquette is struggling?

[MuggsyB]

So is there, or is there not a good reason why Marquette is struggling?

Not to the level we are struggling is what I'm saying.  We have lost to three pretty good teams, that's part of it.  We've made a number of perplexing mental errors which is upsetting for a team with our experience.  Of course there are reasons but I don't think we are playing at the top levels we have shown. 

[Zog from Margo]

We have 2 seniors and a junior with the ball in their hands besides Kam.  It's not about them being master creators, it's about making the right decision and basketball play.  It's about understanding where the help is coming, spacing, playing without hesitation, and moving the damn ball.  Jop and Mitchell in particular hold the ball too long once help comes.  Ball stopping destroys offensive flow, and these are experienced players that know better.  And the thing is while we generally do a solid job taking care of the basketball, a forced shot or a bad shot is essentially a turnover.  Seeing the floor and moving the rock is a big problem right now.  And every guy on the floor is more than capable of making quicker and better decisions.  We simply have to create better looks vs a set defense.  There is no reason why we are struggling to this degree imo. 

"It's about making the right decision and basketball play." I couldn't agree more. That's called creating offense. So you go from a point forward in Oso to an offense afterthought in Gold. You go from maybe the best PG in MU history to Stevie, who isn't a PG. All of a sudden, you're down to Kam. You're asking Jop to make drive and create basketball decisions and not just catch and shoot. Yet the team is 18-6. Shaka can stay at MU as long as he wants as far as I'm concerned.

[rocky_warrior]

Not to the level we are struggling is what I'm saying.  We have lost to three pretty good teams, that's part of it.  We've made a number of perplexing mental errors which is upsetting for a team with our experience.  Of course there are reasons but I don't think we are playing at the top levels we have shown. 

Agreed. I personally think that's because shaka is pushing everyone to be both the best offensive and defensive player they can be in games.  I think we've got 2 really good offensive players, and 3 switchables (as starters).  Not everyone can be everything.

[MuggsyB]

"It's about making the right decision and basketball play." I couldn't agree more. That's called creating offense. So you go from a point forward in Oso to an offense afterthought in Gold. You go from maybe the best PG in MU history to Stevie, who isn't a PG. All of a sudden, you're down to Kam. You're asking Jop to make drive and create basketball decisions and not just catch and shoot. Yet the team is 18-6. Shaka can stay at MU as long as he wants as far as I'm concerned.

I'm not saying we're as good as last year or can replace Tyler or Oso.  We're not as good offensively, I said that very early in the season.  But we're better defensively.  My point is even with our deficiencies we should be better than what we're seeing from a shooting and offensive standpoint.

[Zog from Margo]

I'm not saying we're as good as last year or can replace Tyler or Oso.  We're not as good offensively, I said that very early in the season.  But we're better defensively.  My point is even with our deficiencies we should be better than what we're seeing from a shooting and offensive standpoint.

Why should they be better offensively? Stevie has never been a big scorer. Neither has Gold. Chase has flashes. Jop struggles to put the ball on the floor. Fortunately, he's made great strides in the paint. Kam is running the show but is an inexperienced PG. It's frustrating to watch them on O but they are what they are. The juice needs to come from the bench and we're starting to see flashes.

I think folks feel MU should be challenging for national championships. Let's be honest, MU won one and it was 48 years ago. Shaka inherited a bottom half of the BE program. He's on the verge of his 4th straight winning season in conference and 4th straight NCAA bid. I think dissatisfied fans are unrealistic. Memories are short.

[rocky_warrior]

I think dissatisfied fans are unrealistic. Memories are short.

Dissatisfaction is relative.  A month ago I thought MU was a title contender. Maybe they still are ...

[GoFastAndWin]

What do you make of Ashworth's Steph Curry sleep gesture after his late 3?

Elfin Magic

[GoFastAndWin]

I chat a lot of MU hoops with one of my old MU profs with whom I'm still friends (Iowa State grad) and one thing I said to him earlier in the season after the Maryland, Purdue, and Bucky wins was we had an advantage coming into the season with the continuity in the roster and not having to figure out individual roles and fit (e.g. St's John's and their backcourt). We had no freshmen starting or even getting significant minutes early on in the season so we hit the ground running. IMO, as the season has gone on that advantage has diminished significantly and we've regressed to the mean.

What continuity giveth in the nonCon it often taketh away in Conference. The good news is that we will again be a somewhat difficult scout in the NCAA. Our type of defense is not easy to prepare for.

[rocky_warrior]

The good news is that we will again be a somewhat difficult scout in the NCAA. Our type of defense is not easy to prepare for.

Right, coaches are oblivious to teams that gamble for steals, possibly fouling in the process.

[1SE]

Y'all keep forgetting Kam is up for all American at PG.

No PG.  Hysterical.  6 assists today.

Yeah  and would have been 10 if stevie could have hit wide open 3s

[GoFastAndWin]

Right, coaches are oblivious to teams that gamble for steals, possibly fouling in the process.

Intensity is not just a Deane/Crean era MU dance team.

[MU82]

Just back from the game - contrary to some of the doom and gloom here, I came away encouraged by what I saw.  It was a one possession game with 2 minutes left and then Creighton made their threes. Chase, Stevie and Ben were pretty much non factors and we were still within striking distance the whole game.  Zaide, Royce and Demarius continue to get better and Kam and Jop got their mojo back.  My only regret is that Kalkbrenner didn't get called for any of the many illegal screens he set.

For the most part, we played well on the road against a hot opponent.

I'm disappointed any time we lose ... but like you, I'm not discouraged after this game.

[CTWarrior]

First half defense wasn't good enough. Kam figuring things out will help going forward. Second half was winning basketball, but once again tough to keep momentum when build yourself such a big hole you have to work so hard to get out of. Creighton hit the prayers they needed down the stretch. Ashworth telling everyone his old ass needs to go home, it's past his bed time. Or was it that he needs to put his child to sleep?

I don't know that Kam has anything figured out.  He feasted on Ashworth, who is simply to small to guard him.  He did hit some threes, though.

[rocky_warrior]

Intensity is not just a Deane/Crean era MU dance team.

Hah, clever.  If we can dance our way into convincing wins the next few games, we'll rename the dance team "violence".

[CTWarrior]

Maybe our expectations were too great.
Team plays their heart out.

This is true.  We were supposed to be a team that was around 15-20 and I think that is where we will settle in.

[Shooter McGavin]

I've been trying to understand how, over the course of the past three games (120 minutes of game time), our starting center has only scored 2 points.

I agree with Tower.  He looks hurt to me.  Had a wrap on his right leg I believe and was not moving well at all.  No way he is fully healthy.  If he has bad wheels that explains his disappearance these last few games.

[MUDPT]

I don't know that Kam has anything figured out.  He feasted on Ashworth, who is simply to small to guard him.  He did hit some threes, though.

You could see them trying to hunt Ashworth the entire game. Problem is Kam is the only one who can score consistently off of it. Sean Jones is missed, poor Johnny Fuhrpy in the KU game last year.

Defensively, teams have stopped dribbling into the middle of the lane which invited all of the double teams and easy steals/ turnovers.

3rd hardest Big East schedule so far. 2 easiest the rest of the way.

[willie warrior]

Dissatisfaction is relative.  A month ago I thought MU was a title contender. Maybe they still are ...

No they are not. That is patently obvious.

[The Sultan]

What do you make of Ashworth's Steph Curry sleep gesture after his late 3?

He wasn't wrong.

[ATL MU Warrior]

Right, coaches are oblivious to teams that gamble for steals, possibly fouling in the process.

Coaches love all the wide open dunks, layups and 3s that we give up when we don't get the steal though.

[Viper]

Dissatisfaction is relative.  A month ago I thought MU was a title contender. Maybe they still are ...

you thought MU was a national title contender? Right up there with Auburn, Duke, Tennessee, Florida, Houston and others? I always felt MU's top 10 ranking was a mirage. This 3-game stretch was the test. Im not sure if MU is even a Sweet 16 contender at this point. I'd say win a game in the dance might be top end. I can't remember the last time an experienced starter completely disappeared such as Gold has. But beyond the players, Shaka's coaching has been puzzling. Perimeter defense has been bad, especially vs UConn and again with this Creighton game. There's time to make adjustments, of course. Maybe replace Gold as a starter with Parnham? And a few bottom-feeder opponents couldn't come at a better time.

[Scoop Snoop]

Dissatisfaction is relative.  A month ago I thought MU was a title contender. Maybe they still are ...

By "title contender", were you referring to a BE title or a natty? I'm guessing BE., but after Viper's reply, I would like to know.