We’re playing well

[MU82]

That was a thrilling game, a great comeback, some ballsy play down the stretch, and the kind of game that winners win.

Got superb contributions from lots of guys. Kam was the ultimate leader and Warrior. Stevie - wow - what a defensive stud. Jop ... I guess Shaka shouldn't bench him after all. Ross with several big plays late.

Outstanding effort by Parham - when he made his second 3, I told the guys in my text chain we were gonna win.

Withstood an absolutely ridiculous game from Conwell.

Thanks for missing that dunk with nobody near you, Freemantle! That was very generous.

And yes, we're STILL playing well.

[Tha Hound]

I disagree on "well", but getting a close win at MSG over a very solid team should be a big confidence boost prior to the tournament. We can definitely build on this.

[Big Papi]

We were not playing well in that first half, and it was a lot of the same issues we had the last 2 months.

Jop started the turn around the last couple of games by finding his 3-point stroke.

The second half, Kam figured it out and started hitting shots, Stevie became Stevie on defense and offensively the fear went away.  Ross stepped up and started scoring.  Gold, Parham and Z all had some very good contributions as well.

The second half of this game is the first time we have looked close to team we were in 2024.

This was a huge and well-deserved win.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

We were not playing well in that first half, and it was a lot of the same issues we had the last 2 months.

Jop started the turn around the last couple of games by finding his 3-point stroke.

The second half, Kam figured it out and started hitting shots, Stevie became Stevie on defense and offensively the fear went away.  Ross stepped up and started scoring.  Gold, Parham and Z all had some very good contributions as well.

The second half of this game is the first time we have looked close to team we were in 2024.

This was a huge and well-deserved win.

The entire issue in the first half was defense.  46 points.  Yeah, we missed some bunnies but that was the problem. 

[mileskishnish72]

We were not playing well in that first half, and it was a lot of the same issues we had the last 2 months.

Jop started the turn around the last couple of games by finding his 3-point stroke.

The second half, Kam figured it out and started hitting shots, Stevie became Stevie on defense and offensively the fear went away.  Ross stepped up and started scoring.  Gold, Parham and Z all had some very good contributions as well.

The second half of this game is the first time we have looked close to team we were in 2024.

This was a huge and well-deserved win.

Imagine if Ben had been there.

[MuMark]

https://x.com/tammarag/status/1900292656808550518?s=61&t=6XPB8f4sAKmJIzxgMcsCjw

[MU82]

Games have ebbs and flows. Few teams play great every stretch of every game. I mean, y'all watch basketball enough to know that.

We played extremely well for a long stretch in today's game, and that's why we won.

One little thing that's not so little ...

Watching the postgame show, one of the studio analysts made a great point: Marquette had to execute numerous inbound plays at the end with no timeouts remaining, and we did so every single time. That's not easy, and it's a sign of a team that's been prepared well by its coach.

We've been playing pretty well for some 3 weeks now. And now we've beaten a good team that had won 7 straight, and we did it at MSG to earn a Q1 win. It's OK to enjoy it.

[tower912]

Second half team all season.

[wadesworld]

Games have ebbs and flows. Few teams play great every stretch of every game. I mean, y'all watch basketball enough to know that.

We played extremely well for a long stretch in today's game, and that's why we won.

One little thing that's not so little ...

Watching the postgame show, one of the studio analysts made a great point: Marquette had to execute numerous inbound plays at the end with no timeouts remaining, and we did so every single time. That's not easy, and it's a sign of a team that's been prepared well by its coach.

We've been playing pretty well for some 3 weeks now. And now we've beaten a good team that had won 7 straight, and we did it at MSG to earn a Q1 win. It's OK to enjoy it.

I will say, it ended up working out.  But in my opinion Chase isn't the best inbounder, and he's probably the guy I trust most at the line down the stretch of games.  Stevie made them today, but he's missed some big ones this year.  Kam has missed a lot of free throws in general and some big ones this year.  Ben doesn't get there enough for me to have confidence in him, and has missed a couple late ones (today and at SJU come to mind).  Chase and Jop are the two I have most confidence in at the line in clutch situations, and Chase is the one inbounding.  Wouldn't hate seeing him be the one receiving passes.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

I will say, it ended up working out.  But in my opinion Chase isn't the best inbounder, and he's probably the guy I trust most at the line down the stretch of games.  Stevie made them today, but he's missed some big ones this year.  Kam has missed a lot of free throws in general and some big ones this year.  Ben doesn't get there enough for me to have confidence in him, and has missed a couple late ones (today and at SJU come to mind).  Chase and Jop are the two I have most confidence in at the line in clutch situations, and Chase is the one inbounding.  Wouldn't hate seeing him be the one receiving passes.

You notice the difference without TK to knock down FTs at the end.  I don't love Chase throwing it in, either. 

I thought maybe Ben could be that guy but I imagine they want his height available to grab an inbounds pass. 

With Kam's free throw struggles and how good he is passing the ball you'd think he could be an option but they likely want him in for his ball-handling. 

Shaka thinks it's Chase so even though Scoop knows better that works for me. 

[bananahammock]

Second half team all season.

Do MU's assistants struggle with preparing the scout for these games leading to slow first halves? Obviously, the staff has done a terrific job with halftime adjustments.

[MU82]

I actually thought similar - Chase is one of the guys I'd want shooting. Kam would be the only other one I'd want inbounding; he usually makes good decisions and the bonus is that it also makes it less likely he'd be the one fouled. But Kam also is the best at getting open to receive a pass.

I'm guessing that Chase is the one who inbounds in those situations most of the time at practice, and Shaka feels the most comfortable with him doing it. So I know some folks don't always want to hear this, but we're just gonna have to trust our coach on this.

[Judge Smails]

I liked the fouling up 3 strategy. #7 would've tied it up the way he was shooting

[MU82]

I liked the fouling up 3 strategy. #7 would've tied it up the way he was shooting

100%.

I'm "situational" on the strategy in that I wouldn't do it every time against any opponent. There would be several factors, including can my opponent shoot, and are we rebounding well enough that I'm confident we'd secure the rebound. The way Conwell was shooting, it was a no-brainer today, and I was yelling at my TV to do it!

[BM1090]

I will say, it ended up working out.  But in my opinion Chase isn't the best inbounder, and he's probably the guy I trust most at the line down the stretch of games.  Stevie made them today, but he's missed some big ones this year.  Kam has missed a lot of free throws in general and some big ones this year.  Ben doesn't get there enough for me to have confidence in him, and has missed a couple late ones (today and at SJU come to mind).  Chase and Jop are the two I have most confidence in at the line in clutch situations, and Chase is the one inbounding.  Wouldn't hate seeing him be the one receiving passes.

Jop is oddly the guy I have a lot of faith in if we're up. Don't trust him as much when we're down in big spots. Then I'd want Stevie or Chase

[Newsdreams]

We were not playing well in that first half, and it was a lot of the same issues we had the last 2 months.

Jop started the turn around the last couple of games by finding his 3-point stroke.

The second half, Kam figured it out and started hitting shots, Stevie became Stevie on defense and offensively the fear went away.  Ross stepped up and started scoring.  Gold, Parham and Z all had some very good contributions as well.

The second half of this game is the first time we have looked close to team we were in 2024.

This was a huge and well-deserved win.

Muggsy disagrees on deserve to win

[MU24]

When the team is hitting 3s, look out.

Unfortunately the team has been most not hitting 3s. It's like every 5th game they hit.

[We R Final Four]

100%.

I'm "situational" on the strategy in that I wouldn't do it every time against any opponent. There would be several factors, including can my opponent shoot, and are we rebounding well enough that I'm confident we'd secure the rebound. The way Conwell was shooting, it was a no-brainer today, and I was yelling at my TV to do it!

I don't know any coach who is a "always" foul when up three coach. Is there one these days?Aren't they all "situational"?
MU fouled too early. Fouled with 6 seconds left.By doing so....had to follow again with 4 seconds left. Comwell's 35' footer does in now way justify that we "should have fouled because look what he would have done."
Shaka and Annie Duke call that resulting.

[wadesworld]

I don't know any coach who is a "always" foul when up three coach. Is there one these days?Aren't they all "situational"?
MU fouled too early. Fouled with 6 seconds left.By doing so....had to follow again with 4 seconds left. Comwell's 35' footer does in now way justify that we "should have fouled because look what he would have done."
Shaka and Annie Duke call that resulting.

MU executed it perfectly.

[MU82]

I don't know any coach who is a "always" foul when up three coach. Is there one these days?Aren't they all "situational"?
MU fouled too early. Fouled with 6 seconds left.By doing so....had to follow again with 4 seconds left. Comwell's 35' footer does in now way justify that we "should have fouled because look what he would have done."
Shaka and Annie Duke call that resulting.

OK.