Marquette Scouting Report

[Billy Jack]

So we've beaten them the last four games-- Assuming that's meaningless-- They have a team significantly made up of players from last year's team that played meaningful minutes for them. I think we have upgraded our team from the previous two years when we beat them four times..

I still like our chances.

The fact that we’ve upgraded is obviously a good thing, but it doesn’t mean that the matchups of a different group of guys with the same jerseys has any relevance to tonight’s game.

The fact that they have mostly the same guys from last year is actually a plus for them. Four of their 5 current starters were in their first year with the program last year. So was this year’s 6th man. They were just getting to know each other last year. And 3 of them were freshmen who were new to college basketball entirely. That year of experience together makes a huge difference. That’s the beauty of college basketball. Players get better from year to year and teams evolve.

I like our chances too, but I think this is going to be a nail biter.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I know little about Marquette except from this post. I look at their top 5 lineups and all feature Ighodaro. He's smaller than either of our 5s and not a significant offensive threat. That means our centers can play back and protect the rim. I expect him to have two fouls fairly quickly and eventually foul out. They seem to have no real viable backup center. Given our offensive ability at the position, I really don't know how they stop Sanogo or Clingan. If we went two bigs on them, I simply don't know what they could do about it.

Maybe I am over simplifying. My biggest concern is that Dan pulls a St. Johns and tries to match-up with a small lineup.

 

[Umami Zen]

The fact that we’ve upgraded is obviously a good thing, but it doesn’t mean that the matchups of a different group of guys with the same jerseys has any relevance to tonight’s game.

The fact that they have mostly the same guys from last year is actually a plus for them. Four of their 5 current starters were in their first year with the program last year. So was this year’s 6th man. They were just getting to know each other last year. And 3 of them were freshmen who were new to college basketball entirely. That year of experience together makes a huge difference. That’s the beauty of college basketball. Players get better from year to year and teams evolve.

I like our chances too, but I think this is going to be a nail biter.

BJ ..If I didn't know better.. I would say you're from Wauwatosa.. It's been awhile since a Yarder has been throwing "facts" in favor of the other guys in such an important game..I see the opposition as a very good team.. Great coach.

I don't see them winning this game.. To make you feel better.. I will recalculate my winning margin to five points.. 85-80.. Good guys.. And no.. You won't be able to change my mind as to who wins the game.

 

[UKemba15]

Most people think Jim Everett killed Jim Rome a few decades ago.

Wait wasn’t that Chris Evert??

 

[Billy Jack]

BJ ..If I didn't know better.. I would say you're from Wauwatosa.. It's been awhile since a Yarder has been throwing "facts" in favor of the other guys in such an important game..I see the opposition as a very good team.. Great coach.

I don't see them winning this game.. To make you feel better.. I will recalculate my winning margin to five points.. 85-80.. Good guys.. And no.. You won't be able to change my mind as to who wins the game.

Wouldn’t try, big guy. We can check in after the game. For the record, I’m picking our guys to win.

 

[ucp990411]

Prosper is a heck of a defensive player. He made some money tonight while Sanogo and Hawkins lost some.

 

[Billy Jack]

BJ ..If I didn't know better.. I would say you're from Wauwatosa.. It's been awhile since a Yarder has been throwing "facts" in favor of the other guys in such an important game..I see the opposition as a very good team.. Great coach.

I don't see them winning this game.. To make you feel better.. I will recalculate my winning margin to five points.. 85-80.. Good guys.. And no.. You won't be able to change my mind as to who wins the game.

Just checking in post game. How do you feel about it now?

 

[Umami Zen]

Just checking in post game. How do you feel about it now?

Marquette was the better team tonite..Hats off to Shaka..Thought he schemed the D very well...Effectively taking Sanogo and Hawkins out of the game. I was especially impressed with Prosper's D on Hawkins.. In his grille all night.
We could not match their energy.

Looking forward to rematch.

 

[Hey Adrien!]

Good morning Boneyard, here's an update to the scouting report with extra focus on Marquette's conference play:

Marquette: 19-5
Kenpom Rating: 8th (up from #15 last matchup)
10-1 in the last 11 games
Just ONE regulation loss since Thanksgiving​

OFFENSE: 4th nationally in efficiency (6th last matchup)

Big East rankings:

• 1st in
  • 60.0 2p%
  • 14.9% turnover rate
• 2nd in
  • 36.5 3p%
  • Quickest time of possession (15.8 seconds)
• 3rd in 3PA/FGA: 40.3 3p%
• 4th in 56.7 A/FGM: 56.7%
• 8th in offensive rebounding rate (25.6%)
• Last in FTA/FGA (24.8%)

DEFENSE: 51st nationally in efficiency (80th last matchup)

Big East rankings

• 1st in
  • turnover rate (23.5%)!!
  • Opp. time of possession (19.1 seconds)
• 7th in 34.7 3p%
• 8th in
  • FTA/FGA (30.6%)
  • A/FGM (60.4%
• 9th in defensive rebounding rate
• 10th in
  • 53.8 2p%
  • 3PA/FGA (37.9%)

Injury report: Freshman point guard Sean Jones (questionable, wrist)

Looking at Marquette’s Big East performance, the #1 goal for UConn is to limit mistakes on the offensive end, especially early on in possessions when forced to play in the halfcourt. Marquette is very good at limiting transition offense, but UConn has a clear advantage in their defensive rebounding as a catalyst to push the ball up the court and prevent Marquette from getting settled on D.

Even though UConn lost the first matchup, I like UConn’s length in disrupting passing lanes and making Marquette uncomfortable on shot attempts.

Based on my previous two paragraphs, it could be a big game for Andre Jackson, maybe not on the stat sheet, but driving UConn’s transition from defense to offense. Hawkins and Newton combined for 15 points (4-16 from the field) in the last matchup and it’s easy to see those two perform better this time around.

Marquette’s Top Performers over the last 30 days:

• Tyler Kolek: 15.1p, 1.6 3PM, 4.8r, 8.5a, 1.8s, 51.2 fg%
• Kam Jones: 15.0p, 2.6 3PM, 2.0s, 48.4 fg%
• Oso Ighodaro: 12.9p, 4.8r, 3.4a, 1.5s, 1.8b, 70.3 fg%

 

[ucp990411]

Adama was outplayed by Ichodoro in the first game. I look to him having taken that personally and have a big game.

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

We have at least a 2 inch height advantage at every spot in the backcourt so yes one would hope we can disrupt them. I’m old enough to remember 6’ nothing Bazz and Boat whooping on the 6’6” Harrison twins

 

[Mr. Hand]

Kam Jones has one of the quickest releases in college ball, and to shoot that high a percentage with it is insane.

 

[bfs3]

I really need to see something from the squad this game. A win here would go a long way in showing if this will turn into a slight improvement over last year or if they can play anywhere close to how they looked in the beginning of the season. The past few weeks felt like a kick in the teeth.

 

[Billy Jack]

I think we turn it around.

 

[Rico444]

IIRC we had a poor rebounding game against them the first time. We really need to take advantage of our ability there tonight because it's something that they tend to struggle with.

 

[RichCTBB]

IIRC we had a poor rebounding game against them the first time. We really need to take advantage of our ability there tonight because it's something that they tend to struggle with.

Adama was much more aggressive on the boards last game. Hopefully he keeps it going. We’ll need every possession we can get.

 

[Billy Jack]

IIRC we had a poor rebounding game against them the first time. We really need to take advantage of our ability there tonight because it's something that they tend to struggle with.

I disagree that we rebounded poorly against them last time. Not only did we outrebound them, but rebounding opportunities were limited by the fact that they shot 51% from the floor & 84% from the line. In real numbers that mean that only 29 defensive rebounds were available off missed FGs and only 3 FTs were missed, not all of which were even available for rebounds. We still grabbed 35 rebounds because we outrebounded them 14-10 on the offensive glass.

 

[Rico444]

I disagree that we rebounded poorly against them last time. Not only did we outrebound them, but rebounding opportunities were limited by the fact that they shot 51% from the floor & 84% from the line. In real numbers that mean that only 29 defensive rebounds were available off missed FGs and only 3 FTs were missed, not all of which were even available for rebounds. We still grabbed 35 rebounds because we outrebounded them 14-10 on the offensive glass.

Yeah, maybe it was just my perception, but I remember coming into that game we were near the top of the country in offensive rebounding and they were near the bottom. I just expected domination on the boards.

 

[Matt1010]

Yeah, maybe it was just my perception, but I remember coming into that game we were near the top of the country in offensive rebounding and they were near the bottom. I just expected domination on the boards.

We absolutely can't let them get double digit offensive rebounds against us again. They're too good offensively for that many second chances. They've only reached 10+ a few times in BE play and one of those was a 2OT game against PC.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I can't post this in the haiku thread for reasons that will be come apparent, so am posting it here.

I'm struggling with the question of how does one do a control group when determining mojo? Last game I did not post in either the haiku or limerick threads (unintentional oversight) and poured myself a terrific local beer (General Braddock's) just prior to tip off. I will do both again for tonight's game. However, not posting in haiku/limerick threads comes at personal expense since I get a buttload of likes from those and I enjoy doing it. I guess I have to wait for a loss. I also guess this line of thinking could be taken too far as IIRC, I did not take a dump that day.

I wore red Patriots socks and red underwear for most of the 14-0, then that ended. For a couple of games, my block C sweatshirt and a Haiku was a winning formula. Then it wasn't. So I changed it up. Did a musical lyric Haiku that that was good, then next time it wasn't. Today I did another, sort of (you could argue poem), but with a different piece of attire. Plus I'm going out to watch the game, but at a new location as the mojo has been awful at the one we were using. Mojo is like Gumbo. Season it to taste. Shrimp? Chicken? Andouille? It's no one factor, it's a blend of them.

 

[Billy Jack]

Yeah, maybe it was just my perception, but I remember coming into that game we were near the top of the country in offensive rebounding and they were near the bottom. I just expected domination on the boards.

That’s fair. We didn’t dominate and I think you’re right about the disparity between the 2 teams going in.

On a positive note they came into that game as among the best in the country at forcing turnovers, but they didn’t turn us over any more than our regular average.

 

[Billy Jack]

We absolutely can't let them get double digit offensive rebounds against us again. They're too good offensively for that many second chances. They've only reached 10+ a few times in BE play and one of those was a 2OT game against PC.

It would be nice but that’s a tall order. They missed ten 3’s in that game. 3’s typically result in long rebounds and there’s a lot of luck involved in determining whose hands they fall into.

They normally average 9 offensive rebounds and we normally average 13. Both teams were right around their normal averages - actually slightly above for both. It would be nice if we could dominate them, but 14-10 on the offensive boards wasn’t a bad split.

 

[Billy Jack]

That’s fair. We didn’t dominate and I think you’re right about the disparity between the 2 teams going in.

On a positive note they came into that game as among the best in the country at forcing turnovers, but they didn’t turn us over any more than our regular average.

Correction. They did turn us over 16 times in that game, which THEIR regular average. To beat them, we have to do better than that.

 

[REB1094]

I’d like to see a press to start the game since we’re much bigger and have more length than them

Clingan demolished them last time. Literally just Andre/Clingan pick and rolls and they had no answer time and time again. Would like to see Clingan dominate again. They have no physical answer

 

[Billy Jack]

Marquette was the better team tonite..Hats off to Shaka..Thought he schemed the D very well...Effectively taking Sanogo and Hawkins out of the game. I was especially impressed with Prosper's D on Hawkins.. In his grille all night.
We could not match their energy.

Looking forward to rematch.

Rematch is here. What do you think going in?

 

[Umami Zen]

Rematch is here. What do you think going in?

83-80..Good guys.. Need to control boards/turnovers/make FTs.. XL crowd will be 6th man.. Expect Andre and our bench to show up.. Not worried about AK/TN/JH/AS/DC or our offense.. Defense needs to win the game..

Bandwagon starts revvin' up again. However we can do it.. Need to keep the crowd in the game --the whole game.

 

[Billy Jack]

Thanks.

So, you’re sayin’ we won’t cover the spread. I’m calling my bookie right now.

 

[Umami Zen]

Thanks.

So, you’re sayin’ we won’t cover the spread. I’m calling my bookie right now.

If we get a few bounces/threes that we haven't been getting lately.. I could easily see it drifting to a 10 pt win.. You know.. The "luck" thing that's being talked about.. Just being conservative on the score.

No doubt these next two games are big.. Not a lot of folks on the Yard I can share my optimism with.. LOL

 

[Scottobot]

Most top 25 teams have a very skilled 4. He needs to get better defensively.

I think Karaban has been fine defensively. Fremantle only scored 9 last matchup with Xavier. Outside of the Providence game where Hopkins was awarded 1 FT for every time he bounced the ball, Karaban’s defense has been pretty stout, especially for a freshman.

 

[Umami Zen]

Rematch is here. What do you think going in?

How about you?? Give me an X factor for the win..