Marquette Postgame Thread

[NormanDale]

I was incensed by that move! It was deliberate and nasty. at least a technical. I am surprised more haven’t commented.

No, it wasn't, it was a hard take and an offensive foul, nothing more. She didn't swing her elbows or do anything malicious, if her head didn't just so happen to hit Edwards in the mouth NOBODY would be talking about it, just one of those plays that happen in basketball.

 

[dtbtbtb]

I really like this coach, even if she was a ND alumn.

Really good coach. Her team is prepared, plays hard and got a clear system. IMO ND would have been better having her as their coach then NI

 

[pvdoggy]

They are in 2nd place because they haven't played DePaul who they play next. They also lost to Seton Hall by 11 and now UConn, while I think while Marquette is good, they are not better than DePaul, this is the 3rd best team in the Big East and Better then thug UCF from the old AAC. How Houston is ranked as high as 66 is beyond me, especially the way they are playing now.

That could be true but I thought UConn had an easier time handling DePaul without playing their best than Marquette playing their best game of the season.

 

[hoophuskee]

Very nice game from just about everybody. I hope Aubrey's dnp was just precautionary to get her a little more rest for Monday. I really like seeing ONO and AE on the court together. It lets Liv play to her strengths and relieves her of some of the banger duties. She was hedging off screens like Isiah Whaley, no? And AE with a couple full court break outs? Crazy. Seems the key to playing extended minutes with both bigs is confidence that they won't eat silly fouls. That's been better for two games but we'll see what happens when they get challenged. Some of you Liv bashers just need to accept that she's never going to carry this team but she has a lot to contribute and some nights are going to be better than others.
As far as Nika getting the bulk of pg minutes, the benefits seem pretty obvious but the rotation does get crowded. Ew may get some time at the 1 and cw will give some minutes to aubrey. Main thing though, is that instead of Geno's historical practice of rolling with his five or six best, he has some real big/small and off/def buttons to push with this team. And with the flexibility of Aubrey, Anna, and Mir we shouldn't really have to worry about foul trouble.

The 3 freshmen of Paige, Edwards, and Nika have changed everything.

The emergence of Nika has opened this team up to many more possibilities.

For example-- it is much, much harder now to play UCONN in a zone. Nika is hitting 10-23 - 43.5% in her last 5 games. Now UCONN has one off-the-charts 3pt shooter, and between Nika and Evina overall they are pretty good 3pt shooters which even if one is off, UCONN is still at least good enough from 3. Frankly, imo now between supreme ball movement, the ability of Evina, Nika and CWill to slash (whether 2 are in all 3) that's gonna get Paige open. Thus a standard zone is going to have to hope Paige is off.

Edwards has been terrific. From the get-go she changes the temperament for UCONN. I am so excited to see how she can play against Boston. Not one-on-one (though that would be cool too) but just overall. For example, Boston is an amazing shot blocker. Can Edwards finish well enough in the paint with Boston lurking?
Also in certain situations can Edwards affect what Boston does with ease vs most teams inside?

As far as the standard thought process vs most of the top teams is that UCONN goes big. I am excited to see that. However, for a short time in the game I'd love to see the small lineup. Paige is shooting 59.6% from 3. That's equivalent to 89.4% from 2. When UCONN is setting picks and double picks -- how is it that if a team is playing big with 2 big players, are they going to get out on Paige, considering all the movement?

All I'm saying is what Nika is doing now just opens up so much. These 3 freshmen have changed UCONN. Excited to see if they can match up with a strong elite caliber team now that the confidence is high.

 

[Charliebball]

There was also a lot less pressure for Saylor. Anna was touted as the answer to so many problems and thrust into a starting role immediately and Saylor should (according to time, not opinion — I’m glad she’s here) still be watching on TV. Not a fair comparison.

not making judgments.........just stating facts.......

 

[mudcat]

AND, Saylor's 3pt. shooting is up to 50%!

25%

 

[oldude]

25%

Actually, Saylor is only 16.7% (1/6).

 

[eebmg]

Actually, Saylor is only 16.7% (1/6).

but trending up.

 

[oldude]

but trending up.

Correct. After hitting her first 3 of the season her % increased by infinity....

 

[mudcat]

not making judgments.........just stating facts.......

Sometimes those can be the same thing

 

[King Kong]

Paige is the Phenomenon of the year. Nika is the player of the week. Liya is the co-player of the week. Mir & Aubrey are co-conspirators.

 

[npignatjr]

I like the way you make it sound like the AAC is better than the Big East. I guess that Massey disagrees with you. Currently 3 teams from the Big East get into the dance while only 2 from the AAC.

Big East	Rate
Uconn	3
Marquette	39
DePaul	40
Villanova	56
Seton Hall	66
Creighton	82
St John's	110
Providence	133
Xavier	162
Georgetown	187
Butler	227

AAC	Rate
USF	22
UCF	55
Houston	69
Tulane	71
Temple	112
Tulsa	129
ECU	142
Memphis	147
Wichita St	158
Cincinnati	166
SMU	229

One of those 3 from the BE is UConn, so that is a wash. USF is ranked higher than any BE team not named UConn. I am talking also across the athletic department.

 

[Watchdog]

Marquette plays like Notre Dame, and just like their coach, Duffy, who was a real tough one when she was point guard there. The Notre Dame culture. Hats off to them.

I know it's sacrilegious to make allegations against the heirs to the legacy of the golden domers, especially the women, but their play is not tough, it's something more. Passive aggressive? Borderline dirty? We'll be able to better judge after the next game with them. Reminds me of the tactics of Georgetown's men's team in the 80's when Big John was coach. Just little things that become obviously intentional when you see them over and again.

The most obvious was Taylor using a chest bump on multiple occasions on defense as well as the obvious shoulder to the jaw of Aaliyah when she took her out of the game.
Watch that replay and you can see, even without slo-mo, that she intended to hit Aaliyah hard on her drive, and high with the shoulder. I'd like to believe the damage to AE's teeth or lips wasn't intentional but that hit was not accidental.

It wasn't just that play either. Watch the three minute highlight video of Bueckers and you'll see Taylor chest bump her as she went up for the layup in the third quarter. Paige was defenseless and was knocked to the floor hard but no call was made. Taylor looks as if she's been taught to keep her hands to herself but use her chest to knock opponents off stride when they make their moves to the basket.

 

[npignatjr]

Just looked at the stats: NM has 8 pts., 9 assist, 7 rebounds and 5 steals.

She got fouled on a drive which means 2 additional FTs if they called it. IIRC, it was AE who missed on 2 assists by NM. So she could have had a double double easily. She actually was pretty darn close to a triple double. Funny to say when she didn't even have a double at all. She also is tough, dives at lose balls, is a complete nuisance to the other team. Only 2 TO and 2 Fouls.

By they way, she is in her 11th game or so.....

Kid has game....an ALL AROUND GAME.

Now if she can only make a layup....

She was also fouled on the play when she wad called for the kick. Old ND tricks Marquette did alot last night the hip check and taking out shooters legs

 

[cancontent]

I was incensed by that move! It was deliberate and nasty. at least a technical. I am surprised more haven’t commented.

I've been holding back on that personally. I'm sure my bias is evident with respect to AE.

I thought is was a combination of the head and shoulder from my view. No idea why a technical wasn't called.

 

[blkkirk]

I agree about the foul on AE. It was intentional with intent to hurt. Disappointed that it was not called a flagrant foul. That could have been a career ending play.

 

[npignatjr]

Also I think the BE has some already very good coaches as well as some young up and coming coaches. Marquette and Villanova come to mind on the latter. I think Mozella (?) from Seton Hall is also quite good.

The bottom of the BE is pretty dreadful. Not sure if it's because of injuries this year or what is ailing the really bad teams, but I hope that the middle and bottom half of the league starts to pick itself up. We will see over the next 3-4 years if they can start recruiting better and be more competitive.

I'd like to see the BE get 4 teams in this year. I think Marquette has a great shot, and Seton Hall is close. Not playing a big OOC schedule makes it hard for those those teams to get quality wins without beating each other up. Neither Hall nor Marquette likely will beat UCONN or Depaul so they won't have a "signature" win. SHU faces Marquette once more. The winner of that game may determine which team makes the tourney...

Hall already beat Marquette once. I would say UCONN, DePaul, SHU and Marquette in that order. But we will see when they play.

As for what happens to Anna when she comes back, I would not be surprised to see her shut down for the rest of the season. With the leg brace, she's doing 0 for fitness and staying in shape. I have a feeling her lackluster play was due to the injury. So we will likely have to deal with who starts and who plays next year when we are more at full strength. I'd love to see her come back, but I'm not hopeful... We will see!

Up and coming? SHs coach has been there awhile. Marquette had an up and coming young coach, an alum, that left the Big East to go to a crummy Big 10 program.

 

[MSGRET]

One of those 3 from the BE is UConn, so that is a wash. USF is ranked higher than any BE team not named UConn. I am talking also across the athletic department.

No you were talking about basketball, and right now UCF would be lucky to beat any of the top 5 teams in the Big East, heck they lost to Temple. If UConn was in the AAC, both USF and UCF would have lower ratings because of their losses to UConn, just like DePaul and the others.

 

[Bald Husky]

Also I think the BE has some already very good coaches as well as some young up and coming coaches. Marquette and Villanova come to mind on the latter. I think Mozella (?) from Seton Hall is also quite good.

The bottom of the BE is pretty dreadful. Not sure if it's because of injuries this year or what is ailing the really bad teams, but I hope that the middle and bottom half of the league starts to pick itself up. We will see over the next 3-4 years if they can start recruiting better and be more competitive.

I'd like to see the BE get 4 teams in this year. I think Marquette has a great shot, and Seton Hall is close. Not playing a big OOC schedule makes it hard for those those teams to get quality wins without beating each other up. Neither Hall nor Marquette likely will beat UCONN or Depaul so they won't have a "signature" win. SHU faces Marquette once more. The winner of that game may determine which team makes the tourney...

Hall already beat Marquette once. I would say UCONN, DePaul, SHU and Marquette in that order. But we will see when they play.

As for what happens to Anna when she comes back, I would not be surprised to see her shut down for the rest of the season. With the leg brace, she's doing 0 for fitness and staying in shape. I have a feeling her lackluster play was due to the injury. So we will likely have to deal with who starts and who plays next year when we are more at full strength. I'd love to see her come back, but I'm not hopeful... We will see

 

[Bald Husky]

Does anyone know what is exactly wrong with Annas leg?

 

[DefenseBB]

Hold on

Up and coming? SHs coach has been there awhile. Marquette had an up and coming young coach, an alum, that left the Big East to go to a crummy Big 10 program.

Let's do some clarification for both you and @EricLA as your views are sort of on track and sort of off it;
Tony Bozzella is Seton Hall's coach, who while not spectacular is solid and he's in his 8th season, and I would say his trend is looking up with this current team.
The Penn State program was a very strong program historically under longtime coach Rene Portland who was justifiably let go. That said Coquese Washington had some initial success at PSU before cratering her last 5 years. Carolyn Kieger left Marquette due to significant pay and better facilities in a higher profile league. All justifiable and hopefully a learning lesson for both Marquette and the Big East.

The simple fact is the BE Women's Basketball plan needs to mirror the men's-pay your coaches so they stay and develop the programs to be powers across the landscape. Think about Villanova, Seton Hall, Marquette, now the UConn men and hope the Women's programs focus similar tactic to improve WCBB.

I would say in the very least, we are significantly ahead of where we were the last 6 years. I like the horizon for DePaul, Marquette, Villanova, Seton Hall and even St. John's over the likes of Houston, Tulane and Temple. Only USF is an opponent loss for us. While UCF has improved since Coach Abe arrived, she has not delivered as much as the Joanna Bernabei-McNamee has at Boston College (Joanna succeeded Abe at Albany), and as "chippy" as some thought Marquette was last night...[ ]

I will take the Big East every day over AAC and twice on Sunday...

 

[jazz]

The 3 freshmen of Paige, Edwards, and Nika have changed everything.

The emergence of Nika has opened this team up to many more possibilities.

For example-- it is much, much harder now to play UCONN in a zone. Nika is hitting 10-23 - 43.5% in her last 5 games. Now UCONN has one off-the-charts 3pt shooter, and between Nika and Evina overall they are pretty good 3pt shooters which even if one is off, UCONN is still at least good enough from 3. Frankly, imo now between supreme ball movement, the ability of Evina, Nika and CWill to slash (whether 2 are in all 3) that's gonna get Paige open. Thus a standard zone is going to have to hope Paige is off.

Edwards has been terrific. From the get-go she changes the temperament for UCONN. I am so excited to see how she can play against Boston. Not one-on-one (though that would be cool too) but just overall. For example, Boston is an amazing shot blocker. Can Edwards finish well enough in the paint with Boston lurking?
Also in certain situations can Edwards affect what Boston does with ease vs most teams inside?

As far as the standard thought process vs most of the top teams is that UCONN goes big. I am excited to see that. However, for a short time in the game I'd love to see the small lineup. Paige is shooting 59.6% from 3. That's equivalent to 89.4% from 2. When UCONN is setting picks and double picks -- how is it that if a team is playing big with 2 big players, are they going to get out on Paige, considering all the movement?

All I'm saying is what Nika is doing now just opens up so much. These 3 freshmen have changed UCONN. Excited to see if they can match up with a strong elite caliber team now that the confidence is high.

The challenge now is if AE and NM can do it against top level teams. They may or may not be ready to do so just yet, but we will find out in 2 days. Either way, they both seem to grow and learn quickly so this experience will be huge for them. I hope GA gives them both plenty of minutes since at minimum, it will help them and the team down the road. AE should play plenty but does he trust NM against SC guards??

 

[hoophuskee]

The challenge now is if AE and NM can do it against top level teams. They may or may not be ready to do so just yet, but we will find out in 2 days. Either way, they both seem to grow and learn quickly so this experience will be huge for them. I hope GA gives them both plenty of minutes since at minimum, it will help them and the team down the road. AE should play plenty but does he trust NM against SC guards??

I love the potential contrast with NM and the quick SC guards! While two particular SC guards are uber-quick I expect they will try to crash the lane inside with dribble penetration and as long as they get Liv to provide help defense it opens up Boston for offensive rebounds if they miss.

On the flip side, their 2 very-quick guards are small. Small guards means easier for Paige to shoot over. Thus once Paige is given a pick and with any space- if their small guards are switched off on her - they could only waive hello to Paige- and that's about it.

 

[donalddoowop]

I agree about the foul on AE. It was intentional with intent to hurt. Disappointed that it was not called a flagrant foul. That could have been a career ending play.

So you think she knew Edwards was going to take a charge? She started her drive before Edwards moved into her path.

 

[Cornell Lt]

Can't wait for the rematch in Storrs. AE may have some extra incentive to be a bit physical with a particular player and I bet her teammates will be there to back her up.

 

[jazz]

I love the potential contrast with NM and the quick SC guards! While two particular SC guards are uber-quick I expect they will try to crash the lane inside with dribble penetration and as long as they get Liv to provide help defense it opens up Boston for offensive rebounds if they miss.

On the flip side, their 2 very-quick guards are small. Small guards means easier for Paige to shoot over. Thus once Paige is given a pick and with any space- if their small guards are switched off on her - they could only waive hello to Paige- and that's about it.

We do have an advantage on offense against many top level teams but unfortunately, we don't match up defensively as well against many top level teams either. This is really across the board:

1. I still don't trust CW to guard any top level guard
2. I am not sure if EW can guard top level wings
3. I'm not sure if NM can guard top level guards...much like any freshman.
4. If the above is true or at least partly true, we will have at minimum, some issues keeping penetration to a minimum.
5. If that is true, then Liv will probably have foul trouble helping out.
6. We may lose the offensive rebounds too when Liv is out of position.
7. This may snowball further with quick passes on the penetration leading to easy layups and 'and ones' as well as kick outs to open shooters.

It all starts with how good our perimeter defense is. If it is not good, it leads to easy buckets, open threes, foul trouble and giving up offensive rebounds.

 

[cancontent]

Can't wait for the rematch in Storrs. AE may have some extra incentive to be a bit physical with a particular player and I bet her teammates will be there to back her up.

I doubt it as that hasn't been her style. She'll be focused on the team winning versus any "payback". Her genuine motivation to play at the level UConn expects is all the incentive she needs.

 

[npignatjr]

Hold on

Let's do some clarification for both you and @EricLA as your views are sort of on track and sort of off it;
Tony Bozzella is Seton Hall's coach, who while not spectacular is solid and he's in his 8th season, and I would say his trend is looking up with this current team.
The Penn State program was a very strong program historically under longtime coach Rene Portland who was justifiably let go. That said Coquese Washington had some initial success at PSU before cratering her last 5 years. Carolyn Kieger left Marquette due to significant pay and better facilities in a higher profile league. All justifiable and hopefully a learning lesson for both Marquette and the Big East.

The simple fact is the BE Women's Basketball plan needs to mirror the men's-pay your coaches so they stay and develop the programs to be powers across the landscape. Think about Villanova, Seton Hall, Marquette, now the UConn men and hope the Women's programs focus similar tactic to improve WCBB.

I would say in the very least, we are significantly ahead of where we were the last 6 years. I like the horizon for DePaul, Marquette, Villanova, Seton Hall and even St. John's over the likes of Houston, Tulane and Temple. Only USF is an opponent loss for us. While UCF has improved since Coach Abe arrived, she has not delivered as much as the Joanna Bernabei-McNamee has at Boston College (Joanna succeeded Abe at Albany), and as "chippy" as some thought Marquette was last night...[ ]

I will take the Big East every day over AAC and twice on Sunday...

If all those things. The Big East with the exception of UConn are small private schools, with mostly, where the women play, small venues. The upcoming schools in the AAC are newer schools mostly, with also solid programs in other sports and in areas of the nation people and businesses are moving to, the Big East people are fleeing those cities and states. And as a Connecticut taxpayer if we had been given the choice of not having to pay a $17million dollar penalty to leave the AAC and make the most expensive program at UConn football forever irrelevant, I would have voted no.

 

[hoophuskee]

We do have an advantage on offense against many top level teams but unfortunately, we don't match up as well against many top level teams either. This is really across the board:

1. I still don't trust CW to guard any top level guard
2. I am not sure if EW can guard top level wings
3. I'm not sure if NM can guard top level guards...much like any freshman.
4. If the above is true or at least partly true, we will have at minimum, some issues keeping penetration to a minimum.
5. If that is true, then Liv will probably have foul trouble helping out.
6. We may lose the offensive rebounds too when Liv is out of position.
7. This may snowball further with quick passes on the penetration leading to easy layups and 'and ones' as well as kick outs to open shooters.

It all starts with how good our perimeter defense is. If it is not good, it leads to easy buckets, open threes, foul trouble and offensive rebounds.

There's always a zone. or a junk defense or a sagging man-to-man designed to either limit a great player or 2 and/or limit penetration.

And on the flip side, one player in basketball can influence a game in a major way. I'm not sure any one player can guard Paige Bueckers. The best defense might be "hope she misses."

It all starts with Paige's effectiveness. If she is drilling 3's, it leads to easy buckets, and limiting the opposing team's ability to fastbreak.

 

[jazz]

There's always a zone. or a junk defense or a sagging man-to-man designed to either limit a great player or 2 and/or limit penetration.

And on the flip side, one player in basketball can influence a game in a major way. I'm not sure any one player can guard Paige Bueckers. The best defense might be "hope she misses."

It all starts with Paige's effectiveness. If she is drilling 3's, it leads to easy buckets, and limiting the opposing team's ability to fastbreak.

I hear what you say hoop and I agree to a large extent but we still to play at minimum, adequate perimeter defense. It is hard to play zone if the other team can pass the ball well.

It is very helpful that we will have the best player on the floor: the best scorer and the best passer. Usually you win or at least have a great chance at winning when you have both of those advantages and we will have them in every game we play.